Contact: Katryn Conlin, Communications Director
651-385-6364, [email protected]
Joe Garteski, Gary Bartig named Outstanding Alumni Awards recipients at Southeast Technical graduation ceremonies
Winona, MN (May 14, 2015) -- Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical Foundation is proud to announce the 2015 Outstanding Alumni Awards, which were presented at commencement ceremonies in Winona and Red Wing this week.
Joe Garteski, Winona campus
On Tuesday, May 12, Joe Garteski was honored as 2015's Outstanding Alumnus at the Winona graduation ceremony. A 1999 Machine Tool and Die graduate, Joe has worked for Fastenal his entire career. He has advanced through a variety of operations and outsides sales position to his current position, Manufacturing Operations Manager at Fastenal's Winona precision machining plant, the company's largest manufacturing facility, where he is responsible for a 100,000 square foot facility, 140-plus machinists and support employees, and approximately $80 million in product revenue.
"Joe continues to work with our college as Fastenal not only donates equipment to the college but also offers tuition assistance to students in the CNC Precision Machining Technology program. He has also served on the program's advisory council. We are thankful to Joe for his continued involvement with Southeast Technical and proud of his success as one of our 2015 Outstanding Alumni Award recipients," said Southeast Technical Foundation Director Chris Schabow when presenting the award.
Gary Bartig, Red Wing campus
On Wednesday, May 13, Gary Bartig was presented with the 2015 Outstanding Alumnus award at the Red Wing graduation ceremony. A 1992 graduate of the Violin Repair program, Gary has gone one to start his own business, G. Edward Lutherie (www.gelbass.com) designing, manufacturing and distributing musical instruments including the Eminence -- a unique portable, upright, acoustic string bass -- and the London5 and Dahlia5 violins, 5-string instruments that are especially designed to cover both the range of a viola and a violin.
"Gary Bartig learned the art of lutherie here at Southeast Technical, but has gone on to expand his career by becoming an inventor, a patent holder, and an entrepreneur. His musical instruments are played in bluegrass, country, Celtic, folk, rock, and even classical music settings on stages around the world, making an international impact on music today," said Chris Schabow at the graduation ceremony in Red Wing. "Southeast Technical is justifiably proud of Gary Bartig and his accomplishments in the world of music, and we are happy to name him one of this year's Outstanding Alumni Award recipients."
For more information about the 2015 Outstanding Alumni Awards winners, contact Katryn Conlin ([email protected], 1-651-385-6364).
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About Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical
With a clear mission of "Education for Employment," Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical provides students a strong foundation for acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they will need for a lifetime of learning. Its Winona and Red Wing campuses merged in 1992, becoming Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical in 1999. For more information, visit www.southeastmn.one.