The Moraine Park Foundation has received an annual scholarship contribution of $700 from their long-time community friend, the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis.

“We are so grateful for the continued commitment from the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park said. “Their loyal and generous contributions benefit many students and have helped make educational dreams become a reality.”

The partnership between the Foundation and Kiwanis dates back more than a decade, providing financial support to students who need it most.

“We understand that a college education can help influence a family-sustaining career and break the cycle of poverty,” Lisa Karst of Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis said. “For this reason, the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis is committed to providing scholarship support to Moraine Park students.”

The Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis scholarship is offered to students who are enrolled full-time, attend at the Beaver Dam campus and have a minimum GPA of 2.75.

For more information on the Moraine Park Foundation, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.

Ahhh, the fun of SUMMER! Picnics, camping, baseball, swimming, vacations and of course, endless hours in the sun!! There’s nothing better than summer!

But wait! All those hours of soaking in the sun and cooling off in the pool can wreak havoc on your hair! (Hey guys, this goes for you too!) So what can you do to help prevent damage to your locks? :O Can you fix what’s already been done?

Moraine Park’s Cosmetology Instructor Eileen Bouchard gives us some helpful hints to prevent damaging your hair any further this summer.

• Use a styling product with an SPF factor.
• Condition your hair after each shampoo.
• Wear a hat when you’re in the sun
• Maintain a regular haircut or trim. (This might be a great time to make an appointment at our Moraine Park Salon! Click here for more info! )

Do you feel your hair is beyond repair? Reader’s Digest says you can re-hydrate your hair and scalp with a nutrient rich treatment mask. The protective oils, butters, and extracts will replenish dry, frizzy and damaged hair. You should also take a break from heat styling your sun-damaged hair. Heat styling can cause damage all on its own, why not give your hair a break? (Pun intended!) Here’s one last simple helpful hint! Cotton pillowcases are absorbent, causing moisture to be drawn out of your hair as you sleep, so switch to a silk pillowcase.

I hope these tips help get you through what we have left of summer looking fabulous! After all, August is like the Sunday of Summer, it comes to fast and never stays long enough!

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” -Oscar Wilde

Moraine Park has been all over the district this summer, from DockSpider games to festivals and fairs. Needless to say, our Maximus knows how to have fun in the sun!

Enjoy the photos below, taken at the Fond du Lac DockSpiders games, Fiesta Latina in Beaver Dam, and the Washington County Fair!

morainepark.edu

Starting a small business is no small decision. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge and starting a business of your own, there are some key steps you need to take first.

Step One:  Understand Your Own Strengths and Skills.

Take a look inside of yourself and ask the following questions. What is your prior work experience? What are your personal interests and hobbies?  What education or courses have you taken? What skills and talents do you have? What are you an expert in?

Norman Vincent Peale said it best, “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”

Looking closely at your strengths and skills can help you identify specific expertise that may lend themselves to starting your own business.

Step Two:  Ask yourself, “Is My Idea Feasible?”

I know this one sounds obvious. Aren’t all things possible to those who believe? Certainly, but quite a few great ideas didn’t make it either because the service or product was not timely or too expensive.

Ask yourself the following questions. Will your product or service serve an existing market in which there is a demand? Will your product or service be competitive in the market based on its price and quality? If you answered yes to these questions, you are on the right track.  If you answered no, you need to carefully assess your business idea before moving forward. A feasible idea has to be right for you and for the market.

Step Three: Seek Support and Guidance.

As you receive the proper support and guidance your confidence will grow. Let those with experience guide you through the steps of business development. Returning to school and taking part in professional development coursework can help you learn more about entrepreneurship, how to create a business plan, marketing and financing a business.

Having the right strengths and skills and matching them with a feasible idea is a good place to start. At Moraine Park, we support your journey  by offering workshops that help you accomplish your goals. Get started today by enrolling in a face to face class in September in Green Lake or take a class in November in Fond du Lac. 

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2ZAvoZz.

The Moraine Park Foundation has received support from their community partner, Countryside Auto Group, with a $5,000 donation to benefit the Promise program. Countryside donated $7,500 in 2018, making their total contribution $12,500.

“We are grateful to Keith and Countryside for their generous contribution to the Moraine Park Promise program,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park said. “Their gift will give the opportunity of a debt-free education to students in need, and our continued partnership with Countryside will impact students’ lives for generations to come.”

The Promise program offers five consecutive semesters of debt-free college tuition, as well as additional services including mentoring, tutoring, career guidance, financial aid workshops, and counseling to low-income students. The purpose of the program is to offer the opportunity for a college education to individuals who otherwise couldn’t afford it. It will also help to address the employment gaps across the workforce by supplying businesses with skilled and educated individuals.

“At Countryside, we strongly believe in serving our local community,” Keith Ghanian, president at Countryside said. “We are proud to support the Moraine Park Promise program and recognize the power of education to transform the lives of individuals, families, and communities.”

Countryside Auto Group is a Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC dealer located in Beaver Dam, WI. Their strong community connections, family-like atmosphere, and excellent customer services are the core of their business. Each month, Countryside donates proceeds to a different local organization to drive awareness and provide funding for the organizations in the community who are making a difference.

For more information on the Moraine Park Foundation, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.

Did you know that Moraine Park offers free services to the entire community?

• Career assessment
• Basic education instruction
• College entrance exam prep
• Resume help
• Help with college coursework
• GED/HSED courses
• Career center resources/job search
• English Language Learners (ELL) classes

Learn more today at morainepark.edu/student-resources

Ready to head out on a new adventure? Have you ever thought about becoming a commercial truck driver? You may ask yourself, what does it take to get the required license to drive a truck? You’ll need to get a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) to practice driving on public roads.

Take the first step towards a new career by enrolling in Moraine Park’s CDL Learner’s Permit Exam Prep class. You will meet face to face with an instructor who will guide you through the requirements to obtain your Commercial Learners Permit in as little as a week. Our 15 hour classroom course will introduce you to the trucking industry, familiarize you with the different written exams, background and medical information, and prepare you to pass the required knowledge exam whether you plan to apply for a CLASS A, B, or C license. Once you are issued a Commercial Learners Permit, you may operate a commercial motor vehicle as indicated on your permit with another person licensed to drive the same type of vehicle.

If you have a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record, Moraine Park Technical College can help you take that first step towards a truck driving career.

Make an investment in your future today. In as little as one week, we can prepare you to pass the knowledge exam.  Get started by enrolling in the August or September class.

Monday – Thursday, August 12-15, 2019
5:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Fond du Lac Campus, Room O-108
CRN 20873

Monday – Thursday, September 30-October 3, 2019
5:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Jackson Regional Center, Room JX-113
CRN 20874

To register, please call 1-800-472-4554. For questions, please contact Laurie at lbarz@morainepark.edu or visit https://www.morainepark.edu/programs-and-courses/certifications-and-licensure/.

Disclaimer: Moraine Park does not provide vehicles to practice on.

Do you remember when manufacturing jobs were known as dark and dangerous? Moraine Park’s CNC/Tool and Die instructor, Jim Hokenson, has been working to eliminate that myth. He has a mission not only to train workers for this career field but also to re-educate the community on the realities of the industry.

“The truth is, our local manufacturers have clean factories with state-of-the-art equipment, “Jim said. “They provide a steady career with great benefits and an even better income.”

There’s no denying the importance of manufacturing in our world today, and for those that are gravitating towards this industry, it is all in the numbers.

“There will always be a need for a good tool and die specialist,” Jim said. “Once you have the manufacturing skill sets, you will find that there are jobs available all over Wisconsin.”

Jim has been with the College for 20-years and is also a Moraine Park alumni. During his time, he has worked hard to become established in the community, specifically with educating our youth on the manufacturing career options.

“The earlier we can introduce options, the better,” Jim said. “I think it’s important that we identify and build upon skills.”

His 2019 class has 17 second-year students, all of whom will be graduating with their two-year technical diploma. Most were hired in the industry before graduating and there are many more jobs to fill.

“It seems that we can’t teach them fast enough,” Jim said. “The employers we work with know the value of educating students with the essential real-world skills. We try to work alongside both the companies and students to find a good fit all around. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach and influence our local workforce.”

morainepark.edu

“I was a new student at Moraine Park in the Fall of 2018 and eager to begin my criminal justice classes. When I enrolled in the Introduction to Mass Communication course with Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss, I was very unsure of what to expect, but was hopeful I could somehow relate it to my career.”

“Quickly after starting this class, it was clear that this course could be beneficial for any career field.  The course content focused on a different medium of communication, such as news, films, music, and more, throughout the semester. This course prepared you to think and look ahead to possible media trends in future years.”

“I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this class. For most of my other classes, I had friends who had taken the courses in the past so I knew what to expect. I was the first in my friend group to take the Introduction to Mass Communication course, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The course taught me things about mass media that influences our everyday lives, such as friendships and jobs. In my intended profession, fair media coverage is crucial. Lately, news about police officers has been one-sided at times, so this course really shed a light about the media.”

“No matter the program you are enrolled in, the Introduction to Mass Communication course is essential for a well-rounded education. You need to know how to properly navigate all forms of mass media, as well as decide whether or not to believe the sources. This course helps you be a better informed media consumer.”

Written by: Emma Kuklinski, Criminal Justice Student at MPTC