MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As I watched our graduates walk across the stage I couldn’t help but share in their excitement and pride. Walking into the next stage of life can be scary, but we know our students go forward armed with marketable job skills for a bright future.

A recent study of WTCS alumni across Wisconsin indicated that graduates can expect their salaries to rise steadily each year—and the really good news is that, despite a downturn in the economy, there is still a high demand for graduates from many of the programs we offer. Yes, it’s a bright future, and we can all be proud of our role in putting people on that road to success!

This year’s student graduate speaker was Tim Fish, a Liberal Arts transfer program graduate. Tim will be attending UW-Madison this fall. Here is a quote Tim shared during his commencement speech:

“To be a leader, one does not need to have the most followers, be the most popular, the strongest, or bravest. Instead, a leader needs to have passion, the passion to help others do their best. That is what a leader is. Someone who helps others do their best. And MATC faculty and staff have truly taught me this by example.”

So many people worked hard to put together our commencement ceremony. Thanks to all who participated including Shawna Carter, Sue Carter, Keith Cornille, Jackie Dahlke, Susan Dalton, Sandy Hall, Roger Herian, Anna Hoffman, Corey Helser, Steve Hrobsky, Ellen Hustad, Doug Kirchberg, Mary Merkes, Dennis Michaelis, John Pigeon, Kristen Risley, Mary Robbins, Richard Seibt, Brian Short, Shaylea Stensven, Terrie Thorstadt, and Susana Valtierra.

Tech Academy Super Heroes
Last week there were a lot of people roaming the hallways, some looking confused, some checking room numbers. They were worried if they’d be in the right class, if the class was right for them, and they were excited about what they were about to learn. No, I’m not talking about new students. It was Tech Academy time! Each year, staff and faculty get a little reminder of what it’s like to be a “new” student. (We should keep that in mind as the semester starts!).

Tech Academy’s theme this year was “Be a Technology Superhero.” That might be a big expectation for a few days of training, but I do hope you had a great time exploring and learning about new technology and opportunities, much of it in use in our classrooms right now. Technology changes at such a fast pace it’s hard to keep up. Thank you to the “super heroes” behind the scenes, Tech Academy presenters and organizers for this wonderful event!

MATC Marvels
I really enjoy meeting and talking with students in our hallways. Many take the opportunity to make sure I know about their “favorite teachers and staff.” Here are a few:
Gerard Xavier, counselor (many students tell me how helpful and supportive he has been.)
James Wilson, Spanish instructor (I have to share what one student said: “James took the time to make us feel safe, welcomed and valued. Words can never express the gratitude that I have for his passion, time and empathy, not to mention his tremendous talent of teaching that allows for life-long exploration.”)
Christine Yero, program planning specialist in Ag/Engineer/Tech-Appl/Info/Business
One student had this glowing praise: “In my eyes, she is a saint in shining armor.”

Other MATC Marvels
Our staff and faculty give to the college in so many ways, everyday. Last week, Travis Wiersma took a unique opportunity to contribute in honor of his grandparents through winning a $25,000 donation from Jenny Jones. He became her first “hero.” Through his request, MATC will receive $25,000 worth of new state-of-the-art training equipment for our nursing programs.

More than 200 registered nurses, about 125 practical nurses and 1,200 nursing assistants graduate every year from MATC, so Travis’s wish will help a great number of graduates. The equipment will be in use for several years to come. His wish will ultimately help thousands of nurses and nursing assistants as they head into the workforce to care for their patients.

Jenny Jones had this to say on her website about the donation event held Tuesday: “This was just the best day ever! They had a Nursing Assistant Grand Re-opening Reception at MATC and ribbon cutting ceremony and guess who the guest of honor was? Travis! He’s our very first hero who gave them all that new training equipment. And guess who was there by video hook-up? Me! It was so high-tech. Damon worked with Sue Worth in Madison and hooked us up through his computer, so I could sit at the keyboard and see them on half of the screen and myself on the other half. Everyone was there: Dr. Barhorst (MATC President), Dr. Sido (Dean of Health), Sue Worth (Nursing Assistant Program Director), Travis, and even his mom.” (His mom is our very own Sandy Fuller!) Check out Jenny’s site.

Highlights of my past two weeks:

• attended the Leadership Brown Bag;
• met with Mary Cuene, WTCS State Board chair;
• greeted the four UW-Madison Chancellor candidates: Gary Sandefur, Biddy Martin, Timothy Mulcahy and Rebecca Blank;
• gave two presentations at the WTCS State Board meeting, one on the ten-year anniversary of the Cisco Networking Academy and another on Protective Services facilities;
• met with the new Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Dan Nerad;
• heard from Dr. Jessie Gruman, author of AfterShock: What to do When the Doctor Gives You – or Someone You Love – a Devastating Diagnosis, at the Downtown Rotary Club;
• attended the MATC district Board meeting;
• attended the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce board meeting where I provided an update on MATC activities;
• stopped in at the faculty mentor/mentee breakfast;
• met with MATC Foundation Board member Holly Cremer Berkenstadt;
• recognized retirees at the annual retirement reception;
• dropped in at a poster session for students in our Biotechnology Intensive Post Baccalaureate program;
• was interviewed by “Senior Beat” for a 15-minute segment on MATC’s services and class offerings to older citizens in our district;
• visited Dane County Memorial Coliseum to review graduation logistics and stage set-up;
• congratulated 700 MATC students at their graduation ceremony;
• greeted golfers at the Redsten Golf Outing;
• attended two memorial services for Mark Coyne, one at his family’s place of worship and the other at the Commercial Avenue campus;
• attended a meeting where UW Colleges Chancellor David Wilson along with State Senator Scott Fitzgerald presented proposed UW Extension two-year campuses for Watertown and Madison;
• presented Jenny Jones with a certificate at the DTEC Nursing Assistant Lab grand reopening;
• talked with John List, University of Chicago economist, and his graduate students regarding the MATC Foundation Capital Giving Campaign;
• visited a foundation donor;
• visited the Cambria-Friesland School Board with MATC District Board trustee Jim Cavanaugh to talk about enhancing our services and partnerships with the district;
• met with officers of the Army National Guard;
• interviewed candidate for the position of Associate Dean-College Preparedness and Academic Advancement;
• met with Paulien & Associates along with JJR, Inc. on Master Planning;
• talked with Barbara Snell, CEO of Access Community Health Centers; and
• I was a Celebrity Cashier at the World’s Largest Brat Fest!

To close this message, in memory of Mark Coyne, from one of his memorials and based on a poem by Robert N. Test:

“To remember me…
Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow.
If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses and all prejudice against my fellow man.
Give my sins to the devil.
Give my soul to God.
If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you.
If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.”

Bettsey