Wartburg College representatives at the Grow Cedar Valley annual awards where the college received the John Deere Economic Impact Award.
The college was nominated by Mike Mallaro, a member of the school’s Board of Regents and the former CEO of VGM Group in Waterloo.
“Wartburg plays a central role in the Waverly community but also a huge role in the Cedar Valley,” Mallaro wrote in his nomination, uplifting the college as a major employer in Waverly, for reinvesting in its business through renovations and new construction and for attracting new people to the area. “This is a very tough time for higher ed with fewer students graduating high school and a sentiment that has moved against college. Wartburg has young, energetic and visionary female leadership, and they are competing exceptionally well in this space while many of their peers are in decline.”
Grow Cedar Valley said the college’s commitment to providing an experience-driven education and forward-thinking approach that helps attract and retain talent in the region contributes to the entire Cedar Valley’s long-term growth.
Wartburg employs more than 500 faculty and staff and has an annual economic impact of about $115 million.
In addition to the college’s continued investment in the campus and facilities, President Rebecca Ehretsman also highlighted a $1 million gift that will help strengthen career connections between the college and the community.
“This gift helps us leverage the opportunity for our students to explore careers and connections and readiness that will bring internships to the Cedar Valley and connections to local businesses,” Ehretsman said. “And it will help local businesses understand how Wartburg College students and graduates could impact their workplaces.”