MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am deeply saddened to begin this week’s message with the news of the loss of our colleague, EMT instructor Mark Coyne. As most of you know by now, he was one of the victims of the fatal crash of a UW Med Flight helicopter this weekend. He was doing his job to save lives as a nurse on board the chopper when it went down. Students, faculty and staff gathered at Commercial Avenue on Sunday to talk about Mark and pay tribute to this well-respected, well-loved educator and friend.

Kathy Sellnow, dean of Human and Protective Services, reminded us that Mark helped train thousands of men and women who respond to emergencies around the state. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial for MATC staff, faculty and students is planned at Commercial Avenue on May 20.

We just received information on Mark’s funeral service. A visitation will be held, Monday, May 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 3815 South Dutch Mill Road in Madison. Memorial Service follows at 5 p.m., and a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship for nursing/EMS will be established in Mark’s name.

We heard the news last week that Vice President of Learner Success Debbie Derr has accepted the presidency at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. While we are sorry to see Debbie leave the college, we are proud and thankful for Debbie’s contributions as part of our MATC team and wish her the best in her new position. Debbie has tackled some tough challenges in her career at MATC and has led her division well.

The Search Committee will be appointed soon in preparation for a national effort to select a new Vice President for Learner Success. In the interim, Learner Success will be headed by Maria Banuelos and Terry Webb, Associate Vice Presidents for Learner Success. They will be assisted by Dr. Abdulcadir Sido, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Learner Success.

As we also conduct a national search for the Dean of Health and Safety Education, Jody Thrush will serve as Interim Dean.

Finals week is upon us! The library and study areas seem a little more crowded and the parking lot a little fuller as students buckle down for that last push before the end of the semester. I know it’s a busy time for staff and faculty, too, and I wish you all the best as we bring another semester to a close.

I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the MATC Graduation Ceremony this Saturday, 10 a.m., at the Alliant Center. As we’ve done in recent years, video will be available online and DVDs will be available for purchase after the event. Congratulations and thank you to Student Life staff and all staff involved in putting on this exciting event.

This is a time of new beginnings, not just for our graduates, but for some faculty and staff who retire this year. Join your colleagues and friends at the 2008 Retirement Reception this Thursday, May 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Truax Cafeteria. I will be there to wish them well and find out what’s next in their lives.

Today’s the last day to sign up for Tech Academy on May 20 to 22. Sessions include everything from tips on Word, Powerpoint and BlackBoard to what’s on the technology horizon. This year’s theme says it all, “Become a Technology Superhero!”

As summer unfolds, I will be switching to an every-other-week message. As the record-breaking snow of 2007-08 fades away, let’s celebrate by getting out in the fresh air and sunshine whenever possible. Here’s to a great summer!

MATC Marvels
Here are “favorite teachers,” as mentioned to me by students:
Franklin Cham, English
William Padley, accounting/business
Andrea Thalasinos, sociology
Jim Grenzow, architectural technology
Thomas Thompson, accounting
Hiep Van Dong, marketing
Keith Clark, business
Craig Lathrop, automotive technology
Matthew Sargent, sociology
Ronald Dunbar, economics
Steven Noll, marketing
Harlan Vangen, machine tool
James Wildeman, photography
Nancy Johnson, accounting/management
Paul Harrison, industrial maintenance
Julie Skemp, English
David Zentner, commercial art
Karen Burke, health and safety
William Burke, protective services EMS

Other MATC Marvels
The MATC Engineering Design class, with the help of instructors Ken Walz, Jon Christian and Devin Rains, are designing and building playground equipment to be erected in Honduras. The class has been working with the Hackett Hemwall Foundation, a medical foundation dedicated to providing medical services to people around the world. The equipment will be built for the Centro de Rehabilitacion Integral del Litoral Atlántico in La Ceiba, Honduras, to provide exercise and fun for all children, especially those with disabilities. The project is slated to be sent to and erected in Honduras during Spring Break next year (2009). Geoff Bradshaw assisted with the logistics.

Speaking of engineering, Ken Walz, Dave Shonkwiler, Claudia Griesbach and Terry Webb met with the UW Academic Planning Council about the new Introduction to Engineering Design course. The council voted on the transfer agreement blueprint, and it was approved unanimously. This was the last hurdle before it goes to the chancellor to be officially signed this summer and announced to the public for new students entering this fall.

Human and Protective Services Associate Dean Scott Sterland is a member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin. The event serves nearly 10,000 athletes with cognitive disabilities in sports training and competition. The Torch Run leads up to the Summer Games in Stevens Point on June 5 and 6. Thank you, Scott, for this wonderful work.

Congratulations to our students (and faculty) from the MATC chapter of Business Professionals of America who attended the organization’s National Leadership Conference competing against schools across the country. Two students earned National Champion status! Thanks to instructors M. Jeff Quinlan and Brian Schmoldt who accompanied the students, Mark Finger who organized them and to all the business instructors who prepared the students to do so well.

Cabinetmaking and Millwork Program Director Patrick Molzahn has been re‑elected to a three-year term as a member of the National Board of Directors for the Woodwork Career Alliance. The WCA is responsible for the creation and oversight of National Skills Standards for the Woodwork Industry. Congratulations, Patrick

Highlights of my week:

• attended St. Mary’s Breakfast with Business;
• met new employees Livvia Goff, CETL technology trainer; Jane Wachira, human resource representative; Jason Wiedenhoeft, recruitment coordinator; Kevin Foley, CPAAC clerical technician; Paul Renzi, auxiliary services manager; Pade Thao, clerical assistant; Chua Vang, child care technician; Rebecca Peirick, child care technician; Vicki Saffran, promotion and event coordinator; and Thae Yang, child care technician;
• met with Nancy Johnson and Madison Symphony Orchestra staff;
• participated in the WTCS Advisory Committee on Curriculum and Educational Initiatives meeting;
• visited the Pardeeville School Board with MATC District Board trustee Jerry McGowan to talk about enhancing our services and partnerships with the district;
• attended the Madison Metropolitan School District’s Circle of Friends event with Perry and Virginia Henderson as their invited guest;
• facilitated College Council;
• met with Pend Armistead of The Clements Group;
• watched the Wolfpack baseball game against Elgin Community College;
• visited the College Preparedness and Academic Advancement Center with Keith Cornille;
• met with Joe Lowndes;
• lunched at the Watertown picnic; and
• attended the WTCS Presidents monthly meeting.

In closing, I want to include a quote from Mark Coyne that was included in a story about him in the Wisconsin State Journal. It sums up his philosophy and that of many of our faculty and staff here at MATC:

“A candle loses nothing from lighting another candle.”

Bettsey