STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources will benefit from a $1 million endowment from Milwaukee Tools.
The two Wisconsin institutions announced the partnership Wednesday at the Schmeeckle Reserve. Milwaukee Tools will provide chainsaws, hand saws, pruners, blowers, and measuring tools. Additionally, students who are going into their summer field experience will get their own personal protective equipment from Milwaukee Tools including hard hats, rechargeable headlamps, banded ear plugs, and protective goggles. All told that package is worth $177.
UWSP Chancellor Thomas Gibson says the partnership will lead to a more robust student learning experience. “This generous support is a tremendous benefit to our students,” he told the crowd, which included current students.
A student demonstrates the Milwaukee Tools and safety equipment that will be given to UWSP through a new endowment between the company and the school. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
Dean of the CNR Brian Sloss says students the gift means students will be able to use many of the same tools the professionals use, while also helping to beta test new models for Milwaukee. He says being able to test that technology is just as exciting for him and the students as the donation itself. “[We’ll be] testing new technology and products and providing feedback to our partners at Milwaukee Tool as they bring innovative products to our field.”
Sloss says that aspect of the partnership will benefit both his students and Milwaukee Tools. He also sees it as a chance to move the entire field forward. “It will teach our students to not only use this equipment but to think forward. Think innovation, thing growth. What can you do to change what you are using to make your life better?
“This thinking and innovation is critical to our national efforts and leadership in conservation and resource management,” added Sloss.
Professor of Forestry Les Werner said the partnership nearly didn’t get off the ground at all. According to Werner, it all started when he received a “cryptic, broken-up” voice message that was just intriguing enough that he spent time investigating it. “[It was from] somebody named Ryan at Milwaukee Tool who wanted to talk about something related to our forestry program. To make matters worse, I was only able to decipher nine of the ten numbers on the message. I spent the next hour on the Milwaukee Tool website, I even went through their contact us [page] to see who this Ryan was, and what number I could reach him at.
“I find it absolutely remarkable what the simple act of returning a phone call can lead to. We finally did make contact and the culmination of that is where we are today,” added Werner.
