Bob and Charllotte Janeczko have endowed a scholarship for students majoring in plastics engineering at their alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie.
The scholarship program will reach more than $1 million.
Bob Janeczko said it's a way to give back to the university and the plastics industry. The Janeczkos bought Innovative Injection Technologies Inc., known as i2tech, in 2003. The custom injection molder in West Des Moines, Iowa, employs 150.
“We made our money in plastics, and we're glad to be able to help young people with a career in this great industry,” he said.
Bob and Charllotte met when they attended the university in Menomonie in the 1960s. He graduated in 1963 with a degree in technology education. She graduated in 1965 in home economics education and is a retired teacher.
Married for 44 years, they have four children, including their son Josh, who is i2tech president and will take over when Bob retires.
Bob Janeczko, CEO of i2tech, has a long career in manufacturing that included Deere & Co. and Morton Industrial Group. He also spent 13 years as a professor of industrial technology at Western Illinois University.
The University of Wisconsin-Stout, the state's Polytechnic University, began offering a bachelor of science degree in plastics engineering in the fall of 2008.
According to the university, the couple's initial donation of $200,000 will ultimately yield an endowment worth more than $750,000. The Janeczkos also have pledged $15,000 a year for the next 20 years — $300,000 — to fund the annual scholarships until the endowment matures and becomes self-sustaining.
This fall, the first four students will receive Janeczko scholarships. A senior will receive $7,500 and two incoming freshmen each will get $2,500.
“We wanted to leave a legacy. It's a positive way to be remembered,” Charllotte Janeczko said.
Innovative Injection Technologies won the 2007 Plastics News Processor of the Year Award.