Wishing Well Fund Superheroes
A new opportunity to help promote student success has been established through the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation. What was once called program mini grants has been given a makeover to become the Wishing Well Fund. The newly-revamped fund supports small items and student learning opportunities that are not typically funded through department budgets. Essentially, it is intended for resources and activities that foster learning or support students but are not deemed necessary.
The fund, which is supported by internal and external donors, was kick started on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at CWI’s annual College Address. Everyone who donated to the Wishing Well Fund received a superhero sticker. As a result of the event, 42 faculty, staff, and CWI Trustees in attendance contributed $1,438 to the fund; increasing employee giving by nearly 30 percent.
“It’s the little things that make a big difference for students,” said Gayla Huskey, the manager for Tutoring Services.
Last year, Huskey’s request for a full-length mirror for her students to learn sign language was granted. Since the awarding process started in 2011, the CWI Foundation has awarded more than $17,000 to help fulfill requests. Some of those include:
- Social Relations in a Digital Age Symposium
- English 101 Field Trip
- Cultural Perspectives in Developmental Psychology
- Anthropology Treasures of Bend Trip
- Plumbing Apprentice Lab
- Solar Telescope
- iTeach with the iPad
- Cardio Check PA Analyzer
- License for Mathematica Software
- Mobile Whiteboard
- Media Lab Expansion
- Suture Arms
- Racermate Computrainer
- Video Display Car
CWI faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for Wishing Well funds. Applications and more information can be located on myCWI. If you would like to donate to the Wishing Well Fund, please contact the CWI Foundation office at 208.562.3100 or email foundation@cwi.edu.
To see how superheroes make a big difference at CWI, watch the Wishing Well Video.