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Show BusinessHES& Science 4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011 Physics appeals to community Open house engages current and future Weber State students Mitchell Evans, a junior high school student who is planning to be an inventor, said he gained a newfound At the Physics Open enthusiasm for WSU. House held at Weber State "Now I'm actually thinkUniversity, stuing about (atdents said they tending WSU) expected to Everyone ... because they see everything have a lot of from soap bub- had a feeling physics things bles filled with here," Evans of pride and natural gas besaid. "I didn't ing lit on fire, satisfaction know they had to a professor physics... I'm sandwiched ... in sharing probably gobetween two ing to go to Wethe joy of ... beds of nails. ber." However, physics ... Due to the one of the most programs ofoutstanding fered through outcomes of College - Brad Carroll the the event on of Science, Physics other junior Oct. 14 was made evident Departme nt Chair high students when children present at the and teenagers expressed event said they would attheir desire to enroll in the tend WSU as well. science program at WSU. "It's one of my expecta- By Jessica Klemm b&s reporter I The Signpost PHOTO BY COLE SPICKER I THE SIGNPOST Weber State University professor of physics Adam Johnston demonstrates the value of physics in large soap bubbles. tions (to come to WSU)," said junior high student Jose Parra. "(The open house) makes me want to get a little bit into science." Bradyn Hougge, who plans to study engineering, said he would like to at- tend WSU due to the "wide range of things you can... learn about here." Close to 600 other children, WSU students and members of the community packed the Lind Lecture Hall, exploring over SCORINGBIG: WSU aces Toyota T-TEN validation 20 different shows and hands on activities such as "Smash It," where people were challenged to build a machine with pulleys and various metal parts to crush a grape. Stacy Palen, an associate physics professor who was in charge of the event, described the night as "chaos." She said she observed people running around covered in bubble solution. See Physics page 7 Former state senator speaks to students market. "I am a true believer in competition, and that is what charter schools provide," he said. Last Thursday, Sheldon Kill- Killpack explained how charter pack told Weber State University schools force parents to make a students that it doesn't matter choice about what school their where they get their starts because children will go to. By making that they can be successful in life. Shel- conscientious decision, Killpack don Killpack got his start at La- said, they buy into the school and goon in the games department. give greater support to the school He has since spent nearly 10 years and their children. Killpack did not prepare a preas a Utah state senator and is cursentation or bring a Power Point. rently the vice president of AcaHe said he wanted this to be more demia West. Killpack, a former WSU gradu- of a conversation than a lecture. ate, spoke to students as part of the The students said they enjoyed Nye Lecture Series. Apart from the this and participated a lot during nearly 80 students in attendance the conversation. Trevor Ramboz, were Killpack's wife and daughter. senior and a cheerleader at WSU, WSU President Ann Millner was said the lecture series is his fathere to see him speak as well. Kill- vorite class. "I was a little worried pack, who worked with Millner at about today because it said he was the state legislature, said "Weber a former state senator, and the last has a very strong staff that is re- politician that came was pretty sponsive to the workplace and the boring," Ramboz said. After the business environment, and that lecture, however, he said he had is was makes them so successful a much different reaction. "I really enjoyed listening to Sheldon," and so great." Ramboz said. "It Killpack left Lawas a different goon in 2004 as its 14ber has a style than anyone head of marketing, else has used, and public relations strong staff that I liked how interand advertising and active he was with is responsive to joined Academia the students." West in 2005. Aca- the workplace Two of Academia West is bademia West's acsically a one-stop and the business countants were shop for parents there to support looking to start a environment ... Killpack and help new charter school. answer some It provides training -Sheldon Killpack of the students' for boards on what questions. Ryan their role is and how Former Utah Smith, who is over to govern. They also state senator the company's provide human renot-for-profit and sources, legal counpayroll at Academia West, said cil, staff recruiting, maintenance, that he loves their business enpolicy writing, building design and construction. It also provides vironment. "I came from an acthe most important thing for char- counting firm, which was very ter schools: federal grant applica- strict and very rigid, so it was a bit of a culture shock," Smith said, tions and accounting services. At Academia West, members "but I love working with these have a rather unique employee guys." Suzie Wright, WSU senior and handbook that contains only one accounting major, said she resentence, "Get your job done." ally appreciated the fact that Its philosophy is that of empowAcademia West brought its acerment and autonomy. Each of its employees understands that countants because they were if they do their job, they will stay able to answer some questions employed. Killpack said the phi- that really apply to her and her degree. "I love getting exposure to losophy he and his business partner, Jed Stevenson, use to find so many different businesses and new people is rather simple: find how they run," Wright said. "This the best people in their field and is definitely my favorite class." By Derek Peterson correspondent I The Signpost 6 PHOTO BY COLE SPICKER I THE SIGNPOST Weber State University student Delila Clarke (sitting) and lead T-TEN instructor and coordinator Kevin Roner perform an analysis on one of the numerous Toyota vehicles found in one of the automotive shops. WSU touts highest certification By Jessica Klemm b&s reporter I The Signpost Weber State University's Technician Training and Education Network program, which trains students to be automotive technicians for Toyota, recently received the highest level of certification the program has to offer. Toyota dealerships and students enrolled in the program have expressed enthusiasm for this major improvement. Dalila Clarke, a student currently enrolled in the T-TEN program, said she selected WSU for its automotive program since it was highly recommended. " (The certification) means that when I come here, I get the best training that I'm going to find anywhere else...it's a prestigious school, so other companies come here looking for students," Clarke said. WSU is one of 44 schools in the nation who offer the T-TEN program. However, only six out of the 44 have been certified. The process took over three years to cornplete and involved repeated pilot testing and collaborating between WSU and the other five certified schools. Kevin Roner, the lead TTEN instructor and coordinator, was the major contributor for the development of the program. He estimates he worked an additional 5,000 hours to develop the training material. "With the knowledge (the students) drag out of this, there's nothing they can't handle," Roner said. "We've got the tools, the cars, the equipment, the knowledge and everything you need to go along with it." Ryan Dawson, a graduate of the program, has been in the industry for two years. Now a Toyota line technician, he stated he is close to becoming an expert-level technician. Originally from Nevada, Dawson moved to Utah to enroll in the T-TEN curriculum. He said the program has expedited the goals he has for his career. "There are many technicians who have been in this industry for ten plus years who haven't even come close to (becoming an expert level technician)," Dawson said. "In two years, I should be able to (become a master diagnostic technician) whereas several technicians at our dealership, who are master diagnostic technicians, have been working their entire career (sic) to (achieve that)." According to Roner, the nearest T-TEN school is in Farmington, N.M., and therefore WSU has a wide market of dealerships spanning Nevada, western Wyoming and southern Idaho to place the entry-level graduates. Because the program includes a paid internship with a Toyota dealership, Roner says the students already have a job by the time they gradSee T-TEN page 7 pay them better than the market. Killpack said charter schools have been very healthy for the Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com . |