Students in the National Park College Welding program designed and fabricated an iron bench they donated to the Central Arkansas Veteran's Health Care System's Hot Springs Community Based Outpatient Clinic.
A dedication ceremony was held May 10. President John Hogan introduced Michael Dobbs, chief of voluntary services for CAVHS.
Also in attendance were Anita Deason, military and veteran services representative for U.S. John Boozman, R-Ark.; Courtland Sykes, military and veteran services representative for U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-District 4; County Judge Rick Davis; state Sen. Bill Sample, R-District 14; Stanley Bee, veteran services officer for Garland County; and representatives from the Hot Springs Village Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10483.
Student artists Casey White and Chris Smith shared how they designed and fabricated the bench as part of their required service-learning project this semester in their Welding Layout and Fabrication course. The students used gas metal arc welding to complete the project, which required more than 100 hours of labor.
"I require students to complete a service learning project of their choice each semester. "I always enjoy watching the creativity they put into their work, but this project is a true work of art," said Joey Poole, welding instructor.
The bench was created using welds to look like wooden logs and branches. An American flag waves across the seat back. Each line was individually welded then flattened with a grinder to create the wood grain. To create the depth of the grain, the artists used several layers of different paint shades.
Dobbs shared his excitement to receive the donation on behalf of the veterans and presented the students with a CAVHS challenge coin as a token of appreciation to honor the work they put into the project.
NPC Veterans Affairs Coordinator Nathan Looper shared his appreciation for the students' hard work and presented them with certificates. Both students graduated this month from the program and have already secured employment with Iron Designs, a custom metalwork shop in Hot Springs.
School on 05/29/2016