Moraine Park Technical College is celebrating its first class of Promise Program graduates who have now completed their college degrees and will begin working in their respective fields. The program offers five consecutive semesters of debt-free college tuition, as well as additional services including mentoring, tutoring, career guidance, financial aid workshops, and counseling to eligible high school seniors. The purpose of the program is to offer the opportunity for a college education to individuals who otherwise couldn’t afford it. It will also help to address the employment gaps across the workforce by supplying businesses with skilled and educated individuals.

The first class of Promise program graduates are Logan Brue of Hubertus, CNC Tool & Die; Taylor Frank of Campbellsport, Graphic Communications; Gabrielle Green of Hartford, Early Childhood Education; Brett Hebert of Rosendale, Criminal Justice; Shayenne Jaffke of Hartford, Criminal Justice; Gavin Lund of Rosendale, Welding (2019 Graduate); Melannie Martinez of Waupun,Criminal Justice; Roberto Mondragon of Ripon, IT Software Developer; LaToya Singleton of Kewaskum, Early Childhood Education; Bethany Thome of Mt. Calvary, Graphic Communications; and Tania Torres of Horicon, Graphic Communications.

“This unique opportunity to earn a college degree without the burden of tuition expenses has helped to set these students up for success,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president said. “They have excelled both inside and outside of the classroom, and soon our generous community donors will begin to see the value in their investment as we continue to welcome more graduates, who in turn will help influence and grow our local economy.”

The Promise Program was introduced in 2018 and was funded through the generosity of individuals and community partners. The Moraine Park Promise program donor partners are: Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, Agnesian HealthCare, Allan C. Kieckhafer, Alliance Laundry Systems LLC, Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation, Baker Cheese, Beaver Dam Community Hospitals Foundation, Inc., Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc., Bonnie Baerwald, C.D. Smith Construction, CampusWorks, Capelle Bros. & Diedrich, Inc., Countryside Auto Group, Dana Bourland, Dick and Joan Kleinfeldt, Duane & Kathleen Foulkes Foundation, Excel Engineering, Fox Valley Savings Bank, Horicon Bank, J. F. Ahern Co., James and Catherine Barrett, Jet Stream Car Wash, Jim and Judy Flood, John and Eileen Pfeifer, John and Joan Shanahan, John and Sally St. Peter, Johnson School Bus, Kondex Corporation, Manowske Welding Corporation, Mayville Engineering Company, Inc.(MEC), Mercury Marine, Mike and Nancy Berg (Summit Automotive), Mike Shannon Automotive Foundation, Muthig Industries, Inc., National Exchange Bank Foundation, RAM Tool, Inc., Richard Zieman, Rick and Joni Parks, Rodney and Kim Miller, Russ Darrow Group, Sadoff Family Foundation, Serigraph Inc., Silica For Your Home, Society Insurance Charitable Fund, Steve and Karla Peterson, Sure-Fire, Inc., Ted and Grace Bachhuber Foundation, Inc.,The Grande Foundation, Tobin Machining, Tom and Carrie Kasubaski, Tom and Nan Baumgartner, Tom and Sally Herre, Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, Inc., Van Horn Automotive, West Bend Community Foundation’s Ziegler Family Foundation Fund, and Westbury Bank Charitable Foundation.

In fall 2019, Moraine Park introduced a second debt-free tuition program called Promising Futures. This program was created to benefit adults in Moraine Park’s district who need access to affordable education.

For more information on Moraine Park’s Promise program, visit morainepark.edu/promise.

The Moraine Park Foundation will be able to award 15 students with one-time scholarships thanks to the success of The Ledge Games 2019, which raised $7,500.

This family-friendly competition held in Eden challenges participants in a series of lumberjack activities such as caber toss, hammer toss, archery, keg toss, speed chop, and axe throw. One hundred percent of event proceeds support The Ledge Games scholarship, established through the Moraine Park Foundation, which focuses on engineering, manufacturing, and technology programs at Moraine Park. The event is co-founded by Josh Michels, of Fond du Lac and Tyler Oestreich, of Eden.

“It is an honor to have the support from this popular community event,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park said. “Their contributions directly benefit our local manufacturing economy, and our students have a greater opportunity for success thanks to their generosity.”

Students enrolling in engineering, manufacturing, or technology for the 2020-21 school year will be eligible to apply for this scholarship in February 2020. To be considered for a Foundation scholarship, students must have a Moraine Park Technical College cumulative or high school GPA of 2.75 or higher and enroll in a minimum of six credits per semester. For more information, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.

The Moraine Park Foundation has received an annual scholarship contribution of $700 from their long-time community friend, the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis.

“We are so grateful for the continued commitment from the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park said. “Their loyal and generous contributions benefit many students and have helped make educational dreams become a reality.”

The partnership between the Foundation and Kiwanis dates back more than a decade, providing financial support to students who need it most.

“We understand that a college education can help influence a family-sustaining career and break the cycle of poverty,” Lisa Karst of Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis said. “For this reason, the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis is committed to providing scholarship support to Moraine Park students.”

The Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis scholarship is offered to students who are enrolled full-time, attend at the Beaver Dam campus and have a minimum GPA of 2.75.

For more information on the Moraine Park Foundation, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.

The Moraine Park Foundation has received support from their community partner, Countryside Auto Group, with a $5,000 donation to benefit the Promise program. Countryside donated $7,500 in 2018, making their total contribution $12,500.

“We are grateful to Keith and Countryside for their generous contribution to the Moraine Park Promise program,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park said. “Their gift will give the opportunity of a debt-free education to students in need, and our continued partnership with Countryside will impact students’ lives for generations to come.”

The Promise program offers five consecutive semesters of debt-free college tuition, as well as additional services including mentoring, tutoring, career guidance, financial aid workshops, and counseling to low-income students. The purpose of the program is to offer the opportunity for a college education to individuals who otherwise couldn’t afford it. It will also help to address the employment gaps across the workforce by supplying businesses with skilled and educated individuals.

“At Countryside, we strongly believe in serving our local community,” Keith Ghanian, president at Countryside said. “We are proud to support the Moraine Park Promise program and recognize the power of education to transform the lives of individuals, families, and communities.”

Countryside Auto Group is a Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC dealer located in Beaver Dam, WI. Their strong community connections, family-like atmosphere, and excellent customer services are the core of their business. Each month, Countryside donates proceeds to a different local organization to drive awareness and provide funding for the organizations in the community who are making a difference.

For more information on the Moraine Park Foundation, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.

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.

The Moraine Park Foundation has received support from their long-time partner, Follett, with a $50,000 donation to benefit students. Follett’s contribution to the Foundation was given to the unrestricted fund, meaning it can be used to support students not only with affording tuition but also with personal emergencies that limit their ability to continue attending classes.

“I am so grateful to Follett for their generous and loyal commitment to Moraine Park students,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park said. “Their annual gift to the Foundation helps needy students afford an education through scholarship support.  Their generosity also helps students stay enrolled by providing grants for unexpected emergencies.  Our partnership with Follett will impact students’ lives for generations to come.”

The Moraine Park Foundation works to make education accessible and affordable for current and prospective students. Thanks to community partners, like Follett, the Foundation was able to help a total of 237 students with financial support in 2017-18.

“Follett’s long-standing commitment to the communities we serve is actively cultivated in a spirit of giving that’s present throughout all our campuses,” Aaron Bladorn, Follett multi-store manager said. “At Follett, our purpose has always been to improve the world by inspiring learning and shaping education. Follett’s yearly donation to the Moraine Park Foundation focuses on empowering students through scholarships and various other financial support initiatives. We are thrilled to have an amazing partnership with Moraine Park, and we look forward to helping drive student success for years to come.”

Follett is a national partner for schools, districts, and college campuses, providing education technology, services, and print and digital content to nearly 1,200 local campus stores and over 1,600 virtual stores. Their mission is to work as a trusted partner and help educators drive success for students from their first day of school through college graduation and beyond.

The Moraine Park Foundation lives the mission of partnering with joyful givers who believe in the power of education to transform lives, families, and communities. Annually, the Foundation’s community partners help provide students with scholarships, books, program support, and emergency financial assistance.

For more information on the Moraine Park Foundation, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.

Moraine Park Technical College Foundation will be able to award 15 students with one-time scholarships thanks to the success of The Ledge Games 2018, which raised $7,500.

This family-friendly competition, held in Eden, challenges participants in a series of lumberjack activities such as caber toss, hammer toss, archery, keg toss, speed chop, and ax throw. One hundred percent of event proceeds support The Ledge Games scholarship, established through the Moraine Park Foundation, which focuses on engineering, manufacturing, and technology programs at Moraine Park. The event is co-founded by Josh Michels, of Fond du Lac and Tyler Oestreich, of Eden.

“Both Josh and I are in the manufacturing industry, ” said Tyler Oestreich, co-founder of The Ledge Games. “We are proud to contribute the proceeds to Moraine Park. Our local economy greatly depends on manufacturing skill sets, and we see the value in educating and supporting the manufacturing workforce locally. Moraine Park’s students take the skill sets they learn to local manufacturing companies in Fond du Lac and the surrounding areas to continue to innovate and keep the local economy strong.”

Students enrolling in engineering, manufacturing or technology for the 2019-2020 school year are eligible to apply for this scholarship. To be considered for a Foundation scholarship, students must have a Moraine Park Technical College cumulative or high school GPA of 2.75 or higher and enroll in a minimum of six credits per semester. Application deadline is April 15 for high school seniors and May 26 for all other applicants.

To apply for The Ledge Games scholarship, or for more information on other Moraine Park scholarships, visit morainepark.edu/scholarships.

The 2019 Ledge Games are scheduled for Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on this event and how to help benefit this scholarship, visit theledgegames.com.

The Moraine Park Foundation will host its annual Gourmet Dinner on Friday, April 26, at the Fond du Lac campus. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. 

This year’s theme is speakeasy soiree, and guests are invited to dress in 1920’s style attire.  Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items, try the wine cork pull, an event favorite, and participate in the 50-50 raffle.

The event features a six-course meal that Moraine Park culinary arts students and instructors create, prepare, and serve. The dinner experience will start with an appetizer of lobster cocktail with fennel and shaved horseradish, followed by cream of fresh asparagus soup and a classic caesar salad with black pepper Bellavitano crouton and fresh anchovy dressing. A Campari sorbet will be the intermezzo. The main entree will feature a grilled filet of beef, topped with wild mushroom and fresh herb ragout, paired with a side of Grande Prima Dolce ricotta smashed potatoes and garlicky spinach. The meal will conclude with a bourbon black bottom pie for dessert.

This Gourmet Dinner is an annual fundraising effort, with proceeds benefiting the Moraine Park Foundation scholarship and student emergency fund.  Each year, nearly $300,000 in funding is required to aid students in need of financial assistance.

Tickets are $100 per person or $800 a corporate table of eight people. Reservations are limited. To make reservations, contact Joan Brezinsky at 920-924-3281 or jbrezinsky@morainepark.edu.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/gourmet-dinner.