November 6 Program

Dr. Iddi Adam, Associate Dean, and Roxie Wetterau, Foundation Director, presented on the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Building Project at UW-Marshfield/Wood County. A 2012 case study assessed STEM facility needs and decided that the current facilities are outdated (built in 1964 with few updates since), have health, safety & risk management concerns, and have academic, technology, and capacity limitations. The solution is renovation of the existing 21,000 sq.ft. science building along with an 18,000 sq. ft. STEM addition. The STEM project is important because access to cutting-edge technology is a necessity, 50% of students major in the STEM areas, UW-Eau Claire College of Nursing has a Marshfield site, and local businesses identified STEM education as an essential need.

The STEM capital campaign has a goal of $8 million. The city and county will be asked to contribute $1 million each leaving $6 million to be raised from donors. The “silent” phase of the campaign has begun and 43% of the goal has been pledged with naming rights offered for certain donation levels. Appeals are being made to Wood County businesses and individuals, foundations, emeriti, and alumni. The public phase of the campaign will begin in the spring, with anticipated groundbreaking in spring of 2016. Contact Roxie Wetterau at 715-384-1703 for more information.