MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross, along with Regents Mike Jones, Karen Walsh, and Olivia Woodmansee, joined UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Bernie Patterson for a series of events at UW-Stevens Point today in the sixth stop of UW System’s All In Wisconsin tour, aimed at demonstrating the value the UW System brings to Wisconsin.
“The UW System is a powerful magnet for attracting talent to Wisconsin and developing that talent,” President Cross said. “Right now, everyone is seeking talent. Employers are screaming for it. The need for this kind of collaborative approach has never been greater, and that’s what the All In Wisconsin tour is all about.”
The tour kicked off with a breakfast with community and business leaders including representatives from corporations and local governments in the region.
At the breakfast, Regent Walsh spoke about the importance of forming lasting partnerships between business and the UW System.
“The purpose of this All In Wisconsin tour is to form a closer, deeper relationship with our community partners,” President Cross said. “We would like to work with you – and we want and need to hear from you what your needs are now, next year, 10 years from now.”
After breakfast, Chancellor Patterson led a campus tour of UW-Stevens Point, including stops at the Noel Fine Arts Center and hands-on learning centers in the College of Professional Studies. During and after the tour, the Regents heard from students about how they are integrating their academic learning with real-world experiences. Students spoke about their involvement in the community, and several shared their undergraduate research projects.
“UW-Stevens Point is committed to helping our students succeed,” Chancellor Patterson said. “Through classroom learning, research with dedicated professors, and real-world learning experiences on campus and in the community, UW-Stevens Point students are among the best prepared professionals in Wisconsin.”
The tour then traveled to the UW-Stevens Point at Wausau campus for a lunch with Wausau business leaders.
UW-Stevens Point wrapped up the tour with a news conference announcing a $4.3 million gift to the School of Education. See more information on the gift on UW-Stevens Point’s website.
The All In Wisconsin tour is intended to demonstrate how the UW System meets the needs of Wisconsin and to generate additional ideas about how the System can continue to do so.
The next stop on the All In Wisconsin tour is UW-Eau Claire on November 20.
The University of Wisconsin System serves approximately 170,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the UW System is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. More than 80 percent of in-state UW System graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree. The UW System provides a 23:1 return on state investment. UW System institutions also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.