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Minnesota State College Southeast

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Contact: Katryn Conlin (she/her/hers)
Director of Communications
kconlin@southeastmn.edu, 651-385-6364


MSC Southeast Team competed at regional levels in Project MFG's Integrated Manufacturing Competition in Wichita, KS last week 

Photo Caption from Left: Austyn Warren, Ellery Kiesel, Joseph Schultz, Bradley Bishop, Ivey Wadman Vehrenkamp, and instructor Rick Hengel 

 MSCS Project MFG Team 2023Winona, MN (February 23, 2023) -- Last fall, teams from across the nation competed in the qualification round of Project MFG's Integrated Advanced Manufacturing Competition 2023. Minnesota State College Southeast's team was one of the top 16 that made it to the regional level! 

During the week of February 13-17, 2023, Minnesota State College Southeast CNC Machine Tool instructor Rick Hengel and students Bradley Bishop, Ellery  Kiesel, Joseph Schultz, Ivey  Wadman Vehrenkamp, and Austyn Warren traveled to Wichita, Kansas, to represent the college at regionals.  

"We are so proud of these students for all their hard work in preparing for this competition and having such a great work ethic, attitude and determination," said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of MSC Southeast. "Thanks also to our instructors for their leadership in bringing this experience to our students."

At the competition, Project MFG attempts to mirror the modern workplace as much as possible within the confines of a competition environment. Teams are challenged with real-world scenarios and pressure tested to showcase the critical skills needed to succeed in modern advanced manufacturing.   

The competition required the production and documentation of a "product," imposing time and cost constraints, and encouraging strategic approaches to optimize production. The teams were expected to perform the competition within the allotted time and had to complete all tasks associated with the project. Evaluation is based on their performance and their product output.   

"Our students' teamwork was noticed by the Project MFG staff, who commented multiple times on how well our team worked together and how respectful our team was," said instructor Rick Hengel. "While we don't know the outcome of the regional competition yet, I think we have a chance to make it to the finals because of our team's professionalism and their teamwork." 

"MSC Southeast is very proud to have these students represent the college and the CNC Machine Tool program," said Alex Howell, Dean of Academic Innovation. "The teamwork needed to prepare for this competition embodies the spirt of Southeast. We are very fortunate to have instructors like Rick Hengel and Todd Ives leading our program."  

Besides MSC Southeast, the other regional finalists were: Wichita State University Tech, Fresno City College, Suncoast Technical College, Yuba College, Southwestern Illinois College, Ozarks Technical Community College, Streamwood High School, Lowell High School, Vincennes University, Calhoun Community College, Gadsden State Community College, Central Alabama Community College, Pickens High School, TCAT at McKenzie, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.   

The top four teams will move forward to compete in Project MFG's National Integrated Advanced Manufacturing Competition.   

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About Minnesota State College Southeast

Located in the historic river towns of Red Wing and Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast is a two-year technical and community college offering small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and an environment that is friendly and supportive. Minnesota State College Southeast is a member of Minnesota State. For more information, visit www.southeastmn.edu.