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L i n n S t a t e Te c h n i c a l C o l l e g e
LSTC A Lumni n ewS
Summer 2010 VoLume 6, iSSue 1
Kansas City’s first Ferrari ‘mechanic’ returns to campus
“i am a mechanic,” stated Brown’s career as a mechanic
Linn State Technical College in Kansas City introduced
alumnus, Forrest Brown, in his him to people he had never
commencement address at the dreamed he would have the
Upcoming Events 2010 commencement pleasure of meeting. “Tony
ceremonies. “i have a sense richardson of the Kansas City
l August 24, 2010- that the result of my work was Chiefs, and football great Bo
Alumni Association as visible to others as it was to Jackson, who became a friend,
Student Welcome me and the work for which you were my clients,” said Brown.
are trained is useful and “i’ve met an array of people
l September 10, 2010- meaningful as well.” whose lives differ so much from
Foundation Golf Classic mine.”
Brown, one of seven children where he was one of the first
growing up on a farm near According to Brown it’s a two minority students.
l September 17, 2010-
Auxvasse, missouri, graduated different experience when you
Vehicle and Power Center from the Auto mechanics are a mechanic for a high-end Brown wanted to do something
Dedication & open House Technology program in 1971 dealership like Aristocrat that had value to him and to
and shortly thereafter became motors. “You go for a ride others. “i was uncertain of my
l october 16, 2010- the first licensed Ferrari with the customer in their car choice at first,” commented
must See LSTC event for technician in Kansas City, so they can not only tell you Brown. “However, once i was
Prospective Students trained by factory design what’s wrong with the car here at Linn Tech i felt i was
engineer, Georgio Ferrari. but they can show you what part of a winning team and
is wrong with the car,” said i wasn’t just a number, these
Currently a Master Certified Brown. “it’s all about customer people knew me by name.”
Sales Consultant for Superior service.”
alumni.linnstate.edu Lexus in Kansas City, Brown is Shortly after graduation,
no longer under the hood of a Nowadays, at Superior Lexus, Brown was invited to missouri’s
car due to a spinal injury and Brown is consulting with the state Capitol. Being somewhat
the first to admit that the trade same clients, the only naïve, Brown assumed all his
he learned at LSTC has opened difference is instead of fixing fellow classmates had been
Foundation for LSTC many doors. Throughout his those $500,000 Ferraris he is invited to visit with the
2010 Golf Classic career, Brown has been a assisting clients in the purchase legislature. When his name
teacher, a mechanic and a of those high dollar vehicles. was called to stand before
Friday, September 10, 2010 sales person. the House of representatives,
railwood Golf Course Brown still recalls the first car Brown was admittedly
Holts Summit, missouri Following graduation from he purchased from Linn surprised.
LSTC, Brown was a vocational Technical College Director,
18-Hole Course education instructor for the Dewayne rakes, for $300.00. “i was a 21-year-old man with
Warren e. Hearnes Children “it was a two-door 1955 an old and ill fitting suit asked
4-man Scramble
and Youth Center in Fulton, Chevrolet Belair,” he said. to offer my thoughts about
12:00 p.m. Shotgun Start missouri where he taught Linn Tech and i had nothing
automotive and small engine The automobile, which Brown prepared,” remarked Brown.
Be a sponsor or register your repair to emotionally disturbed held on to for several years, “i thought it was best to be
team today! 573.897.5109 teens. was used by Brown to honest, confident and smile.”
or scott.peters@linnstate.edu experiment on during his last
Although teaching was a year of automotive and auto over the years, honesty,
rewarding experience for him, body repair at the college. confidence and a smile have
Brown soon married and served him well in his career.
relocated to Kansas City to Although Brown was offered a Although he’s currently a sales
take a position as a mechanic football scholarship to a person, Brown still considers
for Aristocrat motors inc. of four-year college when he himself a mechanic. “i am a
Kansas City, a dealer for graduated from high school, he mechanic,” Brown said. “it’s
mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land never regretted his decision to who i am and who i will always
rover, Porsche and Saab. attend a rural technical college be.”
Page 2 LSTC ALumni newS
Linn State student leaves a lasting impression
Kevin Kennedy didn’t realize how scared activities and volunteer Kennedy assisted
of heights he was until the first time he had opportunities as his schedule with the decorating
to actually climb an electrical pole. would allow, including all of the community
intramural sports offered by center, assisted
“I almost quit the program after my first the college. community members
climb to the top,” said Kennedy, 2010 with donations,
LSTC President’s Award recipient. “Kevin would do anything participated in the
for a free t-shirt,” joked Christmas program
A native of Aurora, missouri, Kennedy Anderson. for the families and
wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his happily carried
life after high school. After some Although Kennedy admits he gifts to the
prompting from his mother, Kennedy does enjoy getting a free appropriate cars.
enrolled in the electrical Distribution shirt from time-to-time, he is
Systems program at LSTC. quick to point out to “Kevin stayed until
everyone that he does it for every package
Although the pole climbing almost the kids. was loaded, every
deterred him to continue in the program, decoration was
Kennedy overcame his fears completing “it’s his favorite phrase,” said Anderson. taken down and every door was locked,”
the two-year program in may and left a “He tells everyone he meets that he does said Bellsmith. “And through it all he is still
lasting impression with his fellow students, it for the kids.” smiling and wishing all a merry
college staff and community members. Christmas.”
All kidding aside, Charlotte Bellsmith,
While at LSTC, Kennedy was a resident osage Caring Projects Program “it was an extraordinary experience,” said
assistant, Vice President of the Student Coordinator, believes there is more truth Kennedy. “i have to say that the folks in
Government Association and a member to that phrase than people realize. osage County are very lucky to have such
of the residential Government Association caring people.”
and Career ready Club. Kennedy was As far as Bellsmith is concerned Kennedy’s
also on the Dean’s List and inducted into enthusiasm for participation and “Times are hard out there for families
the Phi Theta Kappa Society. volunteerism could not be contained to and i just think of all the smiles we brought
the LSTC campus. to people at Christmas,” commented
Ben Williams, a student in electrical Kennedy. “it was one of the most
Distribution Systems, was fortunate to “i don’t know where Kevin will choose to rewarding experiences i had while i was
have Kennedy as his resident assistant in settle down, but wherever that is, it will be here in Linn and one i won’t soon forget.”
the LSTC housing. “Kevin’s great attitude a very lucky community,” said Bellsmith.
and upbeat personality not only made the “Kevin has a lot to give and is very willing Kennedy’s commitment to the osage
college transition easy for me, it made it a to do so.” Caring Projects Christmas Wish Program
fun ride as well,” commented Williams. garnered him the “Above and Beyond
Kennedy spent countless hours helping Award” from the college, as well as a
“i can proudly say Kevin was a big the osage Caring Projects set up for the special plaque from the osage Caring
inspiration for me to set and achieve my Christmas Wish Program, which ensures Projects presented to Kennedy at LSTC’s
goals,” said Williams. that each child in osage County has a gift Annual Award Ceremony.
to open on Christmas morning.
Thanks to Kevin’s inspiration, Williams Although his first days of climbing a pole
finished out his first year of college at Bellsmith expressed deep gratitude for were scary, it’s now become second
LSTC on the Dean’s List, a Phi Theta Kennedy’s ability to encourage other nature to Kennedy. recently Kennedy and
Kappa member, a resident assistant and able bodied young men to assist with the some of his classmates participated in a
the newly elected president of the program. lineman rodeo in South Dakota. While
Student Government Association. practicing, Kennedy’s boot got caught in
“i appreciated the help from all the Linn his belt and he slid down the pole a few
According to Ashley Anderson, Student Tech students,” said Bellsmith. “i was feet to the ground.
Government Association Advisor, Kennedy especially impressed with Kevin’s
participated in as many college sponsored commitment.” After a quick trip to the doctor and a few
VoLume 6, iSSue 1 Page 3
stitches later, Kennedy quickly recovered “I was fine,” Kennedy said. “I was more t-shirt,” Kennedy said with a grin. “But
and was back on the pole the next day. upset i ripped my t-shirt.” everybody knows i don’t do it for the
t-shirts, i do it for the kids.”
When asked if that short fall shook him “i guess i’ll have to volunteer for
up, Kennedy’s answer was absolutely not. something else so i can get another
Electricians return to their alma mater to work
The construction of the Vehicle and Power Jeffrey Stegeman
Center provided work for a number of was quick to point out
Linn State Technical College alumni. that the campus hasn’t
changed that much
of those alumni was a group of since he graduated in
electricians working for meyer electric who 2008. of course,
were subcontracted for the installation of Stegeman was instantly
electricity and data wiring. ribbed for being the
youngest and most
According to 1985 electronics engineering inexperienced member
graduate Frank Wansing, the Vehicle and of the team.
Power Center (VaPC) was one of the day you get to work this close to home,”
largest commercial projects that they have Stegeman, still an apprentice, was the said Behlmann.
worked on in a long time. first guy on the team that was offered up
by the guys for the photo. “if you want When asked if being back on campus
Wansing attended LSTC when the school a really good picture for this article, we inspired any of them to go back to school,
didn’t have the industrial electricity can put him down in the man hole,” joked they all laughed. “Heck, no,” said Lehmen.
program. When Wansing graduated Lehmen. “Too old for that.” “it’s nice to visit, but i
from LSTC there were many jobs to be have no interest in being back in school
had and many of those were further For many of the guys, working on the again,” said Behlmann.
away. “i wanted to stay here and campus was the first time many of them
electrical work seemed to be the best fit,” had been back to their alma mater. matt Behlmann admitted that even though you
said Wansing who has been employed Hale, 1999 ieL graduate, had never been graduate from college, the learning never
with meyer electric for 21 years. on the current campus. “The place today stops. “We’re always going to some kind
is a lot nicer than when we went to of training,” he commented.
Wansing stated that driving to campus school.”
every day to work on the building brought According to Behlmann it’s a lifetime of
back many memories of driving to Linn for Brad Behlmann, 1994 ieL graduate, learning, something the college strives to
school every day. “Three or four of us recalled going to class in a Quonset hut. accomplish, preparing students for
would pile in a car,” said Wansing. “i’ve “The ceiling tile was always falling down profitable employment and a life of
noticed that still happens here today.” around you,” said Behlmann. learning.
Brian Lehmen was a student in the early Lehmen laughed as he recalled the All five of the men have continually been
nineties when the college started offering conditions which he and his classmates learning about new technology, everything
the industrial electricity (ieL) program. “i experienced, especially on days when it from installing circuits for solar panels to
remember doing a lot of electrical work would rain. “You might get shocked if you motion sensors and lighting timers
on buildings being constructed such as the weren’t careful,” said Lehmen. “i have to controlling the lights in a building.
Nilges Technology Center and the osage agree with matt, the place is a lot nicer
County Community Center,” stated than when we went to school.” even though the economy has been slow,
Lehmen. Wansing tells graduates there is no reason
each of the meyer electricians enjoyed to get discouraged because there are
Lehmen commented it was hard to find working on the VaPC project and being many opportunities available in this
back the buildings he remembered able to work so close to home. With industry. “There is always a need for
being on the campus. “The campus has work being slow for electricians, the men electricity,” said Wansing. “Someone has
changed so much,” said Lehmen. go wherever the work is. “it’s not every to do the wiring.”
FouNDATioN For LiNN STATe
TeCHNiCAL CoLLeGe
oNe TeCHNoLoGY DriVe
LiNN, miSSouri 65051
Every Eagle, Every Year...The Gift that Counts!
There are 10,000 graduates of Linn State Your gift can … aid may be provided to students
Technical College working throughout the … provide funds to upgrade with financial hardship.
united States and beyond that are equipment and provide a broad range of
making a positive impact on the world. health and wellness services at the LSTC every contribution matters!
The Linn Tech Annual Fund is the only Activity Center.
charitable source funded by contributions
from Linn Tech alumni for programs and …provide privately funded
projects directly impacting current and scholarships to students attending LSTC.
future students of the college. The Linn
Tech Annual Fund is you – Every Eagle, …build the principal in the memorial
Every Year. endowment for student assistance so that
Eagles Giving Back
Why do you give back to Linn Tech?
“After high school, my desire was to be an engineer. I give back to LSTC, because the college helped me
begin my engineering career. I did not have the financial means to attend a four year university. LSTC was
affordable and provided a design drafting curriculum that was a great beginning to the civil engineering
degree I received later in life.”
– John Branstetter, 1964 Design Drafting Graduate
LSTC ALumni newS
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