Moraine Park Technical College hosted their third annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Literacy Week Project, donating more than 500 culturally responsive books to three local elementary schools. 

In 2019, the College began exploring opportunities to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and developed strong partnerships with three area schools; Jefferson Elementary in Beaver Dam, Chegwin Elementary in Fond du Lac, and Green Tree Elementary in West Bend.

Each year, Moraine Park has donated culturally responsive books to the schools’ libraries, and employees of the College have spent time in the classroom or virtually reading books to the students.

“Engaging with our communities is a strategic priority for the College,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “We value the partnerships cultivated with these three district elementary schools and look forward to working with them to celebrate the important work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for years to come.”

Moraine Park Technical College is committed to community engagement and student success. The College supports these commitments through the opportunity for students to participate in student community impact and apply their classroom knowledge to an applicable, real-world environment. 

We encourage students to participate in our community impact awards program where students can track their service-learning or volunteer hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours, Gold Award for 100 hours, and President’s Award for 200 hours!

In the 2021 fall semester, despite all the Covid-19 challenges, 15 students earned awards and logged over 1,600 hours of service!  Congratulations to our Fall, 2021 award winners!

Presidents Award

For Fall, 2021, three students earned the President’s Award for over 200 hours of service each in their time at MPTC!  The three students are Corey Koch – Administrative Professional, Heather Quickle – Nursing, and Julianna Stuht – Paramedic.  MPTC President Bonnie Baerwald celebrated with and congratulated each student, stating: “I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments of Julianna, Corey and Heather. Each has their own unique story and came to Moraine Park Technical College to explore and create new career opportunities. In addition to their work and college obligations, their volunteer efforts exemplify the college values of continuous improvement, collaboration, and impactful learning. I can’t wait to see what their futures hold for them!”

President’s Award winner Corey Koch said: “I spent my volunteer internship hours working on the new database/donor tracking system for the FDL Area Women’s Fund.  I was excited to learn and plan how a good database could help bolster the Women’s Fund mission and goals.  I helped with each Women’s Fund fundraising event, and put all previous and new donors into the database.  I also worked on creating a guidebook for the software. I hope this book can be utilized by the next incoming person who will handle software management.  I learned more about working independently and on a team. My Women’s Fund experiences were eye-opening and great practice for my future career.”

President’s Award winner Julianna Stuht said: “Volunteering as an AEMT/firefighter for my community gives me the opportunity to meet the citizens that reside in my service area, as well as further my skills as a healthcare provider. I am so excited to continue learning through this volunteer opportunity.”

Gold Award

Completing 100-199 hours of service-learning or volunteering.

Stuht, Julianna – Paramedic

Silver Award

Completing 50-99 hours of service-learning or volunteering.

Riemersma, Allison – Nursing

Beeks, Tonia – Medical Assistant

Manke, Zoe – Medical Assistant

Stuht, Julianna – Paramedic

Bronze Award

Completing 25-49 hours of service-learning or volunteering.

Beeks, Tonia – Medical Assistant

Moore, Brianna – Medical Assistant

Diaz, Gisselle – Medical Assistant

Manke, Zoe – Medical Assistant

Gerth, Ashley – Medical Assistant

Fassbender, Noelle – Nursing

Koenitzer, Kaitlyn – Medical Assistant

Riemersma, Allison – Nursing

Rogers, Dorothy – Paralegal

Schmitt, Jordyn – Nursing

Stuht, Julianna – Paramedic

Vang-Xiong, Mina – IT Network Specialist

Mueller, Cindy – Leadership Development

Moraine Park Technical College student Jordyn Schmitt, of Rubicon, found a lasting friendship through her volunteer work at Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County.

Schmitt, a first-year student in the College’s Nursing program, is also part of Moraine Park’s Promise program, an opportunity for debt-free tuition. As part of the program requirements, Schmitt volunteers in her community and selected Interfaith as her service site.

Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County is a community-based nonprofit organization that helps seniors in the county remain independent. Volunteers help with tasks such as transportation and grocery shopping or simply serve as a friendly face checking in from time to time.

“I choose to provide transportation services,” Schmitt said. “I enjoy helping in this way. As a nursing student, I know how essential doctor appointments are and how, at times, transportation is a barrier. I’m glad to help where I can.”

It was through her volunteer work that Schmitt met Carole Banse, of West Bend. Banse is unable to transport herself and relies on the support of Interfaith’s services for her vital doctor appointments.

“I don’t know what I would do without this service. It has really saved me,” Banse said. “It helps my family too. It was hard to always ask them to take me early or pick me up, they have jobs and it is just too much.”

Schmitt and Banse have enjoyed each other’s company so much that they make sure they are paired up in Interfaith’s system.

“Interfaith’s system allows the selection of preferred volunteers and members, and I always select Carole right away,” Schmitt said. “We have great conversations and I enjoy hearing about her life and family. We even found out that we are distantly related! I feel blessed to know her and be part of her life.”

The relationship being cultivated between Schmitt and Banse is exactly what Moraine Park’s student impact initiatives hope to achieve. A seemingly small student contribution within the community that creates a lasting impact.

“Jordyn and I have such good conversations when we get together even with the age difference,” Banse said. “She fits in so beautifully and she doesn’t treat me like an old lady. She is always bubbly and perks me up. I am very thankful.”

The pandemic halted Interfaith’s services for a while, but when they restarted in February 2021, Schmitt and Banse were excited to resume their normal routine.

“I would have never guessed that I would make a lifelong friend through this opportunity,” Schmitt said. “My advice to others is to open yourself up, give it a try and never put an age limitation on friendship.”

Schmitt is expected to graduate in May 2023. She hopes to continue volunteering for Interfaith and driving Banse throughout her schooling.

Read more stories like Jordyn and Carole’s in our Fall 2021 NEXT Magazine.

Thanks to MPTC Beta Mu Kappa Academic Honor Society students, over 150 area area homeless shelter kids and adults will have new socks this spring. Students hosted a Sock Tree drive at all 3 campuses over the past month, and delivered the donated socks to area homeless shelters this past week.

Beta Mu Kappa is our local MPTC chapter for the international Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society. Students who maintain a 3.5 GPA or above after obtaining at least 12 college credits are invited to join the honor society. Check out our web page for more information on PTK plus our leadership and community service opportunities.

Moraine Park Technical College student, Jordyn Schmitt of Rubicon, has found a lasting friendship through her volunteer work at Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County. Schmitt, a first-year student in the College’s nursing program, is also part of Moraine Park’s Promise program, an opportunity for debt-free tuition. As part of the program requirements, Schmitt works to volunteer in her community and selected Interfaith as her service site.  

“Interfaith allows me the flexibility I need in my life,” she said. “I can sign up based on my availability, which allows me to meet my hours as I can, without feeling stressed.”  

Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County is a community-based non-profit organization that helps seniors in the county remain independent. Through community volunteers, they help with things a friend or neighbor might do, such as transportation, grocery shopping, or simply a friendly face checking in from time to time.  

“I choose to provide transportation services,” Schmitt said. “I enjoy helping in this way. As a nursing student, I know how essential doctor appointments are and how, at times, transportation is a barrier. I’m glad to help where I can.”  

It was through this volunteer work that Schmitt met Carole Banse of West Bend. Banse is unable to transport herself and relies on the support of Interfaith’s services for her vital doctor appointments.  

“Interfaith Caregivers is a blessing and I always tell them they are my angels – they all are just beautiful people,” Banse said. “I don’t know what I would do without this service- it has really saved me. It helps my family too – it was hard to always ask them to take me early or pick me up – they have jobs and it is just too much.”  

Schmitt and Banse have enjoyed each other’s company so much- that they make sure they are paired up in Interfaith’s system.  

“Interfaith’s system allows the selection of preferred volunteers and members, and I always select Carole right away,” Schmitt said. “Carole and I have great conversations. I enjoy hearing about her life and family- and likewise, she asks about mine. We even found out that we are distantly related! I feel blessed to know her and be part of her life.”  

The relationship being cultivated between Schmitt and Banse is exactly what Moraine Park’s community impact initiatives hope to achieve- a seemingly small service within the community that makes a lasting impact.  

“Jordyn and I have such good conversations when we get together- even with the age difference,” Banse said. “She fits in so beautifully and she doesn’t treat me like an old lady. She is always bubbly and perks me up. I am very thankful.”  

The pandemic halted Interfaith’s services for a while, but when they restarted in February of 2021, Schmitt and Banse were excited to resume their normal routine.  

“I would have never guessed that I would make a lifelong friend through this opportunity,” Schmitt said. “My advice to others is to open yourself up, give it a try, and never put an age limitation on friendship.”  

Schmitt is expected to graduate in May of 2023 and hopes to continue volunteering for Interfaith and driving Banse, throughout her schooling. 

morainepark.edu

Students, are you looking for a way to give back, network or gain experience before you graduate? If so, consider volunteering. Volunteering can do this and so much more.

Volunteering helps you make a difference by helping others or a business in need. Volunteering can help you gain confidence in your skills that you learned throughout your program and can help provide proof (prove-it statements) that you can use during your upcoming interviews.

Volunteering can also help you advance in your career. Shawn Anchor of Goodthink Inc. researched the impact of Positive Psychology. Shawn Anchor’s research noted that people that reach out and help others are more likely to be engaged at work or get a promotion. Giving back to others can promote happiness and goodwill, and help you throughout your career.

Volunteering also provides an ability to network with individuals with interests similar to you. This can be a great way to showcase your skills and meet others in your career field or interests.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering activities available in our community, please connect with Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator at Moraine Park. Visit the Community Impact webpage at https://www.morainepark.edu/community-impact/.

Your Moraine Park Careers Instructors can help you enhance your resume with the outcomes from your volunteer experience. Connect with us and schedule an appointment for a resume review. We are here to help you! Visit the Career Center webpage at http://morainepark.edu/Careers.

Fond du Lac | 920-924-3244 | Lisa Ferguson | lferguson@morainepark.edu

West Bend | 262-335-5773 | Rhonda Roehrig | rroehrig2@morainepark.edu

Beaver Dam | 920-887-4437

We look forward to working with you!

As a 2012 graduate of the Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) program, Gordon Gossink has found himself unexpectedly back at Moraine Park. He is happy to be back, he is happy to be alive.  On August 24, 2017, working as an Apprentice Lineman, he and his foreman were removing grounds to energize a new line.  At 80 feet above the ground, he had just finished the routine task of removing the first line.  When beginning to remove the second ground, he was struck by 20,000 volts of electricity.

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