2022 Presidential Visit:

Dr Richard Polanin to the Iowa Section

Tuesday, October 4th – 6:00 PM CENTRAL

Vermeer Global Pavilion – Pella, IA

A visit and presentation from the AWS President Dr. Richard Polanin.

Dr. W. Richard Polanin is adjunct Professor of Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Welding Technology at Illinois Central College and retired from ICC after 35 years as Professor and Program Chair. He is currently Co-Principal Investigator for Weld-Ed, the National Center for Welding Education and Training.

Dr. Polanin is also the Principal Investigator for a Weld-Ed project in collaboration with the American Association for Non-Destructive Testing to identify NDT technician student learning outcomes and works as a Mentor for NSF projects at community colleges. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Illinois State University and a Doctorate from the University of Illinois. In addition to his responsibilities with Weld-Ed, Dr. Polanin is a consultant in manufacturing engineering, and welding engineering, and inspection. He has published numerous papers and has made many technical presentations in the areas of Manufacturing, Robotics, Welding and Manufacturing Education.

Dr. Polanin is a graduate of the Illinois Scholars program sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Community College Board and is a Certified Manufacturing Engineer, Certified Welding Inspector, and a Certified Welding Educator. He was elected to the AWS 2014 Class of Counselors and Fellows, and is currently President of the American Welding Society. He is the Chair of the AWS Peoria Section and is the Chair of the AWS Education and Training Committee. He is a member of the D16 Automated Welding and Robot Committee and the Vice-Chair of the International Institute of Welding Education Commission XIV.