Moraine Park Technical College held its fall 2020 Manufacturing Skills Academy completion ceremony on Wednesday, December 23. A total of nine students finished the program, four from Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and five from Welding.

This program was designed to combat the skilled worker shortage by offering a variety of boot camp sessions. The boot camp sessions are free to participants, teach skills that are unique to a particular pathway, and connect students with area employers. The program also combines a 144-hour paid internship with coursework, including Occupational Math, Print Reading, Team Building, Problem Solving, and program-specific courses. Participating internship sites for this session were FZE Manufacturing Solutions, LLC, Mid States Aluminum Corporation, Ultra Tool & Manufacturing, and Wabash National.

Moraine Park has had over 400 participants in the Welding and CNC boot camp programs since its induction in 2012.

The students who completed the CNC boot camp are Loni Gromacki of Germantown, April Novak of Fond du Lac, Ethan Strebe of Fond du Lac, and Brian Wilson of Fond du Lac.

The students who completed the Welding boot camp are Nathaniel Horner of Beaver Dam, Timothy Lowe of Fond du Lac, Robin Robertson of Colgate, Steven Stathas of Jackson, and Xavier Thomas of Fond du Lac.

This year’s graduation speakers were Timothy Lowe and Ethan Strebe. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ceremony was open to boot camp students and Moraine Park staff only. The event was live-streamed to allow for family, friends, and employer partners to participate.

Moraine Park’s Skills Academy boot camps are free to participating students, thanks to financial support from community resource partners and the Workforce and Training (WAT) grants.

Registrations for the spring 2021 boot camp program are now being accepted. For more information, visit morainepark.edu/bootcamps.

Did you know that many times, the barrier to education is financial?

A student who wants to earn their GED/HSED diploma can come to Moraine Park for free adult education instruction. However, the testing, required by the state, costs approximately $150.

The instructors in the adult education department wanted to help break this financial barrier. So, they started a scholarship through the Moraine Park Foundation in 2011. This funding helps not only with the testing fees, but students who enroll in a program at Moraine Park can also apply for a $500 scholarship to help with application fees, textbooks, or tuition. To date, 16 of those scholarships have been awarded, and one of the previous recipients recently earned their Master’s Degree!

As you begin to determine your year-end giving, know that a contribution to the Moraine Park Foundations Basic Education Fund could help change the lives of individuals right in your community.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.

Hey, 2020 Grads!

We know COVID-19 canceled our celebrations last spring, but we haven’t forgotten about you- and we still need to celebrate your huge academic milestone!

We are beginning to plan our 2021 Commencement Ceremony.

Mark your calendars for May 22, 2021 (time and location TBD).

While many of the details are still in the works- here are a few changes you should know about:

• Guests may not be permitted.
• Tickets will be required.
• Virtual viewing will be available. 

If you are planning to attend, please let us know by filling out the commencement form by January 8, 2021.

Please note: This step is required if you are wanting to participate in the 2021 ceremony.

Class of 2021- no need to fill out this form yet- we will connect with you soon!

Moraine Park Technical College has extended both their public access restrictions and mask-wearing requirements for all campuses- which will remain in effect indefinitely – but, at least through June 30, 2021. The College will remain closed to the general public, and masks will continue to be required on all campuses- even if the statewide mandate ends.

“COVID-19 exposures remain low on our campuses,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “We hope by continuing to limit the number of people on our campuses, we can ensure a successful spring 2021 semester for our students and staff- including the ability to continue in-person classes and hold our annual commencement ceremony.”

As of now, the spring 2021 semester will begin as scheduled on Monday, Jan. 25, and classes will continue to be offered in face-to-face, virtual, and online formats.

Additionally, the College plans to host their 2021 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 22- if conditions remain as they are or improve. The ceremony will be held outdoors at the Fond du Lac campus, there will be guest limitations to allow for social distancing, and a backup date will be selected in case of inclement weather.

“We are moving forward with our spring semester and planning our 2021 commencement ceremony,” Baerwald said. “While the ceremony will undoubtedly look different, we are confident that we can find a way to celebrate together safely.” 

While the College will continue to remain closed to the public, this will not affect Moraine Park’s classes, events, and activities. College leadership will continue to follow recommendations from local public health departments, as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) when making decisions for the spring 2021 semester and beyond. 

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/coronavirus.

Moraine Park Technical College’s Criminal Justice and Paramedic students collaborated with the Dodge County SWAT Team last month to offer a live emergency simulation.

The simulation was in response to the major remodel at the Beaver Dam campus last summer. The new layout required the Dodge County SWAT team to do a walkthrough and reassess the building- as a way to be prepared in the event of an emergency on campus. 

Moraine Park’s Criminal Justice and Paramedic instructors worked with the SWAT team to host and lead a simulation event featuring three different scenarios- as a learning opportunity for the students. 

“I am grateful for our partnership with the Dodge County SWAT team and the time they spent with our students.” Lisa Pollard, Moraine Park’s Beaver Dam campus dean, said. 

Throughout the simulations, students assisted the SWAT Team in the live emergency scenarios and were able to ask questions regarding their responses to different emergencies. 

“This simulation offered a valuable, real-world experience to our students,” Pollard said. “The SWAT team utilized our Moraine Park classroom spaces, including our built-in apartment and ambulance- used for hands-on classroom training. How they work in that environment, with their equipment, providing an emergency response is how Moraine Park prepares the students for their future careers.”

The SWAT Team, students, and faculty received valuable knowledge from the simulations that will help prepare them for emergency situations in the future, and the partnership between Moraine Park and Dodge County will help ensure a safer campus and community.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu. 

MPTC’s Dean of the West Bend Campus, Pete Rettler, began running daily after making a bet with a friend on New Year’s Eve in 1993. The bet was to run every day for that year. 27 years later, he hasn’t missed a single day – and averages about 2.5 miles each run. 

A few years back, he started using this daily running streak to generate community involvement and giving by hosting a New Year’s Eve 5k run event. The money raised was donated a local non-profit.

At year 25, Pete held a 25 day event, selecting a different non-profit each day- and gathering over $25,000 in donations. 

This year, he has had to do things differently- as we all have- and is hosting a virtual 5k- where participants will select their own route. While this doesn’t have the togetherness of his typical events, this does open up the opportunity for participation anywhere.

This year, his donations will be given to the Wisconsin Remembers 9-11 Memorial in Kewaskum to assist their efforts to bring awareness, and honor and remember local victims.  https://www.wisconsin911memorial.com/about.html

As an added heartfelt, Pete’s children (now adults) have never known a day that their Dad didn’t run. When they were little Pete would push them in the stroller on his daily runs. This year, Pete will be carrying on that tradition while pushing his granddaughter Reagan in the stroller on his run. 

Through it all, Pete remains a humble- community centered man- grateful for his health and the ability to utilize what was once a silly bet- as a way to bring good to his community.  

Do you want to run “with” Pete on New Years Eve? Registration is $27 and there will also be 27 prizes. Information can be found at rettlerrun.com.

*Photo courtesy of Washington County Insider-2018.

Moraine Park Technical College’s Gas Utility Students led the Operation Christmas Child shoebox project at the Beaver Dam campus this November. 

Every year since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has collected shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children around the world. To date, more than 178 million children in more than 150 countries have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. 

The 2020-21 class of gas utility students are Mike Breitzke of Lomira, Grant Burbach of Oakfield, Eli Davidson of Baraboo, Luke Halbach of New Holstein, Payton Kollmann of Fond du Lac, Kobe Krebs of Berlin, Cole McKay of West Bend, Mauston Reilly of Berlin, and Ryan Sellnow of Watertown. To date, they have filled over 50 shoeboxes.

“Our students have received great support from the College and community,” Steve Logan, Moraine Park gas utility instructor, said. “A gentlemen they met at the store even donated $20 when he learned about the project and their efforts. Both this project and that kind gentleman have provided a great learning opportunity, which I believe will stay with these students long after they have moved on from Moraine Park.”    Donations that cannot go in a shoebox will be given to Community Care Inc. in Beaver Dam, a preschool and childcare facility for Dodge County families in crisis.

morainepark.edu 

Moraine Park’s culinary program is sharing their recipe for Egg Bread- one of the favorites around campus! Typically, these breads would be available for purchase- however, COVID-19 safety restrictions don’t allow that this year. For now, we hope you enjoy some time in your kitchen, and around your dinner table, with this delicious bread recipe!

Egg bread is the traditional bread for festive braiding. It contains eggs, brown sugar, unsalted butter and milk. This bread has a light smooth texture and a rich, sweet taste. Kids love it as sandwich bread, and it is also excellent for breakfast or special dinners. (Egg bread makes wonderful French toast.)

EGG BREAD

Ingredients                              Measurement                 Weight

Flour                                           4 – ½  cups                       650 gm

Milk                                            1 – ¼ cups                       300 gm

Whole Eggs                               2                                       100gm         

Yeast ( dry instant)                  1  Pkt                               7 gm 

Salt                                            2 tsp                                13 gm

Brown  Sugar                            1/3  cup                           90 gm

Unsalted butter                         1/3  cup                           90 gm

TOTAL                                        2 LBS 8 OZ   

This bread makes 2 loaves of bread or can be used for braiding.

Directions

1. Melt butter in milk and cool to lukewarm. Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix with one hand until all flour is picked up. The dough should be sticky and soft at this stage. Cover and allow to sit 10-15 minutes.
2. Empty dough onto a floured work surface and stretch and fold until dough begins to feel elastic (usually about 5 minutes). Keep enough flour on work surface to prevent dough from sticking while stretching and folding.
3. Oil mixing bowl and place dough in it. Allow to rest covered for a total of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
4. At 30 minutes – gently stretch and fold.
5. At 1 hour – stretch and fold gently.
6. At 1 hour 30 minutes – stretch and fold gently.
7. Remove from bowl and let rest 15-20 minutes. Divide dough into 6-9 pieces of similar size.
8. Roll each piece out to about 10-12 inches with both ends tapered. Cover and allow to rest 5 minutes. Braid two pieces into Challah shape or use three pieces and braid into standard braid. Brush entire loaf with beaten egg.
9. Place onto greased or papered pan, cover and let rest 45-60 minutes. Brush with beaten egg and bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes until deep golden brown in color.

The following link on will show some ways to use the above recipe. Enjoy!

morainepark.edu/academics/programs/culinary

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Moraine Park would like to extend a sincere thank you to those who devote their career to the fight against cancer.

We had the opportunity to speak with a couple of our alumni who work at the Agensian Cancer Center- here’s what they had to say:

Kelly Hagner- Nurse Practitioner

2006 MPTC Graduate-nursing

“Working at the cancer center is like no other job, I feel. Every single day you come to work you have the opportunity to make a difference in someone lives. Whether it be the lives of the patient or the family members. When cancer is diagnosed to a patient, it doesn’t just affect the patient. It affects everyone from spouses, to children, to mother and fathers. I have had the opportunity to cry with patients, laugh with patients and jump with joy with patients. Often people think that cancer is always such a negative thing, unfortunately that is incorrect. We have treated hundreds of people and saved their lives. We have helped patients live longer, and not be scared. We have held their hands and listened to their stories while supporting them. Every day is not guaranteed but with amazing staff we at the cancer center make the journey less scary. We treat everyone like family!”

Annice Klapperich, RN

2016 MPTC Graduate- nursing

” I work as an RN in Radiation Oncology at the Agnesian Cancer Center. At the cancer center, I work with an incredible team and technology to treat patients with various cancer diagnoses. Radiation Oncology is a fascinating field to work in and I am lucky to have an opportunity to learn something new everyday. However, the best part of my job is the opportunity to build relationships not only with the patients, but with their family as well. I hope to make a positive impact in my work and to make a difference in the lives of others, as the patients and their families have made such a difference in mine. ” 

Denise Schwoch, RN

2009 MPTC Graduate- nursing

“When I decided to become a nurse, oncology was always my motivation.  This is a tough field but I find it extremely rewarding. I love the relationships that develops with patients and their families during their most vulnerable time.  I am forever grateful to be a medical oncology infusion RN!”