Daily Pioneer News

The students are, front row (left to right) Jillian Balliet and Laura Londre; back row (left to right) Brian Hammers, Anthony Rodman, Andy Beilfuss, and Cory Rockteschel.

Menasha, WI - For Corey Rockteschel, earning his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering has provided a sense of accomplishment, and "a better future for my family." Rockteschel, of Appleton, was one of six students graduating from the collaborative University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley / University of Wisconsin-Platteville engineering program. The UW-Fox 2007 commencement ceremony took place at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 18, and was held in the campus' fieldhouse. This is the second year in a row that students actually received a bachelor's degree at the UW-Fox annual commencement ceremony.

Many of the more than 140 students that qualified for the Associate of Arts and Science degree during the past academic year were on hand to be presented with their diploma and enjoy their own sense of accomplishment.

In addition, a number of departing UW-Fox students were presented with scholarships to their transfer institution. Faculty representatives also presented awards to students who were outstanding in their respective academic field during the past year.

Dr. Willie D. Larkin, senior executive assistant/chief of staff for the Chancellor of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension, was the featured guest speaker. Larkin earned his Ph.D. from Ohio State University, and as a trained scholar and master teacher, he bridges the gap between educational theory and practice. He is a past recipient of the prestigious Kellogg National Fellowship Award.

Rockteschel, 35, said, "I've sacrificed a ton of time and haven't had much of a life over the past several years while I've been working on my degree, trying to balance work, family and studies. I tried to balance it all by working during the day, taking classes at night, and being with my wife and two children as I had the time."

Other students receiving their B.S. in mechanical engineering included Laura Londre (Hortonville), Jillian Balliet (Appleton), Andy Beilfuss (New London), Brian Hammers (Fremont), and Anthony "Tony" Rodman (Menasha).

All of the engineering grads are in career-type jobs already. Rocktechel is working with Amerequip (New Holstein) as a manufacturing engineer, and will be supervising 30 people in the production of back hoes and front end loaders for construction and farm vehicles.

Londre is employed by Georgia Pacific. Balliet works for Bemis. Beilfuss is beginning a career with Curt G. Joa, Inc. (Sheboygan Falls). Hammer has been working for Miller Electric, and Rodman recently started a career with Carver Yachts (Pulaski).

Rochteschel put his academic efforts into perspective. "The thing I liked the most about the collaborative engineering program at UW-Fox was the high level of interaction with the instructors here. They always found the time to help me when I needed it, and were always willing to take my calls at home or at work. I never would have received that kind of personal attention at a bigger campus or a larger program."

Contact and prepared by: Dave Hager, director of University Relations,_(920) 832-2611, david.hager@uwc.edu