May 16 was a memorable day for nearly 350 graduates who participated in Moraine Park Technical College’s 2026 commencement ceremony, held at the Fond du Lac High School Field House.
In all, the College had more than 600 graduate candidates, including 313 associate of applied science degrees, 17 associate of arts and associate of science degrees, 207 technical diplomas and 73 certificates.
Shelly A. Waala served as keynote speaker. Waala is vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer for Froedtert West Bend Hospital and Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital within the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network. In this role, she provides executive leadership for patient care services, working across the organization to advance patient and family-centered care, strengthen patient experience and support the development of health care teams.
Waala is a proud graduate of Moraine Park Technical College, where she earned her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing in 1989. Her passion for health care began early, volunteering at Cedar Community at age 14 and becoming a certified nursing assistant at 16 while still in school. Over the course of her career, she has held a variety of clinical, educational and leadership roles, progressing from bedside nurse to executive leadership while remaining committed to mentorship, professional development and advancing nursing practice.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marian University in Fond du Lac and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from the University of St. Francis. Waala is active in community leadership and currently serves on the Casa Guadalupe Multicultural Center board of directors. She previously served as president of the United Way of Washington County board of directors. She lives in West Bend with her husband, David, and together they are proud parents of six children.
“As you leave today, I urge you to be open,” Waala said. “I didn’t become a nurse with the goal of becoming a chief nursing officer. Instead, I learned to embrace every opportunity that came my way. Say yes. Try. Give it a shot. Take a leap. And remember your path may take unexpected turns. Embrace it with passion and purpose.”
Jacob Schreiber, Moraine Park’s Student of the Year and a 2026 graduate, was the student commencement speaker. Schreiber graduated from Moraine Park’s Surgical Technology program and has already accepted a position at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton.
“There is an incredible amount to learn if you give yourself the opportunity to transform,” Schreiber said. “Allow yourself to transform into a better, more honest you and lead in a way that’s unique to you.”
James Barrett, interim vice president of teaching and learning, presided over the presentation of candidates, with conferring of degrees and diplomas by Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald. Joe Desiderio, dean of business IT and AI innovation, and Emily Hayes, dean of adult and general education, announced the graduate candidates.
Cortland Henning, a 2021 graduate from Moraine Park’s Culinary Arts program, served as the alumni speaker.
After gaining experience in the restaurant industry, Henning returned to Moraine Park in 2024 to give back to the program that shaped his career. As a Culinary Arts instructional aide, he supports student success by ensuring classrooms are equipped with the supplies and resources needed for hands-on learning.
Henning is passionate about mentorship, community engagement and helping students grow both personally and professionally. His journey reflects a commitment to perseverance, service and expanding opportunities for others through education.
“Today you become part of something bigger than you may realize,” Henning said. “Each year approximately 1,000 skilled professionals join the Moraine Park alumni family, and you would be hard-pressed to find any company in our district that isn’t fueled by the talent, skills and knowledge that started right here. Once a Moraine Park student, always a Moraine Park alum. And we cannot wait to see what you do next.”
President Baerwald congratulated the graduates and extended her personal gratitude to the commencement speakers, Moraine Park District Board, Moraine Park faculty and the President’s Cabinet.
“Congratulations to the Moraine Park Technical College class of 2026,” Baerwald said. “You should be very proud to have reached this milestone in your lives. Our graduates are the key to our community’s highly trained workforce and future economic growth. Our communities and our state could not move forward without you.”
For more information, visit morainepark.edu.
