The Western Dakota Tech (WDT) Foundation is excited to announce that thanks to the generous donations of many, the 80/20 Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) Student Emergency Fund SOS Campaign has met its fundraising goal of $80,000. This achievement will be matched by an additional $20,000 by the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF). The $100,000 total will be used to establish an endowment fund to assist WDTC students with emergency needs for perpetuity.
The Student Emergency Fund was created to assist students who encounter an unforeseen financial emergency or catastrophic event that would prevent them from continuing their education. The fund covers such things as gas cards, medical and dental emergencies, school supplies, car repairs, housing, utilities, food and groceries, childcare, transportation, etc., for students.
Ann Bolman, Ed.D., WDTC President, thanks everyone who donated to the campaign, the Foundation and Foundation Department for leading the fundraising effort, and the SDCF for the generous gift of matching funds.
“Fulfilling the fundraising goal for the Student Emergency Fund will make a difference in the lives of Western Dakota Technical College students for many, many years, which will, in turn, benefit area employers. Plainly speaking, the Student Emergency Fund helps us keep students in school,” Dr. Bolman said. “Students who have been helped through this fund have told us they were just one car repair, electric, housing rental, and/or medical bill away from having to quit college to find full-time employment. This fund helps reduce and, in some cases, eliminate these potential barriers and keeps students on the path to graduation and a great career.”
In September 2019, the WDT Foundation was one of four nonprofit organizations selected in the state of South Dakota to participate in a nonprofit savings plan through the SDCF. In October 2019, the WDT Foundation launched the 80/20 Student Emergency SOS Endowment Campaign to benefit the Student Emergency Fund. Upon raising $80,000, the SDCF said it would match with an additional $20,000.
“The South Dakota Community Foundation is honored to partner with the WDT Foundation to provide vital resources to their students in need. It was a delight to witness the engagement of the foundation board and staff as they raised funds in awareness for this effort,” said Beth Massa, CFRE, South Dakota Community Foundation Regional Director for Foundation Relations.
The 80/20 WDTC Student Emergency Fund SOS Campaign was led by the WDT Foundation Board of Directors including Veronica Kusser, Chair; Jonathan McCoy, Vice-Chair; Matthew Koupal, Treasurer; Jennifer Baloun, Secretary; Jon Gillam, Past Chair; Scott Hall; Jessica Kearns; Daryl Mecham; Tresha Morland; Georg Olson; and Brad Richardson. Ex Officio members include Ann Bolman, Ed.D.; Curt Pochardt, WDTC Board of Trustees; Jennie Best, WDTC Assistant Director of Scholarships; and Andrew Kapelewski, WDTC Scholarships Coordinator. The fundraising campaign was directed by former Foundation Director Danita Simons.
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About Western Dakota Technical College
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
WDTC offers programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
Ninety-eight percent of Western Dakota Tech's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, Western Dakota Tech students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
