EagleBurgmann continues funding Kirk Elementary School
Representatives and board members from EagleBurgmann, a longtime business partner with Kirk Elementary School, visited the campus on Sept. 23 after again pledging to donate $250,000 over the course of four years to support blended learning through the company’s corporate giving initiative.
Headquartered in Houston since 1977, EagleBurgmann is part of the Freudenberg Group, a German-based group of companies whose products include cleaning products, textiles and telecommunications. The giving initiative is called “e2” and supports those in the fields of the environment and education across the world.
Kirk Elementary School Principal Katie Ford, center, holds a plaque presented to the campus from business partner EagleBurgmann, which pledged to donate $250,000 over the course of four years to support blended learning through the company’s corporate giving initiative. EagleBurgmann representatives and board members from its parent company, Freudenberg Group, visited and toured Kirk on Sept. 23. Joining Ford, from left, are Hanno Wentzler, a current Freudenberg Group advisor after retiring as president and chief executive officer of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities SE & Co. KG; Esther Loidl, Freudenberg Group Board of Management member and chief human resource officer; Steve Caron, EagleBurgmann chief executive officer for the Americas business unit; and Dr. Sebastian Weiss; EagleBurgmann chief financial officer.
 |
EagleBurgmann representatives and board members from its parent company, Freudenberg Group, tour a renovated classroom at Kirk Elementary School on Sept. 23. The group visited the campus after again pledging to donate $250,000 over the course of four years to support blended learning through the company’s corporate giving initiative. |
 |
Kirk Elementary School Principal Katie Ford, left, speaks to Freudenberg Group representatives Esther Loidl and Hanno Wentzler during a tour of the campus on Sept. 23. Loidl, Wentzler and other representatives from the German-based parent company to EagleBurgmann were on hand after it pledged to donate $250,000 over the course of four years to support blended learning. |
Freudenberg Group board members visiting Houston joined EagleBurgmann representatives in touring Kirk. Principal Katie Ford led the group through the campus, showcasing technology in the classrooms, interactive learning and even completed and ongoing renovation projects funded by the 2019 Bond.
“This is the second project here with Kirk and it’s become a role model for a public elementary school,” said Hanno Wentzler, a current adviser for the Freudenberg Group after retiring as president and chief executive officer of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities SE & Co. KG. “I haven’t seen anything like this and to support how they use blended learning and teach these kids in a very useful way hits their core. The scores are better. The attendance rates are better. So, it’s really fun to give back to the community where we are here in Houston and support a project like that.”
The original partnership and proposal to bridge Kirk and EagleBurgmann was spearheaded by former principal Onica Mayers, who served the school before joining the CFISD human resources department in 2019. Dr. Jennifer Bell succeeded Mayers at Kirk and resubmitted the proposal earlier.
Ford was named principal in March and soon received news of EagleBurgmann again pledging to donate the $250,000 over four years. She led the group that included Wentzler; Esther Loidl, Freudenberg Group Board of Management member and chief human resource officer; Dr. Sebastian Weiss; EagleBurgmann chief financial officer; and Steve Caron, EagleBurgmann chief executive officer for the Americas business unit.
“One of the kindest things they said was we’re the catalyst for change,” Ford said. “And to hear them say they wished they could have gone to an elementary school like this makes me proud of things we’re doing here and proud of the efforts and ways Kirk teachers put in to meet our kids’ needs. I’m glad they were able to see that.”
In addition to the visit, company representatives presented Ford and Kirk with a commemorative plaque honoring their blending learning initiative and partnership.
“To look at the students’ faces gives us all the affirmation we need,” Wentzler said. “This is part of the job—to see the projects in reality and not just write a check. We want to be connected.”
Said Ford: “They really go above and beyond. And that really helps us supplement even more for our kids who need it.”
