For Immediate Release
Contact: Kim Schmelz, Foundation Director
Phone: 608.822.2379
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: March 21, 2022
Tresner endows Southwest Tech scholarship for area students
Fennimore -
Daryl Tresner met his 2021-22 scholarship recipients Courtney Spease (left) and Taylor Schmidt (right) on a recent visit to campus.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College alumnus, Daryl Tresner, was on campus recently to meet the two recipients of the scholarship he established with the Southwest Tech Foundation. Tresner grew up in Mifflin, Wisconsin and graduated from Iowa-Grant High School. He’s a graduate of the Automotive Technician program and has already helped several students attending Southwest Tech with scholarships. “I believe students need to get some hands-on training before getting on the job,” said Tresner. “I like that students can get that experience at Southwest Tech.”
After graduating from Southwest Tech in 1972 with a Technical Diploma, Tresner bought a Shell Gas station and ran it for four years. He sold the business and with that managerial experience he was hired by UPS and began his 30-year career as the mechanic’s manager of their fleet vehicles in Dodgeville. He has always loved vehicles.
Tresner established an endowed fund with the Southwest Tech Foundation, using stock gifts, and awarded two $1,000 scholarships to recipients, Courtney Spease and Taylor Schmidt. Spease, an Iowa-Grant High School graduate is enrolled in the Human Services program and Schmidt, a Mineral Point High School graduate, is enrolled in the Accounting program.
Tresner’s endowed scholarship will live on forever and will continue to award scholarships to graduates of Iowa-Grant High School and Mineral Point High School. A third scholarship will be awarded starting this fall to a graduate of River Valley High School.
“There are several ways to give a gift that will help students, and we feel so fortunate that Daryl’s investments are at a place where he can support students with scholarship gifts and he can also receive the tax benefits of his gift,” said Kim Schmelz, Foundation Director. “When asked if we could share his story Tresner said, ‘Yes, I don’t mind. I used to keep all of my gifts quiet but now I think it’s important to let others know how they can be philanthropic while getting a tax benefit.’”
The mission of the Southwest Tech Foundation is to promote learning through funding and activities that enable Southwest Tech to provide opportunities for success. For more information on starting a scholarship or other ways to support the Southwest Tech Foundation, contact foundation@swtc.edu or by calling 608.822.2362.