Members of Northwest Technology Center’s Board of Education include (back row l to r) Stan Kline, Max Ott, Dean Meyer, (front row l to r) Butch Edingfield and Tom Russell.

The current Northwest Technology Center Board of Education has over fifty years of combined service.  Its longest serving member, Dean Meyer, has been on the board for thirty-three years, with one member who has just served since June.   Northwest Technology Center’s Board includes:   Tom Russell of Freedom, Stan Kline of Alva, Max Ott of Cherokee, Dean Meyer of Cleo Springs and Butch Edingfield of Fairview.   

Northwest Technology Center’s Board of Education held its first organizational meeting on April 8, 1969 at Miller’s Café in Waynoka.  At that time, the school was called the Major-Woods Counties Area Vocational-Technical School.   Those serving on the initial board included:  Harold Wilkerson, Dick Brunsteter, Charles Loomis, George Barkett and J.W. Martin.   

Others serving on the school’s board over the past three decades include:  The Honorable A.L. “Lute” Murrow of Dacoma, Glen Deweese of Waynoka, Boyd Hughes of Freedom, Louis Folks, Connie Garrison, Dr. Dan Shorter, Dennis Bushman and Earl Geis of Alva, Chuck Dreschler from the Aline area and Vinton Baker, Bob Van Meter and Marvin Martens of Fairview.  

A few highlights in the board’s history included the selection of the late Louis Folks as the OSSBA Distinguished Achievement Award winner in August of 2003.  Folks served on the technology center board from 1972 until his retirement in 2002.   The late Dr. Dan Shorter was named to Oklahoma’s All State School Board in 2007 in recognition of his 30 plus years of service to the students of Northwest Oklahoma.   Dr. Shorter served as a board member from March of 1975 until his death in August of 2005. Current Board Member Dean Meyer was honored as the Outstanding CareerTech Board Member in 2008. Meyer has served on NWTC’s Board since 1978.   

“We appreciate all of our board members and their efforts on our behalf.” stated Dr. Gerald Harris, NWTC’s Superintendent.   “We look forward to working with our current board members and thank our current and past board members for their time and dedication to our school.” 

Joanna (Wampler) Roller attended Northwest Technology Center during the 2004-2005 school year.  She was enrolled in the Health Careers Certification program and earned her certification as a dental assistant.  Roller then went on to attend Rose State College in the Dental Hygienist program.  

According to Roller her decision to enter this field came early in life,  “I decided I wanted to be a dental hygienist when I was 16 years old. I always enjoyed going to the dentist, the staff was very friendly and always made every visit a positive one. I really enjoyed getting my teeth cleaned and I was very curious about dentistry in general. My hygienist, Keena Burnet, was always very friendly and answered my numerous questions about dental hygiene.”  

Roller continued, “I earned my dental assisting certification after attending the Health program at Northwest Tech.  My dental assisting experience was such a huge key to my success throughout hygiene school and in my career as a hygienist. Already having a basic knowledge of dentistry put me ahead of the game. It also helped me to learn how to interact with the patients. Patients always have questions that extend past dental hygiene, such as what all goes into a root canal procedure, it is really nice being able to discuss all aspects of dentistry with my patients.”

“My favorite part of being a dental hygienist is the people. Every person is different and it is so much fun getting to know them and their families. I would like to encourage those from my community to always make their dental health a priority. More and more research shows how poor oral health can negatively affect the body. My small town didn't have a local dentist, so you had to be motived to seek out routine dental care.” stated Roller.

Roller is a graduate of Burlington High School.   She now lives in the Oklahoma City area , is a licensed Dental Hygienist and practices at Legacy Dental Care. 

“My positive role model was my husband James, he really motivated me to finish my education. I also got to know numerous dental professionals through my experience as an assistant that were all very encouraging along the way.” said Roller.

Have you had trouble finding a plumber or an electrician because there are simply not enough professionals in these areas to handle all of the work?  Then you will be glad to know that a new daytime program is coming to the Alva campus of Northwest Technology Center in the Fall of 2012.  According to Daren Slater, Assistant Superintendent,  “The program will be called Construction Trades and will teach students about the plumbing or electrical skills.”  Enrollment in the program is now open for the 2012-2013 school year which begins in August.

Dennis Bushman was hired earlier this year as the instructor for the program.  Bushman has more than 25 years of experience as an licensed electrician and taught construction trades in the CareerTech system prior to taking the instructor’s position at Northwest Technology Center.

The Construction Trades program will have four career majors including Plumber’s Assistant (1005 clock hours), Electricians Assistant (1050 clock hours), Entry Level Plumber’s Assistant (375 clock hours) and Entry Level Electrical Assistant (360 clock hours).  At some point in the future a career major for Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) will be added, but this program will be added in a different academic year. 

“The decision to implement this program came at the request of many in our community.  All three of these occupations, plumbing, electrical and heating and air conditioning are much needed throughout Northwest Oklahoma.” stated Slater.  “ Last year, a focus group of local contractors, area business people and private citizens met and developed a case for why these occupations would be the best fit for our area”.

Students enrolled in the Electrical Assistant program will cover electrical installation, operation, and maintenance for electrical systems in residential dwellings and commercial buildings.  Students will also cover print reading, electrical principles and measurements, function of components, equipment and motors, wiring, process control, troubleshooting and the electrical code.   After completion, students can continue toward their journeyman licensure.
Plumbing students will learn, measurement and drawings, fixtures, faucets and fittings, water supply, fuel gas systems, installing and maintaining both commercial and residential plumbing and water supplies.  Students in both programs will cover a construction core, tool handling and safety.    
After completing one of the career majors, students will be prepared to either enter the career field working toward their journeyman licensure or go on to college in the area of engineering, architecture or a related field.   Professionals with these skills may also pursue careers in the Oil and Gas Industry or Industrial Maintenance.