President’s Message
January 8, 2007 | EditorDear Faculty and Staff,
Happy New Year! Welcome back from winter break, and as you can see, to a new format with improved features for MATC Matters. I hope each of you found time over the holidays to connect with family and friends, renew your spirit and recharge for a new year and a new semester. If you made New Year’s resolutions for 2007, I hope you set goals you can achieve and I wish you energy and determination in doing so.
Convocation January 8 and 9
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow and Wednesday at Convocation activities. All employees are invited to start Tuesday with breakfast in the Howling Wolf Café at 7:30 a.m. and to attend our collegewide assembly from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. in the Mitby Theater. I will open the assembly and be followed by our keynote speaker, Andres Lara, who will talk about “How to Fall in Love with Your Job.� We will close the assembly by recognizing employees who are celebrating 25 years with the college. Please review the complete Convocation schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday so you are familiar with the sessions designed for and of most interest to you.
New Employee Health Assessments
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to improve your health, Cindi Rutten, our employee health and wellness coordinator, has news to help you! For the first time, MATC is offering free comprehensive, confidential Health Assessments for employees. The assessments, provided by Dean and St. Mary’s Health Works, are being held January 23 through February 2, with dates at each of our campuses. Select a date and time that works for you, or find out more about this service by sending an email to Employee Wellness, or by calling Cindi at ext. 4133.
MATC Marvels
Bob Dinndorf, foundation executive director, was elected vice president of the Rotary Club of Downtown Madison for 2007-08 and appointed to the Madison Opera Board of Directors.
The Madison Chapter of Ladies of Distinction, Inc., named Delisa Huntley Scott, counselor, the Education Honoree at the organization’s 2006 award ceremony. The Madison Chapter is actively involved in community projects and social issues.
Tim Jacobson, financial aid director, for his convincing testimony to a Wisconsin legislative assembly taskforce opposing a potential bill that would require students to repay a pro rata share of financial aid for any credits earning a grade below “C.” Tim testified on behalf of the Wisconsin Technical College System and did a great job describing reasons not to support such a policy.
Highlights of my past three weeks
Attended the president’s holiday celebrations at DTEC, Fort Atkinson, Portage, Reedsburg, Truax and Watertown.
- Met with College Council.
- Attended Rotary Club of Downtown Madison’s holiday fellowship luncheon and heard Paul Soglin talk about the political climate in Madison for 2007 and beyond.
- Performed competency assessments for those directly reporting to me.
- Attended Marilyn Rinehart’s retirement reception.
- Met with Spike Ehlers, one of our major donors, and also attended his 100th birthday celebration.
- Attended the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting.
- Attended the Medical Assistant Pinning Ceremony.
- Participated in our Mid-Year Commencement ceremony.
In closing, I would like to share a quote from Aesop:
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.�
- Bettsey
Bettsey L. Barhorst, President
