MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Be sure to mark your calendars for the mid-semester Convocation scheduled for Friday, October 24. Highlights include a college-wide campus safety discussion, breakout sessions and time for unit planning in the afternoon. CETL will announce more details and an agenda this week.

Flood Fund
I’m proud to share the news that to date we have distributed more than $2,200 to help 24 flood victims—21 students and three staff members. Many staff were offered the assistance but turned it down insisting that the funds be given to students. One returned the amount given asking that it go into the scholarship fund. In addition to the funds to staff and students, some dollars were used for supplies for workshops held this summer. We have a small amount in the fund remaining, and we are still getting requests. You can still contribute to this fund through the MATC Foundation.

Staff movement
I am pleased to announce Tim Jacobson has accepted a new position as Financial Aid Advising Coordinator. Tim will be responsible for financial aid and veteran affairs outreach activities to ensure that future and current students have a full understanding and access to available aid. Financial aid has become a huge factor in student enrollment, and with his vast expertise, Tim will be in a position to maximize communication to students about financial aid and to encourage them to apply. Jennifer Hoege will assume the role of managing the Financial Aid Department and will be working closely with Tim and the Financial Aid staff to ensure a smooth transition. 

De-stress with a massage
The MATC Massage Clinic, staffed by students in our Therapeutic Massage program, is taking appointments for the fall. As the semester continues at its hectic pace, a massage is just the thing to help relieve stress.

MATC Marvels
Here are this week’s “favorite teachers and staff,” as mentioned to me by students.
Elizabeth Bremer, college prep
Linda Langel, nursing
Susan Suchomel, nursing
Andree Valley, ceramics, DTEC
John Mattioli, Vietnam/American history
Gwen Ebert, English
Gary Johnson (retired), anatomy and physiology
Connie Dreger, health and safety program planning specialist

As we near the mid-semester point, I remember one of my favorite quotes on college teaching by Ernest L. Boyer. In fact I used to have it tacked up on my wall:

“When all is said and done, the central qualities that make for successful teaching are the ones that can be simply stated: command of the material to be taught, a contagious enthusiasm for the play of ideas, optimism about the potential of one’s students, and, not least, sensitivity, integrity, and warmth as a human being. At a good college this combination is present in the classroom.”
-College: The Undergraduate Experience in America. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Thanks for all you do for our students!

Bettsey