Hello Joe and Jeff [Moraine Park IT Instructors],

I hope this email finds you well. I have been meaning to reach out to you sooner but my life is as busy as ever. But, better late than never. I want to start by saying, “Thank You”. Thank you for giving me a wonderful learning experience at Moraine Park. I truly did enjoy the lectures, labs, and even the occasional debates that would eventually get the whole class off topic. I also appreciated all the effort you all put into having us students apply our knowledge, skills, and critical thinking through programs like the Computer Clinic, Tech Tyme, and the IT Club. The latter two proved instrumental in helping me develop a sense of leadership, organization, and pride in motivating myself and my peers to go above and beyond to help out the local community by applying what we learned in class. In mentioning that, I hope the Club is going stronger than ever and that more and more students find the real value of the experiential learning that it offers them. 

But all in all, it was a challenging three years that have paid off for me and my family. Prior to enrolling in school, I was giving up in attempting to fulfill my dream of college education before even trying and I was just about ready to succumb myself to working a dead-end job that would lead me nowhere but to complacency. Thankfully, I had a wonderful group of family and friends that encouraged me to finally believe that I could achieve my dream as I did. That moment at graduation was a milestone achievement in my life that my family and I will never forget. 

It didn’t just end there. Last May, there was an opening in the IT department at Masters Gallery Foods. I felt excited, nervous, and stressed about applying for the position and not knowing what kind of candidate they were after. However, I was also confident that all the hard work and sacrifices I put in those three years at MPTC would make me a worthy candidate whether I got the job or not. Needless to say, I aced the interview. I was asked questions about networking, such as defining DHCP and DNS, as well as to what troubleshooting approach would I take when dealing with malfunctioning hardware and software. Also, they were very impressed with the volunteer work I did as well as the internship at JF Ahern. I left the interview not know what would happen next. Two days later as I was driving home from class, I get a call from HR saying that the IT Director and Network Manager had selected me as their primary candidate and that if I chose to accept, I would be joining their Networking Team as a Technical Support Specialist. I couldn’t contain my excitement and relief, I had to pull over to the side of the road as my hands started to tremble and I couldn’t drive straight anymore. 

Almost a year later and I find myself working with coworkers who are just as passionate about working in IT as I am. I feel good going to work every day and feeling proud of what I did to earn it. I look back at all that lead me to this job and I don’t regret one thing. I just wanted to share this story with you so that you realize how impactful your work is in shaping students and their lives. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you soon. 

P.S. I am currently in the process of enrolling at Lakeland University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in their Management of Information Systems program.

Best wishes,

Jose R. Bustos

Moraine Park Class of 2018- Information Technology

Moraine Park Technical College and Marian University student veteran organizations will hold their third annual 22 No More ruck march/walk for veterans on Saturday, April 20. This event is intended to raise awareness of the 20-22 suicides committed by veterans every day and form a strong community around those who have served or currently serving. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. with registration in the B parking lot of MPTC’s Fond du Lac campus, located off Campus Drive across from the VUE housing, followed by a 2.2 mile walk around the Fond du Lac Soccer Complex at 10 a.m. The walk ends with an opportunity to meet with area veteran resource providers, National Guard, and ROTC service members and enjoy a free lunch provided by the student veteran groups of both college.

A backpack is not required to participate, but everyone who attends is encouraged to honor a service member by carrying a photo of them during the walk. The first 100 individuals who register and take part in the event will receive a free water bottle or small nylon backpack while supplies last and “22 No More” t-shirts from last year’s event will be available for a small donation.

The event is free, but donations are encouraged, with proceeds going to support the Student Veteran Organizations of both colleges and Salute the Troops. To pre-register, please click here and for more information on the 22 No More ruck march/walk please contact Steve Pepper, Student Veteran Specialist for Moraine Park Technical College at 920-924-3489 or Maranda Abitz, Coordinator of Veteran Services at Marian University, at 920-923-8641.

Have you ever sealed a deal with a pinky promise?

Meet Betty Zimdars and Sandy Pfund. They met each other in a GED orientation class in July 2017. Betty was sitting all alone at a table, not wanting to talk to anyone else and full of nervous energy. This situation was not to be a permanent one, as Sandy entered the scene. Sandy got to the orientation a little late and quickly sought out Betty. They soon became lifelong friends. Sandy very recently completed all the activities and tests to earn her HSED certificate. Betty is not far behind. And it all started with a pinky promise that the two women would meet this goal together.

I asked them a few questions for this blog:

What made you become good friends?

“We made a pinky promise to each other.  We were in this together.  We would get our HSEDs together.”  There was accountability between the two friends.  The pinky promise was the bond that propelled the friendship.  Both women felt that neither would GED test without the other.

What was your favorite part of the GED process?

Sandy answered right away that working with the Student Success Center staff was her favorite aspect of the GED process.  She felt the staff was so kind and very motivating to the students.

Betty agreed that the staff was super supportive.  And that the staff was helpful in responding to deadlines.

What was your least favorite part of the GED process?

Sandy answered that it was the time commitment, due to a hectic home schedule and a tight deadline.  She was at the Student Success Center day and night.  She was not able to see her kids as much as she wanted to and ,additionally, her husband travelled, making it all very challenging.

Betty didn’t hesitate to give me her answer – —  the math!  However, she then said to me, “Why couldn’t you have been my teacher in high school?”  Awwwwwwww!

Will you maintain your friendship after Betty finishes her HSED?

“Absolutely,” both women said.

What did you learn about life besides learning about reading, writing, and math?

According to Sandy, it was not until recently that she learned how important education was.  “This is a good lesson for my teen-aged son,” she added.  Sandy’s son has told her, “Now you’re smarter than me, Mom!”  How’s that for making a mother’s day!

Betty piped in, “You’re never too old to go for your dreams!”

What would be your advice to others as they pursue their GED/HSED?

Sandy answered that students should not get discouraged.  “The biggest step is coming through the door of the Student Success Center.  The wonderful staff help you take it from there.”

Betty nodded and added that a little sacrifice is worth it.  “It all pays off in the end.”

And it all started with a pinky promise to each other.

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

Blog written by Nancy Pusch, student success center instructor.

Congratulations to Moraine Park alumnus, John Stratman, a 2018 graduate from the Interactive Media Design (IMD) program. John was recently featured in a Huffington post article.

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On Thursday, October 18, Holiday Automotive hosted the Moraine Park alumni gathering. Mike Shannon, CEO of Holiday Automotive and Moraine Park alumnus, entertained with appetizers, drinks, and tours of his beautiful facility.

The Moraine Park Alumni Association holds quarterly gatherings, to keep up to date on these events and more, follow their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/733141183532940/.

For more information on Moraine Park Alumni, visit morainepark.edu/alumni.

To view the Alumni Gathering photo album, visit https://www.flickr.com/gp/148240170@N03/W528TT.

Now is your time to reconnect!

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                                                 POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 21, 2018

National POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) Recognition Day is September 21 (annually the third Friday in September) and I thought this would be a great opportunity to provide some of the history on the flag you may have seen featuring a silhouette of an individual before a guard tower and barbed wire in white on a black field with the words “You Are Not Forgotten”.

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Like many students, Tammy Flick of Beaver Dam found Moraine Park Technical College as a place of hope and a promise of a better future. Tammy was a part of the customer service world for over 25 years, and in 2009, as a result of a suffering economy, she found herself unemployed and unsure of where to go next.

“It was a scary time, but looking back on it now, the timing was perfect,” said Tammy. “I wanted my work to be rewarding. I knew if I was going to make a change, I wanted to be in the medical field.”

She sought guidance through Moraine Park’s Career Center in Beaver Dam. The career instructors helped her with program selection, financial aid, grants, and enrollment. Tammy decided to pursue both the Medical Assistant and Medical Coding Specialist technical programs. She was able to take all of her classes at the Beaver Dam campus, right in her hometown, and she completed both degrees in a one-year time span.

Tammy wasn’t just a student in the classroom, she was also active at the College and with her peers. She involved herself in the student senate and helped with many student-life events. Tammy made many connections and lifelong friends during her time at Moraine Park. And, on May 22, 2010, Tammy walked the stage to accept her dual technical diploma at the College’s annual commencement ceremony.

So where has she been since graduation? The question really should be ‘where hasn’t she been?‘

Immediately following graduation, Tammy began her medical career at Dean/SSM Health Dermatology clinic in Madison.  And, when an opportunity became available closer to home, she transferred to the Dean/SSM Health Family Medicine clinic in Beaver Dam.

“I know I’m in the right place,” said Flick. “It is a very rewarding field. If at the end of my day, I can ease a worried mind or a put a smile on the face of a patient, then my job is done.”

Her philanthropic spirit has carried on in her daily work, through the many events she volunteers at locally both through her employer and also through personal endeavors. Tammy has also participated in two mission trips, one to Guatemala in November 2016, where she helped work in a health clinic and built houses for residents.

Then in November 2017, she visited Haiti, where she assisted at a dental clinic and taught CPR to individuals at an orphanage.

“The trips were life-changing,” said Tammy. “It opened up my eyes to the world in a different way, it made me want to give back, and it made me truly grateful for the life I have been given.”

So what’s next for Tammy?

She is currently making plans for a 2019 return to Haiti. She expressed that there is much more work to do, and she wants to help in any way possible.

She accredits many of the opportunities she has been given, to the education she received and the hard work of Moraine Park staff, like Janet Bauer, a medical assistant instructor at Moraine Park.

“Janet is amazing, knowledgeable, and was tough for a reason, we were learning about people’s bodies,” said Tammy. “I am so thankful for the many doors that have been opened as a result of my education.”

Today, Tammy is enjoying her life. On June 16, she celebrated 30-years with her husband Brian, at a small intimate backyard vow renewal.

Around her community, you might find Tammy enjoying everything that Beaver Dam has to offer. From the Kayak launch at Waterworks Park to her grandson’s soccer games, and everything in between. She is also heavily involved in the Swan Park’s Rotary Light show, this winter will be the 2nd annual event.

It’s not hard to see that Tammy is living her best life, and we are proud to be a part of her journey.

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

Chris Rowe, a May 2018 graduate of Moraine Park Technical College, enrolled in the Introduction to Mass Communication course and was not entirely sure what to expect.

The Introduction to Mass Communication course at Moraine Park explores communication in media and media literacy by providing insight into the important issues that confront students as consumers and purveyors of mass media within the workforce and in society. The mass media revolution, including media technologies, the evolution of media content and platforms, including new media, the impact of media communications on business and society as a whole, media bias, and media law and ethics provide the focus for this course.

“I learned that Mass Communication is more complicated than I thought,” said Rowe.  “In an ideal world, mass media companies should strive for excellence, honesty, and the betterment of the people they supply the information to on a daily basis,  however, this is not always the case.”

Students who take this course learn that the freedom we enjoy does not prevent the spread of misinformation.  Different types of media can contradict or leave information out to affect individuals’ beliefs and opinions.

“While taking part in this class, I really enjoyed considering some of the history and evolution of mass media, such as news, music, and film,” said Rowe. “It also was significant to learn about the impact the media has on our society and how we think and feel collectively, as well as individually. The pervasive role that media plays can be not only detrimental but also at times positive. I highly recommend this class with Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss so that individuals understand the role and influence that media has on our free society.”

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