Northcentral Technical College Antigo Campus Director Larry Kind and Barb Baginski, the first student to enroll in the wood technologies program, at the site of the new center. |
Work begins on wood tech center, excitement grows for first student July 24, 2010 Barb Baginski is impatient, waiting for the walls to rise on the new Wood Technology Center at Northcentral Technical College.
The footings have been poured and the heavy equipment is clawing into the ground for the project, a joint venture between Langlade County, the technical college and private industry.
And Baginski has signed up to become the first student enrolled in the program, beginning upwards of three years of general studies and specialized classes that will train her for a career in the lumber industry.
“I’ve always been very interested in trees and the great northwoods,” Baginski said. “I’ve been watching the planning and progress of the center and I was looking for a new opportunity.”
Baginski is a nontraditional student, returning to school after 20 years at Copps Food Center. She currently works as a custodian at Antigo Middle School.
Even though the center won’t be ready for students until early next year, Baginski is paving her way by signing up for general studies classes, including computer-aided design, beginning in fall. She has begun the financial aid process and the school is awaiting transcripts from her previous classes in horticulture marketing in Kenosha.
With two daughters in high school, she said she will have some study mates around the kitchen table.
“It’s just going to be one more person studying at our house,” she said.
According to Larry Kind, director of the Antigo campus, the wood technology programs have been developed and are included as an addendum to the fall handbook.
It includes opportunities in the engineering, business and forestry disciplines with an eye toward developing the skills and specialized knowledge required for the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and end use of wood products.
Kind said that students will learn innovative approaches for obtaining, manufacturing, using and recycling wood and other sustainable products in an environmentally safe manner. Related skills in teamwork, mathematics, critical thinking, communication and lean manufacturing principles are also included.
Initial plans are to offer a technical diploma in wood manufacturing technologies, a two-semester program, and an two-year associate degree in wood processes.
Kind said that some sections of the building may be ready for students by January, although classes from the specialized curriculum won’t begin for a year.
Fifteen to 20 students have already expressed an interest, Kind said with Baginski leading the way.
“Barb was real gung-ho so we’re getting her started,” Kind said.
Baginski said she is keeping her career options open.
“I’m going to be researching and seeing what fits me,” she said. “I’m looking at multiple opportunities.”
And with the start of the fall semester just weeks away, she said she’s excited, and will be watching the progress at the new building on a daily basis.
“”I want to do this,” she said. “I’m driven.”
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