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Tarnowski Hall at Gateway Named for Caledonia Couple

Otto and Beverly Tarnowski donated what may be the largest donation to Gateway from an individual in college history.

By Heather Asiyanbi
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February 12, 2013

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Beverly Tarnowki (in white sweater) helped cut the ribbon to officially open the SC Johnson integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Center at Gateway Technical College. Beverly and her late husband, Otto, made a large donation to Gateway. "This means everything, especially because Otto isn't here," Beverly said. "We wanted to do something for students interested in trade school, to give everyone the opportunity."

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The new SC Johnson iMET center at Gateway Technical College's Sturtevant campus.

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Bob Werner from First Technologies leads visitors through the Fab Lab, where students can do more than dream, they can actually bring their ideas to life using state-of-the-art design and fabrication equipment right there in the classroom. Werner made his presentation as part of the grand opening of Gateway Technical College's new SC Johnson iMET Center.

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A large display featuring local businesses who support the integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Center.

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Experts demonstrated some of the high-tech machines students will learn how to operate. The iMET Center provides training so students have the skills that employers in Southeast Wisconsin have said they need. "We have a skills gap," said Reggie Newson, secretary of the Department of Workforce Development. "Have customized worker training is where we start."

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The Coordinated Measuring Machine - CMM - is automated quality control that helps students get the exposure they need to this technology. "Almost every business has some variety of this machine," Nathan Rolland (not pictured) explained. "Learning how to operate the CMM could lead to students designing and making their own equipment, moving up to providing the support for the machine and teaching others how to use it."

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A bronze plaque at the entrance to Tarnowski Hall marks that the hall commemorates the generosity of Otto and Beverly Tarnowski. Otto Tarnowski was a sheet metal worker who, Beverly said, wanted to be sure opportunity was available for anyone who wanted it.

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Caledonia residents Otto and Beverly Tarnowski are giving the largest private donation to Gateway Technical College in the school's history. A wing of the new SC Johnson integrated Manufacturing and Technology Center is named Tarnowski Hall in their honor.

Beverly attended the official grand opening Tuesday of the 18,000 square foot addition to Gateway's Sturtevant facility.

Fisk Johnson, CEO of SC Johnson, also delivered remarks, saying iMET will help train workers to fill the skills gap area employers are talking about.

"There are good jobs that need filling but the gap between jobs and workers is troubling during this time of high unemployment," he said. "Southeast Wisconsin has a jewel in Gateway that other communities don't have."

Related Topics: Fisk Johnson, Gateway Technical College, Otto and Beverly Tarnowski, iMET, and sc johnson

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Caledonia Retiree

5:06 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

We need more Tarnowski's and Johson's (Fisk) with millions of dollars to donate to Gateway Technical. I am tired of "donating" via property tax and plan to vote "NO" on their upcoming referendum.