Over 30 current and past University of Wisconsin- Madison Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA) members attended the recent rededicate of the AWA student campus home.
The AWA was established at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1973. Since then members have lived in several locations. The current house on University Avenue welcomed its first residents in the fall of 1994 where nearly 200 students have lived over the past 23 years. The AWA house serves as a meeting venue, gathering place and service location, as well as a home away from home for all members.
This past summer, phase one of a major remodeling campaign was completed on the AWA home which included updates to the kitchen, great room and laundry room.
“The AWA kitchen remodel has created a welcoming and accommodating space for our nearly ninety student members,” said AWA Student President Sara Griswold. “The beautiful space is truly a home away from home. We are grateful for the generous donors and the AWABC organization who made this possible.
Responsible fiscal management by the Association of Women in Agriculture Benefit Corporation, and the non-profit organization that owns and maintains the AWA house, $100,000 of the remodeling costs came from the organization’s budget. Additional funding for the remodeling came from generous donors.
AWA Alumna Daphne Holterman decided to be involved in the project due to the positive impact AWA had on her life and the lives of her sisters, nieces and daughters.
“Joining AWA was a triggering moment in my life when I realized ‘this is where I belong’,” said Holterman. “I came from a high school with 100 classmates to a university with thousands, yet AWA made me feel at home. I believe in supporting a gathering place where women can grow personally and professionally. I want women with dreams to better agriculture to thrive under AWA’s roof.”
The AWA plans to continue with the remodel of their home. The Remodeling Capital Campaign is being led by Krista Knigge. Then Valerie Johnson and Kylene (Cook) Anderson are co-chairing the project execution. Future remodeling plan phases include updating house security and comfort improvements. To learn more about naming opportunities or making a tax-deductible donation to the AWA Remodeling Capital Campaign, contact Krista Knigge at [email protected].
For more information on the Association of Women on Agriculture visit,http://awamadison.org
