For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: March 12, 2021
Southwest Tech staff receive first COVID-19 vaccination
Fennimore -
Alexis Morris, a student employee, is given a first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
As of March 1, educators in Wisconsin were deemed eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. In response, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College staff had the opportunity for their first vaccination on Friday, March 12. The vaccination clinic was organized by the Grant County Health Department, Grant Regional Health Center, Southwest Tech and was held on Southwest Tech’s campus. Southwest Tech staff and nursing students assisted Grant Regional Health Center personnel during the clinic.
Heather Day, student records specialist, gets a first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
“This is a major step forward, not only for our staff, but also for our students and the community,” said Dr. Jason Wood, president of Southwest Tech. “We look forward to bringing everyone back together soon and this is another piece of that puzzle. Thank you to everyone who was able to make this possible.”
According to Rochelle Williams, marketing director with Grant Regional Health Center, 112 Southwest Tech staff were scheduled to receive their first dose of the Moderna vaccine during the clinic. Another clinic will be held Friday, April 9 on campus, for staff to receive their second dose.
During the initial phase of the vaccinations, Grant Regional Health Center focused on its patients and then on March 1 when educators became eligible the outreach expanded. “We reached out to see how we could help,” said Williams.
Ryan Weigel, animal science instructor, gets a first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
“Today was a great day,” said Mike Steffel, web analyst/programmer at Southwest Tech, who was among those who received the first vaccine dose on campus. “It has been a challenging year for everyone and to be back together with my co-workers on campus, even for a short amount of time, gives me hope that we are making progress and will soon get back to a new normal.”
“To see these people who have been waiting so long and how much it has impacted their daily lives, to have that extra layer of protection is really heart-warming to see,” said Williams.
Kari Bird (center) and Rylee Romano (right), nursing students, assisted at the vaccination clinic.
Southwest Tech is currently operating with safety protocols on campus. Labs and some classes are operating on campus, while additional classes are being offered in a virtual format.
• Additional information about the college’s COVID-19 response can be found at www.swtc.edu/covid-19.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |