Friends of NWTC Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 10

Your donation can change a life. Please visit nwtc.edu/GiveNow or call 920-498-5541 Mayer loves being a mom of four children. She worked hard and graduated from NWTC without student loans, which she probably would have needed without a scholarship. “It was two years, but a tough two years,” Mayer said. “You’re just so proud of yourself. I don’t know how I did it, but I did it.” Following graduation, Mayer continued her nursing career at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, where she has been for over 20 years. She is a registered nurse in radiology. “I love helping people and making them feel better and helping them through hard times,” Mayer said. Her true love and passion is at home with her family. “I love being a mom,” Mayer said. “I have four kids and that is what I wanted.” To the donor who showed Mayer someone was behind her and believed in her, she is forever grateful. “To take some of that burden off of you at that point in your life when your stress level is so high and you’re working so hard to get over this hump of education and to get to that career path, I mean, there are no words. [I am] so grateful,” Mayer said. Seeing students work hard, graduate, live their dreams and stay in this community is at the heart of everything the Foundation does at NWTC. “Everyone in Northeast Wisconsin deserves access to higher education, regardless of their financial situation and life circumstances,” NWTC Educational Foundation Director Crystal Harrison said. “All of this would not be possible without all our dedicated donors, board members and College Advancement and Foundation staff. Their commitment to our students is making college a reality for someone who may have not believed it was an option.” “The Foundation has played a very critical role in the growth of the College,” NWTC President Jeff Rafn said. It was two years but a tough two years. You’re just so proud of yourself. I don’t know how I did it, but I did it. Dani Mayer NWTC Nursing Graduate In 2010, NWTC created the Student Emergency Fund with donations from the NWTC Educational Foundation. SEF is short-term financial assistance for students who run into unforeseen financial emergencies, so they can focus on their studies and earn a credential that will lead to a living wage. Last year, the Foundation provided $1,150,000 to help ensure student success. Receiving a scholarship or emergency funding can be crucial to completing a semester. “Investing in our students can start a chain reaction that leads to stronger communities and a healthier economy,” Harrison said. As the college grew, so has student need. About 40% of NWTC students are low-income. Looking back, it is hard to believe a simple apple sale grew to transform lives and the northeastern Wisconsin community. “The Foundation has also supported the Shared Harvest food program, providing food to students,” Rafn said. Other special programs allow some students to access childcare that allows them to come to the College. “The community is the primary benefactor of all that NWTC provides,” Langer said. “I really think we have a richer community just by having the NWTC Educational Foundation and this college in it.” 10 \ FRIENDS OF NWTC