The Fond du Lac County Department of Community Programs office will be utilizing Moraine Park Technical College’s district office, at 235 N. National Ave. in Fond du Lac, to continue to provide mental health services during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Previously, their offices were located in a nursing home facility, however, with the COVID-19 outbreak requiring enhanced restrictions on guests entering the facility, the Department of Community Programs needed to find a new location.

The Department of Community Programs provides a wide range of mental health services to Fond du Lac County, including Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA), crisis intervention, and prevention/education.

The move is scheduled to happen on Wednesday, April 1.

“This extraordinary opportunity will allow us to continue to provide mental health services to the residents of Fond du Lac County.”- Erin Gerred, Fond du Lac County director of administration.

morainepark.edu

fdlco.wi.gov/departments/departments-a-e/community-programs

Moraine Park Technical College has named Kevin Piotrowski, of Kewaskum, as their 2020 Student of the Year. 

Piotrowski, a student in the CNC/Tool and Die Technologies program, came to the College looking for job stability and the possibility of a future career. 

“I initially came to Moraine Park to earn my GED,” Piotrowski said. “I spent years working jobs that didn’t require much training and offered no stability. As a result, I had little motivation to excel in my career.”

He earned his GED in April 2018 and decided to enroll in the CNC/ Tool and Die Technologies program. 

“A majority of my classmates are much younger than me,” he said. “After the first few days, the age differences didn’t seem to matter. We all work together and want to see each other succeed. It’s a very positive atmosphere.”

Piotrowski took this opportunity to redefine his life and excelled with it. He has gleaned knowledge from his peers and teachers, involved himself in clubs and activities, and been a Dean’s List student with an impressive 3.9 GPA throughout his college journey. 

“It hasn’t been easy,” he said. “I was fortunate to find a job that offered me weekends and holidays, so I could attend school during the week. I look forward to transitioning to a more steady schedule.”

It is because of his dedication, academic achievements, and involvement at the College that Piotrowski earned a nomination for the Student of the Year award.  

Criteria for Student of the Year nominations include demonstrating excellence in and out of the classroom while modeling Moraine Park’s core abilities to communicate clearly, act responsibly, work productively, think critically and creatively, adapt to change, demonstrate integrity, and work cooperatively. There were five candidates this year, all of whom excel both academically and in their service-learning. There are very few student honors that exceed this award at Moraine Park, and to even be nominated is a tremendous accomplishment. Other nominees include EnLeigh Dobyns-Schuetter of Fond du Lac, Allyson Engel of Beaver Dam, Gretchen Rauls of Fond du Lac, and Alex Tischendorf of Kewaskum.

“I was surprised to learn that I had been selected for this award,” he said. “I’m sure that the other nominees were highly qualified, which makes the selection an extreme honor.” 

Piotrowski will receive his award at the Student Awards Banquet on May 8.

 “I appreciate the real-world approach to education that Moraine Park has provided me,” he said. “My instructors had their own way of teaching and motivating me, and I benefited from each one of them.” 

Piotrowski will graduate on May 16. His goal is to find a stable career in the CNC/Tool and Die industry.

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

Park Terrace is the campus restaurant serving meals created, cooked and served by Moraine Park Culinary Arts students. Dishes are prepared in the Culinary Arts kitchens with the freshest ingredients available and offered by a designated student manager for the day. The students take turns overseeing and running different aspects of the restaurant to get a complete on-the-job culinary experience.

For this semester only, all luncheons will be buffet style and priced between $8-$13, depending on the week (dessert and beverage for an additional charge). See below for a list of dates and cuisines. Fair Trade teas and coffees, as well as an extensive soft drink selection, will be available. Regular menu service will continue next semester.

Disney Themed                 March 26^th

Sicilian                                April 2^nd

Thai                                     April 9^th

Nordic                                 April 16^th

Music Themed                  April 30^th

Bavarian                             May 7^th

The restaurant, located on the Moraine Park Fond du Lac campus, will be open on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and reservations are strongly encouraged to help manage this student-guided learning environment.

Use the Online Reservation System
Email jsimmers@morainepark.edu
Leave a message on the restaurant’s voicemail system at (920) 924-6500.

Master Card and Visa accepted.

For more information on Moraine Park Technical College’s Park Terrace restaurant, please visit morainepark.edu/parkterrace.

Juggling the responsibilities of life is tough, but Faith Rockwell of St. Cloud is tougher. She came to Moraine Park in 2019 with a mountain of daily responsibilities, a goal to provide a stable life, and a sweet young daughter who relied on her to accomplish both.

“I graduated high school in 2014 and got married shortly after,” Faith said. “My original plan was to go to college, but when I became pregnant in 2016, that shifted my plans.”

Faith became a single mother when her daughter was just six months old and was left to take care of all the parenting and financial responsibilities.

“Suddenly my life changed from being a stay at home mom to having to struggle to pay bills and provide for my daughter,” she said. “There were times we went hungry. I knew I had to find a stable career to get us into a better situation. That’s when I found Moraine Park.”

Faith chose the respiratory therapy program, a career path that offers job security and an opportunity to serve in a fast-paced health care environment.

“Moraine Park has been amazing,” Faith said. “My teachers have helped me so much by providing me with many resources to help me be successful in my program.”

She has utilized many resources that often are forgotten, like disability services, counseling, and the student emergency fund.

“Being a single mom is terrifying,” Faith said. “It feels like you can never get ahead or enough. I struggled for a long time, and finally, I decided to apply to Moraine Park. Since coming here I’ve had more support and help than ever before. It is possible to redefine your life.”

Faith is scheduled to graduate in May 2021 and has goals to specialize in the NICU and help premature babies with their breathing function.

“Achieving my educational goals gives me hope for my future.”

morainepark.edu/ican

Moraine Park Technical College has selected Haley Van Raden, of West Bend, as their 2020-21 District Student Ambassador.

Van Raden, a 2019 graduate from Mayville High School, came to Moraine Park to pursue a degree in Information Technology (IT). As a result of her high academic achievements in high school, she earned a Technical Excellence Scholarship from the State of Wisconsin. She is enrolled in a dual degree program, working toward associate degrees in both IT Web Design and Development and IT Mobile Application Developement.

“My goal is to eventually earn an internship in my field, to gain more knowledge,” Van Raden said. “I hope to one day open up my own business.”

Van Raden is also active on the West Bend Campus, where she is a member of the Student Government and IT Club.

To be eligible for this distinction, students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member at the College, and then give a presentation to a selection committee. In total, there were six students in the final consideration for this role.

As the selected 2020-2021 District Student Ambassador, Van Raden will actively serve as a member of the student government, advocate for Moraine Park and the Wisconsin Technical College System as a whole, assist with College activities and events, and represent the student body within the community.

“I am honored to be named the District Student Ambassador,” she said. “I look forward to helping students have a voice and continuing to bring positive vibes to campus.”

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

Moraine Park Technical College is hosting a Jane of All Trades event series on February 19, February 26, and March 4, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the West Bend Campus. 

This unique three-day event will give women, ages 16 and older, an opportunity to experience nontraditional occupations such as Mechanical Design, CNC/Tool and Die Technologies, and Electricity, in a comfortable and judgment-free environment. 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nontraditional occupations for women are jobs in which 25 percent or less of the workforce are female. Many of these professions offer significant rewards for those specializing in them, including higher salaries, better benefits, opportunities for advancement, on-the-job education and training, and flexible work hours.

Space is limited, and registration is required. For more information or to register, visit morainepark.edu/jane.

Moraine Park is a member of Wisconsin Campus Compact.  Nationwide, Campus Compact is a coalition of nearly 1,200 college and university presidents and chancellors from public, private, two-and four-year institutions – representing some 6 million students – who are committed to fulfilling the public purpose of higher education.  Campus Compact is a leader in building civic engagement into campus and academic life.

As part of our membership, we participate in the Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) encouraging all students and staff to register and vote and make sure to be engaged citizens.

Get to know the candidates by visiting www.wisconsinvote.org/candidates-and-races.

Moraine Park Technical College is currently accepting applications for three positions on the Moraine Park Technical College District Board; one elected official member, and two additional members. The application window is from February 7 to February 21, with the terms ending June 2023.

One of the additional member positions must be appointed from those counties of the Moraine Park District located west of the east shore of Lake Winnebago and the area west of the east boundary of the towns of Fond du Lac and Oakfield in Fond du Lac County and west of the east boundary of the towns of Leroy, Williamstown, Oak Grove, and Lowell in Dodge County. 

The elected official member position and the other additional member position may be appointed from anywhere within the Moraine Park Technical College District.

Interested individuals can receive application materials from the County Board Chairperson or Clerk of any of the following counties: Calumet, Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Sheboygan, Washington, Waushara, and Winnebago or by contacting Jaclyn Jelinek, Moraine Park Technical College, 235 North National Avenue, P. O. Box 1940, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54936-1940, telephone (920) 929-2127, e-mail jjelinek@morainepark.edu. 

Candidates should mail their completed application to Mr. Lowell Prill, Secretary, Moraine Park Technical College District Board, 235 North National Avenue, P. O. Box 1940, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1940. Their submission must include at least two written references supporting their nomination and be received by 4:30 p.m. on February 21, 2020. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants are also required to attend the public hearing of the District Board Appointment Committee scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at Moraine Park Technical College. A legal notice announcing the exact date, time, and location of this meeting will be published sometime during the week of February 24 or March 9, 2020.

For more information on the open positions, please contact Jaclyn Jelinek at (920) 929-2127 or jjelinek@morainepark.edu.

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

Moraine Park has named over 1,100 students to the Dean’s List for the fall 2019 semester.

Are you one of them? Click here to find out!