Co-Lin to dedicate welding lab in honor of Bruce Irvin

Co-Lin will honor longtime instructor, Bruce Irvin, as part of Homecoming weekend on Friday, October 26 at 2:30 p.m. The Wesson Campus welding lab will be dedicated and named in Irvin’s honor in appreciation for his commitment and service to Co-Lin.

Irvin graduated from Co-Lin in 1970 with a welding vocational certificate. He also earned certification from Smith Welding Equipment School at Alcorn State University in 1978 and went on to receive his vocational certification from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1980. Throughout his career, Irvin attended numerous trainings and seminars to further continue his education.

Irvin began working as a welding instructor at Co-Lin in 1976 and spent over 30 years teaching until he retired in 2013. He then returned to Co-Lin briefly from January to May in 2015. Throughout his career, Irvin also worked as a welding instructor for International Paper Company, and as a certified welder and later as assistant welding supervisor at Ingalls Ship Building. He also owned Irvin’s Auto Paint and Body from 1977-1986.

Irvin has been a member of the American Welding Society since 1993 and completed the AWS Educational Program in 1998. He was a member of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America where he also served as an advisor. Irvin received certification as a welding, craft and core curricula instructor from the National Center for Construction Education and Research. He was a member of Copiah County Competitive Community Program and Copiah-Lincoln Education Association.

Irvin has received many awards and recognitions such as the Outstanding Vocational-Technical Instructor at Co-Lin in 1997, and received the Outstanding Young Man of America Award, as well as the Co-Lin Atta Boy Award in 1998. He received Co-Lin’s High Performance Award in 2005. In 2012, Irvin was recognized as Educator of the Year at Co-Lin.

Irvin and his wife Belinda have four children, Erric, Terrell, Brandi, and Krystle, 12 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He is a member of Homeseeker’s Bible Church in Wesson.