Patricia “Parts Pat” Ann Prihoda worked at Madison College, serving in the Auto Parts Store. During that time she influenced hundreds of students on their career paths in the trades. She retired in 2012 after dedicating 37 years. Please find the full obituary here. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In honor of Pat, a scholarship was established, the “Auto Parts Pat Scholarship”. Gifts to this scholarship can be made here. All donations to this scholarship support students in the trades.
To find out how you can set up your own scholarship find more information here.
I am a 31-year-old student at Madison College attending the ADN program. While others may look at me and think I must have failed so much to be trying to start a career in nursing at age 31, I know that it is because of all my successes, by the grace of God, that has brought me this far. I started my life with the odds stacked against me, during the heart of America’s crack epidemic with parents who were actively involved in the statistics. My two brothers, two sisters and I, had been causalities of our environment sustaining years of neglect, and many different forms of abuse. I eventually ended up in a foster home with a single woman who adopted me at age 12. Although my mother loved me dearly and took wonderful care of me, my formative years were still instilled in me, and hard for me to combat, leaving me with many years of confused, angry and sad emotions that lead to being a pregnant teen. I eventually got my HSED from Madison College and I became a CNA at 19. I have worked as a CNA for the last 12 years providing a life for my family my 2 biological kids and my 2 biological nephews. Besides being a parent, getting into the nursing program at Madison College and having a successful 2 semesters are my biggest accomplishments thus far. I chose to become a nurse because I have been taking care of people for as long as I can remember. As a child, I remember protecting my siblings and sharing the food I had for their sake; and now, as a mother taking care of my family, as a daughter taking care of my 73-year-old mother as needed and, professionally as a CNA. I used to feel burdened by being responsible for so many, but I can see that what I once viewed as a burden is really a blessing and I find pleasure and fulfillment in caring for others.
As many know, it is very unlikely for children in foster care to graduate high school let alone go on to college, but this scholarship will greatly impact my success and continue to make my long-term educational goals possible in many ways. This scholarship will surely relieve some of the stress associated with the very competitive and difficult ADN program, as well as, the responsibilities I hold within my family by loosening up the financial restraints related to college. This scholarship will allow me more time to spend with my family and focus on school by allowing me to put in less hours at work and still pay my bills. My long-term goal is to complete my ADN at Madison College and then to go on work with troubled adolescents, who I can so deeply relate to. I eventually hope to go on to get my BSN, and this scholarship will provide me with a stepping stone I need in order to accomplish my long-term goals.
Last, but definitely not least, I would like to personally thank you making this scholarship possible. There are no words that can truly express my gratitude for bestowing this scholarship on me. It is a life changer for me. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
-Madison College Nursing Student
Every winter break Wendy Franczak, an Administrative Specialist at Madison College, and her husband Matt choose a few charities that are meaningful to them and they generously donate. In 2018, they had more expenses than usual so they skipped that year. In 2019 they knew they wanted to give more to make up for the previous year and thought, “where can we make the most impact on the community?” Instead of donating to several organizations, they decided to make one larger donation to the Madison College Foundation and established an endowed fund that will support students into perpetuity.
“Many of us spent late May and June, 2020 watching as this country grapples with police violence and continuing racism. Wondering how we can help change things for the better. Maybe we joined in demonstrations, educated ourselves on black history and racism or supported the efforts of anti-racism groups. Maybe we persevered with the work we were already doing with more urgency than before. Maybe we constructively talked about race with friends and coworkers for the first time, ever.
One thing that Tyler and I kept going back to during this time was what we could do to make a lasting change to move towards equality and representation in our community. What could we do to help remove just one barrier on a young person of color’s path to be represented or in a position of influence in Dane County. What could we do to increase diversity in the criminal justice field to bring more empathy and understanding for persons of color.
In that spirit, we have established the Pay it FRWRD Scholarship Fund to help finance a person of color to attend the criminal justice program at Madison College.
Meg, Tyler and the FRWRD Hospitality Group”
To support the Pay it FRWRd Scholarship click here.
Over 70% of the classes are completely virtual. While the format is different, faculty and staff spent the summer adapting their material and approach so that students continue to receive a top class education.
The classes that do require in-person hands-on instruction are being held with new safety standards. Barriers have been installed when appropriate and classrooms have been reconfigured to allow for safe distancing. We have strict health and safety standards for anyone on campus. No one is allowed on campus without a specific purpose and authorization. They must complete a COVID-19 screening before entering campus and masks are required inside. Exercise facilities have been restricted to student athletes who are conditioning. No outside groups are currently allowed on campus.
The student newspaper, the Clarion, shared about the steps the college has taken and the details behind the thoughtful approach for the fall 2020 semester. You can read it here.
21 years ago, Retired UW-Madison Professor Roberto Sánchez established a scholarship to inspire academic excellence by local Latino/a youth and to build a pathway for those in high school and postsecondary institutions to achieve their academic dreams. His scholarships began by supporting young people in the MMSD system and continuing to provide funding through Madison College and UW-Madison. When he passed he gave an endowed gift to ensure that this program has funding into perpetuity.
The impact that the program through this legacy has and will continue to have is life changing. Madison365 recently highlighted the current Sanchez students. “I’m really happy and glad and grateful that not only the students but the families allow us to share in that adventure and undertaking because it is hard,” she says. “The kids put in a lot of effort and work and sacrifice to their education.
If you are interested in what a planned gift could look like at Madison College, learn more about our Emil J. Frautschi Society or contact Tammy at tthayer2@madisoncollege.edu or 608-695-1960
Stacey is a returning student and Navy veteran attending the Physical Therapist Assistant program. After 20 years of service in the Navy, Stacey worked briefly as an administrative assistant. After realizing that an administrative job outside the military was not the best fit, she decided to go back to school to pursue a career that required teamwork, solving challenges and helping others. “I applied and was thrilled to be admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant program. This program has the potential to allow me to work in a job that helps others and to be an involved parent.”
“This scholarship will give me financial peace of mind by facilitating school expenses. It will allow me to focus on my studies and family outside of class. It is imperative that I pass my classes and with this scholarship I will be able to focus on successfully completing this program. The books that are purchased with the scholarship money will be used throughout the PTA program and when I obtain employment these textbooks will be a critical part of my success at Madison College, passing the PTA board and providing quality care. I am incredibly honored and grateful to be selected for this scholarship. Thank you for your generous support,” said Stacey.
“We are very excited about Stand by YOU. It is all said in that one title. What more could an individual or our community do, than stand by our youth and let them feel that we are there standing beside them in their desire to better themselves by education. Please stand by them close, just like we are doing.” -Bea & Lau Christensen.
Learn More About Madison College’s Economic Impact
If you live and work in Wisconsin, your future is tied to the success and prosperity of Madison College graduates. Firefighters, nurses, healthcare workers. police officers, engineers, architects, business leaders, culinary arts and baking professionals, IT professionals, advanced manufacturing specialists, entrepreneurs and more all get their start at Madison College. By helping students reduce or eliminate educational debt, you enable graduates to perform better at work, contribute to their families’ prosperity and improve the overall economic impact of our region. The future of Wisconsin is tied to the success and prosperity of Madison College graduates. Madison College impacts the next generation of workers by continuing to offer transformative opportunities to well-deserving, hardworking students. It will immeasurably impact every person invested in the future of our community.
If you are a company looking to support students on their journey in your field please read more about establishing a named fund or contact us to have a conversation.
