Graduate candidates can purchase their graduation regalia (cap, gown and tassel) at any Moraine Park Campus bookstore beginning on April 10. Honor cords, Military and Veteran cords, and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) cords/stoles will be available for purchase.

Wearing of Honor and High Honor cords are based on cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) as of the end of the 2018 fall semester. No exceptions to this will be made.

• Honors is 3.5 to 3.74 GPA
• High Honors is 3.75 GPA and up

NOTE: Commencement is a formal academic ceremony. The decorating of cap and gown is discouraged.

Morainepark.edu/gradchecklist

Promoting growth and self-improvement is at the core of Moraine Park’s mission. International student Barbara Turner immediately identified this and set her sights on being a Moraine Park student.

Barbara, a current resident of Beaver Dam, came to the College from Israel. She first toured Moraine Park in the summer of 2015, when she was visiting Wisconsin to explore educational options.

“Obtaining a quality education is one of my top priorities,” Barbara said. “My parents are both highly educated and instilled in me the value of having a degree.”

She is no stranger to hard work. In Israel, she served in the army for two years and then worked in the quality control field. She was exploring local academic resources when she found the opportunity to study internationally.

“Moraine Park was an easy choice for me,” Barbara said. “There are multiple programs to choose from, the location is convenient, and the pricing is extremely reasonable.”

Since arriving in 2016, she hasn’t stopped exploring her opportunities and takes each experience as an invitation to grow and improve. She has benefited from the support of the Student Success Center and Moraine Park counselor, Karla Donahue, who has helped with her transition to life in the United States and at Moraine Park.

Barbara has also made quite an impact on her classmates and instructors at the College.

“It has been fun to watch her advance,” Mary Vogl-Rausher, an instructor at Moraine Park said. “There have been significant challenges she has had to overcome, but she always has a smile on her face. Her warm personality draws others to her.”

For these reasons and more, Barbara was selected as the 2019-20 Moraine Park District Student Ambassador. In this role, she 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.

“It is an extreme honor,” Barbara said. “I look forward to making more connections and networking with my community and peers.”

For more information, visit morainepark.edu.

Enjoy your Spring Break!

See you back on campus or online on March 25!

student.morainepark.edu

Moraine Park students recently participated in the Wisconsin Student Government Legislative Seminar and student showcase at the capital in Madison. Through this event, they had the opportunity to meet with several state legislators and share the importance of a technical college education.

Congratulations to all involved!

morainepark.edu.

We should share our similarities and celebrate our differences.

M. Scott Peck

I had the opportunity to talk candidly with three outstanding Moraine Park students. Every student who walks the halls of Moraine Park is on an individual path. As you read the stories below, it will become evident that each student has different interests and backgrounds, but what they have in common is the fact that right now they are students at Moraine Park, working hard to achieve their goals.

Linda Johnson

Linda is from Chicago, but after liking what she saw on the Moraine Park web site, she applied for the Nursing program and moved to Fond du Lac. She had attended school elsewhere previously but liked the resources, scholarships and other ways MPTC could help her accomplish her goals.

“What I enjoy most about Moraine Park is the teamwork and that everyone is so nice,” Linda said. “Everyone has made me feel very welcome, and like I can do this, I can accomplish my goals!”

Something people may not know about her?

“I was abused for most of my life,” she said. “I know I didn’t deserve that, but I’m stronger now.”

She has overcome many obstacles and has set high goals for herself. Five years she hopes to have her associate degree in nursing, own a business, as well as purchase a car and a house.”

Tierney Cayo

Tierney is from Iron River, Michigan. She has been a student here for two years and is a work-study at the Fond du Lac campus front entrance.

“I chose the IT Web Development program,” Tierney said. “Moraine Park’s program emphasizes on back end coding, which is what I was looking for. I love the smaller class sizes, and my teachers, advisor, and the staff are very nice.”

Something people may not know about her?

I like paranormal horror stories,” she said. “I also like writing them. I’m making a choose your own adventure game for one of the stories I wrote.”

Five years from now, her goal is to have her Bachelor degree in software engineering and own a video game business with her boyfriend.

Jonathan Diaz

Jonathan has been a cosmetology student at Moraine Park since last fall. He came to the College for the convenience of our location, and the cost.

“I like the great communication between staff and other students here,” he said. “Everyone knows each other.”

Something people may not know about him?

“I am a drag queen,” Jonathan said. “I have performed in Madison, Sheboygan, Neenah, and Fond du Lac.”

Jonathan’s five-year plan is to finish his cosmetology degree, work in a salon, and pursue a degree in fashion design.

“I want to make costumes and cut and style for stage performances.”

I encourage you to take a moment to say hello to the person next to you in the hallway, classroom, cafeteria, or anywhere in between. Strike up a conversation! Ask about their interests, goals, and their Moraine Park experience, you may find that you have more in common than what you think! At the very least you will meet someone new, and perhaps you will become a part of their Moraine Park journey.

Morainepark.edu

Commencement is fast approaching, and there are some important dates on the horizon.

2019 Commencement Ceremony will be on Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at the Fond du Lac High School.

Graduation Candidacy Form

This form must be filled out by all graduates, even those choosing to not participate in the commencement ceremony.

If you are participating in commencement, submit the form by March 20 for your name to appear in the program.

For non-participants or those who don’t want their name in the commencement program, forms are due by May 1.

Click here to access the form.

Stay tuned for information on regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) purchase dates and prices.

For more information on graduation, visit morainepark.edu/gradchecklist. (You will have to sign into your student account to access.)

Here is what’s happening on your campus February 4-8.

BEAVER DAM

Bingo ‘n Lunch – Monday, February 4

• 12-1 p.m., Room K-201
• Play Bingo to win!  Lots of prizes and a FREE lunch for participants.  
• Must pre-register by Thursday, 1/31 – contact Lisa in Student Life (K-323), lmanuell@morainepark.edu, 920-887-4462 or sign up on the bulletin board in the BD commons area. 

Sponsored by the Beaver Dam Student Senate.

Volleyball ‘n Dinner – Monday, February 4

• 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Serve, spike, set, block – it’s time for a volleyball game!  Join us for a game followed by free dinner afterwards (optional) and door prizes. 
• No experience necessary.  
• Players must pre-register by contacting Lisa (K-323), lmanuell@morainepark.edu, 920-887-4462 in Student Life.

Sponsored by the Beaver Dam Student Senate.

Make ‘n Take: Cookies & Milk– Wednesday, February 6

•  11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Commons Area
• Which cookies taste best dunked in milk?  From a wide variety of options, you decide!  Take a plate of your favorites, grab a glass of milk and get dunkin’.
• FREE coffee cup – while supplies last!

Sponsored by the Beaver Dam Student Senate

Student Senate Meeting- Thursday, February 7

• 12:00- 1:00 p.m., K-104
• All students welcome!

FOND DU LAC

Casino Day- Monday, February 4

•  11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., Commons Area
• Come join your fellow classmates and friends for Casino Day. Free pizza for those that participate!
• Stop by for your chance to win prizes on the Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker tables! Over $500 in prizes!
• Free for MPTC students! Must have student ID to win prizes.

Sponsored by the Fond du Lac Student Senate

Red Cross Blood Drive – Tuesday, February 5

• 9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. , Commons Area
• The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.
• For an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.
• Donors: Please park in the O parking lot and enter in the O-1 door. Continue straight down the hallway to the commons area.

BINGO – Wednesday, February 6

• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Commons Area
• Join your friends and classmates for an exciting game of B-I-N-G-O! 
• Free for students with Moraine Park Student ID.
• Come and have the chance to win fabulous prizes and hang out with your friends and classmates!

Sponsored by Fond du Lac Student Senate.

Student Senate Meeting – Thursday, February 7

• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Room A-112
• Do you want to meet new people, plan activities, make important decisions, and enhance your resume? If yes, then you should consider joining Student Senate!
• All students are welcome! Free lunch for those that attend.

WEST BEND

Free Hot Chocolate Bar– Monday, February 4

• 8:00- 11:00 a.m., Commons Area
• Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with a variety of toppings. 
• First come, first served. Free for MPTC students and staff.

Sponsored by the West Bend Student Senate.

IMD Club Poster and Calendar Sale- Monday, February 4- Wed., February 6

•  10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m., Commons Area
• The Interactive Media Design Club will be holding a poster and calendar sale from February 4 to February 6.  Stop down to the WB commons area to check out their posters and calendars!!!

Evening Bingo & Dinner– Tuesday, February 5

• 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Commons Area
• Play & Win at BINGO!! All students are invited to attend and win prizes while playing Bingo.  Gift card prizes.
• Free to students with ID, $1  for those without ID/staff (2 card limit for all). Free lunch for participants. 
• Food is first come, first served.

Sponsored by the West Bend Student Senate.

Student Senate Meeting– Thursday, February 7

• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., T-101
• All students are invited to learn more about Student Senate membership and meetings.
• Lunch provided for members and prospective members. For more information, stop by the Student Life office, L-160.2.

All Campuses

District Student Government Meeting- Friday, February 8

• 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Lomira
• District Student Government (DSG) is a college-wide student governing body that meets approximately once a month in Lomira. 
• DSG is comprised of representatives from each campus senate.
• To attend a DSG meeting or for more information, contact your Student Life Specialist.

Bookstore Hours

Monday- 8am to 6pm

Tuesday- Friday- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Food Service Hours

Monday- Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Fond du Lac Starbucks

Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Morainepark.edu/student-life

            Moraine Park Technical College’s Business Practice Firm students made a generous donation to ASTOP this holiday season. The Business Practice Firm class is a required course for business-related Associate degree programs. This year, the class developed a Marker Art Gallery business, where they created homemade arts and crafts, and then sold them on campus. Ryan Burke of Fond du Lac, Kristina Faymoville of Fond du Lac, Alyxis Hall of Oshkosh, Mikayla Kirchner of Adell, and Elizabeth Raven of Fond du Lac, worked together to develop a full business model and manage the marketing, human resources, accounting, and production. 

“The Maker Art Gallery inspired creativity,” said Amy Harmsen, business practice firm instructor. “The students worked hard to create different options that would be attractive to a wide variety of people.”

The gallery sold items such as holiday wreaths, spray paint art, hair ribbons, and drawings. On December 20, the students presented ASTOP, a sexual assault service provider that serves Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Waushara counties, with a check for $122, the full proceeds from their gallery.

“I’m proud of their work,” said Harmsen. “Not only did the students learn how to run a business, but they also helped to better their community in the process.”

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

Here is what’s happening on your campus January 21-25.