Faculty and Administration

Sam Schlechte began his Ranken journey in the summer of 2015. He has successfully completed three degrees since that time and is now on the staff of Ranken Technical College as a Maintenance Technician. Sam graduated from the Industrial Technology program in May 2017. He went on to complete his second associate’s degree in Electrical Automation Technology in 2019. Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Management in May 2021.

“Having a Ranken education has had many impacts on my career and life,” says Sam. “I was a student worker for the Buildings and Ground Department at Ranken during my college journey and now my career is at Ranken.” Sam acknowledges he’s enjoyed his Ranken experience.

David Cadle, Director of Buildings and Grounds at Ranken, tells us “Sam has always been a great person to work with. He is always willing to help whenever needed, he is very smart and quick to help find the problem. He possesses a great attitude and makes a positive impact with those around him. He always arrives early and is prepared to work. Sam has the skills and abilities to be highly productive at any task given to him.“

Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the construction business was booming. Like many other industries, this health hazard has had a negative impact, including backlog, revenue and profit margin expectations, workforce issues, and supply chain issues. Infrastructure projects rely on public funding and the general economic health of the nation, which significantly slowed down the market. The Civil Quarterly, a report published by Dodge Data & Analytics, states the Commercial Construction Index, that gauges the strength of the industry, plummeted from 74 to 55 between the 1st and 2^nd quarter of 2020. Times like this, when furloughs and layoffs occur, call for ingenuity and persistence.

Daniel Otten possesses those very qualities. He began his career doing foundation, plumbing, and masonry work, then pursued electrical technology at Lincoln Tech in Indiana. He entered the Navy in 2012, serving until 2016. As an aviation structural mechanic 3rd class, he worked on the MH-60 Sierra Helicopter and he served on three aircraft carriers during training maneuvers.

Daniel utilized the G.I. Bill to attend Ranken. He says, “Ranken has given me the opportunity to tune the skills I learned growing up to be successful in my trade. My favorite memory was the last day of school, sitting there on the front porch of the house we had just finished, looking back at all the little tasks we had completed to make our house a home for the family that now lives there.”

After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Ranken’s Carpentry and Building Construction Technology program in 2019, and Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Applied Management in 2020, Daniel worked as a carpentry apprentice for a local union. Carpentry instructor John Davis noted Daniel’s dependability, explaining “He was a great student and person . . . [Daniel] was one of the most reliable, dependable students that I have ever had.” A few months into the pandemic, Daniel took another path. He is now a chemical operator and subject matter expert for Afton Chemicals where he controls part of the plant that makes an engine oil additive.

Daniel Otten, Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class, U.S. Navy

Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/
https://www.aftonchemical.com/