MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As you probably know, there is a deficit in the state budget of $5 billion which will, undoubtedly, impact our state aid. We need to be aware of this and ready to tighten our belts as necessary. However, both houses and parties in the Wisconsin State Legislature have elected new leadership, and there is some encouraging news when it comes to higher education. The Assembly Speaker-Elect, Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville), has been supportive of technical colleges. In fact, he formerly served on the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation Board. Sheridan has also served on legislative committees that focused on jobs, the economy, labor, industry, workforce, and small business. He is a retired president of UAW Local 95 and was a General Motors worker for more than 30 years.

Thankful for MATC:
I attended the American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) commission and board meetings last week in Washington, D.C. and, as always, after hearing about other colleges, I came away with optimistic feelings about how fortunate we are here at MATC. We have resources and the ability to hire top-notch faculty and staff that most colleges just dream about. So, at this time of Thanksgiving I am once again thankful for all that you do for our students but also for all that the college does for each of us personally.
 
MATC Marvels:
When I asked students to tell me about someone at MATC who has helped them, they mentioned:
Jeffrey Peterson, program planning specialist, CMAT
Maisa Abonour, Arabic 1 and 2
Jim Langkamp, music choral concert director
June Groehler, Internet Explorer and PC Maintenance, Fitchburg Senior Center

Other MATC Marvels:
Congratulations to Arts and Sciences Associate Dean Shawna Carter for winning the prestigious ATHENA Young Professional Award! This is a new ATHENA Award Program sponsored by The Business Forum. The award is presented to an emerging community leader whose professional and personal achievements make them ideal role models for young women. MATC Diversity Recruitment and Employment Coordinator Malika Monger was also nominated for the award.

How do you make science fun and educational for elementary students? Just ask science instructor Holly Walter Kerby. This past Saturday at MATC’s Downtown campus, Holly presented a free performance entitled Science in a Box: The Boiling Point. Kids got a chance to investigate the mystery of vaporization with the help of some exciting experiments and a mysterious box. Fusion Science Theater is a MATC project funded by the National Science Foundation.

Highlights of my week:
• received an update on the Facilities Master Planning Project from JJR LLC;
• met with the PSRP Union Management team;
• hosted a president’s table with guests Diane Ballweg from Endres Manufacturing, Jerry Frautschi, Overture Foundation, Scott Lockard of U.S. Bank, MATC Foundation Board member and CEO of WPS Jim Riordan, and Paul Shain formerly Berbee Information Network;
• toured space possibilities for protective services and surge usage;
• attended the American Association for Community Colleges Global Education Commission meeting in Washington, D.C.; and
• marched in the inaugural procession for UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer.

As we approach new leadership with our country and state, it reminds me of a quote by Charles F. Kettering:

“People are very open-minded about new things – as long as they’re exactly like the old ones.�

Bettsey