Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season!

At the close of another year, it’s a wonderful time to pause and reflect on accomplishments. We have much to be proud of at Moraine Park. To name a few, we broke ground on a new Student Services addition on our Fond du Lac campus, were awarded $1.2 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward grant dollars to train workers, and hosted a very successful inaugural Pink Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk.

I am especially proud of our student’s accomplishments throughout the year. We have seen the Health Science Program achieve outstanding national exam pass rates, students from many different programs represented the College at SkillsUSA competitions, and our service-learning efforts were showcased at our State’s capitol. 

As I mention service-learning, I want to give special recognition to the students who have been volunteering this holiday season. Students in Moraine Park’s Electrical Power Distribution Club rang bells for the Salvation Army, many students spent time at local nursing homes and coordinated toy drives, while the Radiography Club adopted a family during the holiday season. I am always moved by the caring hearts of our students at Moraine Park. You really are making a difference!

We have much to celebrate at Moraine Park and to look forward to! Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year! http://youtu.be/WgIRgTn25Uc 

Beaver Dam Student Senate making washcloth bunnies for Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam. Each bunny is tied with a ribbon and tag that reads “Hoppy Holidays! Wishing you peace and joy throughout this season and into the New Year! – Moraine Park Beaver Dam Student Senate”

Holiday Happenings at Moraine Park!

The end of semester is always a busy time for students as they are working hard to finish up their end of semester projects and prepare for final exams. In spite of all this, Moraine Park students still found time to give back to their communities this holiday season.

Students in Moraine Park Technical College’s Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) Club rang bells for the Salvation Army at Racheck’s and Shopko in West Bend on Dec. 4, 2013. Pictured from left: Andy Luedtke, Tanner Holzhueter and Erik Hefner.

In Fond du Lac, Student Senate sponsored a diaper drive for the Fond du Lac Family Resource Center. The group also held a Bone Marrow Drive for Be the Match last month. During the drive students learned how to get involved in donating bone marrow through the Be The Match organization.  Many clubs around campus also held drives to collect hats, mittens and food that will all be donated to local organizations.

In West Bend, the Chiropractic Specialist Club, Cosmetology Apprentice Club, Electricity Club, Graphics/IMD Club, SAGA Club, Student Senate, SMARTS Club and the Student Nurses Association held a campus-wide food drive. The West Bend Student Senate and the Student Nurses Association collected items for the Kids2Kids Toy Drive. Kapco’s Kids2Kids toy drive collects over 20,000 toys for low-income children through Southeastern Wisconsin.

 

Winner of Mo-Vember at Mo-Raine Park, William Milbrot.

The Beaver Dam Student Senate found a creative way to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues through a month-long event called Mo-Vember at Mo-Raine Park. Participants took before and after photos, one clean shaven at the beginning of the month and another at the end of the month and invited anyone to vote for their favorite Mo-Vember moustache for $1. The club also sold Kwik Trip gift cards with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Elks Christmas Baskets, which provides food baskets for families during the holidays. Between the two fundraisers over $700 was raised for the Elks Christmas Baskets. The Human Resources Club conducted a toy drive in conjunction with the Dodge County Toy Bank. The Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) Club rang bells for the Salvation Army. The Beaver Dam Student Nurses Association conducted a food drive for St. Vincent de Paul.

Students in the Beaver Dam and Fond du Lac chapters of the Multicultural Club collected school supplies and other donations this winter to support the Blue Mountain Project. The Blue Mountain Project is an organization committed to improving the health, education and economy in rural Jamaican communities. Some club members and other Moraine Park students will be bringing the items to Jamaica this January during their study abroad trip through Moraine Park’s International Education program!

I am so proud of the effort Moraine Park students have put into giving back to our communities. Their actions are so inspiring.  If you’ve been giving back this year, please be sure and share efforts in the comment section below!  

What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving! As we begin to celebrate the holiday season and you gather with family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday I hope you take the time to reflect on what you are thankful for. Reflecting on things I am thankful for is a tradition I have celebrated with my family regardless of which home I may be enjoying the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries and we can’t forget the pumpkin pie with a spoonful, or two of real whip cream.  This Thanksgiving I am thankful for continued good health and the support from family and friends.  I’m blessed to have my mother who is 93 years old and still with us. Although she is no longer preparing the traditional Thanksgiving meal, those traditions have been passed on to her children. I hope you all enjoy the break from classes to celebrate the holiday with friends and family.  Wishing you all a safe and very special Thanksgiving.

 

What are you most thankful for this year? Please share below!

Happy Holidays and end of the semester!

I hope the end of the fall semester went well for everyone last week! With final exams and projects over, I hope the holiday season and Winter Break is a nice respite before the spring semester begins on January 21. We’re looking forward to seeing returning students and new faces on campus for the spring semester!

The semester came to a close with Moraine Park hosting a Veteran’s Job fair on Wednesday, Dec. 12, organized by the Department of Workforce Development Office of Veterans Services. I joined Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefish and Department of Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson in speaking with employers and student veterans attending the fair. The event was an excellent way to connect job seeking veterans with new employment opportunities.  

Pictured on the far left is MPTC Dean of Students Scott Lieburn, Secretary Newson, Dr. Ruhland, and Lt. Governor Kleefisch on the far right.

 

Many student and College-wide accomplishments took place over the Fall Semester, and I’m excited to see continued successes in the second semester.  Again, have a safe and happy holiday! You can view a holiday greeting from Moraine Park by visiting this link: http://morainepark.edu/holiday. I’ll be continuing to blog throughout the spring semester so be sure to follow along for updates!

Moraine Park students are giving back this holiday season

December is a busy time for Moraine Park students, balancing many end-of-the semester commitments like final projects and exams with preparing for the upcoming holidays. Despite their ongoing responsibilities, many students have found time to give back this holiday season. Student clubs and organizations on all three campuses are devoting time for local families in need. 

The Radiography Club was one of the many student clubs and organizations who gave back this holiday season. 

Pictured is the club getting their Adopt-a-Family gifts wrapped and ready to donate.

In Fond du Lac, the Straight and Gay Alliance club (SAGA) helped St. Paul’s church with over 900 families who preregistered to receive food for the Thanksgiving holiday. They assisted with registration, handed out turkeys, and helped carry food to vehicles. Other student organizations on the Fond du Lac campus are adopting families, and participating in food, toy and clothing drives. 

In Beaver Dam, the Student Senate held a silent auction to benefit the Dodge County Humane Society and Clothes for Kids. The Multicultural Club is sponsoring a toy drive, and the Electrical Power Distribution Club is ringing bells for the Salvation Army.

In West Bend, the Student Senate is holding a toy drive this holiday season to provide for local youth and the ARTS (Adults Returning to School) Club adopted a family. 

Students are not only giving back locally, but their efforts are reaching overseas. The Student Veteran’s Association (SVA) is running a Christmas in a Shoebox campaign by packaging and mailing donated items to deployed troops.

I’m proud of the way Moraine Park’s student clubs and organizations have taken time out of their busy schedules to help make this holiday season a little brighter for families in need. For more information on student clubs and organizations at Moraine Park, visit: http://morainepark.edu/services/student-life/student-clubs/#student-life

Are you giving back this month to help your community? Please share what you are doing in the comment section below!