Daily Pioneer News

Left to Right Mark Albers, Tiffany Nier, Matt Clark, Darcy Emler, Donald Emler, Diane Emler, Dustin Bonack and Kyle Mainwaring

PLATTEVILLE - After six heart bypass surgeries, two strokes and a leg amputation due to complications from diabetes, Donald Emler had hoped he would face no new challenges in the coming months as he begins the process of healing and recovery. The medical problems, along with accompanying financial difficulties associated with loss of employment and unexpected medical bills, might be about as much as one family could reasonably manage at any given time. Yet, as is the case of many people facing temporary or long-term loss of mobility, Emler and his wife, Diane, found themselves facing a new challenge: how to get from here to there?

Their home, like most, was not equipped for wheelchair transportation and that presented a big problem, especially in terms of getting in and out of the house as he pursues physical therapy and other medical treatments. The Emlers could not afford to have a ramp built and began inquiring into possible community assistance programs. Many local agencies and businesses came together to provide some of the funding for materials, but the Emlers still needed expertise and labor to build it.

That's where the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Construction Management Association (CMA) students stepped in. Under the supervision of Mark Albers, assistant professor of industrial studies, students in CMA designed and built the ramp. The project planning and design took about a month to complete, and the students finished the majority of the project over a weekend in April. "The ramp project was a good experience for our students because even though it was quite small in scope, it is representative of any construction project where design and construction are the contractor's responsibility. The building construction management classes and the CMA are geared towards construction management and understanding construction materials and methods, so the design portion of this was challenging. It also gives our students hands on experience which tends to tie theoretical and practical aspects together better than a lecture can. I think it was good for our students to see that construction is not always about the need for very large structures or projects, but about providing for local and community needs as well," said Albers

Kyle Mainwaring, a senior from Mukwonago majoring in building construction management, was the project manager for the ramp building. "There were many opportunities to learn from the start to finish of this project. I think that the biggest learning experience for us was that even though a project design is complete there may have to be design changes in the field in order to complete the project," said Mainwaring. The Emlers said they were pleased with the ramp and grateful to the students and contributors. Donald was back in the hospital to treat an infection in his leg during the weekend when the students were building, but he was able to take a ride up the ramp when he returned Sunday afternoon. He was also able to visit with the students throughout the remainder of the week as they finished off the project. "I really like it. I can go up and down and turn corners without hitting anything - and I can do it alone. I know I'm just getting started on my recovery, so this will really help me," he said. Diane said she was also very pleased. "I'm so excited about this and so impressed with this group of kids. They have worked so hard and been so courteous and helpful. They have been very dedicated and professional in getting this project done. We're very grateful to them and to everyone in the community who's been so supportive," she said. Tiffany Nier of Green Bay, a freshman in building construction management and secretary of CMA, said it is a great field for women. "I love the curriculum, and we have great teachers. I would encourage anyone with the inclination for this type of work to follow up and look into our program. It's very rewarding because you get to see your progress as you go and the final product, usually within a relatively short period of time," she said. In addition to Mainwaring and Nier, the UWP students participating in the project were Chris Badke of Rosendale; James Snyder of Spring Green; Brian Wetzel of Mayville; Dana Vincent of Oakfield; Trenton Smith of Monroe; Jay Barrientes of Watertown; Jason Krug of Fon du Lac; Dustin Bonack of Mayville; Anthony Schroder of Germantown; Lucas Clark of Chatfield, Minn; Matt Clark of Durand, Ill.; Grant Varo of Eastman; and Kyle Olson of Lodi.

Other community partners contributing to the project were Southwestern Community Action Program, Salvation Army, Platteville Thrift Shop, ITW Shakeproof, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Human Resources Club, Westview Methodist Church, United Building Centers, Heiser Hardware, Lowe's, Kraemer Brothers and Piper Electric. Anyone who would like to offer assistance to the Emlers during their time of recovery may contact Diane at (608) 348-8466. Anyone interested in learning more about the UWP Industrial Studies program may contact Dick Klawiter at (608) 342-1246

Contact: Dick Klawiter, chair, Industrial Studies Program, (608) 342-1246,klawiterd@uwplatt.edu

Prepared By: Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,martense@uwplatt.edu