The hard work and academic achievement of Moraine Park Technical College students was recognized during the College’s annual Student Awards Banquet held at The Golf Club at Camelot in Lomira on May 10.

Moraine Park presented the 2019 Student of the Year Award to Ashley Martin of Fond du Lac. The Student of the Year Award is designed to recognize a student who excelled in and outside of the classroom and has taken full advantage of the opportunities that Moraine Park has made available for them.

The 2019-20 District Student Ambassador Award was presented to Barbara Turner of Beaver Dam. The Moraine Park District Student Ambassador Award identifies outstanding students in the technical college system, with nominations solicited from faculty and staff in the spring semester of each year.

Technical Achievement Awards were presented to 33 students. To receive this award, recipients must be enrolled in a technical diploma program and have maintained a 3.25 GPA. They are judged on classroom participation and other contributions and characteristics that exemplify an outstanding student. The 2019 recipients were August Baumgartner of West Bend, Alex Canfield of Jackson, Calin Eigner of Iron Ridge, Zach Fahrenkrug of Campbellsport, Zach Franck of Prairie du Sac, Ben Henriksen of Beaver Dam, Aaron Hess of Richfield, Genevieve Hicks of Beaver Dam, Keisha            Krezman of Fond du Lac, Mitch Lochen of West Bend, Nicholas Martinez of Fond du Lac, Nic Nielsen of West Bend, Nicole Nowicki of Beaver Dam, Hunter Scannell of West Bend, Isaac Schrage of West Bend, Zachary Wilson of Adell, Pete Cruckson of Fond du Lac, Brady Detert of Beaver Dam, Troy Essmann of Oconomowoc, Thomas Freiberg of Campbellsport, Nick Giudice of Waupun, Alexander Hoepfner of Fond du Lac, Zac Hoogeveen of Randolph, Joe Jasinski of Adell, Michael Moon of Beaver Dam, Derek            Mueller of Port Washington, Melanie Pitr of Slinger, Mitchell Regan of Hartford, Andrew Robinson of Cedarburg, Michael Schaefer of Juneau, Alex Sippel of Saint Cloud, Daniel Sowin of Sheboygan Falls, and Anastasia Szczesny of Iron Ridge.

The Campus Impact Award recognizes students who have served the College by participating in a college focus group, a college-related function, or a club/student government activity or project. Other considerations include GPA, reliability and follow-through. In total, 18 awards were presented, recipients were Trina Anderson of Fox Lake, Alizabeth Barnes of Waupun, Noah Bille of Brandon, Isabel Clark of Chilton, Kevin Fritsch of Fond du Lac, Christine Gil of Randolph, Thomas Holman of Hartford, Joe Jasinski of Adell, Sheri Laidler of Campbellsport, Bekah McCardell of West Bend, Ashton Mislivecek of Hillsboro, Abby Muenchow of Horicon, Peggy Rider of West Bend, Isaac Schrage of West Bend, Jerod Splan of Iron Ridge, Anastasia Szczesny of Iron Ridge, Queenie Weesen of Mequon, and Janine Williams of Fond du Lac.

The Meritorious Service Award is granted to students who have served the College through their leadership and participation in co-curricular activities such as student clubs, student government or other volunteer opportunities. This year’s 45 recipients include Alyssa Ahlstrom of Van Dyne, Austin Barber of Fond du Lac, Danielle Barron of Berlin, Maurice Beck of Campbellsport, Jacob Berger of North Fond du Lac, Taylor Branski of West Bend, Kerwana Clayborn of Fond du Lac, Deborah Davis of Oshkosh, Derek DeChant of Randolph, Brady Detert of Beaver Dam, Calin Eigner of Iron Ridge, Tamara Freeman of Beaver Dam, Nick Giudice of Waupun, Eileen Grammas of Beaver Dam, Connor Gray of Cottage Grove, Mollea Greylord of Fond du Lac, Derek Jackson of Rubicon, Mitch Jacobs of Slinger, Shayenne A. Jaffke of Hartford, Ty Kaage of Oshkosh, Corina Kanwischer of Hartford, Brittany Kjell of Rubicon, Kelsey Kliefoth of Menasha, Jay Kroncke of West Bend, Kaleb Krueger of Mayville, Jessica Leibham of West Bend, Heidi Lucas of West Bend, Jesse Mack of Beaver Dam, Christian McCreary of West Bend, Jodie Meyer of Oshkosh, Rebecca Moreno of West Bend, Kellie Murray of West Bend, Nicole Peterson of Eldorado, Zack Petit of Watertown, Melanie Pitrof of Slinger, Zack Rabideau of Jackson, Gretchen Rauls of Fond du Lac, Susan Rodencal of Fond du Lac, Patrick Rupprecht of Randolph, Lauryn Slade of Hartford, Amy Spiekerman of West Bend, Alex Tischedndorf of Kewaskum, Nicole Toombs of Ripon, Alyssa Wescott of Theresa, and Christina Whitehouse of Waupun.

The  Leadership & Service Award is reserved for members of Moraine Park’s Student Government. A student’s comprehensive level of commitment to the College and their representation of the student body through their attendance and engagement in Student Government and its related opportunities are taken into consideration during award selection.  The 12 award recipients include Alden Broome of Beaver Dam, Dominic DeLaura of Slinger, Zach Fahrenkrug of Campbellsport, Thomas Freiberg of Campbellsport, Brad Hetzel of Lowell, Ashley Martin of North Fond du Lac, Michael Moon of Beaver Dam, Leah Pietrangelo of West Bend, Joshua Strnad of Rio, Jonathan Szczesny of Iron Ridge, Sam Turner of Baraboo, and Elizabeth Wustrack of Fond du Lac.

Student government leadership recognition included Jonathan Szczesny of Iron Ridge, Beaver Dam Student Senate president; Elizabeth Wustrack of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Student Senate president; Leah Pietrangelo of West Bend, West Bend Student Senate president; Kevin Fritsch of Fond du Lac, District Student Government president; Queenie Weesen of Mequon, Wisconsin Student Government lt. governor; Joshua Strnad of Rio, Wisconsin Student Government governor.

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

Moraine Park Technical College nursing program celebrated the pinning of 51 students at their spring ceremony on May 17. This symbolic event represents the beginning of a nursing career. As well, it serves as an end to the Moraine Park journey and a celebration of the opportunities that lay ahead.

Additionally, the College is also celebrating a historic year by graduating 12 males from the program for the first time ever.

“We are seeing more non-traditional students in fields that have historically been either male or female dominated,” Bonnie Baerwald, president of Moraine Park Technical College said. “The increase of males in the nursing field shows that success in the industry is a result of educated skills, not gender, and brings the opportunity for a diverse work atmosphere within our healthcare systems.”

The students who received their nursing pins at the spring 2019 ceremony are Alyssa Ahlstrom of Westfield; Rosie Alsum of Brandon; Lindsay Birschbach of Fond du Lac; Erica Breitenstein of West Bend; Megan Calbaum of Princeton; Nicole Claerbout of West Bend; Danielle Cleland of Fond du Lac; Jamie Droppers of West Bend; Amanda Dylak of Beaver Dam; April Eck of Potosi; Briar Eck of Potosi; Nikki Eiring of Fond du Lac; Melissa Endries of Pipe; Katherine Erickson of Cedarburg; Carissa Ewald of Ripon; Ben Falter of West Bend; Cassie Florine of Hartford; Hunter Godfroy of Oakfield; Holly Hoagland of West Bend; Emma Holland of Waupun; Kelly Jacobs of Fond du Lac; Andrew Keel of Beaver Dam; Aubrey Kerr of West Bend; Maggie Kollmann of Fond du Lac; Caroline Krebs of West Bend; Jamie Nicholas of Waupun; Jared Obendorfer of West Bend; Jennifer Plummer of Sun Prairie; Jonathan Ratzel of Fredonia; Parker Resop of Horicon; Katie Retzlaff of North Lake; Jennifer Roeseler of Fond du Lac; Katrina  Salva of Watertown; Frederick Schellgell of Oshkosh; Amanda Schmidt of Beaver Dam; Julie Schumacher of Fond du Lac; Catherine Seibel of Fond du Lac; Kaitlyn Shallow of Watertown; Katelyn Sharp of Ripon; Natasha Sokoloff of New Holstein; Riley Stegemeyer of Slinger; Jonathan Szczesny of Horicon; Courtney Tennies of Kewaskum;  Alexi Turnage of Fond du Lac; Chelsea Turner of Fond du Lac; Mikayla Van Ooyen of Kewaskum; Christian Walding of Milwaukee; Aubrey Weidemann of Columbus; Kaitlyn Woo of West Bend; Shelby Wulff of Waupun; Tanya Zangl of Fond du Lac.

The students accepted their nursing diplomas at the College’s annual commencement ceremony on May 18. They will continue studying through the early part of the summer in preparation for their National Council Licensure Examination to earn their Registered Nursing License. In 2018, Moraine Park’s nursing pass rates were an impressive 99 percent, and currently, the program ranks in the top 10 for nursing programs in Wisconsin.

For more information on Moraine Park’s nursing program, visit morainepark.edu/nursing.

May 18 was a momentous day for the nearly 350 graduates who participated in Moraine Park Technical College’s commencement ceremony, held at the Fond du Lac High School Field House. In all, the College had nearly 800 graduate candidates eligible to receive their associate of applied science degrees and technical diplomas.

 Rick Parks, CEO of Society Insurance served as the keynote speaker. He encouraged the new graduates to do something worthwhile, work with and for people that had earned their respect, be passionate about what they do, find ways to give back, and always be humble.  

“If you live your life by working with people you respect, doing something worthwhile, and giving back, I can all but guarantee you will be successful,” Parks said. “That may be defined by financial gain and notoriety or perhaps it may simply be the respect offered to those that selflessly do good work. Regardless, you will be successful. When you reach this point, be humble.”

Aurelio Rosas, a three time Moraine Park graduate and current student in the Medical Office Specialist program was the featured student speaker at the event. Through telling his own story, he reminded everyone that it’s never too late to go after your dream career and that education is ageless.

“Your Moraine Park education is one of the best gifts you could have ever given to yourself,” Rosas said. “No matter where you go, or what you do, the knowledge that you have obtained can never be taken from you. After you leave here today, you will officially be a college graduate with a technical diploma or associates degree. You are now more attractive to prospective employers, and in many cases, you will have multiple options for your career path. Your degree is step one on a long career path.”

Dr. James Eden, vice president of Academic Affairs, presided over the presentation of candidates with the conferring of degrees and diplomas done by Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald. Brenda Raad, dean of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Fred Rice, dean of Applied Technology and Trades, announced the graduate candidates. From the Moraine Park District Board, Chairperson Mike Staral, Secretary Lowell Prill Employee Member Cindy Fields, Additional Member Cindy Laubenstein, and Elected Official Member Mike Schwab recognized the graduates.

Staral, who welcomed the Class of 2019 and their guests to the ceremony, congratulated the graduates and their families on their accomplishments and encouraged them to keep moving forward.

“This ceremony is symbolic in many ways,” Staral said. “It does mark the fulfillment of your commitment to earn a credential.  It proves that the hard work, perseverance, and dedication has paid off.  It does mean a lot to those who have supported you through this journey.  They’re proud of you, and today is a celebration for them as well.  This ceremony does not end your education.  Moving forward in your career means constant learning and growing.  Work hard, be open, and embrace this!  You’ll be surprised where it will take you!”

 Staral, also a 1978 Moraine Park alumnus, served as the alumni commencement speaker.

 President Baerwald extended her congratulations to the graduates and extended her personal gratitude to the commencement speakers, Moraine Park District Board, Moraine Park faculty and the President’s Cabinet.

Moraine Park Technical College was established in 1912 and is one of 16 technical college districts that make up the Wisconsin Technical College System. With campuses in Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, and West Bend, the College offers more than 100 associate of applied science degrees, technical diplomas, apprenticeships and certificates delivered in a variety of formats — classroom, online and blended. Training and technical assistance for businesses are also offered.

To learn more about Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

To view more photos from the 2018 Commencement Ceremony, go to facebook.com/moraineparktech.

Congrats to the participants and winners of the High School Art Contest, hosted by Moraine Park Technical College’s Graphics program.

Drawing

• FIRST PLACE Riley Steckert- “In Thought”- Fond du Lac High School

• SECOND Haleh F- “Waiting”- Berlin High School

• THIRD Olivia Holland- “Poor Sole”- Waupun High School

• FOURTH Abbey Freimark- “Lacoste”- Berlin High School

• FIFTHOlivia Holland- “Thoughtful Thinking”- Waupun High School

Digital Photo

• FIRST Haley Brenner- “Woolly Hair Day”- Campbellsport High School

• SECONDNatalie Jens- “Graceful”- Beaver Dam High School

• THIRDHailey Brenner- “Warmth in Winter”- Campbellsport High School

• FOURTHBrianna Livingston- “Aura”- Beaver Dam High School

• FIFTHAndrew Schoenwetter- “Finding Pattern”- Beaver Dam High School

Digital Illustration Category

• FIRST PLACE Andrea Langholff – “Starfish”- Fond du Lac High School

• SECOND Andrea Langholff- “He’s Got A Gun”- Fond du Lac High School
• THIRD Katie Rozmarynoski- “Space Granny”- Berlin High School
• FOURTH Cassidy Schneider- “Happy Boy”- New Holstein High School
• FIFTH Briana Stewart- “Book Fantastic”- Beaver Dam High School

Painting Category

FIRST PLACE Abbey Freimark “Hidden Within Nature”- Berlin High School

• SECOND Amie Rabadan- “Ripple”- Horace Mann High School
• THIRD Willow Roseneau- “Everything Is Blue”- Fond du Lac High School
• FOURTH Amie Rabadan- “Piggy”- Horace Mann High School
• FIFTH (tie) Savannah Killian- “Jack”- Random Lake High School
• FIFTH (tie) Olivia Holland- “Emotions”- Waupun High School

Posters/Publications Category

• FIRST PLACE Abbey Freeman- “Soccer Poster”- Berlin High School

• SECOND John Gonzales- “Drip Poster”- Berlin High School

Sculpture Category

• FIRST PLACE Riley Steckert- “Bubbles”- Fond du Lac High School

• SECOND Tara Lisowe- “Panic”- Fond du Lac High School

• THIRD Corrin Ewald- “The Glistening Tree”- Berlin High School

• FOURTH Hailey Brenner- “Purr-fect love”- Campbellsport High School

• FIFTH Katie Rozmarynoski- “Seaside Salt and Pepper Shakers”- Berlin High School

Traditional Illustration Category

• FIRST PLACE Katie Rozmarynoski-“Route 54”- Berlin High School   

• SECOND Kylee Spanbauer- “Studies in Pen” Waupun High School

T-shirt Design Category

• FIRST PLACE Abbey Freimark- “Mirrored Faces”- Berlin High School

Have you submitted your answers for our spring/summer 2019 NEXT magazine trivia contest?

Answers are within the NEXT magazine. You can find the online version here, or a copy at any of the Moraine Park campuses.

Questions are:

• What program is Janine Williams enrolled in?
• What award did Renee receive?
• Who are the paramedic instructors?
• What program is Isaac enrolled in?
• What community outreach organization is utilizing Beaver Dam’s Energy Education Center?
• Who is the 2019 Student of the Year?

Submit your answers here!

Answer them all correctly by June 30, 2019 and be entered for a chance to win one of these exciting prizes:

• Family 4 Pack of Field Level Tickets to a late July/August Brewer game TBD, donated by Magnum Radio (WMBZ)
• 2 Brewer game tickets TBD, donated by WBEV/WXRO
• 2 tickets to Dock Spiders Baseball, donated by KFIZ/WFON
• 2 Front Row tickets to a late July/August Brewer game date TBD, donated by AFFIRM
• Fond du Lac DockSpiders Prize Package, donated by DockSpiders
• 4 tickets to the Washington County Fair, July 23-28, donated by the Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center Four Summerfest 2019 tickets, provided by WFDL.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/nextcontest.

Congratulations to Pete Rettler, Dean of Moraine Park’s West Bend campus, who was the recipient of the prestigious 2019 Betty Pearson Community Leadership award at the Leadership West Bend Annual Honor Luncheon.

The Betty A. Pearson Community Leadership Award is an award presented annually to an alumnus of the Leadership West Bend program. The Leadership Alumni Association is pleased to offer this award, named in honor of the program’s founder Betty A. Pearson, former Executive Director of the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce.  Betty served the community of West Bend in various capacities and touched the lives of many through her 15 years of service with the Chamber. The award recognizes graduates of the Leadership program who have demonstrated community service and leadership in the West Bend area.

To be eligible for the Betty A. Pearson Community Leadership Award, the individual must be an Alumnus of the Leadership West Bend program. Nominees should have demonstrated service to the West Bend community through a variety of avenues including participation on various boards or committees within the past several years. Nominees should also have demonstrated previous and continued community involvement as well as proven commitment to promoting leadership development within the community.

Pete is known around Moraine Park and West Bend for his generous contributions. One of his most recent community collaborations was his 25 Runs of Gratitude. You can read more about that here.

If you see him around be sure to congratulate him, the award is very well deserved!

If at first, you find success, keep looking for new ways to grow! Moraine Park alumnus and current student, Cory Bennett of Beaver Dam, has been doing just that.

After graduating from Beaver Dam High School in 1999, Cory found employment and began to build his life.

“I’ve always succeeded in school, but didn’t consider continuing my education right after high school,” Cory said. “I found success in my employment, but eventually I wanted more for myself.”

In 2010, Cory began his mechanical design technology degree at Moraine Park. It didn’t take him long to adapt to college life and soon he was a member of the student senate and Phi Thea Kappa, a 2-year college high honors program. He was also a part of the National Community College Aerospace Scholarship Program, an elite group of students who were given the opportunity to participate in research, space rover robotic design, and mock missions. In fact, of the 6,000 applicants, only 200 were chosen nationwide.

“This opportunity was a result of my membership with Phi Theta Kappa,” he said. “The aerospace certificate is just one of the many opportunities that came as a result of my time at Moraine Park.”

There’s no denying that Cory worked hard at the College, and that was noticed by not only his instructors but also by a local employer, Wells Vehicle Electronics in Fond du Lac. Cory had uploaded his resume to Wisconsin Tech Connect, a statewide online employment tool for students and graduates of the Wisconsin Technical College System. It didn’t take long for Wells to find Cory’s resume, and he secured a job two months before graduation. When he graduated from Moraine Park in 2014, he was ready to work.

“I’m very fortunate to be at Wells,” Cory said. “I started working in product design and advanced to automation when I came back to Moraine Park in 2016.”

As a returning student, Cory understood the skills he needed to advance in his career, and that Moraine Park has the tools to help build them. This December he will graduate with his associate degree in electromechanical technology.

“I appreciate that Moraine Park teaches the skills that are needed to succeed in the field,” he said. “The classes are flexible, and they provide useful knowledge that prepares you for life after college.”

It’s clear that Cory sees the value in his education, and he has goals to continue in the future in both the Process Engineering Technology and Quality Assurance programs.

“Moraine Park helps to make the college journey an easy one,” he said. “I know that I will continue to have their support as I grow my career.”

High School students from West Bend East recently visited Moraine Park’s West Bend campus for some hands-on learning. The students are enrolled in dual credit classes, which qualify for Moraine Park college credits.

West Bend East technology education instructor, Jacob Gitter, brings the dual credit students four times a year to the CNC/ Tool and Die lab to learn from Moraine Park instructors on equipment found in the industry.

morainepark.edu

Jerod Splan of Iron Ridge is a student unlike any other. He was born completely deaf, but it is clear that he has the determination to face any challenge on this path. As a student in the automotive program, Jerod has spent the past 2-years perfecting his life-long passion.

“I’ve been around cars all my life,” Jerod said. “My Dad and Grandfather both enjoy working on cars as a hobby. I knew from a young age that this was my life calling.”

Jerod is a 2008 graduate from Lomira High School, and after graduation, he enrolled at Moraine Park in the CNC/Tool & Die program at Moraine Park. He enjoyed the program, and learned a lot, but couldn’t deny that his mind always drifted to back to automotive. So, Jerod enrolled at Moraine Park again in 2016. He came into the program already familiar with cars and the automotive industry but was looking to build upon those skills.

“The program gives a good introduction to the industry,” he said. “I’ve learned the right way to do things and how to perform my job safely. My instructors Jim, Frank, Craig, and Tim are great. I’ve learned a lot.”

In fact, for the automotive instructors, Jerod was their first deaf student, offering learning opportunities all around, such as introducing deaf culture, visual aids, and supplying a videophone to call customers.

“Moraine Park has worked hard to accommodate my learning,” Jerod said. “I’ve had my interpreter, Tammy, by my side daily, and the learning is very visual. English is not my first language, American Sign Language (ASL) is, but I’ve found the transition to learning here to be very easy.”

There’s no denying that Moraine Park is working to fill employment gaps in the industry, but there is also an overall goal to make sure learning is possible for all who aspire to earn it. Of course, Jerod didn’t stop with just utilizing the classroom, he also involved himself in student life.

“Jerod has brought such a fun dynamic to the student life department,” Sam Saeger, student involvement specialist said. “He has made the most of his college experience by joining student senate, attending conferences, and being a part of the Automotive Club. ”

Jerod can be found around Fond du Lac’s campus, participating in activities or simply enjoying the company of his friends at the College.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting new people,” he said. “I’ve made some great friendships, and have been given opportunities to grow.”

Jerod will be graduating on May 18 with his automotive technician associate degree.

“I’m proud that I have faced the challenges,” Jerod said. “I could have been afraid or have hidden, but instead I embraced it. I have been given many opportunities and am happy with my experience at Moraine Park.”

morainepark.edu