IOWA LAKES STUDENTS IMPROVE SKILLS AS THEY HELP
AREA RADIO STATION

Students in the Auto Collision and Paint Technology Program at Iowa Lakes Community College learned new skills during the past college year - thanks to a hands-on project with an area radio station.

Last year during the Clay County Fair, instructor Gary Sanger (instructor of the program) was approached by Bill Campbell (Operations Manager of the KICD stations) about refurbishing the exterior of a used vehicle the radio station would soon receive.  The vehicle, a 1992 Dodge Broadcast Conversion van, needed vinyl letters removed, dents and dings repaired as well as paint re-touched.

The students began their work in the dead of winter on a cold, mid-January day.  They finished a few weeks later.

"This offered our students a chance to use a new tool that removes vinyl letters," said Sanger.  "They also did some touch-up work on the exterior and then we re-touched the paint."

"At the time of the work, it probably seemed like just another job for the students," said Campbell.  "It was a heavily used vehicle and probably appeared pretty drab to the students.

"I think when we took it back to campus with the new letters on it, a refurbished interior and Bose speakers, the students took a new interest in it," Campbell said.

Two days prior to summer graduation, students took a few minutes to pose for a 'class picture' along with their instructor, Campbell and KLLT Program Director Kevin Tlam, himself an Iowa Lakes graduate.

"The students took pride in the project," said Sanger.  "We try to find jobs each year that provide a learning experience and also make a connection to the communities in our Iowa Lakes region."

The job has an added bonus for the college program.  Besides the stations' call letters, the Iowa Lakes logo is on the vehicle with 'special thanks' to the Auto Collision program.

The vehicle will be on display - and in use - at the Clay County Fair Sept. 6-14 near the fair barns.

Students in the Auto Technology program pose with Gary Sanger, Kevin
Tlam and Bill Campbell.