Chapter One
Ollie's Life as a Pup
Ollie was a playful young pup who loved listening to their Aunt Ripley’s stories, especially stories about the legendary Tech Tiger, the famous mascot of CVTC. Aunt Ripley had met Tech Tiger on the first day of the fall semester during her first year at CVTC in the Commons.
Aunt Ripley and Tech Tiger quickly became best friends as they had classes together and joined a student club to help experience CVTC to the fullest. Aunt Ripley described to Ollie how her best friend Tech Tiger was named to the President’s List and volunteered at the student food pantry. Aunt Ripley proudly smiled as she thought about all the good times she spent with Tech Tiger at CVTC. She told Ollie about Tech Tiger's commencement speech at graduation and how hundreds of people listening were positively impacted and inspired. Tech Tiger brought people together and was loved by everyone so much that they asked him to be the new CVTC mascot. After Tech Tiger became CVTC’s mascot, the student hangout became known as the Tiger’s Den.
Ollie thought about Aunt Ripley's wonderful experiences with Tech Tiger at CVTC and could not wait to become a student and experience CVTC firsthand.
Chapter Two
Ollie Grows Up
Throughout Ollie’s childhood, they encountered many CVTC graduates. The mechanic who worked on their family car. The medical assistant who listened to their heartbeat at the clinic. Their favorite teacher at daycare. The firefighter who came to school on career day. The contractor who built the addition to their house.
All of them would proudly state they were CVTC alumni.
With so many exciting careers to choose from, Ollie knew they wanted to attend CVTC when they were old enough. They wanted to be a proud CVTC alum one day.
During Ollie’s sophomore year, their school was scheduled to come to CVTC for a career tour, and Ollie was excited to learn more about CVTC programs, hoping to find the best fit for them.
After the tour, Ollie talked with their school counselor to discuss different options to start taking classes at CVTC right away. They agreed that Ollie would dual enroll in a few general education courses at CVTC during their junior and senior year while they continued to explore career paths. Ollie’s counselor also connected them to the recruitment team at CVTC to complete a career assessment and explore their interests further.
Chapter Three
Ollie Goes to School
After discussing their career assessment with the recruitment team, Ollie decided on a program to apply to. Once the application was complete, Ollie was ready to attend orientation for new students and meet their classmates. When they got into breakout groups, Ollie noticed that a friend of theirs was in their group too. Ollie wasn’t going to be alone!
During the first week of classes, Ollie and their friend decided to meet new students at the Welcome Back picnic, played several yard games, and won a couple of prizes. While there, they got to talk with the faculty in their program, which made them more excited for class. Overall, Ollie felt right at home throughout their first semester.
Going into the second semester, Ollie realized that their classes were starting to get difficult. They decided to speak to their advisor, who suggested speaking with an instructor for academic support. While talking with their advisor, Ollie also applied for a scholarship to help with their finances for the next year. The advisor suggested that they could also look for a work-study position to stay involved on campus.
Through a classmate, Ollie learned about the student clubs and study groups that could help them meet others. As the year went on, Ollie worked hard in their classes and joined a student club. At the end of their first year, they were proud to let their family know they had gotten on the President’s List! Ollie was super excited to start their second year, meet even more new friends, and become a tutor for their favorite class.
Ollie’s second year started off great! They were able to continue their work-study position from the previous year, and tutoring other students was a great experience. The Fall semester flew by, and it was the start of the Spring semester; it was time to start thinking about graduation! After Spring Break, Ollie got a message that said the graduation application was ready to be filled out! They filled out the application immediately. A few weeks later, Ollie bought their cap and gown and picked up their graduation tickets. Ollie’s Aunt Ripley was the first to get a ticket; she was so proud. Ollie was ready for graduation, prepared to make an impact in our community, and excited to be a proud graduate of CVTC.
Chapter Four
Ollie's Graduation
At CVTC, Ollie embraced every moment of building a promising future while having fun and gaining valuable skills. From making friends and diving into classes, Ollie made the most of their college experience.
When graduation day finally arrived in May 2024, Ollie stepped across the stage at our River Falls and Eau Claire campuses with a bounce in their step and a gleam in their eye.
This wasn’t just any graduation—it was the moment Ollie officially became CVTC’s cherished mascot. With a diploma in paw and a heart full of pride, Ollie was ready to represent everything CVTC stands for as they embarked on their next adventure.
Chapter Five
Ollie's Life as An Alum
Ollie stood in the Commons, reflecting on the journey that led them to graduation. The past few years were filled with challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable memories. Now, as a proud alum, Ollie is eager to give back to the College that helped shape them.
Over the summer, Ollie became an active alum member, checking in and sharing their story with new students. They encouraged others to take full advantage of CVTC's opportunities, just as they had. Ollie has been frequenting College and community events and hopes to continue making a positive ripple throughout our District.
One of Ollie's favorite memories from the summer was attending an Eau Claire Express baseball game alongside fellow alums, CVTC staff, and their families. Ollie had the chance to interact with the K12 mascots, making the day even more special. It was a delightful day, brimming with laughter and shared memories.
As Ollie looked to the future, they felt ready to embrace the next chapter, knowing their journey with CVTC would continue to grow in new and meaningful ways.