Each year, we recognize the contributions of individuals and corporations who give generously of their time and resources to help the Foundation support public education in La Crosse.

The following awards were presented on March 8, 2021 at the Foundation’s Grants Award Ceremony. See a full video of the presentations here.

Corporate Partner in Education Award – Mathy Construction

For its deep commitment to public education and children’s charities, LPEF presented its Corporate Partner in Education Award to Mathy Construction.

Mathy Construction Company, founded in 1945, is an asphalt paving company based in Onalaska. Since its beginning, Mathy has maintained long-held values of demonstrating integrity and excellence in its work. The company has a tradition of helping to build strong communities and the Mathy family and its employees are proud of that culture.

When Taylor Mathy was asked to comment on the company’s involvement with LPEF and other charities, she was characteristically modest. She said simply: “We give back because we believe it is the right thing to do. We are committed to the greater good of our communities and support programs in the following categories: education, children, families or individuals in need, and healthcare.”

Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award – Rachel Gundersen

In recognition of her passionate support for the La Crosse public schools – and for her service to the community and LPEF – this year’s Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award was presented to Rachel Gundersen.

Gundersen is a retired school psychologist and joined the LPEF Board during the foundation’s second year, in 1989. She quickly took on leadership roles as vice president and eventually Board president. In addition to her six years as a member of the LPEF Board, she was president of the La Crosse League of Women Voters and was involved in the La Crosse Community Theatre and with the Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse, among many other efforts.

She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Logan High School, and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison. She moved with her husband, Cameron, as he completed his medical training before they returned to La Crosse to raise five sons: Cameron Jr., Gregg, Adolf, Roald and Joshua. As her children aged, Gundersen became aware of increasing pressures on young people in the community and “wanted to help kids lead a healthy lifestyle.” She returned to school at UW-La Crosse and received her school psychology degree, joining the School District of La Crosse in 1978 as a school psychologist. She worked in several schools, including returning to Logan High, before retiring in 1993.

In 2018, she created an endowment fund that supports an annual grant related to theater, dance, music and visual art forms, or to support projects in literature, languages, global studies, geography, history, law or a host of other topics in the humanities.

Richard Swantz Leadership Award – Laura Huber

In recognition of strong leadership of Northside Elementary and Coulee Montessori, including promoting equity through a community school model, and for inspiring staff to be trauma-informed educators who help children feel safe and supported, this year’s Richard Swantz Leadership Award was presented to Laura Huber.

Huber joined the School District of La Crosse in 2010 after getting her start as a teacher and assistant principal in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She played a leadership role in combining the old Franklin and Roosevelt schools, and led the formation of a new school that opened in 2014 as a home for Northside Elementary and Coulee Montessori Charter School.

Since 2014, she has developed strong partnerships between the school and the community, and helped spearhead the implementation of a community school model at Northside in 2018. The school also has embraced the year-round school calendar, and Huber took a special interest in a collaborative project with UW-La Crosse to create a staff that is trauma-informed and takes extra steps to understand the challenges faced by Northside children and families. Huber has announced her retirement, effective at the end of this school year.

2020 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on Jan. 21, 2020 at the Foundation’s Grants Award Luncheon.

Richard Swantz Leadership Award — Mark White

For his strong leadership in the School District of La Crosse as a principal, administrator and advocate for teachers, student success and parent involvement, Mark White was named as the initial recipient of the Richard Swantz Leadership Award.

The LPEF Board recently renamed this annual award in honor of Swantz, who was a co-founder of LPEF and the longest-serving superintendent of schools in La Crosse history. In announcing the recognition, LPEF Board Secretary Kathie Tyser said: “I truly can think of no better person to name a public education leadership award for than this man.” She noted that her former boss “was a force!”

Swantz’s son, Tony, a teacher in Fort Atkinson, represented the family at the luncheon and said he and his mother were grateful for the recognition for Dick Swantz, who died in October 2019 at the age of 84. “No greater honor could be bestowed. It’s bittersweet, but it’s awesome. It’s the most important work you can do — to teach. It’s that simple.”

Mark White was selected as “a proven leader who brings calm, competent, collaborative leadership wherever he is.” He is currently Director of Human Resources, but previously served for 26 years as a principal, primarily at Hintgen Elementary School.

He also was very involved in state and national organizations, including serving as president of the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators in 2003-04, and as president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals in 2014-15.

In accepting the award, Mark credited Dick Swantz for giving him a chance to serve as a principal — and Randy Nelson for choosing him for his current role in human resources. He joked that “both of them did manage to teach me perseverance, because it took three times for Dick to get it right, and two times for Randy … eventually, they saw the light.”

Mark said he has tried to keep his focus on two things: doing what he thought was right for children, and remembering “that teachers are the superstars in this enterprise that we are in.” He thanked his family for their support and said he has been blessed to work with a great staff.

Richard Swantz Leadership Award — Randy Nelson

In recognition of servant leadership to La Crosse schools through a focus on community involvement and the values of relationship building and educational equity, a special Richard Swantz Leadership Award was presented to Randy Nelson, who is retiring in June after nine years as superintendent of the School District of La Crosse.

The award was presented as a surprise to Randy Nelson at the annual Grants Award Luncheon, with the introduction provided by Dave Skogen, chairman of the board of Festival Foods. Dave Skogen is a friend to Randy and a great supporter of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation.

Dave began his remarks by noting the energy in the room from the teachers and others in the crowd of 275. “I’ve been up here before … there is a special bond here that is hard to explain. You guys have so much energy, and so much love and appreciation and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

He noted that Randy Nelson has spent 37 years in education, including 12 in the School District of La Crosse. He described Randy as “a servant leader who puts other people’s needs before his own. He understands that titles or money do not motivate people. What motivates people is seeing opportunities, and seeing the results of those opportunities, and knowing that you made a difference. Randy made a big  difference.”

Dave noted many of the accomplishments of the past nine years, including expansion of charter and choice programs, launch of the AVID college-readiness program, expansion of the Health Science Academy, and a referendum to build Northside Elementary School. The most lasting impact, Dave said, will be the result of Randy’s efforts to put the District on a path to more equitable opportunity for all students.

He recalled when a Central student was shot and killed in 2015 just before the start of school. In addition to raising funds to cover funeral costs that the family could not afford, Randy put together group of 40-50 community people to welcome the staff at the annual Back to School Welcome. “We’re all on stage, and we all had like 15 seconds to welcome them back,” Dave recalled. “That took courage, that took organization, that took leadership and Randy’s got it in spades.”

He added: (Randy) “understands that he was in the relationship business.  … He understood his success would not be defined by what he did, but what he got done through other people.”

In accepting the award, Randy Nelson said: “I can’t think of being more honored at this point than to be introduced by Dave Skogen, who has become a friend, and I’ve learned so much from him and from others in this community who have led in so many unselfish ways, and have really put one step forward in front of the other to help children, to help families.

“This community is absolutely something that I have never seen prior to coming here. My past experience would be that it would be difficult to marshal the kinds of support necessary to really make things happen. We have a long way to go in this school district, we have a long way to go in this community. It’s truly going to be about equity for all, to have a level playing field. And so I hope that we have at least set the stage so that more discussion can happen about that. More opportunities can happen. More resources can be put into place so that we can actually level the playing field.”

Randy concluded: “I do believe that in many ways the system is rigged … I don’t believe it’s always just as easy as someone pulling up their bootstraps. Our system is rigged against some people. And it’s time to fix it. And if we are to have anything to do with this in La Crosse, I challenge all of us to be brave enough to look inside, and be brave enough to look around, and acknowledge the piece of that that we own, and do something about it.”

Corporate Partner In Education Award — Trust Point

For its deep commitment to public education and childrens’ charities, LPEF presented its 2020 Corporate Partner in Education Award to Trust Point.

At the 2019 Grants Award Luncheon, Kent Handel, president and CEO of Trust Point, was the featured speaker and talked about his passion for children and education. “School is a place where lives can be changed,” Kent said. He talked about why Trust Point believes in investing in the local community, why that is good for business, and how building better lives for people is a core value for company employees.

Trust Point is not the largest organization in town. They have a total of 80 employees among offices in La Crosse, Eau Claire and Minneapolis. But they punch well above their weight, with employees involved in nearly 90 nonprofit organizations and volunteering 3,900 hours last year.

They back up their volunteer time with generous donations. For example, in just the last two years, Trust Point has donated more than $43,000 to support North Woods International School, covering critical start-up costs associated with the implementation of the International Baccalaureate program. Due in part to Trust Point’s leadership, a number of other organizations have stepped up this past year to join the LPEF Adopt-a-School program – providing volunteer help, classroom snacks, and other donations to support local schools.

Speaking on behalf of Trust Point, Assistant Vice President Regina Siegel said the company’s commitment starts at the top with Kent Handel: “We believe in the importance of giving back to the community in which we live, work and serve. We’re confident that one of the best investments we can make is within our schools, and we’re pleased that many businesses in our community continue to embrace that philosophy as well. … We do not take our obligation to serve lightly.”

She said the Trust Point staff had been deeply touched by relationships with children and staff at North Woods and recently at Hamilton Elementary School. “Our collective eyes and hearts have been opened. You continue to inspire us.”

She concluded: “The School District of La Crosse, in partnership with the La Crosse Public Education Foundation, is doing absolutely amazing things every day.”

Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award — Tammy Larson

In recognition of her passionate support for La Crosse public schools, and for her service to the community and the La Crosse Public Education Foundation – the 2020 Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Tammy Larson.

Tammy served with distinction for seven years as an LPEF Board member. She is a past president, vice president and treasurer, and was a tireless volunteer during a time of growth for the organization. Her term ended in December. Tammy was quick to volunteer to help at LPEF events, such as the Bowtie Classic golf outing or the annual State Bank Financial Chili Cook Off.

She is a past chair of the LPEF Grants Committee and has served seven years on that committee. She will continue to serve on the committee even after leaving the LPEF Board.

Tammy is the Chief Risk Officer at Coulee Bank and is a graduate of UW-La Crosse with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA. She and her husband, Jon, a teacher at Longfellow Middle School, have two children in La Crosse public schools.

In accepting the award, Tammy said it had been an honor to serve and she knows the Board has many dedicated individuals continuing to serve. “Most importantly, I want to thank all of the teachers and staff today of the School District of La Crosse for everything they do to enrich the lives of our students.”

2019 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on Jan. 18, 2019 at the Foundation’s Grants Award Luncheon.

Corporate Partner In Education Award — Fowler & Hammer

For its deep commitment to public education and childrens’ charities, LPEF presented its 2019 Corporate Partner in Education Award to Fowler & Hammer.

For more than 55 years, Fowler & Hammer has been helping build our community and many others throughout the Midwest – serving as a general contractor on public buildings and schools, offices and retail space, health care facilities, industrial plants and even churches.

But the company’s work goes much beyond high-quality construction. They have been laying a different kind of foundation – providing a great place for people to work, offering customers the special attention each one deserves, and helping improve the quality of life in La Crosse and beyond.

In particular, Fowler & Hammer has been a great friend to education and a supporter of childrens’ charities. The company and its leaders have been consistent supporters of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation and the La Crosse schools, donating funds to support everything from Gold Star Grants, to the start-up of the AVID college readiness program and recently to help pay the cost of Spanish-speaking interns at North Woods International School.

Speaking on behalf of Fowler & Hammer, Sue Christopherson said: “We have always believed that education is the glue that holds our society together. Education will secure our future as a free and prosperous nation.”

She added: “Fowler & Hammer shares many values with the teachers, staff and administrators of the School District of La Crosse. We use our talents and resources to construct buildings. We built a number of schools here – North Woods, Southern Bluffs, put additions onto Central, Logan. So we’re still invested in all of this. You teachers, the educators, the staff and administration use your talents and resources to build and empower our future generations. And what can be more important than that?”

Leadership Award — Dirk Hunter

For his innovative leadership in the transformation of Summit Elementary into Summit Environmental School, the Leadership Award was presented to Dirk Hunter. It is hard for words to capture the energy and enthusiasm that Dirk brings to his job as principal of Summit Environmental School.

Even while battling health issues in recent years, he has brought a unique blend of ideas, vision and passion for educating young children to his job at Summit, where he has been principal since 1992. Those who worked with Dirk in developing and implementing a vision for an environmental school at Summit can testify to all of the extra effort he gave to building a staff and exploring new collaborations with the community, including seeking out critical grant funding.

Dirk is a leader of leaders, providing a model of excellence for his colleagues throughout the School District of La Crosse. He is a strategic thinker and a gifted educator who senses what is needed and frames up a plan to make it happen. Perhaps most of all, he  demonstrates a genuine love of students and the people around him – and has a unique ability to find some fun and humor in it all.

In accepting the award, Dirk said: “Any time we receive any personal success, it’s really a reflection of so many people that supported us along the way.” He told several humorous stories about past colleagues and saluted many staff members who joined him for the celebration.

He quoted from Jim Collins, author of the book “Good to Great,” and said that people “have a fundamental need to belong to something they can be proud of. They have the fundamental need for guiding values and a sense of purpose to give their lives and work meaning.” Dirk added: “I believe effective leaders, effective organizations and effective people consistently demonstrate this purpose. The sense of purpose that’s recognizable. It’s always recognizable in how it looks and how it sounds and how it feels.”

“The La Crosse Public Education Foundation certainly has a clear set of guiding values and purpose. The opportunities they provide for teachers in our District extend the learning for our students, helps provide our teaching staff with a sense of purpose and meaning. … These grants provide them with a sense of purpose and meaning in what they do every day. I think that’s pretty neat. And in turn, our students connect the purpose to their learning. Right? And more importantly, a desire to learn. … These grants are making a difference.”

Dirk concluded by thanking the donors who make the grants possible. “Through your support, I hope it provides you with a sense of purpose and meaning and gives your lives and work meaning as well.”

Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award — Carol Taebel

In recognition of her passionate support for teachers – and for her service to the community and LPEF – the 2019 Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Carol Taebel.

When Carol Taebel was growing up in the Chicago area, she says she had a wonderful 4th grade teacher named Mrs. Kelly. For years afterward, Carol wanted to be a 4th grade teacher. She fulfilled that dream and became an elementary school teacher, including 15 years at Harry Spence Elementary School in the School District of La Crosse. She taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grades …. but she’s quick to say that teaching 4th grade was always her favorite. As Carol says, in 4th grade, the students still love their teacher.

Although she retired some time ago, Carol never gave up her love for teaching or teachers. Her family fund at the La Crosse Community Foundation provides funds for an annual grant awarded to a school, with a preference for projects at Spence, where she taught. In addition, for the past four years, Carol has been supporting LPEF’s annual Thank a Teacher Day event, paying the cost of delivering baked goods and fresh fruit to nearly 1,000 district employees across 15 school buildings on that day. Now Carol has set up a new permanent designated fund at the La Crosse Community Foundation called the Carol Taebel “Thank a Teacher” Fund. It will generate an annual grant to LPEF to be used in supporting teacher appreciation activities, such as the annual Thank a Teacher Day.

Carol has been an inspiration and volunteer contributor to many causes in the La Crosse community, including serving as Mrs. Oktoberfest in 1986. Her daughter, Heidi Morris, is an English Language Learners teacher at North Woods International School. Her son, David Taebel, teaches at Holmen Middle School. A third son, Scott, is a Milwaukee-area attorney.

Carol and her husband, Duane, who passed away in 2005, moved to La Crosse when he became a gastroenterologist at Gundersen Health System.

In accepting the award, Carol said: “I think all of this applause should be given to all of you out there. I have been a teacher. I know how hard you work. I know how much money you put into your classrooms. I know how creative you are. And I just want to thank you and tell you how proud I am to be representing you.”

She told a story of receiving flowers recently from a friend and explained the card had a simple message: “Here was a bouquet from a dear friend of mine. And she had written … ‘A great teacher keeps giving’ … and that’s what I plan to do.”

2018 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on Jan. 22, 2018 at the Foundation’s Grants Award Luncheon.

Corporate Partner In Education Award — Coulee Bank

Coulee Bank has been a strong partner with the La Crosse Public Education Foundation since its inception nearly 30 years ago, and one person has been there throughout that time. Chief Executive Officer Brad Sturm was an early Board member of LPEF, joining the Board in 1990 and serving six years, including the last three years as treasurer. Brad was succeeded on the Board by a series of Coulee Bank leaders, including: Dirk R. Gasterland (1996-1998); Tim Kolek (1998-2003); Libby Berg (2009-2012); and most recently Tammy Larson (2013 to present), who is a past president and current treasurer of LPEF.

Coulee Bank started in 1961 with one branch in La Crosse, and has now grown to five branches, located in La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen, Rochester, and St. Paul, Minn.

Coulee Bank is a consistent supporter of LPEF, including sponsoring this luncheon, and also as a past presenting sponsor of the Bowtie Classic. In addition to its exemplary support of public education, Coulee Bank supports a number of children’s charities, including:  Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7 Rivers Region; Junior Achievement; Boy Scouts of America; Girl Scouts; Stepping Stones; Toys for Tots; Family Service of Rochester, Minn.; Hiawatha Homes in Rochester; and the East Side Learning Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Leadership Award — Joe Ledvina

Joe Ledvina is a steward of taxpayer dollars, and a champion of public education. He earned the 2018 Leadership Award for his dedication to maintaining and improving buildings and grounds in the School District of La Crosse, and for his fundraising efforts on behalf of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation, most notably in support of the Charlie Miller Bowtie Classic & Knowledge Open.

Joe joined the District in 2001 and was promoted to be Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds in 2008. Among other projects, he oversaw construction of the first new school building in La Crosse in 20 years, culminating in the dedication of the $15.7 million Northside Elementary School in Fall 2014. His department is responsible for 14 school buildings, plus administrative and storage facilities, and is dedicated to providing a safe, caring, and well-maintained environment for students, staff, and the community.

A native of Bettendorf, Iowa, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Nancy, and they will soon celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.   After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Joe and Nancy moved to La Crosse and Joe completed his degree at UW-La Crosse. He worked at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center before joining the District. Joe and Nancy have three children, Stefanie, Stacie, and Ryan — all proud graduates of the La Crosse public schools. The couple has two grandchildren and is expecting a third in February.

Joe was elected to three terms as District 15 representative on the La Crosse Common Council and served as Council President before resigning in 2008 following his School District promotion. Joe also has served on many community boards and professional committees, including being co-chair of the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials Facilities Committee, and also as State Road Elementary PTO president.

Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award — Tom and Judy Sleik

Since the inception of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation in 1988, Tom & Judy Sleik have been among the most key, and most loyal, supporters. For their longtime service to LPEF and to the larger community, they were recognized with the 2018 Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award.

Tom, now an attorney emeritus with the firm of Hale, Skemp, Hanson, Skemp & Sleik, drafted the articles of incorporation and other founding documents for LPEF in 1988 and 1989. He was elected to the original Board of Directors and served five years. His dedication to public schools includes a stint on the Board of Education (1973-77), and even one year as president of the State Road Elementary PTO. He also has a long track record of other community service, including being Campaign Chair of the Greater La Crosse Area United Way, and President of the Gateway Area Council Boy Scouts of America. He is a current member of the Board of the La Crosse Community Foundation, and was the 2001 Oktoberfest Festmaster.

Judy was an elementary school teacher with the School District of La Crosse for 22 years before retiring in 2008; almost all of her time was spent as a 5th-grade teacher at Emerson Elementary. She has just completed six years as a Board member of LPEF, including four years as Board Secretary.

Tom and Judy’s daughters, Jennifer, Julia and Joanna, all attended State Road School, Lincoln Middle School, and Central High School.  They graduated in 1988, 1991, and 1994 respectively.

2017 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on Jan. 16, 2017 at the Foundation’s Grants Award Luncheon.

Corporate Partner In Education Award — Festival Foods and Dave and Barb Skogen

The La Crosse Public Education Foundation’s Corporate Partner in Education award is presented annually to a business with a deep commitment to public education in our community. Festival Foods is a most deserving recipient — and that’s in large part due to two very special people, Dave & Barb Skogen.

Festival Foods shows its commitment to the community in so many ways, and the School District of La Crosse has been a major beneficiary of support. That includes helping LPEF with its classroom grants and other programs. Festival and the Skogen family have provided funding for AVID, for the Equity Institute, for the field turf project at Logan High and for many other projects. Dave Skogen has gone out of his way to help with other events – even providing brats for all of the staff last fall at our back-to-school welcome.

In addition, Festival and the Skogens support other area schools and many critical charities, such as the Boys & Girls Club; Family and Children’s Center; La Crosse Area YMCA; Boy Scouts; and the list goes on and on. They give both of their time and treasure.

Leadership Award — Annette O’Hern

The Leadership Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated great service, passion, and leadership in support of our public schools. This year’s recipient is Annette O’Hern. Annette joined the School District of La Crosse in 1988 as a business education teacher at Logan High School. She served for many years as the District’s School-to-Work Coordinator before becoming Supervisor of Career & Choice Education in 2013. She has just completed her second term on the Board of the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce.

Annette was instrumental in partnering with Gundersen Health System, Mayo Clinic and others in creating the Health Science Academy, which is now in its 8^th year and includes more than 100 students from eight different area high schools. She is passionate about many things, but perhaps none more than the Health Science Academy partnership with Gundersen Global Partners – which has grown to include a special relationship with three tribal schools on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. When you travel with Annette to Pine Ridge, you see the love she has for the people there – and the love they have for her.

Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award — Gregory Bonney

This award is presented in recognition of service to the community and to the La Crosse Public Education Foundation. The 2017 recipient is Gregory Bonney. For those of you who have served on nonprofit Boards, you all know the value of a Board member like Greg Bonney. Smart. Committed to the mission. Always willing to step up to help – whether it be serving chili at the Chili Cook Off, dodging golf balls at the Bowtie Classic, or overseeing the Board and organization during a time of transition in leadership.

Greg grew up in Prairie du Chien and graduated from Luther College, before receiving his law degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul. He joined Johns, Flaherty and Collins in 1987, where his practice consists primarily of estate and business planning, probate and real estate law. He served two years as president of the LPEF Board, and we even used a loophole in the bylaws to keep him on for a seventh year of service.

2016 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on Jan. 18, 2016 at the Foundation’s Grants Award Luncheon.

Corporate Partner In Education Award — The Insurance Center

This award is presented to a business with a deep commitment to public education in our community, including support for the La Crosse Public Education Foundation. The 2016 recipient is one of LPEF’s Corporate Investors, The Insurance Center, which was founded by Tim Johnson’s father in 1972 and has grown to 12 offices, including 10 in Wisconsin. In addition to support for LPEF, The Insurance Center has supported more than 40 other community organizations with a special emphasis on children’s charities like Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Museum, Family & Children’s Center, Parenting Place and many others. Accepting the award was Tim Johnson, president of The Insurance Center. He was joined by his wife and co-owner, Laura Johnson, who is a former member of the LPEF Board.

Leadership Award — Jeff Fleig

The Leadership Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated great service, passion, and leadership in support of our public schools. The 2016 recipient is Jeff Fleig, principal at Central High School. Jeff has worked at La Crosse Central the past 12 years and is in his fifth year as principal. Last year, Jeff was the featured presenter at this luncheon, introducing all of us to AVID – a college-readiness program that is making a major difference in the lives of high school students at both Central and Logan high school. Jeff played a key role in bringing AVID to the School District of La Crosse and serves as district director for the program.

But Jeff’s leadership efforts go well beyond AVID. He is a true “learning leader” for his staff at Central High School, continually looking for ways to build the capacity of individual staff members by building on their strengths. He embraces his leadership role with students, helping transform the climate at Central, whether it’s through “lip dub” shows or his commitment to diversity and social justice.

Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award — Jerry Kember

This award is presented in recognition of service to the community and to the La Crosse Public Education Foundation. The 2016 recipient — Jerry Kember — is one of those rare individuals who generated respect, and even love, from the District staff, even while setting high expectations. He began his career in 1970 and since that time has taught music to elementary, middle and high school students. He spent 22 years as an administrator in the School District of La Crosse, including 10 years as Supervisor of Fine Arts, finishing with eight years as superintendent of schools. He built a strong team and was known as a collaborator and servant leader.

Since retirement from La Crosse Schools he has been teaching at UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University. He serves on various boards, including chairing the La Crosse Promise Future Center Committee. In 2010 he was recognized as Wisconsin’s Superintendent of the Year.  In 2011, he was presented the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award and that same year was selected to represent La Crosse as the Oktoberfest Festmaster.  And finally, in 2013 Jerry was named the Boys & Girls Club 2013 Advocate for Youth.  He annually helps LPEF with the Charlie Miller Bowtie Classic Golf Outing and Knowledge Open, where he relishes the role of selling raffle tickets and promoting the mission of the Foundation.

2015 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on Jan. 19, 2015 at the Foundation’s Grants Award Luncheon.

Corporate Partner In Education Award — Bremer Bank La Crosse

This award is presented to a business with a deep commitment to public education in our community. While the 2015 recipient is a relative newcomer, many of its key leaders are not. Bremer Bank La Crosse has already demonstrated an impressive commitment to the community, supporting the efforts of its majority owner, the Otto Bremer Foundation, to invest a large portion of bank profits back into local communities. The Otto Bremer Foundation has awarded a $125,000 grant to support implementation of AVID in the School District of La Crosse.

Accepting the award were Dale Walter, president of Bremer Bank La Crosse. He was joined by Mark Carpenter, senior business banker, Dyanne Brudos, wealth management advisor, and Ann Abraham, treasury management officer.

 

Leadership Award — Steve Michaels

This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated great service, passion, and leadership in support of our public schools. This year’s recipient is Steve Michaels, principal at Hamilton Elementary/SOTA I and also district director of fine arts for the School District of La Crosse. Steve is an innovative leader and tireless promoter of fine arts in the district – and in the community. He is unwavering in his support of the Public Education Foundation – and frankly, one of its most frequent grant recipients, a testimony to his creativity. He was a backbone to last year’s successful Compassion Project.

Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award — Ann Fowler

This award is presented in recognition of service to the community and to the La Crosse Public Education Foundation. Ann Fowler has just completed six years on the foundation board, where she served on nearly every committee and also as board president. She too was a driving force in the Compassion Project and continues to lead efforts to keep the spirit of the project alive. She has been willing to take on any project – but hesitant to take any credit. She is active in the community in many ways, including as a volunteer in schools, in the Lincoln PTO and now at Logan High.

 

 

 

2014 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on January 20, 2014 at the Foundation’s Grants Award Luncheon and 25th Anniversary Celebration:

 

 

2013 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on January 21, 2013 at the Foundation’s Grants  Awards Luncheon:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on January 23, 2012 at the Foundation’s Grants  Awards Luncheon:

Influential Individual — Dr. Charles Miller III, presented posthumously and accepted by former Superintendent of Schools Richard Swantz

Outstanding Volunteer — Allison Lee

Corporate Investor — Mayo Clinic Health System

2011 Award Winners

The following awards were presented on January 24, 2011 at the Foundation’s Grants  Awards Luncheon:

Influential Individual — Former Superintendent of Schools Richard Swantz

Outstanding Volunteer — Debbie Brague

Corporate Investor — Gundersen Health System