FVCC Eagle Award presented to Wachholz

Flathead Valley Community College presented this year’s Eagle Award to businessman and community philanthropist Paul Wachholz during the 24th annual President’s Dinner on May 16.

The Eagle Award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the college.

FVCC President Jane Karas presented Wachholz with the award and thanked him for his leadership, service and philanthropy to the college.

“We are grateful to Paul for his incredible generosity and belief in FVCC,” Karas said. “Paul has touched many lives in Northwest Montana and created endless possibilities for our students and the community long into the future.”

Wachholz holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado and completed classes at the University of Colorado’s Graduate School of Banking.

Wachholz first came to the Flathead in 1967 when his employer sent him to Kalispell to help manage the Conrad Bank. He fell in love with the Flathead Valley and eventually built two successful businesses here, Coldwell Banker Wachholz & Company and Fun Beverage Inc.

Over the years, Wachholz has supported and advocated for FVCC’s role in preparing students for successful futures as a major sponsor of FVCC’s Festival of Flavors for the past 12 years and by pledging $4 million toward the development of a College Center on campus.

“Throughout my life, I have not valued money by its worth, but rather by what it can specifically be used for,” Wachholz said. “Investing in FVCC and the College Center is personally very gratifying to me, because it will become a focal point of the expanding college campus, bringing students and community members together.”

Wachholz also has served as a guest speaker at numerous college events, encouraging students to work hard and believe in their abilities.