Sheridan College
One of the three directives of Edward A. Whitney’s will was to establish an agricultural college in the city of Sheridan.
Whitney Benefits has granted over $100 million to
Sheridan College to date. Of the dollars granted to the
college, 95% are spent locally in the Sheridan County
economy.
Whitney Days
Sheridan College hosts an annual Whitney Days event
week to honor Edward A. Whitney and his legacy of
support of higher education in Sheridan County. These are
a combination of informative, educational, and fun events
to educate residents of Sheridan County as well as
Sheridan College students and staff about Whitney’s life
and legacy and the opportunities available at Sheridan
College.
Sheridan College Master Grant
In 2014, Whitney Benefits committed to the largest gift in the history of Sheridan College in the amount of $25.3 million.
The commitment from Whitney Benefits to Sheridan College included $1.3 million complete the Mars Agriculture and
Science Center renovation project, $16 million to support the renovation and construction of the Whitney Center for the
Arts, $2 million to support infrastructure and parking improvements on the main campus, and $6 million for approximately
half of the Tech Center renovation and expansion project.
Centennial Residence Hall
In September 2018, Whitney Benefits committed $7.1 million to Sheridan College for the
construction of a 100-bed residence hall. The new residence hall was opened for students in Fall
2020. It was named Centennial Hall in recognition of the 100-year legacy of Edward A. Whitney’s
generosity.
Allied Health Building
Whitney Benefits has been committed to the Allied Health Science programs at Sheridan College
for decades, dedicating millions of dollars toward equipment, teaching instructors, endowed
health educational chairs, health practicums, and capital construction projects. Most recently
Whitney has supported the construction and renovation of the Allied Health Building. In addition,
in 2022 Whitney granted $50,000 to Sheridan College to help purchase state-of-the-art
equipment for dental hygiene students. This grant was a collaboration with the Dodd & Dorothy L.
Bryan Foundation and the Perkins Foundation.
Second Century Legacy Grant
In 2018, Whitney Benefits announced a gift of $11,369,000 to
Sheridan College in remembrance of Mr. Edward A. Whitney who
passed away 100 years prior. The gift was made to support
faculty in several academic areas including agriculture, machine
tool technology, welding technology, diesel technology, general
and visual arts, and the music program. These programs were all
selected as potential growth areas and align with regional
economic development priorities.
Also included in the grant is support for marketing and
recruitment as well as funding for the creation of a student
success mentoring program modeled from the current TRIO
program at Sheridan College. This program will improve student
persistence and completion by utilizing a contemporary mentoring model that goes beyond traditional advising to include
comprehensive service, from selecting a career path through acquiring the first job upon completion.
Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Science Construction Project
Whitney’s most recent commit¬ment to Sheridan College supports the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing and
Applied Sciences. This project will move Sheridan forward as a manufacturing hub, providing training and education in
composites, 3-D printing, and more. With plans to open in Fall 2024, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Applied
Sciences will benefit the Sheridan workforce, economy, educational landscape, and the community as a whole.
City of Sheridan
THE GIFT OF WATER
In 2022, Whitney Benefits gifted the city of Sheridan in excess of 50 million gallons of stored Park Reservoir water to assist
in watering Sheridan’s parks, pathways, and greenways.
Whitney Community Advisory Group
The Whitney Community Advisory Group was created in 2004 to provide input from various community members about
current Whitney projects and events. The group provides valuable community input into operations at Whitney Commons
and Whitney Plaza. The current community members include Steve Carroll, Steve Gage, Bill Gatley, Becky Newton, Stacia
Skretteberg, and James Wille.
Whitney Benefits supports community projects including the Whitney Community Advisory Group, Sheridan College, and
City of Sheridan.
Community Projects
An Educational Foundation by the late Mr. Edward A. Whitney
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Phone: 307-674-7303