JJC Gets Gold in National Competition

A Joliet Junior College student put the nation’s oldest community college on the map recently after winning first place in the Skills USA National Convention in Kansas City, Mo. at the end of June.

Charles Wiltgen (Crest Hill) of JJC’s manufacturing program won a gold medal in the Computer Numerical Control Milling competition. The contest asks participants to machine a rough part to the blueprint specifications, producing a finished product.  All aspects of the CNC Mill machining process are addressed, as well as calculating cutter motion using higher math skills such as trigonometry.  A computer controlled machine is then programmed, set-up and run to produce the finished product.  Judges then rate/score the produced piece by how well it conforms to the specified dimensions.

Manufacturing instructor, Mathew Higgins, said Wiltgen is a very diverse student with a high technical skill level, but JJC’s manufacturing program has many such pupils with high aptitudes. Former JJC, current Purdue University student Jason Planera won the same medal in nationals in 2004.

“To take first place gold in this national competition says it all about the highest level of training JJC provides in precision machine control,” said JJC technical department chair Glen Mazur.

Over 4, 700 career and technical educational students came together for hands-on competition in 84 different trade, technical, and leadership fields. Expertise on eight to nine different machines was necessary for high honors.

It’s a cherry on the top of a successful run the school’s program had this year. After qualifying exams led a number of JJC students to the state competition in February – one that tested them on skills utilized in the manufacturing field in factory jobs – seven out of 15 spots were garnered. Wiltgen placed first in CNC Milling in state, Chase Hanlock of Winfield received a silver medal in precision machining; Ben Cowan of Somonauk won a bronze medal in the same category. Other JJC students who participated include: Cullen Martin of Oswego, Jake Starcevich of New Lenox, Raul Delarosa of Joliet, and Becky Brown of Braidwood, all in the area of precision machining.

 “I’ve received numerous e-mails on Wiltgen’s work at the competition, people were impressed with him and JJC,” Higgins said.  It’s been a banner year for JJC in the Skills USA contest, it’s automotive technology program also sent numerous students to state and one to nationals.

The Manufacturing Program offers an Associate in Manufacturing Production Technology and in Precision Machine Tools. For more information, contact (815) 729-9020, ext. 2516.