Neil Messinger

Joseph Neil Messinger enrolled at SCC in fall 2015 after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Strategic Marketing Communications from Ohio State. “I studied studio art glass for fun before deciding that glass was my ultimate passion,” he said.

At SCC, he excelled in the Scientific Glass Technology program, graduating with high honors in May 2016.

Today, Neil works in Southern California for Meggitt PLC, a global engineering business specializing in aerospace equipment. He fabricates glass sensors that are installed into military jet-powered aircraft.

“Without the knowledge instilled by all of the faculty at Salem, I would not be where I am today,” said Neil, whose ultimate goal as a glassblower is to earn a job as a resident scientific glassblower at a major research institution. Reflecting upon his SCC education, he greatly appreciates receiving the Batsto Citizens Committee Scholarship. “The Batsto Scholarship assisted me tremendously when it came to earning my scientific glass degree,” he said. “Not only was it helpful financially, receiving the scholarship also threw away any doubts I had regarding my success at Salem. It served as an extra boost in morale that I needed to complete the program and launch an amazing career with scientific glass.”