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In the fall of 1999, a steering committee
was formed under the direction of Bruce Bradley (Iowa-Grant District Superintendent
at the time) for the purpose of establishing an Educational Foundation.
Members were Lois Alton, Peggy Biddick, Bob Bishop, Bruce Bradley, Richard
Bristol, Dennis Carr, Robert Day, Tammie Engelke, Glenda Faull, Francis
Fry, Ron Haas, David Kalish, Bob Klindt, Ellen Lindner, Tom Moffett, Jim
Neuendorf, Kelly Ritchie.
Mission statement and goals were adopted December 6, 1999.
"The IGEF will provide a vehicle through which caring and concerned
individuals, businesses, and civic, community and fraternal organizations
may contribute gifts of time, money, property and expertise to support
these activities:
1. To provide scholarships for graduating high school
seniors and work to ensure that I-G graduates receive encouragement and
have the opportunity to pursue education.
2. To support innovative and creative projects that inspire both I-G students
and teachers to achieve educational excellence within the I-G school district.
3.To provide ways to strengthen and support families and ensure that there
is continuity of education for all children in the I-G school district."
It was voted in May 2000 to affiliate with the Community
Foundation of Southern Wisconsin (CFSW) rather than incorporate as a stand
alone non-profit organization in the state of Wisconsin. Adoption of by-laws
occurred in June 2000 along with the first official election of officers.
- The Martha Klindt memorial was lovingly established
to satisfy the needs of any of the 3 goals. (2000)
- A brochure was developed and mailed to all residents
within the I-G district in December 2000 and distributed to agencies
and appropriate businesses in Grant and Iowa counties.
- The family of Millard "Mick" Gundlach, former
agriculture teacher at I-G and Southwest Technical College, Fennimore,
established an endowment of $10,000 in his name to be used for agriculture
scholarships. (Spring 2001)
- Five scholarships of $500 each were awarded in May
2001 to: Tanya Ley, Ashley Loy, Jessica Mueller, Jason Spurley and Sarah
Gerber.
- A silent auction was held at the local banks over a
2-month period in the summer of 2001 and raised $655 because of the
donation by Richard Bristol of his hand crafted wooden items.
- The Elmer Biddick Foundation gave $4000 in June of
2001 to be used to serve any of the 3 goals established by IGEF.
- Memorial scholarships for Connie Munson (2001) and
Mae Austin (2002) were lovingly established by their families.
- Five scholarships of $500 each were once again awarded
in May 2002 to the following graduating seniors: Jessica Kastner, Amber
Thompson, Ross Leix, Joseph Longenecker and Amy Schemak.
- The first grant in the educational enrichment category
was award in the fall of 2002. With this grant of $575, the sophomore
honors English class presented a Shakespeare puppet theatre to all students
in the elementary school. This connected to their experience of attending
the same play, "The Taming of the Shrew", at American Players
Theatre in Spring Green, recognized nationally as a premier outdoor
Shakespearian experience. The University of Wisconsin, Platteville,
provided them with authentic period costumes to complete the presentation.
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The Community Foundation of Southern
Wisconsin awarded IGEF a grant for the establishment of a web
site
to provide information to alumni and other interested people regarding
this foundation.
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Four scholarships of $500 each were
awarded in May 2003 to the following graduating seniors: Jason
Esser, Ashley Hooks,
Jay
Lindner & Jonathan Longenecker.
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In May of 2004, 4 Scholarships
were given graduating Seniors, Emily Knutson, Chad Kite, Meghan
McGuire & Josh Stanton.
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