Nash Community College Welding Students Advance in National Competition

Three students from the college's welding program compete in the Project MFG National Welding League.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:37pm

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A highly stylized, silkscreen-inspired illustration featuring a welding torch repeated in a grid pattern, rendered in bold, neon-like colors that transform the utilitarian tool into a vibrant, pop art-inspired visual metaphor.A national welding competition showcases the technical skills and craftsmanship of community college students pursuing careers in the skilled trades.Rocky Mount Today

Three welding students from Nash Community College in North Carolina have advanced through multiple rounds of the Project MFG National Welding League, a prestigious national competition that challenges student welders with real-world fabrication projects. Student Travis Pate is now eligible for consideration for the national championship round.

Why it matters

The success of the Nash Community College welding students in this national competition highlights the strength of the college's welding program and its commitment to providing students with hands-on, industry-relevant training in the skilled trades. Opportunities like this allow students to showcase their technical abilities on a national stage and reinforce the importance of workforce education.

The details

In the first round of the competition, the NCC students were tasked with fabricating a replica of the Coronado Bay Bridge in San Diego. All three students successfully completed the project and advanced to the second round, where they worked on a California covered bridge fabrication. Based on instructor scoring and project submissions, student Travis Pate advanced and is now eligible for consideration for the national championship round.

  • In the 2025-26 season of the Project MFG National Welding League, the competition took place.
  • In Round 1, the students fabricated a replica of the Coronado Bay Bridge.
  • In Round 2, the students completed a California covered bridge fabrication project.
  • Pate's status for advancement to the national championship round is expected to be confirmed later this month.

The players

Jackson Stitt

A welding student at Nash Community College who advanced through the early rounds of the Project MFG National Welding League competition.

Rayna Griffin

A welding student at Nash Community College who advanced through the early rounds of the Project MFG National Welding League competition.

Travis Pate

A welding student at Nash Community College who advanced through the early rounds of the Project MFG National Welding League competition and is now eligible for consideration for the national championship round.

Wanda Tyson

The department chair of applied engineering technologies at Nash Community College.

Lew K. Hunnicutt

The president of Nash Community College.

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What they’re saying

“I am incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, dedication and craftsmanship throughout this competition. Advancing through multiple rounds at the national level speaks to the strength of our welding program and the commitment of our students and faculty.”

— Wanda Tyson, Department Chair of Applied Engineering Technologies, Nash Community College

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our students and a reflection of the high-quality, hands-on training taking place at Nash Community College. Opportunities like this allow our students to demonstrate their skills on a national stage while reinforcing the importance of workforce education and the skilled trades in today's economy.”

— Lew K. Hunnicutt, President, Nash Community College

What’s next

Final selections for advancement to the national championship round of the Project MFG National Welding League will be determined by competition officials, and Pate's status is expected to be confirmed later this month.

The takeaway

The success of the Nash Community College welding students in this national competition highlights the strength of the college's technical education programs and their commitment to preparing students for in-demand skilled trades careers. Opportunities like this allow students to showcase their abilities on a national stage and reinforce the importance of workforce development initiatives.