Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MATCProfiles
For Alumni and Friends of Madison Area Technical College
Woodworking
Wonders
see page 6
Inside
Wright Place, Wright Time
Hot Jobs: Terry’s Take
Proud to be in the Pack
Dear MATC Alumni and Friends,
4
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
MATC News
Students Travel South to Lend a Hand
4 for the future
Economist Terry Ludeman
sees good jobs in
high-growth sectors
What’s hot in the job market?
The answer seems to vary day by
day as technology, global markets
and demographic trends converge
to change the workforce. Terry
Ludeman, retired chief labor economist
for the state of Wisconsin, shared his
insights recently with Profiles.
MATC students took an Alternative Winter Break trip
Health Care
in to the Florida Everglades, where they worked at a
“Wisconsin adds about 20,000–25,000 new healthcare jobs every
refuge for injured and abused animals. Alternative Spring
year, about 25% of which are in Madison. If you add to that the
Breaks took 100 students to four locations:
5,000 to 6,000 baby boomers in these jobs who retire every year,
• Appalachia, mentoring high school drop-outs and there are 10,000 to 12,000 healthcare opportunities available in the
working on home construction for coal miners in Dane County area every year — an ideal market for nurses and
West Virginia; medical technicians.”
• New York City, preparing and distributing meals Finance/Insurance
to people with HIV/AIDS; “There are probably 1,500–3,000 new jobs created in this sector
• Washington D.C., learning about homelessness every year in Wisconsin. Although most aren’t professional
and hunger by volunteering at shelters, food pantries positions, they do require very strong skill sets, especially in
and youth centers; and computer operations and information technology.” Law firms,
engineering companies, scientific/research firms and medical
• New Orleans, helping to rebuild the damaged areas
practices will also be looking for computer programmers,
continuing to suffer the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
operators and technicians.
Manufacturing
Help the students who help Manufacturing is increasingly dependent on technology for running
To make a tax-deductible donation to sponsor innovative business processes, such as “just in time” production
a student volunteer, please send a check payable and delivery. Of the 2,000–3,000 jobs available every year in this
to the MATC Foundation to: field, many require high-tech computer skills such as CAD and
MATC Student Life other engineering applications.
Re: Alternative Breaks Donation
Construction
3550 Anderson Street • Madison, WI 53704
Despite the downturn in housing starts across the country,
For more information, call (608) 259-2953 or email construction in Wisconsin has stayed strong, thanks largely to
stensven@matcmadison.edu. commercial construction. There are currently about 120,000
construction jobs in the state — 30,000 in the Madison area.
Although strong new-job growth isn’t in the forecast, there should
More MATC News on page 10 >
be about 2,000–3,000 job vacancies created every year by retiring
construction trade workers.
5
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
Getting Down to Business
in Cabinetmaking and Millwork
W
hen tornados ripped through
Dane County two years ago, the
damage included a number of
uprooted trees in a west side research park.
But where storm chasers saw debris, a local
nonprofit business saw opportunity.
It was only natural for the Wisconsin
Energy Conservation Corporation
(WECC), a company devoted to
promoting energy efficiency and
renewable energy, to see the potential in
those damaged trees. So it approached
MATC’s Cabinetmaking and Millwork
Program with a proposition: WECC would
donate a brand-new portable sawmill
to MATC, and students would make
office furnishings for its new green-built
headquarters out of trees removed from
the construction site.
While the instructors in the program
are eager for their students to gain the real
world experience of working on special
projects for area businesses and organiza-
tions, they are selective about the proj-
ects they take on. Projects must include
a learning component that fits into the
curriculum. The WECC headquarters, a
showplace of sustainable building prod-
ucts and methods, fit the bill.
Cindy Moubry, WECC contracts and
procurement manager, learned that the
MATC program might be able to help.
In exchange for donation of the portable
sawmill, Patrick Molzahn, lead instructor,
agreed to mill the wood from the site and
have students turn the wood into a recep-
tion desk for the new building.
“This has turned out to be a wonder-
ful partnership for us,” says Moubry. “It’s
been a great opportunity for students to
experience green or sustainable building
firsthand, and it allows us to keep all the
trees onsite.”
6
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
The program:
Cabinetmaking and Millwork
The added bonus for WECC is the The degree: One-year technical diploma
MATC project adds to the many sustain- Career potential:
able features of the building that the com- Cabinetmaker, finish carpenter, architectural
pany hopes will earn them a prestigious woodworker, finishing specialist, fixtures
Leadership in Energy and Environmental manufacturer, CAD/CAM operator.
Design (LEED) Certification from the Current employers of MATC graduates include
U.S. Green Building Council. Carley Wood Associates, Techline USA, Nonn’s
Flooring, Hensen Manufacturing, Wisconsin-
Partnerships like this are one of the Built, The Carlson Company, Brunsell Lumber
things that keeps the cabinetmaking and and Woodjoiners.
millwork lab at MATC Truax bustling Typical salaries:
with activity every day. Students and From $24,000-$60,000. Entry level, $12-
instructors cluster around the room at dif- 15/hr.; highly skilled employees can earn up
to $25/hr.
ferent stations, each completely focused
on the task at hand — sawing, sanding, For more information: Call (608) 246-6842
gluing, nailing — all of the things one
would expect in a wood shop, and more.
Maintaining an efficient pace is impor-
ing for building contractor J. H. Findorff. MATC and WoodLINKS:
tant, says Molzahn. “I want to ground stu-
They also invite industry experts to The Latest Word on Wood
address students on the latest products An innovative program that offers online,
dents in the real world. They need to learn
and methods. self-directed curriculum for woodworking
to work in teams, plan projects, keep track
“When I decided to pursue turning is going national through a partnership
of hours, calculate production costs and
my woodworking hobby into a career, with WoodLINKS, an industry-driven
profit, and manage their time as they would
my wife and I sat down and explored our educational partnership.
on the job.”
options,” says Dave Lauher, who was a Patrick Molzahn, lead instructor for
Patrick and his brother, Jeff, also an
nurse for 20 years before he graduated MATC’s Cabinetmaking and Millwork
instructor in the program, bring their
from the program last year. “We settled Program, developed the curriculum
own work experience into the classroom.
on MATC because it had a good reputa- because he found that there were practi-
Patrick was trained as an architectural
tion.” He now is working at Carley Wood cal challenges to the traditional lecture
designer and ran his own woodworking
Associates in Madison, an architectural and demonstration method of teaching.
business, while Jeff, a journeyman car-
woodworking firm. “We’d have 16 students crowded around
penter, has 20 years of experience work-
With family responsibilities that a machine. Some couldn’t even see the
include three children, Lauher says he details of the demonstration. Then they’d
really had to stay focused. “I was on a wait in line to use equipment.
mission, so I was very happy that basical- “By providing online modules using
ly everything Patrick and Jeff said about PowerPoint, short videos and PDFs, stu-
the industry was right on the money. They dents can work at their own pace. They
pushed us and challenged us but it made can study and review theoretical, safety
me very well-prepared to work in the and operating information online, freeing
field.” up class time for hands-on work in the
Molzahn has discovered that to suc- laboratory. Because students are working
ceed in his program, “students must be at their own level, not everyone will be
detail-oriented and have a strong desire trying to do the same task at once.”
to work with their hands. But the number WoodLINKS-USA now is making
one requirement is the desire to learn.” In Molzahn’s learning modules available to its
that regard, Patrick Molzahn feels blessed. members. This year the organization also
awarded MATC its Partnership of the Year
Award for developing the curriculum.
7
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
Businesses share ‘Future Thoughts’ The end result of the
Future Thoughts sessions
S
tudents had the day off, but the halls All of the business representatives
were still buzzing. Professionals expressed a need for MATC to educate
is to help develop a
from small firms, corporations, more skilled workers with up-to-date comprehensive academic
government agencies, trade associations technical skills specific to their fields.
plan for the college with
and the UW were gathering at MATC Many also expressed the importance of
for “Future Thoughts,” a January developing complimentary “soft skills” first-hand information based
in-service activity designed to share in students — such as customer service, on employers and projected
strategic information with over 400 emotional intelligence and interpersonal
college faculty about the future of their abilities. demographic and economic
professions and industries. Employers also stressed the need trends for the college’s
Nurses, engineers, CEOs, scientists, for students to gain knowledge in good
transportation managers and state agency manufacturing practices, instrumentation
12-county service area.
and university administrators, along with skills and process improvement
a fire chief, animator and art director, met methodologies such as Six Sigma.
with instructors in 17 sessions organized Other needs identified included:
by career field, with anywhere from five • new curriculum to support the
to 50 instructors participating in each. emerging biofuels field;
“For decades, our occupational • laboratory technicians trained
programs have received ongoing input for converging sciences such as
from advisory committees, made up of biotechnology, energy, agriculture,
local employers, working professionals chemistry and animal care;
and graduates, for a real world check on • specifice skills to support growth in
what our students learn and bring to the the video gaming industry, which
workplace,” states Terry Webb, MATC’s is expanding into new markets due
associate vice president of Learner Success. to business applications for virtual
“Our programs will continue to work with conferences;
their advisory committees, but we took this • more emphasis on developing students’
opportunity to really look into the future, business writing and technology skills;
five to 10 years out. We asked all faculty • continuing education for culinary
to join with our local employers and begin and hospitality workers; and
our planning to meet future needs.” • training to help our community’s
Each session began with employer growing population of Latino workers
presentations, then moved into facilitated advance into management.
but free-flowing dialog focused by five The end result of the Future Thoughts
questions designed to provoke thoughts sessions is to help develop a comprehensive
about trends, emerging needs and future academic plan for the college based on
demands. Some groups became so first-hand information from employers and
engaged they chose to skip lunch and projected demographic and economic trends
continue their sessions well beyond the for the college’s 12-county service area.
two-hour time period. The academic plan is scheduled for
What did MATC learn from completion this summer and according to
organizations as diverse as Vierbicher Webb, “will guide decisionmaking at the
Associates, Inc., Wisconsin Hospital college over the next five to 10 years by
Association, Peterbilt, Raven Software, providing a model for future programming
Office Team, Covance, Voltedge and the and outreach activities, as well as
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, recommendations for how MATC
Trade and Consumer Protection? serves our community.”
8
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
Alumni Notes
Tom Brice, a graduate of the Marketing and Rhonda Voelz and Loretta Brunell for doing Lasting Skin Solutions,
Supervisory Management programs, marks 35 such a great job of preparing me for real world whose founder and
years at Madison Gas and Electric, where he is coding.” president, Kim
currently materials manager. He has been a part- Schuchardt, is an MATC
Dave Mahoney, who
time teacher in the Supervisory Management graduate, has opened a
has been both a student
program (see ad on page 11) since 1987, new Middleton location
and instructor at MATC,
and is past president of the MATC Alumni in the Discovery Springs
was elected Dane County
Association. Center. It provides a
Sheriff last November and
multifaceted approach to preventative and
Lara Klipsch Elliott, began his term in January.
corrective skin care, including the latest in laser
a 2000 graduate of the Mahoney’s career includes
technology. A graduate of MATC and UW–
Graphic Design Program, service with the Middleton
Madison, Kim has over 17 years of medical
is an associate art director EMS, Middleton Police Department, Cross
experience and is a registered nurse, physician
for American Girl, a Plains Police Department and Dane County
assistant and certified laser technician.
lifestyle magazine for Sheriff’s office. He also has served as
girls ages 8–12. She was President of the Wisconsin Professional Police
initially hired as a graphic Association. A way to remember,
designer by American Girl at her portfolio
show. Now, Elliott works with photographers
Bill Neeman, general manager of Ad-Tech a way to renew
Industries in Watertown, is president-elect
and illustrators from around the world. The losses of Stan Burek, Carl Jensen and Sara
of the Watertown Rotary Club. Neeman,
Graphic design graduate MATC alum, is a long time donor to MATC Sherkow in the past year have been deeply felt
Kristin Erickson’s and has established a reimbursement plan for by the MATC community. But they and many
successful magazine his employees to attend the college. Cindy others have left a legacy of hope for MATC
Brava celebrates its Schroeder, a graduate of the MATC Business students for many years to come.
fifth anniversary in Mid-management Program, is office manager at Those who wish to remember their loved ones
May. Formerly known Ad-Tech, an industrial painting company. by making learning accessible to future stu-
as Anew, the full-color, dents are encouraged to contact the MATC
Dennis Ruchti has joined
glossy monthly tells the Foundation Office. Many named funds, as well
Strang, Inc. of Madison
stories of exceptional women who empower as the Foundation Endowment for scholarships
as HVAC design engineer.
others. In May, Erickson is set to launch Brava and grants, provide opportunities for students to
Ruchti holds an associate
Encore Edition, an annual publication that carry on in the tradition of our Stan, Carl, Sara
degree from MATC and
will follow notable women through a day or and other MATC legends.
has over 28 years of
a pivotal moment in their life.
comprehensive HVAC Gifts to these and all of the MATC Foundation’s
Medical coding graduate Darla Lockman is design experience. Strang, scholarship accounts are tax-deductible.
employed full-time as a coder at UW Hospital Inc. is an integrated architecture, engineering
and Clinics. A former junior high school and interior design firm. Larry Barton, an For details, contact
teacher, she worked in manufacturing for 25 architectural technician alum, is vice president MATC Foundation • (608) 246-6441
years before seeking a career change. “I wish of Strang and a member of the MATC rdinndorf@matcmadison.edu
to express my thanks to [MATC instructors] Foundation Board.
10
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
Foundation focuses on photography
Solar summit boosts
renewable energy
MATC’s Center for Education in Renewable
Energy Technology (CERET) recently hosted
the Wisconsin Solar Working Group to explore
strategies to grow the solar energy industry
in Wisconsin.
Photography students Dustin Walsh, Austin Hillebrandt, Karolina Romanowski and Reesha Lopez focus on part-
time instructor and full-time administrator Herb Nelson with cameras donated to the MATC Foundation. The
cameras were given by David and Stephanie Dean, Sara Hart McGuinnis and Lew Terpstra. [Photo by: Briana
Montgomery, Creative Photography Student]
11
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
Foundation News
Grateful alumni fund the future
“For the strength of the Pack
is the Wolf, and the strength
of the Wolf is the Pack.”
State _____________ Zip ___________________________ Mail this form with your payment to:
MATC Foundation • 3550 Anderson St. • Madison WI 53704
Phone ___________________________________________
Or make your credit card payment by phone:
Email ____________________________________________ Call (608) 246-6441
13
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
Program News
New certificates offer
quick skill upgrades
One word: Plastics Got a nose for news?
Wisconsin is known for its dairy, paper and Liberal Arts Transfer students who are
even metal fabricating industries, but few interested in writing and reporting now
know that plastics manufacturing also is have an opportunity to “add value”
one of the state’s largest industries and a to their associate degrees. The new
major source of employment in the south- Journalism Certificate is designed for
central region in particular. MATC offers a those interested in gaining skills for entry- $2 million will boost biotech
two-year Plastics Technology Program, but level news reporter positions at small
To meet the fast-growing biotechnology
there has been a continuing need for short- newspapers or radio stations, or for build-
sector’s workforce needs, MATC has
er-term training for those already working ing a basis for further education, includ-
been awarded a $2 million federal grant
in this $2.7 billion industry. ing internships at larger papers.
to train 435 workers for laboratory techni-
To obtain the certificate, students are
cian positions with local bioscience com-
required to complete their two-year liberal
panies, including Covance Laboratories
arts degrees in conjunction with taking
and Promega Corp. MATC will work
17 credits necessary for the Journalism
with employers to create “career ladders”
Certificate. Required courses cover an
allowing new, current and displaced work-
introduction to mass communication,
ers to advance in the biotech field.
news reporting and feature writing with
MATC, one of only 72 institutions in
elective options in photojournalism, web
the nation to receive one of the highly
and professional writing.
competitive grants, is partnering with the
University of Wisconsin and Workforce
Development Board of South Central
Wisconsin (WDB) to develop curriculum
14
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
1 Faculty Profile
IT image is McCullough’s mission “Teaching is in my family.
This is the best job in
Ken McCullough loves problem solving, accepted a full-time faculty position at the world — to be able
puzzles and mysteries — characteristics MATC in 1997. to make a difference in
he says are necessary in information His students say McCullough has had somebody’s life, even if
technology professionals because “they a tremendous impact on them. Danielle what you do is small.”
need the ability to listen and understand Fossum, now a web programmer/analyst
problems so they can fix them.” at Hiebing Group in Madison, will always
remember McCullough’s supportive and Kenneth McCullough
caring attitude. “He believed in me and Education
“IT has come back … • Bachelor’s degree & graduate studies in
my abilities, which was key in my finding
right now, we have employment.” communication arts, UW–Madison
In addition to the success of his • MATC associate degree in data processing/
a shortage of skilled IT students, he is most proud of securing the
computer programming, 1983
15
MATC Profiles • Spring 2007
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Madison, WI
Permit No. 1389
Resource Development
9996804690
Alumni Office
3550 Anderson Street
Madison WI 53704-2599
Coming up at MATC
For details on these and more MATC events, visit matcmadison.edu,
click on A-Z Index and select Calendars. Events are at MATC Truax unless noted.
July
April 28