Contact: Conor Smyth, Public Information Officer
Wisconsin Technical College System
(608) 266-2991
conor.smyth@wtcsystem.edu
Madison, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and Madison College honored American Family Insurance Tuesday evening for its commitment to technical education and recognition of its value to individuals, employers and Wisconsin communities. The WTCS Futuremaker Partner award recognizes the unique, dynamic partnerships between Wisconsin’s technical colleges and their employer partners.
“American Family Insurance represents the best of our Wisconsin companies that actively engage their communities and help to develop tomorrow’s workforce,” said S. Mark Tyler, WTCS Board President. “This award has recognized many of Wisconsin’s leading companies, so we’re proud to honor American Family as our Futuremaker Partner,” Tyler said.
American Family’s partnership with Madison College has taken many forms. Affectionately referred to by college leaders and staff as AmFam, the company has long encouraged its team to serve as active members of the college’s program advisory committees. These committees ensure the industry relevance of curriculum, as well as the preparedness of graduates, from programs like Administrative Assistant, Business Management, Collision Repair, IT Programming and Mobile App Development, Web Design, Risk Management & Insurance, Marketing, and Meeting & Event Management. As a direct result of these deep connections, American Family also has a long history of hiring Madison College graduates, recently counting as many as 400 staff members who are alumni of the college.
Most recently, the American Family Dreams Foundation provided $1.3 million – its largest single gift to date – for the purchase of property for the college’s new south campus. With its investment in education and training for south Madison communities, AmFam is helping to address persistent issues related to education achievement gaps, workforce preparedness and poverty.This gift follows other strategic investments in the college and its students, including generous support for establishing the college’s first Math Learning Lab, the Student Achievement Center and individual student scholarships.
“We’re proud to accept this award from the Wisconsin Technical College System, recognizing American Family Insurance as a Futuremaker Partner,” said Bill Westrate, president of American Family Insurance. “Throughout our 90-year history, we’ve been committed to supporting the communities where we live, work and do business. We know education is a pathway to success and achieving dreams, and we’re pleased to be a partner with Wisconsin’s technical colleges, including Madison College, who make quality and affordable education possible for so many.”
Madison College President Dr. Jack E. Daniels, III praised the college’s more than 40-year partnership with American Family Insurance. He pointed to the company’s generous financial and other support, including student scholarships, program and curriculum development, and facility improvements. “We’re honored to recognize AmFam’s rich history of support for Madison College, our students and the entire Madison community,” Daniels said.
As the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, a Fortune 500 company and a major employer in Dane County, American Family has a tremendous economic impact on the entire region.
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ABOUT WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM: The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) offers more than 400 programs awarding two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas and certificates. In addition, the System is the major provider of customized business solutions and technical assistance to Wisconsin employers. More than 326,000 individuals access the technical colleges each year. Learn more at www.wtcsystem.edu.
ABOUT AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE: Madison-based American Family Insurance, celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2017, is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group and ranks No. 315 on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General, Homesite and AssureStart) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone. Learn more at: www.amfam.com.
