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Kudos Page

Madison Area Technical College Full Time Teacher's Union Local 243, through and with our members, has made positive impacts on and significant contributions to our communities. Our Union would like to recognize these accomplishments.

email David Dean to share kudos a colleague or you have received.

2010 - 2011

Member Kudos

Al Studesville receives the Rev. James C. Wirght Human Rights Award

Counselor Al Studesville will receive the Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award during the 16th Annual Diversity Picnic on Thursday, July 29 at Warner Park. The picnic starts at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m. Each year the Madison Equal Opportunities Commission presents an award in memory of its first Executive Director, the Rev. James C. Wright. This is the second time a Madison Area Technical College employee has received this award (Richard Harris in 1997).

Congratulations Al!

Lynn Konkel, Paraoptometric Professional of the Year 2010

Dr Rick Weisbarth, Vice President of Professional Services, CIBA Vision (Sponsor), present the award to Lynn Konkel.The award is given by American Optometric Association, Paraoptometric Section. The picture was taken by staff of the AOA. Madison Area Technical College's Lynn Konkel is the Paraoptometric Professional of the Year!

Lynn received the prestigious award from the American Optometric Association (AOA). She has been a leader in the  paraoptometric field and is responsible for convincing the AOA to accredit Madison College's Optometric Tech programs. Did you know we have the only optotech program in Wisconsin? There are only eight nationwide...so that's pretty impressive.

You can learn more about Lynn's impressive accomplishments by checking out this cool video.

Congratulations Lynn!

IT Instructor Who Launched Food Pantry To Help Those in Need
Is Recognized as AFT Everyday Hero

 

Andy Czerkas, an instructor of information systems at the Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin, is to be honored as an “AFT Everyday Hero” Sunday, July 11, 2010 at the AFT’s national convention for his exceptional commitment to his community.

The awards, new this year, are presented to members from each of AFT’s five employee constituencies, plus a retiree. Czerkas was chosen from among five finalists in the higher education division. The award recognizes an individual or group who has had a profound impact on the workplace or has performed extraordinary community service outside of the job.

Czerkas and his wife, Jenny (MATC IT Alumni and former PSRP member in Technical Services), are co-directors of the River Food Pantry, which they started nine years ago in a warehouse in Madison. Families living in poverty have found a lifeline in the pantry, which provides groceries, hot meals, clothing, household goods and furniture to a rising number of people in need.

Last year, the pantry served 21,000 families, a 65 percent increase from the year before. In the first four months of this year, with the Midwest still reeling from the effects of the Great Recession, demand for aid was up 55 percent at what is now the county’s largest food pantry.

Czerkas is a member of the MATC Full-Time Teachers’ Union, Local 243.

More information on AFT Convention

Web Site and Newsletter Kudos

Website wins award
2010 Best Web Site First Place

American Federation of Teachers Commutations' Network awarded first place in Group VI (less 500 members) as a “Best Web Site” First Place. Local 243 recieved the award at AFTCN 2010 annual conference during the contest banquet the evening of July 6, 2010. Joe Lowndea, President and David Dean, Webmaster received the award on behave of Local 243.This is the fourth time www.local243.org has won an award but the second time for 'first place'.

Website wins award
2009 Best Web Site First Place

AFT Communicators' Network has awarded 'Best Website' in the 2009 AFTCN Journalism contest. Local 243 recieved the award at AFTCN 2009 annual conference during the contest banquet the evening of June 18, 2009. David Dean, Webmaster received the award on behave of Local 243.This is the third time www.local243.org has won an award but the first time for 'first place'.

This conference, June 18-20, 2009 was held at the National Labor College campus in Silver Spring, Md.

2007