Educational Foundation 25th Anniversary
A Rich History, Community Engagement
and Focus on Kids
Over the past 25 years, many of you have served the community, and while board members have changed, the mission has stayed the same: promoting excellence in education. We appreciate all you’ve done to provide creative learning opportunities and support for students with diverse needs.
Words of Support from Mayor, Emily McFarland, to the EFW Board Members
Your dedication to literacy, social, and emotional growth is truly valued. It takes hard work and commitment to achieve what you have, and we at the City of Watertown celebrate your successes. We wish you continued success and are always here to support you.
Sincerely,
Emily McFarland, Mayor of Watertown
In January 1999, the Educational Foundation of Watertown held its first annual meeting, stating its purpose as being dedicated to promoting and strengthening public and private schools in the Watertown area.
Founding members included President Ray Kubly, Vice President Cathy Kwapil, Secretary Belle Luhman and Treasurer Mark Sweet. Additional Board members included Wanda Udovich, Bill Mullen, Don Richards, Dennis Bailey, Neale Jones, Mark Siegrist, Cathy Egan, and Randy Phelps. Representatives of the Watertown Unified School District were Victor Miller from the Board of Education and Dennis Mudler as the Superintendent's Designee.
Ray Kubly
Founder of the Educational Foundation of Watertown
The first foundation President, Ray Kubly, was a lifelong Watertown community member and graduated from Watertown High School in 1942. He had a rich history of commitment to our city and our country and a vision for supporting the Watertown Education Community, giving of his time, talent and treasure to make that vision a reality.
While serving as a bombardier in the 8th Air Force in England in 1942, he was wounded and taken as a prisoner of war when his plane was shot down over German occupied Holland. He escaped with the help of the Dutch Underground. As a World War Il wounded veteran, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
His civic engagement included Immanuel Lutheran Church Leadership and Service, 16 years of Watertown School Board service, Watertown Lions Club, Country Club and Elks Club memberships. When he became President of the Educational Foundation Board, his goal was to raise funds to help improve all Watertown Schools. Ray passed away in 2008 and the great loves of his life included education, agriculture, community service, and family. We are grateful for Ray's children and grandchildren who continue to support the Educational Foundation of Watertown.
Randy Phelps and Neale Jones
25 Years of Service to the Educational Foundation
of Watertown
Randy Phelps and Neale Jones also have a rich history of commitment to the Watertown Community, including their 25 years of service to the Educational Foundation of Watertown.
Randy is retired from a 32-year career at ORBIS Corporation. In his final role at ORBIS, he retired as the Vice President of Business Development and Acquisitions. Those skills were valuable when, as a member of the Watertown Hospital Board, he worked on negotiations with LifePoint for the purchase of the Watertown Hospital.
He continues to serve on the Watertown Joint Venture Board and the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation Board with a dedication to the ongoing health and safety of the Watertown Community.
Randy is also a member of the Rainbow Hospice Foundation and the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation. In all these roles, his contributions include a strong understanding of investments and finances to keep the organizations financially sound.
Neale Jones is a lifelong member of our community. He was a sergeant in the National Guard for many years and continues as an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Watertown.
Neale retired as a Livestock Marketer and his commitment to Agriculture is evident in his community activities.
Neale has been a 4-H Beef Project Leader and Chairman of the Livestock Meat Animal Sale for the Dodge County Fair. He has been on the Wisconsin Meat Marketing Board and a member of the Agribusiness Club for many decades.
Neale has served as Chairman for the Town of Shields for 40 years. Neale continues to serve as the Treasurer for the Educational Foundation Board of Trustees a role he has held for many years.
In 1999, we began by awarding $50 to one teacher in the public schools and $50 to one Teacher in the private schools (A total of $100)
In 2023, the Foundation awarded $42,260 to 60 teachers in the Watertown Unified School District public and private schools!
Our mission continues to be a desire to promote excellence in education through the use of our resources. We are looking for projects that stimulate outstanding academic achievement and provide enhanced learning opportunities for students; projects that encourage creative and innovative enhancements; addresses students in a variety of curriculum areas and with a variety of special needs. We always support literacy education and student social/emotional growth.
25th Anniversary
To celebrate the 25h Anniversary of the Educational Foundation of Wisconsin, our goal for 2024 is to fund $50,000 in grants to teachers of the public and private schools of Watertown.
We are grateful to the many individuals, families, businesses, and foundations that have supported the Educational Foundation of Watertown through your annual donations, memorial giving in honor of loved ones, our annual Brat Fry at Glenn’s Market Brat Haus, as well as support of our Watertown lrish Jig/Jog 5K Walk/Run in March.
To Celebrate our 25th Anniversary . . .
Join us in our $25 for 25 Years Campaign
In the spirit of our anniversary, we are engaging our community through our $25 for 25 campaign where we’re asking folks to donate a dollar for each year of our existence - $25!
We could not continue this support for our teachers and for the enhanced education of the children of our community without you and look forward to the next 25 years!
