Giving Back by Giving Thanks MATC has a rich tradition of community engagement. Teachers often take their students out into the field to work on public service projects. One example you will read about in this edition of Communique: our Carpentry program. Later this month, the Culinary Arts program gives back in its own way. On Nov. 22, the Downtown Milwaukee Campus will host "A Community Thanksgiving." We are offering a free meal for people who otherwise would have no means to celebrate the holiday. MATC students and families who fall into this category also are invited. The invitation was extended through our network of community-based organizations. However, no one who is hungry will be turned away. The event takes place in the Student Center. Three seating times have been established to accommodate the number of expected guests: 10 a.m. - CBO clienteles (first grouping) 11:30 a.m. - CBO clienteles (second grouping) 1 p.m. - Students and their families Culinary students and instructors along with other MATC faculty and staff will help prepare and serve the meals. Also helping out are volunteers from the American Culinary Federation/Chefs of America. A special thank you to Reinhart Foods, Sysco East Food Service and Testa Produce for their generous donation of products. I also want to commend Chef Tom Surwillo and Rich Busalacchi, associate dean, Business Division, for their tenacious and passionate commitment to this event. Gloria Pitchford-Trice, dean of the Pre-College Division, stepped forward to contact all the CBOs. There's still time for you to volunteer. Please contact Shelly Conroy in the provost's office. This Thanksgiving, the MATC family is doing what it can to make sure that no one goes hungry or has to be alone. I am immensely proud to be part of a college that always puts people first. Darnell E. Cole President

November 2007 Strengthening Emergency Preparedness On Oct. 30 our District Board approved a new class of safety officers. They will have the same training as sworn police officers and be certified by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Bureau. 'Partners' Award for the Bader Foundation One of our most valued benefactors will be honored on Dec. 11. The Helen Bader Foundation has earned the Partners in Excellence Award from the MATC Foundation, Inc. Open House Reminder Please join us at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus Open House this Saturday, Nov. 10, and show prospective students why MATC is their smart choice for college. Register Now for the Spring Semester Priority registration has begun for continuing program students. Open enrollment begins Nov. 12. 'Marketplace' Offers One-Stop Registration To help returning students prepare for the second semester and register early, faculty and staff are holding a "Marketplace of Classes and Programs" this week at the Downtown Milwaukee and Mequon campuses. Assistance for Qualified Students Available An on-campus outreach program later this month will tell students about state programs that can help pay for food, health care and child care. New Scholarship for Trade Education Thanks to Lee Shaw, pastor of St. Gabriel Church of God in Christ, for providing seed money to start a new scholarship fund and a sustaining endowment fund for trade education. A Grand Slam An MATC education starts and ends in the real world. Carpentry Instructor Don Starr recently brought his students to Saint Thomas More High School to build softball diamond dugouts. Faculty and Staff Notes I'm pleased to announce that Duane Schultz is our new director of Economic Development and Community Partnerships. Brad Hines, who recently joined our team as deputy director of the Public Safety Department, has taken over as interim director with the departure of Doug Tripp. Click here for top of Communique Click here for Printer-friendly version