PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- On a bright day, motorists driving on Humke Road -- on a ridge west of the Dubuque County Fairgrounds -- can clearly see the "M" on the Platte Mound, east of the city of Platteville.
The world's largest "M" was created in 1936 by mining students at what is now the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, with the "M" standing for mining.
Easily seen throughout the tri-state area, the "M" is a physical reminder of the university's footprint in the Midwest. Its overall impact is immeasurable, and the university keeps growing and growing.
Tri-state 'economic engine'
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville pumps an estimated $120 million annually into the tri-state economy, according to Robert Cramer, UW-P assistant chancellor of administrative services. It is Grant County's largest employer.
"UW-P has been the largest economic engine in southwest Wisconsin for many years," said David Fritz, TRICOR Insurance and Financial Services president who graduated from the university
Of miners and mergers By the Numbers
|
The numbers are significant. It begins with the 7,500-plus students at the tri-state region's only regent's institution. But it is much more. There are the employees needed to support the students, housing and entertainment, the impact of parent visits to campus, the construction and maintenance on facilities, the health care required, the food consumed ...
And the list goes on.
"It is hard to imagine the tri-state area without having the UW-P," Fritz said.
From its humble beginnings in the mid-19th century, the university has grown, excelled and now stands as a key educational component of the 21st century.
And it's in the midst of a major growth spurt.
Engineered for success
On Jan. 27, 1908, 11 students were welcomed into the Wisconsin Mining Trade School, which later became the Wisconsin Mining School. Its name changed to the Wisconsin Institute of Technology, ultimately to be merged with the Wisconsin State College at Platteville in 1959 to become what is now UW-P.
Shortly after current
UW-P Chancellor David Markee earned his undergraduate degree, the university expanded its academic program and founded other colleges within itself in the late 1960s. The old mining college was transformed into an engineering college encompassing mining, electrical, mechanical and eventually electronic engineering. By the late 1980s, the mining engineering degree was phased out, having been overshadowed by the other engineering degrees.
Michael Jansen, of Hazel Green, earned his bachelor degree in civil engineering from UW-P in 1987. Jansen, the principal civil & structural engineer and chief executive officer for IIW Engineers & Surveyors, has continued his involvement with the university, working with alumni associations and faculty and student organizations.
"My experience over the past 25 years has shown UW-P is an organization that knows who it is, and where it is going -- the key signs to an organization with strong, visionary leadership and a highly dedicated staff," Jansen said.
In 2008, the university celebrated 100 years in engineering.
"One hundred years is an accomplishment that requires commitment, support and the ability to adapt to meet the needs of the future," Jansen said. "The past 100 years have provided a foundation upon which the university will continue to grow and respond to the needs of society."
Small technology, big ideas
UW-P already has taken steps to address future needs. In early December, the university unveiled the Nanotechnology Center for Collaborative Research and Development. The center is a joint initiative with the WiSys Technology Foundation. Jim Hamilton, a Wisconsin Distinguished Professor and UW-P chemistry professor, serves as the director.
Hamilton said the nanotechnology center was created to give students a way to work on forefront technologies.
"Instead of doing clever homework problems, they are working on something that can really impact the economy of Wisconsin, build people jobs, and have real short-term benefits for the area," he said.
Mike Cenci, a WiSys spokesman, envisions the center -- housed in both Ottensman Hall and the new engineering hall -- spawning high-tech business development throughout the Midwest, including Dubuque.
Hamilton added that part of the nanotech center is involved in training students on how to start high-tech companies.
"And think about such things, and how to do the transition from the lab to the marketplace, which is not necessarily an easy thing to do," Hamilton said. "We want to train them and let them know it's possible."
Hamilton teaches students how to do research and development as they learn and foster entrepreneurship in the new economy.
The new, $25.6 million engineering hall, opened for classes in January. Besides the nanotechnology center, the structure is home to electrical engineering, engineering physics, physics and the general engineering labs. It is one of numerous major building projects, including those planned and under development -- totaling more than $188 million -- on campus since 1997.
"UW-Platteville, it's a fact, is a mecca for technical talent for engineering," said Dan McDonald, director of existing business for Greater Dubuque Development Corp. "UW-P's engineering talent is one of the nation's best-kept secrets."
The man behind the mission
Area business leaders like Fritz and Jim Schneller credit Markee's leadership for the university's growth -- academically and in campus expansion.
"He's a transformational leader," Schneller said. "It's his vision. Take a look at what he's done. It's very, very impressive. And he's never been one to stand up in the spotlight and take credit -- he prefers to give others credit. But make no mistake, he has made a tremendous impact on the university."
Markee has lead the university since August 1996. During his tenure, the former Platteville High School English teacher has shepherded the creation of a number of programs and initiatives. He has encouraged the development of web-based academic programs, created sister schools and related exchange programs, and he was instrumental in establishing a Confucius Institute on campus (UW-P is the only Wisconsin institution to offer one). He worked to bring in Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., which opened a United States office on the campus. And Markee obtained the resources to build new or renovate classroom facilities -- including the Pioneer Farm's $1.8 million swine center and the $2.6 million dairy center.
Over the past 10 years, the university's enrollment has grown 35 percent, from 5,560 students to 7,512.
The chancellor was the driving force behind the Tri-State Initiative, which started in the fall of 2005. A state-approved plan, it allows UW-P to add 2,000 students to address future state work force needs -- particularly in the sciences and engineering areas. In September 2006, students moved into the
$20 million Southwest Hall -- built to help accommodate that student influx.
The plan is steadily moving forward.
"There have been numerous chancellors over the years, but David Markee will go down in the history books as the individual who guided the university to one of the top universities in the Midwest," Fritz said. "From the Tri-State Initiative, which has opened the campus to Iowa and Illinois students to affordably attend, to his relentless effort in Madison to make sure southwest Wisconsin was not forgotten about, Chancellor Markee was instrumental in building an administrative team that also shared his vision of what he wanted UW-P to become."
Markee characterized the growth as a collaborative, team effort that created a new vision and direction.
"I think just before I came in, the campus had underwent a downsizing exercise, had budget reductions and a consolidation of programs," Markee said. "As we looked at the various programs, we thought what are the opportunities that we could participate in that could help the institution grow, but be supportive of initiatives in the region."
One of the results was establishing a set of degree areas that made a statement as to what Platteville was all about, Markee added.
The College of Engineering, Mathematics & Science isn't the only star in the UW-P galaxy. So is its College of Business, Industry, Life Science & Agriculture and its College of Liberal Arts & Education, which houses renowned criminal justice undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The impacts of those programs are being felt globally.
In the spring of 2007, the criminal justice department and the Pioneer Farm designated a little more than a half-acre that was established as the Forensic Investigation Research Facility. The first of its kind in the northern U.S., the facility allows criminal justice faculty and students to conduct ongoing research into the specific northern climate-related effects on body decomposition. The results can be critical in death investigations, specifically in helping forensic investigators determine such factors as the time and cause of death.
From Platteville to the world
Markee believes the university is blessed with having the physical space that allows growth in both classroom and support facilities.
"It's an absolutely ideal campus and has been to some degree, I think, a secret," he said. "As we become more known, and more and more people look in the tri-state area, including corporate contacts and businesses that are exploring the region, they will see Platteville, the campus and all the potential."
Tom Hughey, a guidance counselor at Lancaster High School, said UW-P continues to evolve with the times.
"It has grown from our local university to what is now truly a regional university serving the Midwest," he said. "It has adapted existing majors and created new ones to prepare graduates for the jobs of the 21st century. In doing so it continues to evolve to meet with the demands of what is now a truly global economy."
Ron Brisbois, Grant County Economic Development director, said UW-Platteville is one of the most critical resources for Grant County's (as well as the region's), future industrial growth and industrial business development. He calls it the region's economic trump card.
"Their engineering program, as well as their industrial studies, computer science and agriculture curriculum, have broad and specific appeal to businesses from around the world," he said. "The curriculum and degrees offered by UW-P also correlate with Grant County's and the region's targeted industries, and these industries can readily realize that with a four-year university in the county, that they will have a distinct competitive advantage over other like businesses that are located outside of the region."
Guys like Greater Dubuque's Dan McDonald will tell you that UW-P played a significant role in Dubuque's recent economic development coup -- landing IBM. Big Blue, with the help of tens of millions of dollars in incentives, plans to launch an IT service center in downtown Dubuque, bringing 1,300 jobs. IBM, development officials have said, was sold in large part on the tri-state's educational strengths, and Platteville's university and its tech prowess had much to do with that fact.
Southwest Wisconsin's long-serving senator sees the university as a source of visibility in marketing the region globally.
"UW-P draws national and international visitors, enriching our lives as they share their experiences, cultures and perspectives," said state Sen. Dale Schultz, whose 17th Senate District includes the city of Platteville. "And they take with them their new-found knowledge of our region to share with others."
Jansen agreed, adding the UW-P brings a regional, national and international recognition to the tri-state area.
"The UW-P reputation in providing a high-quality education is a key component of its success in attracting students. A high-quality education is the most significant and long-lasting impact on economic prosperity and social well-being."
UW-P Impact - University of Wisconsin-Platteville student Phillip Streich discusses what makes UW-P special and the impact the school has had on his life.
