Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - On Thursday, April 13, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) honored their partnership at the dedication of NTT's new office on the UWP campus. Gathering on the patio of Pioneer Tower, representatives from NTT; local, state and federal governments; area businesses and agencies; the Platteville Chamber of Commerce; and UW-Platteville administration, faculty, staff and students celebrated this new opening.

The NTT office at UW-Platteville will be a branch from NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories in Japan. Three people will run this office. Hiroki Tanaka, vice-president and general manager of NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories, will oversee the office, in addition to his responsibilities in Japan. Makoto Tarumi, manager, and an office assistant will work out of the Platteville office. Tarumi will be working at the Platteville office for at least two years. He will do market research and research environmental issues related to telecommunication and energy problems. He said, "I am very excited. ... I always wanted to be a bridge between science and the market, so this is a dream come true." He also added, "I like Wisconsin because the scenery and the atmosphere is similar to my hometown, Hokkaido."

As people gathered for the dedication, Senior Executive Vice President and co-CEO Ryuji Yamada said, "Today is a day that will go down in history in the relationship between NTT and Platteville. This is a beautiful state and I find the people to be extremely friendly, so we're looking forward to developing business in Wisconsin from Platteville as a base. We're really grateful for all the help from various people to make it possible to open the office."

UWP Chancellor David Markee said, "We're extremely pleased to have our friends and partners from Japan here. Many people from across the region and state are working together to find opportunities that fit here in Southwest Wisconsin. Now with the establishment of this office on campus, we can continue to explore future endeavors." Markee gave a warm welcome to more than 100 attendees, and numerous speakers added their congratulations and appreciation for this new partnership. Senator Dale Schultz said, "... The key to a good relationship is a long-standing partnership that grows. ... We look forward to a very productive and profitable relationship."

Congressman Ron Kind mentioned that he hopes NTT will take advantage of the research being done at UW-Platteville and use its students as a resource. In closing, Chancellor Markee directed everyone's attention to a young Japanese lilac tree that had just been planted near the state record Northern Catalpa tree that stands between Pioneer Tower, the Karrmann Library and the Pioneer Student Center. The Japanese lilac tree, Markee said, "represents our future growth with NTT." Later, Lon Pluckhahn, city manager of Platteville, reflected, "This is a perfect example of the way a community the size of Platteville can have an impact on the global stage." George Krueger, executive director of the Platteville Area Industrial Development Corporation, emphasized the many individuals that worked to make this happen. He said, "It's a wonderful day; the culmination of a lot of teamwork between UW-Platteville, Platteville economic development, Grant County economic development, Southwest Wisconsin and the state of Wisconsin. We planted a seed, and we hope it grows."

Contact: Duane Ford, dean, College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture, (608) 342-1547,fordd@uwplatt.edu

Prepared by: Kate McKinney, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, mckinnka@uwplatt.edu