Centennial Celebration Launches September 24
MATC's centennial celebration kick-off begins September 24 with a gala dinner and program at Tuckaway Country Club in Franklin. Employees, retirees, business partners and other friends of the college will officially start the yearlong festivities. The event will feature a cocktail hour, dinner and program. The $100 per-person cost includes a $30 donation to MATC student scholarships. A special 72-page retrospective magazine, Centennial Stories, will be available. Co-editors are retirees Mary Anne Gross and Tom Gould. Marketing/Communications staff assisted with the project. The publication features stories about MATC's origin and growth, with vintage photos dating back to 1915. Limited copies of the commemorative publication will be available for purchase starting in October in MATC bookstores. In addition, a dedicated website for centennial activities and news will launch in September at matc.edu/MATC100.

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District Board Officers Re-elected for 2011-12
The Milwaukee Area Technical College District Board has re-elected its officers for the 2011-12 academic year. They are:

• Melanie C. Holmes, chairperson
• Ann Wilson, vice chairperson
• Thomas A. Michalski, secretary
• Fred Royal, Jr., treasurer

The MATC District Board is comprised of nine unpaid citizen volunteers. Members are appointed by the elected school board presidents, or their designees, from within the MATC district. The board is required to have two employers, two employees, one elected official, one school district administrator and three additional members, following a formula designed to ensure balanced representation. Other returning District Board members are Lauren Baker, Peter G. Earle, Michael G. Katz, Dr. Richard F. Monroe and Bobbie R. Webber. For more information, visit http://matc.edu/about/people/board.html

Photos: (Clockwise from top left) Melanie Holmes; Ann Wilson; Fred Royal, Jr.; and Tom Michalski.

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Important Fall Semester Dates Include Open House, Winter Commencement
Please note these important fall semester dates:

• August 23 and 24 - Coordination/Call to Action Days
• August 25 - Day classes begin
• August 28 - Online classes begin
• September 9 - Weekend College classes begin
• October 11 - Transfer Day, Downtown Milwaukee Campus
• October 12 - Transfer Day, Oak Creek Campus
• November 5 - Open House, Downtown Milwaukee Campus, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. (all campuses represented)
• November 24 and 25 - Thanksgiving Break (no evening classes November 23)
• December 21 - Winter Commencement, 6 p.m., U.S. Cellular Arena

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Students Can Now Transfer to Ottawa University
We welcome Ottawa University to the 400-plus four-year college transfer opportunities available to MATC students. The agreement allows MATC associate degree students (and those throughout the Wisconsin Technical College System) to apply their earned credits toward the first two years of an Ottawa University bachelor's degree. Students can transfer up to 80 MATC/WTCS credits to Ottawa. Founded in 1865, Ottawa University is a nonprofit institution with more than 9,000 students throughout the U.S., including local campuses in Brookfield and Oak Creek. It features extensive online learning options. WTCS President Dan Clancy welcomed the new partnership that allows students another option to "extend their education beyond the associate degree." Visit ottawa.edu for more information.

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District Board Extends President Burke's Contract
The MATC District Board extended President Michael L. Burke's contract through June 30, 2015. Dr. Burke began at MATC in January 2010 and had been working with a two-year contract.
"We are extremely pleased with Dr. Burke's leadership and his vision for the college," said District Board Chairperson Melanie C. Holmes.
Said Dr. Burke, "It is my privilege to lead such a respected institution as MATC. In 18 months at the college, I have grown to appreciate the essential role MATC plays within the greater Milwaukee community. As we launch our centennial celebration, I look forward to building a strong foundation for our next 100 years."

Aspen Institute Recognizes MATC as a Top Two-Year College
MATC is one of 120 two-year colleges from across the U.S. chosen to compete for the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. A jury of education leaders, including Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, will identify the 10 finalists in September. The winner and three runners-up will be announced in December.
"It is gratifying to have the esteemed Aspen Institute acknowledge our commitment to student access and success," said Dr. Michael L. Burke, MATC president.

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Grants Help MATC Meet Diverse Student Needs
MATC has ramped up its pursuit of grants that create life-changing opportunities for many students. A recent example is our success in securing three grants for Latino students, including those with limited English proficiency. Dr. Arturo (Art) Martinez, associate dean, Office of Bilingual Education, has helped to secure grant funding in three important areas:

• The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) grant that will enroll up to 300 students in MATC occupational programs over five years. Support services are a key part of the program.
• The League of United Latin American Citizens and the Ford Motor Company's Driving Dreams Through Education Fund offers qualifying South Division High School students an opportunity to earn MATC four-year college transfer credits. Ten students already earned credits last semester.
• A Wisconsin Technical College System General Purpose Revenue grant is for new MATC students whose first language is not English. It provides a pathway to earn a 15-credit Bilingual Culinary certificate for entry-level employment. Students can also progress into MATC's Culinary Assistant technical diploma and the Culinary Arts associate degree program.

Photos: (Top) Arturo Martinez. (Bottom) MPS Superintendent Gregory Thornton (back row, right) joined MATC President Michael L. Burke (back row, third from left) at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus in recognizing South Division High School students last spring. The students were part of the Ford Motor Company's Driving Dreams Through Education initiative.

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New Signs Everywhere
MATC campuses will have new exterior and interior signage beginning with the 2011-12 academic year. The Downtown Milwaukee Campus will already have some new signage starting this fall. One element of the ongoing project is new room signage, shown here at the Faculty Innovation Center.

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Visitors Learn About ECAM and Photovoltaic Lab
MATC's innovative Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM) and the Photovoltaic Educational Laboratory hosted several important guests August 15, including two international visitors. Wisconsin Public Service Commission (WPSC) staff members and visiting energy regulatory officials from Africa went on tours and received insights into the many ways students prepare for careers at the centers. The WPSC is an independent agency that regulates the state's public utilities. Thanks to Tom Heraly, Electronic Engineering Technology faculty member, for arranging the visit and leading the tours, and to Dr. Joseph Jacobsen, associate dean, School of Business, for coordinating the visit.

Photo: The college's innovative Photovoltaic Educational Laboratory was among the highlights of a tour for international visitors and members of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.

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Instructors Remembered for Their Talent and Commitment
We mourn the loss of three talented and dedicated faculty members over the summer.
Tom Krischan taught part-time for 17 years in the School of Business. He also taught classes and workshops for businesses and incumbent workers through the Office of Workforce and Economic Development.
Duane Manthei was a full-time photography instructor for eight years and previously taught photography part-time for 15 years. Duane was a graduate of MATC's photography program.
Guadalupe (Lupe) Solis was a full-time English instructor in Liberal Arts and Sciences since 2005.

Photo: Duane Manthei

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Employees Can Donate Online to Giving Campaign
MATC's 2011 Giving Campaign will accept online pledges and donations through a new dedicated website starting August 29. Campaign co-chairs Dr. Mohammad Dakwar, Dean, School of Business, and Patricia O'Connor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty member, have designated the campaign's theme as "Reach Out and Make a Difference."  Employees and retirees may direct their contributions through their choice of nine local nonprofit agencies including the MATC Foundation and the MPTV Friends. The campaign takes on heightened importance in a struggling economy, reflected in its ambitious goals of $210,000 and 600 donors. Last year's effort raised almost $200,000. The campaign runs through October 28.

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Oak Creek Campus Hosts International Law Enforcement Visitors
Police officials from Chihuahua, Mexico visited Milwaukee over the summer to learn more about community policing, especially efforts aimed at high-risk youth. MATC's Oak Creek Campus Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement program was one of their key stops. They met with program faculty members Jim Dailey and Sam Lenda who provided valuable community policing strategies and related information. The group also toured the program's classrooms, labs, shooting range and tactical "shoot house."

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Employee Team Competes at CERT Olympics
A four-person MATC employee Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) showcased their emergency preparedness skills at the August 20 CERT Olympics held at the Oak Creek Campus. The regional competition also provided a valuable opportunity to practice CERT skills. Among the skills challenges: first aid, search and rescue, team building and fire suppression. The MATC team included employees Shari Olszewski, Debra Pluskota and Amy Waldman and student Orlando Taylor. Through the Public Safety Department, 94 MATC employees have completed multiple CERT training classes. Nineteen more employees registered to take a CERT course in mid-August. CERT-trained employees prepare to respond to disasters when first responders (police, fire, EMTs) are overwhelmed. The goal is to have CERT-trained "floor captains" throughout the campuses to better prepare the college for emergencies.

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News and Notes
The college's Dental Hygiene associate degree program has received accreditation through 2017 through the prestigious Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Of note: The earned accreditation's status is "approval without reporting requirements." All MATC programs are also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Commission on Institutions of Higher Learning, the national standard in accrediting colleges and schools for distinction in academics and student services.

Graphic Design faculty member Bob Stocki participated in an intense weeklong summer design workshop at the New York School of Visual Arts. Internationally renowned graphic design artist Milton Glaser led the boot camp-style workshop. Industry professionals from 28 countries attended.

Photo: Bob Stocki (left) and Milton Glaser.

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