Lake Area Tech Foundation Celebrates Record Scholarship Support at Watertown Luncheon
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Lake Area Technical College (LATC) Foundation hosted its annual scholarship luncheon, bringing together recipients, donors, faculty, and state education leaders to celebrate student achievement and the transformational power of philanthropic support.
Record-Breaking Support and New Tagline Announced
Opening the ceremony, LATC Foundation Director Tracy Buisker highlighted the growing momentum of the college’s financial assistance programs. Last year, the foundation awarded more than $5.75 million in scholarships to LATC students, and officials confirm they are on track to surpass that figure in the current academic year.
During the most recent application cycle alone, the foundation processed more than 800 student applications.
“A scholarship is more than a financial gift. It’s a vote of confidence, a belief in someone’s potential—sometimes even before you’ve had a chance to meet them,” Buisker told the audience. Addressing the faculty in attendance, she added, “You are the bridge between our generous gifts and student success. You turn opportunity into knowledge, and knowledge into life-changing careers.”
Buisker also unveiled an updated tagline for the foundation: “Your Story, Their Future.” The messaging reflects the intersection between a donor’s personal legacy and a student’s career aspirations.
Honoring Legacy and Technical Education Leadership
LATC President Tiffany Sanderson welcomed attendees and recognized current faculty, community partners, and retired educators spanning various disciplines, including agriculture and healthcare, as well as past college presidents in attendance.
Sanderson introduced the keynote speaker, Nick Wendell, Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of Technical Education. A prominent advocate for higher education and community development, Wendell also serves on the Brookings City Council, previously served as Deputy Mayor, founded the youth birthday charity “The Big Blue Box Project,” and serves as a national stakeholder for the American Cancer Society.
Keynote: Navigating Life’s “Valleys” with Grit and Gratitude
Taking the stage, Wendell delivered an encouraging address centered on overcoming adversity, drawing deeply from his experience as a two-time cancer survivor.
Wendell recalled his initial diagnosis of thyroid cancer on April 1, 2015, which required a full neck dissection and 98 lymph node removals, followed by two weeks of strict radioactive isolation away from his young daughter. After being declared cancer-free in late 2016, his battle resumed in 2019 when doctors discovered a rare deep-nerve tissue sarcoma near his spine. Treatment at the Mayo Clinic involved proton beam radiation and an invasive surgery requiring the removal of two ribs, spinal nerve tissue, and part of his lung.
Highlighting national statistics, Wendell noted that while early detection has grown the U.S. cancer survivor population from 3 million to over 18 million today, nearly 75% of survivors face persistent mental health challenges, including fear of recurrence, financial strain, and emotional guilt.
To navigate life’s unexpected hardships, Wendell offered actionable principles for the students and attendees:
· Don’t Compare Calamities: Avoid diminishing personal struggles or the experiences of others by measuring hardships against one another.
· Practice Gratitude Daily: Wendell shared his habit of keeping a “non-diary notebook” on his nightstand, where he writes down three to five things he is thankful for every evening.
· The “Bart Simpson” Exercise: Emphasizing repetition and visualization, Wendell recalled repeatedly writing “I will run three miles again” during his 2019 recovery until he physically achieved the goal.
· Prepare for Adversity (“The Kevin McCallister Approach” ): Referencing Home Alone, Wendell stressed the importance of proactively building physical and mental strength to be ready when unexpected life challenges arise.
· Embrace Your Scars: Framing physical and emotional scars not as reminders of pain, but as visible symbols of resilience and survival.
· Share Your Story: Wendell explained how opening up about his journey at a regional leadership event unexpectedly opened doors to collaborate with top oncologists and advocate for national cancer research grant funding.
Closing the event, Buisker presented Wendell with a custom LATC gratitude journal, encouraging students and donors to continue building meaningful connections throughout the academic year.
