University of Wisconsin - Rock County
2909 Kellogg Avenue
Janesville, WI 53546
Contact the UR Office:
E-Mail: uroffice@uwc.edu
Phone: 608-758-6530

7/25/2005

Funding for UW-Rock County/UW-Platteville partnership to offer bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering finally a reality

JANESVILLE – The long-awaited electrical engineering degree program for the University of Wisconsin-Rock County became a reality today with the approval of the state budget by Governor Jim Doyle. The program, Assembly Bill 53 authored by Representative Debi Towns four-years ago, has overcome various hurdles throughout the state budget process. Co-sponsors include Senator Judy Robson and Representatives Chuck Benedict and Mike Sheridan who also represent Rock County.

The approved budget includes a $378,300 in annual general purpose revenue from the state, with another $200,000 annually from student tuition to support UW-Platteville in offering a four-year electrical engineering degree at UW-Rock County beginning in fall 2005.

“The UW-Rock County campus community is thrilled that this long-anticipated program has been funded,” said Diane Pillard, campus executive officer and dean. “Offering a four-year electrical engineering degree will provide local students with yet another opportunity to further their education, advance in their careers and earn higher wages while providing skilled engineers to local businesses.”

The annual budget will include salaries for two faculty positions, support staff, and a program coordinator, in addition to supplies and expenses necessary to teach electrical engineering courses at UW-Rock County. Fundraising for an engineering laboratory will begin soon, Pillard said.

“The collaborative electrical engineering program between UW-Rock County and UW-Platteville is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Richard Shultz, dean of the UW-Platteville College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science. “Place bound non-traditional students in the Janesville-Beloit area will be able to complete an engineering degree, local area industry will have a new source of graduating engineers to meet their needs that have ties to the region, and the state will enhance its technical workforce in an effective and economic manner. Everyone wins when the UW campuses, industry, and state government cooperate on projects like these.”

The UW-Platteville electrical engineering program is the third collaborative bachelor’s degree program to be offered at UW-Rock County. The UW-Milwaukee College Connections Program, offering a Bachelor of Arts in organizational administration, communication, or information resources, and the UW-Whitewater Collaborative Degree Program in Liberal Studies are also offered at UW-Rock County.

UW-Rock County is the community-based transfer university providing higher education curriculum that guarantees transfer to a four-year institution. Beloit and Janesville community leaders in manufacturing, banking, education, engineering, medicine, nursing, agriculture, law and public policy are among the over 15,000 alumni who earned up to the first two years of their university education at UW-Rock County prior to transferring to complete their bachelor’s or professional degree. Applications are still being accepted for fall 2005, classes being Sept. 6. To apply go to http://apply.wisconsin.edu/

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