Moraine Park’s West Bend Interactive Media Design (IMD) Club attended the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) in December for students to view and meet artists, attend panels, have fun and learn more about the field.

“Seeing the vendor hall and artists alley was motivational,” Moraine Park IMD student, Brittany Hahn, said. “After leaving the convention, everyone in our club found themselves inspired to get home and get to work on new compositions. As an artist or anyone working within media design, it can sometimes be a struggle to find inspiration or material that piques one’s interest. C2E2 was very refreshing, refilling our hearts and minds with enthusiasm and creativity towards our work.”

The students attended several informational panels surrounding topics such as scriptwriting, portfolio creation, event planning, product promotion, new drawing techniques, programming advice, character designing with clay, career finding, turning hobbies into skills and more.

After attending the convention, Hahn was more motivated than ever to start building her career. When she returned home from C2E2, she took images from a local nail parlor, cleaned them using skills learned in her coursework and sent the images back to the salon. The nail salon immediately asked her to continue doing edits for them.

“This was a great way for me to continue building my portfolio, and something I would not have had the courage to do without attending the convention,” Hahn said. “Had it not been for the IMD Club and Moraine Park, I would not have been able to go. Not only did they cover the cost of the ticket to attend, but also transportation. It was great traveling with like-minded individuals, bonding and having an awesome time at the convention. I am very thankful to have MPTC and the IMD Club, as well as our amazing club overseers and instructors Mr. Ward and Mr. Sibilski.”

Moraine Park’s Interactive Media Design program is a two-year degree program giving students the creative control to produce a variety of unique animations and graphics. Graduates from the program are well-versed in creating animated and live videos, commercials, digital signage and other media for the web. For more information on IMD visit morainepark.edu/academics/programs/interactive-media-design/.

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.

Pete Rettler, Dean of Moraine Park’s West Bend Campus, made a decision in 1993 to focus on his health. On New Year’s Eve, he made a bet with a friend to run every day for an entire year. Needless to say, he surpassed that goal and hasn’t missed a single day of running for 28 years. He averages 2.5 miles each run.

A few years back, he started using this daily running streak to generate community involvement and giving by hosting a New Year’s Eve 5k run event. The money raised was donated a local non-profit.

At year 25, Pete held a 25 day event, selecting a different non-profit each day- and gathering over $25,000 in donations. 

This year, his donations will be given to the Wisconsin Remembers 9-11 Memorial in Kewaskum to assist their efforts to bring awareness, and honor and remember local victims.  https://www.wisconsin911memorial.com/about.html

You can register for the run at: Rettlerrun.com.

Here’s a message from Pete:

“Another year has passed by and I am very grateful that my streak is still alive. This year the Streak Run will once again be held at the Kewaskum Annex located right next to the Memorial. The date is December 31^st the event starts at noon. This year we will return back to normal but you still don’t have to be present to win any of the 28 door prizes. We will be LiveStreaming the door prize drawings. The door prizes this year are phenomenal, 28 hand selected Bourbons worth over $2200. Each run entry equals an entry into the door prize drawing. Enter as many times as you wish. This year we will have subs provided by Cousins Subs and also coffee cider and hot chocolate from Dunn Brothers. We are very fortunate that Fr. Pat Heppe has recovered from the horrible Waukesha parade tragedy and will once again join us to do a New Year’s blessing. Following the blessing will be a very non-competitive, fun 5k that you can walk, run, walk your dog, skip, or just skip the entire run. After the race we will give away the 28 door prizes plus a 200 piece Craftsman tool set.”

Moraine Park communities will soon benefit from the growing program offerings at the College with the addition of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

With over 100 programs, Moraine Park collaborates with the local business and industry to meet the current needs of our workforce. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program joins a robust group of Health Sciences offerings, giving students interested in health care a wide array of choices.

Registration for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will begin in the fall of 2022. However, the College expects the demand to be very high, and interested students are encouraged to submit applications now to secure a spot for the fall of 2022.

“We are excited to expand our medical imaging programs at Moraine Park,” Ben McKenzie, associate dean of health, said. “Moraine Park’s Radiography program has seen consistent interest in the program annually. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program that students have expressed interest in for several years and will nicely complement our Radiography program, as well as other Health Science programs.”

Additional program information:

• It’s a 69 credit Associate Degree program.
• The program will be based out of the Beaver Dam Campus with clinicals throughout Dodge, Washington, Fond du lac counties and beyond.
• The Median Annual Salary in Wisconsin for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is $79,300.

Enrollment for new students begins Nov. 16.- get more details here!

What is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, otherwise known as ultrasound technicians, utilize soundwave equipment that produces images and videos of the internal body. They also assist various medical professionals in making accurate diagnoses without invasive measures. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are an integral part of the health care system and commonly work in cardiac care, OBGYN, thoracic, and musculoskeletal specialties. In the classroom, the students will learn alongside other health sciences students in our new health simulation center.

The introduction of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will allow Moraine Park students to expand their experiences and pursue a field or specialty that best fits their career interests. 

Submit your application today!

In celebration of Manufacturing Month-here’s an exciting opportunity to help start your career in manufacturing.

Moraine Park is helping combat the skilled worker shortage by providing skill development through the Manufacturing Skills Academy.

This program, also known as manufacturing boot camps, offers the opportunity to explore a unique career pathway. The manufacturing boot camp is a 3-month training program in either CNC Machining or welding. During the program, you are part of a paid internship with a local employer. This means you’ll be paid while you learn! At the end of the program, you’ll have a college certificate and, in most cases, the opportunity to turn your internship into a full-time career.

Your first step toward your new career begins at our information sessions this November– offered both in-person and online. Here, you’ll learn about each career, meet the instructors and get the next step enrollment information.

One more great feature, Moraine Park’s boot camp programs are tuition-free. The tuition and materials costs are covered completely by grants and community support.

No previous manufacturing experience is necessary and there are no income limitations.

So, what are you waiting for? Space in the program is limited- sign up for your information session today to get started!

Information sessions are on Nov. 9 at the Fond du Lac campus and Nov. 17 online. Registration is required and information can be found here.

More information on Moraine Park’s boot camps can be found here.

Mary Daley recently started as Moraine Park’s new Tutoring Services Specialist. Daley comes from K-12 education where she worked as a kindergarten teacher.  

“I wanted a change, but also wanted to stay in education,” Daley said. “I’m excited to help students in a new way at Moraine Park.” 

In her new role, Daley recruits peer tutors, professional tutors and tutor specialists, and matches them with students based on their programs and classes. 

“Some students need peer tutors, some need professional tutors and some need the Student Center–every student is unique and has different needs to be met,” Daley said. 

Daley looks forward to improving the tutoring program and introducing new ways for students to get help with their coursework. 

Contact Mary for any tutoring needs: 

mdaley1@morainepark.edu 

(920) 924-6488 

FDL Campus 

Congratulations to the 2021-22 Moraine Park Student Senate Officers.

Beaver Dam

Pictured left to right:

President: Jeffrey Bemis of Beaver Dam – Electrical Power Distribution

Secretary: Garrett Nesheim of Madison– Electrical Power Distribution

Vice President: Izak Gruber of Elmwood- Gas Utility

Fond du Lac

Pictured left to right:

President:  Eva Knappenberger of Oshkosh – Cosmetology

Vice President: Mina Vang-Xiong of Fond du Lac – Information Technology (Network and Technical Support Specialist)

Secretary:  Emily Vick of Beaver Dam – Criminal Justice

West Bend

Pictured left to right:

Vice President: Wesley Kane of Fond du Lac– HVAC

President: Aspyn Koslowski of West Bend – HVAC

Secretary: Haley Van Raden of West Bend– IT Web Design

Moraine Park Technical College will be hosting its annual community event, Discover Moraine Park, to help attendees jump-start their education and career. High school students, displaced workers, and individuals looking for a career change are encouraged to attend.

Discover Moraine Park event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the West Bend campus; Tuesday, Oct. 12 at the Beaver Dam Campus; and Thursday, Oct. 14 at the Fond du Lac Campus. Space is limited, and those interested in attending must pre-register.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore different programs of study offered at the College and tour the campus, labs, and classrooms. Program instructors and staff will be available to explain program details, admissions requirements, and more.

The event is also designed to familiarize attendees with resources outside the classroom, including diversity relations, student life, veteran resources, tutoring, and counseling. One-on-one assistance from Financial Aid specialists will be available to help attendees submit their FAFSA. 

Face coverings are required for participation in the Discover Moraine Park event. As a reminder, Moraine Park requires face coverings on all of its campuses.

A virtual option is available on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 5:30 -7 p.m. Registration is also required. 

For more information or to register, visit morainepark.edu/discover. 

Hello Moraine Park friends!

Has school been stressing you out? Yea, me too!

When I am stressed, I tend to shut down and find comfort food. Everyone deals with times of stress differently, but I wanted to share some options that have worked for me recently.

• Take a bath with Epsom salt. Don’t have a bathtub? You can sprinkle Epsom salt in the bottom of your shower- it will create a soothing steam!
• Go for a walk. Increasing your endorphins may help you feel less tense and increase your mood overall.
• Play or spend time with your pet. My dog bring my life joy!
• Take a break from what your doing. We all have busy lives and long to-do lists but stepping away for a moment to refuel can be beneficial.
• Make cookies or your treat of choice. Yes, I make cookies when I am stressed. 🙂 The process of making them, and the satisfaction of enjoying one, makes it a great (and delicious) stress relief for me.
• Reach out to family or friends. Let the ones you love help you!

Have a great semester MPTC- hope to see you on campus this semester!