September Students of the Month

KAYSVILLE, UT - Each month, Davis Applied Technology College (DATC) nominates two students for their exemplary efforts at school, work and life. This month, Tom Bray from the Welding program and Matt Beck from the Composite Materials Technology program were selected.

Tom Bray

Tom Bray had never thought of welding as something he'd want to do for a career, but after high school, a friend of his introduced him to the welding program at DATC and he has been hooked ever since. Bray states, "Welding is where I want to be. Even though I've burned myself several times, I have a lot of fun doing it. I like this career field because you can do a lot with welding and there are many options."

Some of what Bray is doing now is getting certified in different types of welds. "I am constantly practicing the different welds. I am getting better and better each day and really enjoy learning." Considering where he started 3 years ago, Bray has made great progress.

Kendel Oldfield, Bray's welding instructor, has helped him get into a position where he can find employment. Oldfield admits he pushes his students to be the best they can be and Bray is no exception. However, Bray has an inner determination and comes to class ready to learn each day. Oldfield says, "Tom has a great attitude with an excitement in welding. He is always on time and almost never misses a class. He listens to instructions and always does the best he can, and he is willing to practice without giving up or complaining."

Bray has had to work hard to learn the welding processes, but has enjoyed the challenge. He has especially appreciated his instructor for his support in keeping him in school. "Kendel is a good teacher. He has helped me a lot. He has encouraged me stay in school and is helping me find a job."

After years of hard work and determination, Bray feels ready to find a job. He has been practicing different welds that are required to get a job with a welding company in Salt Lake City. Once Bray is employed, he plans to come back to DATC to get further training. "I love to learn and I want to come back to school and get certified in other processes and learn some other things that might help me in my welding career."

Matt Beck

Matt Beck had dreams and aspirations like most young adults do, but suddenly his life took an unexpected turn. About 16 years ago, Beck was in a motorcycle accident, leaving him with permanent memory loss and other challenges. "I can't remember anything before my accident; I don't even remember my childhood." But this life-changing experience did not slow him down. In fact, with Beck's inner desire to succeed, he works harder than most people who are fully functional.

Beck's desire to change his life lead him to enroll in the Composite Materials Technology program at Davis Applied Technology College (DATC) after being encouraged by a family friend. Beck had been seeking a job he would enjoy and one that would enable him to support himself. His current employment has been unfulfilling and his meager salary makes it difficult to pay his expenses. However, once he graduates, Beck hopes his dreams will be realized with a rewarding career in the composites industry, one of the fastest growing industries in the state.

His instructor, Kent Crookston, has been impressed with Beck's ability to persevere despite his difficulties. "Matt comes to DATC on his own dime and he and his mother live together to help each other out as much as possible. He so much wants to get into the composite field of work. His progress and attendance reports do not reflect the determination of his heart."

Though it has taken him longer to move through the program than a typical student, Beck finds the self-paced structure helpful in his learning and doesn't feel pressure to complete the program on a certain timeframe. "I don't remember things well, so it takes me a little bit longer to learn."

When he's not busy learning in school, Beck is working a full-time janitorial job at Hill Air Force Base. "I work from 4:15 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. every day, and then get up at 6:30 a.m. to be to school by 7:40 a.m. Then I stay in school until 2:30 and start all over again." His schedule doesn't leave him much time to do anything else, but on the weekends, he likes to read and watch forensic television shows. He is looking forward to graduating soon and hoping to gain employment in composites by fixing and building airplanes at Hill Air Force Base.