Student to earn degree after 20 years, credits Platteville Engineering Partnerships program

Written by Ruth Wendlandt on |
Luke Strenn

As Luke Strenn navigated his professional career in law enforcement, he always felt he was missing his calling of working in the fields of engineering, mathematics and science. Now, after 20 years, Strenn is preparing to graduate this May from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a degree in mechanical engineering. Strenn credits the Platteville Engineering Partnerships (PEP) program with giving him the opportunity to fulfill his dream. 

“The UW-Platteville staff that is on the UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus has been super supportive and loving. I can’t emphasize that enough,” said Strenn. “Every time I would go back after taking breaks, I would be embarrassed. [The instructors] were always receptive, supportive and understanding.”

According to Dr. Michael Zampaloni, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science graduate programs director and mechanical engineering professor, the PEP program caters to non-traditional students, those who are place-bound due to work or family obligations, and allows students to complete their degree in mechanical or electrical engineering without having to move to Platteville.

“The degree is the same degree as you would earn on the main campus in Platteville using a lot of the same faculty members, but it is delivered to your location via asynchronous delivery or, if in the Fox Valley area, via face-to-face instruction,” he said. “Even though you may be physically located away from the main campus, you will still get the hands-on skills UW-Platteville is known for through labs that either are sent to your location or  through Super Saturday labs – labs that are held periodically throughout a semester in a fixed location allowing you to work side-by-side with your colleagues. The PEP program provides a great alternative for those that want to earn their degree but are unable to pick up their lives and move to the main campus.”  

Strenn, who lives in Appleton, Wisconsin, with his family enrolled in the PEP program in 2001. Throughout his educational journey, he faced challenges with balancing his 19-year career in law enforcement, raising a family and going back to school. However, he persisted through all the obstacles. 

“I was working in an area so far removed from mechanical engineering it would be discouraging,” he said. “The professors and staff that are in the PEP program in Menasha, Wisconsin, are super supportive. They generally care about the students who are trying to complete their degrees, especially for working adults who are trying to get a second chance.”

Now, as Strenn embarks on his final semester, he’s looking forward to receiving his diploma. Currently, Strenn is an associate engineer at Sargento Foods Inc. in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

“It’s exciting. I wish I would have been more intentional about where I belonged sooner,” he said. “The law enforcement career had rewards, but I always felt I wasn’t using the God-given abilities I had. I love math and science.”

As the spring semester gets underway, Zampaloni notes students come to UW-Platteville with the goal of improving their lives.

“To be able to help anyone along that journey is very humbling,” said Zampaloni. “When that student has been working on the degree over an extended period, like Luke, it is inspiring to witness them persevere through all the changes life throws at them to achieve their goals. It is a good lesson for all students out there. There isn’t one fixed traditional path to achieve your dreams, all it takes is the willingness to make it happen.”

Strenn said the lasting lesson he has learned about himself in the last 20 years is, “Do not let fear of failure stop you from stretching yourself. You have to be willing to fail in certain pursuits to grow. It took me a long time to learn. It’s a good overall principle.”

To learn more about the PEP program, visit www.uwplatt.edu/department/engineering-partnerships.

PEP campus partnership sites include: 

  • UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities
  • UW-Whitewater Rock County
  • UW-Stevens Point Wausau
  • Madison College
  • Carroll University 
  • Edgewood College