Search | Menu $4.5M W. Jerome Frautschi gift elevates Madison College students’ success
A transformative $4.5 million gift from W. Jerome Frautschi will significantly expand scholarship opportunities for Madison College students.
The Frautschi Family Pathway Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 with a $1 million gift from Frautschi. This new $4.5 million commitment furthers the initial vision to support students with the greatest financial need, regardless of background or program of study, helping them to graduate with the skills and training needed for a prosperous future.
This gift is the largest non-capital contribution in Madison College Foundation’s history and reflects the Frautschi family’s strong belief in the power of higher education to create opportunities.
Visionary gifts to students
Madison College Foundation Chief Executive Officer Bryan Woodhouse emphasized the impact the donation will have on students and the communities where they will build careers.
“At the heart of this visionary gift are our students—their dreams, determination, and futures,” Woodhouse says. “We are deeply moved and incredibly grateful to Mr. Frautschi. This gift affirms the power of education to transform lives, ensuring more students can stay in school, graduate, and build better lives for themselves and their families.”
“We are profoundly thankful for this visionary act of generosity. This gift doesn’t just open doors for students—it builds a legacy of opportunity that will endure far into the future” said Katie Hottmann, President of the Madison College Foundation Board.
Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne also expressed the college’s deepest gratitude for this extraordinary support.
“This gift has significant power,” Berne says. “It removes the upfront barrier of cost, which we know is a deciding factor in whether someone pursues higher education, and it stays with students across four semesters, helping them stay enrolled and finish what they start. These barriers are rarely one-time events, so to have a scholarship that recognizes and responds to that reality is essential — and quite literally life-changing.”
Supporting higher education dreams
The Frautschi family and their philanthropic Foundations have a long-standing dedication to supporting Madison College students, dating back to the 1960s. The Madison College Foundation Legacy Society is named in honor of Emil J. Frautschi, Jerry Frautschi’s grandfather, who valued how a technical school education uplifts individuals and their community.
The Frautschi Family Pathway Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 with a generous $1 million donation. Since its inception, this fund has supported 187 Madison College students, equipping them with the skills and training necessary to pursue successful, meaningful careers.
“Madison College has been an invaluable asset to our community for over 100 years, educating our parents, siblings, and children. We fully support its mission to enhance the lives of residents,” Jerry Frautschi says. “We wish success for those who will benefit from the fund, knowing that the pursuit of higher education, combined with hard work, leads to a fulfilling life.”
With support from the Frautschi family, Frautschi, and other donors, the Madison College Foundation provided over 2,300 students with scholarship support in the last year, in addition to emergency assistance and capital improvements that directly benefit students.
Please find more information on the Frautschi Family Pathway Scholarship Fund at the Madison College Foundation web page.
