Picking up an MATC Times newspaper just got a whole lot easier for students and faculty thanks to the MATC welding program.

“It was exciting to help design them,” said Christine Knops, a student enrolled in the welding program. “The new design makes the papers much more accessible. They’re small and nice, not clumsy or clunky. They’re cute.”
We’re going to get as many done as we can by the end of the semester,” said Sue Silverstein, Oak Creek Campus Welding Instructor.

“The whole department played a role on this project. There are going to be 19 new racks made. Six racks are being made by eight students in my class, six are being made by 10 students in the morning class here at Oak Creek and six are being made by the class on the West Allis Campus.”

Silverstein explained that the process of building the racks requires a lot of work.

“It takes about a day to cut the material used. After that, a week and a half to weld one together. Then it goes to the autobody shop where they paint it, which takes about a week to do. It then comes back to us for the final stages where we assemble the final touches, wax ons, signs and glass. This process takes about a week as well.”

Even though the welding department is assembling the new stands, Knops explained they are unique in every way. “Everyone has different ideas and preferences, each class is going to put their own personal style and touch into it. It allows the project to remain creative and competitive.”

“Overall, I think the class did a good job on them,” Silverstein said with pride. “They’re a great class and a bunch of hard workers.”