MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Fall 2006

8/9/2019 MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Fall 2006

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MATC Foundation & Alumni Association

Robert Dinndorf, Executive Director

Managing Editor: Bill Graf

Graphic Design: Amy Kittleson

Contributing Writers: Robin Gee,

Janet Kelly, Mark Crawford

Communications Director: Janet Kelly

For more information, click on

“Alumni and Foundation” at

matcmadison.edu

MATCPro files

2

MATC Profiles • Fall 2006

In academia we are often told that we need to know what

it’s like in the real world. Well, our students come from

the real world. Most have one foot in the classroom and

the other in the workplace. They pursue their studies while

holding down jobs, raising families, paying the bills and

meeting all kinds of other real world responsibilities.

Why do they perform this balancing act? If you are an

MATC alumnus, you already know the answer: because

real world jobs demand real world skills — and many of

them don’t demand a four-year college degree. MATC’s

more than 140 programs are taught by instructors with real world experience of

their own. Students learn the technical skills for a particular occupation and the

critical thinking and problem solving skills they need to function as productive

employees and citizens.

Do you sense a theme here? So did

we. That’s why this fall, we started promoting MATC as “Real world smart.”

The whimsical, bespectacled globe in

our newspaper and billboard advertising

has carried this message to prospective

students and the broader community.

Real life examples of real world smart are all around us. From the shop floor

to the top floor, from the corner store to the corner office, our graduates are

found throughout local business, industry and public service. You would be

hard pressed to go through a typical day without encountering an MATC alum

somewhere.

In fact, alumni are often our best promoters of all. If you are one of the thousands

of former students who’ve benefited from an MATC education, your success is

persuasive proof of MATC’s value — to students, to the local economy and to

taxpayers. Joining your alumni association is a great way to meet and connect

with others who have had positive, life-changing experiences at MATC.

I encourage you to join the MATC Alumni Association. By becoming an active

member, you will enter a new circle of camaraderie with your fellow alumni

and show your commitment to the

success of future students.

Please keep MATCa part of your life today!

Sincerely,

Bettsey L. Barhorst

MATC President

Don’t Duck This AlumniPitch!

Dear MATC Alumni and Friends,

Become an active member of the

MATC community by joining the Alum

Association. You’ll receive regular ne

discounts and other valuable service

at MATC’s:

• Athletic events

• Salon

• Dental Clinic

• Career planning & placement office• Fitness Center

• Gourmet dining events

• Library and computer labs

• Optical dispensary

Your membership supports alumni

programs and scholarships for MATC

students.

To join the MATC

Alumni Association,

use the form on page 7.



Major initiatives to increase student

access and success are included in the

2006-07 fiscal year budget adopted by

the MATC District Board at its June

meeting.

The board made base budget reduc-

tions of $1.3 million and reallocated the

savings to fund emerging priorities. The

$177,617,000 budget will require a prop-

erty tax levy of $78,680,000. Property

owners will pay an estimated $121.95 for

every $100,000 in assessed value — $4.72

less than last year — to support MATC.

3


MATC News

MATC budget invests in student success

The budget initiatives include:

• Staffing to complete a three-year expansion of nursing instruction.

• Adding sections for mandatory student assessment, advising and placement classes.

• Creating a “First Semester Experience” program

focused on the crucial period that often

determines a student’s success in

college.

• More summer school

course offerings.

• Adding classes to reduce

waiting lists in the arts

and sciences, nursing assistant,

college transfer art, welding,construction and criminal

justice programs.

• New offerings in construction

and remodeling, “FasTrack”

marketing and English as

a Second Language.

More MATC News on page 10 >





manufacturers, as well as in laboratories

that conduct biological, clinical pathology

and materials research.

Dr. Jesse D. Olson, vice president

of engineering and development at

Madison’s Imago Scientific Instruments,

says his company has been very satisfied

with the six graduates it has hired.

“There are a limited number of

locations nationwide where students

can get an education in microscopy of

the caliber offered by MATC. Since we

directly compete with semiconductor and

nanotechnology development strongholds

in locations far distant from the Midwest,

it is very valuable to us to have such a

strong program producing a skilled talent

pool right here in Madison,” Olson says.

Jay Campbell, who had earned a

bachelor’s degree in conservation biology,

turned to MATC’s Electron Microscopy

Program to build marketable skills in his

field.

“While I was well prepared for

graduate school, I wasn’t well qualified

for the job market,” he states. The

program turned his job prospects

around so quickly that he was hired

for a biological research position at the

University of Wisconsin-Madison even

before graduating from MATC in 2001.

“Without my specialized electron

microscopy knowledge, I never

would have been qualified to fill the

position,” Campbell says. “Whether it’s

troubleshooting a non-functional piece

of equipment or doing routine sample

preparation, I learned most of what I do

from the Electron Microscopy Program.”

One misconception Kostrna would like

to change about his program is that it is

too difficult. “Yes, it is challenging but the

knowledge and skills can be learned with

practice and commitment.” He believes the

real question for prospective students is,

“Are you ready to do the work?”

“Our first graduate was a truck driver

and he’s now worked for many years as

a professional microscopist at Micron.

Many people can be successful in this

field. If you come to our program with

curiosity and commitment, we’ve got the

courses, tools and support to help you

succeed.”

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The program:

Electron Microscopy

The degree:

Two-year associate in applied

science degree

Career potential:

Integrated circuit and failure

analysts, research technicians,

diagnostic pathology, sales

representatives. Current

employers of MATC graduates include Imago Scientific

Instruments, UW–Madison,

Boston Scientific, Intel, Micron

and Motorola.

Typical starting salary:

Entry level, $35-40,000;

some highly skilled employees

earn $70-80,000

For more information:

Call (608) 243-4309



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Mike Elliott, senior

vice president with

Suttle-Straus printing

in Waunakee, always

knew he wanted to

be in sales — and it

started at an early age.

“My dad was in

sales, and I used to ride with him as

a kid when he made his calls,” Elliott

remembers. “I really enjoyed that.”

By the time he graduated from

Madison Edgewood High School in 1977,

the desire was just as strong as ever.

“Unlike many of my classmates, I

knew exactly what I wanted to do,” says

Elliott. “I knew at MATC, I’d earn my

degree in marketing and sales in two

years instead of four and be able to start

my career that much sooner.”

Twenty-seven years later, Elliott still

relies on principles he learned from his

MATC instructors, including Jack Bannon

and Robert Piacenza. “They were very good

teachers who brought a real life perspective

to the courses they taught. I wasn’t just

memorizing books and taking tests. I still

remember many of the examples they used

— it was a great way to learn how to apply

these ideas in an ever-changing business

environment.”

“Students who go to

MATC know what they

want to do from the start —

that’s a big plus.”

Elliott also made an impression on his

teachers. “Mike had all the things you look

for in a student,” recalls Piacenza. “He was

goal-oriented. He was very presentable,

very attentive, an excellent communicator

and great to have in class.”

When he graduated in 1979, Elliott

took a job with Straus Printing selling

advertising for Curtain Call, a magazine

published for the newly opened Madison

Civic Center. He worked his way up

through various sales positions to

general manager. After the company

was purchased by Suttle, Elliott became

vice president of marketing and sales

for Suttle-Straus and then senior vice

president. Much of his work today

involves business development and

strategic planning.

In the midst of his career, Elliott

returned to school, receiving a four-year

degree in business administration and

marketing from Upper Iowa University.

“All of my MATC credits transferred over

to Upper Iowa, so I received my four-year

degree in only two years.”

With today’s technology, the printing

industry is rapidly evolving. “Companies

can’t just be printers anymore,” Elliott

explains. “To be competitive they must be

communication solutions providers.

As an example, Suttle-Straus provides

web-enabled solutions, print and

production services, and warehouse/

distribution and mailing services.”

Finding qualified workers for the

printing industry is tough, especially in

Madison’s tight labor market. “MATC has

always had very strong graphic arts and

printing programs, so their graduates are

in high demand,” says Elliott.

To build a qualified labor force for

printing, Elliott believes schools and

companies must demonstrate to high

school and postsecondary students that the

printing industry offers viable, rewarding

careers. To help achieve this goal, Suttle-

Straus hosts student tours of its facilities

on a regular basis and participates in

“shadow” days, when printing and graphic

design students shadow employees to

learn more about the business.

“Students who go to MATC know what

they want to do from the start — that’s a

big plus,” concludes Elliott. “They tend to

be driven and career-oriented. The quality

of education at MATC is excellent. By the

time they graduate two years later, they’ll

have a solid foundation of knowledge that

they will rely on throughout their career

— I know I have.”

Alumni Profile

Mike Elliott presses ahead in printing industry



Ellen Powers, a 1996 graduate of the Barber-

Cosmetology Program, has opened Powers

Hair Studio at 5440 Willow Road, Westport.

After working at a west side Madison salon for

10 years, she decided to start her own business.The salon features works by local artists and

will eventually become a full-service spa.

“My MATC experience was great,” Ellen says.

Annette Aeschbach was featured in an

August 23 Wisconsin State Journal story

about her work at the Emergency Clinic for

Animals Wildlife Rehabilitation Program in

Madison. A 2003 graduate of the Veterinary

Technician Program, Annette and other clinic

staff volunteer their time after hours to care

for injured, newborn and otherwise vulnerable

wildlife.

Denise Anderson has accepted a position in

administrative/accounting support for Store-

N-Save Self Storage, a subsidiary of Trachte

Building Systems of Sun Prairie. Denise holds

an associate of applied science degree in

finance from MATC.

Amy Atalla-Hill, a graduate of the MATC

Photography Program, is working in the

editorial department of In Business magazine

in Madison. “I loved my time at MATC and

feel that it was even more valuable than mytime at my four-year college,” Amy writes.

Jason Neuerburg is a trial technology

consultant at Prolumina Trial Technologies in

Seattle, Wash. A 1999 Visual Communications

Program graduate, Jason’s work involves the

use of visual and information technology for

presentations in court proceedings.

Christine Rolli, a 2005 graduate who studied

art and design at MATC, was one of 100

artists chosen to decorate cow sculptures

installed around Madison for Cow Parade. The

painted cows are auctioned off to benefit localcharities. Christine is working as a freelance

graphic designer and illustrator.

Julie Wilke, who received her MATC degree

in medical office mid-management in 1979

and a bachelor’s

degree from Cardinal

Stritch, has earned anExecutive MBA from

UW–Madison. Julie

is vice president and

chief financial officer

at Monroe Clinic &

Hospital. Her twin sons,

Adam and Jonathan

Huffman, are current students at MATC,

where Jonathan played on the tennis team and

participated in the national meet in Texas.

Commercial art graduate Eli Quinn is working

at Madison’s Human Head Studios, where he

had a hand in development of the just-launched“Prey” video game as a student intern. His

internship led to a permanent position as a

texture artist at the studio, which employs a

number of MATC graduates.

Ryan Yates has joined

the Neckerman Agency

in Madison as a

commercial insurance

agent. Ryan, who holds

an associate degree in

marketing from MATC,

has been in the insurance

business since 2004 and

formerly worked as a mortgage consultant.

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AlumniNotes

Christine Rolli (center) with the “Cowlorful Zebra”

she painted for Madison’s Cow Parade.

Ellen Powers

Join the fun! Become a member of the MATC Alumni Association.

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Mail this form with your payment to:

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Or make your credit card payment by phone: Call (608) 246-6440

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8


“I think biodiesel has a great future,”

says MATC student team leader Dan

Jonovic. “It’s a domestic product, so we

don’t need to go overseas. And it can

replace current fuel. There’s really no

need to modify vehicles, you can just use

a diesel vehicle and then biodiesel fuel.”

The reactor was designed and built

by UW–Madison engineering students at

the request of MATC’s Diesel Equipment

Technology Program. It will be used to

educate MATC students in the production,

use and quality control of biodiesel fuels

and the maintenance of biodiesel-fueled

engines.

At an August dedication ceremony,

students and faculty from the two colleges

demonstrated how the reactor removes

glycerin from vegetable oil or animal fat

to create fuel. A semi truck running on

a biodiesel blend (see cover photo) was

then driven through a ceremonial banner,

officially dedicating the reactor.

“The goal is for students to synthesize

and study various biodiesel fuel blends,”

explains project director Ken Walz, an

MATC chemistry instructor. “The reactor

will allow students to experiment with

different feedstocks, catalysts and pro-

cessing temperatures to optimize biodiesel

production. Students will then character-

ize the fuel that they produce to measure

various properties, such as specific grav-

ity, viscosity, flash point and oxidative

stability.”

The biodiesel product will fuel station-

ary diesel engines and diesel powered

vehicles operated by MATC students.These engines will be monitored for oil

sampling, emissions testing and engine

wear.

“Biodiesel has some unique proper-

ties,” notes MATC diesel instructor Paul

Morschauser. “The lubricity of biodiesel

is greater than that of conventional fuel

and it has a very low sulfur content. We

expect that the biodiesel fuel will reduce

the concentration of hydrocarbons, par-

ticulate matter and sulfur oxides in engine

exhaust.”

“Biodiesel is also an environmentally

friendly fuel,” adds Stephanie Britton, a

UW materials science graduate student

who is completing a teaching intern-

ship at MATC. “Because the oils used to

make biodiesel come from agricultural

crops, combustion of the fuel has zero net

carbon dioxide emissions. This reduces

greenhouse gases and helps address glob-

al warming.”

“This is an exciting project, not only

because it advances a promising energy

technology, but because it’s a timely col-

laboration between the UW and MATC

to address a statewide concern,” says

UW–Madison Chancellor John Wiley.

Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Rod

Nilsestuen has put biodiesel on his front

burner. “Biodiesel is a key part of state

government’s strategy to promote clean,

renewable energy alternatives that will

generate jobs and reduce our dependence

on fossil fuels. Our university and techni-

cal college systems are important partners

in that effort,” Nilsestuen says.

The biodiesel reactor project was con-

ceived by the Consortium for Education

in Renewable Energy Technology

(CERET). MATC and UW–Madison

instructors started the collaboration last

year. After the UW engineering students

designed the reactor, MATC students

showed them how to actually build it.“There was one UW student who had

never used a drill before and, by the end

of the project, she was welding steel,”

Walz recalls. “She was real excited. She

said, ‘I called my dad and told him I

learned how to use a MIG welder!’”

From fryer to fuel tank

(continued from page 1)

What is CERET?The Consortium for Education in

Renewable Energy Technologies (CERET)

is a National Science Foundation-funded

initiative to develop curriculum for renew

able energy instruction in colleges and hi

schools and provide hands-on renewable

energy workforce training.

MATC is a founding partner in CERET. Wit

a new NSF grant awarded in 2005, the

consortium received $500,000 for memb

colleges to develop online courses and fufledged certificates available to two-year

college students.

Courses include renewable energy

management, alternative transportation,

photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind power

and biomass technology. MATC also plans

to create a series of web-based interactiv

“learning objects” to provide students

virtual access to renewable energy

technologies.

CERET’s web site showcases MATC’s ow

use of renewable energy, including photo

voltaic panels, a microturbine used in the

Industrial Maintenance Program, a photo

voltaic installation for a new transit shelte

and, of course, the new biodiesel reactor.

To learn more about renewable energ

at MATC, see the CERET web site at

matcmadison.edu/ceret/ .



MATC onleading edgeof renewableenergy trends

Rising fuel costs and concerns about

our environment have made the renew-

able energy field a promising area for

job growth. Technical colleges will have

a major role in training the workforce for

these new technologies, some of which

are still being developed.

As part of a $500,000 National Science

Foundation grant awarded through the

Consortium for Education in Renewable

Energy Technologies (CERET), the col-lege has developed a Renewable Energy

Technology Certificate.

“The certificate is designed to give peopl

interested in renewable energy a solid

overview,” says Anne Scott of the MATC

Grants Office. “All the courses are avail-

able online to accommodate people

who can’t necessarily attend traditional

classes.” Face-to-face weekend seminar

are planned for some courses in the sprin

semester.

Students complete a class on the theoret

cal underpinnings of renewable energy

management and at least eight additiona

credits in photovoltaic, solar thermal, win

alternative transportation or biomass ene

gy. Courses are developed by renewable

energy experts from businesses, utilities,

government agencies, associations and

educational institutions across the U.S.

9




The on-ramp to the UW is about to get an

express lane. MATC and the University

of Wisconsin have signed an agreement

guaranteeing admission to UW–Madison

for qualified MATC liberal arts students.

“I’ve often called MATC an afford-

able on-ramp to UW–Madison for our

students,” says MATC President Bettsey

Barhorst. “Now I can also say it is a

guaranteed on-ramp. Students will knowexactly what classes to take, how many

credits to earn and what grade point aver-

age they need to maintain to be accepted.”

Under the “Transfer Contract”

program, MATC Liberal Arts Transfer

Program students completing 54 credits

in specified areas with a 3.0 GPA will be

granted admission to UW–Madison as

juniors. The goal is to expand access to

the UW and ultimately, increase the per-

centage of bachelor’s degree holders inWisconsin’s workforce.

“MATC does an exceptional job of

preparing students to transfer to UW–

Madison,” says Chancellor John Wiley.

“The Transfer Contract provides detailed

guidance for students to establish the aca-

demic momentum that will assure their

admission to UW–Madison. It takes the

guesswork out of their planning.”

At a news conference announcing the

transfer agreement, MATC graduate and

UW–Madison doctoral candidate Marjorie

Cook said the change will help more stu-

dents reach their potential for academic

success.

“It sends a very strong message that

UW–Madison welcomes our students

from MATC and that they know they can

succeed at ‘the big school,’ as some of us

call it,” Cook says. “Coming to MATC

was the second chance that allowed me

to continue my education. A clear path,

support through advising, college servicesand encouraging faculty make all the

difference in the world,” she adds.

Reggie Williams, an MATC liberal

arts student who is planning to pursue an

education degree at the UW, adds: “I’m

excited to see this happening for students

like myself who are going back to school

and having options solidified before they

even start. I think it’s going to be a great

thing.”

MATC News continued from page 3

10


MATC President Barhorst and UW–Madison

Chancellor Wiley sign the transfer agreement.

MATC liberal arts student Reggie Williams

Commencement movesto Overture Center

MATC recognized 1,963 graduates in May during

two commencement ceremonies at the Overture

Center for the Arts. It was the first downtown

Madison commencement since the 1960s, when

ceremonies were held at the Orpheum Theater and

the Central High School auditorium. Dayton Street

was flooded with blue caps and gowns as hundreds

of graduates paraded to the Overture Center.

On-ramp to UW–Madison gets an express lane



District board organizes

for 2006–07 term

Three members have been reappointed

to three-year terms on the Madison Area

Technical College District Board. The

12 county board chairs in the MATC

District, meeting as the District Board

Appointment Committee, approved the

new members for terms that will continue

through July, 2009. They are:

• Dr. Jon Bales, DeForest, superintendent

of the DeForest Area School District;

• Janice Bultema, Stoughton, vice

president of human resources at UW

Hospitals & Clinics; and

• James Cavanaugh, Madison, president

of the South Central Federation of

Labor.

The board has re-elected Dr. GeraldMcGowan, retired superintendent of

the Fort Atkinson School District, as

chair. Newly elected officers are Janice

Bultema, vice chair; Dr. Carolyn Stoner,

Helenville, secretary; and Dr. Robert

Elkins, New Glarus, treasurer. The board’s

other members are Carousel Andrea

Bayrd, Madison; John Ashley, Sauk City;

and Dr. Vera Riley, Cross Plains.

Degrees of success:

proof is in the paychecks

The impact of MATC graduates on

the local economy shows up in high

employment rates and high earnings,

according to the latest MATC Graduate

Employment Report.

Each year, the college surveys its

alumni six months after they receive their

degrees. Here is what our 2005 graduates

are telling us:

They’re working. More than nine out

of 10 (92%) of the graduates who sought

employment found it — 74% of them, in

a job related to their field of study.

They’re earning. Associate degree

grads are earning average annual

wages of $32,700, with fields such as

nursing, dental hygiene and supervisory

management typically paying well over

$40,000. The median salary for all 2005

graduates, including degree, certificate

and short-term diploma recipients, is

$29,940.

They’re here. Graduates are repaying

the taxpayers’ investment in MATC by

keeping their earning power here. An

overwhelming 81% of the employed 2005

grads are working in the 12-county MATC

district — pumping the higher wages they

earn right back into the local economy.

Another 16% are working elsewhere in

Wisconsin; only 3% are out of state.

They’re happy. Of the 2005

graduates responding, 97% are “satisfied”

or “very satisfied” with their MATC

education.

The report is based on responses

from 63% of the 3,144 individuals who

graduated in 2005 from MATC degree,certificate and diploma programs.

11


Truax Turns

20This fall marks the 20th anniversary

of MATC’s Madison campus at Truax.

Named after neighboring Truax Field,

where two Air National Guard units

are based, the building opened for

its first classes in 1986.

Top and bottom right: Construction

workers add finishing touches,

inside and out. Far right: Then-

MATC District Board Chair Gerald

Thomas speaks at the Truax

groundbreaking ceremony.

Graduate Employment

Report on the Web

matcmadison.edu

Use the A–Z Index and select

Graduate Employment Report







14


CNC Specialist

Industry advisory boards provide vital

support and guidance to keep MATC pro-

grams current, identify industry needs and

help revamp or develop new programs to

meet those needs.

A partnership with experts in the

machine tool industry led to the develop-

ment of MATC’s new CNC Specialist

Certificate program. “CNC” stands for

Computer Numerical Controls, technol-

ogy that reads computer instructions to

drive a machine tool to create parts.

“We discovered that a lot of busi-

nesses still use manual machinists who

have been doing the job for years but who

need training in the latest CNC technol-

ogy,” explains machine tooling instructor

Harlan Vangen. “The reaction by industry

to the certificate is very enthusiastic.”

The certificate is open to machinists

with at least 4,000 hours of industry

experience.

Automotive Custom PaintingHot cars with swirling flames on their

sides, vans sporting backwoods dioramas,

or subtle pinstripes on a luxury sedan —

all of these images were hand painted or

hand stenciled, a craft that combines basic

auto refinishing knowledge with creativity.

MATC has developed a short-term

Automotive Custom Painting Certificate

for those interested in gaining the skills to

transform their ideas into custom vehicle

art. The certificate is designed for studentswho have completed at least the one-

year Auto Collision Repair and Refinish

Program or have two or more years of

refinishing experience.

“We’ve had a considerable amount

of student interest, and in recent years

we’ve heard from employers looking for

people who can do this specialized work,”

instructor Rod Kolhepp reports.

More new certificates• Basic Medical Reception Skills

• Biotechnology Post-baccalaureate

• Foundations of Early Childhood Education*

• IT–Cisco Certified Networking Associate

• IT–CompTia A+ Computer Essentials

• Language Interpreter for Health Services

• Paralegal Post-baccalaureate

• Project Management

• Renewable Energy Technology

• Small Business*

• Supervisory Management*

* bilingual certificates in Spanish and English

Program News

New certificates offer

quick skill upgrades

Tornado trees conserved

Wood technics instructors Patrick and

Jeff Molzahn use a new outdoor sawmill to

create lumber from tornado-damaged trees.

Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation

(WECC) donated the sawmill to MATC. In retur

students will use the trees to build office

furniture for WECC’s new greenbuilt headquar

on Madison’s west side.

‘Ruby’ course is a gem

This fall, MATC became one of the firs

colleges in the world to offer a class in

Ruby on Rails, a

open source fram

work that makes

developing web

applications sign

cantly faster and

more efficient.

Eric Knapp, a

MATC informat

technology instructor, tracked the growi

interest in Ruby on Rails and developed

his own expertise. He created the initial

curriculum and teaches the new course,

which is for IT professionals with prior

web development experience.

Knapp says the skills students learn w

make them uniquely employable. “Ruby

on Rails is hot with employers all aroun

the world because it dramatically impro

the productivity of web programming,”

Knapp explains. “I know of a least four

employers locally who are just waiting

our fall semester to end so they can hire

our first class of students.”



Redfield uncovers

the possibilities

Emily Dickinson once wrote, “I dwell

in possibility/A fairer house than prose.”

Karen A. Redfield feels that she has

“taught in possibility” during her 18 years

at MATC. In settings from homeless

shelters to a tribal college as well as tradi-

tional classrooms, Redfield has been ener-

gized by the possibilities of her students.

“Like many of our students, I am a first-

generation college student in my family,

and I worked to put myself through school.

My family life was also similar to manystudents’ families, so I can relate in that

way as well,” Redfield says.

Mary Severson, who enrolled at

MATC 30 years after she last attended

school, credits Redfield with giving her the guidance and support she needed as

a returning adult student.

“She saw my potential and challenged

me to set higher goals for myself,” said

Severson, who went on to become a Phi

Theta Kappa honor society inductee.

A freshman English class can be the

moment of truth for students who are

new to college life. “Many students do

not know how to articulate who they are

or how much they have to say until their

first college writing course, and I have

felt privileged to be part of this process,”

Redfield says.

Redfield considers herself a “lifelong

advocate” of MATC students and says

choosing to work with them was the best

decision she ever made.

Bakken makes

the connections

Turina Bakken’s teaching philosophy

involves a firm belief in the notion of

connections.

“Helping each student find a connec-

tion within the field is important. But

teaching also requires that I connect with

them — knowing a bit about their lives,

caring about them really matters,” she

explains. “If you can make that connec-

tion, the learning flows from there.”

In eight years as a marketing instructor

at MATC, Bakken has excelled at making

those connections, both in the classroomand beyond. In addition to delivering

instruction, she participates in depart-

ment and college-wide strategic planning

and has taken part in faculty and student

exchanges to Northern Ireland, Holland,

Germany and Nepal.

But it’s what happens in class that makes

Bakken truly stand out. “She makes class

fun and interactive, yet very educational —

just a great overall learning environment,”

says student Katie Taggart.

Her students benefit from Bakken’s

deep professional experience in market-

ing and communications in the public

and private sectors. Not only does her

background provide her with a wealth of relevant knowledge; it allows her to open

doors to the field for others.

“To be a good teacher, I have to be up

on the latest and greatest theories, tools,

cases going on in the ‘real world.’ It’s fun

being a learner every day. Plus, it’s great

just seeing students succeed in so many

ways, both professionally and personally.”

15


MATC’s 2006 Distinguished Teacher Award Winners

Faculty Profile

Karen A. Redfield

Education

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees,

State University of New York (SUNY)

• Studied at University of Nottingham, England

• Completing Ph.D. at University of

Wisconsin–Madison

Professional

• Chaired English Literature Department,

Universidad Mayor de San Simon, Bolivia

• Has taught English as a Second Language,

English composition and Native American

literature at MATC

• Founding member of MATC’s first Advising

Task Force

• Has facilitated diversity workshops and

conversations about college values

• Three-time Phi Theta Kappa mentor

Turina Bakken

Education

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees,

University of Wisconsin–Madison

• Played international soccer as college student in France

• Certificate in French and International

Business, Universite de Provence, France

Professional

• Directed marketing, promotions, program

and communications at organizations

including Funjet Vacations, UW-Madison a

Madison Area Quality Improvement Netwo

• Lead teacher in marketing at MATC

• Active in department and college-wide

strategic planning and global initiatives

• Leads Marketing Advisory Board

• Phi Theta Kappa mentor

“ Teaching gives me

a chance to combine

a passion for writing

and literature with

my delight in working

with people in

creative ways.”

“ My job is really tha

of a connector —

connecting theory t

application, but also

connecting students

their own talents, id

and interests.”



For details on these and more MATC events,

visit matcmadison.edu, click on A-Z Index

and select Calendars. Events are at

MATC Truax unless noted.

October7 Dance Wisconsin New Works Concert

7:30 p.m., Mitby Theater

11 Jim Wand, Hypnotist

7 p.m., Mitby TheaterFree for current MATC students

Career Planning Workshop

Explore careers, research schools and more.

Requires pre-registration; call (608) 243-4271.

(also Oct. 16 & 30; Nov. 13, 15, 27 & 29;

Dec. 4, 13, 18 & 20)

27 The Wailin’ Jennys

8 p.m., Mitby Theater

28 Broadway Showstoppers

8 p.m., Mitby Theater

November1 Uncovering the Hidden Job Market

Creative job search strategies. Requires

pre-registration; call (608) 243-4271.

Mitby Movie Night

“Some Like It Hot”

2, 5 and 8 p.m., Mitby Theater. Free!

(also Dec. 6, “Rudy”)

4 “Junie B. Jones”

2 p.m., Mitby Theater (ask about special offers)

9 College Spotlight

4–7 p.m., Truax. New event!

For prospective or returning students to learn

about their options at MATC. For more info,

see matcmadison.edu/collegespotlight .

10 “Barefoot in the Park”

Truax Studio Theater

(also Nov. 11 & 12, 17-19)

December9 Breakfast with Santa

9 a.m., MATC Downtown Cafeteria.

Free for children!

14 Holidays Around the World

(time and place to be announced)

Coming up at MATC

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Madison, WI

Permit No. 1389

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Alumni Office

3550 Anderson Street

Madison WI 53704-2599

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

For Mitby Theater informati

and tickets, visit the box off

or call (608) 243-4000.

Dear Profiles Reader,

We hope you like the improveme

in this issue of Profiles . We’ve ad

color throughout — at no additio

cost, thanks to advances in printi

technology — plus bolder section

headings, revamped alumni upda

and expanded event listings. The

changes are intended to better

reflect the vibrancy of MATC and

make your alumni and foundation

publication more enjoyable to rea

Let me know what you think. And

you prefer to read Profiles online

to matcmadison.edu and click o

Alumni & Foundation.

Bob Dinndorf, Executive Director

MATC Foundation &

D e c e m b e r 9

O c t o b e r 2 7

Documents

MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Fall 2006