Hands-On Healing: Kirtland Welding Students Forge Innovation for Tribal Eagle Rehabilitation
For four advanced welding and fabrication students at Kirtland Community College, their final weeks before graduation weren’t spent merely reviewing notes or taking written exams. Instead, they were huddled over blueprints, calculating structural weights, and executing precise welds on a project destined to impact wildlife conservation across the state of Michigan.
In May of 2026, as these second-year students prepared to walk across the stage to receive their Associate in Applied Science degrees in Welding and Fabrication, they left behind a tangible legacy: a first-of-its-kind, highly specialized portable x-ray machine frame custom-built for the Little Traverse Bay Bands (LTBB) of Odawa Indians Natural Resource Department.
The project took flight when Terri Thomasma, Raptor Rehabilitation Coordinator for the LTBB Archie Kiogima Jr. – ba Aviary and Rehabilitation Center, reached out to Kirtland’s welding instructor, Daron Shimel. Thomasma’s son had taken a high school welding class under Simmel years prior, establishing a trusted connection.
This Tribal facility, which wrapped up two of three major structural phases in early 2026 and secured its federal rehabilitation permit in April 2026, is dedicated to treating and rehabilitating injured eagles —a species of immense cultural and spiritual significance among Anishinaabe people.
Upon intake, incoming eagles or raptors are screened for broken bones and lead poisoning among other injuries. However, managing a wild, powerful bird while simultaneously operating a portable x-ray unit presented a logistical and safety nightmare, especially when staffing was limited.
“A lot of times when you bring an eagle in, you’re going to take x-rays, and if you’re by yourself, or if you only have 2 people, it can be hard to hold an eagle and try to do that,” said Thomasma. “So, I got to thinking, what if there was a way, we could make something that would hold our x-ray machine and allow us to take radiographs even if we are by ourselves, or with just 2 people?”
Thomasma approached Shimel with the concept at the tail end of the academic year. Shimel immediately recognized it as the perfect real-world test for his most advanced students.
Shimel turned the challenge completely over to a select group of four graduating students who were already well-versed in the demands of field application.
“I literally stepped away and let the students take the lead,” said Shimel. “I told the students ‘You tell me what material you need, and I’ll get it here, and I want to see blueprints’”. The students first created their own blueprints, then created the final blueprints as a group.”
The students faced a strict set of constraints. The frame had to hold the incredibly valuable x-ray camera completely secure so it could not tip or fall. It needed to be fully adjustable to accommodate different angles and bird sizes, yet lightweight and compact enough for a single, smaller operator to transport and set up alone in the field. Furthermore, it had to be structurally resilient enough to withstand a wrestling, wild eagle underneath it.
James Metts, one of the graduating student fabricators, recalled the meticulous planning process:
“To start off, we took some measurements of the x-ray, some basic questions and dimensions from Terri and found the materials that would work. We then sketched it up, and test fit everything.”
For Metts and his peers, the project bridged the gap between classroom exercises and the permanence of industrial welding. “Everything from the fundamentals to reading a tape measure… to making sure everything’s square and making sure it fit all good prior to welding. We did it all because we knew afterwards, it would be permanent,” Metts noted.
The intense crunch to complete the frame before graduation didn’t deter the student team. In fact, it energized them. Shimel noted that the students frequently came in during their free time to perfect the build. One student, Hannah Jaroniewski—who Shimel first taught as a high school junior with zero prior welding experience and is now slated to attend Saginaw Valley State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree. While two other students, Bailey Plott and Lewis Evans, came in on their own personal time to assist and complete the project with their team.
“I am very impressed with all four students, their dedication to the project and attention to detail,” said Shimel.
This spirit of community collaboration is a foundational cornerstone of Kirtland’s Welding and Fabrication program. The department is frequently sought out by local municipal and non-profit organizations to engineer custom structural solutions. Past cohorts have built structural elements like walking tunnels for community parks, allowing students to point to permanent local fixtures and say, “I built that.”
“When we do these projects for the community, the students might never ever lay eyes on this thing again in their life, but if they do, they can be like ‘look, I built that’” said Shimel. “Everything we build is for real life applications.”
To deepen that connection and importance of the project, Thomasma was able to stop by on her way to a veterinary exam to give the students a brief glimpse but firsthand look at the birds their craftsmanship would directly protect.
The success of this specific portable frame is said to create regional interest. Other wildlife rehabilitation networks across Michigan may see the frame in use and see the benefits of identical portable x-ray units can have for their organization. Creating the possibility for Kirtland’s Welding and Fabrication program future commissioned projects.
“I think this probably won’t be the last time. Now that we kind of designed it, I think others would be interested in their own builds” Shimel noted, looking forward to passing the torch of this design to incoming future cohorts.
Thomasma expressed immense gratitude for the partnership, offering “Chi-Miigwetch” thank you very much in Anishinaabemowin to Kirtland and the student builders. “You have done something that is going to have an impact on our facility, our rehab, and the animals we protect for years to come.”
The elite execution of the LTBB eagle x-ray frame highlights the comprehensive training built into Kirtland Community College’s curriculum. Designed to mirror real-world industrial environments, the program equips students with structural, artistic, and pipe welding proficiencies.
“This kind of experience changes students’ confidence and prepares them for the workforce in ways a textbook never could,” said Barb Walden, Dean of Occupational Programs at Kirtland Community College. “Our students weren’t just practicing welding and fabricating skills—they were solving a real-world problem for an organization doing incredibly meaningful work.
For students like Metts, who confessed that before entering Kirtland’s shop he “would have never attempted to take on any metal fabrication projects,” the program provides a definitive launchpad directly into high-demand industrial careers. As the May 2026 class transitions into the professional workforce, the custom-engineered eagle x-ray frame remains as a testament to what student innovation can achieve when community need meets Kirtland’s Welding and Fabrication expertise.
About Kirtland Community College
Established in 1966, Kirtland Community College is Michigan’s largest community college geographically, serving approximately 65,000 residents across nine counties in north-central Michigan. The college offers 49 degrees and certificates in areas including transfer programs, health sciences, skilled trades, business, and public safety. With campuses in Grayling and Gaylord, Kirtland provides accessible, affordable education with tuition rates approximately one-third the cost of four-year institutions. For more information, visit wwwsbox.kirtland.edu.
About LTBB Archie Kiogima Jr.- ba Migizi Aviary and Rehabilitation Center
The LTBB Archie Kiogima Jr.- ba Migizi Aviary and Rehabilitation Center was established to provide care and rehabilitation for injured eagles and raptors while honoring the cultural importance of Migizi to the Anishinaabe people. Through rehabilitation, conservation efforts, and education, the center works to protect these sacred birds for future generations. For more information, please visit Migizi Aviary – LTBB Official Website, Facebook, or email tthomasma@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov.
