Alumnus helps college raise funds

Steve Menzel, Stevens Point, has been named public relations and development coordinator for the College of Natural Resources.

His new responsibilities include coordinating CNR communication activities, managing the college’s Web site and editing the CNR newsletter. Another part of the job is to facilitate fund raising for the college. Menzel is developing relationships with donors and working on projects aimed at specific financial needs within the college.

"One of the areas we are working on is continuing the funding for the position of distinguished professor in forestry," Menzel said. "We hope to raise $40,000 over two years."

Menzel recently sent out a mailing to professionals in the wood products industry and reports that he is already seeing success with the project.

He is assisting in planning a long-range initiative to expand the influence of the CNR. This 10-year plan will see definite growth in the college, taking it to a global audience.

"I have had the pleasure and benefit of working with John Ross, who is not only an expert in fund raising, but a conservation graduate from our campus," Menzel says. Ross, a 1958 graduate, recently retired as development director of the Indiana University Foundation. He now conducts seminars around the country for "Philanthropy and Americans Outdoors."

"It’s exciting to look at the future of the college," Menzel notes.

Before coming to UWSP, Menzel was the public relations coordinator for Saint Michael's Hospital. He also was an advertising sales account representative for the Stevens Point Journal from 1978 to 1993.

While a student at UWSP, he received the Dreyfus Award for Community Service in 1977 and was named Pointer basketball’s most valuable player in 1978 under Coach Dick Bennett. He received a bachelor's degree in communication in 1978.

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