MADISON, WI - February 14, 2018 - UW Credit Union is honored to support Madison College Foundation with a pledge of $50,000 to help fund the completion of the Madison College Goodman South Campus. A critical project milestone, the gift brings the total pledged from all sources to over $1 million, and will be applied toward a $3.5 million challenge grant issued by Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Affiliates. This milestone will help to position Madison College to raise $2.5 million in additional funds by March 31, 2018 in order to complete construction of a 75,000 square foot South campus at the intersection of Badger Road and Park Street.
The beginning phases of the project will include construction of a facility that has the capacity to serve nearly 6,500 individuals, including 3,000 students — triple the number of students who attend classes at the current site. The site will house learning spaces and student support services, and feature academic courses with a focus on STEM fields (science, health, IT), as well as business/marketing and entrepreneurship. The matching grant will support the completion of the expansion, offering student and social services and community-based organizations.
Continuing a tradition of community giving, the effort to foster continuous learning is one of UW Credit Union’s core values. “Since our founding in 1931, a belief that quality education is a vital link to economic wellbeing has been a part of our DNA,” says UW Credit Union President and CEO Paul Kundert. “We share the vision that this project is an important investment for the community — increasing the access of South Madison residents to Madison College and meeting the long-term workforce needs of growing companies.”
An important resource to help address social, racial and economic disparities in Dane County, the facility can provide a means of economic empowerment for the residents of south and southwest Madison. “We’re excited to be part of an initiative that will benefit not just the South Madison community but the entire region,” says Director of Community Partnerships Jaimes Johnson. “Providing this type of educational accessibility to residents of south Madison will truly change the potential for that community”.
The donation illustrates UW Credit Union’s well-established partnership with Madison College to promote access to education and improve overall student success. The south Madison location will help economically disadvantaged students to pursue higher education and attain career goals, demonstrating the commitment of UW Credit Union to improve educational opportunities and economic stability in the community we serve.
“It is gratifying to know that there are organizations such as UW Credit Union who share our belief that the success of our communities is a foremost priority,” says Madison College President, Jack E. Daniels III. “Their generosity will help us realize our vision for a safe place where people can attend college, engage in meaningful conversations and gather as members of a community that is vibrant, strong and educated.”
About UW Credit Union
UW Credit Union is a growing, federally insured financial institution and a leading provider of a full range of financial services to University of Wisconsin communities. UW Credit Union's 515 employees serve the financial needs of more than 239,000 members through world-class technology systems, and through a convenient network of 25 branch locations and over 100 ATMs. With assets totaling $2.5 billion, UW Credit Union is ranked nationally among the leading credit unions. Founded more than 85 years ago by members of the University of Wisconsin community, UW Credit Union continues to operate as a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with locations in the Madison, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Whitewater and La Crosse areas. Visit UW Credit Union at uwcu.org to learn more.
About Madison College
With associate degrees, technical diplomas and certificates in nearly 150 programs, Madison Area Technical College serves nearly 35,000 students throughout a 12-county, 223-municipality district in southcentral Wisconsin. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Madison College has earned national distinction for providing “Real-world Smart” education through a comprehensive curriculum that includes technical and general education programs, adult basic education, continuing education, and customized training for employers. It is the second-largest school in the Wisconsin Technical College System and the greatest source of transfer students to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information, visit www.madisoncollege.edu.