Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation & Ashley Furniture Industries Named WiRSA 2025 Community Partner of the Year

The Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA) is proud to honor the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation (the Foundation) and Ashley Furniture Industries (Ashley) as the 2025 Community Partner of the Year for their extraordinary commitment to rural education and community partnership.

In partnership with the Whitehall School District, the Foundation, and Ashley have transformed STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning opportunities for rural students across Wisconsin. Their visionary Mobile Skills Laboratory, launched in 2018, brought hands-on training in robotics, automation, and emerging technologies to schools across the Trempealeau Valley Cooperative, addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities where access to state-of-the-art technology has historically been limited.

Building on this success, they supported the development of the Whitehall Regional Emerging Technology Laboratory (WRETL) in 2024, a 16,400-square-foot innovation hub equipped with drones, robotics, 3D printers, and artificial intelligence tools. Within its first semester, WRETL enrolled more than 500 course sessions, far exceeding expectations.

These initiatives have fundamentally transformed the educational landscape for rural students, providing access to cutting-edge learning environments that rival those found in major metropolitan areas and internationally recognized institutions. Through strategic partnerships with Western Technical College, University of Wisconsin-Stout, and the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), students are gaining advanced technical skills while earning college credits and industry certifications that prepare them for high-demand careers.

"At Ashley, supporting STEM education at all levels is a priority of ours," said Ron Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries. "We are extremely proud of the developments that have been created to help inspire students and provide them with the necessary tools to become the next generation of our country's skilled leaders."

By investing in comprehensive faculty training and professional development opportunities, the initiative ensures educators are equipped to deliver world-class instruction in emerging technologies. This creates a model that strengthens local economies, enhances and increases available opportunities, and allows students to remain connected to their rural communities.

WiRSA celebrates the Foundation and Ashley for their visionary leadership, dedication to student success, and transformative impact on rural schools and communities.

------

Source: Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance