Program: Manufacturing Technology
Tom Lanagan always enjoyed making things and working with tools.
Through the years, he has worked at smaller shops as a machinist, where he was involved in making parts for many applications. These included machined parts for X-ray units and nuclear power plants.
“I also worked in small and large manufacturing plants as a tool and die maker, where I made and maintained dies that were used to stamp parts for cans, planes and electronic components,” he said. “For a number of years, I was able to work with engineers and businesspeople at a consulting group that helped small- and medium-size companies identify and complete process improvement projects.”
Having earned an associate degree from Triton College and a bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College, he also taught various shop-type classes to junior high and high school students. Now at College of DuPage, he enjoys working with students as they learn about tools and how to create something with those tools.
“I hope students understand that there are a lot of opportunities out there, keep trying different things, and keep learning and gaining skills,” he said. “I hope they are inspired like I am by all of the skilled manufacturing people who work every day to create the products that we use every day.”