Where Funds Go

100% of funds raised go to The Cade Keller Scholarship Fund, to scholarship students at the Welding Program at Mesa Community College, that Cade attended. The Mesa Community College Welding Program is fully accredited, and students may earn their full and complete certification as well as a Bachelor’s Degree.

Did you know….?

  • 97% of students in the welding program receive financial aid.
  • 200 students per year attend The MCC Welding program.
  • Gear, referred to as “kits”, cost over $100 per student, in addition to tuition.
  • The cost per course is $475 for 3 credit courses & $645 for 5 credit courses.
  • 100% of the funds contributed to the Cade Keller Memorial Fund go to exclusively scholarship Welding students (no other courses or programs within the College).

For scholarship information: mcccdf.org

Cade in the Welding Lab, February 2022

What We’ve Done

  • Created The Cade Keller Memorial Cornhole Tournaments, which 100% of contributed funds are for Welding Program students.
  • Awarded close to 40 scholarships for Summer and Fall semesters.
  • Collaboration with Lincoln Electric, in which CADE Gloves are given to all incoming Welding students.
  • Provided a new Hypertherm Welder

Cade gloves

Hypertherm welder

What’s Next

Although we are making a significant impact, we have an even greater goal for the program. With welding classes offered seven days a week, including Sundays, we strive to meet the community’s workforce needs. However, our existing facility, operating at 11,000 sq ft, is insufficient. We aim to expand it to 25,000-30,000 sq ft to accommodate the growing demand for essential welding workforce skills. The proposed expansion aligns with regional training needs and bolsters MCC’s role as a leader in welding education.

The design of the new welding facility goes beyond workforce development; it embodies a crucial social cause. In memory of a young welding enthusiast, Cade Keller, the “See Something, Say Something” ethos highlights suicide awareness. We believe this initiative will foster unity among welding professionals, emphasizing the importance of looking out for one another by asking them to lift up their hoods, look after one another, and if they see something, say something!