Daily Pioneer News

Mary Robinson Wagner

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Women in Engineering Program is the only formal program in Wisconsin dedicated to recruitment and retention of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). For the past three years, UWP Women in Engineering has partnered with Durrant to put on a banquet, celebrating women in the STEM fields. This year's banquet was held April 17.

"The banquet was a wonderful event that provided inspiration for all those in attendance. People have been raving about the entire event from the dinner to the speakers to the networking opportunities with Durrant and the other company sponsors," said Tammy Salmon-Stevens, director of the Women in Engineering Program.

Durrant donates approximately $2,000 to fund the banquet and sponsors approximately 12 similar events at other colleges and universities throughout the country. Durrant is a leader in architecture and engineering and continually builds on their vision for growth, service and success. They have over 300 employees in 12 offices throughout the country.

"We see ourselves as advisors to our industry, our community and our world. We want to make our profession better," said Kevin Eipperle, managing principal for the Durrant Dubuque office. "We have a lot of alumni from UWP. The graduates we get are well educated and have practical knowledge."

Front Row: Mary Robinson Wagner, Nicole Maas, Kim Friebel, Erin Stender, Sara Kapfhamer, Sarah Bins, Emma Grant, Koreena Wood Second Row: Brenda Averkamp (Durrant), Tammy Salmon-Stephens, Danen Detloff, Brittany Beinborn, Kate Shaffer, Valerie Stendel, Michele McGaver, Lindsey Vick, Constance Fierk, Jill Rajek and Kevin Eipperle (Durrant)

Alliant Energy, Caterpillar, American Transmission Company, John Deere and MSA Professional Services also supported the banquet by sponsoring tables.

Mary Robinson Wagner, an environmental engineer at MSA Professional Services in Baraboo and UWP alumna, was the keynote speaker. When she came to UWP in 1974, she was one of only seven women engineering students. She emphasized that women engineers need to know how to make a professional presence, find mentors and understand their workplace.

"You have a great potential in life. The world needs what you have to offer. It is unique and powerful to be a woman engineer. It is a durable career and takes you where you need to go. I encourage you to get as many skills here as you can," said Wagner.

Wagner's parents, Josh and Florence Robinson, sponsor a scholarship in Wagner's name. This year's scholarship was awarded to Tera Burr of Shawano.

The John Deere Women and Minority Scholarship was also presented at the banquet. The recipients were Samantha Klapatauskas of Thorp, Nicole Schoenbeck of Sun Prairie and Deepika Ganju of Platteville. This scholarship is awarded to female or minority students majoring in engineering.

"Engineering is important because it develops critical thinking and allows advances that make the world we live in better," said Klapatauskas.

After the presentation of scholarships, two graduating seniors, Michelle McGaver of Milwaukee and Sarah Bins of Sheboygan, shared why they became engineers and offered advice to their fellow women engineers.

"Life is a series of opportunities. To be successful, you have to find balance in what you do," said Bins in her speech.

McGaver encouraged women who are thinking about any STEM field. "Don't be intimidated. Try it if you have any remote interest in it," stated McGaver. The night concluded with Eipperle presenting a gift of a portfolio from Durrant to the graduating seniors. Bins, McGaver, Koreena Wood of Wisconsin Rapids, Connie Fierke of Stetsonville, Kim Friebel of Kimberly, Nicole Maas of Neenah, Jill Rajek of Merrill, Kate Schaffer of Hilbert, Erin Stender of Krakow, and Danen Detloff of Geneseo, Ill., will graduate in May. Brittany Beinborn of Cuba City, Emma Grant of Hustiford, Valerie Stendel of De Soto, and Lindsey Vick of Cottage Grove, will graduate in December.

Anyone wanting more information about the Women in Engineering Program may contact Salmon-Stevens at (608) 342-1563 or salmont@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Tammy Salmon-Stephens, director, Women in Engineering Program, (608) 342-1563, salmont@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu