West Bend, WI – In light of the recent announcement from the University of Wisconsin System that the UW-Platteville Richland Campus will close next fall, County Executive Josh Schoemann would like to provide an update on the status of the UWM-Washington County Campus Task Force he created in May of 2021. Demographic trends on lower student enrollments prompted a proactive evaluation of how best to sustain the campus.

The UWM-WC Task Force is comprised of 11 members representing a broad cross-section of county government, business, academic and non-profit leaders. (See list of members below). The group’s co-chairs, John Torinus, former CEO of Serigraph, and Paul Stangl, President of Wisconsin Stamping, are working to formulate a productive conclusion of task force recommendations on the future of the campus in early 2023.

“It’s important to consider additional initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining the next generation in Washington County,” said Schoemann. “Exploring connections to employment and career alignment with students and industry needs supports this effort.”

Washington County is one of only two counties in southeast Wisconsin that does not have a four-year college institution. UWM at Washington County, through collaborative arrangements with four-year campuses, offers bachelor’s degree programs in addition to a guaranteed transfer to any University of Wisconsin System four-year university.

UWM-Washington County Campus Task Force Members

Co-chair – John Torinus, former CEO of Serigraph

Co-chair – Paul Stangl, President of Wisconsin Stamping

Allen Ericson – Froedtert Health

Michael J. Faley – Senior VP, West Bend Mutual Insurance

Christina Fiasca – Secretary - UWM Foundation; Secretary – UWM Research Foundation; Member of the UWM Board of Visitors; Senior VP at Northwestern Mutual-retired

Scott Henke – Washington County Treasurer

Tom Hostad – Executive Director, Hartford Area Development Corporation

Kraig Sadownikow – President of American Construction

Dave Stroik – President, CEO at Zimmerman Architectural Studios, retired

Jen Wimmer – Superintendent West Bend School District

Craig Wolf – President, E.H. Wolf & Sons