Milwaukee, Wis. The Milwaukee U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office, along with Milwaukee Area Technical College and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin,  hosted a naturalization ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at MATC’s Downtown Milwaukee Campus in Cooley Auditorium on the second floor of the M-Building, 1015 N. 6th St. A total of 132 individuals representing 43 countries took the Oath of Allegiance and became U.S. citizens. A federal judge  preside. The national anthem was sung by Russell Spahn, MATC associate dean. Valencia Brown, MATC associate dean, did welcome the guests and Dr. Mohammad Dakwar, MATC vice president of learning,  delivered remarks. Kay Leopold, field office director, USCIS Milwaukee Field Office, leaded the pledge of allegiance and offer the motion to accept the new citizens. Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. Nearly 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 150 academic programs; transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 35 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the national standard for academics and student services.