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Mao Kong, of Onalaska, Wis.,is a 2011 graduate of the Nursing program. She moved to the United States from a refugee camp inThailand at age 10. After graduating from Western, Kong received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Winona State University in 2017. During this time, she worked at Gundersen Health System,

eventually becoming the clinical manager of the Urgent Caredepartment.

In addition to her nursing career, Kong is a strong advocate fordomestic violence survivors. She hasserved as the multicultural advocate on the Domestic Abuse Reduction Team and partnered with La Crosse

police officers in providing services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. She is currently a member of the Western Alumni Board and has also served as the diversity coordinator for UW-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College.

Each dayis a giftPicture yourself back in high school. A time when life’s possibilities are an endless parade of idealistically creative options, rooted in optimism, and infused with excitement about what is yet to unfold. Freedom and autonomy will soon be awarded—things are just about to get interesting. Then, oddly, one day, your neck swells, and the next you are gasping for breath between bouts of dizziness, you faint during a volleyball game. Now imagine as a

freshman in high school, you are suddenly face-to-face with a universal nightmare:cancer, specifically, Hodgkin Lymphoma.This is what happened to Alex Strelow—her life forever changed. From sports, friends, movies, tests, books, and essays, tochemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, blood transfusions, doctor appointments, invasive tests, weakness, pain, and nausea. Cancer became her life.

Alex cried daily during this challenging, lonely, and uncertain time. Living depleted by cancer

is devastating. Teachers helped homeschool Alex during her many months of cancer treatments. It was a massive struggle, but giving up on school felt like giving up on life, and that wasn’t going to happen. The sublime love, support, and dedication of her teachers got her through school and kept her on track. They came to her home for extra tutoring, displaying to Alex what it looks like in earnest to care. Alex credits this darkly troubling

time for illuminating her path. She knew she had to become a teacher. Understanding the power of kindness so profoundly that it’s part of your being—that’s the kind of teacher she wants to be—the kind all children deserve. Compassion is her super power, and sheenjoys using it.

Distinguished Alumna

Together. LET’S IMPACT THE FUTURE.WESTERN FOUNDATION • 2018-2019 REPORT

FOUNDATION OFFICEColeman Center, Room 130

304 6th Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601foundation@westerntc.edu | 608-785-9487

westerntc.edu/foundation

FOUNDATION STAFFMichael Swenson, Executive DirectorSally Emerson, Alumni and Foundation ManagerJacquelyn Schreiner, Development OfficerJaime Fortier ‘98, Foundation Assistant

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Together. LET’S IMPACT THE FUTURE.

WESTERN FOUNDATION • 2018-2019 REPORT

CompareTUITION COSTS

Western .....................$3,665UW Colleges .............$4,750UW 4-year .................$6,995UW-Madison .............$9,273Avg. WI Private .........$23,547

$OVER 1,600 ALUMNI OWNtheir own businesses

94%

$545,728in scholarshipsAWARDED 1,087

SCHOLARSHIPS

WESTERN TECHNICALCOLLEGE FOUNDATION

BOARD MEMBERS

Jerry Bisinger,President

Tom Strom,VicePresident

Mary Ann Herlitzke,Secretary

Debra Johnson Towner ‘77,Treasurer

RobertBuss

Gail Kumm Cleary

Jackie Gerke-Edwards

GeorgeKruck

Angie Lawrence

Brandon Prinsen

BarbaraRice

Linda Schwandt,

Ed.D

JoanSonsalla

JeffWieser ‘83

Ed Winga, M.D.

A LU M N Iemployed within6MONTHS

OF GRADUATION

STRELOW .................... Continued on page 2

Buddy, Alex, and Teddy.

“Western is helping me realize my dream of becoming a teacher, and

it’s exciting!” —Alex Strelow

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Education opportunitiesand vibrant communities Rick and Julie Diermeier are sharing their good fortune through education fundingby establishing the Diermeier AdvancedManufacturing Scholarship. Since thescholarship’s inception in 2018, eightmanufacturing students and counting arethe lucky beneficiaries who are on track to graduate soon with career aspirations andjob offers.

The Diermeiers are fully aware of theimportance education has on lives and strive to make sure as many people as possible have full access to it. Rick Diermeier attributes his success in life to two things—a goodeducation combined with great parenting. Rick’s father was a textbook example ofindustrious diligence and modesty; hismother was a strong woman who placed a high importance on treating others fairlyand with kindness. They provided the perfect counterpoint to the other: morality and wisdom joins hard work and independence. These essential characteristics are the foundation of Rick’s successes in education, business, community, and family. Not so long ago, Rick’s father workedhis way up at Riverside Paper, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer. Rick and his olderbrother Jeff and sister Cheryl, spent many summers working there, too. It was hereRick established his fondness formanufacturing that left him imprintedwith an acute awareness of the economicresponsibility belonging to these localindustries—businesses located in smaller communities throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. In a true display of communityinterdependence, the strength of theindustrial and manufacturing sector is only as vibrant and successful as the community it belongs to. Or, as Rick states, “Success isn’t

achieved alone, it’s achieved through good teams, excellent employees, and fairpractices.”

Julie Diermeier is passionate about access to education. “We believe that post-secondary education in a trade provides the opportunity for a rewarding career with the additional benefit of increasing the pool of qualified employees for regional employers. Theseare two important factors of a vibrantcommunity, and this is why we supportWestern. We know that our gift helpsstudents realize their career aspirationswhile helping organizations succeed in our communities.” The Diermeiers reside in Onalaska, and both are currently enjoying a busy and fulfilling retirement consisting of good works,philanthropy, and volunteerism.

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42%$398,207

COLLEGE SUPPORTAND PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

58%$545,728

SCHOLARSHIPS

A philosophy of giving—

WESTERN FOUNDATION • 2018-2019 REPORT

Julie and Rick Diermeier and scholarship recipient Chris Lechelt and wife Kirstie.

Chris is an Electromechanical Technology student and one of last year’s hard-workingrecipients. Chris was in the workforce for 14 years before deciding to return to school, acareer step he decided was necessary. He loves his program and is excited—this is the first time he’s found school engaging. However, to accommodate the loss of a 40-hour work week, Chris has been making ends meet by selling possessions on Craig’s List and FacebookMarketplace. He has canceled his cell service and is using the Cavalier Cupboard for theoccasional food insecurity. Chris is fortunate for this scholarship, but it was not without a great deal of effort, determination, and strength. Chris will graduate this spring and is looking forward to his career prospects and future!

Julie and Rick Diermeier

FUND BALANCE 2018-2019

Beginning $6,538,007

Ending $6,972,397

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES SUPPORT AND REVENUE 2018-2019

Contributions $938,041

Investment Income $318,807

College in-kind, Rental, Other $363,096

Total Support and Revenue $1,619,944

EXPENSES 2018-2019

Awards $545,728

Program Support $398,207

Contracted Services, Other $472,592

Total Expenses $1,416,527

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITIONASSETS 2018-2019

Current Assets $566,480

Investments $6,972,397

Pledges Receivable $540,899

Other $16,208

Total Assets $8,095,984

LIABILITIES 2018-2019

Liabilities $698,809

Net Assets $7,397,175

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $8,095,984

2013-14

8M

7M

6M

5M

4M

3M

2M

1M

02014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

$5,76

5,149

$5,80

0,581

$5,49

4,764

$6,23

9,715

$6,53

8,007

$6,97

2,397

ENDOWMENT FUND BALANCE

STUDENT & COLLEGE SUPPORT

Together. LET’S IMPACT THE FUTURE.

“I wanted to be normal again. To not have everyone think of me as the girl that had cancer. I also needed to prove to myself and to others that I was okay.” —Alex Strelow

STRELOW ................................................................................................................................................................................Continued from page 1

Alex saw the economic feasibility of Western and its first-rate instructors as an obvious next step choice as she regained a sense of normalcy. Western quickly got her on an efficient career path toward teaching and a renewed sense of purpose.

In 2019, Alex was awarded the President’sScholarship and the Mitchell Kruck EndowedScholarship. These scholarships are crucial inhelping Alex move forward with her life’s plan. Ongoing medical debt combined with the price of college is an oppressive burden, but Western helped with that. In Alex’s own words, “More than you will ever know, these scholarships ease the financialburden left behind from my battle with cancer.Unfortunately, this burden is even heavier since

the lifesaving treatments destroyed my thyroidand spleen; I continue to have medical expenses.Donors like you and institutions like Western help ease this weight and make my education possible.” Alex Strelow is now 22 years old and a six-yearcancer survivor. Since her fight for life, Alex knows each day is a gift and lives full of appreciation. She will graduate from Western’s Foundations ofTeacher Education program this spring, andplans to continue her education at Winona StateUniversity to earn her bachelor’s degree. She iscurrently a part-time elementary teacher assistant and is following her life’s calling—we should all be so lucky.Last day of treatment for Alex.

Are you interested in providingscholarship support for students

entering technical careers?Please contact the Foundation at

608-785-9487 to learn how easy itis to start a scholarship!

“We believe that post-secondary education in a trade provides theopportunity for a rewarding career with the additional benefit of increasing the pool of qualified employees for regional employers. We know that our

gift helps students realize their career aspirations while helpingorganizations succeed in our communities.” —Julie Diermeier