WESTERNCONNECT - Western Technical College

College News
Public Safety Programs
Move to Sparta
A remodeling and construction at
Western’s Sparta Public Safety Training
Center brings the
Criminal Justice,
Emergency Medical
Technician, and Fire
Protection programs
to the facility.
The project added
approximately
9,000 square feet of classroom and
administrative office space to the
existing building. The complex offers
seven classrooms, a 32-station computer
lab, and a 100-seat seminar room with
supporting kitchen. The remodeled facility
also features a criminal investigation lab
and practical skills room for emergency
medical services and health programs.
In addition to classrooms, there are
simulation and exercise areas, indoor and
outdoor shooting ranges, driving track,
water rescue pond, and other props.
A ribbon-cutting and open house is
planned for October 18, 2011. The public
is invited.
Black River
Falls Opens
New Facility
Students and
staff at Western
Technical College
in Black River
Falls have settled
into a new
downtown location, at 24 Fillmore St.
The first phase of interior construction
was completed in January 2011, allowing
spring semester classes to be held in
the new location. Exterior site work is
underway this summer. The second phase
to create additional distance learning
classrooms and an area dedicated to the
nursing program will begin in spring
2012.
A grand opening and ribbon cutting event
will be held when the second phase is
completed in fall 2012.
Parent Child Center Closes
After more than 30 years of care, Western’s
Parent Child Center will close in August.
Current economic challenges at both the state
and national level caused Western to examine
all of the programs and services offered. The
difficult decision was made to close the center.
Childcare will continue to be offered to
students, staff and community members on
the La Crosse Campus through the YWCA,
who will lease the existing facility at 419
North Ninth Street.
Career Services Provides
Advice for All Stages
Career Services offers assistance to students
from the beginning of their educational
experience, throughout their time at Western,
and as alumni. They offer career assessments
and helpful advice on
navigating career-related
information available in
print and on the web.
TechConnect is also
a service available for
alumni. TechConnect
is an electronic employment information
system for both students and graduates of
Western and other Wisconsin technical
colleges. The service is free, but registration is
required. Learn more about Career Services at
westerntc.edu/careerservices.
Meebo Comes to Western
Meebo is an online chat service the
Counseling Center and Wellness Center
offer to current and potential students.
Meebo is helpful for students wanting
a quick answer to a counselor question
and can’t wait for an appointment or can’t
make it to an appointment because of
employment, transportation, or childcare
issues. Communication is not open to public
view, and if desired, allows a student to remain
anonymous.
Meebo counselors are available on Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until noon to
answer your questions. Go to westerntc.edu/
counseling and click on Counselor Chat.
The Wellness Center utilizes Meebo for those
who have questions about their programs or
services. Visit westerntc.edu/wellness to learn
more.
First in the Nation
In 1911, Wisconsin was the first state in
the nation to create a system to provide
high-quality occupational training
opportunities. The “continuation
schools,” or technical colleges, as we
know them
today, were
to match
real-world
education
with the
needs of a
constantly
changing
economy.
This core
mission hasn’t
changed.
Despite the
fact that we
no longer
offer programs in millinery, baking or
horseshoeing, we are still leading the
way by offering relevant education in
critical occupations we all rely upon.
As technology expands and employers
increasingly adapt to compete, our
graduates fill contemporary jobs in areas
like firefighting, robotics, radiography,
welding, nursing, auto technicians, and
clinical technology. These are careers
that you are part of every day.
The key to our students’ employability
is the technical college tradition
of responsiveness. Our employerpartnerships
are as critical today as
they were in the early 1900s. Business
and industry representatives serve on
college advisory committees, evaluating
existing programs and developing new
ones. Requiring instructors to have
both teaching and industry experience
ensures our curriculum and teaching
methods provide practical, hands-on
learning experiences. The jobs may have
changed, but our nationally recognized
model for preparing students for them is
very much the same.
What will the next 100 years bring?
New technologies, changing workplace
needs, and a continuing partnership
between employers and the technical
colleges to ensure Wisconsin’s future
economic success. That is something to
celebrate!
1946 1950
Hixon House becomes home for out of town girls enrolled in the college of commerce. Graduation was held May 24 at the American Legion Club Rooms, 215 So. 6th Street.
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