The FVTC Foundation made it possible for an OTA student to connect her passions with a great career.​

Dorea Lauer, an 18-year-old from New London, set her sights on a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) after she volunteered at a summer camp for children with autism. “I really want to work with children, and I also love horses,” she says. “I was fascinated by how therapeutic it was for these kids to ride horses. It gives them confidence.”

As an OTA, Lauer realized she could combine her two passions. She paid a visit to her high school counseling office to find out how to become an OTA. “I learned that Fox Valley Technical College not only offers an OTA program, but through its Foundation many different scholarships as well,” Lauer notes. 

The FVTC Benefit Golf Outing Scholarship helped Lauer through her first year at the college. “The Foundation has a big list of scholarships, and it’s very easy to apply,” she says. “I’m now getting help with the Knights of Columbus Gerald Bentler Council 13702 Veterans Scholarship.”

In addition to helping Lauer achieve an FVTC degree, the Foundation’s scholarships will allow her greater flexibility in the future because she won’t be burdened with a lot of debt. “I really love Fox Valley Tech because everyone there wants you to succeed,” she states. “The financial support is wonderful, and I like the way the classes are structured.”

Quick Fact:

The FVTC Foundation awarded nearly 1,000 overall scholarships, totaling $650,000 in 2016-17.