Manteo, North Carolina — College of The Albemarle (COA) had much to celebrate on Wednesday, Oct. 14 when the newly renovated welding lab at COA – Dare was unveiled. The program was comprised of remarks by Dr. Jack Bagwell, COA President; Bob Woodard, chair of the Dare County Board of Commissioners and trustee on COA’s Board of Trustees; Tim Sweeney, Dean, COA – Dare; and Steve Sizemore, former welding student and part-time welding instructor at COA – Dare.

Once the ribbon was cut, the lab was opened for those in attendance to tour. The renovated lab, located in the Professional Arts Building at COA – Dare’s Roanoke Island location, now has 12 state-of-the art booths for students to learn the skills of the trade. Tim Sweeney shared that much of the success of the program at COA – Dare can be attributed to the program’s instructor, Jeff Spear, and that there is a waiting list of individuals who are ready to enroll. The former welding lab space will house future electrical and construction continuing education classes.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Bagwell shared that the commitment of the college to the community and in turn, the community to the college, is what it takes to be a successful community college. “At COA, we are changing the trajectory of a family’s future…that’s what a community college does.”

Renovated Welding Lab Ribbon Cutting