As we anticipate warmer weather and longer days, the OTECH foundation is also celebrating some exciting updates and accomplishments. Here are some highlights from the past few months:
1. Annual Donor Appreciation Event
The OTECH Foundation honored outstanding organizations and individuals for their commitment to student success at its annual Donor Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, March, 17, 2023.
In 2019, the OTECH Foundation created the Samuel H. Barker Legacy Award to honor visionary donors. The Samuel H. Barker Legacy award was created in recognition of the Powell Foundation’s legacy of generous donations and is a way to recognize outstanding philanthropic partners. The OTECH Foundation was honored to present the 2023 Samuel H. Barker Legacy Award to the Marriner S. Eccles Foundation. Ms. Hannah Eccles, Executive Director, accepted the award.
The Marriner S. Eccles Foundation has contributed annually to the OTECH scholarship fund, providing $345,000 in direct student support since 1998. These generous donations have helped hundreds of students succeed in their programs and find careers that have changed their lives and the lives of their families. Each donation makes a difference in the community through the support of technical education, and the OTECH Foundation thanks each of our generous donors.
2. New Board Members
The OTECH Foundation has welcomed two new board members, Heidi Doman and Shelly Florence.
Heidi Doman has worked in the credit union industry since 1995 and has served as the Vice President of People Success for Wasatch Peaks Credit Union since 2021. In this position she oversees all Human Resource functions for the credit union, and leads a team whose purpose is to engage, develop, and retain their incredible employees. Heidi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, and an MBA, both from Western Governors University. She is a wife and mom who loves hiking, hunting, fishing, and off-roading with her family.
Shelly Florence graduated in 2014 from Ogden Weber Technical College. She then began her career in non-profit work and transitioned to public service when Governor Cox appointed her as Utah’s director of boards and commissions. Shelly resigned from the governor’s office to focus on family and community service. She has held leadership roles in Ogden’s Breakfast Exchange Club, Rotary, and Partners in Education. In addition, she serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Weber Davis. Shelly is married to Mike Florence, and they have seven children together. She loves running, hiking, practicing yoga, and watching professional baseball.
3. 2023 Student of the Year
Each year, OTECH selects a student who demonstrates excellence in advocating for technical education as the Student of the Year (SOTY). After reviewing and interviewing several nominees, the 2023 SOTY recipient, Joan Shumway was announced.
Joan received a degree from a four-year institution but knew she needed additional experience that she could use to find a lasting career. At OTECH, she found a program that gave her the hands-on skills necessary to succeed.
Four additional students were recognized as 2023 SOTY Finalists, including Savannah Beradini (Business), Megan Lee (Practical Nursing), Whitney Lister (Medical Assisting), and Natalie Vaculin-Blair (Computer Aided Design).
All SOTY finalists received financial aid, several in the form of foundation scholarships. Your support makes a lasting impact on the lives of OTECH students allowing them to excel in their careers and education.
Thank you to the donors who make the success of our students possible. The following gifts were received in the fourth quarter of 2022:
- Bayer Sisters, LLC
- Bert L. and Lulu M. Neal Foundation
- C. Scott and Dorothy E. Watkins Charitable Foundation
- Community Foundation of Utah
- Rick and Karen Fairbanks
- George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation
- J.D. Machine
- Midtown Community Health Center
- Robert Nannini
- Ogden Weber Chamber – Women In Business Committee
- Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation
- Samuel C. and Myra G. Powell Foundation
- U.S. Bank Foundation
- Wasatch Peaks Credit Union
For questions regarding any of these contributions or interest in investing in success, please contact Maria Milligan, Associate Vice President for College Advancement: maria.milligan@otech.edu, 801-395-3781.