$4.5M W. Jerome Frautschi gift elevates Madison College students’ success

The Frautschi Family Pathway Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 with a $1 million gift from W. Jerome Frautschi. This new $4.5 million commitment furthers the initial vision to support students with the greatest financial need, regardless of background or program of study, helping them to graduate with the skills and training needed for a prosperous future.

When we asked Jerry why he gave the initial gift to start this fund, he said,

“My grandfather, Emil Frautschi, always recognized and valued the positive outcomes that a technical school education can have on individuals and their community.

He was a shining example that a four-year college degree isn’t required to become successful. With only a grade school education, he became a very prominent Madison businessman, and the first president of the Madison Vocational and Adult Education School Board.

In 1960, Emil Frautschi established the first bequest to the College that has since enabled hundreds of students to pursue training and education beyond high school. Since that time, the Frautschi family has proudly supported Madison College, and with this gift, I am honored to continue that important tradition.”

Madison College Foundation Chief Executive Officer Bryan Woodhouse emphasized the impact the donation will have on students and the communities where they will build careers.

“At the heart of this visionary gift are our students—their dreams, determination, and futures,” Woodhouse says. “We are deeply moved and incredibly grateful to Mr. Frautschi. This gift affirms the power of education to transform lives, ensuring more students can stay in school, graduate, and build better lives for themselves and their families.”

“We are profoundly thankful for this visionary act of generosity. This gift doesn’t just open doors for students—it builds a legacy of opportunity that will endure far into the future” said Katie Hottmann, President of the Madison College Foundation Board.

Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne also expressed the college’s deepest gratitude for this extraordinary support.

“This gift has significant power,” Berne says. “It removes the upfront barrier of cost, which we know is a deciding factor in whether someone pursues higher education, and it stays with students across four semesters, helping them stay enrolled and finish what they start. These barriers are rarely one-time events, so to have a scholarship that recognizes and responds to that reality is essential — and quite literally life-changing.”