Welcome New Board Members
At the March 15 meeting of our District Board Appointment Committee, two new District Board members were appointed and incumbent board member Lauren Baker was reappointed. Congratulations to Lauren. Welcome Thomas Michalski and Melanie Cosgrove Holmes. Pending confirmation by the WTCS Board, both take office on July 1 and will be outstanding additions.

Ms. Holmes is vice president, World of Work Solutions, at  Manpower Inc. She has been with the company for 26 years, has been involved in many civic causes and served on a variety of boards. Mr. Michalski is an Oak Creek alderman and former member of the Oak Creek School Board. He works as a machine repair mechanic at Rockwell Automation, also serving as chief plant steward and bargaining team member for UE Local 1111.  Ms. Baker is coordinator of Career and Technical Education for Milwaukee Public Schools. She began her board service in 1995.  

State Rep. Pedro Colon and West Allis Mayor Jeannette Bell will be leaving the board this summer. I want to thank them for their service now, while not forgetting that more thanks are forthcoming when their current terms end in June. We will highlight their great service to the college and especially our students in the next issue.

Photos (from top left, clockwise): Melanie Cosgrove Holmes, Thomas Michalski and Lauren Baker.

Milwaukee Enterprise Centers Update
MATC has issued a request for proposals to purchase and redevelop Milwaukee Enterprise Center-North (MEC-North). The Nunn-Bush Shoe Company donated this 195,000-square-foot manufacturing plant to a consortium in 1985 that included the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation and MATC. The aim was to create a business incubator that would provide facilities and services to small and start-up businesses at affordable rental rates.

Also in 1985, the Wisconsin Legislature added the concept of economic development to the statutory mission of the state's technical colleges.
Over the years, MATC accepted full responsibility for this venture as part of its economic development mission. However, the costs have grown exponentially, particularly with regard to necessary maintenance and renovation projects.

We believe MEC-North still can play an important role in economic development and greatly benefit our local communities. However, finding a private-sector partner who would own and rehabilitate the building for a number of uses is the best course of action. Under this arrangement, MATC would become an anchor tenant and lease about 30,000 square feet of the building to continue the incubator model.

At the same time, the community will have an opportunity to add a new multi-use development that could include retail space, commercial space and affordable housing. MATC is also working on a partnership with the Milwaukee YWCA that would help improve services and graduation rates for MEC tenants.

Photo: MEC-North

Graduation News
James McCaslin, president and COO of Harley-Davidson Motor Co., has graciously accepted our invitation as keynote speaker at spring commencement on Thursday, May 22 at the Bradley Center. The later start time of 7 p.m. is designed to allow more graduates and families to attend. As always, I encourage faculty and staff to participate in this uplifting event. To volunteer, contact Archie Graham,  grahama@matc.edu.

Photo: James McCaslin

Salute to Rick Kettner
On behalf of everyone at MATC, congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Richard Kettner, former vice president for the West Allis Campus. Rick retired at the end of March after 20 years of distinguished service. He began his MATC career working at the Milwaukee Enterprise Centers after a stint at Chippewa Valley Technical College. Steadily earning promotion, he became associate dean of business at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, later serving the West Allis Campus in the same capacity. Rick also had leadership responsibilities for our Office of Corporate Learning, along with his other duties. We already miss his hard work, dedication and sense of humor. His even-keeled, unflappable nature always set a positive tone.

Photo: Rick Kettner with West Allis Campus students

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Smart Experience
In February 2007, our Recruitment Department began Smart Start, a series of one-hour introductory sessions about MATC for prospective students. They have turned out to be so successful that we are launching a new series called Smart Experience, focusing on one-stop enrollment.

The four-hour sessions provide an overview of academic offerings and student services, a campus tour, Accuplacer testing services and one-on-one admissions assistance. Smart Experience sessions are by appointment and have a capacity of 27 prospective students. I urge you to get involved by contacting Brunnetta Soward, director of recruitment.

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Electrifying Teamwork
This semester, Oak Creek Campus teamed up with engineering students from Marquette University on a project that was literally electrifying. The students used our automotive shop to convert a Marquette shuttle van from an internal combustion engine to clean, electric battery power. MATC instructors chipped in with their own know-how.

Dr. Stan Jaskolski, Marquette dean of engineering, said MATC and MU made a great team and should do more projects together. I agree. Special thanks to Instructors Mike McGurk, Steve Schild, Mitch Schuttke and Joe Spitz.

Photo: Out with emissions, in with the green.

Transfer Days
Held at the Downtown Milwaukee and West Allis campuses, our annual Transfer Days event in early March attracted hundreds of students. About 35 four-year colleges and universities participated. Interest once again has grown this year. Special thanks to Barb Cannell and Liam Hughes, Academic Affairs/Articulation, for their extra efforts in making Transfer Days a success.

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New HIVE Exhibit Generates Buzz
Our partnership with Discovery World earned some glowing coverage in the March 7 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. A lengthy article about our newest HIVE pod anchored the Cue section. This interactive, 3-D exhibit has become one of Discovery World's most engaging and must-see experiences. HIVE stands for Human Interactive Virtual Education. See the article at: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=725234

Photo: The HIVE experience.

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Summit of Excellence
Continuing to lead the charge for green careers, we proudly sponsored the 2008 Wisconsin Renewable Energy Summit, March 12-14 at the Midwest Airlines Center. More than 1,200 educators, businesspeople, employers and students attended. A plethora of sessions explored topics in renewable energy and energy conservation. Reflecting the rise of the green movement, local news media paid more attention than ever before.

Special thanks to Dr. George Stone, Natural Science instructor; Dr. Joe Jacobsen, associate dean, Business Division; Dr. Vicki Martin, provost; John Stilp, vice president for the Oak Creek Campus; Dr. David Turner, dean, Technology and Applied Sciences; and Bill Quirmbach, Office of College Events. Board chairperson Bobbie Webber delivered the conference's opening remarks, and I welcomed a large number of attendees at a reception at Discovery World.

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Interior Design Students Triumph
MATC Interior Design students flexed their creative muscles in winning the Milwaukee NARI Interior Design competition at the February home remodeling show. They went up against a student team from Waukesha County Technical College to create a 144-square-foot office space. Fox 6 News and WUWM-FM covered the event. Congratulations to students Dave Abresch, De Anna Heidmann, Kelly Kuehn and Kathy Steinmetz; and to their instructor Mary Walgren.

Far from resting on their laurels, the students are staying busy with new projects. These include the lobby and reception area at the newly opened Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing; the West Allis Campus cafeteria; and the Liberal Arts and Sciences Division office at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus.

Photo: Model office space created by our students at the annual NARI show.

Absolutely Delectable
We showcased the culinary creativity of our students and faculty at a Five Star Food and Wine event on March 10 at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Almost 500 people attended, vastly exceeding our goal of 300. The delicious banquet featured international culinary entrees, desserts, wines and a silent auction.

Culinary Arts students and faculty members and Business Division staff staged a hugely successful evening. The Operations Department transformed our hospitality center, M605, into an inviting space. The event raised more than $11,000 for Culinary Arts scholarships. A large group made up of students, instructors, staff and administrators deserve credit. Special thanks, however, go to all the students, Chef John Reiss and Rich Busalacchi, associate dean, Business Division.

One more Culinary note: A five-member student team from MATC recently won the bronze medal at the annual American Culinary Federation regional competition in Kansas City, Missouri. Instructor Tom Surwillo accompanied the students. He notes proudly that this is the first time ever that we have medaled at the ACF regionals. A round of applause and a toast to students Kevin Griffin, Kevin McAllister, Patrick Sepe, Rebecca Skroback and Josh Unser.

Respite for Some Very Special Parents
Parents of about 60 children with special needs were able to take a Saturday afternoon break recently, thanks to about 60 Health Occupations students and faculty. MATC students, mostly from the Nursing program, and other volunteers entertained the children and their siblings with crafts, games, movies and more.

One or two volunteers worked individually with each child as part of an ongoing respite program run by the Children's Service Society of Wisconsin. Special thanks to Health Occupations Dean Dessie Levy for helping facilitate the event, and to Nursing Instructor Kristie Kroening for inspiring students to volunteer with this effort and other Children's Service Society respite events.

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'Hang Tough' Comes to MATC
Cooley Theater proudly hosted the 15th annual Time Warner Cable Hang Tough Video Contest for middle school students. Twenty schools from across the state were finalists in the contest to produce the best anti-drug/anti-violence public service video. Hundreds of students and their teachers participated in the event. Also in attendance were Jessica Doyle, Wisconsin's first lady, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

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A Great Impression
We recently welcomed Dr. David Eisler, president of Ferris State University, to Milwaukee and MATC for meetings and a tour of our campuses. Dr. Eisler spent his two-day visit working on possible partnerships between our two colleges. He also met with local business leaders about support to establish a Jim Crow Museum at his campus in Big Rapids, Michigan. He left greatly impressed with MATC and the services we provide.

Preparing New Recruits for the Guard
Twenty-five new recruits for the Wisconsin Army National Guard enrolled with us this spring to earn their GED or HSED - necessary before they can begin basic training. The student soldiers are an initial cohort group referred to  MATC by Guard commanders. We are honored to help these young people reach their potential. They were to take  their completion tests in mid-April, following two weeks of full-time, intensive classroom training. Gloria Pitchford-Trice, dean of Pre-College Education, says another key goal is to advance the students into college-level programs. This new program meets a critical need for new guard members and provides a pathway into civilian careers.

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People and Programs
In recent weeks we announced a number of important promotions and several new hires.

Dr. Pablo Cardona - promoted to vice president for the West Allis Campus. Pablo replaces Dr. Rick Kettner, who is retiring this month.

Norma Gaines - director, Human Relations. Norma brings extensive human resources management background to the college.

Elizabeth Phillips - manager, Bookstore. Elizabeth has years of college store experience.

Marisela Galaviz - promoted to manager, Multicultural Office. Marisela is a longtime Student Services employee.

Camille Nicolai - promoted to manager, Financial Aid. Camille has many years of Financial Aid experience at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus.

Photos: Pablo Cardona, Camille Nicolai

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Johnson Awarded the GOLD
Congratulations to Ken Johnson, Technology and Applied Sciences (WisTEC manager), for receiving the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) award from the UWM Alumni Association Board of Trustees. A 2004 UWM School of Education graduate, Ken will receive the award at a special reception on May 17. The honor recognizes a recent graduate who has achieved early career success. 

Marlaire Honored with Leadership Award
Congratulations to Dr. Courtney Marlaire, associate dean, Liberal Arts and Sciences. Courtney earned the prestigious Wisconsin Campus Compact Community-Based Learning Administrator award. The award recognizes leadership and innovation in service learning initiatives.

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Former MATC Student Owns Solly's
One of the rewards of working here is meeting graduates and former students who - even many years later - continue to have a strong connection to MATC. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Glenn Fieber, owner of Solly's Grille in Glendale. Solly's has an incredible following as a premier burger restaurant, garnering well-deserved media attention. Glenn studied Liberal Arts here in the early 1970s following military service in Vietnam. He says his MATC education helped him point his life in a positive direction.

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