'Express Ramp' Welder Training Forges Ahead
This project moves MATC into new territory by creating a unique type of employee training that could become a model not just for Milwaukee, but for the nation. Bucyrus International, Inc., and the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County are funding an effort to quickly train up to 100 heavy-plate welders. Community-based organizations have come together to refer candidates. Some 40 CBO leaders gathered at MATC for a summit meeting on Oct. 20 to learn about the program. Their support with respect to recruitment and promotion has been absolutely vital. 

Private sponsorship has enabled us to waive tuition and fees for qualified applicants. The training is being developed jointly by the Technical and Applied Sciences Division, led by Dr. David Turner, and the Office of Corporate Learning, led by Sandi McClary. Project Express Ramp, as we're calling it, again shows our commitment to respond rapidly to economic imperatives. The first group of 12 students starts in December, with the program moving into full swing in early January.

Already, we have more than 300 applicants and climbing. Testing to fill the first section began Friday. People who do not meet the Accuplacer test minimums in reading and math will be referred to basic skills courses so they may gain eligibility. Dr. Turner and Dorothy Walker, associate dean, appeared Friday morning on Fox 6 Wakeup News with host Mark Concannon to publicize the program, eliciting tremendous response in the community. My thanks to both of them, and to the station, for helping us get the word out.

We unveiled Express Ramp publicly as part of a recruitment event at Bucyrus International, which currently has openings for 273 machinists and welders. I rode one of the buses that transported about 150 students to the South Milwaukee plant from MATC and Bradley Tech. The event generated keen interest. I applaud the company for making a commitment to our students. While not unconditionally guaranteed a job - much always depends on individual effort - our students will receive priority consideration.

Also, congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in the tour. John Stilp, now interim vice president for the Mequon Campus, hatched the idea. It then was refined and executed flawlessly by TAS administrators and faculty, working together, supported by the Office of College Events and Marketing. Student inquiries should be referred to Cathy Adams, 414-456-5333. For a complete report and course information, and latest news coverage, please see MATC NOW.

Photos: Top - MATC students toured Bucyrus International to explore potential jobs. Bottom - Donald Sykes, workforce/economic development consultant to the mayor's office, issued a call to action to CBO leaders gathered for a summit meeting at MATC.

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Milwaukee Campus Entrances Go Smoke-Free
Starting Nov. 13, smoke-free signage will be placed at more than 20 Downtown Milwaukee Campus entryways. These new rules, designed by the Joint Indoor Air Quality Committee, will enhance our teaching and learning environment; benefit the health and well-being of students, employees and visitors; and promote a progressive image.

Smoking areas have been designated a short distance away from doorways where smoking is banned. Smoking still will be permitted at a few entrances. But this now means that nonsmokers will have many smoke-free access routes.

At the three regional campuses, numerous smoke-free entrances already have been declared. Creating them at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus completes the district-wide strategy approved unanimously by the all-campus Student Senate in 2005. Smoke-free entrances were supported by 74 percent of respondents in a recent employee survey.

Our purpose is to promote public health and align MATC's policies with those of other local public institutions and health care facilities. According to a June 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's report, secondhand smoke is a dangerous public health hazard responsible for the premature deaths of tens of thousands of nonsmokers every year. Click here for a map of Milwaukee Campus smoke-free entrances.

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Please Volunteer for Open House
We are showcasing the college to prospective students at a district-wide open house, Saturday, Nov. 11, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. It's a great way for faculty and staff to promote their programs. Last year's event drew 700 visitors, resulting in almost 300 completed applications.

This year, besides placing newspaper and radio ads, the Office of Recruitment direct-mailed invitations to area high school junior and senior households. After a slow start, more and more teachers have signed up as volunteers, but we are still short of our goal for faculty participation. This event is vitally important to you. There is still time to volunteer. Please contact Recruitment Director Brunnetta Soward today.

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Spring Registration Begins
Registration for spring semester already is upon us. Returning program students can take advantage of priority registration, Nov. 6 - 12. Open registration for all new and returning students starts Nov. 13. Please pass the word about the benefits of registering early, and please encourage your students to meet with their faculty advisors beforehand. Class schedules can be found online at http://infonline.matc.edu/datatel/openweb/st/subject.html.
Printed schedules now are on campus.

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'Making' a Triumph
Milwaukee Public Television's "The Making of Milwaukee" triumphed on many levels, providing viewers with the kind of informative, entertaining and engaging content that only MPTV can deliver. The miniseries chronicled Milwaukee's development from the 1600s through today. Accolades for the production came from many, including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who issued a proclamation designating Monday, Oct. 9, as "The Making of Milwaukee Day."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel television critic Tim Cuprisin and Milwaukee Magazine editor Bruce Murphy also lauded the program. Special recognition goes to Bill Werner, named the city's top television producer in Milwaukee Magazine's recent "Best of 2006" edition. In related news, the station has received four Midwest Emmy nominations: John McKay for his work as a videographer; Jeff Moorbeck, editing; Rick Horowitz, commentary; and Susan Borri and Lois Mauer, documentary of cultural significance. Winners are to be announced Nov. 19.

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Discovery World Gubernatorial Debate
All the kudos for "The Making of Milwaukee" should not obscure the credit MPTV deserves for producing the recent gubernatorial debate at the new Discovery World. Our station provided the set, cameras, crew and remote truck for the production, sponsored by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. The move from the comfortable confines of the home studio to the lakefront site presented some logistical challenges. But it also added sizzle - Discovery World is the most dazzling new building in the entire state. And the event again highlighted the benefits of our Discovery World partnership.

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Hispanic Culture Showcased at Oak Creek Campus
The public is invited to experience Hispanic food, music and dancing at the annual Noche Hispana on Friday, Nov. 10, 5:30 - 11 p.m., at the Oak Creek Campus. Along with taking part in cultural festivities, guests will learn about MATC career training and meet local business owners. Organizer Graciela Alcantara, Student Services, and Roy Vargas, Business Division, invite the college community to attend.

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Vision Expands for 'Partners' Event
The MATC Foundation's annual Partners In Excellence recognition banquet takes place Dec. 5 at the new Discovery World. This year, Foundation Executive Director Karen Coy-Romano is expanding the invitation pool by including civic leaders, hoping to expose them first-hand to MATC success stories. Also, a Partner In Innovation award has been created, honoring business leaders who were instrumental in helping us create new, high-need training programs.

I am pleased to announce that the first two recipients are Michael Cudahy, philanthropist and co-chairman of Discovery World; and Tim Sullivan, president and CEO of Bucyrus International, Inc. This year's Partner in Excellence is Johnson Controls, Inc., Wisconsin's only Fortune 100 company, a world leader in comfort management systems and automotive components. The company began its partnership with MATC two years ago by investing in our Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Program at the Oak Creek Campus. Also at Oak Creek, it has since become an investor in the Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing.

Accepting on behalf of the company will be a great friend of MATC, John Kennedy, corporate executive vice president and Controls Group president. Last year Mr. Kennedy graced our spring commencement as keynote speaker. Our students will also be squarely in the spotlight. Foremost, Partners in Excellence recognizes outstanding scholarship recipients. This night belongs to them.

Photo: Johnson Controls' John Kennedy (right) with Provost Jim Walsh at spring 2006 commencement.

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Board Report
On Oct. 24, the MATC District Board voted unanimously to keep our tax levy increase at the budgeted 4.9 percent. While this will force some economy measures in the coming months, I believe it constitutes reasonable fiscal restraint. Retiree benefit costs are beginning to create severe budgetary pressure, so we need to bring more discipline to our spending. In other news, our congratulations to Director Lauren Baker on her re-election to a three-year term as central region director of the Association of Community College Trustees.

Photo: Director Lauren Baker.

Skills Certification Topic of Statewide Meetings
An MATC-sponsored forum brought Leo Reddy, executive director of the national Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), to the West Allis Campus Oct. 26. Reddy delivered the keynote address on a proposed nationwide system aimed at helping alleviate the skilled worker shortage. He was joined by David Newby, president of Wisconsin's AFL-CIO, talking about how this initiative helps both business and labor. The Wisconsin Performance and Assessment of Skill Standards (WISPASS) co-sponsored the forum. Thanks to Dale Dulberger, state director of WISPASS, for organizing the event.

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Counselor Flores Makes a Good Interview
Thanks to Tina Flores, counselor, for participating in a series of four interviews Oct. 26, on TV-58's morning news show. Tina talked about career changes and explained our wide range of training opportunities.

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Community Leaders Talk Up MATC Partnerships
At our Oct. 17 Community Advisory Council meeting, we welcomed guests and MATC partners Michael Cudahy, Judge Jim Gramling, Jerry McGinnis, Tim Sheehy and Tim Sullivan. Each spoke about his positive involvement with MATC and the work we are doing together to advance technical skills training and services for our students. The Community Advisory Council is made up of community leaders who regularly meet to assist the college in its executive decision making.

Photo: Michael Cudahy.

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'Empty Bowls' Filled Warmly at Oak Creek
MATC's ongoing relationship with the Milwaukee Empty Bowls organization paid off again Oct. 14 with another great event at the Oak Creek Campus, raising $31,500 to help feed the hungry. Beneficiaries this year were the Milwaukee Christian Center, the Gathering, Agape Community Center, Friedens Community Ministries and the Siggenauk Food Pantry. As always, faculty and students rolled up their sleeves, donned chef's hats, cooked up a storm and found many other ways to help.

Continuing a six-year association with Empty Bowls, Chef Paul Carrier and his pre-college students cooked 10 gallons of Paul's famed gazpacho. Also pitching in were Chefs John Reiss, Bob Ilk and Tom Tateoka. For the fourth year in a row, the Criminal Justice Student Association provided event security and parking coordination, led by instructor Jerald Plant and Associate Dean of Protective Services Vince Vitale.  Dr. Vicki Martin, vice president, Oak Creek Campus, and Oak Creek staff, assisted by the Office of College Events and Marketing, once again laid out the red carpet for our many hundreds of guests. It's been great to see this evolve into a signature annual event.

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'State of Public Education' Gets MPTV Airing
I was pleased to participate in a recent panel discussion on the "State of Public Education in Milwaukee" broadcast on MPTV. Joining me in the important discussion were William Andrekopoulos, MPS superintendent; Dr. Carlos Santiago, UWM chancellor; and Julia Taylor, president, Greater Milwaukee Committee.

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Committed to a Sustainable Future
Our continued commitment to a sustainable economy included a special Campus Sustainability Day webcast on Oct. 25 and the debut of a new mobile center/cart designed to collect and process recyclables more efficiently. The vehicle is the brainchild of Operations staff, led by Richard Dries. Driving these efforts is our Sustainability Core Committee, co-chaired by Michael Sargent, vice president of Finance; and Dr. George Stone, physical sciences instructor.

Photo: Dr. George Stone with Jim Funk, Focus on Energy solar and wind power consultant, at a photovoltaics workshop at the Oak Creek Campus on Oct. 13. 

  

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Ad Campaign Earns Three National Awards
Our "Redefine Smart" ad campaign has helped to increase prospective student inquiries by about 10 percent. Now it also has won three prestigious awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, earning Gold Medallions of Excellence in the radio and specialty categories and a Silver Medallion of Achievement for video advertising. Congratulations to Synovia Youngblood, director of College Events and Marketing, College Advancement Vice President Rob Hartung and all staff who helped shape the campaign with BVK Advertising.

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Giving Campaign Celebrations Set for Nov. 8 and 9
The generosity of our donors will be acknowledged Nov. 8 at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, Room M628, 2:30 - 4 p.m. All three regional campuses have their celebrations the next day, on Nov. 9:

• Mequon Campus, Room A202, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Oak Creek Campus, Room A100C, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• West Allis Campus, Room 104E, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Anyone who gave to the campaign is welcome to attend. Completed pledge forms still will be accepted at all the events. My deepest thanks to all participating employees and retirees, with special thanks to co-chairs Cathy Adams and Dr. Bill Hodgkinson. We are very close to our goal of 600 participants and $158,000. A final total will be available soon.

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Spotlight on Faculty and Staff
Congratulations to the following faculty and staff for their outstanding achievements:
Ellis Bromberg, general manager, MPTV, was the moderator of a debate between the fifth congressional district candidates: challenger Bryan Kennedy and incumbent James Sensenbrenner.
Dessie Levy, dean, Health Occupations, accepted the Hope and Spirit Nursing Award from Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin on behalf of the college.
Richard Lindbeck, Criminal Justice, was named the Vietnam Veteran of the Year by the Vietnam Veterans of America Council for his service to veterans and the organization.
Dr. Vicki Martin, vice president, Oak Creek Campus, was nominated to serve on the Higher Education Committee National Council for Renewable Energy.
Gloria Pitchford-Trice, Pre-College Education, presented the session "Why MATC is a Partner" at the Wisconsin PK-16 Leadership Council meeting.
Erwin Wuehr, Cardiovascular Technology, was elected vice president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals.
Faculty members Marlene Dombrowski, Randall Farchmin, Venancia Gamazon, Patricia Gunn, Marlyce Johnson, Mary Schroeder and Judith Zepplin are included in the 2006 edition of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers."

Photos: Top - Gloria Pitchford-Trice. Bottom - Erwin Wuehr.

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