Moraine Park Technical College has selected eCampus.com, an online bookstore model, as the new campus bookstore provider.

The College initiated a request for proposal (RFP) process as the current five-year contract approached its expiration. A team of individuals from across the College evaluated the responses.

“This role of this team was to select and implement a bookstore model that both best aligns with the needs and strategic direction of the college and provides support and affordable options for our students,” Carrie Kasubaski, vice president of finance and administration at Moraine Park, said. “In total, we had four responses to our RFP. We appreciate all of the submissions and their interest in doing business with Moraine Park.”

The partnership with eCampus.com will focus initially on online access and presence, coupled with key system integrations to provide students with an intuitive purchasing experience. With single sign-on, users can enjoy instant access to a customized list of professor-selected materials, with the ability to choose from a wide selection of course material format options including new, used, eBook, rental, and Marketplace at significant savings. Further complementing the solution for students is the convenience of on-campus package pickup as well as onsite buybacks.

“We not only reviewed student needs but involved students in the process as well,” Kasubaski said. “It became evident that having the option to purchase or rent books and obtain materials online is highly important.”

As a result of this change, Moraine Park’s partnership with Follet will end, and the three campus bookstore locations will close effective Nov. 9.

“We appreciate Follet and the level of commitment they offered to our students and employees for more than five years,” Kasubaski said. “Moving forward, a transition and implementation plan is underway to ensure a smooth transition for the remainder of the fall semester and into the spring semester.”

The College will continue to explore options for smaller and more accessible on-campus bookstore services such as spirit stores and onsite textbook pick-ups and returns.

“We applaud Moraine Park Technical College for their commitment to improve student outcomes by removing barriers to affordability and accessibility with an innovative online bookstore solution,” Matt Montgomery, eCampus.com President and CEO, said. “We look forward to aligning with Moraine Park’s strategic direction that continues to build a path for student success.”

Students will utilize eCampus.com for their fall book buybacks and spring textbook and course material purchases. Additional details regarding the transition to eCampus.com will be sent directly to students and staff.

“We are excited to partner with eCampus.com and move into the new age of online bookstores,” Kasubaski said. “We know that this change will help our continued goal to ensure classroom success for our students.”

More on eCampus.com:

eCampus.com is a premier online retailer of textbooks and digital course materials. Consistently exceeding industry standards, eCampus.com’s mission is to provide the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way for K-12 and higher education students to buy, rent, or sell textbooks and digital content. The company launched on July 2, 1999, the birthday of original investor Dave Thomas of Wendy’s. From the beginning, their driving force has been meeting the needs of the customers they serve. Remaining an innovative leader in the course materials industry, eCampus.com serves over 300 academic institutions through an innovative course material solutions suite, including full-service Online Bookstores and the eCampus.com ALL Access program. eCampus.com’s mission enables institutions to increase course material affordability, serving millions of students to date. Through products that simplify the adoption, management and procurement of course materials, eCampus.com propels student success by delivering the right course materials, at the right time, at the right price. Learn more at https://www.ecampus.com/. 

Nursing School can be challenging and overwhelming, but also rewarding and fulfilling. The pressures associated with class load, clinicals, exams, and job availability can make it easy to lose sight of the art of caring while learning the science of nursing.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students was created to recognize and celebrate nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion shown to patients and their families. The DAISY Foundation hopes that this program will inspire and motivate students to provide the best clinical skills possible and to impact patients and families with human spirit and kindness. 

Nominations for this award can come from any patient, staff nurse, fellow nursing students, faculty, or member of the community that the student has had a positive impact on.

The nomination period is now through December 1, 2021. The review committee will meet in mid-December and reveal the recipient at Moraine Park’s Pinning Ceremonies. The review committee has specific criteria for the selection committee that can be found on their website. The committee will include the following:

Kelly Shafaie (Representative from Dean’s office) 

Barb Brown (Alumni and retired faculty) 

Kelli De Ruyter (Partner facility, Cedar Community Advisory Member) 

Anne Lemke (Leadership at MPTC) 

Student life representatives will take turns on panel (Lisa Manuell, Sandy Botham for this academic year) 

Nominate here.

Any questions about the DAISY Award can be directed to the Student Nurses Association (SNA) advisors on each campus:

Beaver Dam- Grace Rommelfanger

Fond du Lac- Melissa Rodriguez  and Michelle Mengert 

West Bend- Karrie Bruegman-May

Educational partners from throughout West Bend came together on Oct. 12, to host U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin on the Moraine Park Technical College campus in West Bend. 

The visit featured stories on the partnerships between Moraine Park, the West Bend School District and the Kettle Moraine YMCA. The three community partners work to educate students and families from before primary school through graduation from college—all focused on meeting community workforce needs.  

“West Bend has deep roots as an educationally rich, collaborative community—with many educational touchpoints dedicated to efforts that build and grow the regional and state workforce,” Peter Rettler, dean of Moraine Park’s West Bend campus, said. 

During her visit, Baldwin participated in a roundtable meeting with students, faculty and teachers, administrators, industry partners and education supporters. The visit highlighted the facilities and people who educate the future workforce in West Bend, Washington County and beyond.  

“The needs surrounding education are continuously evolving and we have to plan for the future,” Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald said. “It’s important Senator Baldwin not only sees the important work we are all doing now, but also understands the needs we will face in the future as we work to help influence the future workforce.” 

Handshake is Moraine Park Technical College’s new job search platform where employers are able to seek out and hire college students and new graduates. The platform was created in 2014 and has over 9 million active student users. Around 1,200 colleges and universities and 550,000+ employers utilize the platform nation-wide. All 16 of the Wisconsin Technical Colleges use Handshake, as well as many of the UW schools and the private consortium. 

Handshake is unique from other job search platforms in that all jobs are posted specifically for students, and employers will be able to actively recruit from Moraine Park. 

After creating an account profile, students can then upload their resume, cover letter, transcripts, references and even a profile picture. Students are able to receive updates on their application status, research employers, connect with peers and participate in virtual career fairs and events. 

Login or sign up for Handshake at joinhandshake.com. 

For more information, contact Michele Sabel, Moraine Park’s Employment Services Specialist at (920) 924-3205 or msabel@morainepark.edu. 

Moraine Park Technical College will be hosting its annual community event, Discover Moraine Park, to help attendees jump-start their education and career. High school students, displaced workers, and individuals looking for a career change are encouraged to attend.

Discover Moraine Park event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the West Bend campus; Tuesday, Oct. 12 at the Beaver Dam Campus; and Thursday, Oct. 14 at the Fond du Lac Campus. Space is limited, and those interested in attending must pre-register.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore different programs of study offered at the College and tour the campus, labs, and classrooms. Program instructors and staff will be available to explain program details, admissions requirements, and more.

The event is also designed to familiarize attendees with resources outside the classroom, including diversity relations, student life, veteran resources, tutoring, and counseling. One-on-one assistance from Financial Aid specialists will be available to help attendees submit their FAFSA. 

Face coverings are required for participation in the Discover Moraine Park event. As a reminder, Moraine Park requires face coverings on all of its campuses.

A virtual option is available on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 5:30 -7 p.m. Registration is also required. 

For more information or to register, visit morainepark.edu/discover. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. To acknowledge this solemn day, there will be a brief ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial located outside the Fond du Lac campus commons on Friday, Sept 10th, 11:45-12:15 p.m.

Students, staff, faculty and the public are welcome and encouraged to attend if available.

“One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice.” 

—President George W. Bush at the Pentagon

Moraine Park Technical College has released the Spring and Summer 2021 Dean’s lists.

To qualify for this distinction, a student must be enrolled in at least six undergraduate-level course credits, earn a minimum grade point average of 3.5, not have a failing or incomplete grade for the semester, and be in good academic standing.

Congratulations to all our Dean’s list students- this is a huge accomplishment!

Moraine Park Technical College leadership recognizes the need for people to have a safe space to walk for exercise, which is why all MPTC campuses are reinstating the walking program, now called Wolfpack Walkers.

The WolfPack Walkers program allows the public to walk in and around MPTC campuses.

“It’s important that our community has the opportunity to utilize our campus spaces,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “The Wolfpack Walkers program is a great way to be part of the College. However, when entering our facilities, it is important that personal safety, as well as the safety of others, stay at the forefront; stay home if you are ill, practice good personal hygiene and distance yourself from others when possible.”

Interested walkers are required to fill out an Acceptance of Risk and Responsibility Agreement/Release of Liability form. Forms should be obtained at the campus you will be walking:

Fond du Lac: Security Desk Near the C1 entrance

Beaver Dam: Student Services Desk near the K1 entrance

West Bend: Receptionist Desk near the T2 entrance

After filling out the form, you will be issued an ID tag that must be worn when on campus. The campus is open for walking from:

7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday

7 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday

8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays (when open)

More information and guidelines will be provided on the required forms.

Happy walking, Wolfpack!

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!