Faculty and Administration

Michael Ratcliff graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ranken’s Control Systems Technology program in May 2021. He is currently an Operator Technician for EverGrain, a company that has untapped the potential of barley, using this nutrient-dense grain and transforming it into world-class protein and fiber ingredients that meet the needs of food and beverage brands around the world.

Michael served an internship with EverGrain while earning his degree. “My internship with EverGrain was great!” he says. “I could directly relate my daily tasks at EverGrain to lessons learned in the classroom. My internship with EverGrain boosted my confidence and convinced me I was choosing the right career path. When the opportunity to secure contracting work with EverGrain after graduation, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up!”

Michael had always wanted to attend college but felt the financial challenge would bar him from fulfilling that dream. “Honestly, thanks to the scholarship awards I received from Ranken, and local scholarships I applied for while in high school, and a program called WIOWA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), I received a full ride to college minus a few textbooks. I am very fortunate for the help I’ve received and my efforts in class paid off.” Among the seven Ranken awards Michael received were the Dennis & Marilyn Kircher Scholarship, the Red Bud Industries Scholarship, and the David Ranken Scholarship.

Alex Kraemer, Merchandise Specialist, Anheuser-Busch InBev, explains “Michael Ratcliff recently joined EverGrain Ingredients, a start-up food manufacturing facility, as a technician. His ability to address a wide variety of challenges shows the breadth and depth of his education. Michael arrives every day with the belief that results matter while displaying the courage to maintain a safe and inclusive work environment. The operations team chose Michael to conduct multiple trips to our manufacturing facilities in New Jersey. He is contributing to their success while bringing back best practices to our St. Louis facility. He continues to develop his technical and manufacturing skills by training new employees and taking on new assignments in a dynamic business environment.”

Sal Francis, Electrical instructor, tells us “Michael was an excellent student in my class. He was one of those students that was genuinely interested in learning the subject material. He helped many of my evening class students succeed because of his teaching abilities as a tutor.” Michael’s favorite memory while attending Ranken was in Mr. Francis’ PLC and HMI class. “Our class got to write a program that ran through a small-scale brewing process. It was very satisfying to build a program whose use could be seen outside of the classroom. The skills I learned while working on that project greatly helped me in the workplace.”

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

Caleb Goodrich is a graduate of Ranken’s Electrical Automation Technology (EAT) and Control Systems Technology (CST) programs. Both degrees were obtained in 2020 and Caleb graduated the CST program Cum Laude. Caleb is currently a Material Handling Equipment (MHE) Controls and Programmable Logic Controls (PLC) Technician for CBRE (a commercial real estate services company) managing mechanical maintenance for an Amazon Distribution Center. He recalls one of his favorite memories being a PLC project where the class programmed their own tic-tac-toe programs.

Dennis Pierce, Electrical Automation Technology instructor, explains, “Caleb was an excellent student, he understood all phases of electrical theory, and had a great electrical mind on how to solve problems. Caleb’s work ethic was great, not only did he finish his shop projects in a timely manner, but he also assisted his peers who needed help as well. Caleb had good attendance, and if he did miss, he always made up his work the next day. Caleb was one of the most industrious students that I ever taught. Caleb was very much a team player in all we did in class, he was always willing to go the extra mile to help out his class as well as his peers. Caleb will be a credit to Ranken Technical College, as well as a very marketable employee to the electrical field.”

Nick Brinkman, Control Systems Engineer at CBRE, tells us ““Caleb Goodrich was hired onto my team right at the start of the new year and has been a great addition to the team. His ambition to learn and be curious combined with the confidence to approach new situations with an open mind have helped him establish himself as a very reliable Controls Technician. He is thorough and efficient in his critical thinking and problem-solving when presented with new issues that arise within an industrial fulfillment center such as Amazon. That skill is paramount to being successful in an environment where something new requires attention every single day. His utilization of knowledge of fundamentals with electricity and automation have helped propel him to be a driver in one of the top Controls Teams within the entire Amazon Fulfillment Center network and I’m very proud to have worked alongside him through his development.”

Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/
https://www.cbre.us/people-and-offices/corporate-offices/st-louis

Richard Wetstein graduated Cum Laude from Ranken Technical College’s Electrical Division in December 2019 with a degree in Controls Systems Technology (CST).  He immediately found employment with Coca-Cola North America at the independently owned bottling and packaging plant in Truesdale, Missouri. Adam Wetstein, Richard’s brother, is also a Ranken alum from the same division, holding a degree in Electrical Systems Design Technology.

The growing CST program requires extremely precise and detailed measurements with advanced instruments. Ranken instructor Gene Island enthused about Rich, saying “he did well with both theory and hands-on type material. He was always prepared and ready to learn more. Rich was the type of student that makes teaching fun.”

Working in Maintenance at Coca-Cola North America, Richard was equally impressive.  His direct manager, Mr. Zacarias, comments on his transition to the workplace, telling us, “he has done a great job closing the gap from school training and real-life troubleshooting. . . Richard has done a great job filling in during emergency situations. He was able to identify complex problems using the knowledge learned [at Ranken].”

At the plant, Richard adjusts and troubleshoots highly complicated, automated equipment including labelers, case packers, wrappers and Honeywell palletizers. Rich’s manager, Duane Freels, emphasizes that he is “very happy with his performance” and looks forward to helping him grow within the organization. Coca-Cola North America regularly hires Ranken graduates, and there are currently nine other alumni at the plant working with Richard. The Coca-Cola Foundation has even stepped forward to support Ranken’s students, generously establishing a scholarship at the college in 2019.

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

https://www.facebook.com/watch/TheCocaColaCo/

Graduate Jacob Hartman says attending Ranken gave him the skills he needed to succeed professionally, as well as skills he needed in life.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a student at Ranken,” Hartman says. “I will always say it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Hartman graduated in May 2016, first with an Associate of Technology in Control Systems Technology, then received a Certificate of HVAC in May 2019. He now works as an R&D Lab Technician at Hussmann Corporation, where he’s been for the last four years.

“On each project, Jacob brings his skills learned at Ranken as a strong knowledge base, and adds new skills learned on the job,” said Hussmann R&D Manager Mike D’Anna. “In this regard Jacob Exceeds expectations working in the Hussmann R&D Center.”

Before attending Ranken, Jacob says he almost shut the door on going to college. But with the help and encouragement of his cousin, Jacob decided to go for it.
“Ranken gave me the structure I needed to be successful in life,” he says. “Going to Ranken completely changed my life.”

https://www.facebook.com/hussmanncorp

https://www.hussmann.com/

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