Paying it Forward by Leading Change
When we ask donors why they believe in our work, so many say a version of, “Someone invested in me, and so I’m paying it forward.” For Ousmane Kabré, that someone was a Mrs Hélène Ouedraogo, a woman in Burkina Faso, the west African country he calls home, who took a chance on him. She only knew Ousmane from his young entrepreneurial business delivering bread to her early every morning, but she respected his tenacity and agreed to sponsor him coming to Wisconsin to study.
His journey is inspirational. He earned his Liberal Arts Transfer/Accounting degree at Madison College in 2013, where he received several of our Foundation scholarships. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration and then a Masters degree in Accounting at UW-Madison. While at Madison College, he served as Student Senate President as WTCS State Ambassador. He went on to work at Ernst & Young, LLP successfully, before leaving to start his own nonprofit, Leading Change Africa. Leading Change Africa sponsors young African women and men to pursue their education and own entrepreneurial leanings. Right now there are 9 students at Madison College through his program. For Ousmane, this is the epitome of paying it forward.
Ousmane recently received the 2021 Distinguished Alumni award at Madison College, which you can read more about here.
Jane and David Tomlinson both grew up in the Arlington-Poynette area, and went to the same Poynette schools. In high school, they started going together. Jane graduated in 1969 and David in 1968. They got married and had a daughter and a son. David spent two years in Viet Nam, returned, and worked for the post office 32 years. In addition, he volunteered with the Poynette fire department and was later a fire inspector, obtaining licenses and training through Madison College. Several others in their family were also firefighters, fire chiefs, or EMT volunteers in their small town.
While conducting a fire inspection, David caught covid and later died. Because he was so well known in the area, neighbors, friends, and even other area fire departments generously made donations in his memory. Through David’s work as a trained volunteer firefighter, and because both their son and daughter had earned Madison College degrees, Jane and her family were very familiar with the college’s firefighting programs and firefighter licensing trainings.
They decided Madison College was the perfect place to send the memorial donations. Soon, the family got together and decided to create an ongoing endowment for future firefighters in the Madison College program. It’s easy to see how generations of involvement in their community public safety programs led this family to choose Madison College as the place to honor their father’s memory. In this way their endowment will support others who feel inspired to follow the path of public service David Tomlinson did.
This past academic year was truly unlike any other we have experienced. It resulted in the largest number of scholarship applicants we have ever received. In response we awarded more scholarships than ever before, totaling more than $1.2 million through scholarships alone.
We also saw an increased need for emergency grant support due to the unforeseen obstacles students faced. We disbursed more than $89,000 to students though emergency grants.
Read Fall 2020 Recipient Stories Read Spring 2021 Recipient Stories
Patrick Flanagan was Program Director and taught in the Interior Design Program at MATC for 30 years, retiring in 2006. He taught earlier at Fox Valley Tech in Appleton for 3 years prior to returning to the UW for graduate school and his subsequent employment at MATC.
Patrick says, “Education was a family value for as long as I can remember, so I knew that if I were able, I would focus any gifts on education. Although I have two degrees from the UW, Madison College was my life for 30 years, so a gift to the Madison College Foundation has the most meaning for me.”
With his partner, Patrick attended the “first ever Rainbow Scholarship Dinner fundraiser” in May 2018. His expectation was that the event would be like many other fundraisers they had attended, with a cocktail hour, dinner, sometimes long-winded speakers, and an opportunity to donate more than the price of the tickets by participating in the silent auction. What he didn’t expect was the impact those speakers would have on him.
Joy Matthews spoke first as the representative of QBE Insurance in Sun Prairie, whose PRIDE employee group along with the QBE Foundation endowed the Rainbow Scholarship with a gift of $20,000. QBE added to their initial gift in both 2019 and 2020. Patrick was moved by Joy’s initiative and determination in securing the funds to endow a scholarship at Madison College.
Listening next to the stories of the three student speakers, Patrick realized he had no idea of the challenges LGBT students were still facing in 2018, challenges that directly impacted their ability to get an education. Their stories of commitment and perseverance stayed with him, and he decided to delay a planned 2019 contribution to the Madison College Foundation for the Interior Design program in order to first provide additional funds for the Rainbow Scholarship.
Patrick explains that in 2019 he was expecting to make his first required minimum distribution (RMD) from an IRA he had been contributing to since the early 1980s. The RMD was fully taxable as income, and it was income he really didn’t need. He was aware that a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from the IRA could be made in place of an RMD, avoiding any tax liability and going directly to the Madison College Foundation. He offers the following encouragement: “I have suffered more pain with the paper ups and downs of the financial markets over the last 20 years. The QCD is painless!”
Celebrating Pride: Supporting the Rainbow Scholarship for LGBTQ Students
Retired faculty member, Patrick Flanagan realized he had no idea of the challenges LGBT students were still facing in 2018 — challenges that directly impacted their ability to get an education. Their stories of commitment and perseverance stayed with him. Read more here and consider a gift to celebrate Pride month.
Story written by Mary Pulliam
Donate to the Rainbow Scholarship
Madison College Among Four Community and Technical Colleges in Wisconsin Receiving Educational Grants
Madison, Wis. (June 8, 2021) – The Agriculture and Rural Initiative, Compeer Financial’s donor advised fund, has granted $825,000 to community and technical colleges across the cooperative’s 144-county territory, including $50,000 to Madison College. As announced in January, the organization has committed $1.9 million in grants and scholarships over the next five years with the goal of further developing agriculture’s workforce. This announcement represents the first of three rounds of grants being presented.
“Because Compeer clients often list workforce development among their highest concerns, our board agreed that vocational agriculture education should be a high priority for the fund,” said Greg Nelson, a Compeer Financial Director. “Our partners in higher education provide opportunities for young adults in rural communities every day, and we hope this support will enhance those training programs to prepare them for a successful future in agriculture.”
Madison College is one of four community and technical colleges in Wisconsin receiving these grant dollars. Madison College’s Agriculture Equipment Technology program will use the grant for equipment & technology, student recruitment & outreach. This includes support for equipment updates and additions, and student recruitment to expand enrollment.
Many of the grants help to enhance the hands-on learning and real-world experiences offered to agriculture students at these institutions.
These grants will directly impact the lives of students studying agriculture and agriculture related fields and help to enhance the curriculum offered by faculty members and instructors.
The colleges were selected as partners based on their agricultural education offerings, agriculture workforce development and geographic impact.
The Agriculture and Rural Initiative was created by the Compeer Financial Board of Directors in 2019 to make signature investments in programs and projects that directly address the needs of farmers and others who work in agriculture.
“Community and Technical colleges provide one-of-a-kind educational opportunities, which are focused on the needs and careers in those communities,” said Nelson, of Spring Valley, Wis., “These grants are part of Compeer’s commitment to champion rural, by supporting our clients and communities, creating sustainable and long-term success in the industry.”
Compeer Financial Media Contact:
Nora Nolden, Communications Consultant: nora.nolden@compeer.com or (651) 245-6804
Tiffany
I am currently enrolled in the Paramedic Associate’s Degree Program at Madison College. I work as an EMT-Basic for three fire departments right now, and becoming a Paramedic will allow me to provide more to my community, as well as enhance my skills. My career goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner. Becoming a Paramedic will allow me to take a bridge program to becoming a nurse. Eventually I will love to end up working as a Nurse Practitioner in an Emergency Room.
After graduating Madison College’s Paramedic program, I would like to enroll in their Nursing program. I will always continue to further my education and take continuing education classes, as I believe we should never stop learning. In the medical field, things are always changing, so continuing education is important!
As a student who has always taken classes and worked while going to school to be able to achieve my goals, I greatly appreciate being awarded a scholarship. This will definitely help me work towards my goals. Thank you!
Ryen
I am currently enrolled in the Accounting Program at Madison College. I plan to continue my education and earn my bachelor’s degree in Finance. I have a passion for investing and learning about trends in the stock market, especially in a crazy year like 2020 has been. My plans for after graduating from Madison College are to secure a full-time job in an accounting firm with hopes that I can continue my education on a part-time basis making progress towards a degree in Finance.
I come from a one-income family in that one parent works full-time and the other is not able to. My dad has a disability. Because my dad is not able to work, money has always been tight. Getting a scholarship helps my family tremendously! My mom works so hard to make sure that my sister and I get an education. Both of us are now in college so any support helps!
Thank you so much for believing in me. I’m excited to graduate and start my career.
Adaobi
I am currently taking prerequisite courses towards Microbiology and CNA to start higher course levels for a Nursing degree. My goal is to get my Associate Degree in Nursing at Madison college and then a bachelor degree. I have come a long way, doing the best I can and setting goals for myself to put everything I have into my education. My goal is to continue to do the best I can and making myself and people around me proud.
I am honored to be a scholarship recipient. Thank you for the generous support towards my education and I am so grateful. Thank you once again for getting me closer to my education, my career and my goals with this scholarship. It means so much to me and my family. I hope one day I will be able to help other students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.
Juan
I am a senior at La Follette High School. I’m going to be the first person in my family to go to college. I want to learn about construction and remodeling so in the future I can help my family and others. I like to use my hands to build things. I work hard in my classes to get good grades. I look forward to this opportunity of expanding my learning and attending MATC.
I am sincerely honored to have been selected as a scholarship recipient. As I complete my education at MATC , I am very thankful for receiving your thoughtful gift. Because of your scholarship I’ll continue to work very hard and eventually give back to others, and possibly a scholarship to future students like myself.
The Scholars of Promise program has moved under the umbrella of RISE (Retention Initiatives and Student Engagements), a division of the college dedicated to ensuring that students have support to thrive. Now students have more access to career and financial advising staff, wrap around services and mentoring. At the same time, recruitment work will be strengthened to ensure eligible students know about the program and receive any additional assistance they need. Many of the students who would benefit from this program need extra help navigating the necessary systems to apply and enroll in higher education. This move will strengthen the program.
Other RISE programs focus on Veterans, First Generations Students, Men of Color through Men of Excellence, and Scholars of Color, among others.
When Ciara started at Madison College she wasn’t sure where she would end up, and she definitely had no idea that she would work for the NFL with the Houston Texans.
Ciara Burgi was homeschooled until she was 17 in her hometown of Baraboo. Having never been to an in person school, Madison College was a safe and welcoming place to attend, allowing her to explore her interests knowing that she would be ok even if she failed at some things. But instead of failing, Madison College ended up being the perfect recipe for her success, leading her to the next right step. After two years at the college she found it easy to transfer to UW-Milwaukee, where she thrived following her training at Madison College. There she received her diploma in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. It wasn’t too long after that she decided to keep chasing her dream and applied to a PhD program at Duke University. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and then landed a dream job in the NFL with the Houston Texans as a Performance Assessment Coordinator.
She loves the job because not only does she get to be active and on her feet all day, while wearing workout clothes, but she also has a relationship focused job.
We are proud of you Ciara! Keep doing great things!
Madison College is a leader in racial justice and has always adapted to the changing needs across our district. In this past year, our community has reexamined our roles and actions and the role technical education plays in providing opportunities to our diverse communities. We strive to grow and sustain a culture where all people are valued for who they are and who they will become. At Madison College, differences are celebrated.
Companies big and small are also strengthening their commitment to diversity internally and through their community work. Partnering with the Madison College Foundation provides more opportunities to students of color and under-represented populations, partnering with those who have been diligent and sacrificed to change their future. This leads to a diverse, well-trained workforce and a better life for everyone.
If you are looking to invest in a diversity and inclusion, we would love to talk to you about the impact of a Madison College education on the diverse communities across our district area, and how you, your company or organization can be involved. Contact us here.
Madison College is committed to doing everything it can to provide affordable, accessible education for all. For spring 2021, 70% of the classes continue to be held virtual. The 30% of classes that do require in-person hands-on instruction are being held with new safety standards.
The pandemic has caused a lot of financial insecurities for college students and Madison College and the Foundation are providing Emergency Grants to help during this time. Together we are ensuring that all students have access to funds.