Matanuska-Susitna College
Encyclopedia
Matanuska–Susitna College in Palmer, Alaska
, north of Anchorage
, is part of the University of Alaska Anchorage
system. The college began in 1958 as Palmer Community College, changing its name in 1963 to correspond to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough where it is located. It is commonly called Mat-Su College. Total enrollment is about 1,650.
Talis Colberg was appointed as the fourth Director of the College since 2002.
In addition, Matanuska–Susitna College offers numerous community enrichment programs, such as watercolor painting
, knifemaking, weaving
and pottery
. The Mat-Su Community Choir also has classes and recitals in the College.
U.S.
Vice Presidential
nominee
Sarah Palin
took one class at the college in Fall 1985, eventually graduating from the University of Idaho
.
Palmer, Alaska
Palmer is the borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the state of Alaska, USA. It is part of the Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 5,937....
, north of Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
, is part of the University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage is the largest school of the University of Alaska System, with about 16,500 students, about 14,000 of whom attend classes at Goose Lake, its main campus in Anchorage....
system. The college began in 1958 as Palmer Community College, changing its name in 1963 to correspond to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough where it is located. It is commonly called Mat-Su College. Total enrollment is about 1,650.
Talis Colberg was appointed as the fourth Director of the College since 2002.
Associate degree programs
Matanuska–Susitna College offers two-year associate degree programs. Students can take courses that lead to an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Applied Science degree in the following areas:- Accounting
- Architectural & Engineering Technology
- Computer Information & Office Systems
- Computer Systems Technology
- Fire Service Administration
- Human Services
- Refrigeration & Heating Technology
- Small Business AdministrationSmall Business AdministrationThe Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...
- Telecommunications Electronics & Computer Technology
- Information Technology Specialist (via University of Alaska FairbanksUniversity of Alaska FairbanksThe University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
) - Paramedical Technology
- General Business
Vocational programs
Many students at Matanuska–Susitna College attend its vocational education classes. It offers professional certification in:- Architectural drafting
- Civil Drafting
- Mechanical & Electrical Drafting
- Structural drafting
- Computer Information & Office Systems (CISCO)
- Computer & Networking Technology
- Refrigeration & Heating Technology
- Information Technology Specialist (via University of Alaska FairbanksUniversity of Alaska FairbanksThe University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
) - Veterinary Assisting
- Renewable Energy
In addition, Matanuska–Susitna College offers numerous community enrichment programs, such as watercolor painting
Watercolor painting
Watercolor or watercolour , also aquarelle from French, is a painting method. A watercolor is the medium or the resulting artwork in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-soluble vehicle...
, knifemaking, weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
and pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
. The Mat-Su Community Choir also has classes and recitals in the College.
Buildings
The Matanuska–Susitna College campus sits on a 950 acres (3.8 km²) area. The college has four main buildings, comprising a 102676 square feet (9,539 m²) facility:- Fred and Sara Machetanz Building is called the FSM. It contains most Social Sciences classes, and the Student Government and Student Services offices. It is named after Fred and Sara Machetanz, who donated large amounts of land to Mat-Su College; both received meritorious service awards from Mat-Su College in 1987. Fred MachetanzFred MachetanzFred Machetanz was an Alaskan painter who first came to the territory in 1935, when he traveled to Unalakleet to visit his uncle, Charles Traeger, who ran a trading post there. He returned in 1942 with the U.S. Navy to the Aleutian Islands during World War II, and returned to Unalakleet after the...
, who also received an honorary degree from Mat-Su in 1973, was a well-known and highly respected Alaskan artist. Numerous paintings of his can be viewed throughout the FSM. A portrait of Fred Machetanz hangs near the Student Services office.
- Jalmar Kerttula Building is called the JKB. It is where most English, Computer Office Systems, and Biology classes are held. A local state representative, Jalmar "Jay" Kerttula served in the Alaska Legislature for more than 30 years.
- The Alvin S. Okeson Library is the academic library. It is named after a founder of the college. The library's collections include more than 45,000 items, including books, maps, videos, and CDs, and 80 periodicals in print format, with access to several thousand more.
- Snodgrass Agricultural Science Building is referred to as Snodgrass Hall. Most mathematics and science classes are held there. It is named after State Department of Agriculture Director Roland Snodgrass, who is often called the "Father of Alaskan Agriculture".
Notable alumni
RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Vice Presidential
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
nominee
John McCain presidential campaign, 2008
John McCain, the senior United States Senator from Arizona, launched his second candidacy for the presidency of the United States in an unsuccessful bid to win the 2008 presidential election. His candidacy, in the works for a number of years, was informally announced on February 28, 2007 during a...
Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
took one class at the college in Fall 1985, eventually graduating from the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
.