Campus News

Fluid Power Grad Returns with Daughter

5/19/16

Michael Pate, a 1997 Minnesota West Fluid Power graduate, comes back to tour the Granite Falls campus with his daughter. Rachel Pate wants to follow in her Dad’s footsteps.  She is a high school junior making plans for after graduation. Michael, a native of Texas, was attracted to the Fluid Power program on the Granite Falls campus as a high school student.  He worked in a hydraulics shop and enjoyed it. His Dad started looking around for schooling and found out there was a good school in Minnesota - Minnesota West Community & Technical College.

Michael is now the president, owner, and founder of DNP Americas in Alvin, Texas. The company is a manufacturer of hydraulic quick couplings and hydraulic valves. “A lot of the components that go into the systems that we learned about in this school,” notes Michael.

When asked how Minnesota West prepared him for what he is doing today, the immediate response from Michael was, “Priceless. When I came here, I didn't know what a cylinder was. I didn't know what a pump was.  All I knew was a little bit about hydraulic hose and fittings. The things that they taught me here, every year, it's something new. I still use my training for what I did last week and what I did the first week out of school. I went straight to Nigeria, Africa after graduating and got a lot of experience. I was a little scared but the education kicked in. If it weren't for it, I wouldn't be where I am today.”

“My wife and I talk about this all the time. My father and I talk about this all the time. This program, in two years, will give you the necessary tools to work in the field and make the money that you need. You can pretty much work anywhere in the United States that you choose. It's one thing that you do not have to go to any place that you don't want to be at. You will find work as a hydraulic technician, a hydraulic salesman, a hydraulic manufacturer, “ comments Michael.

“My child, Rachel, is obviously a girl; and we were a little bit hesitant because this is dominated by ninety eight percent men, but I take disadvantages and turn them into advantages. I think a female on the sales force, if she knows just as much as a male, could be more deadlier in sales than a man can be. I highly recommend females coming out to fluid power school and getting the training and the knowledge.”

The Minnesota West Fluid Power program most recently has combined with Industrial Technology, meeting industry demand and changes. The program is now offered as Mechatronics.