Press release distributed by Western Technical College.
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Western Technical College (Western) officially dedicated the Joyce Wanek Center for Art and Design at a ceremony today at Western’s Integrated Technology Center.
The state-of-the-art classroom, located on the third floor of Western’s Integrated Technology Center, is a first-class facility designed to meet the needs of Western’s new interior design program, launched last fall. Major contributors to the project include Ron and Joyce Wanek. Ron is the founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, serving with his wife, Joyce, on the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation. Joyce is a 1979 alumna of an earlier iteration of Western’s interior design program.
“It has been such an honor to be involved in this project. As a graduate of the college’s interior design program this project has been very near and dear to my heart,” said Joyce Wanek. “My hope is that this new space allows students to collaborate in a fun and inspirational environment that can enhance the creative thinking for all students that attend Western Technical College.”
“We cannot thank Ron and Joyce enough for their contributions to Western,” said Western Technical College President Roger Stanford. “They together have been phenomenal partners in this region and have invested heavily in our student’s success. We are so excited to dedicate this space in Joyce’s honor.”
The interior design program will provide instruction to students allowing them to excel in a variety of settings, such as residential design and architectural firms, kitchen and bath studios, furnishing manufacturers, construction companies and sale showrooms.
The more than $375,000 contribution to Western Technical College from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation is providing funds to upgrade technology and equipment, classroom furniture and materials, and instructional support for the next three years. The contribution is also funding scholarships and professional development opportunities for students enrolled in the program to further support their educational needs.
To learn more information on Western’s interior design program, call 608.785.9200 or visit www.westerntc.edu/interior-design.
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