What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all enjoy the break from classes to celebrate the holiday with friends and family. One of my favorite childhood memories growing up in a family of nine was waking up on Thanksgiving morning to the aroma of the turkey in the oven.  My dad was an avid deer hunter so my mom would be up early to prepare a full breakfast before they ventured out.  She then would proceed to prepare the turkey, make the stuffing, and of course, the homemade pumpkin pie.  

Our family tradition as we sat down for Thanksgiving dinner later that day was to all share one thing that we were most grateful for.  Today, in the spirit of continuing that tradition, I share with all of you how grateful I am to be leading a college filled with great students who have chosen Moraine Park and the staff dedicated to meeting the needs of our students. Happy Thanksgiving!  

What are you most thankful for this year? Please comment below to share your thoughts! 

Thanksgiving-themed tablescape created by Lois Zingsheim, culinary arts instructor at Moraine Park, for a live broadcast with Green Bay news station FOX 11. See more Thanksgiving tips and tricks from MPTC’s culinary arts team here: http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/good_day_wi/festive-thanksgiving-ideas-from-mptc

Thank you, veterans!

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11, I’d like to remember and thank the Moraine Park students and staff, and community members who serve our country and community. Our military students and staff provide a dynamic and diverse background in the classroom and throughout the College and we are proud to work with such exceptional individuals.

This fall, G.I. Jobs released their 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools, which recognizes the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students. Moraine Park Technical College made the list for the third consecutive year for its excellence in serving veterans as students. 

Pictured (from left to right): Julie Waldvogel-Leitner, Financial Aid Associate; Scott Lieburn, Dean of Students; Sheila Ruhland, Moraine Park President; with the Military Friendly Award plaque. 

One of the new ways Moraine Park has been serving student veterans is by establishing a Student Veterans Association (SVA). The organization’s first meeting was held in September. Moraine Park’s new SVA will provide a support system for military students and veterans with making a smooth transition from military life to college and careers.

Our Moraine Park Dean of Students, Scott Lieburn, is a veteran who is still serving in the Air National Guard. He understands the specific needs of our Veterans as they start reintegrating into civilian life. The strong network of other student veterans in SVA and the supportive staff at Moraine Park will help these students a great deal in achieving their educational goals.

Thank you again to our student, staff and community veterans. We remember you on Veteran’s Day and every day, as you work hard for your many commitments, all while serving our country. If you would like to join me in thanking our veterans, please leave a comment.

Spring 2013: Are you ready?

It’s hard to believe we are halfway through the first semester! I hope classes and extracurricular activities have been going well for all of you as we move closer into the winter season and last part of the semester. Even though January 21 is a couple months away, it’s already time to start thinking about the spring semester. Registration dates start in early November and registering for spring classes is an easy process!

On November 6-8, returning students can start to register for the spring semester; On November 13, new students may start registering for the spring semester; pre-core and certificate student registration begins on November 27. Open registration for everyone begins on November 29.  You can find all of the spring class offerings listed at morainepark.edu/classes. From there, you can take a look at the classes and get a better idea of winter and spring class details by viewing the Online 2013 Class Schedule. Our Winterim session that runs Jan. 2-11 is a great way to pick up some quick credits in between semesters.  Winterim classes are also listed in the course schedule.

I hope classes continue to go well for everyone over the next couple months. Do you have any exciting projects planned? Leave me a note below with what classes you are thinking about taking this spring!