Kopper Family donates $2.85 million to Foundation

Michael Kopper and Michele Whitfield announced a $2.85 million donation to the Gateway Technical College Foundation to fund scholarships for students in engineering and manufacturing-related programs as well as benefit students in the college’s Promise program.

A total of $1.5 million was contributed to establish the Kopper Family Fund while $1.35 million will go to Gateway’s Promise program. Both will benefit students as they gain an education at Gateway to prepare for family-sustaining careers. Kopper is the founder and CEO of the decanter centrifuge manufacturer Centrisys Corporation, and his wife, Whitfield, is the marketing director of the company.

“Gateway’s vision for education is the same as ours. We want to help Gateway to further what they are already doing,” said Michele Whitfield.

Student, instructor advance in Foxconn contest

A Gateway Technical College instructor and a Gateway student are among the 30 Round Two winners of Foxconn’s statewide Smart Cities-Smart Futures contest and advance to the third, and final, round of the competition.

Gateway Horticulture instructor Kate Field advanced in the Food category while Gateway student Donald Heckel advanced in the Mobility and Transportation category. Gateway Civil Engineering instructor Steve Whitmoyer collaborated with Heckel on the proposal.

Both will receive a $1,500 award and were honored at a Foxconn recognition ceremony and Round 3 kickoff ceremony hosted by Gateway at its SC Johnson iMET Center in Sturtevant.

Tarnowski legacy gift to support students for decades

The Gateway Technical College Foundation has received a $1.2 million bequest from the Beverly and Otto Tarnowski estate.

This legacy gift is added to their 2013 $804,000 gift to establish Tarnowski Hall at Gateway’s SC Johnson iMET Center in Sturtevant. Combined, the Tarnowski support for Gateway students totals more than $2 million. Beverly and Otto were passionate about the mission of Gateway and the promise of education and training as a path for youth to succeed in life.

“Beverly and Otto live in my heart and will live in the hopes and dreams of thousands of students in the years ahead. I miss their friendship but will forever be reminded of their commitment to serve others,” said Bryan Albrecht, president and CEO of Gateway Technical College.

Students give back, hone skills at Day of Service

Gateway Technical College students and instructors participated in the Wisconsin Arborist Association Day of Service to prune and remove trees and brush from the Eco-Justice Center in Racine County.

The event provided a way for students to give back to the community while honing the skills they will need to successfully enter their career. They worked with professionals in the industry at the event, which also provided them an opportunity to gain even more insight into what’s needed for today’s arboriculture workers, work with modern arboriculture equipment and perhaps meet future employers.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to work with local employers, to meet and know them, to see how local employers are performing quality tree work in the area and for them to have the opportunity to know how important it is to give back to the community,” said Gateway Arboriculture/Urban Forestry instructor Aaron Schauer.

Gateway pharmacy program gains national accreditation

Gateway Technical College’s Pharmacy Technician program was recently recognized by the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), giving students the opportunity to take the national exam for becoming a certified pharmacy technician.

The achievement illustrates how the college is well positioned to meet the needs of the local pharmacy community through aligning entry-level and advanced pharmacy technician education recognized by the PTCB. It will also give students that sound foundation of skills and knowledge to help them succeed in their future career.

“I'm excited for Gateway to be a PTCB-recognized training program for pharmacy technicians,” said Jennifer Lucas, Gateway Pharmacy Technician program director. “Graduates will have the opportunity to become certified and practice in the advanced roles of their profession.  Certified pharmacy technicians are a key part of the healthcare team, providing their medication safety expertise to patients in our community.”

College seeks alumni to honor

Gateway Technical College wants to honor its alumni who have made the community a better place to live in – and has asked the community to help in this effort by nominating alumni who’ve made a difference in their lives.

The college wants to celebrate alumni who’ve made a difference in the community, their workplace, to a neighbor or area non-profit group. They may have done well in their career, been a great neighbor, been involved with an area non-profit group or serve in their house of worship, to name just a few. No matter the work or effort, Gateway seeks those who’ve made that positive impact in someone’s life.

College to hold annual design show

Gateway Technical College will hold its annual Student Design Show to public viewing in the South Building atrium April 5 to April 11 on its Elkhorn Campus, 400 County Road H, Elkhorn.

An opening reception will be held starting at 6 p.m. April 9, with awards at 7 p.m. The show features creative and innovative design work by Graphic Communications students. It is juried by local industry professionals.

Design work will be displayed in the commons atrium during open campus weekday hours of 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.