NRCC marketing major, Kara Rogers, who placed third in the nation in “Marketing Concepts” says, “It’s a good thing I have a digital camera because I took about 200 pictures from the time we entered Chicago until the time we left. We were only there for five days, but we packed a lot of activities into that time.”

The keynote speaker for the conference was former world-class runner and three-time NCAA All-American track and cross country runner, Eddie Slowikowski. The PBL trip was made possible in part by a donation from Roger Woody of Showcase Homebuilders.

NRCC computer aided drafting and design students, Lauren Ratcliff of Pembroke and Kristy Sloan of Newport, along with 3D animation specialization students, Eddie Akers of Dublin and Joe Hudson of Radford, as well as Skills USA advisor and CADD instructor, Jeff Levy, attended the National CAD/Animation Competition hosted by Skills USA in Kansas City. This five-day competition consisted of over 100 different skills competitions in computer aided design as well as animation.

Lauren Ratcliff, a returning national competitor in Technical CAD/Drafting, finished thirteenth. Kristy Sloan, a 2007 NRCC graduate and employee of Moog Components Group, finished in the top half of the Architectural CAD/Drafting competition. Eddie Akers and Joe Hudson, two animation students and first time national competitors, finished tenth in 3D Animation and Visualization.

Akers, a student worker in NRCC’s distance education and off-campus services department, says of the Skills USA Competition, “It was very motivational for me to see the devotion and skill level of the other students who participated in this competition. It made me want to work even harder to achieve my goals in the animation field.”

The Kansas City trip was funded by NRCC, local companies, such as Patrick Enterprises in Giles County and Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation in Dublin, and the participating students.

Also traveling to a national conference was a group of eight NRCC game technology students including Kevin Allen, Radford; Patrick Beamish, Blacksburg; Shane Francis, Norfolk; Keath Marx, Blacksburg; Joe Pahl, Radford; Lauren Robertson, Pembroke; April Tolley, Pulaski and Justin Wood, Christiansburg, along with NRCC director of game technology, Carlotta Eaton. The Digital Game Xpo at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, N.C. was geared for students interested in careers in game technology. Students were exposed to the tools used in the industry and the programs and software students need to be proficient in for game technology careers.

Over 25 cutting edge game technology companies were present and various industry leaders taught classes on topics ranging from state-of-the art software and design to creating the most innovative visual effects.

NRCC student April Tolley says, “The Digital Game Xpo was not only a blast, but extremely interesting and informative. I was surprised at how much I learned from the conference. It was an exciting and wonderful experience and I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate.”

The Digital Game Xpo trip was partially funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Pat Huber, NRCC vice president for instruction and student services says, “We’re proud that our students have represented us so well this summer. Because of the leadership of our faculty advisors, our students have experienced amazing opportunities beyond the classroom.”