鈥淭he generosity from our donors and industry partners is fueling a transformation鈥攏ot just at WCTC, but throughout Waukesha County and Southeastern Wisconsin.鈥 -- Robyn Ludtke, WCTC Foundation executive director
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) – The WCTC Foundation, along with 疯马歌舞秀 (WCTC), is pleased to announce it has raised $3.5 million through its fundraising campaign for the WCTC Applied AI Lab – more than halfway to its $6 million goal.
In fall, a $1 million lead gift from the Harry V. Quadracci family’s Windhover Foundation launched the campaign, and the subsequent widespread support from individual donors, along with business, community and industry partners, affirm the commitment to artificial intelligence and technological advancement in the region.
“The generosity from our donors and industry partners is fueling a transformation—not just at WCTC, but throughout Waukesha County and Southeastern Wisconsin,” said Robyn Ludtke, WCTC Foundation executive director. “To fully realize this vision, we need to keep the momentum going; continued support is critical to expanding the lab’s second floor and creating even more opportunities for students, businesses and our community.”
Joel Quadracci, CEO of Quad, said the initial gift to the AI lab is a sound investment as it will help businesses and organizations grow and thrive.
“As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries, the demand for professionals with AI expertise has never been greater. WCTC is at the forefront of educating students and working professionals on how to use this emerging technology to innovate solutions to real-world problems and drive economic growth in our region,” Quadracci said. “WCTC’s visionary mindset is precisely why my family’s Windhover Foundation donated $1 million toward the College’s Applied AI Lab. We are honored to play a part in the creation of this lab, which will further the College’s mission to transform the future of higher education and ensure we have the talented and knowledgeable workforce all businesses need.”
In addition to the initial $ 1 million gift, the campaign has secured approximately $2 million from WCTC, $10,000 from individuals and nearly $1 million from regional businesses and foundations. This includes major gifts for named lab spaces from Inpro, Eaton, Waukesha State Bank, Petcoff Foundation, Trace-A-Matic and We Energies Foundation.
"Waukesha State Bank is proud to support WCTC’s Applied AI Lab, which will provide students with hands-on experience in a rapidly evolving field,” said Stephanie Ohlfs, Waukesha State Bank senior vice president – marketing director. “This investment not only equips the next generation of professionals with critical skills but also benefits our community by fostering innovation and growth in emerging industries."
As a retired business leader and current member of the WCTC Foundation’s Legacy Society, Jon Wehrli, past president of Eaton’s Power Systems Division, supports WCTC’s effort in moving AI efforts forward.
“AI is rapidly growing, and WCTC's investment in a new AI lab is paramount to its students’ success in business and industry,” he said. “Additionally, the new AI lab places Waukesha as a leader in AI and prepares our workforce for the tremendous expansion of AI uses across the country and globe; this is what makes support of the AI lab vital to the future.”
Already a hub for classes, workshops and gener8tor accelerators -- including gAlpha and gBeta programs -- the lab will soon add supercomputers, enhancing its computing capabilities and its role as a Southeastern Wisconsin tech resource.
“At Inpro, we believe continuous improvement and education is key to shaping the future,” said Marc Holland, CEO of Inpro. “Supporting WCTC’s new AI lab is an investment in students, those already in the workforce and our entire community. It helps people gain the skills needed to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow, while also providing training for those looking to upskill today. It’s a place where creativity and problem-solving will thrive, benefiting everyone.”
With the first floor already in use, planning is underway to build a second-story addition. This will create dedicated learning spaces for students in AI and related programs, fostering a seamless integration of education and industry.
“From directing self-driving cars to accurately predicting the weather to helping doctors identify potential health risks in patients, the feats achieved through artificial intelligence continue to expand,” said Guillaume Laur, senior vice president, Eaton Power Delivery and Regulation Division. “Not only is generative AI growing, but it’s also sparking an upsurge in power requirements, a market trend that directly impacts Eaton’s Power Delivery and Regulation Division, headquartered in Waukesha. Eaton is proud to support the WCTC Applied AI Lab Classroom and Pitch Pit, a strategic investment that equips students with the skills needed to navigate emerging technologies.”
By contributing to the WCTC Applied AI Lab, companies cultivate training initiatives, gain access to transformative innovation, and strengthen their community presence. To learn more about the campaign, please contact Ludtke at rludtke1@wctc.edu or 262.691.5202.