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Inside Wright Place, Wright Time Hot Jobs: Terry’s Take Proud to be in the Pack MATC Pro files Spring 2007 Madison • Fort Atkinson • Portage • Reedsburg • Watertown For Alumni and Friends of Madison Area Technical College Woodworking Wonders see page 6

MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

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Page 1: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

InsideWright Place, Wright Time

Hot Jobs: Terry’s Take

Proud to be in the Pack

MATC ProfilesSpring 2007Madison • Fort Atkinson • Portage • Reedsburg • Watertown

For Alumni and Friends of Madison Area Technical College

Woodworking Wonders

see page 6

Page 2: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

MATC Profiles

2MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

One thing sure to disrupt a busy office is the dreaded “low toner” light. If you depend on a computer for your job, your studies or your life (and if that’s the case, hit the escape key every once in a while!) you know that when the printer is down, things grind to a halt.

A Middleton entrepreneur saw a business opportunity in this common, everyday occurrence. His idea was to sell remanufactured toner cartridges as an environmentally-friendly cost saving option for government agencies. But the maze of rules, regulations and paperwork involved was daunting. So Rob Wangard turned to MATC to learn how to

win a share of this vast market. Rob’s Middleton business, Cartridge Savers, is

one of hundreds of Wisconsin enterprises — most of them, small businesses and many of them minor-ity or veteran-owned — to master the ins and outs of government contracting at MATC’s Business Procurement Assistance Center (BPAC).

Including a record $358 million last year, BPAC has helped Wisconsin companies land $1.9 billion in federal, state and local government business. That’s $479 for every $1 of BPAC’s operating budget. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, which also provides funding for our program, last year’s contracts resulted in more than 7,000 jobs created or retained in Wisconsin.

Fostering economic development is a key part of MATC’s statutory mis-sion. Not only do we prepare our students for real world careers in fast-growing fields; we also work directly with individual companies to capture new markets and increase profits.

In Rob’s case, the bottom line is that Cartridge Savers has become one of the fastest-growing Hispanic-owned companies in the U.S. In 2006, Rob was recog-nized as Wisconsin’s Minority Small Business Person of the Year.

And today, from government warehouses all the way to the White House, when the words “low toner” flash on a laser printer, the toner cartridge is replaced by one of Rob’s products. With a little help from his friends at BPAC, Rob Wangard has become an MATC real world success story.

Sincerely,

Bettsey L. BarhorstMATC President

Dear MATC Alumni and Friends,

The 12th annual MATC Golf Classic honors the memory of Doug Redsten who devoted 30 years to MATC students and alumni as a teacher, coach and administrator.

Monday, May 21, 200711:00 amThe Bridges Golf Course2702 Shopko Drive Madison

Host – Jim Thomas General Manager Head Professional and MATC’s Head Coach

To register, contact Tricia Weisheipl (608) 246-6958 [email protected]

Mark your calendar for the

12th Annual Doug Redsten Golf Classic

MATC Foundation Robert Dinndorf, Executive Director

MATC Alumni Association Tricia Weisheipl, Coordinator of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations

Communications Director: Janet Kelly

Profiles editor: Bill Graf

Graphic designer: Amy Kittleson

Staff writers: Robert Dinndorf, Robin Gee, Bill Graf, Janet Kelly, Tricia Weisheipl

Contributing writer: Mark Crawford

See “Alumni & Foundation” at matcmadison.edu or call (608) 246-6441 for more information

Page 3: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

Frank Lloyd Wright’s brilliant imprint on the built landscape of Wisconsin spans a wide array of structures and settings, from the prairie serenity of Taliesin near Spring Green to the vibrant sweep of Madison’s Monona Terrace. This is the story of how a Wisconsin boy’s fascination

with Wright led to an education in design and a career revolving around a unique yet little-known landmark: Frank Lloyd Wright’s only skyscraper.

You won’t find the 19-story Price Tower in a major metropolis, although the building was originally proposed for New York City in 1929. It stands in the middle of oil country — Bartlesville, Oklahoma — where the headquarters of H. C. Price Company became known as “the tree that escaped the crowded

forest.” Today, 50 years after it opened, visitors can not only tour the high-rise and peruse its Price Tower Arts Center exhibits; they can even stay overnight in the Wright-designed high style of the Inn at Price Tower.

Scott Perkins’s path to Price Tower began with his boyhood near Wausau. He was drawn to the colors, patterns and spatial relationships of buildings, and was particularly fascinated by Wright-designed homes.

“I always enjoyed driving by one of these, the Duey and Julia Wright residence, as a child with my parents,” he says. “It supposedly was designed in the shape of a musical note to reflect the family’s love of music. I was intrigued by the idea that people could actually have a home ‘designed’ for themselves according to what they wanted.”

After graduating from high school in 1986, Perkins was disappointed by his first college experience. “I felt lost in the large lecture halls and didn’t have any real outlet for my creative side,” says Perkins. After a year, he left for Madison and enrolled at Madison Area Technical College.

It was a good fit. Perkins earned his associate degree in interior design in 1991 and continued taking architectural drafting and liberal arts courses at MATC before moving to

3

Alumni Profile

For Scott Perkins, the “Price” is WrightMATC graduate is curator at Price Tower — Frank Lloyd Wright’s only skyscraper

MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

continued on page 4 >

Page 4: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

4MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

Chicago. He completed his bachelor’s in fine arts in interior architecture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997. Six years later, he received a master’s in decorative arts, design and culture from Bard Graduate Center in New York, where he is currently pursuing doctoral studies.

Perkins completed an internship at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Spring Green during his undergraduate years in Chicago. He was given the opportunity to catalogue and photograph the entire furniture and artwork collection at Wright’s Taliesin estate. “Handling the furniture on a day-to-day basis, and seeing the construction of these pieces close-up, really did wonders for my Frank Lloyd Wright fever,” he says. “Working in the large drafting room there almost became a religious experience.”

As part of his doctoral studies, Perkins was preparing a research paper on Wright and his Prairie School movement when his advisor suggested he write an essay on Wright's designs for the Price Tower Arts Center’s 50th anniversary commemorative exhibition catalogue. Soon, his in-depth knowledge of the building's interiors, furniture and history made Perkins the perfect choice to become the center’s curator of collections and exhibitions in 2006.

One of his first projects was “Wright Restored,” an exhibit highlighting the detailed restoration and conservation work that Perkins directed to return the tower’s upper three floors to their original 1956 appearance.

“With ‘Wright Restored,’ my design skills kicked in, since I had to redesign three floors of historic interiors spaces as well as design and install the exhibition in our galleries,” says Perkins. “Besides educating the various contractors on the complexities of Wright’s furniture and interiors, I coordinated the conservation of historic objects, supervised the crews who were replicating built-in furniture from photographs, and negotiated with vendors to not only meet our budget, but also complete the entire restoration in a very short 10-week time frame.”

Looking back, Perkins remains impressed with the way his MATC instructors prepared him for the working world. The studio format of MATC’s interior design department gave him the basic trade qualifications he needed, especially the teamwork skills necessary to work in a design studio.

“Our courses were structured around realistic projects. We were able to get out of the classroom and visit different types of work environments — retail design studios,

large architectural offices, furniture dealer-ships and factories,” Perkins recalls. “These experiences gave me an edge when I decid-ed to complete my bachelor’s in fine arts, as I already had a little taste of the outside world and, therefore, an advantage in juried critique sessions.”

Perkins gets back to Madison twice a year to reconnect with friends and class-mates. “I have great memories of MATC. We had a great sense of camaraderie, both in and out of the classroom. MATC, in gen-eral, got me interested in learning again and for someone still ‘in school’ after twenty years, that’s perhaps the biggest outcome of my time spent there.”

Scott Perkins continued from page 3

“ I have great memories of MATC. We had a great sense of camaraderie, both in and out of the classroom. MATC, in general, got me interested in learning again…”

Overnight with WrightTHE INN AT PRICE TOWER

21 high-design guest rooms in Frank Lloyd Wright’s only skyscraper

For reservations and information, visit www.pricetower.org or

call (918) 336-1000.

Page 5: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

5MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

Students Travel South to Lend a Hand

MATC students took an Alternative Winter Break trip in to the Florida Everglades, where they worked at a refuge for injured and abused animals. Alternative Spring Breaks took 100 students to four locations:

• Appalachia, mentoring high school drop-outs and working on home construction for coal miners in West Virginia;

• New York City, preparing and distributing meals to people with HIV/AIDS;

• Washington D.C., learning about homelessness and hunger by volunteering at shelters, food pantries and youth centers; and

• New Orleans, helping to rebuild the damaged areas continuing to suffer the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

MATC News

More MATC News on page 10 >

4 for the futureEconomist Terry Ludeman sees good jobs in high-growth sectors

What’s hot in the job market? The answer seems to vary day by day as technology, global markets and demographic trends converge to change the workforce. Terry Ludeman, retired chief labor economist for the state of Wisconsin, shared his insights recently with Profiles.

Health Care“Wisconsin adds about 20,000–25,000 new healthcare jobs every year, about 25% of which are in Madison. If you add to that the 5,000 to 6,000 baby boomers in these jobs who retire every year, there are 10,000 to 12,000 healthcare opportunities available in the Dane County area every year — an ideal market for nurses and medical technicians.”

Finance/Insurance “There are probably 1,500–3,000 new jobs created in this sector every year in Wisconsin. Although most aren’t professional positions, they do require very strong skill sets, especially in computer operations and information technology.” Law firms, engineering companies, scientific/research firms and medical practices will also be looking for computer programmers, operators and technicians.

ManufacturingManufacturing is increasingly dependent on technology for running innovative business processes, such as “just in time” production and delivery. Of the 2,000–3,000 jobs available every year in this field, many require high-tech computer skills such as CAD and other engineering applications.

ConstructionDespite the downturn in housing starts across the country, construction in Wisconsin has stayed strong, thanks largely to commercial construction. There are currently about 120,000 construction jobs in the state — 30,000 in the Madison area. Although strong new-job growth isn’t in the forecast, there should be about 2,000–3,000 job vacancies created every year by retiring construction trade workers.

Help the students who helpTo make a tax-deductible donation to sponsor a student volunteer, please send a check payable to the MATC Foundation to:

MATC Student Life

Re: Alternative Breaks Donation

3550 Anderson Street • Madison, WI 53704

For more information, call (608) 259-2953 or email [email protected].

Page 6: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

6MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

W hen tornados ripped through Dane County two years ago, the damage included a number of

uprooted trees in a west side research park. But where storm chasers saw debris, a local nonprofit business saw opportunity.

It was only natural for the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC), a company devoted to promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, to see the potential in those damaged trees. So it approached MATC’s Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program with a proposition: WECC would donate a brand-new portable sawmill to MATC, and students would make office furnishings for its new green-built headquarters out of trees removed from the construction site.

While the instructors in the program are eager for their students to gain the real world experience of working on special projects for area businesses and organiza-tions, they are selective about the proj-ects they take on. Projects must include a learning component that fits into the curriculum. The WECC headquarters, a showplace of sustainable building prod-ucts and methods, fit the bill.

Cindy Moubry, WECC contracts and procurement manager, learned that the MATC program might be able to help. In exchange for donation of the portable sawmill, Patrick Molzahn, lead instructor, agreed to mill the wood from the site and have students turn the wood into a recep-tion desk for the new building.

“This has turned out to be a wonder-ful partnership for us,” says Moubry. “It’s been a great opportunity for students to experience green or sustainable building firsthand, and it allows us to keep all the trees onsite.”

Getting Down to Business in Cabinetmaking and Millwork

Page 7: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

7

The added bonus for WECC is the MATC project adds to the many sustain-able features of the building that the com-pany hopes will earn them a prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Partnerships like this are one of the things that keeps the cabinetmaking and millwork lab at MATC Truax bustling with activity every day. Students and instructors cluster around the room at dif-ferent stations, each completely focused on the task at hand — sawing, sanding, gluing, nailing — all of the things one would expect in a wood shop, and more.

Maintaining an efficient pace is impor-tant, says Molzahn. “I want to ground stu-dents in the real world. They need to learn to work in teams, plan projects, keep track of hours, calculate production costs and profit, and manage their time as they would on the job.”

Patrick and his brother, Jeff, also an instructor in the program, bring their own work experience into the classroom. Patrick was trained as an architectural designer and ran his own woodworking business, while Jeff, a journeyman car-penter, has 20 years of experience work-

ing for building contractor J. H. Findorff. They also invite industry experts to address students on the latest products and methods.

“When I decided to pursue turning my woodworking hobby into a career, my wife and I sat down and explored our options,” says Dave Lauher, who was a nurse for 20 years before he graduated from the program last year. “We settled on MATC because it had a good reputa-tion.” He now is working at Carley Wood Associates in Madison, an architectural woodworking firm.

With family responsibilities that include three children, Lauher says he really had to stay focused. “I was on a mission, so I was very happy that basical-ly everything Patrick and Jeff said about the industry was right on the money. They pushed us and challenged us but it made me very well-prepared to work in the field.”

Molzahn has discovered that to suc-ceed in his program, “students must be detail-oriented and have a strong desire to work with their hands. But the number one requirement is the desire to learn.” In that regard, Patrick Molzahn feels blessed.

The program: Cabinetmaking and Millwork

The degree: One-year technical diploma

Career potential: Cabinetmaker, finish carpenter, architectural woodworker, finishing specialist, fixtures manufacturer, CAD/CAM operator.

Current employers of MATC graduates include Carley Wood Associates, Techline USA, Nonn’s Flooring, Hensen Manufacturing, Wisconsin-Built, The Carlson Company, Brunsell Lumber and Woodjoiners.

Typical salaries: From $24,000-$60,000. Entry level, $12-15/hr.; highly skilled employees can earn up to $25/hr.

For more information: Call (608) 246-6842

MATC and WoodLINKS: The Latest Word on WoodAn innovative program that offers online, self-directed curriculum for woodworking is going national through a partnership with WoodLINKS, an industry-driven educational partnership.

Patrick Molzahn, lead instructor for MATC’s Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program, developed the curriculum because he found that there were practi-cal challenges to the traditional lecture and demonstration method of teaching. “We’d have 16 students crowded around a machine. Some couldn’t even see the details of the demonstration. Then they’d wait in line to use equipment.

“By providing online modules using PowerPoint, short videos and PDFs, stu-dents can work at their own pace. They can study and review theoretical, safety and operating information online, freeing up class time for hands-on work in the laboratory. Because students are working at their own level, not everyone will be trying to do the same task at once.”

WoodLINKS-USA now is making Molzahn’s learning modules available to its members. This year the organization also awarded MATC its Partnership of the Year Award for developing the curriculum.

MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

Page 8: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

8MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

Businesses share ‘Future Thoughts’

S tudents had the day off, but the halls were still buzzing. Professionals from small firms, corporations,

government agencies, trade associations and the UW were gathering at MATC for “Future Thoughts,” a January in-service activity designed to share strategic information with over 400 college faculty about the future of their professions and industries.

Nurses, engineers, CEOs, scientists, transportation managers and state agency and university administrators, along with a fire chief, animator and art director, met with instructors in 17 sessions organized by career field, with anywhere from five to 50 instructors participating in each.

“For decades, our occupational programs have received ongoing input from advisory committees, made up of local employers, working professionals and graduates, for a real world check on what our students learn and bring to the workplace,” states Terry Webb, MATC’s associate vice president of Learner Success. “Our programs will continue to work with their advisory committees, but we took this opportunity to really look into the future, five to 10 years out. We asked all faculty to join with our local employers and begin our planning to meet future needs.”

Each session began with employer presentations, then moved into facilitated but free-flowing dialog focused by five questions designed to provoke thoughts about trends, emerging needs and future demands. Some groups became so engaged they chose to skip lunch and continue their sessions well beyond the two-hour time period.

What did MATC learn from organizations as diverse as Vierbicher Associates, Inc., Wisconsin Hospital Association, Peterbilt, Raven Software, Office Team, Covance, Voltedge and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection?

All of the business representatives expressed a need for MATC to educate more skilled workers with up-to-date technical skills specific to their fields. Many also expressed the importance of developing complimentary “soft skills” in students — such as customer service, emotional intelligence and interpersonal abilities.

Employers also stressed the need for students to gain knowledge in good manufacturing practices, instrumentation skills and process improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma. Other needs identified included:• new curriculum to support the

emerging biofuels field;• laboratory technicians trained

for converging sciences such as biotechnology, energy, agriculture, chemistry and animal care;

• specifice skills to support growth in the video gaming industry, which is expanding into new markets due to business applications for virtual conferences;

• more emphasis on developing students’ business writing and technology skills;

• continuing education for culinary and hospitality workers; and

• training to help our community’s growing population of Latino workers advance into management.The end result of the Future Thoughts

sessions is to help develop a comprehensive academic plan for the college based on first-hand information from employers and projected demographic and economic trends for the college’s 12-county service area.

The academic plan is scheduled for completion this summer and according to Webb, “will guide decisionmaking at the college over the next five to 10 years by providing a model for future programming and outreach activities, as well as recommendations for how MATC serves our community.”

The end result of the Future Thoughts sessions is to help develop a comprehensive academic plan for the college with first-hand information based on employers and projected demographic and economic trends for the college’s 12-county service area.

Page 9: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

Tom Brice, a graduate of the Marketing and Supervisory Management programs, marks 35 years at Madison Gas and Electric, where he is currently materials manager. He has been a part-time teacher in the Supervisory Management program (see ad on page 11) since 1987, and is past president of the MATC Alumni Association.

Lara Klipsch Elliott, a 2000 graduate of the Graphic Design Program, is an associate art director for American Girl, a lifestyle magazine for girls ages 8–12. She was initially hired as a graphic

designer by American Girl at her portfolio show. Now, Elliott works with photographers and illustrators from around the world.

Graphic design graduate Kristin Erickson’s successful magazine Brava celebrates its fifth anniversary in May. Formerly known as Anew, the full-color, glossy monthly tells the stories of exceptional women who empower others. In May, Erickson is set to launch Brava

Encore Edition, an annual publication that will follow notable women through a day or a pivotal moment in their life.

Medical coding graduate Darla Lockman is employed full-time as a coder at UW Hospital and Clinics. A former junior high school teacher, she worked in manufacturing for 25 years before seeking a career change. “I wish to express my thanks to [MATC instructors]

Rhonda Voelz and Loretta Brunell for doing such a great job of preparing me for real world coding.”

Dave Mahoney, who has been both a student and instructor at MATC, was elected Dane County Sheriff last November and began his term in January. Mahoney’s career includes service with the Middleton

EMS, Middleton Police Department, Cross Plains Police Department and Dane County Sheriff’s office. He also has served as President of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.

Bill Neeman, general manager of Ad-Tech Industries in Watertown, is president-elect of the Watertown Rotary Club. Neeman, MATC alum, is a long time donor to MATC and has established a reimbursement plan for his employees to attend the college. Cindy

Schroeder, a graduate of the MATC Business Mid-management Program, is office manager at Ad-Tech, an industrial painting company.

Dennis Ruchti has joined Strang, Inc. of Madison as HVAC design engineer. Ruchti holds an associate degree from MATC and has over 28 years of comprehensive HVAC design experience. Strang,

Inc. is an integrated architecture, engineering and interior design firm. Larry Barton, an architectural technician alum, is vice president of Strang and a member of the MATC Foundation Board.

Lasting Skin Solutions, whose founder and president, Kim

Schuchardt, is an MATC graduate, has opened a new Middleton location in the Discovery Springs Center. It provides a

multifaceted approach to preventative and corrective skin care, including the latest in laser technology. A graduate of MATC and UW–Madison, Kim has over 17 years of medical experience and is a registered nurse, physician assistant and certified laser technician.

Alumni Notes

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

Address _____________________________________________________

City ________________________ State _______ Zip _______________

Phone ______________________________________________________

Email _______________________________________________________

Membership: _____ $25 annual _____ $100 lifetime

Payment Method: _____ Personal check (payable to MATC Foundation)

_____ Visa / MasterCard _____ Discover

Credit card number _____________________________________________

Expiration date ________________________________________________

Cardholder’s name _____________________________________________

Mail this form with your payment to: MATC Foundation • 3550 Anderson St. • Madison WI 53704

Or make your credit card payment by phone: Call (608) 246-6441

What’s New? Let Us Know!We would love to publish your special news in Profiles. Please share your information in the space below, or email it to [email protected].

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

9MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

A way to remember, a way to renewThe losses of Stan Burek, Carl Jensen and Sara Sherkow in the past year have been deeply felt by the MATC community. But they and many others have left a legacy of hope for MATC students for many years to come.

Those who wish to remember their loved ones by making learning accessible to future stu-dents are encouraged to contact the MATC Foundation Office. Many named funds, as well as the Foundation Endowment for scholarships and grants, provide opportunities for students to carry on in the tradition of our Stan, Carl, Sara and other MATC legends.

Gifts to these and all of the MATC Foundation’s scholarship accounts are tax-deductible.

For details, contact MATC Foundation • (608) 246-6441 [email protected]

Page 10: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

MATC’s intercollegiate athletic teams experienced tremendous success during the Fall 2006 season. The WolfPack golf, soccer and women’s volleyball teams swept their way through state competition as all three teams claimed conference and state titles. The teams experienced simi-lar success on the regional and national levels.

The volleyball team, ranked third in the nation in the final NJCAA poll, advanced to the regional final. The WolfPack fell to Ridgewater College, the eventual Division III national champions but finished the season with a stellar 33-6 record. Kristin Brochtrup and Kara Hilmanoski became the first two volleyball All-Americans in school history.

The MATC golf team overcame a nine stroke first day deficit to win the NJCAA Region XIII title by eight strokes. It was the program’s fourth regional title in

MATC history and its first since 2003. MATC golfers Josh Pantel, Paul Jacobsen, Eric Isberner, Bryan Leschensky and Ben Steeger qualified for the NJCAA National Golf Tournament June 5-8, 2007 in Chautauqua, N.Y.

The MATC Soccer team, ranked 15th in the nation, also claimed a Region XIII title with a 2-1 victory. The regional title was the second straight and the seventh in program history. With the win, MATC advanced to the District Tournament in Dallas, Tex. The WolfPack advanced to the District Final against Richland College but lost to the eventual national champions.

Come catch the action this spring as MATC continues to make its mark as one of the premier junior college athletic programs in the Midwest!

10

Kristin Brochtrup (above) and Kara Hilmanoski became the first two volleyball All-Americans in MATC history.

Proud to be in the pack!

MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

MATC golfers Josh Pantel (above), as well as Paul Jacobsen, Eric Isberner, Bryan Leschensky and Ben Steeger have qualified for the 2007 NJCAA National Golf Tournament.

Keep up with the pack!visit matcmadison.edu/athletics for the latest Wolfpack news

MATC News continued from page 5

Page 11: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

11MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

Solar summit boosts renewable energyMATC’s Center for Education in Renewable Energy Technology (CERET) recently hosted the Wisconsin Solar Working Group to explore strategies to grow the solar energy industry in Wisconsin.

Town hall for a dayMATC hosted one of Governor Jim Doyle’s Town Hall meetings in December. A packed house at MATC Truax heard the governor’s goals for his second term.

Foundation focuses on photography

Photography students Dustin Walsh, Austin Hillebrandt, Karolina Romanowski and Reesha Lopez focus on part-time instructor and full-time administrator Herb Nelson with cameras donated to the MATC Foundation. The cameras were given by David and Stephanie Dean, Sara Hart McGuinnis and Lew Terpstra. [Photo by: Briana Montgomery, Creative Photography Student]

Career Upgrades Available HereB U I L D O N T H E D E G R E E Y O U A L R E A D Y H A V E

Do you have the experience but now need management skills to move to the next level?

The Fastrack Supervisory Management/Leadership Development Program at MATC can help!

• Focus on one subject at a time, one night a week• Earn a second associate degree in 18 months• Study contemporary topics in: management, leadership, managing change, conflict,

critical thinking, creative problem solving, workplace ethics and improving quality• Earn credits that transfer to many 4-year and online colleges

Applications are being accepted for the August 2007 cycle. Seats are limited, so apply today!

For more information contact: Cindy Spankowski(608) 258-2372 • [email protected]

G E T Y O U R C A R E E R U P A N D R U N N I N G I N 2 0 0 7

MATC News continued from page 5

Page 12: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

“ For the strength of the Pack

is the Wolf, and the strength

of the Wolf is the Pack.”

These words of Rudyard Kipling well describe the interdependence between individual and community — as well as the name of MATC’s athletic teams. A few recent examples of MATC friends giving strength to the pack through schol-arships and other gifts:

Jack and Bob Bolz recently decided to create a permanent endowment in the Madison Community Foundation for MATC students in the visual and perform-ing arts. This fund will provide a substan-tial increase in the amount of scholarships available each year to MATC students. The Bolz family had been funding schol-arships annually through the Eugenie Mayer Bolz Family Foundation.

Occasionally, faculty members like Betty Hurd of the Fashion Marketing Program, are called on for advice by other organizations. Betty dedicates the consulting fees from these engagements to help build the Fashion Marketing Fund for Learning Enhancement. Betty’s gifts maintain a tradition of generosity estab-lished by Nancy Tans, Mae Laatsch and other department members.

Gene Laubengayer, an Emergency Medical Services alumnus, has estab-lished an endowment in the MATC Foundation that will support Fire Protection Technician students. Gene’s daughter Andrea is a Fire Protection Technician alumna.

The Alexander Fortney Memorial Scholarship honors this Fire Protection Technician Program student, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2005. The col-lection of funds and scholarship selection is coordinated by the Shorewood Hills Fire and EMS Association.

Sherri Kliczak is a proud MATC alumna and employee of National Guardian Life, a long-time scholarship donor. Sherri volunteered this year as a member of the foundation’s scholarship

12

Foundation News

MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

Grateful alumni fund the future

A continuing happy 100th to Spike Ehlers, mainstay of the Lona M. Ehlers Nursing Scholarship. Spike and friends celebrated with a televised birthday party on December 30, one day prior to the special occasion. The memorial to Lona is the MATC Foundation’s largest fund.

Jim Ballard, a retired Chicago photographer, who donated his extensive collection of pictorial books, instructional and other texts to the MATC Photography Program.

Calendar Cast Takes a BowAccording to the calendar, it was time for a party. Local alumni featured in the MATC Foundation’s popular 2007

Calendar and Report to Our Community gathered recently for a “cast party” at Smoky’s Club, which is owned by brothers Tom and Larry Schmock (Mr. and Mr. August). Community activist Jacqueline Hunt (top photo) was among those honored at the event by MATC President Bettsey Barhorst. To request a copy, call the Foundation at (608) 246-6441.

continued >

Page 13: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

reading committee, which broadened her view of MATC students’ needs and led to increased funding for the National Guardian Life scholarships.

Jack Lussier has provided new fund-ing for participants in the Community Scholars and Continuing Student Scholarship programs. Community Scholars perform volunteer work and meet specific grade and enrollment crite-ria while they earn tuition scholarships. Jack is a well known community builder, providing opportunities for persons of all ages and abilities.

W. W. Grainger continues its leader-ship support of the annual MATC Math Competition this year, helping the MATC Math Club promote the importance and enjoyment of mathematics. The Spring 2007 event capitalizes on the new popu-larity of Sudoku.

Robert Keller has established the first endowment fund for scholarships in the Real Estate Program. The Keller Real Estate Group Endowed Scholarship focuses on students with an interest in property management and/or real estate investment careers. The new scholarship adds to Bob’s support of MATC students through grants from the Nelson and Vera Hicks Foundation.

Celebrating Scholars in ReedsburgMATC Reedsburg’s first Scholarship Award celebration honored students in accounting, practical nursing and associate degree nursing in January. Front row (seated): students Celia Pfaff and Alissa Faber. Second row: students Katie Ann Mundth, Jennifer Cone, Marie Johnson, Paula Wedig and Michael Hutchison; Diane Jetzer, North Region campus manager. Back row: John Alt, MATC North Region executive director, economic and workforce development.

I will contribute $_____________ to the following fund(s):

$_________ Forward Fund (scholarships and grants)

$_________ Specific MATC program: ____________________

Name ____________________________________________

Address __________________________________________

City _____________________________________________

State _____________ Zip ___________________________

Phone ___________________________________________

Email ____________________________________________

Payment Method

______ Personal check (payable to MATC Foundation)

______ Visa / MasterCard ______ Discover

Credit card # ______________________________________

Expiration date _____________________________________

Cardholder’s name __________________________________

Support student success. Make a gift to the MATC Foundation

Mail this form with your payment to: MATC Foundation • 3550 Anderson St. • Madison WI 53704

Or make your credit card payment by phone: Call (608) 246-6441

13MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

Grateful alumni fund the future

It takes “will” powerUpdate your estate to help students succeed.

Name: John Lalor

Education: marketing degree from MATC; Ph.D. in educational administration

Career: 32 years in higher education; dean at three Wisconsin technical colleges; joined MATC staff in 1985

Estate plan: recently updated to include an endowment gift to the MATC Foundation

“ Working with my attorney, I found it very easy to update my estate plan to benefit students long into the future.”

To learn how you can help MATC students in your estate plan, contact Bob Dinndorf at [email protected] or (608) 246-6440.

Page 14: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

14

One word: Plastics Wisconsin is known for its dairy, paper and even metal fabricating industries, but few know that plastics manufacturing also is one of the state’s largest industries and a major source of employment in the south-central region in particular. MATC offers a two-year Plastics Technology Program, but there has been a continuing need for short-er-term training for those already working in this $2.7 billion industry.

The new Basic Plastics Operator Certificate offers short-term training designed to help workers upgrade their skills to meet rapidly changing technol-ogy and methods. Classes meet one night a week for three hours, offering face-to-face instruction and a top quality laboratory for hands-on learning.

Got a nose for news?Liberal Arts Transfer students who are interested in writing and reporting now have an opportunity to “add value” to their associate degrees. The new Journalism Certificate is designed for those interested in gaining skills for entry-level news reporter positions at small newspapers or radio stations, or for build-ing a basis for further education, includ-ing internships at larger papers.

To obtain the certificate, students are required to complete their two-year liberal arts degrees in conjunction with taking 17 credits necessary for the Journalism Certificate. Required courses cover an introduction to mass communication, news reporting and feature writing with elective options in photojournalism, web and professional writing.

Program NewsNew certificates offer quick skill upgrades

MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

$2 million will boost biotechTo meet the fast-growing biotechnology sector’s workforce needs, MATC has been awarded a $2 million federal grant to train 435 workers for laboratory techni-cian positions with local bioscience com-panies, including Covance Laboratories and Promega Corp. MATC will work with employers to create “career ladders” allowing new, current and displaced work-ers to advance in the biotech field.

MATC, one of only 72 institutions in the nation to receive one of the highly competitive grants, is partnering with the University of Wisconsin and Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDB) to develop curriculum for the program.

HEP, HEP, hooray!MATC has received a federal grant, expected to total more than $2 million over five years, to help migrant and seasonal farm workers obtain diplomas through the High School Equivalency Program (HEP). The program provides job advancement, post-secondary education and training opportunities in rural commu-nities in the MATC District.

The program puts a high school diploma within reach for rural agricultural workers who must work during much of the school year, making it impossible to complete a traditional high school education. Through a previous HEP grant, MATC has served nearly 500 migrant workers and their adult children since 2001.

Photography student Jaime L. Forrest, spon-sored by MATC instructor Mario Quntana, won an honorable mention in the international Photo Imaging Education Association's 2007 contest for her "Soccer Player."

A great shot

Page 15: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

Ken McCullough loves problem solving, puzzles and mysteries — characteristics he says are necessary in information technology professionals because “they need the ability to listen and understand problems so they can fix them.”

“ IT has come back …

right now, we have

a shortage of skilled IT

workers and need to

attract more people into

the profession.”

As lead instructor for MATC’s Information Technology Department, McCullough shares much in common with his students. In fact, he knows what it is like to turn to MATC to build a career. In the early 1980s, he enrolled at MATC to “top off” his UW–Madison degree with the hands-on skills employers demand.

McCullough’s associate degree in data processing/computer programming prepared him for a position building applications for the state’s driver license and vehicle registration systems at the state Department of Transportation. From there, he moved to CUNA Mutual Insurance Group, where he managed programmer teams.

The chance to share his professional expertise with students brought McCullough back to MATC.

“Teaching is in my genes … it was probably inevitable,” he says. McCullough counts nine teachers in his family, including both parents and all three siblings, from pre-school to university professors. After teaching computer programming part-time, he

accepted a full-time faculty position at MATC in 1997.

His students say McCullough has had a tremendous impact on them. Danielle Fossum, now a web programmer/analyst at Hiebing Group in Madison, will always remember McCullough’s supportive and caring attitude. “He believed in me and my abilities, which was key in my finding employment.”

In addition to the success of his students, he is most proud of securing the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for MATC’s network security programs, creation of the IT Faculty Development Institutes, and his support of department initiatives to promote IT careers to women.

“IT has come back,” McCullough proclaims. “Today I frequently hear from employers who cannot fill solid IT jobs offering good pay and benefits. So, right now we have a shortage of skilled IT workers and need to attract more people into the profession.”

His current mission is to help turn around the image of IT professionals, which has suffered from news reports that make the collapse of dotcoms and outsourcing of IT jobs seem more prevalent than they are. The Dilbert cartoons aren’t especially helpful, either, he addds.

“Ken has a great personality and he has a special gift for motivating others,” recalls Annie Vang, a recent graduate who works on the fast-paced web team at American Family Insurance. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Ken’s encouragement and support.”

15

IT image is McCullough’s mission

Faculty Profile

Kenneth McCulloughEducation• Bachelor’s degree & graduate studies in

communication arts, UW–Madison

• MATC associate degree in data processing/computer programming, 1983

Professional• Six years at Wisconsin DOT as programmer,

systems analyst and team leader

• Eight years managing programmers at CUNA Mutual Insurance Group

• Part-time instructor in MATC’s Midrange and Mainframe Computer Programs

• Full-time MATC faculty member since 1997

• Five years as lead teacher, Information Technology Department

• 2005 Outstanding Service in IT award, Wisconsin Technical College System

“ Teaching is in my family. This is the best job in the world — to be able to make a difference in somebody’s life, even if what you do is small.”

MATC Profiles • Spring 2007

Page 16: MATC Alumni Foundation Newsletter Spring 2007

April

10 College Spotlight For returning and prospective students. See matcmadison.edu/collegespotlight for more information. 4–7 p.m., Truax

14 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Musical based on the C. S. Lewis story. 2 p.m., Mitby Theater

The Ambrosia Trio New York group performs chamber music at its best. 8 p.m., Mitby Theater

22 Big Top Chautauqua Stories and songs celebrating Wisconsin Wild Woods and Waters. 3 p.m., Mitby Theater

26 Scholarship Awards Breakfast 7:45–9 a.m., Redsten Gymnasium

28 An Evening of Good Taste Unique appetizers and desserts prepared by culinary and pastry arts students. For more information, call (608) 246-6958 or see matcmadison.edu/culinaryevents. 7–10 p.m., Gourmet Dining Room, Truax

May21 Redsten Golf Classic

For information, call Tricia Weisheipl at (608) 246-6958 or email [email protected] 11 a.m., The Bridges Golf Course, Madison.

July11 Concerts on the Square Patio Party

For alumni and friends of MATC Foundation 5–7 p.m., Capitol Square Check matcmadison.edu for details.

19 MATC at the Mallards Warner Park, Madison. 4 p.m. tailgate party followed by game. For ticket information, call Tricia Weisheipl at (608) 246-6958 or email [email protected].

Coming up at MATC

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMadison, WI

Permit No. 1389

Resource Development 9996804690

Alumni Office 3550 Anderson Street Madison WI 53704-2599

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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.

For Mitby Theater information and tickets, visit the box office or call (608) 243-4000.

April

28

July

19

April

10

May

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