Johnson hired to develop WSC Residential Carpentry Program
Posted: Jul 08 2010
WILLISTON, N.D. - Williston State College is pleased to announce the hiring of Bruce Johnson to help develop and move forward its new Residential Carpentry Program.
Johnson, a graduate of Alamo High School, attended UND-Williston (now WSC) for two years where he studied Wildlife Management. Due to a lack of jobs in that field, he went on to attend Lake Region Junior College for one year, studying construction. "I've been in construction for 35 years, 15 of which was here in Williston," he said.
He is pleased to be able to return to his home country, most recently having lived in Montana, for more than just a new job. "My parents live here and I'm glad to be able to return and help them out as well," he said.
Even though classes won't be offered on campus for another year, Johnson will be busy working the next year with area high schools, helping with woodworking classes and shop programs. "Then I'll be recruiting, trying to drum up some excitement among the high school students for the following year," he said.
The two-year carpentry program at WSC will be a dual credit offering, made available to area high school students and will be housed in the Northwest Area Career and Technology Center. "They'll be able to take the dual credit classes, finishing their first year of college while they're still in high school," Johnson said. "Then, their second year on campus will be spent doing hands-on work, doing house remodeling, make overs and such."
The college has not had a carpentry program for about 20 years. "It's exciting to think that we are recycling around again to bring this program back," said Wanda Meyer, Vice President for Instruction at WSC. She added that students who finish the program will graduate with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Residential Carpentry.
"I'm really excited about this new program," Johnson said. "I was born to do this job. It's perfect for what I want to do - stay in construction, work with kids and pass on my knowledge to them. It's tailor made for what I want to do to finish out my career."