December 18, 2015 at 3:53 p.m.
Nicolet College dean receives Patriot Award
Nicolet College dean receives Patriot Award
By Kayla Thomason-
Nicolet College and Brigitte Orrick, dean of Trade, Industry and Apprenticeship, received the Patriot Award for demonstrating exceptional support for military members and their families by offering them good jobs and other assistance.
"Our employers in Wisconsin have really stepped up and helped our military folks with their deployments and in this particular case Nicolet College has done an exceptional job," said John Sweeney, ESGR representative. "Our soldiers, men and women who serve, really depend on stable employment when they return from their assignments and deployments so this has been a very positive thing for Nicolet to receive the Patriot Award."
Orrick was honored that she and Nicolet received the award.
"I think this award is really special because it's an opportunity for Nicolet College to get recognized for providing a good opportunity for our soldiers, a place for someone to work to contribute back to society, and it's good for other employers to see that someone can work for the National Guard and bring their leadership and their skills to a place that can be used even within their organization," she said.
She stressed the importance of hiring military men and women and the important skills they can bring to a workplace.
"I just think it's really important for employers to maybe not regard someone that works for the National Guard as a negative on their application materials. It's really a strength because they have skills as a leader and also technology skills they can bring to their place of employment here, even in the Northwoods or throughout the state of Wisconsin," Orrick said.
She also noted how important it is for soldiers, who are sacrificing so much for their country, to have a job.
"It's important for employers to support our soldiers while they are here working because they have families and of course they need access to health care, an opportunity to provide for their families while they're not serving their country and also the opportunity to engage with the community," Orrick said.
She said the award was special to her because her great-grandfather graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and those who serve the country are making the United States a safe place to live and raise children.
"I'm just speechless," she said. "I was really excited when we found out that I was getting it but that also the college was getting too."
Her employee, Steve Boogren, who is a Chief Warrant Officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as well as the electromechanical technology instructor at Nicolet, nominated her for the award.
The Patriot Award tops off Orrick's successful career at Nicolet, as she is leaving right before Christmas so she and their children can be with her husband in Colorado Springs, Colo.
She will be a workforce development director for the Tree Care Industry Association, which is a non-profit organization that supports businesses in urban forestry and agriculture industries. She will help them set up educational and training programs in community colleges across the states.
With a large Air Force and Army base in Colorado, she will continue to interact with soldiers and help them, she said.
"We do appreciate the fact that we have so many good employers out there that are hiring veterans," Sweeney said.
The military takes the nominations and evaluates them in relationship to other employers. The nominating committee then analyzes them and makes a determination.
ESGR is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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