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.

Dear Moraine Park Graduate Candidates,

Your momentous day is fast approaching. Make sure you’re ready for our in-person commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m.  
Things To Do Now:

• If you haven’t already- order your regalia (cap and gown) at https://morainepark.shopoakhalli.com/ by April 30. No late orders will be accepted.
• As a reminder, we have new regalia colors; our cap and gowns are now black.
• Honors cords will be distributed at commencement to students who qualify for the distinction. 
• Invite your family and friends.
• There are no COVID-19 capacity restrictions!
• The event will still be live-streamed at morainepark.edu/commencement.

On Commencement Day:

• Report to the Fond du Lac High School by 9 a.m on May 21.
• Don’t forget your cap and gown!
• Make arrangements for your personal belongings. We will not have access to the staging rooms after the ceremony.
• Share your day on social by using #HomeGrownGrad.

More details can be found online at myMPTC Student.
For questions regarding the 2022 commencement ceremony, contact the Planning Team at mptcgraduation@morainepark.edu. 
We look forward to celebrating together soon.  

As a result of the still-evolving COVID-19 pandemic, Moraine Park Technical College has decided to cancel its 2020 commencement ceremony. 

In early April, following the initial Safer at Home order, the College announced an alternative date for this year’s ceremony with a disclaimer that if social distancing requirements were still in effect, the event would be canceled. Today, the COVID-19 situation remains very fluid, with many unknowns around the reopening of the state, and with the announcement of Gov. Tony Evers extension of the Safer at Home order and his Badger Bounce Back requirements for reopening the state, the College will be unable to hold a large celebration on June 27.

“Moraine Park had the highest hopes to hold a ceremony this year,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “However, the safety of our students, employees, and communities is of the utmost importance to us. With so many unknowns and safety at the forefront, this is just the right thing to do.” 

Baerwald shared a personal announcement with graduates on Wednesday morning that acknowledged their accomplishments, congratulated them on their graduation and detailed how the College plans to help them celebrate from a distance.  

“It is no secret that this historic time has resulted in the loss of many things for many people, but our student’s newly gained college degree is not one of those things,” Baerwald said. “They have worked countless hours and devoted years of their lives to better themselves, and we will still celebrate them.”  

Additionally, Baerwald extended a personal invitation to the graduates to participate in next year’s ceremony, scheduled for May 2021. 

 For Moraine Park’s COVID-19 updates, visit morainepark.edu/coronavirus. 

May 18 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.

 Rick Parks, CEO of Society Insurance served as the keynote speaker. He encouraged the new graduates to do something worthwhile, work with and for people that had earned their respect, be passionate about what they do, find ways to give back, and always be humble.  

“If you live your life by working with people you respect, doing something worthwhile, and giving back, I can all but guarantee you will be successful,” Parks said. “That may be defined by financial gain and notoriety or perhaps it may simply be the respect offered to those that selflessly do good work. Regardless, you will be successful. When you reach this point, be humble.”

Aurelio Rosas, a three time Moraine Park graduate and current student in the Medical Office Specialist program was the featured student speaker at the event. Through telling his own story, he reminded everyone that it’s never too late to go after your dream career and that education is ageless.

“Your Moraine Park education is one of the best gifts you could have ever given to yourself,” Rosas said. “No matter where you go, or what you do, the knowledge that you have obtained can never be taken from you. After you leave here today, you will officially be a college graduate with a technical diploma or associates degree. You are now more attractive to prospective employers, and in many cases, you will have multiple options for your career path. Your degree is step one on a long career path.”

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 Health and Human Services, and Dr. Fred Rice, dean of Applied Technology and Trades, announced the graduate candidates. From the Moraine Park District Board, Chairperson Mike Staral, Secretary Lowell Prill Employee Member Cindy Fields, Additional Member Cindy Laubenstein, and Elected Official Member Mike Schwab recognized the graduates.

Staral, who welcomed the Class of 2019 and their guests to the ceremony, congratulated the graduates and their families on their accomplishments and encouraged them to keep moving forward.

“This ceremony is symbolic in many ways,” Staral said. “It does mark the fulfillment of your commitment to earn a credential.  It proves that the hard work, perseverance, and dedication has paid off.  It does mean a lot to those who have supported you through this journey.  They’re proud of you, and today is a celebration for them as well.  This ceremony does not end your education.  Moving forward in your career means constant learning and growing.  Work hard, be open, and embrace this!  You’ll be surprised where it will take you!”

 Staral, also a 1978 Moraine Park alumnus, served as the alumni commencement speaker.

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

Moraine Park Technical College was established in 1912 and is one of 16 technical college districts that make up the Wisconsin Technical College System. With campuses in Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, and West Bend, the College offers more than 100 associate of applied science degrees, technical diplomas, apprenticeships and certificates delivered in a variety of formats — classroom, online and blended. Training and technical assistance for businesses are also offered.

To learn more about Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

To view more photos from the 2018 Commencement Ceremony, go to facebook.com/moraineparktech.

Moraine Park Technical College has announced Rick Parks, President & Chief Executive Officer of Society Insurance, as the keynote speaker for the 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 18.

Parks is from the small farming town of New Washington, Indiana. He earned an academic scholarship to attend Indiana State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with Cum Laude recognition.  Parks is a first-generation college grad, and his father was a first-generation high school graduate.

He joined Society Insurance as Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer in 2005, was elected to Society’s Board of Directors in 2008, and assumed his current role in 2011.

Parks currently serves the community as a member of the Fond du Lac Noon Rotary Club, a chair for Governor Evers’ Property Casualty Insurance Advisory Council, a member of the Board of Directors of the American Property Casualty Insurers of America, and serves on the Workers Compensation Council for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

Moraine Park’s 2019 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the Fond du Lac High School field house. Nearly 800 graduate candidates will be receiving associate of applied science degrees and technical diplomas, with approximately 350 graduate candidates expected to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, will preside over the ceremony.

To find out more about Moraine Park visit 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.)

The scene told many stories as roughly 350 Moraine Park Technical College students walked up to the commencement stage on Saturday, May 21, soaked in the moment, and one-by-one wrapped their hands around a diploma – their diploma.

Relief. Pride. Validation. Fulfillment. Gratitude. Pure, unbridled joy.  These emotions and more were readily on display at Moraine Park’s 2016 Commencement Ceremony in the Fond du Lac High School Field House. But amidst an eclectic mix of smiles and tears – whether seen on the faces of those on stage or from proud family members watching on – there was one unifying truth to connect all these journeys. Continue reading