President's Message: August 17, 2009

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Welcome back!

And a special hello to all our new staff and faculty. We’re especially excited about the fall session. Enrollment is up 13 percent! It shows the important role we play in helping displaced workers get back on their feet. It also shows that we’re a great bargain for parents who want their kids to get a good college education, but need to keep a close eye on their pocketbooks during this uncertain economic time.

You will also notice a number of improvements throughout our campus. We’re the first college in the world to have the high-tech “TelePresence” to replace our antiquated ITV system. We’re also excited about our new facility on Madison’s west side, our newly-renovated south side campus, and our updated website. But we’re most excited that our students and dedicated faculty and staff are back on campus. I look forward to seeing you at Convocation on Tuesday. Don’t forget to take a look at the updated Convocation schedule.

College Name
After soliciting suggestions from staff and students, it was recommended the college keep its name. However, we’re trying to move away from being called MATC to avoid being confused with Milwaukee Area Technical College. The name change story received a lot of coverage in the media. You’ll especially want to see what WISC-TV’s Neil Heinen had to say about it.

Bob Gilbertson
I have some sad news to share with you. Former instructor Bob Gilbertson has passed away.
Bob had a wonderful career in education. Our condolences to his family.

Madison Area Technical College Marvels
When I talked with students from “Learning to Learn” Camp, two of them mentioned their favorite teacher:
John “Luke” Matthews, anthropology
Michael Kent, college success

More Marvels
A student of Susan Crowson, microbiology instructor at Fort Atkinson (teaching at Reedsburg this fall) shared some comments, “Dr. Crowson teaches with compassion and understanding for the student;” and, “she embodies excellence in teaching.”

Kathy Waters, Mail Center Coordinator received the National Association of College and University Mail Services Industry Leadership Award. Congratulations Kathy and thank you for your dedicated service!

Janet Sperstad, program director for Meeting and Event Management, was recently appointed to the global board of directors for Green Meetings Industry Council. 

Client services staff John Pigeon, Susan Dalton, Holly Loomis and Nena Saucerman converted 72 more of our classrooms to full Smart Classrooms. The rooms are equipped with  HD projectors, 16-by-9 aspect ratio screens, and the latest high-end document cameras.

Highlights of my week:
• interviewed by Maria Guerrero with Channel 3 regarding our college name;
• participated in a WisLine meeting of the President’s Association Advocacy Committee;
• attended the WTCS State Board meeting;
• heard Chief of Police, Nobel Wray, speak at TEMPO Madison;
• hosted an event at my home for foundation donors;
• attended Downtown Madison Rotary;
• helped stuff  “WolfPack Welcome” bags that needed to be filled with informational materials and school supplies for students beginning the fall semester;
• visited the “WolfPack Welcome” at the Fort Atkinson campus;
• participated in a meeting of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee;
• participated in a WisLine meeting of the WTCS President’s Association; 
• had lunch with faculty, staff and students participating in our annual Learning to Learn camp;
• welcomed a group of new international students who are attending MATC this fall via the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) initiative or F-1 visa’s.  The population of international students attending our college will be nearly 50 for the fall session, with representation from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Canada; and
• attended the memorial service for Bob Gilbertson.

In closing, here is a quote by Andrew S. Grove that sums up our response to the communities we serve:

“You need to plan the way a fire department plans; it cannot anticipate where the next fire will be, so it has to shape an energetic and efficient team that is capable of responding to the unanticipated as well as to any ordinary event.”

Forward!

Bettsey