The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) honored the hard work, dedication and competencies of its career skills students and graduates during a celebratory luncheon May 8 in Huntington. Dozens of machinists, welders, and SMART (Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology) students were recognized for completing rigorous, hands-on training programs that prepare them for high-demand careers across West Virginia and beyond.
MAMC offers these career skills programs in Huntington and SMART in Point Pleasant in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College and the machinist program in South Charleston in partnership with BridgeValley Community and Technical College. Students can earn one-year industry certificates, two-year associate degrees and industry-recognized credentials.
MACHINIST TECHNOLOGY/CNC
Earning associate of applied science degrees in Machinist Technology/CNC were Caleb Benwell of Branchland; William Friend of Charleston; Jeffrey Mears of South Webster, Ohio; Jameson Hampton of Huntington; and Milford Zeigler of Charleston, who also achieved four certifications from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).
In addition, James Adkins of Apple Grove and Wilson Jefferson of Milton
earned certificates of applied science degrees and three NIMS each.
The following machinist students also earn multiple NIMS: Cainan McGhee of Branchland; Gavin Allen of Inwood; Cade Beever of Huntington and William Hunt of Letart; Dannie Martin of Chesapeake, Ohio; Corey Nahodil of Huntington; Robert O’Quinn of Winfield; and Cadance Young of Huntington, five NIMS each; Tyler Bonecutter of Glenwood, four NIMS; Jacob Dingess of Wayne; Ian Eplion of Huntington; Conner Marshall of Lavalette, Ryder Riggs of Ashland, Ky.; Paul Suttle of Branchland and Timothy Watts of Huntington, 3 NIMS each; Douglas McGill of Huntington, Tamara Shinn of Sissonville, two NIMS each; and Gwynna Midkiff of Amma, one NIMS.
WELDING TECHNOLOGY
Shane Cornell of Huntington earned his associate of applied science degree in Welding Technology, a certificate of applied science degree and a two-year MAMC welding certificate. Charley Moyer of Kenova, Kaelan Schore of Huntington and Cainan Varney of Glenwood each earned two-year MAMC welding certificates. Varney also earned his certification in shield metal arc welding, plate all positions unlimited.
Earning one-year Welding Technology certificates were Brooklyn Black, Jacob Chapman, Andrew Highben, Jay Love, Christopher Miller, Robert Patton, Antonio Taylor, and David Carter Thompson, all of Huntington; Nolan Gardner of St. Albans; Mychael Harrison of Point Pleasant; Gregory Meadows of Kenova; and Eric Weaver of Cowen.
SMART
MAMC launched its SMART career skills program in August 2024 in response to industry demand for skilled talent in the field of industrial maintenance. Students take classes in either Huntington or Point Pleasant and earn specialization in various aspects of the field as well as credentials from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), a national organization that offers certifications for various industry specializations and skill sets.
Students in the Huntington SMART program earned the following certification: Benjamin Adkins of Wayne, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set; Jordan Chapman of Huntington, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set, SACA Certifications – Industry 4.0, Certified Industry 4.0 Associate – Basic Operation and Electric Systems 1; Wesley Grimes of Point Pleasant, Fluid-Power Special Skill Set and Industry 4.0 Associate – Basic Operations and Electrical System 1; Ryan Meadows, of Milton SACA Certified Industry 4.0 Associate – Basic Operations; Caleb Roberts of Chesapeake, Ohio, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set and SACA Certifications in Pneumatic Systems 1, Industry 4.0 Basic Operations, Electrical Systems 1 and Electric Motor Control Systems 1
Jessica Setliff of Hurricane, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set, SACA certification in Industry 4.0 Associate – Basic Operations; Brady Shepherd of Culloden, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set, SACA certification in Industry 4.0 Associate – Basic Operations and Electrical Systems 1; Derek Stacy of Huntington, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set, SACA certification in Industry 4.0 Associate – Basic Operations and Electrical Systems 1; Roni Stotler of Huntington, SACA certification in Industry 4.0 Associate – Basic Operations; and Zacheriah Wooding of Huntington, Fluid-Power Special Skill Set.
Meanwhile, SMART students in Point Pleasant earned the following: Tanner Holton of Milton, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set and SACA certification in Electrical Motor Control Systems 1; Ethan Jordan of Point Pleasant, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set and SACA certifications in Pneumatic Systems 1, Hydraulic Systems 1 and Electric Motor Control Systems 1; Cameron McCarty of Point Pleasant, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set and SACA certifications in Pneumatic Systems 1, Hydraulic Systems 1, Electrical Systems 1 and Electric Motor Control Systems 1; Cole Miller from Point Pleasant, Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set and SACA certifications in Pneumatic Systems 1, Hydraulic Systems 1, Electrical Systems 1, and Electric Motor Control Systems 1; Chandler Rife of Point Pleasant , Fluid-Power Specialist Skill Set and SACA certifications in Pneumatic Systems 1, Hydraulic Systems 1, Electrical Systems 1 and Electric Motor Control Systems 1;
In addition, the following first-semester SMART students in Point Pleasant earned SACA certification in Industry 4.0 Associate – Basic Operations: Nathaniel Bentz of Point Pleasant, Garrett Lester of St. Albans and Madeleine Turley of South Charleston.
MAMC is enrolling students in all three career skills programs for fall. To learn more about the programs, visit www.mfg.marshall.edu/career-skills.
May 23, 2025
