Wyandot Snacks sponsors local Connection Center to support students outside the classroom

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Wyandot Snacks sponsors local Connection Center to support students outside the classroom

3 Sep 2021

Joanie Spencer

Since 2008, Joanie Spencer has covered the retail and wholesale sides of the baking industry.
Serving associations such as the American Society of Baking (ASB) and BEMA, Joanie is also in demand as an industry presenter on bakery operations and trends. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Rockhurst University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

When she’s not running or playing soccer, Joanie spends her time with her husband and 11-year-old son.

Photo: Conducting the Marion Tech Connections Center ribbon cutting are Dr. Ryan McCall, president of Marion Tech, and Robert Sarlls, president and CEO of Wyandot Snacks. Looking on are Ohio State Rep. Tracy Richardson and State Senator Bill Reineke.

MARION, OH — The Marion Technical College (MTC) celebrated a ribbon cutting for its new Connections Center, sponsored by Wyandot Snacks. The new space offers a one-stop location for students facing stressful issues outside the classroom to find resources and assistance.

The support that the Connections Center and Marion Tech provides students will allow them to achieve their next goals, which is a focal point for Wyandot Snacks.

“Many of our students find the biggest barriers to graduation outside the classroom,” said Dr. Ryan McCall, president of Marion Tech. “The new Connections Center provides a one-stop pathway to find help overcoming obstacles with childcare, transportation and food insecurity.”

Primrose Igonor, Marion Tech’s Belonging and Equity Coordinator, will also serve as the new Director of the Connections Center. Natalie Longmeier, a Student Resource Navigator with Marion Matters, has an office inside the Connections Center. Students can turn to her for help finding employment, housing, and childcare as well as referrals to community resources. Part-time and full-time students and their families also have access to counseling and other resources through the Student Assistance Program. The Connections Center also offers a food pantry. Wyandot regularly donates snacks to Marion Tech students.

“We are excited to help MTC students achieve the skills and training necessary to build meaningful careers,” said Robert Sarlls, president and CEO of Wyandot Snacks. “Ensuring their success not only requires access to the important life services the center provides but also the proper nourishment to get them through each day. Hunger is not an option. We are proud to play a role in MTC’s effort.”

“We are excited to help MTC students achieve the skills and training necessary to build meaningful careers,” said Robert Sarlls, president and CEO of Wyandot Snacks.

In addition to the support from Wyandot Snacks, Marion Tech received funding from the Rotary Club of Marion to assist with the physical renovations of the space as well as from OhioHealth to help acquire needed resources for our students.

Community involvement is an integral part of Wyandot Snacks’ values-based operating practices, which also led to the snack manufacturer achieving B Corp certification.

“Wyandot has always been givers to the community, and we ‘give ‘til it hurts’ for our customers and be good corporate citizens,” Sarlls said. “As we have been evolving our culture, [B Corp certification] has become a unifying, clear force and direction for how we’re operating as a business and putting the needs of society and the community on par with making money and being a capitalist. It’s about being a ‘conscious capitalist.’”

Supporting the Connections Center goes beyond being a steward of the community. It also empowers students to learn skills that will help them gain employment at companies like Wyandot. The support creates circular success to push the economy forward.

“It is truly heartwarming to see how so many people are willing to help our students,” Dr. McCall said.

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