At Convocation each year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville honors faculty and staff with UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, recognizing their excellence and dedication. In this year’s articles about the recipients, we are spotlighting their journeys, passions and the paths that brought them here.
UW-Platteville has awarded Travis Schute, grounds lead for the Facilities Management Department, with the University Staff Award for Excellence. This award recognizes staff members who provide essential services to the university while demonstrating excellence of performance, personal interaction and initiative and creativity.
Q: For those who don’t know, what does the grounds lead for the Facilities Management Department involve?
I supervise and manage a great team at UW-Platteville, keeping the communication between the supervisor and the team. I make sure we have a safe working environment in the Facilities Management Department. I’m responsible for directing the daily work of mowing, landscaping, snow removal and work orders throughout the day. I assign tasks and projects to the team and manage student workers.
Q: What in your background and experience prepared you for this role?
I worked at Menards as an assistant building materials manager, at Ashley Furniture as an assistant operator on a lamination machine and at UW-Platteville for more than 22 years, working with great people and learning on the job!
Q: How long have you held this position?
Almost a year. I would like to mention the grounds crew team at UW-Platteville for their hard work, dedication and being great coworkers: Dan McLaughlin, Jerry Olin, Paxton Tuescher, Ray Rickert, Ross Christensen and our supervisor, John Niehaus.
Q: Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, but I grew up in Westby, Wisconsin.
Q: What can you tell me that perhaps others may still not know about you?
I grew up with three amazing sisters, and they played a big role in shaping the person I am today. They taught me how to treat people with kindness and respect. From a young age, I learned to listen to different perspectives, value other people's ideas and be open-minded. Looking back, I realize how much those early lessons helped me develop a deep respect for diversity and the beliefs of others.
Q: Where is your "go-to" destination when you want rest and relaxation (where you can just be yourself)?
Sitting on my porch, drinking coffee, watching the sun come up and listening to my music.
Q: What kind of music is that?
My favorite artist is Jelly Roll. The genre I enjoy is rock/country.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Camping, hunting and spending time with my family.
Schute will be recognized at the university’s annual faculty and staff convocation.