When we asked Jerry why he is giving this generous gift, 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.”
Many students tell us they start to cry when they receive their scholarship award notification. For these students, financial assistance removes the significant barrier standing between them and their education, which opens doors to a stable future.
When Jerry Frautschi shared he would commit $1 Million dollars to name the Student Achievement Center at the Truax Campus, he asked that his gift be designated to support the foundation’s Smart Future Scholarship Fund. This fund supports students with the most needs, regardless of their background and the degree they are pursuing. Madison College Foundation CEO, Tammy Thayer, stated “the Smart Future Scholarship Fund allows the foundation to award more scholarships to students each year, and we are extremely grateful for this generous donation from Jerry Frautschi.”