Congratulations Class of 2013 Graduates!

The end of Moraine Park’s spring semester was filled with many events—some of the most exciting being graduation ceremonies! This year at commencement more than 300 students walked across the stage to receive their degrees and become new Moraine Park alumni. It was great to see students’ friends, families and Moraine Park staff there to celebrate this exciting, culminating event. Each of the nearly 900 students that completed their degrees should be proud of their great accomplishment.

It was an honor to introduce this year’s commencement speaker, Jim Wessing, president and co-founder of Kondex Corp. Jim’s optimistic speech gave students great advice for their future careers. During his speech Jim spoke about the strong demand for technical skills and how now is a wonderful time to be graduating. I couldn’t agree with him more. 

Commencement 2013

Commencement wasn’t the only ceremony I had the pleasure of attending. On May 31, on our Beaver Dam Campus, I had the opportunity to present diplomas to eleven future welders.  These students were part of the new welding skills academy, or boot camps. To be accepted into the program students had to go through a rigorous testing and interview process with both Moraine Park staff and with employers, in order to obtain a welding internship with one of the boot camp business partners.  This is the fourth boot camp graduation since January, it is the second group of Welding Boot Camp graduates, and it is the first group of students who completed the program as part of the U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant.  I know that all Moraine Park faculty and staff are very proud of these students and we thank them for their commitment to the program.

Welding Boot Camp Graduation

I also had the privilege of attending the General Education Development (GED) and High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) graduation on June 13 at our Fond du Lac Campus. This year, Moraine Park faculty and staff worked with more than  300 students to help them achieve their goal of earning  their HSED/ GED certificates, and nearly 60 of those students participated in the ceremony.  Listening to the student speakers share their stories was very inspiring.  I wish each of the GED/HSED graduates the best as they pursue new opportunities.

Moraine Park’s 13^th Annual GED/HSED Graduation Ceremony

Congratulations again to all the Moraine Park graduates. If you were a part of any of these events and would like to share your experience, please send me a note. I’d love to hear from you.

Have a safe and relaxing summer! 

Civic Engagement at Moraine Park and Beyond

I recently attended a Civic Engagement Institute on the UW-Madison campus, joined by Moraine Park Dean of General Education Caron Daugherty and Communications Instructor Amy Edwards Patterson. It was a great opportunity to learn about other higher education institutions and ways to educate students on civic and social responsibilities within our communities.

During my drive back to Fond du Lac, I reflected on our Moraine Park students involved in Student Government and Student Senate. These organizations are one example of how Moraine Park students demonstrate civic engagement. Students in these groups work with each other, act as liaisons amongst the student body and interact with faculty and the administration in the promotion of student rights. The decisions our students make affect both the college and community; and the skills they develop last a lifetime.

To these students, thank you for the important work you do in your organizations that allow you to become engaged with our communities. Are you involved with Student Government or Student Senate? Please leave a note below sharing some of your civic engagement experiences!

Honoring those in Career and Technical Education

As the month of February came to an end, we honored those who have made an impact in Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Moraine Park with the annual Moraine Park Association of Career and Technical Education Awards Banquet. The following individuals were honored with awards: Stephanie Lueck of Campbellsport for Outstanding Support Professional; Kathy Vandemark of Kewaskum for Outstanding CTE Leader; Terri Wilkens of Mayville for Outstanding Instructor; Amy Patterson of Beaver Dam for New Instructor and Bonnie Baerwald of Fond du Lac for Community Involvement. The Business Award of Merit went to Kondex Corporation of Lomira for supporting Moraine Park. I want to congratulate these individuals and thank Kondex for their support of CTE and Moraine Park. 

March brought an exciting cultural event to the Fond du Lac campus – Mandala Sand Painting. Tibetan Buddhist Monks were on campus March 11-15 constructing a sand painting, which uses millions of colored sand grains to form an image of a mandala, or circle. It was wonderful seeing so many people from our college community and from throughout the entire Moraine Park District gather together for this event, learning about a unique ancient spiritual art. Thank you to our Fond du Lac Student Senate for sponsoring this event.

As we just finished welcoming a new culture to campus, a few of our students will be preparing to experience a new culture. Moraine Park students left for London and Paris over Spring Break. We also have several of our nursing students along with their instructor, Mary Krieger, traveling to the East Coast over Spring Break to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. We’ll be hearing more about both of these experiences when they return.

We have a busy spring ahead of us and I’m looking forward to keeping you updated with my blog! If you have any questions or comments for me, please leave a post below.

Moraine Park celebrates Career and Technical Education

During the month of February, Career and Technical Education (CTE) is celebrated throughout the state and nation. Even though February is the shortest month of the year, Moraine Park is incorporating many activities over the next few weeks to recognize the importance of CTE.

Moraine Park kicked off CTE month by hosting Discover Moraine Park on each campus. This annual event is for anyone wanting to get a jump start on the admissions process and learn more about the different programs at Moraine Park. We are hosting many events for the public to attend throughout the month. For event details, visit morainepark.edu and check out the Events Calendar.

On February 19, I will join some of our students at the State Capitol to demonstrate the impact technical education has on our State. This Celebration of Student Engagement event is something Wisconsin’s 16 Technical Colleges participate in annually and I’m looking forward to getting involved again this year.

CTE month will wrap up with the Moraine Park Association of Career and Technical Education (MPACTE) annual awards banquet on February 21. I’m excited to help MPACTE recognize individuals for their dedication to and excellence in career and technical education.

Why do you think Career and Technical Education is important? Please share any comments below as I always enjoying hearing from you! Also, check out this video on exploring your options in the many emerging and in-demand career fields!

Welcome back to a new semester!

Welcome to the spring semester! I hope everyone had a nice winter break and that the new semester gets off to a great start. There are many services available at Moraine Park to ensure new and current students have great success during their time at the College. If you are new to campus or just need a reminder of some of the services available at Moraine Park, check out this new video. Maximus wants to meet you! Also, be sure and keep an eye out for Moraine Park staff wearing a “Just Ask” button. These staff members can help answer your questions!

Though things are a bit quieter around Moraine Park during the Holiday Break, there were many exciting things happening behind the scenes during this time. The first CNC Machinist Skills Academies class under the Workforce Partnership Grant from the Wisconsin Covenant Foundation graduated on Friday, Jan. 11. These 12 graduates are now either employed, pursuing entry-level CNC machinist positions, or furthering their education. We look forward to continuing these CNC and Welding Skills Academies over the next three years, helping to address the skills gap in our region.

CNC Machinist graduates with Wisconsin DWD Secretary Reggie Newson.

On Jan. 16, the Moraine Park District Board approved leasing a new facility in Jackson to help Moraine Park meet the demands of regional manufacturers by providing training in Welding and Computer Numerical Control (CNC). The facility will offer a CNC lab, welding lab, two classrooms, and equipment.

Finally, I want to send a big “thank you” to all of the student organizations who took time during the holiday season to coordinate, or donate to, the many service projects happening on and off our three campuses to help the less fortunate. Again, thank you!

Whether you are a first-time reader of my blog, or a regular, I hope you will continue to follow along with my blog to receive College updates, ask questions or to share how your semester is going. Have a great semester! 

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!