Hello Joe and Jeff [Moraine Park IT Instructors],

I hope this email finds you well. I have been meaning to reach out to you sooner but my life is as busy as ever. But, better late than never. I want to start by saying, “Thank You”. Thank you for giving me a wonderful learning experience at Moraine Park. I truly did enjoy the lectures, labs, and even the occasional debates that would eventually get the whole class off topic. I also appreciated all the effort you all put into having us students apply our knowledge, skills, and critical thinking through programs like the Computer Clinic, Tech Tyme, and the IT Club. The latter two proved instrumental in helping me develop a sense of leadership, organization, and pride in motivating myself and my peers to go above and beyond to help out the local community by applying what we learned in class. In mentioning that, I hope the Club is going stronger than ever and that more and more students find the real value of the experiential learning that it offers them. 

But all in all, it was a challenging three years that have paid off for me and my family. Prior to enrolling in school, I was giving up in attempting to fulfill my dream of college education before even trying and I was just about ready to succumb myself to working a dead-end job that would lead me nowhere but to complacency. Thankfully, I had a wonderful group of family and friends that encouraged me to finally believe that I could achieve my dream as I did. That moment at graduation was a milestone achievement in my life that my family and I will never forget. 

It didn’t just end there. Last May, there was an opening in the IT department at Masters Gallery Foods. I felt excited, nervous, and stressed about applying for the position and not knowing what kind of candidate they were after. However, I was also confident that all the hard work and sacrifices I put in those three years at MPTC would make me a worthy candidate whether I got the job or not. Needless to say, I aced the interview. I was asked questions about networking, such as defining DHCP and DNS, as well as to what troubleshooting approach would I take when dealing with malfunctioning hardware and software. Also, they were very impressed with the volunteer work I did as well as the internship at JF Ahern. I left the interview not know what would happen next. Two days later as I was driving home from class, I get a call from HR saying that the IT Director and Network Manager had selected me as their primary candidate and that if I chose to accept, I would be joining their Networking Team as a Technical Support Specialist. I couldn’t contain my excitement and relief, I had to pull over to the side of the road as my hands started to tremble and I couldn’t drive straight anymore. 

Almost a year later and I find myself working with coworkers who are just as passionate about working in IT as I am. I feel good going to work every day and feeling proud of what I did to earn it. I look back at all that lead me to this job and I don’t regret one thing. I just wanted to share this story with you so that you realize how impactful your work is in shaping students and their lives. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you soon. 

P.S. I am currently in the process of enrolling at Lakeland University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in their Management of Information Systems program.

Best wishes,

Jose R. Bustos

Moraine Park Class of 2018- Information Technology

Change is scary, and those who are working to pursue their educational goals know this all too well. Ashley Martin of Fond du Lac recognized that fear when she found herself at the front steps of Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus in 2017.

As a mother of four, she had been working two jobs to make ends meet, but she had aspirations of finding her dream career.

“I wanted to better my life,” Martin said. “When I walked through the front doors of the College I was so scared. I didn’t know if I could go back to school after all this time.”

Like many returning students, she was looking for a career that would work well for her life and fulfill her goals. Moraine Park’s Student Success Center helped her with a career assessment. Through that, she discovered the Substance Abuse Counseling program. She enrolled immediately and began her college career in fall 2017.

“I instantly felt welcomed,” Martin said. “I have found great friends and supporters who are more like family, and they always give me a reason to keep coming back.”

One of those connections was with Sam Saeger, a student life specialist at Moraine Park.

“Ashley is one of a kind,” Sam said. “She is driven and focused. Not only is she an exceptional student in and out of the classroom, but her commitment and enthusiasm towards the College are unmatched.”

Since enrolling at Moraine Park, Martin has served on the Student Senate as secretary and vice president, and the Diversity Club as the vice president. She founded the Substance Abuse Counseling Club, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and has served the College on cross-functional collaboration teams as a student representative. She is also a part of a work-study with Sam and can be found all around the Fond du Lac campus and in the community, helping with student life events and advocating for the College.

“It’s incredible to know that as students, our voices are valued and heard,” Martin said. “Moraine Park is my college, and it will always be my college. I find such value in the fact that my opinion matters.”

Martin has also maintained a 4.0 and been on the Dean’s List her entire college career. It is because of her drive, determination, and all-around positive spirit that Martin has been named as Moraine Park’s 2019 Student of the Year.

“I’m still in shock,” she said. “I never thought this was possible for me. I have worked hard, and I am proud of myself.”

Criteria for Student of the Year nominations include demonstrating excellence in and out of the classroom while modeling Moraine Park’s core abilities to communicate clearly, act responsibly, work productively, think critically and creatively, adapt to change, demonstrate integrity, and work cooperatively. There were ten candidates this year, all of whom excel both academically and in their service learning. There are very few student honors that exceed this award at Moraine Park, and to even be nominated is a tremendous accomplishment.  Martin will receive her award at the Student Awards Banquet on May 10.

“We all celebrate with Ashley on her success at Moraine Park,” Sam said. “However, it is her heart and generosity that stand out the most. She is very deserving of the Student of the Year award, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

Martin will graduate on May 18, and it will be her first time walking a commencement stage.

“Moraine Park has given me unlimited opportunities,” Martin said. “I’m proud of my school, and I look forward to serving as an alumnus.”

She has goals to continue her education, with an overall goal to be a mental health counselor.

The finalist include Dominic DeLaura of Slinger, Troy Essmann  of Oconomowoc, Justin Kraus of Fond du Lac, Alex McCleary of Fond du Lac, Christian McCreary of West Bend, Michael Moon of Beaver Dam, Jonathan Szczesny of Iron Ridge, Sam Turner Baraboo, Elizabeth Wustrack Fond du Lac.

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

The Moraine Park Foundation has received support from their long-time partner, Follett, with a $50,000 donation to benefit students. Follett’s contribution to the Foundation was given to the unrestricted fund, meaning it can be used to support students not only with affording tuition but also with personal emergencies that limit their ability to continue attending classes.

“I am so grateful to Follett for their generous and loyal commitment to Moraine Park students,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park said. “Their annual gift to the Foundation helps needy students afford an education through scholarship support.  Their generosity also helps students stay enrolled by providing grants for unexpected emergencies.  Our partnership with Follett will impact students’ lives for generations to come.”

The Moraine Park Foundation works to make education accessible and affordable for current and prospective students. Thanks to community partners, like Follett, the Foundation was able to help a total of 237 students with financial support in 2017-18.

“Follett’s long-standing commitment to the communities we serve is actively cultivated in a spirit of giving that’s present throughout all our campuses,” Aaron Bladorn, Follett multi-store manager said. “At Follett, our purpose has always been to improve the world by inspiring learning and shaping education. Follett’s yearly donation to the Moraine Park Foundation focuses on empowering students through scholarships and various other financial support initiatives. We are thrilled to have an amazing partnership with Moraine Park, and we look forward to helping drive student success for years to come.”

Follett is a national partner for schools, districts, and college campuses, providing education technology, services, and print and digital content to nearly 1,200 local campus stores and over 1,600 virtual stores. Their mission is to work as a trusted partner and help educators drive success for students from their first day of school through college graduation and beyond.

The Moraine Park Foundation lives the mission of partnering with joyful givers who believe in the power of education to transform lives, families, and communities. Annually, the Foundation’s community partners help provide students with scholarships, books, program support, and emergency financial assistance.

For more information on the Moraine Park Foundation, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.

2019 HIGH SCHOOL ART CONTEST
Enter by April 20, 2019

High School artists are invited to submit digital images of their work in the following categories:

1. Painting
2. Drawing
3. Digital Photography (minimal photo editing allowed-adjustments of color or conversion to grayscale that do not alter content are permitted.)
4. Digital Photo Creation and Illustration
5. Sculpture
6. Illustration-traditional medium
7. Publication Design (Including newsletters, invitations, and event posters)
8. T-shirt Design

All art must be submitted in electronic format as JPEG files no more than 4×7 at 200 PPI with a file size not to exceed 5 megabytes. All art must be submitted by APRIL 20, 2019 via email to: artsubmission@morainepark.edu
The following information must be provided for your submission to be considered:

• Student Name
• Student Contact Information (email) Student Grade
• High School Attending
• Title of Art
• Category

Limit of two entries per person, per category.

Prizes are:

• 1st place: MPTC apparel and gift certificate ($50)
• 2nd place: MPTC apparel and gift certificate ($25)
• 3rd place: MPTC apparel

Winners will be selected by a panel of Art/Design professionals and the winning entries will be featured online and in a digital art show at the Moraine Park Portfolio Showcase on May 15, 2019.

For more information please contact artsubmission@morainepark.edu .

On Friday, February 22^nd, 2019 on a beautiful late-winter day, 9 ABC Carpentry Apprentices, under the guidance of their instructor, Gary Roehrig, installed custom-made, heavy-duty cabinets into two of the houses in the Gas Utility Construction Training Neighborhood on the Beaver Dam campus. The carpenter apprentices built the cabinets in the woodshop on the West Bend campus, where they attend school, as part of their Advanced Cabinetmaking course. This course was developed and is being taught by Mr. Roehrig, a long-time instructor for the apprenticeship at Moraine Park.

The partnership between the apprenticeship program and the Gas Utility Construction program began unwittingly two years ago when, as part of their formal instruction, the carpenter apprentices built six 8×12 foot ‘sheds’ to gain practice designing and building small wooden structures. The original intent of this effort was to sell the sheds to local business or homeowners for use as brat-fry stands or for personal use. During the same time, planning was well underway to create the new gas program on the Beaver Dam campus, when the idea arose to use the 6 sheds—now called ‘houses’—to form a training neighborhood that gas program students could use for their own training.

The idea took hold, and even expanded to include two additional houses that were configured to be able to store tools and small equipment, thus making a training neighborhood of 8 houses. In late April, 2018, the 8 houses were transported from the West Bend woodshop and placed on concrete pads at the Beaver Dam campus, in time for the new program to start in June. Business and industry partners who contributed to the gas program capital campaign had plaques attached to the sides of the houses in recognition of their generosity.

As this phase of the partnership was reaching its’ end, a collaborative idea between Steve Horvath, Associate Dean of Trades, and Gary Roehrig came up, which was to have this year’s carpenter apprentices build the cabinets for the 2 extra houses. The intent in installing the heavy-duty cabinets is that in the future, the gas program students and instructor will be able to store supplies and small equipment out ‘in the field’, where it will be handy to access, rather than have to go back into the main lab for what is needed. For their part, the carpenter apprentices gained valuable skills in designing and building top-quality cabinets from scratch.

When the task was completed in the early afternoon of Feb. 22^nd, Associate Dean Horvath thanked the carpentry apprentices and their instructor, telling them they had accomplished a task that is much appreciated and one which will have a long-lasting positive impact on another program in the college.

Congratulations to Moraine Park students and staff on a huge accomplishment!

As of today, a total of 4,000 community impact hours have been logged by Moraine Park students and employees. This amounts to approximately $97,000 in economic impact throughout the MPTC District and surrounding areas. Needless to say, Moraine Park is giving back, in big ways!

For more information on service learning, or how you can become involved, visit morainepark.edu/service-learning.

Good Luck to Moraine Park Students participating in The Pitch entrepreneurship competition this Thursday, April 11 in Green Bay. 

The Pitch was created by the Fox Connection, a collaboration of the premier colleges and universities in northeast Wisconsin to enhance entrepreneurial education and opportunity for area students.

Students Shae Stangl, Kristen Westlake, and Patrick Rupprecht will be presenting their ‘pitch’ under team name Emergent Technologies.

For more information on the event, visit https://thepitchfoxcities.com/the-event/.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu

Getting engaged in their community, all while having fun, was what some Moraine Park employees recently did, as they took part in the 2019 FDL Literacy Services Team Trivia fundraising event.

Melissa Koppenhaver, Erika Lloyd, Kristine Buchanan and Sarah Nett, aka the Moraine Park Quad Squad, earned a strong 3^rd place overall finish. The Quad Squad answered questions ranging from movies, sports, Wisconsin trivia, history, and more. What put the team over the edge was answering the bonus question:  Which Impressionist painter’s grandson was an academy-award nominated film director? The answer:  Pierre Auguste Renoir.  A big “Woot! Woot!” on getting that one correct!

“We had so much fun supporting FDL Literacy and MPTC,” said Lloyd, who brought along a little extra team support with a stuffed Maximus mascot.

MPTC’s Basic Ed area also took part in the fun. The Moraine Park Trivia Crushers team was made up of Kathy Mueller, Deb Schuh, Jamie Russell and Pete Snyder.

Moraine Park student, Renee Vnuk-Uhrman of Campbellsport, has been selected to be a part of the 2019-20 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellows cohort.

Campus Compact, a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has announced the 262 students who will make up this year’s cohort. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional, and civic growth for students who have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and an investment in solving public problems. The fellowship provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, access to exclusive scholarships, and post-graduate opportunities.

Vnuk-Uhrman, a first-year medical laboratory technician student, took advantage of dual credit opportunities in high school and became a certified phlebotomist after graduating. She is also part of the College’s Promise program, volunteers at her local community hospital and Campbellsport High School, and maintains top academic scores.

“Renee is a strong role model of the Moraine Park core abilities,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president said. “Her dedication to family, school, and community speaks to her strong work ethic, solid integrity, and desire to make a difference. She is very deserving of this recognition, and we look forward to watching her grow in her field.”

In total, there were nine students selected from Wisconsin to participate in the Newman Civic Fellows cohort, and Vnuk-Uhrman represents one of two technical college students in the group. She was recognized at the Wisconsin Campus Compact Conference on Thursday, March 21.

For more information on the Newman Civic Fellowship, visit compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship.

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