For Immediate Release
Contact: Kim Schmelz, Foundation Director
Phone: 608.822.2379
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: April 3, 2018
Pulvermacher Receives Innovation of the Year Award
Fennimore -Fourteen Southwest Wisconsin Technical College employees were recognized on Thursday, March 29 at the all-campus in-service on the Southwest Tech campus as nominees for the Innovation of the Year award. Doris Pulvermacher, Process Improvement/Supply Chain Management Instructor, was named the 2018 recipient of the award.
The Innovation of the Year Award is designed to recognize college staff members who have designed and implemented a significant innovation that meets the criteria of the award, including an increase in the quality of a course, program, office or the institution; contributes to a more efficient process; adds value to the institution while reducing costs; can be replicated in other departments or institutions; is original and creative and was not developed more than five years ago. A committee of campus representatives makes the selection of the award.
Pulvermacher’s nomination, written by colleague, Amy Loy, stated that she “has improved internal communication and efficiencies by leading the charge on selecting, implementing, developing, training, maintaining, and updating the CHARGER Hub.” Loy also stated that “Doris effectively led a group of eight fellow colleagues representing all facets of the college aimed at addressing the strategic direction: Strengthen our Internal Culture. The intranet project planning began in late 2016 with the official CHARGER Hug roll-out in 2017.” Doris was also recognized for saving the college money by utilizing her skills and eliminating the cost associated with hiring an outside vendor, her use of creativity on the project, the ability to replicate the CHARGER Hub to outside entities, as well as the quality and creativity of the CHARGER Hub.
Dr. Joan Senn, retired Vice President of Academics at Southwest Tech, established the Innovation of the Year endowment through the Southwest Tech Foundation to ensure a monetary award for the Innovation of the Year winner and/or other nominees. According to Senn, “Southwest Tech is fortunate to have fantastic faculty and staff members who consistently look toward the betterment of the College and the success of its students. This award gives them a chance to share their implemented ideas with colleagues and the public and encourages the continuance of innovation at Southwest Tech.”
Holly Clendenen, Executive Director of the Foundation, presented Pulvermacher with her award and stipend and also recognized the work of the “SWTC Green Team” comprised of Jake Mootz, Jake Wienkes, Dave Friesen, Charles Herbers, John Troxel and Heath Ahnen for implementing a proactive routine to IT administrative tasks including procuring, receiving, prepping, deploying recovery, retiring and surplusing IT hardware. The “SWTC Green Team” received a cash award for being a finalist along with fellow finalists Louise Bradley, Danielle Sieppel and Matthew Baute for their work with implementing a tool that seamlessly allow for quick and efficient entry of transfer credits, that saves for students and staff in both advising and records as well as the Deans.
To learn more about Southwest Tech, the Southwest Tech Foundation or the Innovation of the Year award, please contact Clendenen at (608) 822-2362 or hclendenen@swtc.edu.