Edi Gbordzi came to Fond du Lac looking to find a place to call home and an extended family of friends and supporters. In 2001, he immigrated from Ghana, West Africa, to Madison, Wisconsin. There he taught and performed African dance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and throughout the community.

“A goal in coming to the U.S. was to go back to school and become connected in my community,” Gbordzi said. “Teaching the art of African dance allowed me to be surrounded with others who had those same goals. This support group continued to motivate me.”

Gbordzi later relocated to California and welcomed his two children. In 2011, they moved to Fond du Lac to be closer to family. Once Gbordzi got settled in the area, he decided it was time to act upon his goal to pursue higher education. He connected with the Student Success Center at Moraine Park to begin his journey.

I learned that my transcripts from Africa didn’t cover all the areas needed for a GED diploma here in the United States,” he said. “At first, that was frustrating, but the staff were so helpful and great to work with. I ended up learning too much and that prepared me to further my education.”

In spring 2019, Gbordzi earned his GED diploma and decided to enroll in the Business Management associate degree program at the College.

“My parents owned their own business in Africa for many years,” Gbordzi said. “Their years of hard work inspired me to follow in their footsteps and pursue a business degree.”

Gbordzi is embracing the full college experience and has become a familiar face on the Fond du Lac campus.

“I enjoy being involved,” he said. “I am a member of student senate, diversity club and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Club. I also enjoy volunteering and participating in student life events.”

Gbordzi is a dedicated student and was awarded the Basic Education Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year.

“I’m grateful Moraine Park offered me a place to learn and grow,” Gbordzi said. “My overall goal is to find a good job so I can support my family. It is also important to me to continue learning. Moraine Park is helping to prepare me for both my future career and higher educational opportunities.”

Gbordzi is scheduled to graduate in May 2022 and looks forward to influencing the local communities.

Read more stories like Edi’s in our Fall 2021 Next Magazine.

            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.

Maker Art Gallery is coming to an end!  Only ONE more Thursday left to purchase one of a kind art created locally by Moraine Park students and a Fond du Lac High school student.  Maker Art Gallery inspires creativity to shine through different dimensions by offering different types of art such as spray paint art, wreaths, hair ribbons, and drawings.

Maker Art Gallery is open on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Final day is December 13.) They are located in front of the cafeteria on the Fond du Lac campus. Discounted art!

A portion of the proceeds will go to ASTOP.

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

Maker Art Gallery was founded by five Business Practice Firm students from a variety of program areas. Maker Art Gallery specializes in selling handmade arts and crafts at an affordable rate. They inspire creativity to shine through different dimensions by offering different types of art such as spray paint art, wreaths, and drawings.

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The Business Practice Firm class requires students to explore the real business world within a classroom setting.

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This past semester (fall 2017) a group of talented students from the Business Practice Firm class were given the task of creating a business and selling a product in order to profit from the work. The class collaborated on many small business ideas, ultimately deciding on a candle company. With the holiday season in full swing, they decided candles not only make great gifts, but they become increasingly popular as the cooler winter months approach.

Like an “actual” business, students had many different roles: Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting and Production. Departments met each week to share their progress and brainstorm any potential issues and prepare for the week ahead.

The candles were homemade with soy wax in a variety of fragrances and colors. The scents included caramel apple, cranberry, pumpkin spice, and vanilla; and, were produced in the Moraine Park Technical College kitchen by the Production Team.

All of the proceeds – $688.20 – were donated to those affected by the 2017 Hurricane Disasters; specifically, All Hands Volunteers.

Click here to learn more about the class!

Our Business Practice Firm class requires us to explore the real business world within a classroom setting.  Our team collaborated on many small business ideas, ultimately deciding on a candle company.  With the holiday season upon us, we decided candles not only make great gifts, but they become increasingly popular as we near the cooler winter months. Continue reading

Sarah Spang graduated from Moraine Park twice!  Her determination to succeed and grow lead her to continuing her education with Ottawa University where she is pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a leadership development concentration.  She credits Moraine Park for helping her gain confidence and discover what she really wanted to do with her life.  Here’s Sarah’s story in her own words. Continue reading

Courtney Hoffman recently moved to West Bend from Shawano seeking new job opportunities and an education. She has chosen to pursue the Business Management with emphasis on Management and Supervision degree at Moraine Park Technical College. Hoffman has had a positive experience at Moraine park with both online and face-to-face classes and stated that all of her instructors have been helpful, responsive and motivating. Continue reading