Our society reserves a special admiration for individuals who come forward and share their treasure and their talent to support a worthy cause, meet a need or strengthen an organization. We cherish individuals who give in this manner because they are the muscle and marrow of any good works we strive to do.
We admire such individuals not only for their giving, but for their uniqueness. But even more unique is a family of such individuals – each possessing an enormous devotion to their communities, and a determination to create a better world for future generations as well as those alive today.
A tradition of giving. A history of selfless and shared commitment. How fortunate we are to have, in our time and in our state, a family that lives by such principles.
The family I’m referring to is a pillar of Southeastern Indiana. And today, we name the Grote Family as recipient of Ivy Tech Foundation’s 2009 Benefactor of the Year.
Pictured from Left: Joyce Rogers, Vice President for Development; Jim Helms, Chancellor; Benefactor of the Year, Bill and Terry Grote; and President’s Wife Bobbette Snyder.
Buzz Grote established Grote’s first Ivy Tech Foundation scholarship account in 1979. Since that time, the Grote’s have helped shape Ivy Tech Community College in Madison to become the “college of choice” in Southeastern Indiana.
The Grote family’s personal and corporate commitment to Ivy Tech Foundation spans over 30 years, supporting 13 different Ivy Tech Foundation funds. The Grotes’ financial commitment touched the lives of many students and many families they admired, including contributions to personal endowments in memory and honor of their community friends.
Both Buzz and Bill Grote have not only contributed financially as individuals and corporate leaders, but together they have contributed over 15 years of service to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Buzz remained committed in every aspect of the Madison Capital Campaign from the first proposal submitted to the State Board in 1998 to the building dedication in 2008. He worked behind the scenes and was instrumental in making this campaign a success, appointing his brother, Bill, to the capital campaign cabinet.
Grote Industries’ lead gift launched the successful capital campaign in Madison that resulted in an 80,000 square foot, $19.9 million building expansion equipped with the finest equipment and technology. A community populated by 13,000 pledged $1.2 million.
Bill appealed to his colleagues throughout the community challenging them to match Grote Industries’ gift resulting in fifty percent of the capital campaign gifts made by local industries.
Grote Industries has shared vital resources within their company -- highly skilled staff to serve on advisory committees to develop curriculum for Ivy Tech Madison’s School of Technology and School of Business.
They have responded to virtually every appeal the college has made.
Through unwavering commitment to education and Ivy Tech Community College, the Grotes' have united with their community partners to prepare a place for approximately 1350 southeastern Indiana residents to gain new knowledge and new, life-changing experiences on the path to a better career.