Contact: Bill Wagnon
A Wisconsin health-care specialist is leaving the bulk of his estate to Mississippi State University's education college.
The gift by Dr. Everett L. Tessmer of Wausau, Wis., will support the academic department in which he studied. When eventually received by the university, the estate--currently valued at $1.3 million--could be the largest contribution ever to the College of Education.
Tessmer received his doctorate in counselor education from the university in 1994. His planned gift will support counselor education programs in the department of counselor education/educational psychology.
"Dr. Tessmer's contribution will be a tremendous boost to our program, and for that we are extremely grateful," said education Dean Bill Graves. "Private support such as this is crucial if we are to continue to position the College of Education as one of the educational leaders of our region."
Tessmer is president, rehabilitation/vocational counselor and consultant for Wausau-based Northwoods Employment and Rehabilitation Services Inc. The multi-million dollar business provides full-service rehabilitation, vocational counseling, temporary help, and private employment service to the physically and mentally disabled.
He also serves as a rehabilitation psychologist on staff at the Wausau Medical Center's Marshfield Clinic, the nation's third largest medical center with nearly 700 physicians.
The College of Education's 1996 Alumni Fellow received a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1989, a second master's in vocational rehabilitation and counseling from California Western University in 1981 and a bachelor's in business administration and economics from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1969.