For Immediate Release
Contact: Kim Schmelz, Foundation Director
Phone: 608.822.2379
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: May 25, 2018
Southwest Tech Foundation Recognizes Donors, Alumni and Retirees at Annual Event
Fennimore -The Southwest Tech Foundation held their annual Donor Appreciation and Alumni and Retiree Awards program on Friday evening, May 18 in the Lenz Center on the Southwest Tech campus. The evening recognized donors to the Southwest Tech Foundation with the Philanthropy Award along with a Friend of the College Award, Distinguished Alumni and Retiree Achievement awards.
Holly Clendenen, Executive Director of the Foundation and Real Estate Foundation recognized Finney Implement and owner John Finney along with Karen and Doug Knox. Finney was unable to attend the program but Clendenen noted the strong partnership with Finney Implement, by stating, “Finney Implement and owner John Finney first started supporting the Southwest Tech Foundation in 2002 and continued giving through “A Day for Southwest Tech” supporting both scholarships and the Charger Annual Fund. Since 2014 Finney Implement has donated farm equipment to be used in the Ag Power and Equipment Technician program. This equipment rental is given at no cost and provides an incomparable hands-on learning experience for program students. In total, Finney Implement has given cash and in-kind donations greater than $210,000.”
Karen and Doug Knox were unable to attend but will be receiving their award in July in conjunction with a District Board meeting. Clendenen stated Dr. Knox’s strong connection to Southwest Tech, stating that she served as an instructor at Southwest Tech starting in 1971 and then served as Dean of Business for 5 years. She left Southwest Tech in 1986 to serve as Vice President of Instruction at Blackhawk Technical College before returning to Southwest Tech in 1999 to serve as President. She retired from that role in 2011. In Clendenen’s remarks she said, “Karen and Doug have supported many projects and initiatives through the Southwest Tech Foundation. During her time as President, Karen established the Knox Professional Development Endowment to support administration professional development opportunities and in 2014, the Karen R. Knox Learning Center was dedicated to recognize Karen’s steadfast service to Southwest Tech as a teacher, mentor and leader. Karen and Doug made significant contributions to the Foundation in support of the naming. Since first giving in 1999, Karen and Doug have gifted more than $70,000 to the Southwest Tech Foundation to support students, faculty, and staff.”
Linda Parrish was recognized as the 2018 Friend of the College most notably for Parrish’s contributions to the success of the Southwest Tech 50th Anniversary. In 2016 Linda accepted the invitation to join the 50th Anniversary Core Committee in the planning of the college’s celebration. She was an active committee member and was a great connector between the college and the City of Fennimore. In addition to helping plan events and contacting alumni, Parrish helped secure several sponsorships for the 50th Celebration and shared ideas on how to promote and market the anniversary events to community members. In the presentation of the award, Clendenen stated, “her valuable input undoubtedly helped make the 50th Anniversary Celebration the success that it was, and her willingness to volunteer her time for this college effort did not go unappreciated or unnoticed.”
Parrish is a Southwest Tech graduate of the Marketing program. She currently works as the Promotions Coordinator for the City of Fennimore and helps operate her family’s dairy farm, Tom Lin Farms, outside of Fennimore.
Kim Schmelz, Director of External Relations and Alumni Development presented three alumni with the 2018 Southwest Tech Distinguished Alumni award. The three alumni recognized were Greg Biba, 1993 Agribusiness Science & Technology alumnus, Julia Nelson, 1993 Nursing alumna and Konnie Sadler 2002 Culinary Management alumna.
“The three alumni selected embody the Southwest Tech vision. Each of their remarks included the life changing impact Southwest Tech had on their life. We are so proud to be a part of their story and truly appreciate all the support they have provided back to the college,” stated Schmelz.
The award program was established to recognize alumni who demonstrate the value of their Southwest Tech degree or certificate through career advancement, participate in community service activities, seek and fulfill continued personal and educational growth and support Southwest Tech.
Greg Biba is currently the Chief Program Specialist for the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. He is responsible for oversight and delivery of Federal Farm Programs as authorized by the Farm Bill for the Wisconsin Farmers and Producers. In his time with the agency Biba has written the Dairy Policy for the two Farm Bills, in collaboration with his counterparts in states across the country. Biba is a native and current resident of Highland. He is President of the Highland Gridiron Club and has served as the Head and Assistant Youth Football Coach for the Iowa Grant/Highland 5th and 6th grade football program for 5 years. Biba has also been a member of the Highland School Board, currently serving in his 10th year on the board. Biba stated that his education from Southwest Tech has taken him places in his career that he never thought possible.
Julia Nelson is in her 24th year at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien. She currently serves as the Chief Quality Officer. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, she leads the Quality and Safety initiatives, Hospital Risk Management Program, Education and ensures regulatory compliance. Nelson was appointed to the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing by Governor Jim Doyle in 2008 where she served 2 terms. In 2011 she was elected chair of the board. The nursing board is a statutory agency of the State of Wisconsin. It works with the Department of Safety and Professional Services in the critical task of regulatory excellence for over 80,000 nurses in the state. Nelson also served as an adjunct C.N.A. instructor and was the clinical coordinator between Southwest Tech students and Crossing Rivers Health.
Konnie Sadler is the Senior Training Manager for Culver’s Franchising System in Prairie du Sac, WI. Sadler has climbed the ladder within the Culver’s Franchising System, starting her career there immediately following graduation in 2002 as a Training Specialist. She’s responsible for managing the development and multimedia procurement of E-learning courses, Just in Time Videos and Digital Recipes and is a Professional presenter in management and franchisee classroom training workshops. Sadler also manages the Operations Manual updates with interdepartmental coaching to maintain consistency and accuracy. She is the liaison for the Training Department with cross department functions to ensure standard operating procedures are maintained.
Sadler’s impact on her profession, community and beyond is outstanding. Sadler is a “Woman of Impact Mentor” for Girls, Inc. of Greater Madison and a CHART Member for the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers. As a Southwest Tech alumna Sadler has stayed active and involved. She has been a member of the Culinary Advisory Committee since 2002, she has served as a panel judge, guest lecturer on supporting food preparation as well as sharing how coursework relates to work in the field. Sadler supports the Culinary Scholarship and she helped arrange Craig Culver to speak on campus promoting entrepreneurship.
Retiree and current Foundation Board Vice President, Tom Sheehan presented two retirees with the Retiree Achievement Award. This award was developed to recognize retired faculty and staff who have made significant contributions to the College through exemplary service in any capacity, whether in a teaching, administrative or support staff role and exemplified the values of the college in their time on campus and as a retiree. In his remarks Sheehan stated, “There was no debate which two retirees we should recognize. Sue and Linda were the perfect choice for the award.”
Sue Lewison, a native of Hartford, WI, earned a Bachelor’s degree from UW-Whitewater and started her career at Columbus High School as the Business Education instructor. Sue started her tenure at Southwest Tech in the fall of 1977 and made a great impact on the campus. Colleagues noted Sue’s professionalism and that she was always very cordial and friendly. Sue was an instructor for the Secretarial (Administrative Assistant now Office Technology) program, along with teaching Basic Accounting and Keyboarding classes for students who were in other programs outside of the Business Division. While on campus Sue met fellow instructor, Vern Lewison and they were married in 1982. Sue retired in 2002, after 25 years with the college. Since retirement, Sue has stayed involved with the campus as well as the community. Sue is an active member of the Methodist Church in Fennimore. She accompanies the Harmony (teen/adult) choir, two or three church services a month, and is involved on a few other teams that serve the congregation. She also visits Good Samaritan weekly to assist leading the hymn sing, assists with their monthly memorial service, and volunteers at the Doll Museum once a month, as well as the Red Cross Bloodmobiles when they are in Fennimore. On campus, Sue regularly attends events, including the Scholarship Reception for the two scholarships she recently established, one in memory of Vern for students enrolled in Farm Business Management and one in her name for first generation students.
Linda Stephenson started her career at Southwest Tech in September of 1975 but she’s been involved with the college since the beginning. Linda grew up in Fennimore and moved to Madison after she got married. She knew she wanted to return to the area so after a short time, Linda moved back to own and operate the TipTop Bar & Grill. This already popular place for young adults sat below the former post-office which was converted into the student center. Eventually Linda sold the bar and started working at Southwest Tech. In 1979 the Recruiter position opened and after being encouraged to apply by many colleagues, Linda did apply and was offered the position along with serving as the Athletic Director and Student Activities Coordinator. In her role Linda visited and recruited students from all 31 schools in the district, started the initiative to bring guidance counselors to campus and gave tours to prospective students. As Athletic Director she oversaw five athletic teams including Boys Basketball and Wrestling, Girls Basketball and Volleyball and co-ed wrestling. In 1987 Athletics were cut from Southwest Tech but Linda continued to serve as Student Senate Advisor, the graduation coordinator for both spring and winter graduation, and editor and supervisor of the weekly school newspaper. Colleagues say that the relationships Linda built across the campus was the legacy that she left. She truly connected with every student, staff and faculty member as well as guidance counselors and parents.
Linda retired from Southwest Tech in 2006 but her ties to Southwest Tech remain strong. Linda was a valuable member of the 50th Anniversary Core and History committee that helped make the 50th Anniversary celebration a success. Outside of SWTC Linda served on the Fennimore City Council for 16 years, just retiring this year. She was also a member of the Fennimore Area Foundation, which was an integral partner in planning and fundraising for a new pool. In addition, Linda served on the 2015 Fennimore All School Reunion planning committee to help with the grand re-opening of the school after the remodel. Linda is still active in her church and her impact on the campus will live on for many, many years.