Mary Vogl-Rauscher is a woman of boundless energy. She’s also a risk taker who enjoys bringing people together to accomplish goals.
"If I see something that should be done, I say 'we can make this happen!'" she states. "I’m not afraid to push the envelope."
Chances are if you live in the Beaver Dam area you know Vogl-Rauscher. She serves on numerous boards and various community organizations, is involved with the Beaver Dam Collaboration Committee. Recently, she helped raise funds for a $150,000 environmental science classroom at the high school.
Steve Vessey, superintendent of Beaver Dam Unified School District, was skeptical at first when Mary proposed private donations for the greenhouse/outdoor classroom.
"To raise that kind of money for an academic venture is almost unheard of," Vessey said. "Mary worked relentlessly to make this happen." She arranged for her daughter and friend to make presentations at most community organizations and businesses. She figured out a way to get over any hurdle that came up.
Vogl-Rauscher approaches most things with an extreme can-do attitude. When she earned her master’s degree in business administration from Marquette University, she was one of only a few women in her class. Her resume includes work for McDonald’s Corporation, American Hospital Supply in Two Rivers, and Procter and Gamble’s Green Bay Division and Shopko Stores, Inc.
While working as Director of Executive Staffing Development for Shopko Stores, Inc., Vogl-Rauscher served on an advisory committee for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC). She helped transform the Fashion Merchandising program into the Retail Management program.
After moving to Beaver Dam, Vogl-Rauscher became acquainted with Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) and started teaching general education and supervisory management classes. Now she teaches Leadership Development, an associate degree program mainly for employed adults, and the new Human Resources Program.
"I’m a practical teacher," she says. "I’m always thinking of how I can get students employed and involved in the community."
Vogl-Rauscher is friends with several members of a group seeking to revitalize downtown Beaver Dam. She enlisted MPTC students, from one of her classes, to work with this committee. These students surveyed local business people about why they weren’t joining in the effort. They presented their data along with recommendations to the Business Group. Recently, working with another instructor, Pam Zander, she arranged for students in the administrative professionals program to run and manage a fundraising event for the YMCA of Dodge County as part of their Meeting and Event Planning class. The Y is one of the organizations she serves as a board member.
"When they get into their careers these students may be asked to coordinate job fairs, employee parties and other events," Vogl-Rauscher explained. "I want them to have opportunities for relevant experience. This is a win for everyone and I like that."
Jen Kruel, executive director of the YMCA of Dodge County, feels very lucky to have Mary as a board member and community member. "She brings such motivation and positive energy whenever she enters a room," Kruel said. "Whatever it is she’s talking about, you just want to be part of it."