Since 2023, the Magneson family of Stanton has been awarding tool carts to Southwestern Community College (SWCC) auto collision repair/refinish students on behalf of the Merlin and Ann Magneson fund through SWCC’s Education Foundation. Last week, during SWCC’s annual Pay it Forward Week, Jeff Magneson, SWCC auto collision repair/refinish instructor and son of Merlin and Ann, presented the tool carts to four deserving students.
This year’s tool cart recipients included 2025 Associate of Applied Science in auto collision repair/refinish candidates Dawson Hensley of Kellerton, Aiden Kathman of Boxholm, Collin Nardini of Granger, and Jarryn Stephens of Lorimor.
According to Magneson, he and his wife, Tammy, fund the tool carts to honor his parents’ memory.
“We thought the tool carts were unique and practical graduation gifts, utilizing the SWCC Education Foundation,” Magneson stated. “My parents were so proud of the fact my sister and I went to SWCC and took our education into successful careers.”
Magneson continued, “Education was very important to my parents, especially my mother, and my father had a passion for cars. Both possessed grit and a strong work ethic. They knew the value of community college.”
To qualify, SWCC students must be on track to complete the two-year Associate of Applied Science degree at the end of the spring semester. The students are given their choice of tool cart color and they assemble the carts themselves.
Pictured above: (L to R) SWCC auto collision repair/refinish students Collin Nardini, Jarryn Stephens, Aiden Kathman, and Dawson Hensley and SWCC Auto Collision Repair/Refinish Instructor Jeff Magneson.