AOMC and Masonic Lodge #390 Award Scholarships to Local Student
A random meeting at a local gas station has ultimately led to two scholarships for a local student. Linn Yost of Micro Machine Works met Warren High School student, Jacob Warfield when Jacob was working at a local gas station. Yost commented on his Washington State Community College shirt which began a conversation that ended up in an internship at Micro Machine Works. “We look for an attitude more than anything. We do most of our own training here,” says Yost. “If you’re a hard worker and have a willingness to learn, you can work for us.”
Jacob completed a 650-hour internship with Micro Machine Works that also counted as an advanced machining course. In March 2022, Jacob graduated Cum Laude from Washington State Community College with a degree in Mechatronics and Robotics. He is currently employed at Micro Machine Works as Full Time seasonal employment. When school starts in the fall, Jacob will be attending Ohio University working toward a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering with the ultimate goal of a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering.
In early 2022, Past Master of the Harmar Masonic Lodge #390, and retired Warren High School Social Studies teacher, Jim Rhodes approached Linn Yost about a project to replicate a badly damaged emblem to top a Masonic staff. Contemporary Masonic staffs play an important role in the material culture of the lodge and convey great meaning regarding those who carry them. All staffs are tipped with a silver or gold emblem. Yost recommended Warfield and Harmar Masonic Lodge #390 commissioned Jacob to replicate the emblem.
Jacob used Solidworks and MasterCam for the project—the high end software is the industry standard and recognized internationally. He received certified credentials in both from Washington State Community College. A mentor worked with Jacob using Rhino software for the organic face of the emblem.
Warfield created five emblems out of aluminum and three out of brass (one for the Masons, one for AOMC and one for his portfolio.) “The model on the computer looked relatively easy,” says Warfield. “The actual programming and machining was a learning curve—along with getting both sides to line up. There was a lot of hand work too.”
Warfield also was tasked with learning multiple solid modeling software as well as extensive knowledge in CNC programming and machining. He creating packaging using 3-D printing and a thermoforming process for the emblem and calculated return on investment. “Repetitive tasks are a thing of the past—we want our people to use their brain to solve problems. We’ll use robotics for repetitive tasks,” says Yost.
Master of the Lodge, Randy Waggoner, commented, “We’re very pleased with Jacob’s work on this project. It’s almost too beautiful to use.”
On July 11, The Harmar Masonic Lodge #390 awarded Jacob a $500 scholarship. Dave Locke, Secretary and Past Master of the Lodge stated, “Though we are figurative masons, we deeply honor items made by hand. These symbols mean a lot to us. The Lodge is working on a fund of mid-five figures to sustain this as a perpetual scholarship.”
David Locke, Secretary and Past Master of Harmar Masonic Lodge #390 presents a scholarship check to Jacob Warfield. Other members of the scholarship committee are: Jim Rhodes, Past Master; Lee Peterson, Mark Herrington and John Goin (not pictured)
On July 21, Micro Machine Works in collaboration with Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition awarded Warfield an additional $4,000 scholarship to help him on his engineering path at Ohio University.
Pictured left to right:
Linn Yost, AOMC President and Owner of Micro Machine Works, Inc.
Jesus Pagan, Associate Professor of Engineering Technology and Management Department in Russ College of Engineering and Technology at Ohio University
Jacob Warfield
James Ruble, AOMC Director
