Donor Tom Hurvis, chairman of Old World Industries, LLC, the parent company of the PEAK automotive brand and co-founder of the Al Hurvis/ADAMM Education Foundation, explains his vision for working with MATC to improve the lives of its students and the community.
Tom Hurvis, chairman of Old World Industries, LLC, the parent company of the PEAK automotive brand and co-founder of the Al Hurvis/ADAMM Education Foundation, announced a $3 million challenge grant to expand Milwaukee Area Technical College’s automotive programs and kick off fundraising to create the Al Hurvis/PEAK Transportation Center at a March 28 ceremony at MATC’s Downtown Milwaukee Campus.
Hurvis, MATC President Dr. Vicki J. Martin, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee Bucks President Peter Feigen were among the speakers at the event held at the T Building Auditorium.
The grant provides $1 million in immediate funding, and up to an additional $2 million for every dollar the MATC Foundation, Inc., raises for the project over the next two years. Grant funding will provide seed money to launch expanded academic programming, including the additional personnel and equipment expenses for the new Transportation Center. The challenge grant would be the largest private gift ever made to MATC.
The gift addresses a shortage of skilled automotive technicians by encouraging middle school, high school and adult students to enter careers in the growing transportation industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in the automotive repair sector will increase nine percent between 2012 and 2022. Service managers report a shortage of skilled auto technicians at dealerships, repair shops and retail auto parts stores across the country.
Over the next three years, MATC plans to transform an existing structure on its Downtown Milwaukee Campus into a center that will serve as a hub for youth-oriented activities, enable the expansion of MATC’s automotive repair programs and provide opportunities for students to serve the community. The center can serve as a spring board to careers in transportation, advanced manufacturing and engineering.
“The vision for this partnership effort is to help Milwaukee youth and young adults access the education that will enable them to create a strong future,” Hurvis said. “MATC is our ideal partner for this venture. The college offers a clear career pathway for our young people and has a great track record of working with industry to prepare the kinds of skilled job candidates that employers are seeking. We are all focused on the bottom line, which is to help more young people become employed and contributing to their community.
"I am excited to step forward with the lead gift to establish the Al Hurvis/PEAK Transportation Center in memory of my father, who helped grow southeastern Wisconsin’s automotive industry and mentored many professionals. I encourage others in the automotive and transportation industry to join this important cause to build the pipeline of our future workforce.”
MATC President Dr. Vicki J. Martin announced the largest private gift in college history
that will expand the college's automotive programs and create the
Al Hurvis/PEAK Transportation Center on the Downtown Milwaukee Campus.
Martin said: “Tom Hurvis; Chas Mulcahy, chairman and CEO of the Al Hurvis/ADAMM Education Foundation; and ADAMM President Jim Tolkan; are the visionaries behind this effort and we are grateful for their leadership and the commitment of the foundation. All three have long histories of supporting education that removes barriers for those seeking to follow their passion and improve their lives. Their enthusiasm and determination will have a tremendous positive impact on the future of Milwaukee’s workforce.
“This grant, which would be the largest private gift in MATC’s history, will ramp up the college’s transportation programs and strengthen our relationship with the automotive industry. Together, we will create more opportunities for young people to fill the talent pipeline.”
Grant funds will result in expanded activities, including:
- Recruitment of students to MATC’s automotive programs
- Automotive clubs in which MATC students repair their own vehicles
- Mentoring and support services to help MATC automotive students succeed academically
- Service learning projects in which students provide auto diagnostic services to the public
- Internships and job placement activities linking MATC graduates to employment
- Summer camps and after-school programs for middle and high school students
MATC currently offers an associate degree in automotive technology, based at its Mequon Campus; and technical diplomas in automotive maintenance and in auto collision repair and finish, located at its Oak Creek Campus. For more information on MATC's programs, see:
Automotive Technology Associate Degree
Automotive Maintenance Technican Technical Diploma
Auto Collison Repair and Finish Technician Technical Diploma
Interested donors can contact Laura Bray, executive director of the MATC Foundation and MATC vice president of college advancement and external communications,braylm@matc.edu, (414) 297-6900.
About Al Hurvis/ADAMM Education Foundation:
Tom Hurvis and his lifelong friend Chas Mulcahy established the Foundation in memory of Tom’s father, Al Hurvis, a highly successful automotive executive with Heiser Ford in Milwaukee. Al served as a role model for both Tom and Chas, and mentored at least 20 employees to open their own auto dealerships.
The Al Hurvis/ADAMM Education Foundation administers at least five scholarships for youth in the greater Milwaukee area. The Al Hurvis Scholarship is designated for minority graduating seniors based on financial need, community service and being a member of the high school tennis team.
The Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee (ADAMM) represents dealer members in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties. In addition to managing the ADAMM scholarship, it provides the operational space for the Al Hurvis/ADAMM Education Foundation and hosts meetings of area high school tennis coaches. For more information, visit: http://hurvis.dev180.com/
About Old World Industries:
Old World Industries, LLC, headquartered outside of Chicago in Northbrook, Ill., was founded more than 40 years ago. Today, Old World Industries is the leading supplier of automotive and heavy-duty coolants, and has the largest diesel exhaust fluid brand in the United States. Old World’s brands can be seen supporting major automotive series including NASCAR and NHRA as well as ambassadors and motor sports icons including John Force; Cambridge, Wisconsin’s Matt Kenseth; and Mexico’s Daniel Suaez; at events around the country. Old World Industries has significant business in Latin America, Asia and Europe. For more information, visit: http://www.oldworldind.com/.
About the MATC Foundation, Inc:
The MATC Foundation was founded in 1979 to raise funds for college programs and student scholarships. The Foundation currently manages more than 130 endowment and temporarily restricted funds worth $13 million dollars. It secured the Al Hurvis/ADAMM Education Foundation grant for the college and will manage the campaign to raise the matching $2 million. Visit http://www.matc.edu/foundation/
About MATC:
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. Approximately 40,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers 200 academic programs; nearly 400 transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees; and the School of Pre-College Education, which assists people with completing high school, preparing for college or entering the workforce. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, the national standard for academics and student services. For more information on MATC, see www.matc.edu.