Baerwald Named President Of Moraine Park Technical College

The Moraine Park Technical College District Board announced that Bonnie Baerwald, who is presently serving as interim president at the college, has been named permanent president and will begin in this new role immediately.

“It is with great pride that we have selected Bonnie to serve as our next president,” said Vernon Jung, chairperson of the Moraine Park District Board. “In her short time as interim president, Bonnie has showcased extraordinary focus in setting a path for the long-term growth of the college. It is evident that our entire college community has been energized by her leadership, and we all look forward to working with Bonnie for many years to come. There is no doubt that Bonnie is the person who can help us reach the next level. Together, we will accomplish great things.”

Baerwald has been with Moraine Park since 1993, joining the college as senior accountant. Over the years, she has also served as financial services manager and vice president of financial management before being named vice president of finance and administrative services in 2007. Baerwald was appointed interim president in January 2015 following the departure of President Sheila Ruhland, who accepted the presidency position at Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Wash.

“I consider the opportunity to lead Moraine Park Technical College both an honor and a privilege,” said Baerwald. “Moraine Park needs to maintain fiscal stability, innovate for growth and performance, engage and develop our staff, and address the skills gap throughout our district and the State through new and extended partnerships. With the continued support of the District Board, faculty, staff, students, and the community, I believe I can fulfill this role and create new opportunities for the college. I am truly excited and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Baerwald has provided vision and expertise in leading Moraine Park’s finance and facility operations, including fiscal reporting, budgeting, financial operations, procurement, risk management, auxiliary services, facility operations, design and construction. Over the years, she has provided direction to the College’s administration regarding fiscal and facility-related operations, including a comprehensive budget totaling $83 million in expenditures. Prior to joining Moraine Park, she served as staff auditor and then senior auditor at Grant Thornton, LLP, in Fond du Lac.

Baerwald has an associate degree from Wisconsin Lutheran College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration– accounting from the University of Wisconsin– Whitewater, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin– Oshkosh.  She has been a certified public accountant in Wisconsin since 1991.

Baerwald has been recognized with a 2013 Professional Excellence Award – Community Involvement and a 2004 Professional Excellence Award – Administrator from the Wisconsin Association of Career and Technical Education. She is a member of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Government Finance Officers Association, is a member and past president of the Moraine Park Vocational Association and the Wisconsin Technical College System Business Officers Committee. She was recently named to the Fond du Lac Association of Commerce’s Board of Directors, and has served as a board member with the District’s Mutual Insurance Company since 2013.

Moraine Park Technical College was established in 1912, and is one of 16 technical college districts that make up the Wisconsin Technical College System. With campuses in Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac and West Bend, Wis. and regional centers in Jackson and Ripon, Wis., Moraine Park offers more than 100 associate of applied science degrees, technical diplomas, apprenticeships and certificates delivered in a variety of formats — classroom, online and blended. Training and technical assistance for businesses is also offered. To find out more about Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.