
20 Year Celebration Photo Mashup published in the March 1996 MACUL Newsletter
40+ Years and Counting
MACUL has given over 40 years of service so far to educators and students in the state of Michigan. The organization continues to grow and garner support for education and technology.
“Within the MACUL organization there has always been a spirit of exploration. Look to MACUL for leadership. The spirit of early MACUL pioneers always will find a warm home within our amazing organization.” Greg Czarnecki, long-time MACUL Newsletter columnist
The First Year
The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning or MACUL was started in 1976. On February 24, 1976 there were 49 attendees that met to ratify the organization’s proposed constitution and name.
MACUL’s leading group was President Tom Hartsig, President Elect Larry Molloy, Secretary Margaret Nielsen, Treasurer Roland Meade, and Communications Secretary Lary Smith. The Board of Directors included John Camp, Garrett Vander Lugt, Bessie Cobbins, and Leighton Price.
The first board meeting was on July 8 of that year. They decided to sponsor sessions in October 1976 at the MAEDS (Michigan Association of Educational Data Systems) and hold a conference in the Spring of 1977.
Board Members
Over the years there have been many that have stepped into leadership roles within the organization. Thank-you to our the current and past board members for giving their time and support to MACUL!
Past Presidents
- 2017-18
David Prindle2016-17
Gina Loveless2015-16
Kevin Clark2014-15
Tammy Maginity2013-14
Pamela Shoemaker2012-13
Steve Schiller2011-12
Mike Oswalt2010-11
Susan Hardin2009-10
Tim Kamps2008-09
Diane Zoellmer2007-08
Michael Porter2006-07
Jo Ellen Miskowski2005-06
Ren Baldwin
- 2004-05
Judy Paxton2003-04
Pete Mantei2002-03
Ricki Chowning2001-02
Barbara Bartosiewicz2000-01
Kevin Galbraith1999-2000
Bill Wiersma1998-99
Frank Miracola1997-98
Ric Wiltse1995-97
Jim Bembenek1994-95
Mike Souden1993-94
Tim Staal1992-93
Rick Dalzell1991-92
Robin Moore1990-91
Russell Stanton - 1989-90
Mary Lynn Kovach1988-89
Joe Ellison1987-88
Lynn Lieberman1986-87
Ron Carlson1985-86
Don VanderJagt1984-85
Steve Shotwell1983-84
Betty Vandenbosch1982-83
Carolyn Gilbreath1981-82
Jim Winebrener1980-81
Ray Hoag1979-80
Tom Schmeltzer1978-79
Leighton Price1977-78
Larry Molloy1976-77
Tom Hartsig
Annual Conference
MACUL holds one of the largest Midwest annual conferences for K-12 educators.
The first MACUL conference “Spring into Instructional Computing” was held on Thursday, March 17 at Oakland Community College, Oakland Ridge Campus. There were 189 in attendance with a total of 16 sessions.
Since that time, the conference has continued to grow in attendance growing to over 5,000 attendees and 300+ session! The 2020 conference theme is “Inspiring Innovative Practices” and is at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, MI!
Milestones
– The first MACUL Grants were given out in 1987.
– The first executive director Ric Wiltse started in January 1999.
– MACUL received 501c(3) designation in 2000.
– The first Student Technology Showcase was at the 2000 MACUL conference.
– The current MACUL logo was adopted in 2012.
– Over 5,000 attendees were at the 2015 MACUL conference in Detroit.