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(4/22/10): More than 20 years ago, the Wisconsin Technical College System started the Student Ambassador program, a unique initiative that recognizes outstanding student achievement.
WITC’s newest ambassadors, Tucker DeWolf, WITC-Ashland; Steve Volkert, WITC-New Richmond; Harvey Lunsman, WITC-Rice Lake; and Kelly Isaacson, WITC-Superior; have distinguished themselves through community involvement, leadership qualities and a commitment to higher education.
“The Ambassador program is an excellent way for the college to recognize some of our most highly motivated students, such as these four individuals,” says Craig Fowler, vice president, continuing education/executive director, foundation and campus administrator. “The program also allows the students to develop their leadership skills while they represent WITC in our communities.”
DeWolf, a student in the IT-Network Specialist program at WITC-Ashland, had learned about Student Ambassador program through a friend, but never thought he’d be involved.
“This year I was nominated by Damian Von Frank and that’s when it really occurred to me that I had the potential to do something like this,” DeWolf says. “It was very breathtaking, realizing that I had been chosen and I did do a jump for joy. It was definitely an amazing accomplishment for me and I felt very proud of myself. I am practicing my leadership skills with this opportunity. I hope to leave the position with a strong hold on all of my personal qualities that I have to offer, especially communication and professionalism.”
For Volkert, the path to WITC involved quickly realizing that a four-year university was not a good fit.
“I was there three-and-a-half days – sitting in a class and I knew it wasn’t what I wanted,” Volkert says.
Soon after moving home, he enrolled in the Automated Packaging Systems Technician program at WITC-New Richmond
“I have a friend who is a graduate of the program,” Volkert says. “He liked it and said I should check it out; he thought I’d be good in that program. He explained everything he did. I figured it didn’t get any better than that, so I signed up. Actually, it has exceeded my expectations. It’s got all the stuff I enjoy learning about.”
As the Student Ambassador for WITC-Rice Lake, Lunsman felt a variety of emotions about being selected.
“Being selected to be Ambassador felt like winning an election,” says Lunsman. “I was elated, but humbled that I was chosen. I knew that I would have to give public speeches, and that I was representing the school. I felt great responsibility and I felt ready.”
A student in the Mechanical Design Program, Lunsman strives to make sure that his duties will not end when he graduates.
“I will always feel that I am an Ambassador for WITC even after I graduate,” Lunsman says. “My public speaking experience will aid me throughout my life, and I feel that it is an extremely important skill to have. I am very thankful that WITC offers this experience.”
Currently in the Administrative Assistant program, working toward both a Business Graphics and Microsoft Office certificate, Isaacson was already a busy person on the WITC-Superior campus. Yet she views this additional role as a new opportunity.
“From this experience, I will take the confidence I've gained through the support of the staff here and having this opportunity and believe that I can and will succeed,” Isaacson says. “I've always known what I wanted to do, but WITC has provided me with the direction I needed to start accomplishing that goal, and that is priceless.”
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505 Pine Ridge Drive ~ Shell Lake, WI 54871-8727
1.800.243.WITC or 715.468.2815
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