Published

Jeff Sorensen, SWCC automotive repair technology instructor; Kevin Bills, SWCC Auto collision repair/refinish lab assistant; Nile Cornelison, SWCC Education Foundation donor; Koby Namanny, SWCC 2024 Tech Achiever award recipient; Jeff Magneson, SWCC auto collision repair/refinish instructor; and Kole Vogel, automotive repair technology instructor.

April 30, 2024, CRESTON, Iowa—During a ceremony held at Southwestern Community College (SWCC) on Friday, April 26, 2024, Southwestern Community College (SWCC) auto collision repair/refinish student Koby Namanny of Cumberland was honored as the 2024 SWCC Tech Achiever, and awarded a 41” toolbox with roller cabinet and fully stocked with tools, tickets to the Museum of American Speed, congratulatory banner, and Speedway Motors promo items.

The SWCC Tech Achiever award, awarded annually to one or more deserving SWCC automotive students, was established in 2018 through SWCC’s Education Foundation by Nile Cornelison of Minneapolis, who attended SWCC (at that time known as Creston Junior College) from 1960-62. Cornelison started an automotive parts business in Creston and sold to auto enthusiasts across the Midwest. In 2014, he was elected to the SEMA Hall of Fame for his continuous training and hard work. It was 2015 when Nile sold his business and as he says, “moved into give-back mode.”

Namanny is a May 2022 Atlantic High School graduate. He has been a student in the collision repair/refinish program since fall 2022. In June 2023, Namanny earned his diploma in auto collision repair/refinish from SWCC. He will complete the program, earning his Associate of Applied Science degree, in June 2024.

Pictured above (L to R): Jeff Sorensen, SWCC automotive repair technology instructor; Kevin Bills, SWCC Auto collision repair/refinish lab assistant; Nile Cornelison, SWCC Education Foundation donor; Koby Namanny, SWCC 2024 Tech Achiever award recipient; Jeff Magneson, SWCC auto collision repair/refinish instructor; and Kole Vogel, automotive repair technology instructor.