By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
March 11, 2001
Who says you're never too old to learn something new?
Randy Munoz, 48, hadn't been in the classroom in more than 20 years when he entered the manufacturing technology program at the Meridian campus of Mississippi State University. Having spent his working life in manufacturing, Munoz was familiar with the subject matter, but says he has learned a lot during the last year.
He attended summer school so that he would be able to finish in May. At this point, he is carrying a 4.0 g.p.a. Not only has he learned new things but new ways to do things.
A native of El Paso, Texas, Munoz moved to Meridian in 1987. Originally, he came here to work at Meridian Manufacturing where he said he was director of manufacturing engineering. Two years later, he went to work at Peavey Electronics. At first, he was a manufacturing engineer but was promoted to become a division manager and in 1998, a group manager.
Munoz said downsizing put him in another job, and he later left the company.
Finishing the course means doing an internship or practum at a local industry before graduation.
After graduation, Munoz plans to keep his options open as he looks to get back into manufacturing. His daughter, Randi Nichole, will be attending Mississippi State University in Starkville next fall as a freshman where she plans to major in chemical engineering.
Since moving to Meridian, he has been active in the youth soccer program as a referee. Not only does he referee recreation and high school games, but he also teaches clinics that train referees. He has also been active in Peavey House and served on its board of directors.
MSU-Meridian has announced that it will be discontinuing the Manufacturing Technology program because a lack of students, which bothers Munoz.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.