The Moraine Park Foundation has received a $6,000 certified nursing assistant (CNA) scholarship gift from SSM Health. The scholarship is given on behalf of SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital and SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital. The donation will allow the Foundation to provide scholarships for students seeking to become CNAs. 

“Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) represent an essential part of the patient-care team,” according to Nicole Gill, vice president – Patient Care Services & chief nursing officer, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital and SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital. “In assisting the medical staff, CNAs not only provide physical care for patients but also emotional and spiritual support, truly making a difference in the lives of patients and families.  SSM Health values the CNA profession and is honored to help support the career in our communities.”

The scholarship is one way that the SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Region can meet a growing demand for CNAs.

“These clinicians play a vital role on our care delivery team working closely with patients to ensure their physical and emotional needs are met,” Tami Schattschneider, vice president Patient Care Services/chief nursing officer, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital. “St. Agnes deeply appreciates the value that CNAs bring to the care we provide and is pleased to partner with The Moraine Park Foundation to provide financial support through scholarships for those who have chosen this noble career path.”

Moraine Park’s Nursing Assistant training prepares students for work as nursing assistants by teaching the foundations of how to communicate and interact with patients, family and co-workers, maintain and protect client rights, and record observations. Students also learn ethical and legal responsibilities of nursing assistants, how to provide safe care for a diverse population, assist clients with long-term, disabling conditions, and more. The program also prepares students to take the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry exam through a combination of more than 75 hours of classroom theory, laboratory work and clinical experience. 

“SSM Health is a generous partner in providing scholarship funds that make education affordable for Moraine Park students,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park, said. “Their gift also ensures there is a pipeline of talented healthcare professionals to fill workforce needs in our local communities.”

For more information about Moraine Park Foundation scholarships, visit morainepark.edu/scholarships.

Moraine Park Technical College Foundation will be able to award 15 students with one-time scholarships thanks to the success of The Ledge Games 2018, which raised $7,500.

This family-friendly competition, held in Eden, challenges participants in a series of lumberjack activities such as caber toss, hammer toss, archery, keg toss, speed chop, and ax throw. One hundred percent of event proceeds support The Ledge Games scholarship, established through the Moraine Park Foundation, which focuses on engineering, manufacturing, and technology programs at Moraine Park. The event is co-founded by Josh Michels, of Fond du Lac and Tyler Oestreich, of Eden.

“Both Josh and I are in the manufacturing industry, ” said Tyler Oestreich, co-founder of The Ledge Games. “We are proud to contribute the proceeds to Moraine Park. Our local economy greatly depends on manufacturing skill sets, and we see the value in educating and supporting the manufacturing workforce locally. Moraine Park’s students take the skill sets they learn to local manufacturing companies in Fond du Lac and the surrounding areas to continue to innovate and keep the local economy strong.”

Students enrolling in engineering, manufacturing or technology for the 2019-2020 school year are eligible to apply for this scholarship. To be considered for a Foundation scholarship, students must have a Moraine Park Technical College cumulative or high school GPA of 2.75 or higher and enroll in a minimum of six credits per semester. Application deadline is April 15 for high school seniors and May 26 for all other applicants.

To apply for The Ledge Games scholarship, or for more information on other Moraine Park scholarships, visit morainepark.edu/scholarships.

The 2019 Ledge Games are scheduled for Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on this event and how to help benefit this scholarship, visit theledgegames.com.

Alex Prunty (left) awards Zach Prunty (right) with the 2018 Alex Prunty Racing scholarship.

Congratulations Zach Prunty, winner of Moraine Park Technical College’s Alex Prunty Racing $500 Scholarship!

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Moraine Park Foundation receives a generous donation from National Exchange Bank Foundation. From left to right, Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park Technical College; Peter Stone, chairman of the board at National Exchange Bank & Trust; Adam Stone, senior vice president at National Exchange Bank & Trust; Bonnie Baerwald, president at Moraine Park Technical College.

The Moraine Park Foundation has received support from a long-time community partner, the National Exchange Bank Foundation, with a $50,000 contribution to benefit low and middle-income students.

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Moraine Park Technical College will be able to award 15 students with one-time scholarships thanks to the success of the 2017 Man of the Ledge event, which raised nearly $8,000.

The family-friendly competition, held in Eden, challenges participants in a series of lumberjack activities. One hundred percent of event proceeds support the Man of the Ledge Scholarship, established through the Moraine Park Foundation. This scholarship, which works to make education more accessible and affordable for students, focuses on engineering, manufacturing, and technology at Moraine Park.

“We started this event because we have a lot of fun doing it, ” said Tyler Oestreich, co-founder of Man of the Ledge. “It’s hard to beat spending a Saturday in October outside with great people, competing in out of the ordinary events, all while raising money for local tech education.”

Man of the Ledge 2018 is scheduled for Saturday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on this event and how to help benefit the Man of the Ledge scholarship, please visit manoftheledge.com.

Individuals enrolling in engineering, manufacturing or technology for the 2018-2019 school year are eligible to apply for this scholarship.  To be considered for a Foundation scholarship, students must have a Moraine Park Technical College cumulative or high school GPA of 2.75 or higher and enroll in a minimum of six credits per semester. Application deadline is April 15 for high school seniors and May 26 for all other applicants.

For more information on Moraine Park scholarships or to apply online, visit morainepark.edu/scholarships.

Whether you’re looking forward to launching your career or you’re returning to school, receiving a Moraine Park Foundation scholarship is a significant relief to your pocketbook and a great accomplishment!

Foundation scholarships are funded by generous gifts from alumni, Moraine Park faculty and staff, businesses, service clubs, and friends of the College who believe in higher education and who are passionate about making Moraine Park Technical College affordable for students. Unlike some forms of financial aid, scholarships do not have to be repaid.

To be considered for a Foundation scholarship, you must: Continue reading

Pictured from left are Instructors Nancy Esposito, Barb Brown, Kathy Mueller, and Tim Moy, with Dana Bourland, Director of College Advancement.

Moraine Park faculty see first-hand the financial struggles students face when it comes to affording college. “As instructors and teachers, we get to know our students well both personally and professionally,” says Barbara Brown, Moraine Park Nursing Instructor.  “We are seeing an increase in the number of students who need assistance to finish their degree and reach their goals for a better life for themselves and their families.” Continue reading

Moraine Park scholarship recipients had the opportunity to meet donors who are helping make their education more affordable.  Scholarship luncheons held in Beaver Dam and West Bend, allowed donors to connect with students who are benefiting from their generous gifts and hear how the scholarships are making a difference in their lives. Continue reading

The Moraine Park Foundation rolled out the red carpet for this year’s Gourmet Dinner last Friday (April 29) at our Fond du Lac campus. The theme “Bright Lights, Hollywood Nights” combined the nostalgia of 1950s fare with the ambiance of old Hollywood. Guests of the event, presented by the Moraine Park Culinary Arts program, enjoyed a six-course meal consisting of popular continental menu items from the ’50s with a little twist.

Here’s a fun, behind-the-scenes look into the kitchen that night. Remember, it’s all in the hi…. wrists …

Our annual gourmet dinner benefits the Moraine Park Foundation’s general scholarship fund and the student emergency fund. To find out more about the Moraine Park Foundation’s mission, click here.