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We’re proud to share that Great Northern has been selected as the recipient of the University Partner Award from the University of Wisconsin–Stout Alumni Association! This prestigious honor recognizes our long-standing collaboration with UW-Stout and our commitment to supporting students, academic programs, and the university’s mission.
The award was presented during UW-Stout’s Alumni Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 24, as part of the University’s Homecoming Weekend. Representing Great Northern at the event were Zach Schmidtknecht, Sarah Murawski, and Kris Johnson, with Zach accepting the award and delivering remarks on behalf of the company. “This award reflects the power of collaboration between education and industry,” said Zach Schmidtknecht, General Manager of Great Northern’s Chippewa Falls location. “We’re proud to help shape the next generation of packaging and design professionals and look forward to continuing this partnership.”
Our relationship with UW-Stout spans more than four decades, beginning with the hiring of our first Stout graduate. Now, over 40 of our team members are proud to call the university their alma mater. For many of these team members, the collaboration between businesses like Great Northern and UW-Stout has helped shape the start of their careers.
One of the best examples of that ongoing partnership is the Great Northern Collaborative Experience. This four-year pilot course brings together packaging and graphic design students to solve real-world challenges for our customers. This program has not only helped students grow their skills but has also brought fresh thinking and innovation into our business. We’ve also welcomed numerous interns and full-time hires from UW-Stout who proudly work here.
“We are thrilled to recognize Great Northern with the University Partner Award,” said Nicholas Katona, Vice Chancellor of University Advancement & Alumni Relations, UW-Stout. “For over forty years, Great Northern has been a valuable partner to UW-Stout in providing our students with real-world applied learning opportunities that advance our polytechnic mission.”
This award reflects the incredible partnership we’ve built with UW-Stout over the years. From collaborative design courses to welcoming interns into our facilities, we’ve seen firsthand how investing in education strengthens our industry and our communities. We are honored to be a continued partner with UW-Stout, and look forward to building a shared future together.
