Juggling the responsibilities of life is tough, but Faith Rockwell of St. Cloud is tougher. She came to Moraine Park in 2019 with a mountain of daily responsibilities, a goal to provide a stable life, and a sweet young daughter who relied on her to accomplish both.

“I graduated high school in 2014 and got married shortly after,” Faith said. “My original plan was to go to college, but when I became pregnant in 2016, that shifted my plans.”

Faith became a single mother when her daughter was just six months old and was left to take care of all the parenting and financial responsibilities.

“Suddenly my life changed from being a stay at home mom to having to struggle to pay bills and provide for my daughter,” she said. “There were times we went hungry. I knew I had to find a stable career to get us into a better situation. That’s when I found Moraine Park.”

Faith chose the respiratory therapy program, a career path that offers job security and an opportunity to serve in a fast-paced health care environment.

“Moraine Park has been amazing,” Faith said. “My teachers have helped me so much by providing me with many resources to help me be successful in my program.”

She has utilized many resources that often are forgotten, like disability services, counseling, and the student emergency fund.

“Being a single mom is terrifying,” Faith said. “It feels like you can never get ahead or enough. I struggled for a long time, and finally, I decided to apply to Moraine Park. Since coming here I’ve had more support and help than ever before. It is possible to redefine your life.”

Faith is scheduled to graduate in May 2021 and has goals to specialize in the NICU and help premature babies with their breathing function.

“Achieving my educational goals gives me hope for my future.”

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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.

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.

The Moraine Park Foundation will host its annual Gourmet Dinner on Friday, April 26, at the Fond du Lac campus. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. 

This year’s theme is speakeasy soiree, and guests are invited to dress in 1920’s style attire.  Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items, try the wine cork pull, an event favorite, and participate in the 50-50 raffle.

The event features a six-course meal that Moraine Park culinary arts students and instructors create, prepare, and serve. The dinner experience will start with an appetizer of lobster cocktail with fennel and shaved horseradish, followed by cream of fresh asparagus soup and a classic caesar salad with black pepper Bellavitano crouton and fresh anchovy dressing. A Campari sorbet will be the intermezzo. The main entree will feature a grilled filet of beef, topped with wild mushroom and fresh herb ragout, paired with a side of Grande Prima Dolce ricotta smashed potatoes and garlicky spinach. The meal will conclude with a bourbon black bottom pie for dessert.

This Gourmet Dinner is an annual fundraising effort, with proceeds benefiting the Moraine Park Foundation scholarship and student emergency fund.  Each year, nearly $300,000 in funding is required to aid students in need of financial assistance.

Tickets are $100 per person or $800 a corporate table of eight people. Reservations are limited. To make reservations, contact Joan Brezinsky at 920-924-3281 or jbrezinsky@morainepark.edu.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/gourmet-dinner.

Giving Tuesday is a nationwide philanthropic movement, inspiring communities to support local non-profits. This day of giving happens annually on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It serves as a reminder that giving is the greatest gift of all.

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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:
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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.”
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