On September 25, 2025, GPS Education Partners marked a milestone—25 years of transforming education through the power of partnership. Our anniversary celebration, A Journey Through Time, was a night to remember, filled with stories of transformation, innovation, and community.
Guests enjoyed a dynamic evening surrounded by alumni, students, business leaders, and educators who have shaped our mission over the past quarter century. Together, we reflected on how far we’ve come—and looked ahead to the next generation of learning innovation.
Honoring Our Legacy
The evening’s highlights included two special awards that honor the roots and vision that started it all:
- Founding Partner Legacy Award 2025 – Presented to Generac, accepted by President & CEO Aaron Jagdfeld, for being the first business partner and a driving force behind our model since 2000.
- Legacy Leadership Award 2025 – Presented to Dawn Tabat, Generac’s retired COO and Founding Board Director of GPS Ed, whose vision to bring student learning into the workplace continues to inspire everything we do.
A Special thank you to Generac for hosting the evening’s VIP Reception, where we also recognized outstanding partners whose collaboration continues to push work-based learning forward:
- Trailblazer Partnership Awards: GA Laron Company, Milwaukee Public Schools, ITU AbsorbTech
- Innovator Partnership Awards: 3M, Accenture, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD)
A Night of Celebration and Purpose
Thanks to the generosity of our guests, sponsors, and community supporters, we surpassed our fundraising goal, raising more than $250,000 through sponsorships, live auction bids, and our Fund-A-Need initiative—funds that directly support student success and program innovation.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this milestone possible—our partners, alumni, students, volunteers, staff, and especially our presenting sponsor, BMO, for helping us celebrate this extraordinary journey.
Watch the Impact Video
Relive the moments that define our 25-year journey and see how your support continues to change lives.
View Event Photos
Explore the gallery and experience the energy, connection, and inspiration that filled the room.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
A heartfelt thank-you to all our sponsors for making A Journey Through Time possible and for believing in our mission to build brighter futures through partnership and innovation.
