Enrollment Surges
I am pleased to report impressive student enrollment increases for fall, especially in program student registrations, which largely drive our full-time equivalency (FTE) enrollment. The final outcome will not be known for some time, but it's clear that our gain will be substantial. As of now, FTE enrollment is up 8% compared to fall semester a year ago. Keep in mind that we still are not done enrolling new students for online courses.

In accord with new protocols begun last January, we allowed late deciders to enroll immediately and did not "de-register" students for being late in paying their tuition. But this alone cannot explain the size of our upswing. I believe it shows how much we are needed in these tough economic times. It also hints at our outstanding word-of-mouth reputation, spread by satisfied graduates. Our recruitment efforts are working together seamlessly and powerfully. And all of you - teachers and staff - deserve credit for being fine ambassadors.

Now that we have all these new students, we must turn our collective attention to helping them stay in school and succeed academically. Let us all come together to make this increase truly meaningful for the people to whom it matters the most.

Photo: A successful summer of Smart Step recruitment events yielded more than 325 new student applications, with the vast majority becoming registered students.

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All About Innovation
Our annual Coordination Day showcased innovation and progress on many fronts including sustainability, workforce development and digital technology. The live remote broadcast from our new wind turbine at Mequon Campus underscored our leadership in renewable energy. The campus also recently installed a large rooftop solar cell array.

Thanks to the faculty and staff who presented in Cooley Theater, and to our regional vice presidents for doing their part. Special thanks to Milwaukee Public Television for producing the televised portion.

Photo: On the morning of Coordination Day, tower technicians were hoisted skyward to complete installation of our new wind turbine at Mequon Campus. 

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An Animated Statement
The Coordination Day video featured a new technology acquisition that holds great potential. The Visual Communication/Computer Graphics program this summer bought a sophisticated motion capture system similar to those used by Hollywood animation studios. We will be one of the few colleges around the country training students in this advanced discipline.

High-end animation remains a relatively young, small industry here. But, working with business partners in the community, we believe it can grow and provide significant jobs in the coming years. This is a great example of MATC not just seeing the future, but making it. For more information, please contact Jim MacDonald, associate dean, Business Division.

Photo: Subjects wear a special suit that allows human motion to be converted into data points.

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Lauren Baker Chairs 2008-09 District Board
Congratulations to Lauren Baker on her election as chairperson of the District Board for 2008-09. Serving her third term as board chair, she succeeds Bobbie Webber, also to whom we all offer our thanks. I look forward to working with Director Baker and the entire board. The board elected as its other officers Dr. Robert Davis, vice-chair; Fred Royal, secretary; and Peter Earle, treasurer.

Also my thanks to Dr. Victor Rossetti, retired Germantown school superintendent, who resigned from the board recently because he has moved to Madison. The vacancy will be filled by special meeting of the District Board Appointment Committee. To be considered, applicants must be school administrators. Our best wishes to Dr. Rossetti.

Photos: Lauren Baker and Bobbie Webber.

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A Hearty Thanks to Rob Hartung
We wish the very best to Vice President Rob Hartung, College Advancement, as he transitions into retirement. Rob and I have been colleagues and friends for many years. He has served the college with distinction in a position with enormous and wide-ranging responsibilities. During his 12 years here (1991-96 and again since 2001), Rob has worked extremely hard to ensure that MATC remains among the nation's very best two-year colleges. I will greatly miss his valuable insights, talents and his incredible passion for MATC and our students.

Photo: Twogether again . . . Rob's longtime assistant, Arlene Friedel, returned to campus for his farewell party.

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Praise from Governor Doyle
Our support of skills credentialing earrned a ringing endorsement this summer from Governor Jim Doyle, guest of honor at a special "Salute to Manufacturers" at Federal Tool & Engineering in Cedarburg. Through a state grant, 400 employees at more than 20 area companies obtained skill certificates. Under a contract arranged by the Office of Corporate Learning, our teachers did most of the training.  "MATC has worked with manufacturers to give employees a certified guarantee that they have the skills to get the job done," the governor said at the ceremony. "This certification helps ensure that the highest-quality products are made by the best-trained workers."

Photo: Governor Doyle congratulated workers receiving their skill certificates, along with Roberta Gassman (far right), Wisconsin secretary of workforce development.

On Track at West Allis Campus
The three-story West Allis Campus addition is on schedule for an early 2009 opening. New science and computer labs and a large general-purpose classroom are taking shape in a former courtyard at the northeast section of campus. The project has moved quickly since its groundbreaking. The campus serves 10,000 students annually, with classroom and lab space at a premium. The expansion increases student learning opportunities in health occupations, electronics and information technology.

Photo: West Allis Mayor Dan Devine (third from right) pitched in to help officially break ground. Representing MATC (L-R): Dr. Pablo Cardona, vice president and West Allis Campus administrator, District Board Member Dr. Robert Davis; Dr. Rick Kettner, retired vice president and West Allis Campus administrator; Dr. Darnell E. Cole; and Jeannette Bell, MATC Foundation Board Member and former District Board member.

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Emergency Aid
Over the summer, 35 staff members became certified Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members. The employee volunteers were trained to respond in emergency situations on campus and in their communities. The training took place at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus and was funded by FEMA. Congratulations to all who showed leadership and stepped forward.

Photo: An instructor and volunteers demonstrated how to properly immobilize an injured leg.

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ECAM Open House
After a phased rollout, the Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM) fully opened for business this semester. Enrollments are thriving and on goal, with tool and die programs full again for the first time in years. ECAM has gotten off to a great start. Now it's time to tell the community.

We will hold an ECAM open house Wednesday, Oct. 22, with a choice of two time slots: 7:30 - 9 a.m. or 4:30 - 6 p.m. Our main goal is to attract business people. However, I also invite MATC faculty and students. Because this is an invitation event with catering, please R.S.V.P. by Oct. 10 to Caryn Dohring, Oak Creek Campus, ext. 54703.

ECAM garnered national press in the June issue of American Machinist Magazine. An in-depth article praises our partnerships, especially with the Hardinge Group and Iverson and Company. The headline says it all: "A Training Facility to Envy." Read the piece online at http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/80886/Issue

I'm also pleased to announce that the energy side of ECAM's portfolio is ramping up. Our first course in green building systems and management starts in October. Related certificates launch in January. The Wisconsin Technical College System is reviewing a proposed associate degree program to begin next fall.

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Discovery World Hosts Counselors' Event
Our annual event for high school counselors, faculty and administrators is set for Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Discovery World. A full range of informational activities is planned, covering such topics as:

• How high school students can earn MATC advanced standing credits
• Our Accuplacer admissions test
• Student Accommodation services

Thanks to Director of Recruitment Brunnetta Soward and her team.

Photo: At a prior counselors' event, guests took in the stimulating sights and sounds of Discovery World.

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Discovering a Great Deal
Just a reminder: Students and employees now can become Discovery World members for just $10 per year. Membership confers multiple benefits:

• Unlimited visits
• Access to members-only programs and events
• Discount admission to exclusive programs and events

Discovery World staff will have sign-up tables at all campuses in September and October. For more information, please contact Archie Graham, director of Student Life, grahama@matc.edu.

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Campaign Makes It Easy to Give
Help build a stronger community and support our own MATC Foundation and MPTV Friends through the annual MATC Combined Giving Campaign. We have until Oct. 17 to meet the campaign goal of $200,000. Our participation goal is 600 employees and retirees. The umbrella organizations representing hundreds of nonprofit beneficiary groups are: Community Health Charities of Wisconsin; Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee; Hunger Relief Fund of Wisconsin; United Performing Arts Fund; and United Way of Greater Milwaukee. Donations are tax deductible. Thanks and congratulations to campaign co-chairs Sandra Webster, Mequon Campus administration; and Lucia Francis, dean, Business Division.

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Oak Creek Campus Opens Cyber Cafe
Tucked away in the cafeteria at Oak Creek Campus, there's now a relaxing spot to check e-mail, work online and generally be a wired-in student. First envisioned by former campus vice president, now provost, Dr. Vicki Martin, the Cyber Cafe has special seating for wireless laptop users, four hard-wired PCs, comfortable furniture and is fully wheelchair accessible. "I think people will feel like they are in a Starbucks," said Marketing Instructor Deb Jansky. Many thanks to the faculty and students who helped take the Cyber Cafe from dream to reality.

A Vision for the Future of MPTV
Milwaukee Public Television is looking far ahead with the help of a 27-member task force known as Vision 2057. The goal: develop a creative, aggressive and highly proactive long-term strategy for strengthening MPTV in the coming decades. Focusing on community service, facilities and operating models, the task force will make public its recommendations in October.
  
Our MATC District Board and the MPTV Friends formed the committee as a cooperative venture. It includes leaders from higher education, the arts, labor and business. Co-chairs are Sue Dragisic, president of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, and Jill Geisler, group leader with the Poynter Institute and former TV news anchor. I am honored to represent the college along with MATC District Board members Ann Wilson and Peter Earle; Vice President and General Counsel Janice Falkenberg; and Local 212 President Dr. Michael Rosen.

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Please Welcome
Walter J. Lanier, president of Lanier Law Offices, Ltd., is our new assistant general counsel. Before opening his own practice, he was an attorney with Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, for three years and served as chairman of the Milwaukee County Pension Board after it was restructured in 2003. He holds a doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Michigan Law School, a bachelor's degree in business administration from UW-Milwaukee, and is pursuing a master of divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas.

Kathleen Hohl, former communications director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, has been named director of public relations. Hohl supervises media relations and other internal and external communications projects. She previously served as sports information director for Marquette University. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Akron and a master's degree from Kent State University, both in Ohio. 

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Faculty and Staff Notes
Dr. Kim Farley, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Al Pinckney, Student Services, graduated from the Wisconsin Leadership Development Institute (WLDI).

Dr. Evonne Carter, associate provost, was appointed to the Wisconsin Technical College System Certification Committee.

MATC Service Learning award recipients for 2007-08 are Lisa Conley, Suzanne Goodrich, J. Cody Hunnicutt, Judy Reinders and Roy Vargas.

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Wellness Update
In the interest of keeping us all fit and healthy, Communique is adding regular messages from Anne Sheridan, wellness coordinator:

September is Cholesterol Awareness month. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. When there is too much cholesterol in your body, it is deposited in arteries. Heart disease can result. 

Many people are unaware that their cholesterol is too high because symptoms are rare, but your cholesterol levels can be easily checked and controlled. All you need is a simple blood test. Following are recommended cholesterol levels according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Total cholesterol: less than 200
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol): less than 100
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ("good" cholesterol): 40 or higher
• Triglycerides: less than 150

Lifestyle changes can help control cholesterol levels:

• Limit fat in your diet (eliminate or greatly reduce fried foods, red meat, whole milk and whole milk products)
• Maintain an appropriate weight
• Consume a high-fiber diet
• Be physically active
• Do not smoke
• Limit your use of alcohol

Change can be challenging, but it can also change your health for the better.
 

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