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Southwest Tech announces area scholarship winners
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Grant Regional Health Center Scholarships
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Maria Kindrai of Lancaster, Heather Wolf of Fennimore and Jodi Laufenberg of Lancaster are proud recipients of the Grant Regional Health Center Foundation Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
Grant Regional Health Center has been a great partner with Southwest Tech in healthcare-related opportunities.  To receive this scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in the Associate Degree - Nursing program at the College. 
“Southwest Tech is allowing me to fulfill my goals of becoming a nurse,” commented Kindrai.
“Southwest Tech has provided me with a foundation to which I have been able to build upon through experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse,” added Wolf.
“Southwest Tech has impacted my life greatly by allowing me to expand my knowledge in the healthcare field,” stated Laufenberg.
Heitzer Scholarship in Memory of Marjorie Heitzer
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Brooke Eggers of Lancaster is the proud recipient of Heitzer Scholarship in Memory of Marjorie Heitzer at Southwest Tech.
Murray Heitzer, Math/Science instructor at Southwest Tech, established the scholarship in memory of his mother, Marjorie Heitzer. 
“Southwest Tech has impacted my life greatly in so many ways. It is the most welcoming school anyone could ask for,” expressed Eggers.
Rick Manuell Memorial Lineman Award
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Brandon Klaas of Lancaster is the proud recipient of Rick Manuell Memorial Lineman Award at Southwest Tech.
The award is funded by Mrs. Shyrle Sedgwick, mother of the late Rick Manuell. Rick was a 1965 graduate of Platteville High School and was employed as a Lineman Supervisor for Commonwealth Edison Electric Power Company of Illinois headquartered in Rockford at the time of his death. Rick always knew that he wanted to be a lineman and persisted until he got his dream job. The scholarship supports Southwest Tech students enrolled in the Electrical Power Distribution program.
“Southwest Tech has given me the knowledge and hands-on experience that employers desire,” commented Klaas.
Medical Assistant Scholarship
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Theresa Broessel of Glen Haven is the proud recipient of Medical Assistant Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
Established in 2007 by Southwest Tech Medical Assistant program instructors Tonia Breuer and Kris Schoville, the scholarship is open to students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program at the College. Eligible students must be in good academic standing and class attendance is considered in the selection process.
“My instructors at Southwest Tech have made me more confident in myself to be the best I can be. They have shown me that understanding what I am doing can really have an impact on me not only now, but also later on in life,” expressed Broessel.
Mound City Bank Scholarship
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Emillie Mumm of Bloomington is the proud recipient of Mound City Bank at Southwest Tech.
The scholarship was established by Mound City Bank, Platteville, to provide financial assistance to a student attending Southwest Tech. 
“ I can’t hardly put into words how Southwest Tech has impacted my life,” commented Mumm.
Fred & Cleo Parker Endowment Scholarship
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Curt Gillian of Potosi is the proud recipient of Fred & Cleo Parker Endowment Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
The Fred & Cleo Parker Endowment Scholarship was established through the estate of Cleo Parker. Fred and Cleo were from Grant County and were involved in several civil and county organizations. The scholarship is open to any full-time Southwest Tech student.
“Southwest Tech has already given me the tools I needed to start a career that I have spent the last five years exploring,” commented Gillian.
Nursing Scholarships
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Danielle Sigler of Fennimore and Jody Laufenberg of Lancaster, are proud recipients of the Student Nurses Association Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
The Student Nurses Association Scholarship is available to Southwest Tech students enrolled in the Nursing-Associate Degree program working toward becoming registered nurses. Members of the Student Nurses Association have the opportunity to maximize leadership potential and enhance career development.
“Southwest Tech has made is possible for me to go back to school,” expressed Sigler.
“Southwest Tech has impacted my life greatly by allowing me to expand my knowledge in the healthcare field,” added Laufenberg.
American Bank Scholarships
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Ryan Bartels of Lancaster and Katie Melssen of Potosi, are proud recipients of the American Bank Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
American Bank established a scholarship with the Southwest Tech Foundation for high school graduates pursuing a degree at Southwest Tech. Eligible students must be residents of Grant County and be enrolled in a business program at the College. Chris Prange, American Bank President and CEO, serves on the Southwest Tech District Board of Directors.
“Being a student at Southwest Tech has encouraged me to get more involved in activities, making friends, and learning not to be so shy,” stated Bartels.
“Southwest Tech has given me the opportunity to meet different people and make new friends. It has also given me a chance to further my education and pursue my goals,” added Melssen.
Alliant Energy Scholarship
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Brandon Klaus of Lancaster is the proud recipient of Alliant Energy Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
Alliant Energy, provider of electric and natural gas service, supports student enrolled in the Electrical Power Distribution program at Southwest Tech. The scholarship is supported through the Alliant Energy Foundation and preference is given to customers of the company.
“Southwest Tech has given me the knowledge and hands-on experience that employers desire through excellent delivery methods, outstanding and well-educated instructors, and an excellent learning environment,” stated Klaus.
Boscobel Area Health Care Scholarship
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Kelly Vogelsberg of Potosi is the proud recipient of the Boscobel Area Health Care Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
Boscobel Area Health Care offers a broad range of services to ensure medical expertise and compassionate care. The scholarship was established to support Southwest Tech students enrolled in the Nursing-Associate Degree, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Medical Laboratory Technician programs.
“The staff at Southwest Tech has made me believe that my professional goals can become reality,” stated Vogelsberg.
Business Division Scholarship
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Nichole Cathman of Lancaster is the proud recipient of the Business Division Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
The Business Division Scholarship is funded through donations from faculty and staff of the Business Division at Southwest Tech. Two scholarships are offered annually and are open to students enrolled in a Business Division program.
“Southwest Tech has giving me the opportunity to become what I want, a graphic and web designer,” commented Cathman.
Glen E. Cohen Memorial Nursing Scholarship
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Lorelei Ubersox of Lancaster is the proud recipient of the Glen E. Cohen Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
Jim Reiser established the scholarship in memory of Glen, his friend and partner in life. Glen dedicated his life to helping people through his work in the healthcare industry and by opening his heart and home to those in need. Glen wished for a scholarship to be created to help Southwest Tech students pursuing a career in nursing.
“Southwest Tech is giving me the knowledge to pursue my dreams. It’s allowing me to show my children that it’s never too late to go back to school and become the person you were always meant to be. It’s showing my children that education is important,” expressed Ubersox.
West End Salvage Scholarship
The Southwest Tech Foundation announces that Emily Hoehne of Lancaster is the proud recipient of West End Salvage Scholarship at Southwest Tech.
The West End Salvage Scholarship was established in 2012 by owners Roger and Joe Krantz to benefit a resident of Lancaster in obtaining a post-secondary education.
“Southwest Tech has given me the experience and knowledge I need to be successful in my career and my life,” expressed Hoehne.
The Southwest Tech Foundation also awarded Hoehne with the Lenz Family Endowment Scholarship.
Established by Fred Lenz, the Lenz Family Endowment Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from each of the 30 high schools in Southwest Tech’s district.  Fred Lenz graduated from Fennimore High School in 1939.  When asked why he choose the Southwest Tech Foundation as the recipient of his gift, Mr. Lenz stated, “From the time I was very young, my mother, who had been a teacher, kept telling me that education was the gateway to a better life.  Then, during my working life, I kept meeting people all over the world who had a great deal to offer their societies, but had never had the opportunity to develop their potential and skills.  Skills that could have helped them support their families better and contributed more to their communities and societies.  This scholarship endowment will provide that opportunity to hundreds, and over time perhaps thousands, of Southwest Wisconsin residents.”
Each year, Southwest Tech and the Southwest Tech Foundation host a recognition ceremony to connect donors, scholarship recipients, and College staff in celebration of technical education.  This year, the Foundation awarded $102,250 in scholarships to 189 Southwest Tech students. The ceremony was generously sponsored by Kramer & Brownlee LLC, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, and QueenB Radio.
For more information on how you can become a sponsor, contribute to a scholarship, or create your own scholarship, please contact Director of Development, Betsy Tollefson, at 608-822-2362 or Foundation Manager, Heather Fifrick, at 608-822-2366.