As we enter this season of gratitude, I want to extend my deep appreciation for the role donors play in the success of the Mid-State Technical College Foundation, and ultimately to MSTC students. During the 2008-09 academic year, the generosity of our contributors assisted nearly 300 deserving students in achieving their academic goals through distribution of $164,000 in scholarships and grants.  It takes the efforts of many to make that happen!

The Foundation partners with donors to support and strengthen the College’s role in serving the educational needs of central Wisconsin. Located on the Wisconsin Rapids campus, the Foundation’s Donor Wall represents cumulative contributions for over 28 years. I’m pleased to say that this year nine new donor plaques have been added. These plaques recognize donors who, through their cumulative or direct giving, have donated $1,000. In addition, two donors advanced to the $5,000 level, four to the $10,000 level, and two to the $20,000 level. In December 2002, when the wall was unveiled, there were 123 donors with contributions of $1,000 or more displayed. Today, the Donor Wall represents 202 donors.

As we entered the 2009-10 academic year, the MSTC Foundation already recognized 236 scholarships totaling over $143,000 at its Annual Scholarship Reception. The growth in MSTC’s Scholarship Program is not possible without the support of our donors – individuals, as well as area businesses and organizations. As one scholarship recipient remarked, “No matter the amount of the scholarship, just having someone believe in us has such an impact on one’s self esteem.”

Our communities’ future depends on education. Pursuing an education continues to be a financially, challenging reality, and with diminishing resources for students, scholarships become even more essential. With the help of generous donors, the unmet tuition needs of current and future students, many of them your neighbors, are addressed through the continuing growth of our scholarship program.

See for yourself the impact you can make in a student’s life by watching a highlight video from MSTC’s 2009 Scholarship Reception.

An investment in MSTC students is an investment in your community.