A Well-Reasoned Resolution
The Wisconsin Technical College System State Board made an important policy decision Wednesday when it voted 12-0 to preserve MATC's district boundaries. By denying Germantown's petition for secession, the state board reaffirmed its commitment to our mission and that of the entire Wisconsin Technical College System. 

The message sent was that separation from any technical college district must significantly benefit students and the future quality of their education.  This clarity of purpose strengthens our system and eliminates the continual shifts in service areas and resources that could come from less focused criteria.  

This process also gave us a great opportunity to talk about the enormous value MATC adds to the regional economy, using Germantown as a prime example.  We will continue to build on that record and also spend more time listening to our constituents throughout our district.  We will use what we hear to fashion a future for MATC that is responsive, effective, and innovative in service to every part of our district.

You will find exciting examples of that commitment in each issue of Communique.  In fact, this edition highlights our regional impact, from the 26 Girl Scout Troops that explored non-traditional careers at the Oak Creek Campus to the dedication of our wind turbine at the Mequon Campus; from the record attendance at our Downtown Milwaukee Campus Open House to the ECAM Open House.  I hope you will read it with pleasure, and with pride.

Darnell E. Cole
President

November 2008

Another Vibrant Open House Our annual open house on November 8 drew record attendance and high-quality applications. A Nontraditional Success More than 100 area Girl Scouts from 26 troops sampled 10 nontraditional occupations at a special career day November 15 at the Oak Creek Campus. Support Commencement Please help celebrate student success at our Winter Commencement, Thursday, December 18, 6 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Arena. Celebrating ECAM The Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing held an open house on October 22 to thank our partners and reach out to industry. Sustainable First The ECAM open house served as a platform to begin unveiling our exciting new curriculum in sustainable energy business strategies. Turning on the Wind Wind energy is now helping to power the Mequon Campus. We dedicated its new wind turbine at a November 12 ceremony. Voter Rally Draws Governor We welcomed Governor Jim Doyle and Congresswoman Gwen Moore as the featured speakers at a student-sponsored Downtown Milwaukee Campus voter rally on October 29. Health Care for All A recent forum at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus explored the devastating consequences when people lack health insurance. Journey of Hope We wish the very best to Visual Communications instructor David Thomas as he works for three months in the impoverished Guatemalan city of Quetzaltengo. Wellness Update: Caregiving Not for the Timid One in four American families care for someone older than 50. Click here  for top of Communique Click here for Printer-friendly version