Shower of Sparks Brings May Flowers

Published 05.02.2018

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In the welding lab (from left), Sparkman, Nolan and Carlson display their towering, flowering creation ...... before it was transported "over the mountain" and installed at its permanent location outside the ESC.An instructor and two students in his Gas Metal Arc welding class created an appropriate greenhouse sign for the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, home to Penn College's horticulture/landscape technology major. The project began when Facebook-posted photos of metal roses crafted in Matt W. Nolan's welding lab on main campus caught the eye of a faculty colleague at the ESC. "I asked him if he would be interested in creating a new sign for our Greenhouse #3," said Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture, noting that the existing sign – a small piece of wood into which the facility's name was carved – was rather dated. "He and his students came through and created a fitting sign for us." Nolan was joined on the job by welding and fabrication engineering technology majors Daniel C. Carlson, of Linesville, and Tyler J. Sparkman, of Aliquippa. "Carl said he planted sunflowers in this greenhouse, among other plants, so I thought some steel sunflowers would be perfect. I also wanted to create a piece of art that would stand the test of time much like that old wooden sign was struggling to do!" Nolan said. "The students did such a great job and also created a piece of artwork that showcases the skills they have learned. I'm very proud of Ty and Dan's hard work on this project, as well as all the welding students in our program."
Photos by Bower