WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., April 1, 2016 — Interns from Belmont College are sharpening their skills at West Liberty University this semester. The intern program continues an educational partnership that began in December 2014 when WLU began to provide Belmont College students enrolled in the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) technology program a hands-on work experience.
“We are pleased to continue this cooperative arrangement that benefits both our schools. Measures like this make the most of our resources and opportunities,” said Dr. Stephen Greiner, president of West Liberty University.
The 2016 student interns are Brooks Ramsey of Shadyside, Ohio and Jonathan Price of Woodsfield, Ohio. WLU HVAC lead technician Keith Kaczor mentors and supervises the interns. Kaczor has worked in maintenance at WLU for more than 30 years.
Ramsey also works with a WLU HVAC trade specialist Patrick Kerns while Price learns the ropes from WLU HVAC trade specialist Amerigo Pate. Both Kerns and Pate have been with WLU for about seven years.
Dirk DeCoy, director of industrial trades and contract training at Belmont College partnered with Kaczor to create and finalize the formal internship agreement between the two schools.
Belmont College President, Dr. Paul Gasparro, agreed that it is a positive arrangement that they are anxious to continue.
“Real life internships like this arrangement with West Liberty is invaluable to our students as they prepare to enter the professional workplace and use the skills that they have learned at Belmont College,” Gasparro said.
The internships consist of 160 hours of work, per intern, and offer a chance to use skills that they studied in the classroom at Belmont College. Students also earn two college credit hours for their efforts and receive a travel stipend.
“We’re happy to have the extra manpower so it’s a win-win for all,” Kaczor said.
West Liberty University is a forward-looking, four-year public university steeped in a rich heritage as West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher education. Five colleges and a School of Professional Studies offer more than 60 majors and 30 programs that are nationally recognized or accredited. Graduate programs include the Master of Arts in Education, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Professional Studies, Master of Criminology and an online MBA degree.
For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.