Moraine Park Technical College is proud to announce that its first class of Promise program students is scheduled to start their college career this fall 2018. The 33 students in this inaugural class are the first to take advantage of this unique, tuition-free, college opportunity.
The Moraine Park Technical College Foundation has presented 227 students with scholarships totaling nearly $185,000 for the 2018-19 school year.
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.
Alex Prunty (left) awards Zach Prunty (right) with the 2018 Alex Prunty Racing scholarship.
Congratulations Zach Prunty, winner of Moraine Park Technical College’s Alex Prunty Racing $500 Scholarship!
Moraine Park Foundation receives a generous donation from National Exchange Bank Foundation. From left to right, Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park Technical College; Peter Stone, chairman of the board at National Exchange Bank & Trust; Adam Stone, senior vice president at National Exchange Bank & Trust; Bonnie Baerwald, president at Moraine Park Technical College.
The Moraine Park Foundation has received support from a long-time community partner, the National Exchange Bank Foundation, with a $50,000 contribution to benefit low and middle-income students.
Moraine Park Technical College hosted an open house for their new Energy Education Center, located at the Beaver Dam Campus, on Wednesday, May 9.
Attendees had the opportunity to view and tour the new Energy Education Center, learn about the new Gas Utility program, speak with Moraine Park representatives, and network with community peers.
The event included a brief program, where Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce and Moraine Park Technical College officials, as well as major donors for the project, participated in a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Recently, due to an aging workforce, the demand for gas utility technicians has grown much faster than the supply of skilled workers. Moraine Park Technical College, with help from generous donors, was able to find a solution, the Energy Education Center. Major donors include Alliant Energy, KS Energy Services, Madison Gas and Electric, Michels Corporation, We Energies, and Wisconsin Public Service.
“Michels has a long history of being a leading gas distribution contractor and employer, locally and throughout the country,” said Sean Nicholson, vice president of health, safety, and environment at Michels Corporation. “We are proud to be in a position to support programs that will teach the skills required of the next generation of gas utility technicians. This is important and much-needed work; safe and reliable gas distribution infrastructure is essential to everyday life.”
This fully functioning state-of-the-art gas utility lab will house the Gas Utility Technician program and will serve as a critical pipeline for skilled workers to companies in natural gas, utilities, gas contractors, and propane suppliers over the next decade.
“The Energy Education Center isn’t just another classroom. Inside is a fully functioning gas utility lab and outside is a hands-on Training Neighborhood,” said Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president. “Students in this program will work through real gas utility scenarios in the Training Neighborhood, have access to the latest technology, and undergo thorough training to get them ready for the field.”
Donors contributed a combined total of $325,000 to make the Energy Education Center and the Gas Utility Technician program a possibility.
“We are proud to support Moraine Park Technical College’s efforts to enhance training and skills development for students through the Energy Education Center,” said Vern Peterson, vice president of field operations for We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service. “It is vital for us to have a highly-trained workforce so that we can continue to provide safe and reliable energy to our customers. The addition of the Energy Education Center will help us meet this growing need for many years.”
Reuben Srinivasan, vice president of human resources at Alliant Energy, said “This new program will create the next generation of energy workers. We’re excited about our investment in these students, and we can’t wait to congratulate the first graduating class.”
The first cohort, starting this June, is at full capacity. This means that soon there will be skilled workers to fill the needs of the industry.
Information on the second cohort, set to begin June of 2019, will be available in fall 2018.
For more information on Moraine Park programs and service, visit morainepark.edu.
Don Charleston is the epitome of a Moraine Park success story. He came to the College in 1973 looking for more career opportunities and a better life. At the time, his family was living on his wife’s $4 per hour nursing wage.
Do you remember Hannah Koepp? She was featured in a foundation appeal video in 2016, as a scholarship recipient. You can view the video here.
Hannah’s family had been through some tough times after her mother was diagnosed with cancer, but she had big dreams for herself. The Moraine Park Foundation was able to help Hannah with a scholarship to help her start her schooling. At the time, Hannah was taking her general education courses with hopes of being accepted into the radiologic technologist program.
So, where is she today?
I caught up with the very excited, soon-to-be graduate at the Moraine Park Fond du Lac campus. After she passes her boards this July, she will officially be a radiologic technologist RT(r). She is eager to begin working in the field, to gain some more hands-on experience. She will be able to apply for jobs after graduation.
On May 19, Hannah will walk the Moraine Park stage and accept her diploma. But, she isn’t the only one in her family that is graduating.
“My sister Maddie is graduating from high school and my sister Zoe from middle school,” Koepp said. “It’s a milestone year for all of us.”
There is sure to be a fun Koepp family celebration this summer!
Hannah benefited from two scholarships through the Moraine Park Foundation. These scholarships are available thanks to contributions from generous community donors. And, students like Hannah are exactly who donors want to help, you will find her name on the most recent Dean’s list!
“I am so thankful,” said Koepp. “The scholarship money helped so much and allowed me to focus on my schooling.”
Congratulations Hannah on your upcoming graduation, we wish you success in your career!
For more information on scholarships or how you can help students like Hannah, visit morainepark.edu.
Recent Comments