Celebrate NWTC Improvements With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Issue Date: July 12, 2018

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) officials were proud to show off the new Marinette campus facilities at a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Tuesday, July 10. The event celebrated completion of the $10 million expansion and remodeling project that was done in four phases over a two year period, while classes remained in session.

According to NWTC officials, generally about 2,000 students, full and part time, are enrolled at Marinette.

In his address at the ribbon cutting ceremonies, Dr. H. Jeffrey Rafn, president and dean of NWTC, predicted that enrollment will continue to grow as a result of the improvements, which included renovating all 67,000 square feet of the original building and adding an additional 14,000 square feet. Work was done in four phases, and the final one was just completed last week. Areas created or renovated by the project include new Health Science labs for Nursing Assistant, PN, ADN and PTA studies, an Event Center, Student Lounge, Welcome Center, Library, Assessment Center, Welding, CNC, Automotive and Electro-mechanical labs. Reconstruction was done over a two year period during which classes continued.

A major feature of the renovation is an airy well lighted new main entrance and a very open and welcoming Welcome Center where students can get assistance with all their academic and support needs. It includes some cozy and slightly secluded restaurant style booths where students can share in collaborative learning, and is surrounded by easily accessible office space for two academic advisors, a financial aid advisor, an open concept library, academic coaching space, and a full assessment center.

Other additions and redesigned areas campus include a new addition for the College of Business, a new Health Sciences addition with spacious Nursing and Physical Therapy Assistant Labs, an updated Welding Lab, reconfigured Machine Tool and Automotive Labs, and a new Electro-Mechanical Lab.

Financing for the project was approved as part of a 2015 referendum package in which voters provided a total of $66.5 million for improvements at the campuses in Green Bay, Marinette and Sturgeon Bay.

Dr. Jeffrey Rafn, NWTC president, served as host for the outdoor ribbon cutting ceremony.

Special guests included Paul Chamberlain, Regional representative for U.S. Senator Ron Johnson; William Kahl, Vice President of Operations at Samuel Pressure Vessel Group; Danielle Kerkoff, NWTC Project manager; Jennifer Shehow, NWTC Associate degree nursing student; State Senator Dave Hansen; Christine Polzin, NWTC Marinette campus manager; State Representative John Nygren, and NWTC Trustees Dorothy Sadowski, David Mayer and Richard Stadelman.

"This fine new facility will be an economic boon to the community," Rafn declared as he opened the afternoon's events. He said the goal is to grow the local economy, and keep students living and working in the community.

He introduced Tom Zeise, general contractor for the project, and Danielle Kirchoff, who supervised details. "Because of Danielle, there's no dust in this building," Dr. Rafn declared. He said Marinette Campus Manager Christine Polzin had done a tremendous job of organizing everything so classes continue while the construction was going on. There were sometimes temporary walls put up, and sometimes entire units had to relocate to different spots. He believed the library was moved four times.

He said the programs offered at Marinette will continue to expand.They recently added physical therapy assistant and plan to offer medical assistant degree programs in the near future.

Rafn noted NWTC has worked much recently with Marinette Marine, but added, "We're so much more than Marinette Marine. We have a lot of excellent manufacturers here." He said they get acquainted with the needs of those manufacturers, and make sure their students train on the types of machines they will use in the working world and become familiar with the procedures used.

"This will be - and is - a central part of what Marinette County and this entire region is," Dr. Rafn declared.

He introduced speakers Bill Kahl, vice president of operations at Samuel Pressure Vessel Group; Jennifer Shehow, a current NETC associate degree nursing student, and Polzin. Each gave a brief address before the a dozen members of the group gathered in front of the main entrance to cut the ribbon.

That was followed by tours of the building and a scavenger hunt to encourage visitors to get into all parts of the facility. Light refreshments were served.

Kahl declared his firm is confident that when their workers are graduates of NWTC they will be properly trained, and declared it "a training center second to none," he declared, and added a pledge that Samuel Pressure Vessel Group "will continue to work with NWTC to grow our work force and the local economy."

Dr. Rafn declared NWTC "is really all about the students"�we want our students to stay in this area"�.This college is about keeping families in Peshtigo and Marinette and in Marinette County.

Shehow was enthusiastic about the spacious new environment for nurses in training, and particularly about a simulated hospital room with a simulated patient that can be operated by an instructor who remains out of sight.

She liked the open concept library, the new study pods, and the larger size of the new classrooms.

Rafn credited Polzin with directing and planning the work that made the renovation period successful. "A project like this doesn't happen without the staff spending a lot of time," he declared.

Polzin agreed she had put a lot of time and effort into the project, but said other staff members had also worked with her every day to make things work. She thanked the Green Bay team for working with them as well. "This building is beautiful!" she declared. She said when children come into the welcome center "their eyes light up."

Polzin said she originally came from Marinette, and she and her family moved back to the city about seven years ago.

She encouraged people to stop in any time to see what the new facility looks like, and learn more about what it has to offer.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
07-12-2018	Front Page	Coleman American Legion Dedicates New Memorial
07-12-2018	Front Page	New Technology May Identify McClintock Park Murderer
07-12-2018	Front Page	Local Officers Honored For Capturing Bank Robber
07-12-2018	Front Page	Celebrate NWTC Improvements With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
07-12-2018	Sports	Marinette Win Second M&M Showdown of the Season
07-12-2018	Sports	Marinette Claims M&M Legends Game Victory
07-12-2018	Sports	Redbirds Power Past Plover 2-0
07-12-2018	Sports	STAA Announces New Girl's Basketball Coach
07-12-2018	Sports	Softball Rule Changes Address Risk Minimization
07-12-2018	Community - Coleman	Handbook Approvals On Coleman School Agenda
07-12-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman 1950 Reunion Aug. 12 at Tradewind
07-12-2018	Community - Coleman	Motivational Speaker At Coleman Schools
07-12-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz School Needs Supervisors To Help
07-12-2018	Community - Crivitz	CPR Offered at Bellin, Crivitz
07-12-2018	Community - Crivitz	LNRB To Meet July 12
07-12-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Plans Discussed For Silver Cliff Picnic
07-12-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Celebrates 4th of July
07-12-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Housing To Receive State Award
07-12-2018	Community - Wausaukee	New Hours at Wausaukee Farm and Flea Market
07-12-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
07-12-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
07-12-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
07-12-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
07-12-2018	Perspectives	From Our Readers
07-12-2018	Obituaries	"JR" Sherman T. Baker, Jr.
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Josette E. Block
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Lorraine M. Bulgrin
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Harry E. Clark Sr.
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Leo T. Fields
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Roger Firgens
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Alice E. Flamm
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Judge Richard G. Greenwood
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Florence M. Klawitter
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Carol A. Klumb
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Paul M. Krueger Jr.
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Sandra L. Longley
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Roberta Morton
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Cory Christopher Palmcook
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Peter J. Meyer
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Charles T. May
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Loren A. Olson
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Doris V. Rennes
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Richard K. Rhodes, Jr.
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Jane E. Sconzert
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Lois G. Seehawer
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Peggy K. Thompson
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Tod Vertz
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Lois Wartick
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Mark L. Weins
07-12-2018	Obituaries	Norman J. Wesolowski
07-05-2018	Front Page	Navy Secretary Spencer Visits Marinette Marine
07-05-2018	Front Page	Sunday Storms Bring High Winds, Hail, Heavy Rains, But No Tornado
07-05-2018	Front Page	Coroner Smith Reports To Law Enforcement July 10
07-05-2018	Front Page	Coleman Sets Plans For Some Special Meetings
07-05-2018	Front Page	Peshtigo School Board To Meet Wednesday, July 11
07-05-2018	Sports	Marinette Post 39 Hoists Firecracker Tournament Trophy
07-05-2018	Community - Coleman	CHS 1943-65 Class Reunion is July 15th
07-05-2018	Community - Coleman	Youth Tractor, Machinery Safety Course in Coleman
07-05-2018	Community - Coleman	Village Pharmacy In Coleman Has New Owners As Of July 1
07-05-2018	Community - Coleman	Village Pound Car Show Successful
07-05-2018	Community - Crivitz	Twin Bridge Ski Show Saturday, July 7
07-05-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Legion Unit 413 Meets
07-05-2018	Community - Crivitz	New ATV/UTV Road Access
07-05-2018	Community - Crivitz	Town of Lake Recycling and New Compost Site
07-05-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Trustee Ray Gordan is Wausaukee Parade Marshal
07-05-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Fireman's Picnic at Athelstane July 14
07-05-2018	Community - Wausaukee	New Hours at Wausaukee Farm and Flea Market
07-05-2018	Community - Wausaukee
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Erek L. Belongia
07-05-2018	Obituaries	William E. Corrie Jr.
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Doris E. Costello
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Donna M. Foster
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Peter J. Guerino
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Frances M. Howarth
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Gust F. Johnson
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Bruce W. Krull
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Erma Kushman
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Shirley J. Michaelis
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Gerald G. Pellon
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Paige F. Raspor
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Lurleen M. Roberts
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Stephanie E. Schramm
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Richard A. Strohm
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Richard M. Turtenwald
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Evelyn E. Wagner
07-05-2018	Obituaries	Wilma M. Wellhoefer
07-05-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
07-05-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
07-05-2018	Perspectives	From Our Readers
07-05-2018	Sports	Lade Hits 24 For 4th Straight Week
07-05-2018	Sports	VHS Confirmed as Cause of Fishkill in Lake Winnebago
07-05-2018	Sports	Woods and Stream Week 9 Trap Results
06-28-2018	Front Page	County Board Okays HHS Meetings In HHS Building
06-28-2018	Front Page	Rick Badgley Is Tapped As Interim Peshtigo Police Chief
06-28-2018	Front Page	Police Will Enforce Yard Cleanup Rules
06-28-2018	Front Page	Over 4500 People Attend Breakfast on the Farm
06-28-2018	Front Page	Former Area Fireman is State Fire Chief of Year
06-28-2018	Sports	Woods & Stream Annual Picnic Weekly Trap League Results
06-28-2018	Sports	Kotecki/Marquardt Earn M&O MVP Honors for Cougars
06-28-2018	Sports	Casper Is M&O's Most Oustanding Golfer
06-28-2018	Sports	Legion Baseball: Marinette Splits a Pair in Escanaba
06-28-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
06-28-2018	Perspectives	From Our Readers
06-28-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
06-28-2018	Community - Coleman	Big Village Pound Car Show June 30
06-28-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Board To Meet July 2
06-28-2018	Community - Coleman	Pound Fire Department Fundraiser a Success
06-28-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman 1950 Reunion Aug. 12 at Tradewinds
06-28-2018	Community - Coleman	Senior Club to Meet July 2
06-28-2018	Community - Crivitz	Camp Daniel Gets Scholarship Fund
06-28-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Ski Cats Back for 56th Year
06-28-2018	Community - Crivitz	Holtger Wins Prize Golf Clubs
06-28-2018	Community - Crivitz	Loomis Historical To Meet July 5
06-28-2018	Community - Wausaukee	New Hours at Wausaukee Farm and Flea Market
06-28-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee's Failed Streetscape Plantings Are To Be Replaced
06-28-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Needs to Pass New ATV Law, Post Proper Signs
06-28-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Fireman's Picnic at Athelstane July 14
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Isabella M. Burrows
06-28-2018	Obituaries	John E. Christophersen, Sr.
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Marjorie F. Haines
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Martin Kadubek
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Raymond L. Kaminski
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Donna Kopish
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Joan M. Larson
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Terrance L. LeBreck
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Corliss A. Lightner
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Margaret K. Madsen
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Kathleen E. Maves
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Wayne Murach
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Lisa M. Robillard
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Donald C. Schwartz
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Frances A. Sikora
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Mary Unger
06-28-2018	Obituaries	Audrey R. Wehner
06-22-2018	Sports	WIAA Crowns Four State Spring Baseball Champions
06-22-2018		Peshtigo High School softball team members, Madi Martin and Shae Tonn were chosen to play in the Division 2/3 game held on June 12
06-21-2018	Front Page	Marinette County Breakfast on the Farm is June 24th
06-21-2018	Front Page	Kass Resigns County Finance Director Post
06-21-2018	Front Page	Peshtigo Police Chief Resigns, Moving Back To Michigan
06-21-2018	Front Page	Infrastructure Committee Wants To Move Back To Peshtigo Shop
06-21-2018	Front Page	Kiosk At Riverside Cemetery To Help Identify Grave Sites
06-21-2018	Community - Coleman	CHS 1943-65 Class Reunion is July 15th
06-21-2018	Community - Coleman	Car Show Vendor Deadline June 25
06-21-2018	Community - Coleman	Library To Host Ice Cream Social
06-21-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Youth Basketball Camp
06-21-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz VFW Post 2063 Meets
06-21-2018	Community - Crivitz	Ice Cream Social at Crivitz June 28
06-21-2018	Community - Crivitz	Camp Bird Event is June 20-22
06-21-2018	Community - Crivitz	M&M Area Foundation Helps Fund School Supplies
06-21-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Jose Honored as Legionnaire of Year