MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Congratulations to the MATC WolfPack women’s basketball team. They won the Region XIII-A Championships Friday night and will be competing at the national tournament in Utica, NY, the week of March 13-16. Special congratulations to Jessica Pelzel, head coach, and Mike Mayfield, assistant coach. The game on Friday night was very exciting, with the outcome not evident until the last few seconds. This was one of the most entertaining, exciting games I’ve seen in a long time!

Although the men’s team did not make it to nationals, I want to congratulate them on a terrific season. They claimed the conference and state championships with an overall record of 25-7. What a tremendous accomplishment!

Join me in congratulating all the coaches, Athletic Director Steve Hauser and the athletics staff. How fortunate we are at MATC to have such a strong program.

MATC Follies
Although I wasn’t able to attend this year’s MATC Follies Saturday night, I understand that Corey Helser and company put on a very entertaining show. The line-up included Patrick Barlow, Byron Bishop, Mathew Breaux, David Chastain, Edward Clarke, Terry O’Laughlin and Mike Winckler. I want to share this message from Corey: “Thanks to each of you for sharing your time and talent last night. Not only am I amazed at the level of talent, but also with the camaraderie and support you provide to each other. Your contribution is a shining example of what this community should be.”

Convocation News
March is finally here, spring is just around the corner, and along with St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break comes our mid-semester Convocation on March 14. A preview of the agenda is now available on the CETL Web site. I look forward to seeing you there as we plan for the rest of this year and into the next!

Speaking of spring time, don’t forget this weekend we “spring ahead.” Set those clocks forward at 2 a.m. on Sunday as we start Daylight Savings time.

AQIP
As we continue our examination of AQIP leading up to the site visit by the Higher Learning Commission in April, MATC Matters features a discussion of AQIP Category 2, Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives. Colleges self-select these “other objectives,” and MATC is focusing on fostering economic development and expanding employment opportunities. Please take a look at the article or visit the AQIP web site for more information.

MATC Marvels
Here are this week’s “favorite teachers” as mentioned to me by students:
Leanne Wheeler, health and safety instructor
Renee Cairns, English instructor
Al Lehnen, mathematics instructor

Other MATC Marvels
At the 72nd Annual Wisconsin Association for Career and Technical Education (WACTE) Conference held last week in Stevens Point, the following members of MATC’s Local 27 Chapter of WACTE were honored with the George P. Hambrecht Award for serving at least 25 years in career and technical education: Barbara Hundt, Mary Robbins, June Sarbacker and William Schallert. Retiree Pearl Dunn was honored with the Professional Excellence Loyalty Member award for her continuous significant contributions to career and technical education following retirement. David Shonkwiler was recognized for his service on the WACTE Board. MATC representatives to the House of Delegates were Linda Bahr, Paul Flogel, Barbara Hundt, John Kinsler, Mae Laatsch, Mary Merkes and Alfonso Studesville.

Congratulations to students and faculty of the Interior Design program. Our students took home 17 out of 24 top awards in the annual Interior Design Competition open to students from all WTCS colleges. Students competed in several categories, testing their knowledge of textiles and history of furniture in a written exam, as well as testing their skills in intense “on the spot� design activities (known as charettes) in residential, commercial or kitchen design.

The student awards keep coming! Congratulations are also in order to Doug Kirchberg and The Clarion staff who picked up six regional awards at the Midwest College Newspaper Convention last month including a third-place Best of Show award.

Highlights of my week

• Interviewed by a student from our Graphic Design program for a class assignment;
• attended the state board meeting on Monday evening and Tuesday;
• attended the YWCA Circle of Women Annual Recognition celebration;
• talked with WTCS president Dan Clancy regarding the state board meeting we are hosting on April 1-2;
• participated at the United Way annual board meeting; and
• met with two of our new deans.

The success of our men’s and women’s basketball teams reminds me of Michael Jordan’s quote. Let it also remind us of ourselves in all we do:

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Bettsey