Celebrate MLK Day today, Jan. 17, 2022, by learning 10 new facts about the civil rights leader’s life and legacy.

1. King’s birth name was Michael, not Martin.
2. King entered college when he was 15 years old.
3. King received his doctorate in systematic theology.
4. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was not his first at the Lincoln Memorial.
5. King was jailed 29 times.
6. King narrowly escaped an assassination attempt a decade before the assassination that killed him.
7. King’s last public speech foretold his death.
8. Members of King’s family did not believe James Earl Ray acted alone.
9. King’s mother was also murdered by gun violence.
10. King is the only non-president to have a national holiday.

Moraine Park Technical College’s 2018 Retirement and Service Recognition event on Wednesday, April 11, honored retirees and those who reached service anniversaries during the 2017-18 academic year.

“These individuals have been an essential part in the success of  Moraine Park. They have benefited our organization and the communities that we serve,” said Bonnie Baerwald, president of Moraine Park. “This year we had 97 combined years of service from our retirees and 337 combined years from our staff members that received service recognition awards.”

In all, 8 retirees and 21 staff members were recognized. Retirees included: Chuck Brendel of Sheboygan, associate dean of economic and workforce development; Kenneth Carnahan of Fond du Lac, anatomy and physiology instructor; Lori Erber of Beaver Dam, computer lab software application specialist; Michael Fatla of Plymouth, director of enterprise systems; Sandy Fisher of Fond du Lac, graphic production specialist; Margaret Spieth of West Bend, instructional designer; Fran Stoffel of West Bend, housekeeper; Christine Wagner of Chilton; student support specialist.

Staff members recognized for years of service included Bonnie Baerwald of Fond du Lac, 25 years; Marcia Arndt of Slinger, Lisa Pollard of Fond du Lac, and Edward Meltz of Kewaskum, 20 years.

Moraine Park also recognized 17 employees for service to the College at the 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year levels.

To learn more about Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Moraine Park Technical College mechanical design and engineering students had many great things to say after completing a special bike project to end the school year:

“It was fun to do [something so] meaningful,” said Tyler Hess from Random Lake.

“I’m just glad we got the opportunity to help,” said Jonathan Schalow of Farmington.

“I love being outside; and am glad I could help someone enjoy the outdoors a little more,” said Jacob Fendt of Hartford.

But in the end, nothing said more on a cloudy May afternoon than the roaring laughter of 11-year-old Mason Schommer of West Bend; his wide smile utterly contagious as he sat alongside his mother, Megan, on a specially-modified, two-person trike. Continue reading

Moraine Park Technical College has been placing special emphasis on students who have served or are currently serving our country, proclaiming its 2016-17 academic year our “Year of the Student Veteran.”

During this special year, with our student awards banquet upcoming, we’ve added a special award to our traditional lineup of offerings: a “Student Veteran of the Year” award.

Taking home this prestigious honor this year is a deserving individual named Carla Stephany, an engineering student at Moraine Park who served in the United States Air Force. She’s an ambitious, hard-working and inspiring woman, and we’re very excited to present her with this award.

In her own words, this is Carla’s background, what brought her to Moraine Park, and what her plans for the future are: Continue reading

As Moraine Park Technical College’s “Year of the Student Veteran” winds down, a special event took place last week to honor our students who have served or are currently serving our country. Continue reading