Feb. 26, 2018 – Fond du Lac, WI – The Moraine Park Association for Career and Technical Education (MPACTE) honored five individuals for their dedication and professional excellence at Moraine Park Technical College during its annual awards banquet Feb. 6.

This year’s banquet was held at the Golf Club at Camelot in Lomira.

At the event, Michelle Duran, of Fond du Lac, was honored with the “Outstanding Support Professional” award. She serves as a tutoring services specialist. Bonnie Bauer of Germantown, the disability resource manager at the College, was named Outstanding CTE (Career and Technical Education) Leader. Barbara Brown of Mayville, who serves as a nursing instructor, received the “Outstanding Instructor” honor. Business analyst instructor JoAnn Giese-Kent of Fond du Lac received the “Outstanding New Instructor” award. The “Outstanding Member-Community Involvement” award went to transition specialist Melissa Schmidt of Fond du Lac. And, taking home the “Longevity Award” was Bonnie Baerwald of Fond du Lac. Baerwald is the College president, and has been employed with the College since her start as an accountant at Moraine Park in 1993.

Also at the MPACTE awards banquet, Agnesian Healthcare Foundation was given this year’s Business of Merit Award. MPACTE recognizes partner companies and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the improvement, promotion and development of career, technical, and adult education in the Moraine Park district. Agnesian Healthcare contributions as is a longtime partner with the College, include helping Moraine Park serve its students in clinicals, practicums and employment, as well as volunteering on College advisory boards and making generous contributions supporting student scholarships through the Moraine Park Foundation.  Tammy Pitts,  Agnesian Healthcare/SSM Human Resources Director accepted this award on behalf of Agnesian.

MPACTE is an organization designed to bring together educational support professionals, faculty and administration. It is the local chapter of WACTE, which unites individuals involved in career and technical education, provides professional development, encourages leadership in the professional arena and promotes innovative change to enhance lifelong learning.

At the group’s banquet this year, MPACTE’s annual basket raffle also set a new event record, raising more than $1,700 for student scholarships.