Contact: Ginny Gnadt, Public Relations Coordinator
(414) 297-6770, gnadtv@matc.edu
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) served as the keynote speaker at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s commencement Friday, May 24, at the U.S. Cellular Arena. Approximately 1,400 students graduated from the college's associate degree, technical diploma, apprentice and adult high school programs.
Video of the ceremony can be accessed at this link. (Audio beings immediately; video begins at the 37 second mark)
Ceremony photos can be viewed at this link.
In November 2012, Baldwin became the first female elected to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate. In 1998, she was the first female from Wisconsin elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as a congresswoman until her election to the Senate. Before that, she also served terms in Wisconsin State Assembly and as a member of the Dane County Board of Supervisors.
MATC President Dr. Michael L. Burke officially conferred the degrees. Melanie C. Holmes, vice president, World of Work Solutions for ManpowerGroup and vice chairperson of the MATC District Board, also addressed the assembly.
Stephanie Christian-Lobley, who graduated from MATC in 1994 with an associate degree in nursing, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the ceremony. The award is given for professional and personal achievement, community service and leadership. An advance practice, neurotrauma nurse at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Christian-Lobley also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Concordia University. Her articles have been published in specialty journals and she serves on the editorial review board for several professional publications. She does research, presents at conferences and is active in many professional organizations, in addition to serving as a mentor through the YMCA Black Achievers.
McKenzie Hall, who graduated with an associate degree in supervisory management, delivered the student speech. Hall also will receive the Outstanding Associate Degree Graduate Award. Tam Quy Hoang (special event management) received the Outstanding Technical Diploma Graduate Award and Ruben Manuel Madrigal received the Outstanding High School Graduate Award.