“On behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, I thank the whole Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance for its support of two transformative projects for our campus. I particularly thank co-chairs Sen. Alberta Darling and Rep. John Nygren and especially our area representative on the JFC, Sen. Howard Marklein, for advancing these projects. In addition, I thank State Representatives Travis Tranel and Todd Novak who were instrumental in building community and legislative support for these projects. These two projects are important to build on the university’s strength in the STEM fields. And for that reason, it is important to Wisconsin’s workforce development and growth. UW-Platteville graduates the second-highest number of engineers in the state, and this new engineering building will allow us to educate up to an additional 800 freshmen and 200 transfer students. The Boebel Hall renovations will transform 17 laboratories into modern facilities for STEM education. Approximately 75 percent of our engineering graduates staying in Wisconsin, and this vote by the JFC is an important next step in the legislative process and help us continue to strengthen the state’s workforce.”