Hello Soon-to-be-Grads!

Believe it or not, we are about 3 months away from the end of our semester and our annual commencement ceremony. 

As expected, the College has had to implement changes and make hard decisions to allow for an in-person event to be executed safely.  

As previously announced, we are planning for a limited-access in-person 2021 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 22, at 10 a.m. While we are thrilled to make plans for an in-person celebration, the event will undoubtedly look different.  

Important details to note:   

• Commencement will be held at the Radisson Conference Center, 625 W. Rolling Meadows Dr., Fond du Lac.  
• To abide by local and state guidelines and to maintain appropriate distancing, guests will not be permitted into the conference center— only graduates and Moraine Park staff executing the ceremony will be permitted into the event space.  
• Family and friends will be able to view the ceremony live. An invite with the event link will be coming soon.  
• Graduate candidates must RSVP to the event. Students who are applying to earn a Technical Diploma or Associate Degree must apply for graduation by March 15 to participate in the ceremony.  
  • When applying for graduation, participation in the ceremony must be indicated on the form.  
  • College officials will monitor the participation numbers and adjust the ceremony as needed to follow appropriate safety guidelines.  
  • If you already applied, and would like to change your RSVP response, email hclark4@morainepark.edu by March 15. 
• Face coverings and temperature checks are required to enter the facility.  
• More details can be found online at MystudentMPTC. 

Please know the final details will ultimately depend on the status of COVID-19 and the recommendations from our local and state public health departments as commencement day nears. We will plan to connect with graduation applicants by early April with additional details and decisions. 

In the meantime, reach out to Heather Clark at hclark4@morainepark.edu with any questions regarding the 2021 commencement ceremony.  

Hey, 2020 Grads!

We know COVID-19 canceled our celebrations last spring, but we haven’t forgotten about you- and we still need to celebrate your huge academic milestone!

We are beginning to plan our 2021 Commencement Ceremony.

Mark your calendars for May 22, 2021 (time and location TBD).

While many of the details are still in the works- here are a few changes you should know about:

• Guests may not be permitted.
• Tickets will be required.
• Virtual viewing will be available. 

If you are planning to attend, please let us know by filling out the commencement form by January 8, 2021.

Please note: This step is required if you are wanting to participate in the 2021 ceremony.

Class of 2021- no need to fill out this form yet- we will connect with you soon!

Moraine Park Technical College has extended both their public access restrictions and mask-wearing requirements for all campuses- which will remain in effect indefinitely – but, at least through June 30, 2021. The College will remain closed to the general public, and masks will continue to be required on all campuses- even if the statewide mandate ends.

“COVID-19 exposures remain low on our campuses,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “We hope by continuing to limit the number of people on our campuses, we can ensure a successful spring 2021 semester for our students and staff- including the ability to continue in-person classes and hold our annual commencement ceremony.”

As of now, the spring 2021 semester will begin as scheduled on Monday, Jan. 25, and classes will continue to be offered in face-to-face, virtual, and online formats.

Additionally, the College plans to host their 2021 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 22- if conditions remain as they are or improve. The ceremony will be held outdoors at the Fond du Lac campus, there will be guest limitations to allow for social distancing, and a backup date will be selected in case of inclement weather.

“We are moving forward with our spring semester and planning our 2021 commencement ceremony,” Baerwald said. “While the ceremony will undoubtedly look different, we are confident that we can find a way to celebrate together safely.” 

While the College will continue to remain closed to the public, this will not affect Moraine Park’s classes, events, and activities. College leadership will continue to follow recommendations from local public health departments, as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) when making decisions for the spring 2021 semester and beyond. 

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/coronavirus.

Due to the still-evolving COVID-19 pandemic, Moraine Park Technical College has decided to postpone its 2020 commencement ceremony, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16.

While the situation is still fluid, the College is moving forward with a new commencement date of Saturday, June 27, at 10 a.m. The College is also hoping to utilize a new location for this year’s ceremony, the Beaver Dam High School Field House, 500 Gould St., Beaver Dam.

Regalia (caps, gowns and tassels) will be available for purchase through the College bookstore online. More information, including purchase dates, will be available on the student portal in the coming weeks.

The College has invited Beaver Dam Mayor Becky Glewen and Moraine Park graduate Barbara Turner to participate as speakers at the ceremony. Commencement is expected to last approximately one and a half hours. 

College officials continue to monitor state and national regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. If social distancing guidelines are still in place, further extended or enhanced, the commencement ceremony would then be canceled. If cancellation occurs, graduating students will be offered the opportunity to participate in the 2021 commencement ceremony and celebrations.

“We recognize how significant the commencement ceremony is to our graduates,” Bonnie Baerwald, president at Moraine Park Technical College, said. “Commencement is also an opportunity for families, friends, and Moraine Park employees to surround our graduates with support and offer congratulations for this momentous achievement. For these reasons, we are hopeful that by postponing the date, it will allow all of us to celebrate together.”

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

We can’t stop celebrating commencement and the many accomplishments that happened at Moraine Park this last year. To keep the party going, we have included links to all of the celebration photos.

Happy reminiscing!

2019 Commencement Ceremony

2019 GED/HSED Graduation

2019 Bootcamp Graduation

Nursing Pinning Ceremonies

Student Awards Banquet

Are you dreaming of accomplishing your educational goals? Moraine Park has many options to get you into your dream career. Find out more at morainepark.edu.

Graduate candidates can purchase their graduation regalia (cap, gown and tassel) at any Moraine Park Campus bookstore beginning on April 10. Honor cords, Military and Veteran cords, and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) cords/stoles will be available for purchase.

Wearing of Honor and High Honor cords are based on cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) as of the end of the 2018 fall semester. No exceptions to this will be made.

• Honors is 3.5 to 3.74 GPA
• High Honors is 3.75 GPA and up

NOTE: Commencement is a formal academic ceremony. The decorating of cap and gown is discouraged.

Morainepark.edu/gradchecklist

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.)

May 19 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.

Keynote speaker, John Torinus Jr., praised students for their impeccable timing, stating that the job market is heavily looking for skilled and educated workers. He also impressed on the graduates to never stop learning and challenged them to always keep moving forward.

“To be adaptable, you will need to keep on learning.  Your degree is a couple of steps toward first base, but there will be other bases to round, either at the same company or in a new career choice,” said Toriunus. “Learning is fun, it keeps us young in mind and at heart.  I thoroughly believe that the day you stop learning, is the day that you start hearing harp music from afar. For that reason, I never intend to retire.”

Joseph Jaeger, a nursing graduate and Moraine Park’s 2017-18 Student of the Year, was the featured student speaker at the event. He also encouraged graduates to keep learning, and through telling his own story, reminded everyone that it’s never too late to go after your dream career.

“We work too long and too hard in this world to be doing something we don’t find joy in.  Every day isn’t going to be great, but why not go to work with an honest smile on your face because you really don’t mind being there,” Jaeger said. “I have come to realize that if you want something bad enough, and are willing to dedicate the time and energy it takes, you really can accomplish anything.  I urge everyone to dig deep and stop ignoring the truths you know about yourself.  It’s never too late to find yourself.  It’s never too late to try something new.”

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. Dr. Kristen Finnel, 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, Employee Member Cindy Fields and Additional Member Cindy Laubenstein recognized the graduates.

Staral, who welcomed the Class of 2018 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.  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,” said Staral. “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!”

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 John Torinus Jr. as the keynote speaker for its 2018 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 19.

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