November Students of the Month

Each month, Davis Applied Technology College (DATC) nominates two students for their exemplary efforts at school, work and life. This month, David Barry from the Heavy Duty Diesel program and Patrick Buckley from Information Technology were nominated.

David Barry, Heavy Duty Diesel
When he was a child, David Barry dreamed of becoming a cowboy. At the tender age of 4, he was already wearing cowboy boots, riding a horse, and preparing to make his own buckskins.

"I was born a century too late," David admits, but he has continued his pursuit of being a cowboy. During his teenage years, David learned skills to repair tractors and other farm equipment. And because he didn't have a horse, David learned how to fix trucks so that he would have a means to get to work. "I always had a diesel truck. I went and bought a motor and threw it into another truck that had a bad motor. I put it together all by myself and made it run."

Wanting to be further educated, so that he would have all the necessary skills to work full-time on a farm, David enrolled in the Davis Applied Technology College's Heavy Duty Diesel program.

David chose to study diesel technology because much of what he learns in the classroom will be used on the farm. "This program is preparing me to work. There's a lot of diesel stuff out on a farm. There are also a lot of diesel trucks and semis going through. It's preparatory for going out there."

In just the two months he has been in the diesel program, David has done remarkably well. His instructor, Neil Cheney, says "Dave is a very good student. He works hard and is willing to help other students. He always wants to try new projects. Because he's done so well, we made him a teacher's aide." David hopes to finish the program in just 2-5 months, which is exceptional since he only started the program a few short months ago.

David feels DATC has helped prepare him for his dream job of being a cowboy. "I like DATC. It's one of the best organized schools I've been to. Good teachers, good information, and it's one of the better schools for diesel technicians."

In his spare time, David spends his time fixing up his 1987 Chevy diesel. He also enjoys spending time outdoors - hunting, fishing, snowboarding, hiking, and horseback riding. "I don't like being inside too much; it coops me up. If I get lost in the woods, I'll find a way out. I just need a horse."

Patrick Buckley, Information Technology
Patrick Buckley has been serving as an active duty sergeant in the United States Air Force for the past 23 years. He has been very successful in his career as an aircraft electrician, but now, as Patrick looks to his retirement, he would like to do something completely different.

Always having had a love for computers, Patrick has been attending classes at Davis Applied Technology College to learn new skills in Information Technology. "I've always been interested in computers. I've done a little basic programming and really like the problem-solving aspects of the technology. I'd like to learn more and DATC has taught me a lot more."

Patrick has been attending the DATC since February 2008. He hopes that by the time he completes the program, he will have the skills and certifications necessary to find a job. "I want to get my Visual Basics Certification, MS Office Specialist Certification and then later on I want to get
an expert-level networking certification." Patrick plans to attend DATC, even after he graduates, in
order to gain additional knowledge and certifications.

His instructor, Don Spatig, has been impressed with his abilities. He says, "Patrick stays riveted to his coursework and learns the material quickly. He is gregarious, friendly, and upbeat. He is respectful of others and comes across to everyone as a gentleman and friend. It has been a pleasure to have Patrick in the IT program."

Upon graduation from DATC's Information Technology program, Patrick plans to continue his education and obtain a bachelor's degree in Information Technology. From there, he would also like to earn a degree in math. "I love math. I just want to have the degree for the value of having it."

When Patrick isn't work full-time or attending night school, he enjoys playing baseball as an amateur on the Wasatch Front League in Ogden. He also enjoys "tinkering around with his computer."