As the program director for welding and machining at Cowley College, Bob Kean mentors and teaches adjunct welding instructors. The Cowley College welding program is one of the largest in the nation, and it is growing each year. In the first year, Moffatt was only a part-time instructor and was sick of layoffs. Today, he has been at the college for 26 years and has taught more than 200 students in welding.
Sean Flottmann
Sean Flottmann, a welding expert, recently demonstrated his welding skills to students at Cowley College. Last summer, he worked with welding instructor Bob Moffatt. They discussed the art of welding, including how to create images by getting materials to purposefully discolor. This allows for more contrast and detail in the finished work.
Robert “Bob” Moffatt
The life of Robert “Bob” Moffat was shaped by hard work and self-reliance. He was born in LaRiviere, MB and was one of seven children. The small town was nestled in the Pembina Valley surrounded by farmland. His father worked in a lumber mill and his grandfather operated a gas station. As a young man, Moffatt began looking for work on the railway. His brother Archie encouraged him to head east and work for him. Then, he was hired by Steep Rock Iron Mines.
In addition to his work as a welder, Bob was an active member of many charities. He was a Lifetime Meritorious Member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Canadian Institute of Mining. He was also a charter member of the Atikokan Kiwanis Club and the Atikokan Conservation Club. He was also a long-time member of United Commercial Travelers. He had a passion for sports and was involved with many community projects in his hometown.
Moffatt takes over as Career and Technical Education Department Chair
Following Brett Butler’s recent departure, Bob Moffatt, a welding instructor at Cowley College, has been designated the new chair of the department for career and technical education.
Moffatt is eager to collaborate closely with the career and technical education department teachers in Arkansas City, Winfield, and Mulvane after spending the last 12 years at Cowley College.
Moffatt remarked, “We have some great, knowledgeable people in the department. Going forward, I intend to focus on worthwhile initiatives that will benefit our shareholders both locally and nationally.
The CTE Department members overwhelmingly supported Moffatt, according to Dr. Patrick J. McAtee, president of Cowley College.
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“We decided Bob would be an excellent option to replace Brett (Butler) after studying his record and dedication to the college,” McAtee said. He has been in the department for a very long time and has done a great job with the welding program.
In 2002, the National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development named Moffatt a Master Teacher. He has a number of welding certificates as well.
Moffatt developed an interest in welding when he started working for his father, Louis T. Moffatt, in the oil industry. Even though he occasionally dabbled in other fields of employment, he started welding in 1974 and has continued to be involved with it ever since.
Prior to joining Cowley, he worked as a project instructor for the State of Oklahoma Department of Vo-Tech and a teacher at Pioneer Area Vocational School. In addition to coaching the University of Nevada, Las Vegas bowling team, he conducted another type of instruction at professional bowling clinics.
But he believes that his work at the institution has been the most fulfilling.
There have been many improvements for the college’s benefit, and I have worked with a lot of kind individuals there, Moffatt added. “I find it satisfying to watch my pupils go on and succeed,”
He can’t wait to start in his new position as department chair for CTE.
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Joe Kean
As an Army veteran, Joe Kean first discovered his love for welding. While serving in Iraq, he met several welders and was inspired to learn more about the craft. After returning home, he found employment doing heavy equipment and tooling repair at a local quarry. Later, he decided to start his own business, building egress covers and handrails. He later took welding classes at WSU Tech in Wichita, Kan.
As an adjunct welding instructor, you’ll need to make sure you’re a good fit for the program. Some schools have mentorship programs, which pair new adjunct instructors with an experienced instructor. While a successful welding career will help, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be a great instructor. You’ll need to be able to explain the basic fundamentals of welding to your students. Sometimes, instructors overlook little details that can lead to a successful welding career.