President's Letter

Gary Weber
Foundation Board of Directors,
Vice President Manufacturing,
Laminations/Great Northern Corporation

What an incredibly exciting time it is for the UWSP Paper Science and Engineering Department and what a great time of opportunity for the members of the Paper Science Foundation and for all alumni of the Paper Science program.

As we met for the annual foundation meeting last month, we heard about some of the major changes that are occurring within the Paper Science and Engineering Department and the College of Natural Resources after years of planning and development:

• The Engineering Accreditation process is well underway.
• The start of the student exchange program with the University of Applied Technology in Munich Germany
• Research being conducted in the Biofuels area
• The establishment of the Wisconsin Institute of Sustainable Technology within the College of Natural Resources.
• Outstanding support for the program from the University by providing Bobbi Kubish as a recruiter.
• A full freshman class of 25 students.

If we consider that the members of the foundation and other industry companies are really "customers" of the Paper Science and Engineering Program, then we should all be excited about these changes because it means that there should be increased "supply" of the "product" (quality engineering graduates) we need from the program.

The Paper Science Foundation and the Board has worked hard over the last few years to provide a scholarship program that will help attract top students to the program and it is encouraging to see that these efforts have contributed to an increase in enrollment.

With this success however comes the need for commitment. If the foundation is to continue to provide scholarships that attract top students at the increased enrollment levels, we will need additional contributions from both industry companies and alumni.

Please consider carefully your needs as a "customer" in the future and what you can do as an individual to give back to the program as well as how you might encourage your company and peers to be an active supporter of the Foundation.

Thank You!

Gary Weber,
Vice President Manufacturing-Laminations/Great Northern Corporation UWSP Paper Science Class of 1980