There are many advantages to receiving technical education, including lower tuition, smaller class size, greater flexibility, and a shorter time commitment. In celebration of #CareerTechEd Month this February, join us in recognizing the value of career and technical education for our students, the future workforce and our economy. Keep reading to learn about why our students chose MPTC and a technical education.

Marisa Behlke, Surgical Technology

“After high school, I attended a university but ended up transferring to Moraine Park because I wanted a more hands-on career, and the surgical tech program had a lot to offer,” Marisa said.

Izak Gruber, Gas Utility Construction and Service

“I wanted to go to a technical college because you get more of an open schedule, and I didn’t want to commit four years of my life to learning,” Izak said. “Moraine Park seemed more appealing to me. I liked the idea of having more opportunity and fewer restrictions.”

Sydney Skindzelewski, Early Childhood Education

“I love Moraine Park because of the smaller class size,” Sydney said. “I transferred from a university, and I’m glad I did. There is more one-on-one attention here and you can tell the instructors really care about your success.”

Zachary Prator, Welding Bootcamp

“The Welding Bootcamp was exactly what I needed,” Zach said. “It’s quick, and I can begin working in my trade right away. Plus, the instructors here not only teach you course material, but they have also taught me meaningful life lessons and made me a better person.”

Mailia Bachleitner, Information Technology

“I came to Moraine Park because I want to further my education, and I heard that technical colleges are flexible and more affordable,” Mailia said.

Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac (FDL) Student Senate and participating student clubs collected over 175 gifts for families in need this holiday season through Moraine Park’s new Holiday Helpers program.

The gifts were dropped off by Moraine Park Holiday Helpers on Dec. 16 as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County’s Adopt a Family program. The donation supported 30 children and adults in need from the Fond du Lac area.

Big Brothers Big Sisters assists children with social, emotional and character development through one-to-one mentoring relationships with caring adults. The Adopt a Family program allows people in the community to purchase gifts for families who are unable to do so.

“A very special thank you goes out to Moraine Park Technical College for their support of our Adopt a Family program this year,” executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County, Tammy Young, said. “Many of our children in the BBBS of Fond du Lac County program would not have presents under the tree if it weren’t for their generosity.”

After Moraine Park’s Holiday Helpers received the families’ wishlists from Big Brothers Big Sisters, each item was written on the back of an ornament and placed on Student Life boards around Moraine Park’s FDL campus. Students, faculty, staff and the public were encouraged to select an ornament, purchase the item, wrap the gift and return it to the Holiday Helpers to be donated.

“I was blown away by the response and generosity by our students, employees, and clubs with this program,” said Moraine Park student involvement specialist, Lucas Nieman. “All the ornaments were selected within two weeks, and the people I was able to meet and speak to about their reasons for giving gave me an even better perspective on the impact we were making in our community. Being a Holiday Helper wasn’t just about purchasing a gift for someone in need, it was about making a difference in the lives of others.”

Moraine Park’s FDL Student Senate organized the Holiday Helpers effort with ten student clubs including IT Club, Criminal Justice Club, Medical Lab Technicians Club, Cosmetology Club, Culinary Arts Club, Emergency Medical Services Club, Civil Engineering Technology Club, Student Nurses Association Club, Society of Manufacturing Engineering Club and Respiratory Therapy Club.

Thanks to Moraine Park Technical College Academic Honor Society, PTK students and the abundant generosity of all the people involved with MPTC who donated, 88 area kids will have warm mittens and gloves this frosty winter season! That is over 40% more donations than last year and really demonstrates what warm hearts can do together. Even some hats were collected this year!

A Mitten Drive holiday donation tree was placed at all three campuses throughout November, and the collected mittens and hats were delivered to the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac, Boys & Girls Club of the Tri County Area, and Boys & Girls Club of Washington County sites.  Fifty pairs of adult gloves were also donated and delivered to the Solutions Center homeless shelter in Fond du Lac.

“We have so many kids from the community, and as it gets colder it is just wonderful to have these mittens on hand, or to be able to put out a table with them on it,” Johnsonville Elementary Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac, Aimee Christenson, said. “That way, kids can just take a pair if they need them without having to ask or feel embarrassed by their need. Our increased ability to provide mittens to all age groups of kids, thanks to the MPTC Honor Society and all of your donors is just so important, and we are so grateful for your help to keep little hands warm!”

Students who maintain a 3.5 GPA or above after obtaining at least 12 college credits are invited to join our local and/or national honor society. Check out our web page for more information on our leadership and community service opportunities.

Written by Linda Huckaby

Amanda Kollmorgan, of Fond du Lac, was selected as the 2021-22 Moraine Park Technical College district student ambassador.

Kollmorgan, an active-duty communications security manager for the Army, came to Moraine Park to finish the college degree she started at a four-year university.

“I began my college journey in 2010, right after my deployment to Iraq,” Kollmorgan said. “I didn’t transition well and felt like another face in the crowd. I was not only looking for a great education but also a personalized experience and a place I belonged. I immediately found that at Moraine Park.”

Kollmorgan’s role in the Army prepared her for the Leadership Development program, and she was able to take her classroom knowledge and implement it into her work life. She graduated with her associate degree in Leadership Development in spring 2021 and is now pursuing her accounting, technical education, and training degrees concurrently.

“All of these programs align with my current and future goals,” she said. “In my retirement, I hope to own a bakery. The skills I’m learning in leadership and business will help prepare me for that big-picture goal.”

Kollmorgan is also active on the Fond du Lac campus, where she is a member of the student government, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Student Veteran Association (SVA), and Phi Theta Kappa.

“For more than 14 years my entire identity has been the Army,” Kollmorgan said. “I love being a soldier, but I was also looking to be part of something more. Moraine Park not only made me feel like a welcomed part of their family, but being here has ignited passions and goals that I did not know existed before. I am excited for my future and the opportunities it holds.”

Kollmorgan recently made the decision to end her active-duty service and will remain with the National Guard until her retirement in five years. She made this decision so she could be home with her family and focus on building both her educational and career portfolio. Kollmorgan also accepted an adjunct position with the College’s Economic and Workforce Development department to be a Learning for Independence (LFI) instructor.
 
“I am beyond grateful for all the support I’ve received at the College,” Kollmorgan said. “Specifically, from my instructor, Mary Vogl-Rauscher, who provided continuous guidance and mentorship throughout my career and educational transformations.”

To be eligible for the District Student Ambassador distinction, students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member at the College and give a presentation to a selection committee. There were three students in the final consideration for this role.

As the selected 2021-22 District Student Ambassador, Kollmorgan will actively serve as a member of student government, advocate for Moraine Park and the Wisconsin Technical College System as a whole, assist with college activities and events, and represent the student body within the community.

“Being named the District Student Ambassador is a huge honor,” Kollmorgan said. “I look forward to advocating for my classmates and sharing the many benefits of Moraine Park and a technical college education.

Congratulations to the 2021-22 Moraine Park Student Senate Officers.

Beaver Dam

Pictured left to right:

President: Jeffrey Bemis of Beaver Dam – Electrical Power Distribution

Secretary: Garrett Nesheim of Madison– Electrical Power Distribution

Vice President: Izak Gruber of Elmwood- Gas Utility

Fond du Lac

Pictured left to right:

President:  Eva Knappenberger of Oshkosh – Cosmetology

Vice President: Mina Vang-Xiong of Fond du Lac – Information Technology (Network and Technical Support Specialist)

Secretary:  Emily Vick of Beaver Dam – Criminal Justice

West Bend

Pictured left to right:

Vice President: Wesley Kane of Fond du Lac– HVAC

President: Aspyn Koslowski of West Bend – HVAC

Secretary: Haley Van Raden of West Bend– IT Web Design

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!

Each year, Moraine Park Technical College recognizes the hard work and academic achievement of students throughout the year.

The 2021-22 District Student Ambassador Award was presented to Amanda Kollmorgan of Fond du Lac. Haley Van Raden of West Bend, the 2020-21 District Student Ambassador was also recognized. The Moraine Park District Student Ambassador Award identifies outstanding students in the technical college system, with nominations solicited from faculty and staff in the spring semester of each year. Finalist for the District Student Ambassador Award were McKenna Draves of Fond du Lac and Kaci Wendt of Waupun.

The Leadership & Service Award is reserved for members of Moraine Park’s Student Government. A student’s comprehensive level of commitment to the College and their representation of the student body through their attendance and engagement in Student Government and its related opportunities are taken into consideration during award selection.  This year’s recipients were Avery Aarmga of Waupun, Alan Bago of Menomonee Falls, Michael Breitzka of Waupun, Jacob Bryant of Beaver Dam, Amanda Burg of Appleton, Anna Callies of West Bend, Kenzie Croce of West Bend, Austin Duller of Germantown, Brent Fassbender of Fredonia, Melissa Haase of Beaver Dam, Gretchen Kirchberg of Columbus, Emily Klemm-Jacoby of Port Washington, Payton Kollmann of Malone, Brent Kroll of Crivitz, Ashley Kwakkel of Waupun, Ashley Lambert of Fond du Lac, Al Loveland of Eden, Alex Lutz of Campbellsport, Abbie Meier of Ripon, Willy Millard of Fond du Lac, Ethan Rens of Rosendale, Leonardo Sanchez of West Bend, Katie Schultz of Lomira, Barbara Turner of Beaver Dam, Haley Van Raden of West Bend, Emily Vick of Beaver Dam, Josh Wolf of West Bend, Katrina Wolfe of West Bend, and Seth Woodke of Cascade.

Student Senate leadership recognition included Dylan Jordan of Woodruff, Beaver Dam Student Senate President; Willy Mallard, Fond du Lac Student Senate President; and Haley Van Raden of West Bend, West Bend Student Senate President.

Student Government leadership for District Student Government (DSG) and Wisconsin Student Government (WSG) was Barbara Turner of Beaver Dam, DSG President.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Believe it or not, graduation is right around the corner!

Do you know someone who is graduation this year?  If so, you can congratulate them by giving them a thoughtful gift.

I’ve made a list below of some great gift ideas for 2021. Also, gifts marked with a ($) are $15 and under and ($$$) are $25-$50.

Happy gifting! 😊

• Bluetooth speaker ($$$)
• Gift card ($ or $$$)
• Candy gift basket ($)
• Basic cookbook ($)
• Mantra Band ($$$)
• Travel passport wallet ($)
• Card games ($$$)
• Planner notepads ($)
• Portable charger ($)
• Personalized cup ($$$)
• World bucket list scratch off ($$$)

Moraine Park Technical College has selected Amanda Kollmorgan, of Fond du Lac, as the 2021-22 District Student Ambassador. 

Kollmorgan, an active-duty communications security manager for the Army, came to Moraine Park to finish the college degree she started at a 4-year university. 

“I began my college journey in 2010, right after my deployment to Iraq,” she said. “I didn’t transition well and felt like another face in the crowd. I was not only looking for a great education but also a personalized experience and a place I belonged. I immediately found that at Moraine Park.” 

Kollmorgan’s role in the army prepared her for the Leadership Development program, and she was able to take her classroom knowledge and implement it in her work life. She will earn her Associate degree in Leadership Development this fall and plans to pursue a degree in Accounting as well. 

“Both of these programs align with my current and future goals,” she said. “In my retirement, I hope to own a bakery. The skills I’m learning in leadership and business will help prepare me for that big-picture goal.” 

Kollmorgan is also active on the Fond du Lac Campus, where she is a member of the Student Government, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Student Veteran Association (SVA), and Phi Theta Kappa. 

“For over 14 years, my entire identity has been the Army,” she said. “I love being a soldier, but I was also looking to be part of something more. Moraine Park has not only made me feel like a welcomed part of their family- but being here has ignited passions and goals that I did not know existed before. I am excited for my future and the opportunities it holds.” 

To be eligible for this distinction, students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member at the College, and then give a presentation to a selection committee. In total, there were three students in the final consideration for this role. 

As the selected 2021-22 District Student Ambassador, Kollmorgan will actively serve as a member of the student government, advocate for Moraine Park and the Wisconsin Technical College System as a whole, assist with College activities and events, and represent the student body within the community. 

“Being named the District Student Ambassador is a huge honor,” she said. “I look forward to advocating for my classmates and sharing the many benefits of Moraine Park and a technical college education.” 

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.