10 minute read
FOLLOWING FOOTSTEPS
from CVTC Magazine: November 2022
by CVTC
JOURNEY OF HOPE
RADIOGRAPHY STUDENT FOLLOWS IN GRANDFATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
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Hope Perry remembers visiting her grandpa Oral Perry at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls as he led the imaging team. Her grandfather would pull Wrigley’s Doublemint gum from his desk drawer and hand her a stick covered in shiny silver wrapping. “He made enough of an impact on me to remember little things about him,” Hope said. She was almost 4 when he died. There was no way for him to know that 21 years later, his granddaughter would follow in his footsteps. On July 17, Hope graduated with an associate degree in Radiography from Chippewa Valley Technical College, and she’s been hired at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital.
A GRANDFATHER’S INFLUENCE
Hope was young when Oral died, but she remembers the sadness. “I don’t think I comprehended it that well,” she said. “I remember everyone was crying. I didn’t understand, and then I learned he had a heart attack when he was jogging.” Ray Myers, a former assistant administrator at St. Joseph’s Hospital who is now retired, said Oral would go for a run during his lunch breaks most days. On May 7, 2001, Oral didn’t return to work from his jog. He had been a part of the hospital family for 40 years and planned to retire at the end of 2001. As Hope grew, she continued to learn about her grandfather and his passion for his family and his career. Myers, Oral’s supervisor, said he was a family man. “Oral had this pick-up truck with a camper in the back,” Myers said. “He used to get so excited about taking the grandkids camping. He lived for that.”
He also was an advocate for student interns. While most people were in too much of a hurry for students, Oral would fight to have them, Myers said. “He would come and talk to administration about why we should have them,” he said. “He helped pave the way. Little did he know he would be IT’S GOING TO paving the way for his own granddaughter.” Hope graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior BE MY JOB TO BE High School in 2015 and began the Radiography program at CVTC in August 2020. THERE FOR THOSE Her dad told her about her grandfather’s work PEOPLE - TO TAKE as director of radiology at St. Joseph’s. Oral’s son, Hope’s uncle, is also in the field. CARE OF THEM That didn’t necessarily sway her decision about the future, but she’s proud of her NO MATTER WHAT. family members who committed to the medical profession before her. - HOPE PERRY She began chipping away at her degree in Radiography five months after the world stopped because of Covid-19. She took classes remotely and managed the huge curve of learning to help heal others without being in the same space as classmates and instructors. But Covid itself doesn’t daunt her. Healing the sick is her mission. “It’s going to be my job to be there for those people – to take care of them no matter what,” she said. “We’re meant to handle these things.” Months ago, as Hope could see the educational finish line, she applied to work at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital. Her family’s history was not lost on her. Now Hope, 24, of Chippewa Falls, has started her career in the same department her grandfather oversaw. “I feel really honored to follow in (my grandfather’s) footsteps,” she said. “I’m so excited to be in the same hospital he was, doing the same thing.”
I feel really honored to follow in
- Hope Perry
TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION CENTER (TEC) RIBBON CUTTING & OPEN HOUSE 1: DIESEL TRUCK TECHNICIAN STUDENT, DAN MESSERSCHMIDT, SPEAKS ABOUT HIS PASSION FOR THE TRADE 2: BOARD MEMBERS HOLD A RIBBON TO BE SPLIT IN TWO BY A SEMI TRACTOR-TRAILER 4: LARGE SCISSORS ARE NO MATCH FOR THESE BOARD MEMBERS WHO OFFICIALLY CUT THE RIBBON
1 2 3
4 5
53,335
SQUARE FOOTAGE OF ESEC
In comparison, in 2019, the average square foot of a home in the U.S. was 2,301
4
FIRE/EMS VEHICLES
can be stored in the new 6,300 square foot apparatus bay at esec
4,682
CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE
were used to construct TEC. Most concrete trucks can carry 10 yards of concrete
30’ 10”
THE TALLEST CEILING
at TEC is in the Diesel Lab roof structure, which slopes from 28’ 6” to 30’ 10”
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EMERGENCY SERVICE EDUCATION CENTER (ESEC) RIBBON CUTTING & OPEN HOUSE 3: A GUEST INTERESTED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE MARKS THE HEIGHT OF HER JUMP IN THE BUILDING’S NEW FITNESS CENTER 5: GUESTS FEEL THE PULSE OF A SIMULATION MANIKIN DURING THE OPEN HOUSE 6: BOARD MEMBERS, FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS AND FRIENDS OF CVTC CUT THE RIBBON IN CELEBRATION OF THE RENOVATED BUILDING
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EV CHARGERS
are available at TEC to further the mission of renewable energy Chippewa Valley Technical College had a busy September. After more than a year of construction and anticipation, the College opened the renovated and expanded Emergency Service Education Center (ESEC) and the completely new Transportation Education Center (TEC). This is the first year since the College has offered transportation education that all of those programs are under one roof.
CVTC owes a sincere thank you to its taxpayers and donors who overwhelmingly approved a referendum to make these projects possible. It’s the goal of the College to respond to the growing workforce labor shortage in the Chippewa Valley, accommodate evolving technology and industry expectations, improve safety and security on campus and in our communities, and prepare for the future by making structural improvements and land investments. “The pride and immense care of this community were evident to me when I came to Chippewa Valley Technical College to interview for the President position,” said Sunem Beaton-Garcia, CVTC President. “It was then that I learned that communities in the CVTC district had passed a generous referendum to support the educational endeavors of the College. By saying yes to the vision for these state-of-the-art facilities, our communities have shown us that they are invested in the incredible trades represented here.” Providing resources to the community and being responsible with taxpayer funds are two of CVTC’s core values. Investing in the future of our area through improved facilities and resources will keep our region thriving for years to come.
ONE BUCKET AT A TIME
CVTC OUTFITS 66 FIRE STATIONS WITH DECONTAMINATION SUPPLIES
Chippewa Falls Fire Chief Lee Douglas remembers when having black soot on his helmet was a badge of honor. “I call it foolish now, but that’s exactly what we did,” Douglas told Chippewa Valley Technical College President and employees after accepting supplies to decontaminate after a fire from the College. “That was kind of our way of saying, ‘Hey, look at me. I put out a fire.’ Now things like these buckets give us that opportunity to not carry that stuff with us.”
CVTC President Sunem Beaton-Garcia, Fire Training and EMS Continuing Education Manager Mark Schwartz, and CVTC Foundation representative Kaela Stendahl presented Chippewa Falls Fire & Emergency Services with two five-gallon buckets full of items like a self-retracting water hose, dish soap, a scrub brush and special shampoo. Firefighters nowadays know to scrub and rinse after fighting fires but having the right items on the rig might not be top of mind. Schwartz and Stendahl put their heads together to change that. “I originally got the idea from the state of Florida, which issued one of these buckets to every single fire engine in the state,” said Schwartz. “We’re using a lot of synthetics when we’re building houses now, and when it burns, it turns into cancer-causing materials. When these firefighters are going into a structure fire, they’re wearing all of that stuff. Now they can wash it off before they even get back in the truck.” Fundraising was a large part of the program’s success. CVTC colleagues and community members donated to the cause.
“I’m pleased to share that we raised more than $4,700 for this project, with the CVTC Alumni Association as our largest sponsor,” Stendahl said.
Many firefighters in the CVTC district of 11 counties are alumni. An estimated 50 percent of the Chippewa Falls fire department firefighter-paramedics are graduates of CVTC. Beaton-Garcia thanked Nate Martell, firefighter paramedic lieutenant, Nick Mompier, firefighter paramedic, and the entire firefighter paramedic team in Chippewa Falls for putting their lives at risk daily. “This is a small part of what we can do to show support for first responders,” she said. “Thank you so much for everything you do for our community. We wanted to make sure that we give you our best so you can be your best.”
14 NOVEMBER 2022 | CVTC.EDU CVTC Foundation, Inc. works to advance the mission of Chippewa Valley Technical College by providing unmet needs and addressing barriers to success that students encounter. In addition to our amazing faculty, staff, and students, the great work done at CVTC is possible because of the support of local businesses, community partners, alumni, and friends. Thank you to those who support CVTC not only through the Foundation, but to employers who hire our graduates, family members who support our students and employees, and our entire community who champions technical education. We are grateful for your support and advocacy.THANK YOU!
BY THE NUMBERS
542
SCHOLARSHIPS & MICROGRANTS AWARDED TO STUDENTS TOTALING OVER $370,000
FOOT ON THE GAS
Bob Tyman and Henry LeBakken are Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates. It’s not uncommon. There are thousands of CVTC alumni living and working throughout western Wisconsin. What’s less common is the number of CVTC students and alumni working alongside Tyman and LeBakken at River States Truck and Trailer. In the business’ Eau Claire location alone, an additional 10 employees have utilized CVTC for Diesel Mechanic education in one form or another.
“I went through the diesel mechanic program from 1989 through 1991, and I know a couple guys who were there before me. That’s how far we go back,” Tyman said. “We started as diesel truck mechanics and worked our way up. If you want to work your way up into a management role, that can happen.” Tyman said mentoring and hiring CVTC students is part of a mutually beneficial collaboration.
“The trucking industry continues to grow. Without trucks and drivers, we wouldn’t have gas, food or many supplies that we
BOB TYMAN, ALUMNI
all rely on daily. CVTC is a great starting point to get students the hands-on basics,” he said.
LeBakken said products in the diesel mechanic industry literally change every day. “Manufacturers come out with new electronics,” he said. “Changes in the products are something mechanics are constantly learning.” LeBakken, who is on the Diesel Truck Technician advisory committee at CVTC, said for students to be educated on the latest technologies and products, River States Truck and Trailer, DTNA and CVTC partner together to provide the latest products and engines for students to learn about at the College. “We’re here to support CVTC and they do a great job of putting out great techs that continue to stay in the field too,” Tyman said. “We rely on CVTC a lot, and they rely on us.”
HENRY LEBAKKEN, ALUMNI
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CVTC.EDU/FOUNDATION
$121K
FUNDING DISTRIBUTED TO PROGRAMS & SERVICES, SUPPORTING SEVERAL STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVES
84 3,200
EMERGENCY GRANTS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS FACING UNANTICIPATED EMERGENCIES POUNDS OF FOOD PROVIDED TO STUDENTS AT THE CVTC FOOD PANTRY
$18K
MONEY AWARDED TO FACULTY & STAFF FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit 43 Eau Claire, WI
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