MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

It was nearly 46 years ago that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream� speech. Yesterday the nation honored the late American civil rights leader, who did all he could to make people realize that “all men are created equal.� He also had some inspirational things to say about education (please see the quote at the end of this message.) It’s fitting that just a day after Martin Luther King Day, we are swearing-in our first African-American president.

Presidential Inauguration:
By the time you read this message, I will be at Barack Obama’s historic inauguration in Washington, D.C. Our 44th president has some encouraging things to say about the importance of community colleges. Here’s one of his quotes: “With the changing economy, no one has lifetime employment. But community colleges provide lifetime employability.�

Legislative Day:
This Thursday the WTCS District Boards Association will be holding its annual legislative day. Our district board, Erin Thornley, and I will be meeting with state lawmakers to discuss our needs. We will also talk to lawmakers about ways MATC is helping the economy, such as teaching displaced workers new job skills.

Highlights of my week:
• greeted students on their first day of the spring semester;
• participated at the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee meeting;
• attended the Madison Symphony Orchestra Executive Committee meeting;
• met with PSRP Union Management;
• learned about the areas of weight loss resistance from Chad Oler from the National Path Health Center at TEMPO;
• attended the MATC Foundation Campaign Management Committee meeting;
• attended the MATC Foundation Board meeting;
• met with Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan;
• attended the MATC District Board meeting;
• gave a report on our Business Procurement Assistance Center (BPAC) at the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Board meeting;
• attended the WIRED Leadership Caucus meeting;
• met with Mark Koxlien of Cisco;
• met with the President’s Advisory Team;
• met with State Representative Mark Pocan and State Senator Mark Miller; and
• attended the Madison Symphony Orchestra Concert and reception.

In closing, here is a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically… intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.â€?

Bettsey