Congratulations to all of Moraine Park’s 2022 High School Art Contest winners! The winners were selected by a panel of Art/Design professionals. Artists were invited to submit their work in the following categories:

1. Sculpture
2. Digital Illustration
3. Painting
4. Traditional Illustration
5. Drawing
6. T-Shirt Design
7. Digital Photography
8. Publication Design

Winners

Best of Show: Emma Schoebel, Princeton High School for the Drawing: Lucca

Reserve Best of Show: Amber Mans, Princeton High School for the Sculpture: Amphora

Fan Favorites

Fan Favorite Painting: Amber Mans, Autumn Birch, Princeton High School

Fan Favorite Sculpture: Gwyneth Spence, Nana’s Rose, Berlin High School

Fan Favorite Digital Illustration: Jenna Twinstra, Women’s Rights Issues, Berlin High School

Fan Favorite Traditional Illustration: Bella Hooker, Shadows, Kewaskum High School

Fan Favorite T-Shirt Design: Jenna Twinstra, Be Kind to Your Mind, Berlin High School

Fan Favorite Publication Design: Allison Disch, Polaroid Title Page, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

Fan Favorite Drawing: Jenna Twinstra, Allie’s Final Bow; Ariel, Berlin High School

Fan Favorite Digital Photography: Abigail Lang, Lines of Life, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

Sculpture

1st- Amber Mans, Amphora, Princeton High School

2nd- Gwenyth Spence, Nana’s Rose, Berlin High School

3rd- Amber Mans, Colored Vase, Princeton High School

4th- Violet Daubner, Lorikeet, Berlin High School

5th- Emma Schoebel, “Chad” Zebra, Princeton High School

Digital Illustration

1st- Emma Schoebel, Sunlight Zebra, Princeton High School

2nd- Emma Schoebel, Bay Horse, Princeton High School

3rd- Cambria Branson, A Few of My Favorite Things, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

4th- Taylor Gruhlke, A Very Innocent and Not Evil Image of an Elf in the Forest, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

5th- Jenna Twinstra, Women’s Rights Issues, Berlin High School

Painting

1st- Nora Otte, Take your Broken Wings and Learn to Fly, Fond du lac High School

2nd- Ava Schultz, Portrait, Fond du Lac High School

3rd- Amber Mans, Autumn Birch, Princeton High School

4th- Hayden Mason, Aura, Fond du Lac High School

5th- Nora Otte, Western Sky, Fond du lac High School

Traditional Illustration

1st- Bella Hooker, Brick by Brick, Kewaskum High School

2nd- Bella Hooker, Shadows, Kewaskum High School

3rd- Anya Bennett Smith, Mermaid, Fond du Lac High School

4th- Amber Mans, Medusa, Princeton High School

5th- Corrie Phelan, Fond du Lac High School

Drawing

1st- Emma Schoebel, Lucca, Princeton High School

2nd- Jenna Twinstra, Allie’s Final Bow; Ariel, Berlin High School

3rd- Cambria Branson, Puppy Love, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

4th- Ava Schultz, Fond du Lac High School

5th- Corrie Phelan, Fond du Lac High School

T-Shirt Design

1st- Jenna Twinstra, Be Kind to Your Mind, Berlin High School

2nd- Emma Schoebel, Zebra, Princeton High School

3rd- Emma Schoebel, Leopard, Princeton High School

4th- Kaisha Cheers, BD Circle Shirt, Beaver Dam High School

Digital Photography

1st- Dace Branson, Echo Lake, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

2nd- Ashley Patino, Behind my Spirit, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

3rd- Ashley Patino, Inside a City, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

4th- Abigail Lang, Lines of Life, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

5th- Abigail Lang, The Spectacular Sea, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

Publication Design

1st- Kaisha Cheers, Jazz Music Festival, Beaver Dam High School

2nd- Cambria Branson, A Time to Remember, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

3rd- Allison Disch, Polaroid Title Page, Waupun Junior/Senior High School

To view all entries, visit morainepark.edu/2022-high-school-art-contest/.

Moraine Park Technical College will host Tech Knowledge College, a summer 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 9-11, at Moraine Park Technical College’s Fond du Lac campus.

The sessions for this year’s event are The Business of Drones, Rescue 9-1-1, Lego Sumo Robots, Respiratory Therapy, All About HealthCare, Courtroom is in Session, Inside the World of Law Enforcement, and Salon Techniques. The sessions are available on a first come, first served basis, and early registration is encouraged.

The cost of Tech Knowledge College is $115 and includes a choice of two sessions, a t-shirt, and a morning snack and lunch each day. The camp is held from 9 a.m. -3:15 p.m. each day.

For full details including session descriptions and registration information, visit morainepark.edu/tkc.

May 21 was a momentous day for the nearly 350 graduates who participated in Moraine Park Technical College’s commencement ceremony, held at the Fond du Lac High School Field House. In all, the College had nearly 800 graduate candidates eligible to receive their associate of applied science degrees and technical diplomas. 

Jim Spannbauer, retired President and CEO of Mid-States Aluminum, served as the keynote speaker. 

Ryan Riley, Moraine Park’s Student of the Year, was featured as the student speaker at the event. Riley graduated from Moraine Park’s Electrical Power Distribution program. He encouraged his peers to focus on running their own race and using healthy competition to fuel their motivation. 

Mike Schwab, elected official member of the Moraine Park District Board, welcomed the Class of 2022 and their guests to the ceremony. 

Dr. James Eden, vice president of Academic Affairs, presided over the presentation of candidates with the conferring of degrees and diplomas done by Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald. Brenda Raad, dean of General Studies, Barb Jascor, dean of Health and Human Services, and Bobbi Fields, dean of Applied Technology and Trades, announced the graduate candidates. 

Corey Bennett, a 2014 and 2020 Moraine Park graduate, served as the 2022 alumni commencement speaker. 

President Baerwald congratulated the graduates and extended her personal gratitude to the commencement speakers, Moraine Park District Board, Moraine Park faculty and the President’s Cabinet. 

Congratulations to all of our 2022 graduates!

View more 2022 commencement photos here.

Jeffrey Kern is driving over 1,200 miles from State College, PA, to walk the stage at Moraine Park’s Commencement Ceremony this Saturday.

Kern, originally from Hurley, WI, is graduating from Moraine Park’s online Small Business Entrepreneurship Program. He is also enrolled in MPTC’s online Business Analyst program and is set to finish in May 2023.

“There was a significant amount of global insecurity at the start of 2020,” Kern said. “This uncertainty fueled personal anxiety and depression, but it also provided a reason to further my education.”

In 2017, Kern launched a fitness application called BOSS Running. Unfortunately, he did not find as much success as he had hoped. He was able to financially rebuild from 2018-2020 working in other jobs, but his mind always remained on his app.

“BOSS Running was always on my mind,” Kern said. “I wanted to know what I did wrong and how I could prevent making similar mistakes in the future. Knowing this, I began researching schools that offered degrees in Entrepreneurship.”

He found Moraine Park through researching various universities and programs.

“Moraine Park Technical College offered was the best option from the schools I researched,” he said. “MPTC had positive online reviews, the highest graduation rate, a simple application process, and offered an online program in Entrepreneurship with specific prescribed classes with minimal electives.”

Kern started a new job at Travelers Insurance as a Software Engineer earlier this year. In June, he will make the move to Hartford, CT, to start his next chapter and work with his colleagues in person.

“Despite the challenges thrown at me, I’ve never lost sight of who I am as a person or what makes me unique,” Kern said. “Not only that, I’m thriving. I lost 35 lbs of weight during the pandemic, but I have gained the ability to be assertive and to argue for what is right and kind. Walking the stage signifies the start of a new chapter in my life, one where past trauma can no longer hold me back.”

Learn more about Moraine Park’s Small Business Entrepreneurship program.

Moraine Park Technical College has announced Jim Spannbauer, of Fond du Lac, as the keynote speaker for the 2022 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 21 at the Fond du Lac High School.

Spannbauer has held various positions with progressive experience during his 33-year tenure at Fives Giddings & Lewis in Fond du Lac. He started as a Machinist Apprentice, then advanced to many positions including Application Engineer, Technical Writer & Instructor, Six Sigma Black Belt, Director of Assembly, Director of Sales and International Sales, VP of Operations and finally VP and General Manager of the Fives facility in Hebron, Kentucky. The last 6 years, he served as the President and CEO of Mid-States Aluminum in Fond du Lac, growing the business while always putting people first. Spannbauer retired on April 1.

Spannbauer is a Moraine Park Alumni, where he holds a diploma in Machine Tool Operations, an associate degree in Industrial Engineering and completed a 4-year apprenticeship to become a Journeyman Machinist.

Outside of work, Spannbauer belongs to the Fond du Lac Yacht Club and Knights of Columbus. He has served on the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corp. and Envision Greater Fond du Lac boards and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club and the Columbian Club. Spannbauer is a native of Fond du Lac, married to the love of his life Debbie, and has two beautiful grown daughters, Katie and Melissa. In his free time, he enjoys boating, fishing, woodworking and traveling.

Nearly 800 graduate candidates will be receiving Associate of Applied Science degrees and technical diplomas, with over 350 graduate candidates expected to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, will preside over the ceremony.

Moraine Park has named James Flood as the College’s 2022 Distinguished Alumnus.

Flood grew up on a farm in the countryside of Eden and graduated from Campbellsport High School in 1969. He went on to pursue a marketing degree at the College, then known as Moraine Park Technical Institute, and graduated with his associate degree in 1972. 

“My time at Moraine Park gave me my education, but it also provided me with contacts and a network that opened up doors I would never have dreamed of,” Flood said. 

Flood has spent almost 50 years living, working and serving in the Fond du Lac area. 

After earning his associate degree, he began selling cars at Holiday Olds in Fond du Lac. In 1979, he was able to buy into the business with two partners and became Vice President of Holiday GM until 2002, when he sold his shares to his business partner, Mike Shannon. Soon after, he bought shares of Holiday Dodge, became President, and expanded the business by adding Chrysler and Jeep franchises. 

Flood retired in 2015 but has remained active in serving his community. He served on the Moraine Park Technical College Foundation Board for 10 years in various positions, spending his final two years as board president. Most notably, he served on the Moraine Park Promise program campaign cabinet that raised $1.2 million for student scholarships. 

Outside of the College, Flood has served multiple positions on the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Board, including the president. Flood is currently a member of the North Fond du Lac Optimist Club, the Wisconsin Auto and Truck Dealers Association Board, and is a long-standing leader at his church. 

“My advice to current students who are entering the workforce is to find a career you enjoy,” he said. “And when you do, find the courage and the ambition to take on opportunities that will grow and advance your career.” 

Flood’s drive, dedication, and contributions made him an obvious choice for Moraine Park’s 2022 Distinguished Alumnus. He will accept his award at the May 13 student awards banquet. 

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

Moraine Park Technical College has made the difficult decision to postpone Tech Knowledge College (TKC) until 2022. The COVID-19 situation is still very fluid, and the safety and well being of our entire communities remain a top priority.

We appreciate the continued community support around this great summer camp opportunity, and stay tuned for information on TKC 2022.

Sign up for our newsletter at morainepark.edu/tkc to receive information on TKC.