Moraine Park instructor, Gus Boyle-Gustavus, has been named a 2020-2021 Educator of Promise. This qualification has awarded her the opportunity to participate in the Educator Leadership Rendezvous this July.

This event is offered annually by the Wisconsin Army National Guard (WI ARNG), the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and Wisconsin Association for Middle Level Education (WAMLE). The three-day leadership retreat is designed to engage Educators of Promise to build leadership skills and strategies, connect with educators across the state, and learn how to uplift teacher voice and leadership in their roles.

Participants will learn through hands-on activities and leadership labs about topics such as:

• military life, and especially the lives of military families and children in our schools
• common leadership lessons and scenarios
• building culture and community
• applying leadership to problem-solving, to improve student outcomes, schools, and communities
• the effects on us all of PK-12 academic and career planning, equity and trauma-informed decision-making, and college and career readiness
• Curricular connections to classrooms, including STEM, Social Studies, and history
• Professional networking and relationship-building that live on far beyond the event

“I am hoping to learn more about leadership skills in a college setting, inside and outside the classroom,” Gus said. “I am especially looking forward to learning more about how to connect with, and uplift, the lives of military families and underprivileged students.  I am always looking to better myself, just as most instructors are.  I’m looking forward to doing this by connecting with other educator’s, outside of Moraine Park, and learning a tremendous amount of information from them.  I want to learn how to help build a stronger sense of culture and community at Moraine Park.  I believe Moraine Park is an amazing place to work.  How do I help get others to believe this?”

Congratulations Gus on your commitment to education, leadership and Moraine Park! We look forward to hearing about your experience at the Educator Leadership Rendezvous.

May 22 was a momentous day for the Moraine Park graduates who participated in the College’s limited access in-person commencement ceremony, held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Fond du Lac. In total, Moraine Park had over 800 graduate candidates eligible to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree or technical diploma.

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

“We are gathered to honor the students of the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021. Those students whose desire for learning and aspirations for a better life led them to enroll at Moraine Park Technical College,” Baerwald said. “For more than a year, the pandemic has disrupted our lives and eliminated or altered the way we live, socialize, celebrate, work and learn. Despite all those challenges, you have succeeded! Today, we recognize and celebrate your perseverance and dedication. Today, we celebrate you!”

Becky Glewen, Mayor for the City of Beaver Dam served as the keynote speaker. Haley Van Raden, Moraine Park’s 2020-21 District Student Ambassador was the student speaker, and Steve Peterson, a 1969 Moraine Park alumnus and the 2021 Distinguished Alumnus award recipient served as the alumni speaker.

Dr. James Eden, vice president of Academic Affairs, presided over the presentation of candidates and President Baerwald conferred degrees and diplomas. Graduate candidates were announced by Brenda Raad, dean of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Fred Rice, dean of Applied Technology and Trades.

Moraine Park District Board members in attendance were Bur Zaratsky, chairperson; Candy Fields, secretary; and Renee Almeida, employee member.

“It was wonderful to have an in-person ceremony,” Eden said. “While it looked different, the peer support was palpable. The strength and courage the students demonstrated in their academic studies carried through to the commencement ceremony. These graduates are all shining examples of what it means to be part of the Moraine Park family. Congratulations to the classes of 2020 and 2021!”

To view photos from the 2021 Commencement Ceremony, visit facebook.com/moraineparktech.

We are just days away from our 2021 Commencement Ceremony!

Family, friends and supporters of our graduate candidates are invited to watch the virtual ceremony at morainepark.edu/commencement.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The livestream will begin around 9:50 a.m.

As a reminder- guest will not be permitted into the event space.

Congratulations graduates- and welcome to the Moraine Park Alumni family!

Moraine Park Technical College has received a Gold Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), with local affiliate Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI). This award recognizes an organization for its commitment to the health and well-being of its employees.

“Well Workplace Award winners have systematically and deliberately created an environment for employees to work in that is going to help them thrive and flourish as humans. These organizations have taken a whole systems approach by investing in the humanity of their people”, Sara Martin, WELCOA Interim CEO said.

Moraine Park first earned the Well Workplace distinction in 2015 through the Well City Fond du Lac initiative. This subsequent award is a three-year distinction and ranks the College among America’s healthiest companies.

“We are committed to the overall health and wellbeing of our employees; mental, physical, emotional, financial, and environmental,” Lori Schrage, benefits coordinator at Moraine Park, said. “Overall health is far greater than just physical health. The College is continuously looking at ways to grow and adapt to meet our employee’s needs.”

Moraine Park was notified of their award in April, and the current recognition plaques that are on display at each campus will be updated to represent the current award.

The Well Workplace Awards initiative is driven by a rigorous set of criteria outlined in WELCOA’s seven benchmarks to a results-oriented Well Workplace. Since its inception in 1991, over 1,000 organizations, ranging from educational institutions to non-profit and profit sectors, have received the Well Workplace Award.

To learn more about Moraine Park’s employee benefits, visit morainepark.edu/jobs.

Thanks to MPTC Beta Mu Kappa Academic Honor Society students, over 150 area area homeless shelter kids and adults will have new socks this spring. Students hosted a Sock Tree drive at all 3 campuses over the past month, and delivered the donated socks to area homeless shelters this past week.

Beta Mu Kappa is our local MPTC chapter for the international Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society. Students who maintain a 3.5 GPA or above after obtaining at least 12 college credits are invited to join the honor society. Check out our web page for more information on PTK plus our leadership and community service opportunities.

Moraine Park Technical College student, Jared Ott of Fond du Lac, placed first in the NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge, a collaborative regional pitch event, on April 29.

The NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge is an opportunity for area technical college students to display their entrepreneurial skills. Students interested in participating were required to apply by March 26. The entries were evaluated on content, delivery, visual aids, creativity, and overall persuasion. From there, the top entries advanced to the challenge event on April 29. This year’s event was held virtually. 

The students selected to represent Moraine Park at the NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge were Ott and Abby McGeehen of Berlin. Jared is a high school senior from the Fond du Lac STEM Academy who is currently enrolled as a business student through the Start College Now program. Abby is a current student, enrolled in the Business Management and Small Business/Entrepreneurship programs. Moraine Park instructor Jeff Stueber worked with the students and provided coaching.

“This event is a valuable learning opportunity for our students,” Bobbi Fields, associate dean of business and IT at Moraine Park said. “I am grateful for the many individuals at the College who helped ensure this was a successful event. Jared and Abby did an excellent job representing the college. We are proud of their efforts and wish them the best in their entrepreneurial endeavors.” 

Ott’s winning pitch was his specially designed fishing hooks that help secure live bate. Ott’s fishing hooks are already secured by a U.S. patent.

The other participating colleges were Fox Valley Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and Lakeshore Technical College.

morainepark.edu

Amanda’s Custom Cookies combine the taste of amazing along with artistic and personalized creation.  Amanda Rogers is a student at Moraine Park Technical College. She will earn her Associate degree in Small Business and Entrepreneurship this spring and plans to pursue a degree in Marketing as well.

Over the last year, using a family cut-out cookie recipe and her talents of art has grown from a hobby to a small business.  Amanda combines the taste and art in a cookie that is almost too pretty to actually eat!  Not only has she created these amazing cookies, but she also now has developed a class in which you and four of your faves can partake in her kitchen to learn and create your own cookies through a class of cookie decorating.  This two-hour class will fly by in fun and design as Amanda, herself, will guide you through the fine skills of cookie art. 

As a student at Moraine Park Technical College, Amanda was required to set up a pop-up store for her Capstone course.  Instructor, Jeff Stueber states that not only did her pop-up store held on May 1, 2021 at Stone Oak Coffee sell out of product, but her cookie business exceeds expectations of business planning and marketing.  Next time you need something unique as a gift or want to take a fun class, consider checking out Amanda’s Custom Cookies on Facebook.

The Moraine Park Foundation has a scholarship available for students who complete the Moraine Park GED program and are enrolled at the College for the fall 2021 semester. Two $800 scholarships will be awarded, and entries are due by May 16.

Details are listed below.

Requirements:

• Must have completed a GED/HSED at Moraine Park Technical College (this includes spring 2021 graduates).
• Must be enrolled or plan to enroll in a minimum of 6 credits for fall semester 2021.
• Must maintain a 2.75 GPA (will be checked before spring semester 2022) to receive 2^nd half of scholarship award.

Application Information:

• Applications can be completed at www.morainepark.edu/scholarships.  Click on Foundation Scholarships to access the correct application.
• Answer YES to the following question on page 2 of the application: 

“Have you received a GED/HSED from Moraine Park Technical College or are you in the process of receiving a GED/HSED from Moraine Park Technical College?”

• In order to be eligible for the GED Completer Scholarship, applications must be received no later than May 16, 2021.
• Two letters of recommendation are requested as part of your application. Requests are automatically sent to the recommenders listed on your application (you just need to provide their email address).  Please give recommenders plenty of time to complete the recommendation.
• By applying for the GED Completer Scholarship, you are eligible for ALL other Moraine Park Foundation Scholarships for 2021-2022
• Need assistance completing your application? Please call Joan at (920) 924-3281 to schedule a time to work on your application together.

TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS

Moraine Park Technical College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action College. Women, minorities, those with different abilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit morainepark.edu/nondiscrimination.

On April 15, 2021, MPTC held a virtual induction ceremony for 108 students with a GPA of 3.5 or above and 12 credits or more, who have joined Phi Theta Kappa since Fall of 2019. Each of these students received a special invitation to join the Beta Mu Kappa Honor Society Chapter at MPTC.

MPTC President Bonnie Baerwald said, “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.  The American Association of Community Colleges recognizes Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society of two-year colleges.  PTK is also our official academic honor society here at MPTC.   Phi Theta Kappa provides many opportunities including:

• Development of leadership and service
• An intellectual climate to exchange ideas
• Fellowship for scholars
• And the stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence

Phi Theta Kappa is an organization that has over 3.5 million members in the United States and 10 sovereign nations.  The PTK Foundation awards $1.5 million in scholarships to members each year, and the Society as a whole is dedicated to helping all students succeed.  This spring we welcome 108 students into our local Beta Mu Kappa chapter. Congratulations on your academic achievement!”

Dean of General Studies Brenda Raad explained the PTK symbolism of the torch, white rose, and golden emblem. Dr. Jim Eden, VP of Academic Affairs inducted the student participants and lead the reciting of the PTK pledge. Students were welcomed and congratulated by MPTC PTK Co-Advisors Amy Harmsen and Anne Lemke. PTK Student Representative Mollea Greylord was the keynote speaker.

Dr. Eden said, “It is my pleasure to welcome you as a new member of Phi Theta Kappa and congratulate you on your accomplishments.  I encourage you to always search for truth and to dedicate yourselves to the cultivation of lifelong education, service and honor. Each year thousands of students attend Moraine Park Technical College; today we acknowledge those whose achievement, commitment and performance deserve the highest recognition.  Congratulations new members of Phi Theta Kappa!”

Phi Theta Kappa 2021 Inductees