Monday, October 27, 2014

Edison Professor recognized with ‘Ohio Strong’ award

From left to right: Mandel representative, Frank Kohstall; Professor Steve Sykes; Maggie Sykes; and Shirley Moore, Dean of Business, IT and Engineering
Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has launched a new effort called ‘Ohio Strong’ to help recognize men and women in manufacturing and the skilled trades, and raise public awareness to encourage more people to pursue careers in these fields.

Recently honored with the award was Edison Community College Professor of Manufacturing and Industrial Management, Steve Sykes. Nominated by Edison’s Dean of Business, Information Technology and Engineering, Shirley Moore, Sykes received the award in recognition of his dedication to educating students entering these career fields.

To honor Sykes, Frank Kohstall, a regional representative of Josh Mandel visited the Piqua Campus on Tuesday, October 21. During his presentation he explained the importance of reinforcing the need for manufacturers and skilled trade workers in Ohio.

“We’re trying to raise the awareness of this issue,” said Kohstall. “A lot of people don’t realize that many of the jobs available in Ohio today are in skilled trades and manufacturing. Every part of the State of Ohio is important in manufacturing; it’s what we do.”

According to Mandel’s website, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released data that shows 48 percent of college graduates are working in jobs that don’t require a four-year degree. Also noted is that in a recent Skills Gap Survey by the Manufacturing Institute, approximately 600,000 manufacturing jobs are unfilled nationally because employers can’t find qualified workers.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Sykes had a 33-year career in manufacturing that included such positions as machinist, foreman, plant superintendent and manager of manufacturing. He understands the world his students will enter and prepares them to perform to today’s standards.


Sykes graduated from Edison in 1980 and entered the workforce. “There is no doubt that my career advancements all started when I graduated from Edison. Shortly thereafter I was promoted to First Line Supervisor and started teaching for Edison as an adjunct faculty. Within about an 8-year span I held numerous roles throughout the plant. What I didn’t realize at the time is that a mentor of mine, Paul Wharton, was grooming me to become the plant manager.”

Sykes credits success to another long-time mentor of his, the late Darrell Lowell. Lowell was Sykes Machine Shop Instructor at Bennett Intermediate School in Piqua. After graduating from Edison, Sykes recalls Lowell visiting his then place of employment. “Each time I was promoted in my career Darrell would bring his classes to tour the plant, explaining with tears in his eyes that he always knew I would be something great. He gave me the confidence I needed to go forward and make something of myself.”

Sykes believes in the future of manufacturing in Ohio and has been open to teaching everything from Greenville High School Tech Prep students to delivering, at their workplace, an associate degree program to educate employees of local companies. Sykes continues to learn, most recently receiving his MBA and becoming certified to teach applicable topics such as Analytical Troubleshooting; Problem Solving and Decision Making; and Project Management.

Following in the footsteps of his mentors, Sykes is an example for his students to continue their education. “To me success is helping others to become successful. I believe that my education and experience has helped me teach students not only theory but also applicability in the manufacturing and industrial management environment, which I believe is important.”

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