The 2019-20 school year saw Moraine Park establish and present its inaugural Employee Community Engagement Awards.

In all, seven employees were recognized, with recipients earning gold, silver and bronze awards. “The goal of community engagement at Moraine Park is to make an impact on and give back to our communities, and to build and grow partnerships within our communities,” said Judy Urben, communications manager for the College. “We were very pleased to be able to present this award to a solid group of employees in just our first year.”

Award winners were announced in May 2020 with awards presented in fall. “Being engaged with your community is rewarding and a great way to give back,” said Brenda Raad, dean of General Studies, who received the Gold Award. “I appreciate working for an employer that encourages community engagement. My service has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader and has served as the impetus for many mutual collaborations between MPTC, the YMCA, Froedtert Health, and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets.”

The following MPTC employees received awards at the designated levels based on hours earned from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019:

• Gold – 100-199 Hours:  Brenda Raad, Dean of General Studies
• Silver – 50-99 Hours:  Bradley Mitchell, Recruiter; Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator; Amy Wiedmeyer, Disability Resources Specialist
• Bronze – 25-49 Hours: Donna Freund, Payroll Manager; Kim Spartz, Admin Assistant, Health & Human Services; Rachel Tease, Basic Ed Instructor.

Feature photo caption: MPTC employees were awarded for their 2019 Employee Community Engagement efforts. Pictured left to right are Steve Pepper, Community Engagement cross functional team member and award presenter; Kim Spartz, Admin Assistant, Health & Human Services, Bronze; Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator, Silver; Donna Freund, Payroll Manager, Bronze; Brenda Raad, Dean of General Studies, Gold.

Growing up in a small town, going to the county fair was something my friends and I always looked forward to! It was the place nearly everyone from the community gathered to check out a child, friend or neighbor’s 4-H project, listened to music or visited the barns to see animals.  

This year, Moraine Park was proud to be a fair sponsor at three of the counties that make up the MPTC District. Moraine Park Day at the Washington County Fair was a lot of fun and gave us a chance to engage with young and old alike. Visitors were able to spin the Diversity Wheel for prizes, (Did you know more than 22 different languages are spoken at our three campuses?), talk to our Veterans Specialist, try their skills on our virtual welder, play a game of bags or share a high five with MPTC mascot, Maximus!  

We were thrilled that Alex Prunty, 2018 Slinger Speedway Super Late Model Champion, and MPTC alumnus, hung out with us for the day with his #11 race car. Visitors were able get Alex’s autograph, collect some APR swag and even get inside his car! Alex was a big hit!  

We also were pleased to sponsor the tractor and demo derby at the Green Lake County Free Fair and the Pig, Duck and Goat races at one of three Family Stages at the Dodge County Fair. That’s the best thing about a county fair – there’s fun for everyone! If you were at any of these three fairs, I hope you were able to stop by our booth and say hello, or enjoy the great entertainment these community events have to offer. We were glad to be able to be a part of it!

Even amidst year-end projects, assignments and final exams, students found time to volunteer for three community service projects.

Over the course of three days, more than 35 students participated in Student Senate’s sponsored Habitat for Humanity build days. On May 2, members of the Electrical Power Distribution Club worked on silt fencing and stone veneering for an almost-finished house in Juneau. On May 10, different members of the same club painted a shed and backyard fences for a home in Beaver Dam.  And the day before, May 9, members from the Student Nurses Association, Donut Club, Beaver Dam Student Senate, and Welding club painted fences for a home in Beaver Dam.
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