MATC TO HOLD TWO COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES AT OVERTURE HALL MAY 20
John Roach, Londa J. Dewey and Student Speakers to Address Graduates
College to Provide Live, Streaming Video on MATC Website for Third Year
From marathons to St. Patrick's Day revelry to political protest, it's not unusual, especially in the spring or summer, to see groups of people running, marching or parading on the streets of downtown Madison. Yet, this Sunday, May 20, the marchers will be draped in royal blue and carrying blue banners. Instead of slogans, the banners will denote the academic fields of the 2,140 graduates of Madison Area Technical College.
In a tradition started last year when the college's ceremonies returned to the downtown area after a nearly 40-year hiatus, graduates will assemble at MATC's Downtown Education Center at 211 N. Carroll St. and parade up Dayton Street to the Overture Center of the Arts, 201 State Street, Madison, for the 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ceremonies. They will proceed in formation, with royal blue flags held high and take their places on the stage at Overture Center.
"We are pleased to bring our graduates, their families and friends together in this beautiful world-class performance hall in the heart of our community. When the graduates cross the stage, they begin a new chapter in their lives and join the thousands of MATC alumni who continue to make valuable contributions in our community, our state and around the world," says MATC President Bettsey L. Barhorst.
This year, Madison Area Technical College will recognize the graduates at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ceremonies. The first ceremony will honor the college's construction, manufacturing, apprenticeship and transportation; health and safety, and human and protective services graduates. The afternoon ceremony will include arts and sciences graduates and those graduating from programs in agriscience and technologies, and business and applied arts. A shuttle bus will transport guests between the city's nearby parking garages and the Overture Center.
John Roach, Madison Magazine columnist and president of the JRP film production company will address the morning session graduates, and Londa J. Dewey, president of U.S. Bank Private Client Group, will give the afternoon keynote address. President Barhorst, MATC District Board Chair Dr. Gerald McGowan, Senator Mark Miller and Representative Sheryl Albers also will address the graduates.
Stephanie Steele, of Wisconsin Dells, will give the morning graduate address. Steele is graduating with an associate degree from the Human Services Associate Program and plans to continue her work in social and community service, especially in the area of combating domestic violence. While in school, she took advantage of several internship and service learning opportunities, including working at Hope House in Baraboo and helping with rebuilding efforts in New Orleans and home repairs for needy residents in West Virginia.
"Maybe this is not a field where you make a lot of money," Steele says, "but there's great reward in what we do. The impact may be small but it's important to people."
The afternoon graduate address will be presented by Teri Ott, a mother of two and a former Town of Burke resident now living in Madison. She will be graduating with an associate degree from the Accounting Program and plans on working for the state of Wisconsin upon graduation. When asked how she managed a busy family life while remaining on the Dean's List throughout her academic career, she says, "Self discipline, courage, motivation and confidence—these are the traits people need…Together, these qualities get us where we want to go."
This will be the third year that ceremonies will be broadcast live with streaming video on the college's website at http://matcmadison.edu, so that loved ones around the world can watch the festivities. For those attending the ceremonies, large-screen projection will help all see the ceremonies on stage. Following the ceremonies, the recorded video will be available for viewing for 30 days on the college's website. It also will be available for purchase in DVD format.
Programs with the most graduates this year include nursing, nursing assistant, liberal arts transfer, emergency medical technician, criminal justice-law enforcement, marketing, accounting, business management, veterinary technician, dental hygienist, automotive technician and electrical construction technician apprentices.
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges. It provides “real world smart” education through a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and activities, as well as customized employee training. MATC offers associate degrees, vocational diplomas and certificates, and non-degree courses in more than 140 programs of study. The college serves all or parts of 12 counties located in south-central Wisconsin and offers instruction through five campuses and numerous community locations throughout the district.
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May 14, 2007
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