Right here in our “Big Backyard” is Gateway’s Center for Sustainable Living. I recently enjoyed a beautiful spring day touring the facility and the grounds with center director James Gray.

This residential building has been transformed into a learning environment for Gateway students and the community. It allows for hands-on learning and demonstration projects revolving around green energy systems and development. Sustainable practices are integrated into the center and grounds including sustainable building products, organic seeds and plants and implementing energy efficiencies. Several Gateway programs such as Horticulture, Engineering, Geoexchange Technology, Interior Design, Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology, and Gateway’s apprenticeship program utilize the center to provide hands-on training to students.

The Center for Sustainable Living is creating wonderful learning opportunities in a unique environment. Stop by the Center and see for yourself how Gateway is bringing green to the classroom.

I recently had the opportunity to visit our Barber/Cosmetology program and meet two students currently enrolled in the program. Quentin Bolton and Sonya Wicketts showed me the basics of hair and beard trimming on our volunteer manikin “Michael”. While I was there, I also received a little touch up of my own.

Gateway’s Barber-Cosmetology program on the Racine Campus trains students to cut and style hair, nail care and much more. Proper hygienic procedures are also emphasized. There are also hands-on classes in makeup artistry, sculptured nails, color analysis and salon management. Beyond the classroom, students who join the Kosmetique club have the opportunity to see the latest trends in the industry at the America Beauty Show. Students also practice their skills while participating in a variety of community service activities to benefit organizations such as the local food bank, the Boys and Girls Club and veterans.

The View on 5 is a full service salon that is also open to the public. At the salon, students practice techniques on actual clients, under the supervision of a licensed instructor.

I enjoyed having the opportunity to visit the Barber/Cosmetology program and visit with our students and instructors. Please stop by The View on 5 to see all the great things going on for yourself.

On April 2 2013, voters in Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth counties will be asked to support Gateway Technical College’s $49 million expansion plan. The plan would expand and renovate facilities on each of the campuses to meet educational needs of the students and local communities. A new facility–the Public Safety Training Center–would be built in the center of the three-county district to serve law enforcement, corrections, and other emergency personnel training needs–both current employees and those planning to enter the field. This video discusses the need, benefits and projects of the proposal. For more information see http://www.gtc.edu/proposal

It was an honor to host the opening celebration for the SC Johnson integrated Manufacturing and Technology (iMET) Center on February 12. It was exciting to have so many students and faculty, as well as community and business leaders on hand for the event.

The iMET Center, and the educational programming it will deliver, is an outstanding example of Gateway’s partnership with the business community. The facility features the region’s first flexible manufacturing training center— Tarnowski Hall— which includes training in computer numerical control (CNC) machining, welding, metal fabrication, automated manufacturing systems, and industrial robotics. In addition, Gateway’s first Fab Lab, focused on industrial design and rapid prototyping.

The facility would not have been possible without the generous support of many community and business partners including SC Johnson and Beverly and the late Otto Tarnowski. The continued commitment to the community demonstrated by SC Johnson and others is remarkable. We are honored by their trust in Gateway’s ability to deliver results to our communities and its employers. I look forward to celebrating the long lasting impact that iMET will have on Gateway students and the community.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Gateway Technical College Foundation’s annual scholarship awards ceremony. The event is an exciting time for students and their families as well as the many individuals and organizations that support the Gateway Foundation. Scholarships are an important way to recognize student achievement and ensure students are able to complete their education and move in to their future careers.

This year was another record-breaker as the Foundation awarded 159 scholarships totaling over $87,000 to Gateway students. None of this would be possible without the efforts of the Foundation and the generous support of philanthropic individuals and organizations. I cannot say thank-you enough to all of the community members and businesses that support the Foundation. The difference you make in the lives of Gateway and its students is immeasurable.

I enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with Foundation supporters, Xten Industries as well as students about the importance and impact of the Gateway Foundation.

Gateway strives to be a leader in sustainability efforts — creating a culture around sustainability including green education programs and renewable energy initiatives. The college has developed a Sustainability Plan as part of its participation in the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment that guides our efforts in sustainability now and into the future.

I am excited to be sharing a few of Gateway’s many initiatives surrounding green education and renewable energy. I enjoyed the opportunity to see hands-on the exciting work of Gateway’s Electrical Engineering – Sustainable Energy Systems students as they learn how to build solar power systems. Also, finding out more about how Gateway engages students beyond the classroom in green activities through its Sustainable Living club and Green Scholars programs.

I am truly excited about all of Gateway’s sustainability efforts from using renewable energy like geothermal, wind and solar to power our facilities to training the next generation of technicians to build and support these systems in our communities. I look forward to continuing to expand our efforts and serve as a model for our community.

Gateway values the many community partners that we have and we are always looking for more ways to partner and assist those in the communities we serve. Gateway’s Biz Squad program is one of the many efforts at the college to serve our communities. The Biz Squad program is an opportunity for Gateway students to gain hands-on experience while providing no-cost customized business assistance to area businesses. It’s always wonderful to see the partnerships formed between Gateway students and area businesses as well as the amazing work that Gateway students do to benefit area businesses. I am excited to share more about Biz Squad and the projects Gateway students are working on this semester with area businesses in this edition of It Happens at Gateway.

Gateway is continually improving and expanding its facilities to provide students with state-of-the-art opportunities for career training as well as meet area needs for trained professionals. I am excited to share with you one of Gateway’s newest centers the Pike Creek Horticulture Center on the Kenosha Campus. The expanded and remodeled space includes improved greenhouses, more classroom space and cutting-edge labs including a new Urban Farming lab.

Join me as I tour the facility and get some gardening tips from Gateway Horticulture student, Diana Haglund.

Graduation is a time of celebration.  The auditorium is always filled with excitement and hope as we celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating class. I feel so fortunate to get to share in this exciting time for Gateway students and their families. I was able to speak to a few of the many graduates about the exciting future that awaits them now that they’ve graduated.  Whether continuing their education or starting a job in their career field graduates had great stories to share.

Wherever your path may take you, we want you to know that we are proud to have been part of your efforts to create your future.  Congratulations class of 2012!

Gateway recently participated in national Take Your Child to Work Day inviting Gateway employees to bring their children to campus. Take Your Child to Work Day is not only an opportunity for children to see the important work that their parents do but also a great opportunity for them to see what future career they may be interested in.  Each campus had a great day of hands-on activities planned for the students such as time in the Police Academy Sim City, building lego cars with Engineering and working in a simulated surgery with Surgical Technology. I’m always thrilled when we have an opportunity to get young students on campus and excited about their potential future careers.