The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point soil judging team earned a strong fourth-place finish out of nine universities at the Region III Collegiate Soil Judging Contest, held October 20–23 in Bad Axe, Michigan. The event was hosted by Michigan State University. With this result, UW–Stevens Point qualified to compete at the National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest in March at North Carolina State University.
The UW–Stevens Point Soil Judging Team shows off their teamwork and skills at the Region III Collegiate Soil Judging Contest in Bad Axe, Michigan.
The regional competition brought together teams from Purdue University, UW–Platteville, Michigan State University, the University of Illinois, Ohio State University, Grand Valley State University, UW–Madison and Southern Illinois University.
In individual results, Elliot Nimmer tied for seventh place, Will Watry placed eighth, Mary Chesnut finished 12th, Nora Hunt 17th, Erin Tschida 19th, Ronny Ruedinger 30th, Jacob Kuhnke 33rd and Nick Eidenschink 54th out of 62 competitors.
The UW–Stevens Point team included Nick Eidenschink, Austin Kahl, Hannah Rumney, Jacob Kuhnke, Justin Konopacki, Nora Hunt, Ronny Ruedinger, Elliot Nimmer, Ryan Winter, Erin Tschida, Miley Sickels, Mary Chesnut, Will Watry, Sydney Recker, Sam Watson, Maya Muth, Benjamin Puuri, Gabe Bowman, Abby Leis, Lydia Kunkel, Rachel Boehlke and Gabby Barca.
The team is advised by Bryant Scharenbroch, associate professor of soil and waste resources.
Collegiate soil judging competitions challenge students to apply their scientific knowledge outside the classroom. Over several days, participants evaluate real soil pits in the field, describing and classifying soil horizons, textures, colors and structures. They also interpret how soils influence land use, water movement and ecosystem health.
The experience provides students with valuable, hands-on training that prepares them for careers in environmental consulting, agriculture, land management and natural resource conservation. Students develop teamwork, problem-solving and analytical skills, all while gaining a deeper understanding of how soils form and function across different landscapes.
From Campus to Career: How Three UW-Stevens Point Alumni Found Their Path in Waste and Renewables
When you are in high school, it can feel like everyone else has their future figured out. The truth? Most students explore, change direction, and discover new passions along the way.
Just ask Alejandra, Lindsey, and Alex, three University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point alumni who now work for Dane County Waste and Renewables. Their stories show that you don’t need a perfect plan. What matters is being curious, saying yes to opportunities, and finding a career that makes an impact.
Alejandra, a solid waste engineer for Dane County, oversees landfill operations and connects with the community through sustainability outreach.
Alejandra: Turning Curiosity into Community Impact
Alejandra always cared about the environment but wasn’t sure how to make it her career. She started college studying biology and chemistry, but a report predicting clean drinking water could become one of the scarcest resources by 2050 changed everything.
“That really stuck with me,” she said. “The more I learned about water management—treatment, protection, and the way it impacts communities, the more I knew this was the field for me.”
At UW-Stevens Point, she found the best of both worlds: a strong biology program and one of the nation’s top natural resources programs. After graduation, she managed wastewater projects for a beverage company but longed for something with more environmental impact.
When a position opened at Dane County Waste and Renewables, she took the leap.
Now a solid waste engineer, Alejandra manages landfill operations and projects like the county’s new Sustainability Campus. She also gets to connect with community members through outreach.
“My friends are probably tired of me talking about trash,” she said. “But it affects everyone, every day. I love knowing the work I do helps people rethink their own choices and creates a broader impact.”
Lindsey, a biogas specialist at Dane County Waste and Renewables, helps operate a renewable natural gas facility that converts landfill gas into vehicle fuel.
Lindsey: From the Field to the Biogas Plant
Lindsey’s path began at UW-Madison, where an environmental science course made her realize just how much human choices shape the planet. Wanting more hands-on experience, she joined WisCorps, spending a semester restoring Wisconsin parks.
“Being outside, directly stewarding our natural resources, it was so powerful,” she said. “That’s when I knew I needed a degree with real-world applications.”
She transferred to UW-Stevens Point, joined the Waste Management Society and attended conferences that led to her first internship. Alongside her service in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, those experiences gave her technical skills and resilience.
Today she’s a biogas specialist at Dane County Waste and Renewables. She helps operate a renewable natural gas facility that turns landfill gas into vehicle fuel. Her job ranges from analyzing data to managing contracts and tracking millions of dollars in equipment.
“Waste management may not sound glamorous, but it’s never going away,” Lindsey said. “It’s essential work, and it’s incredibly fulfilling. Everything we do contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future.”
As carbon offset manager at Dane County Waste and Renewables, Alex splits his time between fieldwork at the landfill and managing projects that turn carbon dioxide into usable products.
Alex: Bringing Numbers to Life in Sustainability
For Alex, waste management stood out because of its universal relevance.
“It’s something everyone is involved with, but not many people want to work in,” he said. “That challenge, and the potential to make an impact, sparked my interest.”
Through UW-Stevens Point, Alex gained hands-on experience in clubs, fieldwork and internships. After finishing graduate school, he joined Dane County Waste and Renewables as a carbon offset manager.
He now tracks the department’s carbon footprint and supports projects like adding carbon separation equipment to the gas plant. The goal: turning carbon dioxide into a usable product instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.
“No two days look the same,” he said. “Some days I’m out at the landfill, other days I’m working through contracts or reviewing data. What excites me most is that the work we do today creates solutions for tomorrow.”
Finding Your Own Path
Alejandra, Lindsey, and Alex all took different routes, but they agree on one thing: UW-Stevens Point gave them the tools to succeed by combining strong academics with real-world experience.
Whether through internships, student organizations, or fieldwork, they left campus with the skills and confidence to pursue careers that matter.
Their advice to high school students? Stay curious, get involved, and don’t worry if your path takes a few turns.
“The important part,” Alejandra said, “is finding work that excites you and contributes to something bigger.”
And one last tip, they agreed: visit a landfill.
“It changes the way you see waste,” Lindsey said. “And it changes the way you see the impact you can make.”
