For Moraine Park, this past year has been one of monumental change, growth, and excitement. Before we jump into the new year, let’s take a look back at some of the College’s greatest hits of 2022!

In January, we kicked off our year celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, (MLK) Literacy Week where we donated more than 500 culturally responsive books to three local elementary schools.

In February, Moraine Park and Kreilkamp Trucking combined efforts to create the Wisconsin Regional Truck Driving Academy (WRTDA), a unique career opportunity to help respond to workforce shortages. The first cohort graduated in April.

With Spring came the historic decision made by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents to allow technical colleges to offer Associate of arts and Associate of science degrees. Since then, Moraine Park has signed articulation agreements with Lakeland University, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Green Bay.

In May we had almost 800 graduate candidates eligible to receive their associate degrees and technical diplomas at the Spring Commencement Ceremony.

In August, we were visited by Governor Tony Evers, who hosted a roundtable discussion on our Fond du Lac campus. 

The very next week, the College excitedly hosted the return of Tech Knowledge College summer camp. 60 middle schoolers joined us on campus for three days of hands-on fun.

In September, we announced two new programs coming to Moraine Park: IT Applications Support Specialist & Finance & Insurance Services Specialist.

To end the year on a high note, we celebrated the monumental passing of our $55 million referendum and held our first annual winter commencement ceremony recognizing nearly 100 graduates.

We look forward to another fantastic year in 2023!

Earlier this month, students from Fond du Lac High School participated in ‘Reality Day’ at the Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac Campus conference center as part of their personal finance class.

The event provided a virtual simulated experience where students were challenged to manage their finances as they navigated through real-life scenarios. The students chose their careers and had a set income to work with throughout the exercise. Some expenses they were tasked to work through included children, transportation, clothing, leisure and entertainment, charitable giving and more.

For some students, managing their finances made them think twice about their future careers and spending habits. Sam Giese, a Fond du Lac High School senior, reflected on her experience. “I ended up with -$286,” she said. “One thing I learned is I want to make more money than an author, which is the job I chose for the day.”

Moraine Park employee volunteers were stationed throughout the conference center to advise students as needed.

“I chose to volunteer for Reality Day because it’s a great experience for the students,” Cynthia Collins, Moraine Park Leadership Development Instructor, said. “As instructors, it’s important to interact with area high school students to build relationships and share insight. For many students, Reality Day is eye-opening and can be scary when they think about their futures, so it’s great to be able to guide them through it and answer any questions they have.”

Fond du Lac High School finance teacher, John Quella, encouraged students to make connections and ask thoughtful questions as they worked through the exercise.

“Never throw anyone off of your island of support, and always think about what’s in your best interest,” Quella told his students. “Constantly build up your references and resume, and create a network of people you can turn to later on.”

The event was in partnership with CESA 6, a non-profit, member-driven cooperative educational service agency headquartered in Oshkosh, WI.

Workforce shortages, rising costs and high product demands are propelling area businesses to boost efficiency through Lean efforts. To that end, 11 area business professionals explored ways to eliminate waste, improve production quality and work more efficiently through Moraine Park’s Six Sigma Green Belt certification training.

Class members presented their final projects Monday, November 14, 2022, and received their certifications upon successfully completing the program. Program participants included Joel Arend, Whisker LLC; Jacinda Buss, Richelieu Foods Inc.; Kenneth Beckrow III, Tenneco; Andrew Ford, Alliance Laundry Systems; Cody Genthe, Keiding Inc.; Laura Libera, Grande Cheese Company; Bethany Newsome, Tenneco; Jinal Patel, Centro Inc.; Brian Rosik, Plastic Components Inc., a division of Rosti; Jon Vogt, Alliance Laundry Systems; and Travis Wuesthoff, Amsted Automotive. Presentations took place on the Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac campus with business representatives, sponsors and project champions attending.

The participants completed independent class projects, which included how variability in quality measures affect the final product; efforts in reducing scrap, defective components and production change-over time; ways to optimize the packing process; and how to increase throughput on a profitable production line. Participants that calculated a cost savings as part of their project averaged a $168,800 return on investment for such things as reduced scrap, the cost of escape due to shipping defective components and missed production opportunities.

Six Sigma training provides participants with techniques and tools needed to improve processes that results in better business performance. MPTC will be offering its next Six Sigma Green Belt Certification training on Mondays February 20-May 22, 2023. The deadline to register is January 31, 2023. For those who have completed Green Belt Certification, MPTC will offer a Black Belt Program from January 30-March 6, 2023. The deadline to register is January 6, 2023.

To register for either training, email training@morainepark.edu or call 920-924-3449.

Last week, Dec. 16, Moraine Park Technical College held its first annual winter commencement ceremony celebrating almost 180 graduates. Commencement was held at Moraine Park’s conference center on the Fond du Lac Campus. 

President Bonnie Baerwald presided over the ceremony and extended her congratulations to the graduates and gratitude to the commencement speakers, Moraine Park District Board, Moraine Park faculty, and the President’s Cabinet. 

“This evening we are gathered to honor the students of the graduating class of 2022–the students whose desire for learning and aspirations for a better life led them to Moraine Park,” President Baerwald said.

Paul Reetz, Owner of Integrity Saw and Tool, served as the keynote speaker; Wesley Kane, Moraine Park’s 2021-22 District Student Ambassador was the student speaker; and Stephanie Dahlke, a 2014 Moraine Park alumna served as the alumni speaker. 

“Grit is not the prettiest way to get through life, but it gets the job done,” Kane said. “Whether it was staying up for 36 hours to finish an operation or burning the midnight oil submitting that essay, grit has gotten me to where I am today–a Sergeant in the Marine Core, a homeowner, a dog dad, a graduate of Moraine Park, and a better human.” 

More photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAjvou.

Moraine Park Technical College held its fall 2022 Manufacturing Skills Academy completion ceremony on Friday, December 9. A total of six students finished the Welding program.

This program was designed to combat the skilled worker shortage by offering a variety of boot camp sessions. The boot camp sessions are free to participants, teach skills that are unique to a particular pathway, and connect students with area employers. The program also combines a 144-hour paid internship with coursework, including Occupational Math, Print Reading, Team Building, Problem Solving, and program-specific courses.

The students who completed the Welding boot camp are Christian Muchka of Fond du Lac, Joe Nault of North Fond du Lac, Nathan Preciado of Fond du Lac, Kaleb Ransom of Fond du Lac, Emmanuel Saucedo of West Bend and Oliver Sterling of Columbus.

Participating internship sites for this session were Wabash, Bradley Corporation and Sam’s Well Drilling.

This year’s graduation speaker was Christian Muchka of Fond du Lac. Muchka completed his internship at Wabash.

Moraine Park has had over 400 participants in the Welding and CNC boot camp programs since its induction in 2012. The bootcamps are free to participating students, thanks to financial support from community resource partners and the Workforce and Training (WAT) grants.

Registrations for the spring 2023 boot camp program are now being accepted. For more information, visit morainepark.edu/bootcamps.

Patients in the Milwaukee Children’s Hospital will keep a little warmer this winter thanks to Moraine Park students and volunteers.

Last week, the Moraine Park West Bend Student Senate and CNC club sponsored a blanket-making event that produced 30 blankets. The blankets will be dropped off at Children’s Milwaukee after the holidays.

“Senate Secretary, Sara Dzierzewski, was familiar with the hospital’s annual blanket drive,” Andy Dionne, student senate president at the West Bend Campus, said. “Our senate unanimously agreed that an event to make tie-blankets for the children’s hospital would be a simple and fun way to give back to our community. Next semester, our senate plans to have more events involving charities and community service, including the possible renovation of a local park.”

Participating volunteers included members of Student Senate, several CNC students, MPTC employees, and many others.

“It was a lot of fun and so rewarding to see students and employees working alongside each other on something so generous,” Kim Schwamn, director of student development at Moraine Park, said.

Learn more about Moraine Park’s student government at morainepark.edu/experience-mptc/student-life/student-government/.

Moraine Park Technical College will again host Tech Knowledge College (TKC) this summer, a camp for students entering grades 6 to 8. This event gives participants an interactive look at the skills and careers needed today and in the future. Registration is now open for this annual three-day camp, held August 8-10, at Moraine Park Technical College’s Fond du Lac campus.

Get ready- Registration opens on January 2!

The 2023 sessions can be viewed here. The sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and early registration is encouraged.

The cost of TKC is $115 and includes a choice of two sessions, a t-shirt, and a morning snack and lunch each day.

About 2023

• More sessions to choose from!
• Bussing available from Beaver Dam and West Bend Campuses.
• Register early- sessions fill fast!
• After registration, visit the getting ready for camp link!

For full details, visit morainepark.edu/tkc.

December 16 is a momentous day for our fall 2022 graduates. For one student in particular, this day has been long-anticipated.

Colleen Hoth-Jaquet, of Horicon, started her journey into healthcare as a lifeguard when she was very young. Even after a knee injury and knowing healthcare requires standing for long periods of time, she still wanted to continue, but that was not the only obstacle she would face.

Growing up, Colleen never thought she was smart enough to pursue nursing, and she did not have the support to even consider the possibility. So, she found success doing other things. She became an art teacher for the Girls and Boy’s Club, worked in aquatics, and worked at a youth camp. Eventually, she came to Moraine Park to pursue the Medical Assistant program and began working as a LPN at Aurora Health in the Urgent Care unit. 

“I love helping people and showing them they have a support system in a place that can be really scary,” Hoth-Jaquet said. “I especially love working with kids and teaching them that being hurt is only temporary.”

In 2020, she returned to Moraine Park to pursue a degree in nursing. After graduation, she hopes to transition to an RN and eventually earn her bachelor’s degree.

“I want to show my kids that wherever they’re at in life, they can always achieve their goals,” Hoth-Jaquet said.

Congratulations to all of our fall 2022 graduates!

Earlier this week, Moraine Park first-year Culinary Arts students hosted their first public event–The Food Truck Challenge.

The students were tasked with creating their own food truck menu. There were five students participating. Moraine Park employees were invited to sample each vendor and leave a tip to vote for their favorite team.

The Culinary students selected their menus two weeks ago and had five hours to prepare their dishes.

The Food Truck Challenge winner was LuAnne Salmon, who made Szechuan chicken with spicy peanut sauce, fried rice, and Thai beef cucumber salad. LuAnne has always had a love for cooking and considered opening her own food truck 10 years ago. The items she made at the Food Truck Challenge were going to be on her menu. Although she never opened her food truck, she has had time to prepare the food to perfection.

The Food Truck Challenge participants and their dishes:

LuAnne Salmon, Asian theme: Szechuan chicken with spicy peanut sauce, fried rice, and Thai beef cucumber salad

Calesha Krenzke, Nigerian theme: Chicken and beef suya with a red cabbage side salad

Preston Schmuho, Spanish theme: Beef empanadas and two salsas

Mia Mihajlovic, Serbian theme: Gibanica (egg-based pastry), Cevaps (beef and pork meatballs), and Ajvar (red bell pepper and eggplant puree sauce)

Alex Kollaszar, comfort foods: Creamy sweet potato soup and panini with salami, hot ham, mozzarella, and a tomato-mayo sauce

For more information about Moraine Park’s Culinary Arts program, visit morainepark.edu/academics/programs/culinary-arts/.