For Immediate Release
Contact: Kim Schmelz, Foundation Director
Phone: 608.822.2379
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: March 30, 2022
Alliant Energy supports student breakfast program and scholarship fund
Fennimore -The Southwest Tech Foundation received a generous $12,000 donation from Alliant Energy in December of 2019 to kick-off a breakfast program for students in Southwest Tech’s Charge Forward program. The Charge Forward was new at that point and just getting off the ground when COVID-19 demanded a change to on-campus learning and services and the breakfast program was put on hold.
“Like everyone else, we made adjustments across campus to keep everyone safe and healthy throughout the pandemic and our dining services team is no longer offering hot, buffet style breakfast meals as we had prior to the start of COVID-19 and therefore we had to think creatively about how to best feed students and give them a good foundation to start their day,” said Kim Schmelz, Foundation Director for the Southwest Tech Foundation. “We approached Alliant Energy to see if they would be willing to adjust the intent of the gift and offer a variety of cold breakfast items, along with juice, coffee and milk to any Southwest Tech students in our Knox Learning Center, as a way to draw students into this learning environment and start their day with nutritious items,” Schmelz said. The breakfast program has been very successful thus far. Natalie Long, Academic Resources Specialist in the Knox Learning Center said, “I had a group of students this morning tell me that breakfast in the Knox is the highlight of their day! They have to get up really early and don’t like to eat right away. It’s just one more thing they look forward to about coming to campus.”
With the savings from hot breakfast items, the gift also allowed for additional scholarship support to the Charge Forward Scholarship program, which will allow for more students to be accepted into the program in the Fall of 2022.
The Charge Forward Scholars program is a comprehensive holistic student support program and learning community. The program helps at-risk students retain and graduate through engagement with the college, development of leadership skills and the accomplishment of academic goals. An important component of the Charge Forward Scholars program is access. Students participate in monthly success workshops, which support their academic and personal development. Students are required to access tutoring, faculty office hours, campus activities, financial wellness support and other campus experiences that often take place in the Knox Learning Center. Students make purposeful connections with Academic Services, Student Life, Career Services, the Foundation, and other student support offices.
“We are proud to support Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Foundation as their Charge Forward program provides vital support to students and ultimately workforce preparation needed now more than ever,” said Julie Bauer, executive director of the Alliant Energy Foundation. “Funding their efforts provides growth and development for their students which ultimately will benefit and strengthen our Wisconsin communities.”
The intent of the Charge Forward Scholars program is to help students establish strong ties with Southwest Tech that will keep them engaged in learning throughout their academic career.
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 the Charge Forward program or other ways you can support the Southwest Tech Foundation, contact foundation@swtc.edu or by calling 608.822.2362.