LA CROSSE, Wis., August 19, 2025 – The Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation (the Foundation) and Western Technical College (Western) are proud to announce the official opening of the Wanek Center of Innovation, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advanced manufacturing education and training. The Center, located on Western’s La Crosse campus, will welcome its first students this fall.

Replacing the former Business Education building, the Wanek Center of Innovation has been fully renovated into a modern hub for robotics, manufacturing, and automation education. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Center supports associate degrees, credit programs, and diploma-level courses in Cyber Security, Web and Software Development, Data Analytics, Computer Support, Mechatronics and Robotics, Electromechanical, and more, emphasizing connectivity, virtualization, and data in smart automation.

The Center is expected to serve more than 1,000 students each year through credentialed programs, K-12 partnerships, and industry-focused events, offering hands-on training to meet the needs of a rapidly changing workforce. The project represents a collaborative investment between the Foundation and Western and highlights the importance of industry-education partnerships in addressing today's skills gap."

“Seeing the Wanek Center of Innovation come to life has been incredible,” said Roger Stanford, President of Western Technical College. “When we announced this project last year, we talked about the potential to transform advanced manufacturing education in our region. Today, it’s a reality. Thanks to the generosity of the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation, we are delivering on our promise, strengthening K-12 pathways, expanding training for current workers, and giving our students access to world-class technology right here in Western Wisconsin.”

Since their partnership began in 2017, Western and the Foundation have collaborated on initiatives that have transformed manufacturing education in the region. These include the Ashley Automation Lab, which expanded Western’s robotics program, the Mobile Skills Laboratory for dual credit with local high schools, and the Joyce Wanek Center for Art and Design. Together, they have built a strong foundation for innovative learning opportunities that directly align with industry needs.

“Walking through these doors today, you can see years of planning, partnerships, and hard work all in one place,” said Josh Gamer, Dean of Integrated Technology at Western. “From our first trip to Germany in 2017 to study global best practices, to the launch of new programs and transfer agreements, to integrating cutting-edge automation technologies, this has been a true community effort. Bringing our programs together under one roof is already sparking collaboration, and I can’t wait to see the impact this Center will have on students, industry partners, and our region.”

The Wanek Center of Innovation is the latest example of the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to creating a robust K-12 to career pipeline. From the Whitehall Regional Emerging Technology Laboratory to education centers at institutions like Luther High School, the Foundation’s efforts ensure students gain the skills needed to succeed in high-demand, technology-driven careers.

"This partnership with Western Technical College reflects our commitment to practical education that meets real workforce needs," said Ron Wanek, Founder and Chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries. "The Wanek Center of Innovation will give students access to the training and technology they need to succeed in today's manufacturing environment. When we invest in education, we're investing in the future of our community and ensuring young people have the skills employers are looking for."