On June 11, Madison College held its groundbreaking ceremony for its Goodman South Campus. Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman donated $10 million for its establishment.

The event was graced by its benefactors, including the American Family Dreams Foundation, represented by American Family Insurance President Bill Westrate. The foundation shares $1.3 million to aid in carrying out this project.

"Our participation in this project demonstrates our belief in its importance and the transformational benefits it can bring to future students, South Madison and the entire community," Bill Westrate said. 

To be constructed on the site of the former Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, the 75,000-square-foot campus is expected to be ready for the 2019-20 school year. 

“Building a new campus in south Madison isn’t about Madison College. It’s about serving a population that has been historically underrepresented and marginalized,” Dr. Jack Daniels III, Madison College’s president, said. “It’s about answering the call to break the multi-generational cycle of poverty for Southside residents and opening the door to a future of possibilities that have escaped the reality of those who live here.”

This $23 million project will provide classrooms, hands-on learning labs and instructional programs in STEM-and-IT related fields for junior and senior high school students in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Daniels says it will also serve as a community gathering place.

He further added that the Goodman South Campus will address the current situation of the people who are unable to acquire a higher education because of the unavailability of a nearby college campus. The facility will also provide an opportunity for students to complete an associate's degree.