Onaway, MI:  Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) is honored to announce that Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley will deliver a special video message to the graduates of the 11th Cohort of IAI’s Comprehensive Industrial Welding Program.  Tom Moran, Founder of the Industrial Arts Institute, will be the key note speaker for this graduation ceremony.  Additionally, the students and faculty will showcase the class integration project which was a result of a partnership with the Lewiston, Michigan DDA, to craft gabion baskets and custom made metal park benches for a main street beautification project. Thirteen students, under the guidance of IAI Certified Welding Educators (CWE), fabricated the projects out of mild steel and steel mesh.  The design and engineering of the baskets were administered at Moran Iron Works (MIW). The finished project provided the Village of Lewiston with 2 baskets and 12 benches.

The project was spearheaded by Shawn Huston, Lewiston DDA Member and Lewiston business owner. “Working with the teams at MIW and IAI has been amazing.  To have a business, school, and our community working with one another for the benefit of our local beautification program, creates great value for us and all of Northern Michigan”, states Shawn.

“Integrated projects provide our students with the opportunity to use the skills they are taught at IAI. Students will utilize critical thinking skills, work in teams, read blueprints, fabricate, machine and weld the projects together.” states Mark Dombroski, Executive Director of IAI.

The project will be completed and unveiled at 3:15pm, before IAI – Cohort 11’s Graduation Ceremony at 3:30pm on April 13, 2018.

As an added bonus, a photography display called –Our Noble Workforce- created by Thomas Moran, will be on display at the Industrial Arts Institute Complex during the graduation ceremony.

“This is something I envisioned doing for decades.  I always wanted to photograph our skilled trade’s people in the light that I saw them in, and during the time I could most appreciate them as human beings.  This is a culture that I hold in the highest honor and hope the display does justice to the pride and dedication of the men and women who chose manufacturing as their careers.”  states Tom Moran.

About Industrial Arts Institute:
The Industrial Arts Institute, licensed by the State of Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs and a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, offers a premier comprehensive welding program that prepares students for successful & rewarding careers in the industry. Most employers will agree that it takes more than talent to excel in the workplace. IAI programs provide students with the support, knowledge & hands on application to become qualified & employable in the welding industry. For more information, visit iaiworks.com.

About Moran Iron Works:
Moran Iron Works (MIW) is a national leader in custom modular steel fabrication, specializing in work for power, marine, mining, and other industries. The company has its corporate headquarters and largest manufacturing facility in Onaway, Michigan and also operates a manufacturing facility in Cheboygan, Michigan and a port and fabrication facility in Rogers City, Michigan.  For more information, visit moranironworks.com.

Media Contact – Lewiston DDA                 Media Contact – IAI                  Media Contact – MIW
Shawn Huston                                                  Mark Dombroski                        Marilyn Kapp Moran
shawn@hustonrealestate.com                  iaidirector@iaiworks.com       marilyn@moraniron.com
(989) 390-6213 (c)                                          989-733-4369 (o)                        989-733-2011 (o)

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