A group of UW–Platteville students made a positive impression at the Foundry Educational Foundation’s North American College Industry Conference in Chicago.
Dr. Wayne Weber, dean of the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture, along with Dr. Kyle Metzloff, industrial studies professor, accompanied the students to the conference.
Four of the six students each earned scholarships totaling $9,000 and were able to network with business professionals in the metalcasting field. All six of the students found or finalized employment through this trip. Each of the students has an interest in metalcasting and was chosen by Metzloff to attend the conference.
“We are recognized as one of the top five schools in the country as far as metalcasting in concerned,” said Metzloff. “There is a lot of pride in coming from UW–Platteville in this industry.”
Students who attended the conference included Aaron Winkler, from New Berlin, a fall 2013 graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology management; Ryan Hansch, from Somerset, a fall 2013 graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology management; Bill Wardon, from Wind Lake, a fall 2013 graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing technology management; Mary Cartier, a junior industrial technology management major from Wauwatosa; Steven Nygaard, a senior industrial technology major from Holmen; and Connor Montgomery, a senior manufacturing technology management major from Fitchburg.
Each of the students has participated in an internship in the industry, facilitated by Metzloff.
UW–Platteville is one of approximately 30 universities that are FEF-certified, and was recently approved for another five years.
The FEF is closely tied to the American Foundry Society. Students who attended the conference are active with the AFS.
That involvement, coupled with participation on field trips, initiative with the club and those who show a passion for metalcasting are chosen by Metzloff for the conference.
Student members of the AFS make items for the organization, such as speaker gifts and plaques, in order to raise money for the group.
“Students are performing the hands-on work that they are learning in classes in order to earn money for the club,” said Metzloff.
Approximately 40 companies were represented at the conference, with approximately 90 to 100 students in attendance.
Many of the students had an opportunity to secure a job offer while at the conference. Those entry level jobs range in salary from $55,000 to $60,000.
As the FEF key professor, Metzloff is responsible for making sure there is an adequate facility to teach metalcasting, and be a mentor to students to help them attain internships. “I try to give the students as many experiences as possible before graduating,” he said.
More information about the student AFS club can be found on Facebook by searching “UWP AFS.”
