WITC honors distinguished alumni
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College instructor Lee Fiedler has been named WITC-New Richmond’s 2011 distinguished alumnus. He spoke to the WITC-New Richmond graduating class of 2011 at its recent commencement ceremony.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College instructor Lee Fiedler has been named WITC-New Richmond’s 2011 distinguished alumnus. He spoke to the WITC-New Richmond graduating class of 2011 at its recent commencement ceremony.
Natalie Landgreen, WITC’s college advancement associate, says of Fiedler, “Lee continues to grow personally and professionally, while staying involved with the college, his church, his family and his community. He helps make WITC a stronger technical college, and he and his family promote further education through the creation of the Ed Fiedler Memorial Scholarship.”
His nominator and co-worker Scott Horsman, says of Fiedler, “He’s awesome in the way he relates so well with students and co-workers. He’s active in campus committees, his church, different boards, coaches a youth football team and more. He regularly attends training schools, classes and seminars to stay up to date on his education.”
Fiedler graduated WITC in 1994 from the same program he teaches today: Agricultural Power and Equipment Technician. He first went to work as a service technician at Bahl’s Motor and Implement in Hastings, Minn. In 2006 he saw his former instructor, Ed Dombrock, was retiring from WITC.
“Never did I plan on returning to WITC as an instructor, but here I am. I was feeling the need for a career change and WITC answered my call,” Fiedler says. “How often does a person get to come back and teach what they have learned from their alma mater and real world experience? It is something special to take all you have learned and convey it to young people wanting to learn something you are passionate about.”
In his speech to the graduating WITC students, Fiedler said, “From here on your journey is going to take you down many different paths. There will be many twists and turns, and sometimes a few bumps in the road. Many of us embark on one path and find ourselves on another that seems to fit just as well as what we thought we wanted.
“So remember this: work hard (it doesn’t really hurt), be honest in your relationships and enjoy the ride,” he concluded.
Fiedler retains strong ties to the fourth generation dairy farm, located between River Falls and Prescott. When the family suffered the untimely loss of Fiedler’s father, Ed, the family established the Ed Fiedler Memorial Scholarship at WITC. One scholarship was awarded this spring to an Agricultural Power and Equipment Technician program student, with plans to award three annual scholarships beginning fall 2011.
The WITC Distinguished Alumni Award program was established by the WITC Foundation for the purpose of honoring outstanding alumni who have made contributions to career and community.
WITC New Richmond offers more than 35 programs and awards two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and a variety of short-term certificates. In addition, WITC offers online and other distance learning opportunities, and provides customized training and technical assistance to the business and industrial community.
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