The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students, recognizing up to 161 students each year. Among the 2022 honorees is Cameron Pokorny, now a freshman software engineering major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
“Being recognized as a U.S. Presidential Scholar was a tremendous honor,” said Pokorny. “I was proud to represent my family and community on the national level as a student who has achieved greatly in scholastic and service-based endeavors.”
In his hometown of Waupun, Wisconsin, Pokorny was incredibly active, serving locally as president of Waupun’s FFA and National Honor Society chapters, captain of the cross country and track teams, a founding member of Waupun Area Robotics, youth leader and member in Dodge County 4-H and a poultry business owner, who donated more than $15,000 of agricultural products to his local food pantry. Pokorny was also a member of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council, served nationally as a 4-H Tech Changemakers spokesperson, was valedictorian of his class and named a Coca-Cola Foundation Scholar and a Foot Locker Scholar Athlete.
"I knew that I wanted a quality education and a college that would help me to achieve my goal of graduating debt free ... UW-Platteville, with its outstanding reputation in engineering, fit this description.”
“When applying for colleges, I had to ask myself, what is important to me in a school? I knew that I wanted a quality education and a college that would help me to achieve my goal of graduating debt free,” said Pokorny. “I chose to attend UW-Platteville for two main reasons: the engineering program and the cost of attendance. I wanted to attend a school that would teach me to excel in my field of engineering, put me in a position to achieve career success and provide me with a diverse network of conscientious professionals. UW-Platteville, with its outstanding reputation in engineering, fit this description.”
Pokorny has not been in Platteville long, but he’s proud to call it home.
“I enjoy the diversity of classes offered here, the clear emphasis the university places on student engagement and the small-town feel of campus,” said Pokorny. He also noted that UW-Platteville’s pride in providing students with a quality, affordable education, makes it a welcoming place where he can explore new interests and continue to grow as an individual.
Pokorny isn’t the only Pioneer in his family. His parents, Doyle and Kim Pokorny, are both UW-Platteville alumni and have been role models to him throughout his life. Pokorny said that thanks to their support, love and sacrifice, he and his two older siblings were fortunate enough to pursue higher education, receive scholastic recognition and learn what it means to be great leaders.
“Given the respect and admiration I have for my parents and the affinity they held for UW-Platteville, I can confidently say that their positive experiences with the university helped to guide my college selection process.”
Currently a member of the UW-Platteville men’s rugby team, next semester, Pokorny plans to engage in other opportunities available in the city of Platteville. In addition to his plans to work part time as a real estate agent, he plans to join one of the professional development organizations on campus.
Pokorny plans to graduate from UW-Platteville with both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees through UW-Platteville’s unique Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathway.
Upon graduation, Pokorny plans to pursue a career in automation engineering and spend time working to automate various manufacturing or agricultural processes in Wisconsin industries. Due to the growing national demand for goods of all varieties, especially food, Pokorny said he would love to be a driving force in the revolutionization of various harvesting, processing, manufacturing and transportation processes. Pokorny said entrepreneurship has been a great outlet for his creative spirit, and in addition to his career, he has goals to produce, manufacture and market one of his tech-based product ideas within his early twenties.
“I am incredibly grateful for my family and many advisors, mentors, supporters and friends who enabled me to grow into the young man that I am today,” said Pokorny. “Without these people and their selfless support, I could not have possibly tackled so many wonderful opportunities.”