Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - Majoring in industrial technology management with minors in drafting and product development and business administration, Michael Fanning graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville College of Business, Industry, Life Science, and Agriculture (BILSA) on Saturday, May 8. Not only will Fanning be walking across the stage to receive his diploma, but he will also be speaking to the parents, faculty, staff, and his peers attending the ceremony as a commencement speaker.

Fanning will be speaking on commitment. "It's not only the commitment of students to get to graduation but also their dedication and pursuit of their goals the entire time up to this point. It's one thing to set a goal and another to see it through. Commencement is an excellent example of students actively pursuing their goals and seeing them fulfilled," said Fanning.

An avid enthusiast of NASCAR events, Fanning hopes to fulfill his career goals after graduation when he interviews with NASCAR where he would work with testing, research, and development. He has previously completed summer internships with Jasper Motorsports of Mooresville, N.C., where he worked on engineering, research, and development for the #77 NASCAR Winston Cup Team.

Fanning has been actively involved at UWP holding numerous positions in a myriad of areas. He was a commissioner on the Segregated University Fee Allocation Commission (SUFAC), served as a member of Residence Hall Council (RHC), served on Hall Council in his residence building, and was president of the UWP Foods Committee.

Fanning has also worked every year with WSUP, the UWP radio station, in sports and public affairs, and was named staff member of the week. He has been an intramural basketball official and the public address announcer for Pioneer Sports at most sporting events. His love of athletics carries over to his work as a supervisor and lifeguard for non-English speaking employees at his local YMCA.

Fanning credits Sid Scott, a business professor, for helping him learn to interpret the workplace and get a good sense of what to expect when pursuing a job. "Scott has helped me develop skills to sell myself to future employers and I'm grateful to have these skills now that graduation is so near," said Fanning.

He continued, "Looking back I was uncertain about entering college, but UWP provided everything I've ever asked for including resources to success, classes, and involvement on campus. It's been an incredibly awesome college experience. You don't realize how quickly time has flown by until you've reached the end."

Originally from Janesville, Fanning is the son of Terry and Deborah Fanning also of Janesville.