Richmond ECPI University Student Wows Faculty with Senior Project
Key Takeaways
Tad Bell Sr., a returning student in his 50s, overcame initial intimidation to graduate Summa Cum Laude with perfect attendance, developing a Material Handling Control System that demonstrates industrial automation mastery. His senior project showcased a programmable logic controller (PLC) for conveyor operations that received an A grade.
- Tad completed an Associate degree and pursued a Bachelor's in Electronics Engineering Technology
- Had 13 years of electrician experience before seeking formal PLC programming education
- Designed a Material Handling Control System applicable to shipping and distribution centers
- Achieved perfect attendance throughout his program and Summa Cum Laude honors
- Senior project demonstrated practical application of two and a half years of learning in ladder logic and automation
Tad first completed his Associate’s degree and will soon complete his Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering Technology this summer. What’s more, he is graduating Summa Cum Laude and has perfect attendance. “This has been the most rewarding learning experience of my life,” says Tad. “I had been working as an electrician for a long time and just realized that I needed more education to move up in the world. When I first started looking at colleges, I knew that I wanted to learn PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) Programming but I couldn’t find any schools that offered it. I came to ECPI University and found exactly what I was looking for!”
Tad has a passion for ladder logic and programming automated machinery. For his senior project, he decided to pull out all the stops and show his department head everything that he’s learned in two and half years. He designed, built, wired, and programmed a Motor Control Cabinet (MCC) capable of running up to four conveyor belts at the same time.
Tad says that his MCC can be taken to any shipping or distribution center and used to control conveyor operations. “I’ve always loved figuring out how things work,” he says. “This project really embodies everything I want to do in the real world. I can’t wait to do this sort of thing for a living.” One final note: In case you’re wondering, yes, he did get an A!
Are you ready for a new start?
If you like putting things together and the idea of integrating and analyzing systems sounds exciting, a degree in electronics engineering technology could be a great start! Learn more TODAY about the Bachelor of Science Degree Electronics Engineering Technology offered at ECPI University. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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