Moraine Park Technical College student, Jared Ott of Fond du Lac, placed first in the NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge, a collaborative regional pitch event, on April 29.

The NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge is an opportunity for area technical college students to display their entrepreneurial skills. Students interested in participating were required to apply by March 26. The entries were evaluated on content, delivery, visual aids, creativity, and overall persuasion. From there, the top entries advanced to the challenge event on April 29. This year’s event was held virtually. 

The students selected to represent Moraine Park at the NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge were Ott and Abby McGeehen of Berlin. Jared is a high school senior from the Fond du Lac STEM Academy who is currently enrolled as a business student through the Start College Now program. Abby is a current student, enrolled in the Business Management and Small Business/Entrepreneurship programs. Moraine Park instructor Jeff Stueber worked with the students and provided coaching.

“This event is a valuable learning opportunity for our students,” Bobbi Fields, associate dean of business and IT at Moraine Park said. “I am grateful for the many individuals at the College who helped ensure this was a successful event. Jared and Abby did an excellent job representing the college. We are proud of their efforts and wish them the best in their entrepreneurial endeavors.” 

Ott’s winning pitch was his specially designed fishing hooks that help secure live bate. Ott’s fishing hooks are already secured by a U.S. patent.

The other participating colleges were Fox Valley Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and Lakeshore Technical College.

morainepark.edu

Amanda’s Custom Cookies combine the taste of amazing along with artistic and personalized creation.  Amanda Rogers is a student at Moraine Park Technical College. She will earn her Associate degree in Small Business and Entrepreneurship this spring and plans to pursue a degree in Marketing as well.

Over the last year, using a family cut-out cookie recipe and her talents of art has grown from a hobby to a small business.  Amanda combines the taste and art in a cookie that is almost too pretty to actually eat!  Not only has she created these amazing cookies, but she also now has developed a class in which you and four of your faves can partake in her kitchen to learn and create your own cookies through a class of cookie decorating.  This two-hour class will fly by in fun and design as Amanda, herself, will guide you through the fine skills of cookie art. 

As a student at Moraine Park Technical College, Amanda was required to set up a pop-up store for her Capstone course.  Instructor, Jeff Stueber states that not only did her pop-up store held on May 1, 2021 at Stone Oak Coffee sell out of product, but her cookie business exceeds expectations of business planning and marketing.  Next time you need something unique as a gift or want to take a fun class, consider checking out Amanda’s Custom Cookies on Facebook.

Moraine Park’s State Certified Firefighter 2 and EMT classes recently held a vehicle extrication training exercise. During the event, the fire students completed a safety check of the vehicle and checking on the number of patients, vehicle stabilization, window removal, door removal, roof removal, and assisting in patient removal. This training was to help prepare the students for the fire certification test. EMT students were able to learn how to remove a patient from the vehicle and collaborate with the firefighters during an emergency. This training ties into trauma assessment for the EMT students. 

Participating Firefighter 2 students include Josiah Brath, Joshua Bartelt, Griffin Brunet, Nick Smith, Kurt Haefs, Mitch Hartmann, Mike Webber, Andrew Pike, Kate Breunig, Doug Budiac, Kerri Ostrowski,   EMT students from my class, Joanne Bernhardt, Crystal Braun, Haylee Cornelius, Dan Croft, Mark Franz, Nikkos Kanthack, Gabe Maurer, Jim Perkins, Cassandra Schultz, Erick Searvogel, Nate Stocks. 

Participating EMT students include Pamela Brunet, Caitlin Butterbaugh, Kaylee Chapman, Ella Schmidt, Janeen Williams, Sophie Willinganz, Sara Zeinert.

During the exercise, the College was able to use their new extrication equipment received through an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). This included Holmatro extrication equipment from Jefferson Fire & Equipment, and a spreader, cutter, ram, and vehicle stabilization steps.

Wally’s Auto Salvage of Beaver Dam donated the vehicle.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu. 

Students in Moraine Park’s Marketing and Social Media Management program applied their video editing skills and created 19 videos to promote local United Way agency partners in Fond du Lac, Washington and Dodge counties.

“The MPTC Community Resource Project Team was in the middle of planning an in person community resource/volunteer fair for each MPTC campus when COVID put a halt to our plans.  A new idea was how about doing it virtually?  We reached out to our Marketing and Social Media Management Instructor Sarah Ninmer, who was eager to have her Fall, 2020 students work on a service learning project.  Next we reached out to FDL, Dodge and Washington County United Ways to ask their agency partners who would like to make a video with our students?”  Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator.

“Anne contacted me with her project needs and I was so excited our class could help her and the United Way Community. The students ended up dedicating over 160 hours of their time and gained valuable real-world experiences”. Sarah Ninmer, Moraine Park Marketing and Social Media Management Instructor.

Students learned so much from this project!

“Completing this project was a great way for me to use my skills to give back to my community as well as learn more about creating ads for small business. Overall, I loved this assignment and hope to get similar experience in other classes!” Emma H., Moraine Park Marketing and Social Media Management Student

“Overall, I feel that this project was successful in helping me improve my digital design skills and it opened my awareness to new opportunities in the community.” Peyton W., Moraine Park Marketing and Social Media Management Student

United Way partners are so pleased with the project results!

“Wow!!!  What a great job on the videos. Thank your students and teacher for us. I have gotten a lot of feedback from Arc members and they are loving it.”  Bernie Hafenstein, The Arc of Dodge County

“United Way is grateful to the students and faculty at MPTC for producing a video series.  Each video features a local nonprofit agency that is funded by United Way.  They highlight the great work being done every day by nonprofit agencies to help our residents in need.  United Way funded programs served over 15,000 individuals and families last year.  United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community #UnitingForceForGood.” Kristin Brandner, Executive Director, United Way of Washington County

Moraine Park Technical College students from both the CNC Tool and Die and Electricity clubs participated virtually in the 2021 Wisconsin SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference during the week of April 12.

The CNC Tool and Die Club representatives competed in the Automated Manufacturing Technology category. Participants who earned second place are Alyssa Bidenbender of West Bend, William Fuhrmann of Fond du Lac, and Cole Duehring of West Bend. Pariticpants who earned third place are Logan Kelley of Port Washington, Brady Falk of West Bend, and Phillip Paulus of Fredonia.

Electricity Club representatives competed in the Industrial Motor Controls category and earned a complete sweep of the top three spots. Participants were Austin Seidel of West Bend, first place; Eric Helgeson of Juneau, second place; and, Seth Mckenzie of Sheboygan, third place.

Seidel will represent Moraine Park Technical College at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), June 21-24. The National event will also be held virtually.

SkillsUSA is the showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation. The philosophy of the event is to reward students for excellence, involve industry in directly evaluating student performance and keep training relevant to employers’ needs. More than 16,000 people are expected to participate in the NLSC weeklong event.

For more information about Moraine Park Technical College, visit morainepark.edu.

Graduating students from Moraine Park Technical College’s Graphic Communications, Interactive Media Design, IT – Software Developer, and Web Development & Design and Mobile Applications Developer programs will be showcasing their talents at the College’s Portfolio Showcase on Wednesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. The event will be completely online.

The Portfolio Showcase is an annual event that highlights the work these students have completed in their respective programs while at Moraine Park. The event allows them to share their projects with prospective employers, the local community and Moraine Park students and staff.

For more information on Portfolio Night event, visit morainepark.edu/portfolio-showcase.

The Moraine Park Foundation has a scholarship available for students who complete the Moraine Park GED program and are enrolled at the College for the fall 2021 semester. Two $800 scholarships will be awarded, and entries are due by May 16.

Details are listed below.

Requirements:

• Must have completed a GED/HSED at Moraine Park Technical College (this includes spring 2021 graduates).
• Must be enrolled or plan to enroll in a minimum of 6 credits for fall semester 2021.
• Must maintain a 2.75 GPA (will be checked before spring semester 2022) to receive 2^nd half of scholarship award.

Application Information:

• Applications can be completed at www.morainepark.edu/scholarships.  Click on Foundation Scholarships to access the correct application.
• Answer YES to the following question on page 2 of the application: 

“Have you received a GED/HSED from Moraine Park Technical College or are you in the process of receiving a GED/HSED from Moraine Park Technical College?”

• In order to be eligible for the GED Completer Scholarship, applications must be received no later than May 16, 2021.
• Two letters of recommendation are requested as part of your application. Requests are automatically sent to the recommenders listed on your application (you just need to provide their email address).  Please give recommenders plenty of time to complete the recommendation.
• By applying for the GED Completer Scholarship, you are eligible for ALL other Moraine Park Foundation Scholarships for 2021-2022
• Need assistance completing your application? Please call Joan at (920) 924-3281 to schedule a time to work on your application together.

TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS

Moraine Park Technical College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action College. Women, minorities, those with different abilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit morainepark.edu/nondiscrimination.

On April 15, 2021, MPTC held a virtual induction ceremony for 108 students with a GPA of 3.5 or above and 12 credits or more, who have joined Phi Theta Kappa since Fall of 2019. Each of these students received a special invitation to join the Beta Mu Kappa Honor Society Chapter at MPTC.

MPTC President Bonnie Baerwald said, “Established over 100 years ago in 1918, the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society recognizes and encourages academic achievement of students at two-year colleges.  The American Association of Community Colleges recognizes Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society of two-year colleges.  PTK is also our official academic honor society here at MPTC.   Phi Theta Kappa provides many opportunities including:

• Development of leadership and service
• An intellectual climate to exchange ideas
• Fellowship for scholars
• And the stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence

Phi Theta Kappa is an organization that has over 3.5 million members in the United States and 10 sovereign nations.  The PTK Foundation awards $1.5 million in scholarships to members each year, and the Society as a whole is dedicated to helping all students succeed.  This spring we welcome 108 students into our local Beta Mu Kappa chapter. Congratulations on your academic achievement!”

Dean of General Studies Brenda Raad explained the PTK symbolism of the torch, white rose, and golden emblem. Dr. Jim Eden, VP of Academic Affairs inducted the student participants and lead the reciting of the PTK pledge. Students were welcomed and congratulated by MPTC PTK Co-Advisors Amy Harmsen and Anne Lemke. PTK Student Representative Mollea Greylord was the keynote speaker.

Dr. Eden said, “It is my pleasure to welcome you as a new member of Phi Theta Kappa and congratulate you on your accomplishments.  I encourage you to always search for truth and to dedicate yourselves to the cultivation of lifelong education, service and honor. Each year thousands of students attend Moraine Park Technical College; today we acknowledge those whose achievement, commitment and performance deserve the highest recognition.  Congratulations new members of Phi Theta Kappa!”

Phi Theta Kappa 2021 Inductees

Moraine Park Technical College has named Stephen Peterson, of Fond du Lac, as the 2021 Distinguished Alumnus.

Peterson, a 1969 graduate from Moraine Park’s Mechanical Technology program, spent his entire career working for companies headquartered in Fond du Lac. With his college degree as a foundation, he was able to develop his leadership and technical skills while serving in domestic and international manufacturing positions.

After graduation, Peterson completed an engineering apprenticeship at Giddings & Lewis Machine Tool Co. in Fond du Lac. Throughout his 36-year career, he served in many capacities, eventually becoming the President and CEO in 2000. He retired from Giddings & Lewis in 2005 and joined Mid-States Aluminum Corp. as President and CEO. He retired from Mid-States Aluminum in 2016.

“My time in college offered me the opportunity to mature before entering the workforce,” Peterson said. “In addition to the technical classes I was studying, I was able to develop my interpersonal skills as well as my problem-solving skills in a structured environment.”

Peterson is also well known throughout the community as a generous contributor. Currently, he serves as a board member for Agnesian HealthCare and Mid-States Aluminum Corp., and as the board chairman for Society Insurance. Some of his past service work includes Fond du Lac Area Foundation board member and chairman, Fond du Lac Association of Commerce board member and chairman, Fond du Lac STEM Academy, and STEM Institute board member, and National Exchange Bank & Trust board member, as well as various industry organizations in leadership and support committee activities. Peterson was also the recipient of the 2009 C.L. Greiber Award of Merit for Outstanding Support of Career and Technical Education and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation in 2018.

“I am proud to be among the thousands of students who have used MPTC as their first step in the lifelong learning process,” he said. “The education I received opened the door for me to enter into the local workforce and have an interesting and stimulating career at world-class manufacturing companies in my hometown.  I also recognize the responsibility to support this fine institution so that it can continue to provide much-needed technical training to the next generation of workers in our community.”

Peterson’s drive, dedication, and contributions made him an obvious choice for Moraine Park’s 2021 Distinguished Alumnus distinction. He will accept his award at the May 22 commencement ceremony, where he will also serve as the alumni speaker.

For more information on Moraine Park’s Alumni Association, visit morainepark.edu/alumni.