Dear Faculty and Staff,
We have much for which to be grateful here at MATC — worthwhile jobs, a dedicated board of trustees, thousands of eager learners and a supportive community. At Thanksgiving time I wish each of you a pleasant holiday.
Last Thursday I attended a touching ceremony that officially closed the Madison 150 Time Capsule, which was placed in a special limestone bench for everyday viewing and use in the Overture Center. We hope that those who get the opportunity in 50 years to examine the 10 tools, graduate photos and publications housed in our Tool Kit, get a sense of the spirit and contributions of MATC to our community.
We also hope our submission honors the work of some of the good friends we’ve lost in recent weeks, former colleagues who are an important part of our legacy and helped build MATC’s reputation for transforming lives. It is with great sadness that I let you know about the deaths of:
Willis O. Goedel, head track coach at MATC from 1990 until 1992, who passed away Oct. 19;
Frederick Carpenter, a former art instructor, who died Oct. 27;
Zachary L. Cooper, a former history teacher (and brother to long-time faculty member Alvin Cooper Whitaker), who passed away Nov. 1;
Ida C. Matzinger Clements, former instructor of baking courses, who passed away Nov. 12 and
Carl Jensen, retired counselor, who died in Arizona after a long illness on Nov. 14.
Each week, I like to highlight some marvelous people I encounter or learn about here at the college. Here are this week's "favorite teachers,” as mentioned to me by students:
Michael Lussenden, communication arts
Maureen “Punky” Egan, baking/pastry arts
Mark Durkee, mechanical technician
Ronald Dunbar, economics
Peggy Boerman, accounting
Al Lehnen, mathematics
Ronald Olson, mechanical technician
Thomas Ryan, accounting
James Topel, veterinary technician
MATC Foundation Update
The Foundation is excited to report that the Robert and Elizabeth Muller Foundation have awarded a grant of $10,000 to continue our Fusion Science Theater project. Holly Walter Kerby was integral in generating this gift.
The Cremer Family Foundation donated $10,000 to help students with special needs. Holly Cremer Berkenstadt is the owner of Wisconsin Cheeseman and an active member of the Foundation Board.
- Participated in a conference call with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium as part of our application for membership. We are eager to be accepted as a consortium member to gain access to enhanced curriculum, expertise and support at national levels in the areas of biofuels and other alternative energies.
- Gave a “Board to Board” outreach presentation, with our trustee Carolyn Stoner, at the Jefferson School District Board meeting.
- Attended the AACC Commission on Emerging Trends, Research and Technology meeting in Washington, DC.
- Was interviewed for an article in Community College Week.
- Attended the Madison 150 Time Capsule ceremony.
- Attended our Programs and Activities Council’s, “Country Night 2006: Ride ‘Em and Hold ‘Em.” Special thanks to Lori Erickson and the students in the Program and Activities Council for coordinating this event.
- Met Nancy Gribler, vice president of marketing for Sundance Cinemas.
- Was interviewed for the February, 2007, issue of Wisconsin Woman magazine.
- Attended a performance of our wonderful production of “Barefoot in the Park,” as well as a WolfPack men’s basketball game.
In closing, I would like to share a quote that I have kept in my office for years and saw in the obituary of one of our former students, nursing grad Lisa Marie Hall:
“People are unreasonable, illogical, self centered…love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives…do good anyway. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies...be successful anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow…do good anyway. Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable…be honest and frank anyway. People love underdogs but follow only top dogs…follow some underdogs anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight…build anyway. People really need help, but may attack you if you try to help…help people anyway. If you give the world the best you have, you may get kicked in the teeth…but give the world the best you have ANYWAY.”
Have a great holiday weekend.
— Bettsey
Bettsey L. Barhorst, President |
Bettsey L. Barhorst, President
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