“Quad has been a staunch supporter and a vital partner to WCTC for many, many years,” said Rich Barnhouse, Ph.D., president of WCTC. “Our College has a visionary mindset and an intentional focus on the future, much like Quad, and our new Applied AI Lab is going to help shape and modernize the economic landscape in Southeastern Wisconsin. We are grateful to Quad for this generous, lead financial gift.”
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024) – The WCTC Foundation, along with Waukesha County Technical College, is embarking on a $6 million fundraising campaign to support the much-anticipated WCTC Applied AI Lab: Wisconsin Center for AI Development and Implementation, set to open on campus in early fall.
To kick off the campaign, the Harry V. Quadracci family’s Windhover Foundation has generously donated $1 million toward WCTC’s new lab, which will serve as a central, technological hub for AI innovation in the region. The Quadracci family and Quad, a Sussex-based marketing experience company, have been long-time champions of WCTC’s work.
"AI has the potential to revolutionize industries, improve work processes and increase efficiencies; it’s changing how we work,” said Joel Quadracci, chairman, president and CEO of Quad. “Like Quad, WCTC is always looking at ways to innovate. We are honored to play a part in the creation of the Applied AI Lab, which will further the College’s ongoing mission to transform the future of higher education to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners and our region’s businesses.”
Rich Barnhouse, Ph.D., president of WCTC, said the College is appreciative of Quad and the Quadracci family for this significant donation, which will have a lasting impact on students and the business community.
“Quad has been a staunch supporter and a vital partner to WCTC for many, many years,” said Rich Barnhouse, Ph.D., president of WCTC. “Our College has a visionary mindset and an intentional focus on the future, much like Quad, and our new Applied AI Lab is going to help shape and modernize the economic landscape in Southeastern Wisconsin. We are grateful to Quad for this generous, lead financial gift.”
Renovations underway to create new space
Currently, extensive renovations and remodeling are underway in Building Q, on a large portion of the first floor dedicated to the Applied AI Lab. The space is being modified for state-of-the-art offices, technology and equipment to advance AI, conference rooms, huddle spaces, open workstations, collaboration and incubation space, along with a dedicated entrance – all for businesses and entrepreneurs to explore their AI-powered ideas. AI and tech-related exhibits will also be featured in this area, and it will house the gener8tor gALPA (for aspiring entrepreneurs) and gBETA (for early-stage startups looking to grow) Applied AI Lab accelerator programs. Several workshops and seminars, including Everyday AI, AI for Productivity, Lean AI, and AI and the 21st Century Worker, will also be offered through the lab.
The second phase of the AI lab project includes building a second-story addition to bridge education with business and industry. This new space, designed predominantly for student learning, will feature AI-centered classrooms, collaboration spaces, an AI concept center and “pitch pit”, and an outdoor terrace for AI events. It will become the new home for students enrolled in Artificial Intelligence and Business Information Technology programs with a concentration in AI, data, cybersecurity and related topics.
As a multipurpose hub, students will work alongside entrepreneurs and startups discovering ways to implement AI. The WCTC Applied AI Lab will foster critical collaboration designed to benefit the region by using emerging technologies to solve real-world problems.
“We are thrilled to lead this capital campaign, support this transformative project, and look forward to its incredible impact on our students, businesses and community,” said Robyn Ludtke, executive director of the WCTC Foundation.
>> For more information on how to make a financial contribution to help support the WCTC Applied AI Lab, please contact Robyn Ludtke at rludtke1@wctc.edu or 262.691.5202.