The Gateway Technical College Foundation recently received a $1.2 million bequest from the Beverly and Otto Tarnowski estate.
An earlier contribution in 2013 in the amount of $804,000 was made to establish Tarnowski Hall at Gateway’s SC Johnson iMET Center in Sturtevant. In total, the Tarnowski estate has contributed more than $2 million to support students.
As supporters, Beverly and Otto were compelled to support the mission of Gateway and the promise of education for today’s youth.
“Beverly and Otto live in my heart and will live in the hopes and dreams of thousands of students in the years ahead. I miss their friendship but will forever be reminded of their commitment to serve others,” said Bryan Albrecht, president and CEO of Gateway Technical College.
The $1.2 million bequest will be appropriated to the college Foundation’s student emergency fund, manufacturing program support, and the Gateway Promise program.
“We are fortunate Beverly and Otto chose Gateway and the Foundation as the way to share their passion for the dignity of work and the opportunities hard work can bring,” said Gateway Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Charpentier. “Our community is stronger by their decision to invest in youth through education.”
Before he died in 2012, Otto was a skilled sheet metal craftsman in the Racine community. Beverly worked at the telephone company before focusing on managing their hobby farm. She died in 2017.
This is the largest single bequest gift the Gateway Foundation has ever received.
“The Tarnowskis’ contributions will help those seeking to take the next step in their educational journey and serve as a building block for strengthening our community,” said Stephanie Sklba, Gateway vice president, Community and Government Relations.