College's Urban Solar Farm Initiative Gets Green Light
The Wisconsin Technical College System Board gave MATC the green light September 30 to build the state's largest-yet solar farm in partnership with Johnson Controls. A major generator of power -- 411 kilowatts of electricity, enough to power 60 homes for one year -- the site will be used to train students and local professionals in a variety of renewable energy areas. The $6.9 million project will feature about 2,500 solar panels on 32 acres on MATC-owned land along the Milwaukee River on Capitol Drive. Similar solar farms are built in rural areas, but this concept is unique for its urban-centered approach. The project will also be the first solar farm in the nation that is mobile, able to be moved to wherever it's needed. This innovative initiative is another giant step forward for MATC to become a leading center for training in green technologies.

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Transfer Agreement Brings WTCS Students Here
Over the next several semesters, we anticipate welcoming the first transfer students to MATC through a new Wisconsin Technical College System associate degree transfer program. "Partners in College: Liberal Arts Collaborative Agreement" gives WTCS students from 13 state technical colleges the opportunity to complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree at MATC. Madison Area Technical College and Nicolet Area Technical College are also transfer destination schools. Transfer students must complete 30 selected General Studies credits with a C average or better, complete the program's admissions application and contact an MATC program advisor. Among the advantages for the transfer student:

• Can complete the degree earning four-year college transfer classes
• Transfer to an ultimate destination four-year college or university for a desired baccalaureate degree program

 Photo: WTCS students can transfer into MATC's Liberal Arts program through a new agreement. 

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MATC-Sponsored Conference Highlights STEM Careers
Gateway and Waukesha County technical colleges join MATC as sponsors of the October 20 and 21 sySTEMnow -- a conference highlighting careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The Downtown Milwaukee Campus is a host site. This sixth annual conference has grown in size and scope, with event organizers anticipating more than 400 participants including educators, business leaders, economic development professionals and more.

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College Brings Together Health Care, Water and Energy Leaders
Two important Milwaukee-area groups participated in Leaders' Breakfast meetings held at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus and co-hosted by Interim President Vicki J. Martin. Her co-host at the September 15 Health Care Industry Leaders' Breakfast was T. Michael Bolger, President and CEO of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Health care officials and practitioners discussed the future of the industry, especially health care reform, worker shortages and educational innovation. The Water and Energy Industry was the focus of the September 24 Leaders' Breakfast. Richard Meeusen, Chairman and CEO of Badger Meter, Inc., co-hosted. Industry executives and educators discussed advanced manufacturing, sustainable solutions and emerging water technologies. The meeting explored MATC's role in these critical areas and the increasing need for skilled, certified technicians in sustainable operations. Through these forums, MATC helped to solidify its role as a resource and leader in areas vital to our community's future.

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District Board Schedules Dialogue Sessions with Students
Members of the MATC District Board are hosting a series of four "Listening and Learning" sessions during the 2009-10 academic year. Intended as a direct dialogue with students to share information and concerns, the fall semester sessions began October 6 at the Mequon Campus. The next session is: 

• November 19, West Allis Campus, 10 -11 a.m., Room 107
  

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Staff Notes
Congratulations to MPTV "Black Nouveau" producers Liddie Collins and Everett Marshburn. They recently received the Salute to Excellence Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. Now in its 18th season, "Black Nouveau" is hosted by Faithe Colas and MATC Liberal Arts Instructor Milton Dockery. The program airs Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Gloria Pitchford-Nicholas, Dean, Pre-College Education, is a Legacy Award recipient from the Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services. The award is presented to those who share the organization's mission to empower adults through education.

Photo: Gloria Pitchford-Nicholas (right) is joined at the Legacy Awards by Peg Palmer, executive director, Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services and David Harvey, president and CEO of ProLiteracy.

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Four-year Transfer Partners to Share Information
We will welcome many four-year college partners to the Downtown Milwaukee Campus and the Oak Creek Campus for Transfer Days, October 13 and 14.

Held 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. both days, on Tuesday, October 13, the Downtown Milwaukee Campus event will take place in the Student Center and on Wednesday, October 14, in the first floor cafeteria at the Oak Creek Campus. More than 30 public and private four-year colleges/universities will be represented, including:

• UW System schools
• Area private colleges
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Encourage your students considering four-year college transfer to attend. If their goal is a bachelor's degree or beyond, Transfer Days will put them on their first important step. Contact ortizk@matc.edu for more information or visit matc.edu.

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Town Hall Meetings Scheduled with Dr. Martin
Information sharing and hearing directly from students, faculty and staff are the priorities for a series of town hall meetings hosted by Interim President Vicki J. Martin.

The schedule:

• October 7 - Downtown Milwaukee Campus, Room S120; 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (for students), 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (faculty and staff)
• October 8 - Downtown Milwaukee Campus, Room S120; 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (students), 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (faculty and staff)
• October 21 - Oak Creek Campus, Lecture Hall; 9 - 10 a.m. (faculty and staff), 10 - 11 a.m. (students)
• October 28 - Mequon Campus, Lecture Hall; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (students), 12:30 -1:30 p.m. (faculty and staff)
• November 10 - West Allis Campus, Room 107; 1 -2 p.m. (students), 2 -3 p.m. (faculty and staff)
  
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Participation Deadline Oct. 15 for Open House
October 15 is the fast-approaching deadline for faculty members to promote their programs at the annual fall Open House, set for Saturday, November 7, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Contact John Lopez at lopezj@matc.edu to be a part of this event that typically draws more than 1,000 prospective students and their parents to the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. It also showcases our student services, including financial aid, career planning, admissions/registration and more. Our degree, diploma and certificate programs are showcased at the Open House and many prospective students complete applications for the spring or fall semester. Get on board now to ensure your program will receive promotion and placement at the venue.

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'4th Street Forum' Takes on Higher Education
Interim President  Vicki J. Martin was a featured panelist on MPTV's "4th Street Forum" news magazine program. "Wisconsin Higher Education: Do We Need It? Can We Afford It?" was the theme of the one-hour show taped October 1. It aired early in the month on MPTV and is available on Time Warner Cable's "Wisconsin on Demand." Joining Dr. Martin on the panel were Dr. Kathleen O'Brien, a vice president at Alverno College; Dr. Joan Prince, a vice chancellor at UWM; and Caroline Williams, Office of School Counseling at MPS.

Photo: Moderator Enrique Figueroa welcomes (left to right) Dr. Kathleen O'Brien, Alverno College; Dr. Joan Prince, UW-Milwaukee; Caroline Williams, Milwaukee Public Schools; and Dr. Vicki Martin to the 4th Street Forum set. The program aired Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 on Milwaukee Public Television, Channel 10.1.

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Giving Campaign More Important Than Ever
As of late September -- about the halfway point of the Giving Campaign -- 210 MATC employees and retirees have generously donated and pledged more than $79,000. The campaign officially ends October 23 and has goals of 600 donors and $180,000. The campaign offers an opportunity to support seven worthy local organizations and agencies that make a difference throughout our community. Faculty and staff can support the MATC Foundation and the MPTV Friends in addition to the Community Health Charities of Wisconsin, Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee, Hunger Relief Fund of Wisconsin, United Performing Arts Fund and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. Pledge packets have been distributed through the departments and divisions. For additional pledge forms, contact Bill Quirmbach at quirmbaw@matc.edu.

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Acclaimed Theatrical Performance Takes Cooley Stage
The acclaimed one-woman performance "The Shaneequa Chronicles: The Making of a Black Woman" is coming to Cooley Theater October 14 starting at 11 a.m. Heralded by The New York Times as "poetic" and "enduring," the performance by actress Stephanie Berry explores the life and challenges of an African-American woman in a white country. MATC students and employees are admitted free with an MATC ID. Public admission is $5. The two-hour performance includes an audience talk-back with Ms. Berry. The event is part of the college's Grass Roots series and is sponsored the Liberal Arts and Sciences Division, Pre-College Education Division, the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Student Life.

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High School Leaders Learn About Our Program Options
About 50 high school counselors and teachers participated in a special information event that highlighted opportunities in many MATC career areas, especially emerging professions. Held September 23 at the Oak Creek Campus and titled "Careers for a New Economy," the event included a welcome by Interim President Vicki J. Martin, an overview from Student Services Interim Vice President Al Pinckney and information about the college's mainstay and emerging programs. Class of 2008 Business Management graduate Mary VanAckeren provided a graduate's perspective, recounting how MATC played an integral role in her new career as supervisor at P&H Mining. A tour of the Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing was also a highlight. Thanks to Brunnetta Soward and the Recruitment Department for helping to showcase the college so well.

Photo: Area high school counselors and teachers learn about MATC programs and student services at a recent Oak Creek Campus event highlighting the college's emerging occupations.

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Soup and Support on the Open Bowls Menu
For the 11th consecutive year, the Oak Creek Campus will host the Empty Bowls fundraiser, set for October 10. Six Milwaukee food pantries will benefit. Handcrafted ceramic bowls may be purchased for $20 and many varieties of soups and breads will be available. Pre-College culinary instructor Paul Carrier and his students will create and serve their traditional gazpacho soup for the event. Several of Culinary Arts Instructor John Reiss' associate degree students will also lend a hand, as will instructors Bob Ilk and Tom Tateoka.

"In addition to giving our students a unique learning experience, MATC has the opportunity to show its support for an event that means so much for the greater Milwaukee community," said Interim President Vicki J. Martin. All told, Empty Bowls has raised almost $300,000 for local food pantries.

Photo: Empty Bowls returns to MATC on October 10. The Oak Creek Campus is again the host site for the community-wide fundraiser that benefits local food pantries.

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Happy Trails: Oak Creek Campus Opens Fitness/Walking Path
Students and employees are getting an up-close look at the picturesque land that surrounds the Oak Creek Campus and keeping fit at the same time. Thanks to the vision and determination of Mike Kupsik, Operations Manager, the campus recently opened a fitness/walking trail that traverses the campus' woods and fields for more than two miles. Mike received valuable help from Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement instructor Sam Lenda who secured donated materials and constructed a bridge across a trail creek. Mike has devoted about two hours a week to the project over the last year, which has included creating a trail bed from hundreds of yards of donated road grinding and crushed limestone. Trail makers are expected to be erected soon. MATC Wellness classes have used the trail as well as fitness-conscious faculty, staff and students. There are plans to add more miles to the trail. Additional donated materials and a commitment for additional volunteer help are needed first. You can thank Mike or volunteer to work on this incredible campus resource at kupsikm@matc.edu.

Photo: A new walking trail helps students and employees enjoy the acres of wooded land surrounding the Oak Creek Campus.

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Wellness Update
Anne Sheridan, Wellness Coordinator

Not a Normal Flu Season
This year's flu season has been far from normal. H1N1 (swine flu) had hit early this year and returned in late summer/early fall. People have less immunity to H1N1 than the seasonal flu strain. Both seasonal and H1N1 influenza can cause a variety of ailments including:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Although a fever is common, people may be infected and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Most people fully recover without medical treatment. However, if your symptoms don't improve after three to four days, contact your health care provider. Self-care measures are important and will expedite recovery. Drink plenty of fluids, rest and use over-the-counter medications as directed. Anti-viral medications are recommended on a case-by-case basis for people at high risk for complications. According to the Milwaukee Health Department, high risks for complications include:

• Chronic heart or lung disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney failure
• Weakened immune illness (disease or medication induced)

Getting Vaccinated
If you have questions or concerns about whether or not to receive the seasonal and/or H1N1 vaccination, contact your health care provider. The seasonal flu shot is currently available in the community and will be offered at the four MATC campuses. The pneumonia vaccine will also be offered at the same time. The pneumonia vaccine is recommended for:

• Adults 65 years of age or older
• Adults who smoke cigarettes
• Anyone over two years of age who has a long-term health problem such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease, alcoholism or cirrhosis

Seasonal vaccine schedule (not the H1N1 vaccine):

Cost (cash or check only): Flu shot, $30; Pneumonia vaccine, $45.

The H1N1 vaccine is expected to become available in mid-October. Consult your physician if you want this vaccination. It may become available to the MATC community. If it does, more information will be posted at matc.edu. Members of priority groups as determined by the CDC would be eligible to receive the vaccination. These groups are:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency services personnel
• People between the ages of six months and 24 years
• People age 25 to 64 years who have chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems

Stay informed and be prepared. Visit matc.edu/h1n1 for more information.

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Anne Sheridan