The Impact of Giving

With some encouragement from his uncle, who himself had wanted to attend Williamson when he was younger, Joey decided to apply to the school’s Power Plant Technology program. At the time, he was living in Texas and remembers the challenges of traveling to tour the school and attend the Admissions interview in the same day. During his in-person interview, President Rounds made Joey feel welcome right from the start.

WHY THE TRADES?
Joey was uncertain about his plans after high school. He listened to various opinions about his future and contemplated whether to attend a traditional college or enlist in the military. It was a piece of advice from his family that ultimately guided his decision: with tradespeople becoming increasingly scarce, pursuing a career in the trades seemed like a smart and stable choice.

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT
Joey admits that he didn’t apply himself much during high school. Despite his parents’ efforts, he struggled to find the motivation to work hard on his academics. It wasn’t until he enrolled at Williamson that he truly felt motivated to succeed. He says, “Williamson taught me discipline and set me on a clear path. Before coming here, I tried to do everything at once and constantly changed my mind about my future plans after high school. Being presented with a straightforward curriculum, where I didn’t have to make big decisions about which classes to take, has really helped me. I can already see how this will benefit me in the future. It’s a proven program that works.”

WILLIAMSON’S IMMERSIVE COMMUNITY
One of Joey’s favorite aspects of Williamson is the strong sense of community it fosters. He explains, “You’re constantly surrounded by other students in class, shop, and the dorms. That’s one thing that makes Williamson so unique—the close relationships you build with your peers. When I first arrived here, I didn’t know anyone and didn’t talk much. Now, I know all the students in my shop, most of my classmates, and many seniors and recent graduates with whom I still keep in touch.” Joey also speaks highly of the Williamson staff, saying, “It takes a special type of person to work here, and they clearly care about the students. They’re experts in their fields and obviously come here to make an impact.”

PAYING IT FORWARD
Giving back to the Williamson community is extremely important to Joey. He values the opportunities he has received and appreciates the mentors who have guided him. Now that he is a junior, Joey takes an active role in helping others succeed. “Service is one of Williamson’s core values, which includes supporting the freshmen and ensuring they become smarter than you are,” he says. Joey tutors students in power plant theory and some general education classes, as well as in his shop classes.

WORDS OF WISDOM
If Joey could offer one piece of advice about life at Williamson, he would say, “Have fun. Really have fun!” He enthusiastically shares this message with prospective students during tours and with underclassmen on campus. Joey believes that, while schoolwork is important, building relationships is equally vital. He explains, “Memories are created at Wesley Student Center, whether it’s playing pickleball, basketball, or whatever. There’s always someone around who wants to do something. Even though the school can seem strict and serious, we also have a lot of fun here.”