Tech Effect on Hospitality

I have to extend a big thank you to our Culinary Arts students for the delicious tapas they provided during the Wisconsin Technical College System’s (WTCS) Hospitality Event on September 24.  The event was held at Lakeshore Culinary Institute, and students and faculty in Moraine Park, Fox Valley and Lakeshore’s culinary programs all did a spectacular job of showcasing their culinary talents! This was a great opportunity to share the important role technical colleges play in Wisconsin’s $17 billion tourism industry with local restaurant owners, legislators and many other community leaders. And, of course, getting to enjoy the fantastic food was a wonderful perk. I have to give extra kudos to the Moraine Park students that made the pumpkin cheesecake.  That pecan crust sure was a lovely addition! 

Thanks again to the Moraine Park Culinary Arts program! What a great way to show the community how our graduating students impact Wisconsin’s booming hospitality and tourism industry. Check out a few of Moraine Park’s graduate success stories at http://bit.ly/1rndzbg.

Culinary Arts Instructor James Simmers (left) and student Cody Feist took a quick break from the crowd to snap a photo with Stan Cram (right), vice president of student affairs, and me.

Joseph Yagler, Moraine Park Culinary Arts student, serving that amazing pumpkin cheesecake!

Eisenbahn Connection Grand Opening

Wednesday, September 3, was a perfect day to be outside enjoying the sunshine, and I was happy to have the opportunity to be on our West Bend campus supporting the new Eisenbahn Trail and the newly completed connection to our West Bend campus. Students, staff and community members came together to celebrate the grand opening of the connection with a ribbon cutting and cake! The project was initiated by the West Bend Campus Student Senate and was able to come to fruition thanks to the collaboration between community organizations, faculty, students and staff.  

The trail spans 25 miles, going through West Bend, Kewaskum, Campbellsport and Eden. As we quickly approach the fall months, I encourage you to get out and enjoy the beautiful sights along the trail, and feel free to use the new connection and make a stop by our West Bend campus to say hello.

Welcome Back Students!

I always know fall is approaching when our hallways and classrooms fill back up with students. It has been an exciting couple of weeks at Moraine Park as our staff and students prepared for the new semester. I had the opportunity to attend Summer Welcome Day, where I got to meet many of our new students and talk with members of our student organizations. The Amazing Race is always a fun part of the day, as students complete challenges that help them navigate around the campus and become familiar with all of the different services offered.

 

 

I was also excited to find a seat at the Welcome Back Lunch this week featuring entertainment by Nick Pike. The cafeteria was full, but I soon saw why some seats were left open in the front row. Nick, a comedic juggler, had a couple of stunts that required help from the audience. He pulled students out of the crowd to help him get onto a unicycle and walk across glass while blindfolded and juggling axes! Thank you Student Senate for sponsoring such a fun activity!

As the semester continues, I plan to be out and about visiting with students and meeting those new to MPTC. If you see me in the hallways, please don’t hesitate to say hello and let me know how your semester is going!

Moraine Park receives $1.2 million Blueprint for Prosperity grant

On Wednesday, July 23, I was excited to welcome Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Department of Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson to our Fond du Lac Campus. Lt. Governor Kleefisch came to campus to announce Moraine Park’s $1.2 million Wisconsin Fast Forward: Blueprint for Prosperity grant to train up to 126 workers for in-demand fields.

Pictured from left: Denise Devereaux, Mercury Marine VP of human resources; JoAnn Hall, MPTC dean of economic and workforce development; Kristen Finnel, MPTC dean of health and human services; Fred Rice, MPTC dean of applied technology and trades; Sheila Ruhland, MPTC president; Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch; and Reggie Newson, secretary of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

This award is part of $28 million in grants that Governor Walker recently announced as part of his Blueprint for Prosperity initiative to help Wisconsin Technical College’s train over 4,900 workers for jobs that employers need to fill.

Our training gets workers into the workforce quickly, and keeps them in the workforce, ensuring we will continue to keep moving Wisconsin forward. The Blueprint for Prosperity grant will allow Moraine Park and its partners to continue to expand its training and education efforts. We look forward to training workers for the positions that employers need to fill.

For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/1oiOFs3

Jackson Regional Center Site-Visit

I recently had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Joyce Natzke, Professor of Education for the College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Wisconsin Lutheran College located in Milwaukee.

Dr. Natzke was at our Jackson Regional Center conducting a review of our center as part of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation requirement for colleges with regional centers.  (Some of you may recall that last September we had an open house to celebrate the opening of our new site in Jackson.)  This visit allows HLC to be sure the programs and services we deliver at our regional sites are aligned with criteria for accreditation.

During the visit, Dr. Natzke toured the facility and met with Moraine Park administration, faculty and students to discuss the regional center, its role, and the education and learning experience.  Students who met with Dr. Natzke were at the center for a Fabrication class. Having the opportunity to experience and be a part of an accreditation review is something that doesn’t happen often for our students. As I listened to their conversation and responses to the questions, I saw firsthand the quality of students who choose to come to Moraine Park, and, more importantly, the excellent education and hands-on learning they are receiving. I would like to extend a thank you to these students for sharing in this experience:  Scott Bensemann, Dakota Grudzinski, Paul Haber, Cole Jungers, Casey Lamberg, Keith Lubner and Kori Siegl, as well as to Steve Henderleiter, their Welding/Fabrication Instructor.

 

 

If you have questions about our accreditation process or our Jackson Regional Center, please don’t hesitate to connect with me.