MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We’re proud to tell people that 94 percent of our graduates are employed, and most live and work in Wisconsin. So, it was a special honor when Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman selected MATC to hold a news conference on the state’s new Internet job search site. Secretary Gassman met with students at the Truax library and gave them a hands-on demonstration on how to search for employment opportunities. Gassman called MATC, “one of our excellent technical colleges.” Special thanks to Bill Bessette for coordinating the news conference.

It’s time to “Start!�
Fall is upon us—and it’s a good time to get in shape before the holidays. The American Heart Association Start! program begins October 1. Sign up now and you can pick and plan your own program, compete for prizes and have fun.

Alternatives to the gas guzzle
MATC is hosting an event for National Alternative Fuel Days Odyssey on Friday, October. The event will feature alternative energy presentations from 9 a.m. to noon and a vehicle display from noon to 3 p.m. in Room 142C at Truax.

MATC Marvels
Following is a list of “favorite teachers” who were mentioned to me by students.
Marty Richards, English
Ramon Figueroa, mathematics
Clarissa “CC” Sheldon, veterinary tech
Virgil Miller, English, Fort Atkinson
Jodie Ryan, college success
Bradley McDowell, psychology
Mary Savage, Deborah Wiepz and Sharon Holthaus, team-teach anatomy/physiology
Tory Joyce, statistics
Wendy Arena, math

Other MATC Marvels
We just received word that 100% of the Medical Assisting graduating class of May 2008 passed their Certification Examination. Congratulations to the students and thanks to instructors Susan Buboltz, Connie Matheson, Karen Sager, Rachel Schuetz, and Simone Williams.

Recently retired MATC instructors Peggy Bremer (ADN program) and Gerri Wicklund (Business Technology program) have won excellence awards from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development or NISOD. The awards emphasize the importance of teaching and leadership excellence in higher education.

MATC Matters carries a reminder this week on the important resources available at our libraries. Not only do the libraries add new research tools regularly, librarians are always on hand to serve students, staff and faculty. I want to take this time, during their busy season, to say thank you to all MATC Library staff and ask you to stop by the library and meet our new district librarian, Julie Gores.

Two MATC art instructors have showings at area galleries. Chris Gargan is part of an exhibit at Edgewood College through October 17, and you can see works by Marla Brenner at the Milward Farrell Art Gallery on October 3. There is also a new exhibit by Chris Gargan and fellow commercial art instructor John Ribble at the Artisan Gallery in Belleville. I had the pleasure of viewing the exhibit last week.

Early Thursday morning, a student reported that a young kitten was in the sewer drainage pipe located in the student parking lot. Security Officer Tyler Mortenson and our student employee Johan Vermaak, responded to the area in question. They observed a very young kitten that appeared to be very distressed and scared. Lt. Mortenson came back to the Security Services Command center and contacted the Vet Tech area for assistance. A current Vet Tech student responded with Lt. Mortenson to the scene and rescued the kitten. The kitten was released to the Dane County Animal Center in an attempt to locate the owner.

Jack “Tom� Helbig, Jr. brought the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) to Truax Campus for their meeting and a tour of the campus last week. There were 24 local lighting professionals who came to see the campus. This is quite a statement as the tour last year was Epic and the year before that was the Overture Center. Ken Starkman welcomed the group and accompanied them on their tour.

The Association of Wisconsin Theatre Educators met here last week. This is the second year that we have hosted their visit. Thank you to Mike Lussenden for coordinating. About 60 high school teachers attended. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Elizabeth Burmaster also attended.

Highlights of my week:

• attended this month’s leadership brown bag session on the PACE (Personal Assessment of the College Environment);
• attended the United Way Board meeting;
• introduced Roberta Gassman, Secretary of the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, at the press conference to help launch the state’s new Internet site which will meet Wisconsin’s 21st century employment needs;
• participated in the AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Process) Steering Team meeting;
• attended College Council where the group reported on chapters from Crucial Conversations;
• attended Rotary Club of Madison;
• attended the district board meeting;
• welcomed high school counselors at our annual Counselors’ Day; and
• dropped in at CETL’s (Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) informal networking coffee.

While signing up to participate in the American Heart Association Start! program, this quote came to mind, by William Londen:

“To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.”

Have a great week!

Bettsey