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. 

In 2018, MPTC started a community impact awards program where students can track their service hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours, Gold Award for 100 hours, or Presidents Award for 200 hours of service learning or volunteering.

This fall we have awarded our third President’s Award Winner – Barbara Turner! Barbara earned the President’s Award with over 240 volunteer hours. For her exemplary service, Barbara was also recently honored with the Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader Award.

Barbara plans to graduate in May 2021 with her Associate Degree in Business Management. She has already earned an associate degree in Leadership Development.

Upon receiving the President’s Award, Barbara stated:  “I am very grateful and honored to receive this award. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mary Vogl-Rauscher, Leadership Development Instructor in MPTC, and Tracy M. Propst, the Executive Director in Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce, for the volunteering opportunity.” President Bonnie Baerwald said, “Barbara consistently demonstrates that she is a committed, dependable, hard-working individual with a high degree of integrity. She brings a positive attitude and a natural curiosity to plan, learn and do – no matter what the task or project. She has a tenacious gift to persevere and a real desire to make a difference in this community. Barbara has a proven track record for success and has demonstrated her commitment to lifelong learning and volunteerism.”

Congratulations Barbara!

Moraine Park student, Cortland Henning of Fond du Lac, recently executed a project for his Newman Civic Fellow national membership that displayed great strength, leadership and encouraged unity among community members. The Newman Civic Fellowship, part of the College’s membership with Campus Compact, is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional, and civic growth. As part of this role, Henning was required to complete a community project. 

“The purpose of the project is to encourage civic engagement,” Henning said. “I had three topics to choose from and being passionate about politics and the future of our country, it made sense to select a project that aligned.” 

Henning’s project, called A House Divided, was staged as a deliberative dialogue, and centered around the topic “What would we have to give up to get the political system we want?” 

“The purpose of a deliberative dialogue is to offer a safe and open environment for conversations, like this, to happen,” Henning said. “To achieve this, I set ground rules so that all participants were heard equally, there was no bullying or domination during the conversation, and there was respect all around- regardless of differing opinions.” 

Participants were encouraged to bring forward their thoughts, feelings, and personal life experiences that helped shape their political beliefs. Discussion topics around requiring more accurate, respectful discussion in the media and online, and reforming politics and government to encourage compromise, among others, were discussed at length. 

“It’s clear our country is currently divided,” Henning said. “However, this project opened my eyes to our many commonalities. We are more alike than what we are led to believe right now.” 

Henning’s project was presented to student peers, a community group, and a group of educators, in three separate sessions. In total, he had over 50 participants, and each conversation was civil, respectful, and provided a wealth of insight. 

“I hope that participants walked away with a greater understanding of each other and our role in shaping our government,” Henning said. “I know I’m guilty of making assumptions and jumping to conclusions- this project has helped me to slow down, listen, try to understand, and if not- find peace in the ability to disagree. I am, by far, a better citizen because of what I learned through this process.” 

As a result of this project, Henning has paved the way for future deliberative conversations. 

“MPTC is interested in convening other conversations and civil dialogues around controversial topics,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “We acknowledge everyone’s first amendment rights to be heard and to share knowledge in a format that broadens our understanding of various local, regional, national or global issues and concerns in a civil way.  We are exploring opportunities and topics to host such sessions in virtual and face-to-face formats in the future.”

Henning is also part of Moraine Park’s Promise program and is scheduled to graduate with his associate degree in Culinary Arts this May. He is currently employed at a local country club and has goals to be an executive chef. 

“Moraine Park has opened up so many doors of opportunity for me,” he said. “I look forward to continuing my civic work within my community as an MPTC alumnus.”

For more information on the work of Moraine Park students, visit morainepark.edu.

Moraine Park Technical College nursing students will be assisting Dodge County Public Health and Advocate Aurora Health to administer the COVID-19 vaccination to eligible individuals. 

“Our nursing students have experience in helping to distribute vaccines,” Heidi Martin, Moraine Park nursing instructor, said. “We have worked with Dodge County for the past two years, helping at their flu shot clinics for students in grades K-12. We have a great relationship with the County Public Health Nurses and our local healthcare facilities, and currently, they really need our help.”

The Moraine Park nursing students participating are doing so on a volunteer basis. Their volunteer time will count toward community impact requirements at the College.  

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our nursing students to give back to the community,” Martin said. “They have the skills needed to truly impact the health of our families, neighbors and friends. My students are excited to be an active part in helping to decrease the severity of this pandemic and ultimately save lives.”

Moraine Park continuously looks for ways to offer hands-on opportunities for students in our local communities. 

For information regarding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and distribution, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health at dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu. 

**Photo is not from current vaccine event, and was taken pre-COVID-19.

It’s almost that time again! Spring Elections in WI! The Spring Primary takes place on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The main Spring Election takes place on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Besides local races that are important in your own community, statewide we are voting for WI State Superintendent of Schools and WI Circuit Court.

For more information on WI Voting go to My Vote WI.

For detailed info on all the candidates, visit VOTE 411.

Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) is a national nonpartisan project that helps administrators, faculty, staff and student leaders at America’s colleges and universities engage students in federal, state and local elections, working to promote a more equitable and inclusive democracy, and to overcome the ever-changing barriers to voting.  With support and guidance from our state directors, our schools help their students to register, volunteer in campaigns, educate themselves on candidates and issues, navigate confusing voting laws, and turn out at the polls.

Amanda Kollmorgan, a Leadership and Organizational Development student, is getting fired up! As a part of her capstone course, Amanda is conducting a service learning project. Service learning takes the learning experience outside of the classroom, connects students to community, and provides a mutually benefit to the student and community through the service. Amanda is applying skills and knowledge acquired through the completion of her program in a project with the Village of St. Cloud Fire Department. She is partnering with local heroes to provide a COVID friendly online auction to help meet department needs.

When asked why she chose a community project, she reflected on her feelings about the community and why giving back was important to her. “I am not from the Fond du Lac area and come from a very small family. When I married my husband, I married into a large Fond du Lac and Holyland family. When I started a job in St Cloud, everyone immediately made me feel like family. The community out there is so warm and friendly. It just really feels like home, even though it’s not. That’s why I chose to support the Fire Department. They are volunteer based and rely completely on the community to run, so what better way to give back to all of those folks who became part of my family than do a fundraiser”.

Amanda is set to finish the associate degree program this semester and reflected on her experience at MPTC. “I truly love how involved in the community it is, the number of resources there are, the ability and support of the staff available, and the quality of teachers. This is my third time attending college, and I regret not having been able to start my journey here. In fact, I love this school so much I signed up for a second degree starting in the fall!”.

Amanda plans to leverage the knowledge, insight, and tools gained from her experience in the program to achieve her short and long-term career goals which include owning her own bakery. She shared that she now has”…a better understanding of how to manage people plus be aware of the laws and regulations that pertain to them. I feel better apt to provide trainings as well as plan and manage projects. For the bakery, I am aware of what will take to plan my project proposal, as well the laws governing recruiting, hiring, and employing personnel”.

The Moraine Park Community extends their appreciation to Amanda to all of her service to community!

Did you know?

*70 percent of cocoa is produced by small holder farmers in West Africa, primarily Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. Indonesia, Brazil, and Ecuador are also major cocoa-producing countries.

*Cocoa trees take about five years to reach peak production and can continue producing at that level for about ten years.

*Chocolate is made from the seeds of cocoa pods, a tree-grown fruit. After harvesting, the seeds are removed from the pods and processed (fermented, dried, then roasted).

*It takes about 500 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate. In an average year, a cocoa tree produces enough fruit to make about two pounds of chocolate.

An estimated two million children work on cocoa farms. Up to 40 percent of these children are not enrolled in school. Many Cocoa farmers are exposed to numerous hazards, including dangerous tools, dust, flames or
smoke, hazardous chemicals, and physically demanding labor. Fair Trade standards prohibit child labor, and community development premiums are often used to improve access to education. Fair Trade standards also prohibit harmful chemicals and provide a framework for environmental sustainability. The Fair Trade minimum price protects farmers against market volatility by ensuring a minimum sale price for their crops.

We love chocolate and other products made with cocoa. It is part of our daily lives. At the same time, many people do not know how tough cocoa farming is, nor do they know the impact of choosing one chocolate bar over another. By choosing chocolate with the Fair Trade logo, you are standing up for the people and places involved in the cocoa industry.  MPTC bookstores carry Divine Chocolate bars. Look for the Fair Trade logo on all chocolate you buy at your grocery store or local market.

Find out more about Fair Trade and MPTC Fair Trade College!

Do you have a great idea for a new product, service, or innovative startup? Show off your entrepreneurial skills at Moraine Park Technical College. Current MPTC students are invited to “Pitch at the Park”.  

Individuals or group entries are eligible. To enter, complete the entry form, submit a summary of your project in 250 words or less along with a video. The video may be up to 90 seconds. A slide deck may be included with your submission. Entries must be received by March 26^th. Entries will be evaluated on content, delivery, visual aids, creativity, and overall persuasion.

Two individuals or teams will be selected and notified by March 30^th. The winning entries will go on to represent Moraine Park Technical College at a regional Pitch event. Small Business/Entrepreneurship Instructor Jeff Stueber will provide coaching sessions to those selected to go on to The NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) Pitch Event. The NEW Pitch Event will be held at Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 N Bluemound Drive in Appleton on April 29^th, from 4-7pm. Participants will compete for cash prizes.

Entry materials are available through the online entry form: MPTC Pitch at the Park Application.

For more information please contact pitchatthepark@morainepark.edu.

The Learning for Independence (LFI) students, as part of the program at Moraine Park Technical College, like to plan a project that includes giving back to the community. This year 9 students and 3 instructors went to the Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Expo Center to help organize and set up for the Salvation Army Christmas distribution program on Thursday, December 10^th.

The Salvation Army doubled the distribution this year as close to 700 families were seeking assistance for almost 1,800 kids. They helped sort thousands of items, including toys, clothes, books, stuffed animals and more that have been donated to the Christmas distribution programs, like Toys for Tots, the Angel Tree, and Adopt-a-Family. Some students helped to unload big trucks with gifts from businesses in the community. 

The students enjoyed it, were overwhelmed by all of it and were exhausted at the end of the day.  They volunteered on their last day of class before semester break and ended with a positive and giving note.

Learning for Independence is a cooperative transition program offered in partnership by Fond du Lac Area High Schools and Moraine Park Technical College.  The students range from 18- 21 years in age, have a documented need for transition services in education, employment and/or independent living. The students have completed four years of high school and met desired level of academic proficiency for graduation at various Fond du Lac County High Schools.

For additional information on the LFI program or applications for enrollment, please contact Chris Schultz at cschultz@nfdlschools.org or call 920-929-3750, extension 6143.

Thanks to MPTC Beta Mu Kappa Academic Honor Society students, 55 area kids will have warm winter mittens this winter season. Students hosted a Mitten Tree drive at all 3 campuses over the past month, and delivered the donated mittens to Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac and Boys & Girls Club of Washington County Jackson site this past week.

Karissa Schneider, Operations Director at Fond du Lac Club said, “We are so thankful for our partnerships with Moraine Park Technical College and this is no different!  Thank you to Phi Theta Kappa for holding a mitten drive to help keep our members hands cozy and warm.”  

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.