MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

On a sad note
We learned over the weekend of the death of our friend and colleague Rosemaria Dickinson, medical laboratory technician instructor. She will be missed by her coworkers and students. Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4, at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison.

State Budget
Many of you have heard our great news by now but it’s worth repeating. We have a state budget! And, Governor Doyle used his veto power to ensure important funding for WTCS. The Governor signed the new budget Friday at the UW Memorial Union. For details, see my report in MATCMatters.

Convocation
I enjoyed talking with many of you at Convocation. Rick Smyre gave us a look into the future and a lot to think about as we plan for the year ahead and beyond. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved with planning and producing this wonderful college-wide event.

We had the opportunity to honor our MATC Outstanding Employees of the Year: Stephanie Dean, Enrollment Center coordinator; Lori McRoberts, Enrollment Center coordinator; and Lori Sebranek, project leader (Learner Success). Our Outstanding Team of the Year was the team behind our Women in IT Initiative - Lori Kelley, information technology instructor; Nina Milbauer, information technology instructor and Rocio Martinez, counselor. This year’s Devi Bhargava Faculty/Staff Recognition was awarded to nursing instructor Linda Quamme for her special attention and support of disabled students.

Convocation also allowed us an opportunity to recognize and thank some of our staff who go out of their way to put students first: Anna Marie Hoffmann, program coordinator (health); Pam Chrostowski-Wright, learning programs advisor; Doug Gerbitz, project leader (OneCard); Kris Mills, administrative specialist (and Heart to Heart advisor); Zong Her, research project specialist; Jason Verhelst, program coordinator (athletics); Rhoda McKinney, custodial associate; and Donna Swadley, custodial associate.

Thank you to these convocation presenters: Patricia Almond, Jami Moe and Sonja Noble (Blackboard Mentors), Geoff Bradshaw, Veronica Delcourt, Marla Gamoran, Nancy Gasser, Kristin Gebhardt, Larry Hansen, Chris Hinrichs, Dennis James, Shana Kuehn, Amy Minett, Malika Monger, Chris Page, Diana Paynter, Sandra Philip, Craig Plain, Tina Rettler, Pat Schramm, CC Sheldon, Jackye Thomas, Terrie Thorstad, Geraldo Vila Cruz, Rochelle Wanner and Becky Wittig.

Thanks also to the following people and others who assisted with the planning and presentation of Convocation: Paul Algiers, Robin Craig, Judy Glaza, Cory Helser, Brad Kahn, Diana Paynter, Cindi Rutten, Ellen Vervoort, Matt Breaux, Devon Cournoyer, Margi Foley, Robin Gee, Amy Kittleson, Brant Kraemer, Andy Kuruzar, Ann Neuberger, Richard Seibt, Terrie Thorstad, Barb Wise and Teresa Werhane.

More good news
The MATC District Board agreed to support the college in the development of a Master Plan at its meeting last Wednesday. A comprehensive facilities assessment will be underway by the first of the year, and we are excited to see what will unfold over the next 12 to 18 months. Watch MATC Matters for more news as we proceed with the development of our master plan for the college.

Dave Zweifel, editor of The Capital Times, was one of my guests at a president’s table lunch in the Gourmet Dining Room a few weeks ago. We were able to talk in depth about MATC’s benefit to the community. Dave decided to share this information in an October 24, column entitled, “MATC’s a Secret to Many but Shouldn’t Be.”

MATC and UW–Whitewater signed an important transfer agreement Friday, increasing access for more of our qualified Liberal Arts Transfer students to transfer to UW–Whitewater to complete a four-year degree. Right now, more than 14 percent of UW–Whitewater’s transfer students are from MATC, and more are expected with this new agreement.

MATC Marvels
Here are this week’s “favorite teachers” as mentioned to me by students:
Brent Valentine, Spanish
Nina Neupert, contemporary American society

Other MATC Marvels
Ellen Vervoort, duplicating specialist, for always going above and beyond all expectations. As mentioned by an instructor, “She works so very hard to keep things running smoothly in her department, she gives each job her personal touch and is never too busy to help out when needed.�

Barbara King, ADN instructor, received the 2007 Geriatrics Writer’s Award for her article, “Functional Decline in Hospitalized Eldersâ€? featured in MEDSURG Nursing: The Journal of Adult Health.

Highlights of my week
In addition to events on our campuses, I’ve had the opportunity to go out into the community to share news about MATC and learn what’s going on. Recently, I took part in these events:

• met with Congressman David Obey, author of the memoir, Raising Hell for Justice at his book signing;
• met with Kathleen Radionoff, business and applied arts dean and Turina Bakken, business and applied arts associate dean, regarding our Culinary Arts Program reaccreditation visit;
• hosted president’s tables in the gourmet dining room for Lea Culver who heads the Culver VIP Foundation; Mike Green, a member of the Land & Resources Practice Group; David Reinke, founder of Parts Now!; Julie Wilke, chief financial officer of the Monroe Clinic and 1979 graduate of MATC’s medical office management program; Deb Archer, Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Dennis Davidsaver, Chase Bank;
• participated in a WTCS Presidents WisLine to discuss the state budget;
• presented our Master Plan to the district board trustees at their board development meeting;
• met the Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association board of directors;
• interviewed by WORT radio for the United Way’s Delegation for Disconnected and Violent Youth;
• met Jacoline Grunbauer, a visiting scholar from The Netherlands who was hosted by Dana Carpenter, accounting;
• taped a media segment for the upcoming College Spotlight with assistance of biotech instructor Lisa Seidman and electronics instructors Jacob Eapen, Bill Phillips, Alberto Rodriguez and Gashwin Saleno;
• attended the 55th annual Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce event along with district board trustees Bob Elkins and Frances Huntley-Cooper; and
• signed the UW–Whitewater transfer contract.

I would like to repeat the quote that Rick Smyre shared with us at the conclusion of his presentation at Convocation:

“May you always search for new ideas, may the wind of change be at your back, and may the warmth of your light encourage others who are afraid to take that first step.”

Thank you for all you do to help our students!

Bettsey