Stephen Amundsen

Stephen graduates today with an associate degree as a member of the very first cohort in Robotic Welding, the first program of its kind in the state of Alabama.  In 2022 Stephen quit his job to enroll in the welding program, he wanted to show his three daughters that you should never stop growing and improving and that it is never too late to make a change for the better. 

Just a few months after beginning classes, Stephen was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Determined not to miss class, Stephen scheduled countless doctor’s appointments around school, and had three rounds of chemotherapy during a 12-week period last summer. Stephen’s greatest challenge was TIG welding because the summer heat, combined with shaky hands and low energy from the chemotherapy caused him to struggle. He persevered, and Stephen has been cancer-free since September. He is thankful to his instructors for working around his treatment schedule and encouraging him along the way. 

Cancer has not been Stephen’s only struggle. Earlier in life, he experienced an addiction to methamphetamine for 18 years. At one point, Stephen had given up and thought he would die as an addict. It was his sister’s death to an overdose that led Stephen to his faith in a higher power and he has been clean for almost eight years. 

Today, he and his wife Susie are children’s pastors at Liberty Church in Arab, and he is excited about his new career as a robotic welder. 

Congratulations Stephen for being brave enough to face your struggles head on and overcoming so much adversity to be where you are today.