Moraine Park Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay signed an articulation agreement allowing students pursuing Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) liberal arts degrees to seamlessly transfer from Moraine Park and continue their education at UW-Green Bay with confirmed junior status. 

The agreement was signed by Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald and UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus. 

“We are thrilled at UW-Green Bay to be working with our colleagues at Moraine Park Technical College to make education more accessible for the people in our region,” UW-Green Bay Chancellor Alexander said. “Our goal is to provide an education that works best for the students we serve, and this agreement will help us support more students in achieving their educational goals.” 

Moraine Park began offering AA and AS liberal arts degrees this fall semester. 

The agreement between Moraine Park and UW Green-Bay is Moraine Park’s third AA and AS degree partnership. Earlier this year, the College signed articulation agreements with Lakeland University and UW-Oshkosh. College leaders will continue to add partnerships with other local universities, giving district students more options and control when it comes to their education and making the future transfer process easier and more streamlined. 

“By starting an education at Moraine Park, students can get their general studies completed for at a lesser cost, enjoy smaller class sizes, benefit from extensive student support, and have guaranteed transfer credits to one of our partner schools,” Dr. Fred Rice, associate vice president of academics at Moraine Park, said. “The College currently offers a wide variety of Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degrees, Technical Diplomas, and career pathway certificate opportunities. Adding the liberal arts degree programs will provide a more robust slate of offerings to the Moraine Park student community. Although these programs do have a wide and growing number of pre-major options, they are also excellent opportunities for those students who are unclear as to an occupational path yet still want to earn an associate degree that is transferable to a 4-year university.” 

Pictured above: President Bonnie Baerwald and Student Community Impact Coordinator Anne Lemke present Mina Vang-Xiong with her President’s Award.

Moraine Park Technical College is committed to community engagement and student success. The College supports these commitments through the opportunity for students to participate in student community impact and apply their classroom knowledge to an applicable, real-world environment. We encourage students to participate in our community impact awards program where students can track their service-learning or volunteer hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours, Gold Award for 100 hours, and President’s Award for 200 hours!

In the Spring, 2022 semester, 29 students earned awards and logged over 1,600 hours of service!  Congratulations to our Spring, 2022 award winners!

Presidents Award

Two graduating students earned the President’s Award for over 200 hours of service each in their time at MPTC!  The students are Alaska Burroughs – Marketing and Social Media; and Mina Vang-Xiong – IT Technical Support and Network Specialist. MPTC President Bonnie Baerwald celebrated with and congratulated each student, stating: “I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments of Mina and Alaska. Each has their own unique story and came to Moraine Park Technical College to explore and create new career opportunities. In addition to their work and college obligations, their volunteer efforts exemplify the college values of continuous improvement, collaboration, and impactful learning. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them!”

Gold Award

Completing 100-199 hours of service-learning or volunteering.

Burroughs, Alaska – Marketing and Social Media

Dziuba, Austin – Marketing and Social Media

Vang-Xiong, Mina – IT Technical Support and Network Specialist

Silver Award

Completing 50-99 hours of service-learning or volunteering.

Burroughs, Alaska – Marketing and Social Media

Dziuba, Austin – Marketing and Social Media

Hackett, Richard – Leadership Development

Rogers, Dorothy – Paralegal

Smith, Brooke – Medical Assistant

Vang-Xiong, Mina – IT Technical Support and Network Specialist

Bronze Award

Completing 25-49 hours of service-learning or volunteering.

Bille, Ellen – Medical Assistant

Brantmeier, Samantha – Medical Assistant

Burroughs, Alaska – Marketing and Social Media

Carbajal, Yaneli – Medical Assistant

Corona, Ruby – Medical Assistant

Davis, Jada – Medical Assistant

Detert, Jozee – Medical Assistant

Devries, Kelly, Medical Assistant

Dziuba, Austin – Marketing and Social Media

Goldbach, Courtney – Medical Assistant

Hackett, Richard – Leadership Development

Jetzer, Jennifer – Medical Assistant

Krause, Michael – Leadership Development

Lear, Jamie – Medical Assistant

May, Chantel – Medical Assistant

Neitzel, Amanda – Medical Assistant

Nieman, Emily – Medical Assistant

Nieman, Olivia – Medical Assistant

Olson, Kara – Leadership Development

Peplinski, Samantha – Medical Assistant

Race, Miranda – Medical Assistant

Roecker, Kayla – Medical Assistant

Schick, Hailey – Medical Assistant

Smith, Brooke – Medical Assistant

Swedowski, Stephanie – Medical Assistant

Ward, Sydney – Medical Assistant

Wendt, Madelynn – Medical Assistant

Moraine Park Technical College held its annual General Education Development (GED) and High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) graduation ceremony on May 26. There were 96 GED/HSED graduates for the 2021-22 school year. 

Jebichi Yator of Fox Lake and Gretta Hanna of Columbus served as this year’s student speakers. 

“I want to thank my teachers at Moraine Park for their support, patience and guidance,” Yator said. “Completing my GED and enrolling in Moraine Park’s Nursing program will change my life and my children’s lives, too. I can’t wait to start changing lives myself by becoming a nurse.” 

The GED/HSED students had to pass all five subject portions of the nationally recognized GED tests: Reasoning through Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematical Reasoning and Civics. GED students must also complete Career Awareness training. Students obtaining an HSED are required to complete both Employability Skills and Health Literacy training. 

“Congratulations to all of our 2022 GED/HSED graduates,” Pete Snyder, Moraine Park’s associate dean of adult education, said. “Our graduates worked full-time jobs, cared for children, and supported their parents–all while coming to school. These accomplishments are special, and they earned the right to be here tonight.” 

For more information about Moraine Park’s GED/HSED classes, visit morainepark.edu/GED. 

May 21 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. 

Jim Spannbauer, retired President and CEO of Mid-States Aluminum, served as the keynote speaker. 

Ryan Riley, Moraine Park’s Student of the Year, was featured as the student speaker at the event. Riley graduated from Moraine Park’s Electrical Power Distribution program. He encouraged his peers to focus on running their own race and using healthy competition to fuel their motivation. 

Mike Schwab, elected official member of the Moraine Park District Board, welcomed the Class of 2022 and their guests to the ceremony. 

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 General Studies, Barb Jascor, dean of Health and Human Services, and Bobbi Fields, dean of Applied Technology and Trades, announced the graduate candidates. 

Corey Bennett, a 2014 and 2020 Moraine Park graduate, served as the 2022 alumni commencement speaker. 

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

Congratulations to all of our 2022 graduates!

View more 2022 commencement photos here.

Last week, Moraine Park Technical College hosted their 5th annual Veterans Hail and Farewell Ceremony, celebrating 40 graduating veterans. The event was held in Park Terrace, Moraine Park’s student-led restaurant on the Fond du Lac campus.

The event was established to recognize graduating veterans and allow staff and faculty a chance to interact with graduates outside of the classroom. There were five graduating students in attendance accompanied by members of their families. Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park’s President, presented each student with the college’s challenge coin (see below) and a red, white, and blue cord to wear at Commencement.

“The Hail and Farewell Ceremony is an opportunity to recognize veterans and currently serving students who have graduated in December or will become eligible in May,” Stephen Pepper, Moraine Park’s Student Veterans Specialist, said. “It is especially significant if they cannot go to the commencement ceremony or feel uncomfortable attending the event.”

Jovan Sanders, of Sheboygan, was the guest speaker at the event. He spoke about his life growing up in Milwaukee, joining the forces, working as an Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist from 2006 to 2013; to currently working as a Load-Out Manager for Amazon.

“I thank you for your service and for selecting Moraine Park as you transition or advance into your career, and I look forward to shaking your hands as you walk across the stage next Saturday,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park President, said.

Immediately following the ceremony, the guests were served an all-American style meal consisting of fruit salad, fried chicken, steak, twice-baked potato, corn, asparagus, sweet tea, and dessert. The lunch was planned, cooked, and served by culinary student, Destiny Smith, who will be graduating this May.

Machines hum, metal sparks and concentration fills every corner of the room. It is midnight, but nothing is still inside the walls of Metalcraft of Mayville. Amongst the production, a Moraine Park student is hard at work fueling his passion and igniting his career.

Mason Higgins, of West Bend, was first introduced to welding while attending West Bend East High School. He took all the manufacturing courses available to him through the Start College Now program including Intro to Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing, Intro to Welding, Advanced Welding and a Manufacturing Capstone. He is 18, in his first year at MPTC and only a few credits shy of a college degree.

The Start College Now program enables high school students to enroll in occupational/technical courses and/or general education courses and earn high school and college credit at the same time.

“I was told by a couple of family members about welding and after looking at pictures and information online, I really wanted to try sticking some metal together,” Higgins said. “I took Intro to Welding as a high school freshman and after hours of welding time, I knew for certain this would be my career.”

Higgins began working at Metalcraft of Mayville as part of his high school’s Youth Apprenticeship program. Now, he works full-time, five nights a week from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. while taking courses at Moraine Park.

“The opportunities I got from Moraine Park’s partnership with my high school have helped me get ahead financially,” Higgins said. “I was able to start laying the groundwork for my future before graduating. I’m confident and prepared as I move into my next chapter.”

Higgins is enrolled in Moraine Park’s Welding program and takes classes at the West Bend Campus. He plans to finish his degree by December. In the future, his goal is to start his own portable welding business. He is already rebuilding a trailer to support an additional welder, an oxyfuel cutting set-up, tools and other essentials.

“My favorite part of welding is passing the bend test because it gives you such a good feeling knowing the weld actually did its job,” Higgins said. “Later, I look forward to the feeling of satisfaction knowing that I’ve built and repaired things that people are happy with, whatever the product may be.”

Read more stories like Mason’s in our Spring 2022 NEXT Magazine.

Pictured from left to right: Brandon Belanger, Seth Lane, Nathan Stocks, Linda Huckaby, Tim Reynolds, Heather Tennies, Tim Vukosich. 2nd row left to right: Leona Meyer, Darlene Anderson, Deanna Bagley, Amanda Neitzel, Cassandra Schultz, Amber Schultz, Jennifer Ainslie, Heidi Quackenboss, Shellin Eck, Megan Marks. Front row left to right: Mina Vang-Xiong, Christina Brueggemann, Blanca Almarez, Tammy Wentlandt, Rebecca Christenson, Ashley Aden, Alaska Burroughs

On April 21, MPTC Academic Honor Society/PTK Advisors Amy Harmsen and Anne Lemke, hosted a celebration to congratulate the 146 MPTC students who attained a 3.5 GPA or above with at least 12 credits towards an Associate’s Degree during this academic year; and are new members of our MPTC Academic Honor Society, and/or Phi Theta Kappa. Special recognition was given to 66 Academic Honors Students who are graduating this Spring with Honors (3.5-3.74 GPA) or High Honors (3.75 and above).

President Bonnie Baerwald and Dean of General Studies Brenda Raad presented each student with a flower and honors emblem keepsake. Graduates also received their Silver (honors) or Gold (high honors) cords to be worn with pride at graduation.

President Baerwald said, “It is an honor for me to participate in this ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate academic excellence. Established over 100 years ago in 1918, the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society recognizes and encourages academic achievement of students at two-year colleges.  PTK is an organization that has over 3.5 million members in the United States and 10 sovereign nations.  Our own MPTC Academic Honor Society is also an opportunity for our students achieving high academics.  Membership in both or either of these groups is a special honor for outstanding students.  Congratulations!  I applaud your commitment to academic success and wish you all the best for your future endeavors.”  

Dean Brenda Raad said, “It is my pleasure to congratulate you all on your accomplishments.  Each year thousands of students attend Moraine Park Technical College; today we acknowledge those whose achievement, commitment and academic performance deserve the highest recognition.  I encourage you to always search for truth and to dedicate yourselves to the cultivation of lifelong education, service and honor.  Congratulations!”

High Honors PTK/AHS Student Graduate Mina Vang-Xiong was the featured speaker. Mina said,

“Today, I stand here because I decided to change my career path from Healthcare to Technology. I enrolled in the IT l dual program- Network Specialist and Technical Support specialist January of 2020 with a goal to just achieve a degree. I have a full-time job, am a full-time student, and mother of 3. I became an MPTC leader and a voice for my fellow students.  I achieved academic excellence and was on the Dean’s list for all semesters. I am currently an Academic Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa member, President of IT Club, Vice President of Student Senate, and active around my community. I am a nominee for student of the year, recipient of the Leadership and Services award and the recipient of the Presidents’ Student Community Impact Award.  What I learned from being engaged in opportunities Moraine Park offers allowed me to tap into my sense of purpose. Involvement and opportunities gave me the resources I needed to be a successful leader.”

Students being recognized include: PTK Member ^ AHS Member ~

Honors Graduate * High Honors Graduate **

Olaide Adams ^

Ashley Aden ~**

Jennifer Ainslie ^~*

Blanca Almaraz Ortiz ~ *

Kaci Al-Saadi ~*

Trina Anderson ^**

Darlene Anderson ~**^

William Arkens ~

Deanna Bagley ^~

Jasmine Barma ~

Brandon Belanger ~**

Taylor Biermann ^

Amanda Blawat ^~

Brianna Bliesner ^**

Kira Bock ~

Heather Boden ^~

Krysta Bohl ~**

Jeanna Brault ~**

Christina Brueggemann (Sutula) ^**

Alaska Burroughs ^**

Sabrina Bury Weymier ^**

Alyssa Buske ^~**

Rebecca Christenson ~**

Halle Collins-George ^~**

Sydney Comstock ^~*

Annmarie Costa ^**

Chad Crass ^

Hannah Cunningham ~

Laura Davis ~**

Jasmine Davis ~

Morgan Diels ^~

Jamie Dornaus ^

Michelle Drake ^*

Madeline Dumproff ~*

Maxfield Dunkirk ~

Schellin Eck ^

Ariana Estep ^~

Deanna Fabela ^*

Gilbert Flocker ~**

Eric Freiberg ~*

Meredith Freund ^*

Callie Gappa ~

Kassandra Garcia Enriquez ^**

Edward Gbordzi ^**

Laurie Gerth ^*

Tanner Goodchild ~

Emily Gosh ^~**

Katherine Gripentrog ^**

Lindsey Gruber ~

Kylie Guell ^

Taylor Hafemeister ^

Amanda Hartsell ^

Joshua Hebard ^

Lindsey Held ~

Dylan Henriksen ~

Skyler Hibicki ~

Linda Huckaby ~

Emma Huehns ^~**

Kylie Hupf ^~

Jessica Hurley ^

Kelly Ingish ~*

Annette Ireland ^*

Samantha Kahlscheuer ^~

Bethany Kasten ^~**

Quinton Kauper ~

Christopher Kempf ^

Jeffrey Kern ^~ **

Dulcie Kind ~

Erika Kirchoff ^

Kaitlyn Koenitzer ~

Adelina Korcari ~

Chera Koss ^~

Ala Kowalske ^**

Haley Krumenauer ~

Elizabeth Kussmann ^*

Seth Lane ^~*

Stephanie Langlois ^**

Kelly Macheel ^*

Megan Marks ^~**

Emmet Mason ^*

William McGrath ~

Denise Meyer ^

Leona Meyer ~

Daniel Mischler ^

Danielle Nealey ^**

Amanda Neitzel ^~*

Victoria Nelson ~

Allison Newman ~

Olivia Notz ~

Dustin Odden ^**

Hannah Oliver ~

Christopher Ormsby ^

Emily Peschong ^

Kristen Petzer ^~*

Kira Pirrung ^

Brian Pitt ^~

Alexander Poston ~

Cynthia Prosser ^~

Heaven Protsman ~

Heidi Quackenboss ^

Heather Quickle ^~**

MacKenzie Rahn ^**

Debbie Ramos ^

Benjamin Raupp ^~

Meghann Reigle ^*

Tim Reynolds ^~

Amberly Ritchie ^*

Kelly Robinson ^**

Holly Rodgers ^~

Nicholas Rodriguez ^**

Johnathon Roeber ^

Angela Rose ^~

Georgia Roth ^*

Katey Ryan ~*

Hannah Schaefer ~

Kaylene Scherer ^~

Amber Schultz ~**

Cassandra Schultz ~*

Natasha Scott ~

Paige Seymer ~

Sydney Skindzelewski ~

Brittany Snyder ^**

Jeffrey Sonnleitner ^**

Kaytlin Sterba ~*

Nathan Stocks ^~*

David Stringham ^**

Carmen Struck ^

Austin Strutz ^

Shawna Talakowski ^~

Heather Tennies ^~

Ceann Thuecks ^**

Dominic Tisler ^

Saul Trevino ~**

Mina Vang-Xiong ^~**

Willow Vellema ~

Abigail Verhunce ^**

Gabrielle Vickman ~

Timothy Vukosich ^**

Brooke Wargula ^

Olivia Weikert ^

Jacqueline Wells ^

Tammy Wentlandt ^~**

Laine West ^~

Go Song Yang ~

Kyle Zeitlin ^~

Earlier this month, ten Moraine Park students competed in the State SkillsUSA competition. The team swept the podium in the Industrial Wiring competition and placed second in the Electrical Construction Wiring competition.

The Moraine Park students who placed at the competition included Ian Papke, Jakob Jaeger, Bo Jacob, and Zachary Moede. See their placements below.

“The students are chosen to participate in the state competition based on classroom participation, work ethic, attention to detail, and overall consistently performing at an outstanding level,” Moraine Park Electricity Instructor, Mark Wamsley.

Moraine Park student, Ian Papke, placed first in the Industrial Motor Controls competition, securing him a spot at the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.

Electrical Construction Wiring Competition

2nd – Zachary Moede

Industrial Motor Controls Competition

1st – Ian Papke

2nd – Jakob Jaeger

3rd – Bo Jacob

Moraine Park Technical College has selected Wesley Kane, of Fond du Lac, as their 2022-23 District Student Ambassador. 

Kane transferred to Moraine Park from the University of Wisconsin System after realizing he desired a more hands-on learning experience. He started Moraine Park’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) program this year and will graduate in 2023. 

“My goal after I graduate is to work for a company that cares about me as a person,” Kane said. “The thing with learning a trade is once you gain the skill, you can do side work. So, I hope to work full-time during the week, do my own work on the side, and eventually open my own business.” 

Kane is active on the West Bend Campus where he is Vice President of Student Senate, a member of District Student Government, and a member of Veterans Club. 

Outside of Moraine Park, he is passionate about giving back to his community. Kane was part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County for three years. He joined the Marine Corps Reserves where he helped with military funerals, color guard, events and other community service efforts. 

“I’ve been way more involved here than I would have if I stayed at a bigger university,” he said. “The instructors here are super outgoing and are always reaching out. It feels very student-centric, and the size of the school allows for more face-to-face time and mentoring.” 

To be eligible for the District Student Ambassador 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 three students in the final consideration for this role. 

As the selected 2022-23 District Student Ambassador, Kane will actively serve as a member at the College, 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. 

“Being chosen as Moraine Park’s District Student Ambassador is a great responsibility, and the chance to be a role model is really cool,” Kane said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to network on behalf of Moraine Park and make connections with people and students from other areas.” 

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