Moraine Park student, Cortland Henning of Fond du Lac, recently executed a project for his Newman Civic Fellow national membership that displayed great strength, leadership and encouraged unity among community members. The Newman Civic Fellowship, part of the College’s membership with Campus Compact, is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional, and civic growth. As part of this role, Henning was required to complete a community project. 

“The purpose of the project is to encourage civic engagement,” Henning said. “I had three topics to choose from and being passionate about politics and the future of our country, it made sense to select a project that aligned.” 

Henning’s project, called A House Divided, was staged as a deliberative dialogue, and centered around the topic “What would we have to give up to get the political system we want?” 

“The purpose of a deliberative dialogue is to offer a safe and open environment for conversations, like this, to happen,” Henning said. “To achieve this, I set ground rules so that all participants were heard equally, there was no bullying or domination during the conversation, and there was respect all around- regardless of differing opinions.” 

Participants were encouraged to bring forward their thoughts, feelings, and personal life experiences that helped shape their political beliefs. Discussion topics around requiring more accurate, respectful discussion in the media and online, and reforming politics and government to encourage compromise, among others, were discussed at length. 

“It’s clear our country is currently divided,” Henning said. “However, this project opened my eyes to our many commonalities. We are more alike than what we are led to believe right now.” 

Henning’s project was presented to student peers, a community group, and a group of educators, in three separate sessions. In total, he had over 50 participants, and each conversation was civil, respectful, and provided a wealth of insight. 

“I hope that participants walked away with a greater understanding of each other and our role in shaping our government,” Henning said. “I know I’m guilty of making assumptions and jumping to conclusions- this project has helped me to slow down, listen, try to understand, and if not- find peace in the ability to disagree. I am, by far, a better citizen because of what I learned through this process.” 

As a result of this project, Henning has paved the way for future deliberative conversations. 

“MPTC is interested in convening other conversations and civil dialogues around controversial topics,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “We acknowledge everyone’s first amendment rights to be heard and to share knowledge in a format that broadens our understanding of various local, regional, national or global issues and concerns in a civil way.  We are exploring opportunities and topics to host such sessions in virtual and face-to-face formats in the future.”

Henning is also part of Moraine Park’s Promise program and is scheduled to graduate with his associate degree in Culinary Arts this May. He is currently employed at a local country club and has goals to be an executive chef. 

“Moraine Park has opened up so many doors of opportunity for me,” he said. “I look forward to continuing my civic work within my community as an MPTC alumnus.”

For more information on the work of Moraine Park students, visit morainepark.edu.

Hello Soon-to-be-Grads!

Believe it or not, we are about 3 months away from the end of our semester and our annual commencement ceremony. 

As expected, the College has had to implement changes and make hard decisions to allow for an in-person event to be executed safely.  

As previously announced, we are planning for a limited-access in-person 2021 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 22, at 10 a.m. While we are thrilled to make plans for an in-person celebration, the event will undoubtedly look different.  

Important details to note:   

• Commencement will be held at the Radisson Conference Center, 625 W. Rolling Meadows Dr., Fond du Lac.  
• To abide by local and state guidelines and to maintain appropriate distancing, guests will not be permitted into the conference center— only graduates and Moraine Park staff executing the ceremony will be permitted into the event space.  
• Family and friends will be able to view the ceremony live. An invite with the event link will be coming soon.  
• Graduate candidates must RSVP to the event. Students who are applying to earn a Technical Diploma or Associate Degree must apply for graduation by March 15 to participate in the ceremony.  
  • When applying for graduation, participation in the ceremony must be indicated on the form.  
  • College officials will monitor the participation numbers and adjust the ceremony as needed to follow appropriate safety guidelines.  
  • If you already applied, and would like to change your RSVP response, email hclark4@morainepark.edu by March 15. 
• Face coverings and temperature checks are required to enter the facility.  
• More details can be found online at MystudentMPTC. 

Please know the final details will ultimately depend on the status of COVID-19 and the recommendations from our local and state public health departments as commencement day nears. We will plan to connect with graduation applicants by early April with additional details and decisions. 

In the meantime, reach out to Heather Clark at hclark4@morainepark.edu with any questions regarding the 2021 commencement ceremony.  

Moraine Park Technical College nursing students will be assisting Dodge County Public Health and Advocate Aurora Health to administer the COVID-19 vaccination to eligible individuals. 

“Our nursing students have experience in helping to distribute vaccines,” Heidi Martin, Moraine Park nursing instructor, said. “We have worked with Dodge County for the past two years, helping at their flu shot clinics for students in grades K-12. We have a great relationship with the County Public Health Nurses and our local healthcare facilities, and currently, they really need our help.”

The Moraine Park nursing students participating are doing so on a volunteer basis. Their volunteer time will count toward community impact requirements at the College.  

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our nursing students to give back to the community,” Martin said. “They have the skills needed to truly impact the health of our families, neighbors and friends. My students are excited to be an active part in helping to decrease the severity of this pandemic and ultimately save lives.”

Moraine Park continuously looks for ways to offer hands-on opportunities for students in our local communities. 

For information regarding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and distribution, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health at dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu. 

**Photo is not from current vaccine event, and was taken pre-COVID-19.

Moraine Park Technical College has made the difficult decision to postpone Tech Knowledge College (TKC) until 2022. The COVID-19 situation is still very fluid, and the safety and well being of our entire communities remain a top priority.

We appreciate the continued community support around this great summer camp opportunity, and stay tuned for information on TKC 2022.

Sign up for our newsletter at morainepark.edu/tkc to receive information on TKC.

Wednesday, Feb 10th the West Bend Student Nursing Association (SNA) group put their books away for an hour or so to be creative and add a little cheer to the residents at Cedar Community in West Bend. 

Using stamps, ink, scissors and colored pencils they created valentine cards for residents.  Some of these cards were attached to personal care items.

  The cards and the small gifts were given to the Cedar Community Activities department and distributed to the to residents. 

For more information, visit morainepark.edu.

Introducing our spring 2021 Student Senate leadership! There is a Student Senate group on each campus- and they provide individualized attention to campus issues and activities. Representatives include at-large members and representatives from each campus club.

Students are welcome and encouraged to join the group- as an added bonus, lunch is provided at the meetings!

Fond du Lac

President

Haley Van Raden of West Bend- IT program

Vice President

Alan Bago of Milwaukee- IT Software program

Secretary

Brent Fassbender of Fredonia- Human Resources program

morainepark.edu/student-life

Congratulations to Barbara Turner, of Beaver Dam, on earning the first Emerging Leader award from the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes a high school or post-secondary student in Beaver Dam who demonstrates strong character, leadership, and community service.
FYI- She served over 200 hours at the Chamber- helping the Executive Directory tremendously during COVID-19!! Barbara was also recognized virtually by Congressman Glenn Grothman.

“Whether at the College or the Chamber, Barbara consistently demonstrates that she is a committed, dependable, hard-working individual with a high degree of integrity. She brings a positive attitude and a natural curiosity to plan, learn and do – no matter what the task or project. She has a tenacious gift to persevere and a real desire to make a difference in this community. Barbara has a proven track record for success and has demonstrated her commitment to lifelong learning and volunteerism,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said.

Here are the comments shared by the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce at the virtual annual meeting:

“Tracy Probst, Executive Director for the Beaver Dam Chamber, started just as COVID-19 was hitting Wisconsin and the safer at home order went into place. The board soon realized we would not be able to have the regular events that help fund the operations of the chamber and unfortunately had to lay off the Chamber assistant indefinitely.

Through a conversation Tracy had with Mary Vogl Rauscher, an instructor at Moraine Park, Barbara Turner, stepped forward and offered to help over the summer. Barbara spent over 200 hours at the Chamber, helping Tracy update records in the database and cover when she needed to be out of the office.

Barbara is currently a full-time student in the Leadership Development program at Moraine Park Technical College. She has received an associate degree in supervisory management and is currently pursuing a second degree in business analytics. Barbara is very involved in her school and community and served as the 2019-20 MPTC District Student Ambassador for the Wisconsin Technical College. As MPTC’s ambassador, she was actively highlighting technical college education through public awareness efforts and legislative advocacy – instilling pride in technical education among students, graduates, and the community.

Barbara is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society, the MPTC student government, and serves as President of the student chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Barbara Turner moved to Beaver Dam from Israel, where she served in the Israeli Army.

She completed 224 hours of service learning from the Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce this summer and has earned the prestigious MPTC President’s Award for Community Impact. It is our understanding that this might be the record in volunteer hours at MPTC.

Barb has inspired our Chamber Board to create the Emerging Leader award, which will recognize high-school or post-secondary students for their volunteer work and leadership at work, school, or a non-profit organization in Beaver Dam.”

We are proud of you, Barbara! Keep up the good work!

Moraine Park Technical College is currently accepting applications for three positions on the Moraine Park Technical College District Board; one employer member, one employee member, and one school district administrator member, with the terms ending June 30, 2024. The application window is from February 5 to February 19.

The Employer Member position must be appointed from those counties of the Moraine Park Technical College 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 Employee Member position must be appointed from those counties of the Moraine Park Technical College District located east of the east shore of Lake Winnebago and the area east of the east boundary of the towns of Fond du Lac and Oakfield in Fond du Lac County and east of the east boundary of the towns of Leroy, Williamstown, Oak Grove, and Lowell in Dodge County. 

The School District Administrator 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 Ms. Candy Fields, 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 19, 2021. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Employer and Employee members must be representative of the businesses and industries within the Moraine Park Technical College District.

Applicants are also required to attend the public hearing of the District Board Appointment Committee tentatively scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 2021, 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 22 or March 1, 2021.

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

Moraine Park Technical College named over 1,000 students to the Dean’s List for the fall 2020 semester.

To qualify for this distinction, a student must be enrolled in at least six undergraduate-level course credits, earn a minimum grade point average of 3.5, not have a failing or incomplete grade for the semester, and be in good academic standing.

You can view the list here!

Congratulations to all our fall 2020 Dean’s list students- this is a huge accomplishment!