MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

What a wonderful time it is at MATC. We have support from the District Board for our facilities master planning and the scope has been developed for the request for proposals for steps three and four of the planning process (comprehensive facilities assessment and strategic facilities implementation plan). As I’ve mentioned before, with the completion of the Academic Plan we are ready to look at overall facilities planning for the college - something we haven’t done since 1973. It is our belief that buildings follow programs and program needs, not the other way around, so it was vitally important to discuss, distribute and complete the Academic Plan. Details of the Academic Plan are available on BlackBoard under Learner Success, Planning and Budget.

MATC Marvels
Here are this week’s “favorite teachers,” as mentioned to me by students:
John “Luke� Matthews, anthropology
Bernardo “Bernie� Hoes, English
Holly Kerby, science
Patricia Marco, marketing
Bradley McDowell, psychology
Dawn Delaney, psychology
Richard Shaten, economics
Thomas Brice, marketing & supervisory management

Other MATC Marvels
Patrick Molzahn, lead instructor in Cabinetmaking and Millwork, has been appointed to a 10-member team to help write National Skills Standards for the Woodworking Industry.

MATC Foundation Update
New members elected in the last year to the MATC Foundation Board include Larry Barton, vice president and principal, Strang Inc. (a 1985 graduate of MATC’s Architectural Technology program); Jan Bultema, vice president Human Resources, UW Hospital and Clinics (also chair of the MATC District Board); Mary Feldt, chief executive officer, Park Towne Management (a former MATC real estate student); and Mary Schmoeger, executive vice president, American Family Insurance (a former math teacher at Indiana’s Ivy Tech). An orientation session was conducted November 6 to better acquaint new board members with MATC’s strengths and opportunities.

Highlights of my week

• visited the Business & Applied Arts Center;
• presented the Facilities Master Planning overview at the leadership brown bag;
• met with Jonathan Pollack regarding the college’s 100th anniversary history project;
• participated in the MATC Foundation Board’s orientation;
• presented, “MATC: Bringing the Future into Focusâ€? to the Madison East/Monona Rotary Club;
• attended WiscAMP’s Governing Board & Liaison annual meeting;
• dropped in at the K–16 Partnership Council meeting;
• attended the Wal-Mart Super Center grand opening in Monona where MATC was presented with a $5,000 scholarship;
• attended the Downtown Rotary meeting and Downtown Madison’s annual event, “Big Dreams & Bold Ideas.” Texas State Senator and former Mayor of Austin Kirk Watson was the keynote speaker. Watch next week’s letter where I will share his message.

I would like to share a quote with you by Eleanor Roosevelt in commemoration of the anniversary of her death (Nov. 7, 1962):

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.â€?

Have a great week!

Bettsey