CALS Grads, Making an Impact

CALS Grads, Making an Impact

Whether in Wisconsin or abroad, our grads are making positive impacts in their communities and in many of the most critical areas around the world. These featured alumni represent the depth and breath of CALS graduates’ accomplishments. View profiles of our grads who are making an impact.

Alumni profiles from GROW Magazine

Education

  • Rick Waters is currently working towards his Dairy Science PhD at Cornell University after working in the dairy industry
  • Brad Bolling is a post-doc at Tufts University, Brad hopes to continue to share his passion for science through both time in the classroom as well as continued research on antioxidants and nutrition.

Environment

  • Shaunna Chase helps provide both the government and private industry with environmental services through her position at SpecPro, Inc.
  • Nathaniel Altfeather works as an Energy Engineer at Science Applications International Corporation, a company that helps both the government and private sector integrate new technologies into their systems.

Farming and Small Business Management

  • Sara Hanke handles a variety of duties in her position as Herdsperson for Fischer Valley Dairy.
  • Patrick Scallon uses both his education and experience as a herd manager to operate an extensive grazing program for his Ayrshire cattle.
  • Jenny Steiger is part-owner of an expanding dairy operation.

Food Industry

  • Alecia Christensen is a Quality Assurance Supervisor at NestlĂ© Corporation, She is responsible for an array of tasks ranging from evaluating quality systems at the plant to recruiting UW-Madison graduates.
  • Laura Folts helps graduate students and private companies conduct food research as the Sensory Center Coordinator at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
  • Janine Retzer tends to green bean and carrot fields in Wisconsin. As assistant Agronomy Manager for Lakeside Foods, she is responsible for producing enough raw vegetables for four processing plants in northeast Wisconsin.
  • Jennifer Vincent leads a team of scientists that are constantly looking for ways to improve our favorite food products.

Government

  • Cynthia Bartel works as a legislative assistant for Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) on agriculture, nutrition and trade issues.

Marketing and Sales Industry

  • Chris Wooley serves as the Director of Agronomy Marketing for M & M Cooperative in northeast Colorado.
  • Pete Kappelman has been a driving force in the dairy industry. He ha been a leader in the dairy industry through his work as Chairman of the Board for Land O' Lakes Cooperative and his involvment as a member of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Plant Breeding Industry

  • Dave Austin is a field research information management director for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a company that provides a full line of crop seeds and additives for forage and grain.
  • Tim Pruski is working toward his doctoral degree in plant genetics at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He discovered his interest in plant breeding while working in a lab at the University of Wisconsin.

Product Development

  • Brad Yanke is a product engineer for John Deere Harvester Works. In this position, Brad drafts, designs, and tests both new agricultural equipment and improvements to current products.

Turf Management

  • Tim Adas uses managerial and technical skills with his position at Lake Ripley Golf Course. As assistant superintendent, he manages all training and landscape services for the business.
  • Josh LePine is a certified golf course superintendent at Bristlecone Pines Golf Club in Hartland, Wis.