It was a beautiful sunny Saturday morning, and Moraine Park Technical College and Marian University teamed up once again to sponsor a veteran’s suicide awareness event, dubbed 22 No More. A 2.2-mile trek to help raise awareness of the many veterans’ lives lost too soon due to suicide.

Over 125 people participated in this year’s annual event, intended to raise awareness of the alarming suicide rate among veterans and, form a strong community around those who have served or currently serving. Although 2.2 miles may not seem like a significant distance, the number was chosen to identify the 20-22 veteran suicides or, one every 80 minutes which occur every day, and, ensure everyone who attended would be able to take part in the event.

Participants received a free 22 No More water bottle or small nylon sport-pack courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs and everyone was encouraged to honor a service member by carrying a photo of them during the walk. There was also an opportunity for the community to meet with area veteran resource providers, the National Guard, and ROTC service members.

The event began promptly at 10:00 a.m. with a flag presentation by Marian University’s ROTC followed by the 2.2-mile walk around the Fond du Lac Soccer Complex. Participants also got the marathon treatment courtesy of MPTC’s Health and Wellbeing Committee who provided water and bananas along the way and, the walk ended with a free from Yummy Bones Barbeque sponsored by Moraine Park’s Student Veterans and Civil Engineering Technology Clubs.  Plans are in the works to conduct the 22 No More walk again next year, and we are always looking for new ways to raise awareness and increase participation. If you would like more information or may be interested in assisting next year, please contact Steve Pepper, Moraine Park’s Student Veteran Specialist at 920-924-3489 or spepper1@morainepark.edu .

You might remember Arletta from our previous blog posts, marketing campaigns, or perhaps you’ve seen her out in the Fond du Lac community. If not, you can catch up with her story here.

The 2017 graduate from Moraine Park’s Leadership Development program has big things on her horizon, and we are excited to highlight them!

When she came to the College in 2015, she had dreams of being a motivational speaker. To keep working towards that goal, after graduation she enrolled at Marian University to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Today, she has her own business, Authentically Arletta, LLC., and is finally witnessing her hard work come to life. In fact, in 2019 alone, she has been invited as a keynote speaker to multiple local events.

“I’m so much closer to my dreams than I’ve ever been before,” Arletta said. “Moraine Park was a huge part of my foundation, and the place I will always consider my second home.”

Of course, Arletta’s success didn’t happen by chance. She has been on a long journey of self-discovery, one that she notes has had many hurdles.

“This has been quite a journey, but I didn’t do it alone,” Alretta said. “I’ve had the support of family, friends, and many people at Moraine Park that have helped me along the way.”

Specifically, she names Moraine Park employees Bonnie Baerwald, Mary Vogl-Rauscher, Steve Pepper, Rob Heyrman, and Amy Anderson- among others, as key players to aiding her success.

Today, her dreams are even closer as she celebrates her May 2019 graduation with a Bachelor of Communication degree with a minor in business from Marian University and being named as Marian’s Communication Student of the Year. She was also a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication high honor society, and ended her college career with a 3.95 GPA.

This August, Arletta will be one of the keynote speakers at TedXFond du Lac and is working towards a goal of one day speaking at the Essence Festival in Louisiana.

“I’ve thought about my dreams becoming a reality for a long time,” she said. “My work isn’t done, in fact in a way it’s just beginning, but it’s so exciting that I’ve made some big accomplishments and that they are no longer just a part of my dreams.”

Additionally, Arletta is working diligently on a new initiative, the Peculiar Princess Project, a mentoring program for youth girls of color ages 10 to 18.

“I look forward to taking on more speaking events registering with Wisconsin’s Speakers Bureau and taking my career to the next level,” Arletta said.

We wish Arletta the best of luck as she continues towards accomplishing her goals, and are so fortunate to be a part of her journey.

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.”

College isn’t one size fits all, and Tyler Duel of Van Dyne learned quickly that despite his path, Moraine Park was his fit all along.

As a 2014 graduate from North Fond du Lac, Tyler had every opportunity available to him. He had earned an impressive score of 33 on his ACT’s and easily got accepted into the University of Wisconsin- Madison, where his plan was to pursue a degree in electrical engineering.

“UW- Madison is wonderful, but early into my first semester I realized it wasn’t for me,” Tyler said. “I didn’t excel in the university setting, tuition was expensive, and honestly I wasn’t mature enough for that atmosphere.”

Tyler may not have felt mature enough for the university setting, but his actions following showed the opposite. He completed his year at the UW, moved back home, and began to explore his options locally.

“I originally thought a 4-year college was my only option for success,” Tyler said. “When I found Moraine Park I was hesitant. I didn’t know if the same career opportunities would be available for me.”

Despite his initial hesitations, he decided to enroll at Moraine Park in the Mechanical Design program.

“I easily adapted to the College,” he said. “My classrooms were set up like an industry, so what I was learning every day would easily transfer into a job setting.”

Tyler excelled at Moraine Park and in his program. He interned at BCI Burke in Fond du Lac, and prior to graduating in May 2018, he had three job offers from local industries on the table.

“Moraine Park prepared me all around,” Tyler said. “Not only did I learn about the industry and my career, but I received help on my resume, searching for jobs, and preparing for interviews. I felt ready and able to start my career.”

Today, Tyler is employed at Marchant Schmidt, Inc. in Fond du Lac as a mechanical designer. He has a steady career, very minimal school debt, and endless opportunities for growth- all before the age of 25. His goal is to continue his education so he can further his career.

“I love what I’m doing,” Tyler said. “I’m advancing in my field and enjoying my work. I’m glad I chose Moraine Park.”

Holly Luehring, of Fond du Lac, has the motivation to move mountains. She came to Moraine Park in 1995, with a determination to find success, and turned what could have been a roadblock into a driving force for her educational, professional, and community pursuits.  

“During high school I was told I wasn’t college material,” Luehring said. “I couldn’t believe that anyone would say something like that, but I used that as motivation moving forward.”

Determined to prove her capabilities rather than let someone else limit them, Luehring enrolled at Moraine Park and graduated two years later with an associate degree in marketing. She then transferred to Marian University, graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. In May, she will graduate from Concordia University with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Luehring’s education at Moraine Park helped launch her career. After graduation, she worked as a teller and marketing intern at American Bank (now known as National Exchange). Her all-in attitude and solid work ethic further influenced her rise to her current position as Director of Marketing and Communications at Michels Corporation. This role allows her to develop and guide a nine-member team that oversees all marketing, public relationships, events and culture management for the company.

“I have an incredible team,” she said. “We share a vision, and together we have worked to make that vision a reality. I am proud of how we have grown.”

Luehring’s leadership extends into the community as well, where she volunteers her time on the YMCA Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Membership Committee; Fond du Lac Charity Club; Fond du Lac Festival’s Board of Directors; and Fond du Lac Marketing Professionals, which she helped to establish. In 2016, she was honored as the Fond du Lac Young Professional of the Year.

She also remains committed to Moraine Park, serving as a speaker at the 2017 Commencement Ceremony, and currently serves on the Foundation Advisory Committee. Luehring’s drive, dedication, and contributions made her an obvious choice for Moraine Park’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni. She will accept her award at the May 17 recognition reception.

 “Don’t let someone tell you that you can’t do something,” Luehring said. “Had I believed in my doubter’s vision for my future, I’m sure my story would be much different. I’m proud of where I am, and I hope I can inspire others to set the course for their journey.”

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

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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