MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

What a week! I was saddened and shocked to see the images this weekend of the houses being washed away near Lake Delton. My thoughts go out to all those affected.

Unfortunately, the storms didn’t spare our MATC community. I’ve learned that Doug Kirchberg and his family were forced to evacuate their home during the storm and have not yet been able to return. I want to extend my well wishes to Doug for a safe and quick return.

As you know, our Reedsburg campus remains closed. The bridge en route to our building was flooded out. John Alt tried to reach the campus on Monday and found it took two-and-a-half hours to get there from Baraboo. There has been no flood damage to our property but we felt it best to close until the bridge can be repaired.

I remain concerned for all the people affected, but I also know that during times like this our community will pull together to help each other.

Graduation
This week we congratulate 471 students who have completed their high school diplomas through the HSED/GED and HEP programs. For many, not only is this the achievement of a long-held dream, but it’s the start on the path to a better future. It’s an honor to be a part of helping people achieve their goals, and I wish all our graduates the best of luck. I also look forward to seeing many of them again as they continue their education.

A woman of distinction
Several MATC District Board trustees and staff were on hand to honor board member Vera Riley (photo at right) who recently was recognized by the YWCA as a 2008 “Woman of Distinction.� Honorees were selected based on their community service, professional achievement, integrity, leadership and dedication to the lives of others. Current board member Frances Huntley-Cooper, a 2002 recipient, was also featured on slide and video clips.

Making international connections
Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Community Colleges for International Development (CCID), MATC will host a group of Egyptian students for 21 months starting in August. Eight students will participate, four in Tourism and four in Information Technology. The students have been selected in cooperation with the Egyptian Government, ECA, CCID and regional partners.

MATC sustainability group news
This past semester, the MATC Environmental Sustainability Alliance (MESA) approached graphic design instructor Sue Medaris about holding a logo “contest” in her graphic arts class. To get students started, MESA volunteers spoke with them about sustainability and all the great things that are happening at MATC. The students responded with 18 incredible logos. MESA members voted on and selected a design by student Lucy Ptak and a runner up by Laura Smith.

Congratulations to Sue and her students. I look forward to more news from MESA as they continue exploring ways MATC can be more sustainable. For more information on the group, see their website.

MATC Marvels
You will be hearing much in the coming months about the MATC Foundation’s Capital Campaign, the most ambitious (and exciting) fundraising effort in the college’s history. The campaign will help us increase our funds and resources to support more students throughout our district. Faculty and staff participation and enthusiasm will be important components to our efforts.

Thanks go to the following faculty and staff who have stepped up to serve as tri-chairs or vice-chairs for the Faculty Staff Division of our inaugural major gifts campaign: Dawn Anderson, Turina Bakken, Sandy Blumer, Vickie Boeder, Cindy Bowen, Shawna Carter, Sue Carter, David Dean, Mary Haight, Barb Hundt, Diane Jetzer, Ken McCullough, Rhoda McKinney, Janice Mettauer, Paul Morschauser, Anne Schacherl and Cindy Spankowski.

I often hear from students about our faculty and staff. We also welcome feedback from the general public on our contribution to the health and growth of our community. One of our MATC District Board trustees recently passed on this comment from a local community leader: “I took another online class this semester, which I really enjoyed. I just wanted to let you know how valuable I consider these classes and how much I appreciate the opportunity to take online classes at such a reasonable price.�

Highlights of my weeks

• Viewed a webcast by Dr. Tony Zeiss, president of Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the best ways to find additional financial resources for community colleges, and how to put those new resources to their best use;
• held informal interviews with community members regarding our employment pools;
• participated in a two-day meeting of the WTCS Statewide Marketing Committee that was hosted at our campus (the committee received presentations from several marketing firms related to a future statewide marketing campaign);
• welcomed a group of Army National Guard enlistees who are on campus June 2-13 to participate in a pilot program that prepares them for GED testing and development of an Individual Educational Plan (IEP);
• dropped in at the Learning Academy;
• attended WisPolitics presentation, “The Wisconsin Economy in a Time of Uncertainty;”
• presented information about the college to the Downtown Madison Kiwanis;
• met with Jim Riordan (MATC Foundation Board member) and Todd McVey from the United Way to discuss the 2008 United Way Campaign;
• hosted a gathering at my home to celebrate Deb Derr’s new position as president of Northern Iowa Area Community College;
• met with athletic director Steve Hauser to discuss our athletic program and the need for more scholarships;
• attended Downtown Madison Rotary and then met with Gary Wolter, CEO of Madison Gas & Electric;
• attended a reception of TEMPO members that included women leaders from the Madison community;
• met with Bill Meland, president/CEO of Pillar Wealth Management, to discuss the MATC Foundation; and
• attended Art Rainwater’s retirement celebration at Monona Terrace.

In closing, here is a quote from Minding The Dream, The Process and Practice of the American Community College on “A Globally Aggressive Workforce:”

“Emphasizing the liberal arts as well as technical skills ensures that we will continue to have workers who can think.”

Bettsey