Wold Rim & Wheel Invests in Workforce Readiness with Donation to St. Ansgar High School's Industrial Tech Program

UPDATE: [Watch a video about the impact of this donation on St. Ansgar students here.]

Wold Rim & Wheel, a manufacturer of original equipment and aftermarket rims and wheels for off-road, agriculture and construction applications, with deep roots in St. Ansgar, is proud to announce a donation to support St. Ansgar Community School District’s Industrial Technology Program. The donation will fund the purchase of new welders and plasma cutters, reflecting Wold's commitment to advancing skilled education, fostering community pride and investing in the next generation of workers.

The donation comes as Craig Christensen, St. Ansgar High School's Industrial Technology teacher, responds to student demand for higher-level welding instruction by creating an Advanced Welding class.

“To accommodate the growing number of students seeking advanced welding knowledge, I need to have the proper equipment,” explains Christensen. His hands-on teaching style emphasizes learning through real-world projects, including a large-scale initiative this year to convert a six-row planter into three two-row planters. “This complex project will require students to design hitch systems, cut parts and weld them together, providing invaluable experience in skills regularly used by workers at Wold Rim & Wheel,” adds Christensen.

Wold’s Production Manager, Derrick Powers, collaborated closely with Christensen to ensure that the equipment purchased with the donation aligns with the evolving demands of modern manufacturing. The new tools will allow students to gain experience and develop skills by completing projects using the latest technology.

“My dad would have been, and my mother is, proud to see their legacy support this investment in our youth and honored to give back to the community that has given so much to us,” says Ivan Wold, president of Wold Rim & Wheel. “Many of our employees are former students of Mr. Christensen and have greatly benefited from his mentorship. This donation is a small way of saying thank you and supporting his dedication to preparing students for a promising future in the workforce.”

The values of hard work, community dedication and pride in craftsmanship have been woven into the Wold family’s legacy since Waldo Wold opened the Standard Oil Station in St. Ansgar in 1938. Over the decades, Wold has grown from a humble service station into a respected manufacturer and reseller of rims and wheels, and this financial contribution underscores Wold’s commitment to making a meaningful impact through charitable efforts within the community.

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