Released by Chippewa Valley Technical College on May 27, 2022.
EAU CLAIRE – Chippewa Valley Technical College is excited to announce that the Royal Credit Union Foundation has generously gifted $100,000 in support of the Emergency Service Education Center remodel and will have the honor of naming the student commons area. A check was presented before the CVTC District Board meeting Thursday.
“We are incredibly thankful to the RCU Foundation for its help in furthering our mission to deliver innovative, applied and flexible education for all learners,” said College President Sunem Beaton-Garcia. “Community partners like RCU are imperative in building and maintaining a community of highly-skilled members.”
Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Emergency Service Education Center, which houses programs like criminal justice, emergency medical technician, paramedic and firemedic, has been under reconstruction since 2021 following voters’ approval of a $48.8 million referendum to update facilities to meet the workforce needs of the region. Emergency Service Education Center is slated to be ready for the fall semester.
As referendum dollars support building construction and land costs, CVTC programs, faculty and staff are gearing up to ensure these spaces provide the best possible student training opportunities, said Holly Bembenek, CVTC Foundation major gifts officer. The campaign is a critical initiative to create financial support for up-to-date and expanded programming, equipment and other needs related to these projects. RCU is one of several generous businesses answering the call, she said.
“The RCU Foundation is proud to support training for the next generation of the emergency services workforce and continuing education for current local public safety professionals,” said RCU Foundation Board President John Sackett. “The RCU Foundation commons area in the facility will provide a welcoming environment and a collaborative learning space for all students.”
Bembenek said she is grateful for the support from RCU.
“The RCU Foundation has a strong history of supporting CVTC and our mission,” Bembenek said. “This generous donation will significantly enhance our ability to train the individuals that keep our communities safe. We are extremely grateful for their generosity and commitment to higher education and the communities we both serve.”
ABOUT CVTC: With 120+ programs, 38 certificates and 13 apprenticeships offered online and on-campus, Chippewa Valley Technical College delivers innovative, applied and flexible education that supports a diverse community of learners, improves the lives of students and adds value to our communities. CVTC programs are designed with the input of employers throughout the CVTC district to prepare graduates for today’s jobs with 92 percent employed within six months of graduation and associate degree graduates earning an average annual salary of $48,175.
ABOUT Royal Credit Union Foundation: The Foundation was established in 2012 to support organizations and initiatives in communities where Royal Credit Union operates in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. The Foundation focuses on large-scale, capital projects that help build community and create the spaces where people come together. Focus areas include education, health, and the arts. The Foundation hosts the annual Rock the Riverfront-Charity Classic event in Eau Claire. Currently, it has awarded more than $7 million in grants.
