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/