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Success Stories
“I graduated with my BS in electrical engineering from UW–Madison in May of 2003, and at that point I took a job in the defense/aerospace industry. At the time of my graduation I was aware of the Outreach program, but I really didn’t plan on ever using it. After working in industry for a year, I saw the need for the master's, but I wasn’t ready to quit my job and go back to school full time. The Outreach program made this a possibility. I began the masters in 2004 and finished in 2007, taking one class per semester. The professors at Madison are top notch, and the material is extremely applicable. I have, and will continue to recommend the Outreach program at UW–Madison to anyone planning a master's degree.”
Sean Zieth
MPC Products
BSEE '03
MSEE '07
“Japan has emerged over the past few decades as a world class technical powerhouse. There are a number of important technical journals coming from Japan as well as a very large number of patent applications. I work in industry and it is often the latter which are of special interest. Unfortunately, most of these applications appear originally only in Japanese and in fact, many if not most of them will never be translated into English. I was therefore greatly interested to learn a few years ago of Professor Jim Davis’s Technical Japanese sequences available at the University of Wisconsin. Professor Davis's lectures are models of clarity in how to interpret and understand complex technical Japanese sentences. His methods of presentation are excellent with very clever usage of color and highlighting during the lectures which enhance rather than obscure the content. I feel that my ability to read technical Japanese in my field (as well as others—another great feature of the classes are the diversity of technical readings) has expanded greatly and I will find this to be of great value in my work.”
Richard M. Flynn
Corporate Scientist
Corporate Materials Research Laboratory
3M
“In today's fast paced world, characterized by rapid advancements in technology, the need for universities to be closely integrated with the industry cannot be overemphasized. The Outreach Program at University of Wisconsin offers an excellent conduit to bring the classroom to the real world. The range of classes, quality of instruction, top-notch assignments, cutting edge lecture recordings, and a solid commitment on part of the instructors to accommodate the needs of full time industry professions makes distance learning a rich and pleasant experience.”
James David
Eaton Corporation
“I used to think that obtaining a high quality advanced degree from off campus was impossible. The outreach program at UW-Madison dispelled that myth. I was able to extend my technical breadth from electric machines to power electronics and control and receive an MSME and MSEE en route to a PhD, taking only classes offered by the outreach program.
“Fantastic!”
Daniel M. Saban, PE
Hamilton Sundstrand
MSEE '02, MSME '03, PhD EE '06
“Engineering education takes root much more effectively when it is combined with exposure to real world technology.
“The things I learn in the classroom often apply directly to the projects that I am designing at work.
“When I apply theory to something real I seem to understand it much more deeply.”
Neal Clements, PE
Hamilton Sundstrand
MSEE '05
“After completing my undergraduate education at Cleveland State University in 1987, I began working in industry. I expected to have my first job until retirement. I also believed that I would learn all I needed to stay up-to-date by company training and on-the-job experience. However, after a few short years, I realized how wrong I was!
“I learned about the Outreach Program while attending an IEEE IAS Conference. This program was exactly what I needed.
“Engineers shouldn't expect to survive without continued education and participation in professional societies. I am very fortunate to have taken the opportunity offered through the Outreach Program and I encourage you do the same.”
Carl J. Dister (MSEE `97)
Reliance Electric
Cleveland, Ohio
“Very intense but rewarding course that teaches induction motor fundamentals.” [ECE 355]
Matt Evans
EAD Motors
Hanover, NH
“When it comes to learning at a distance, the University of Wisconsin Engineering Outreach Program sets the standard. The ability to work full time while pursuing an advanced degree requires a strong commitment not only from the student but also from the professors, faculty and staff.
The DVD format far exceeds that of web-based programs. The ability to view and re-view the material provides the learner flexibility to self pace the lecture. The course work is rich with examples that are industry applicable while providing insight into today's leading edge research. I have directly applied knowledge learned from the Outreach Program to my work over the last decade.
Steve Fredette (MSEE '96)
United Technologies Fuel Cells
MSEE '96, PhD '06
“I was extremely impressed by Professor Davis's ability to convey a large amount of relatively difficult material in a relatively short period of time. The pace of the course was fast, but not excessive. The homework assignments were time consuming, but not fatiguing. Professor Davis held his students to high, but achievable standards. I found that after only two semesters of Basic Technical Japanese, and a summer session of translation, I really could understand most of a typical Japanese technical paper. My experience in BTJ also encouraged me to enroll in a GM-sponsored conversational Japanese program.
“The program has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I study Japanese culture as a hobby, and enjoy eating Japanese food. I am encouraging my children to study the Japanese language and have been asked to participate in their junior high school program, possibly even in a student exchange program. This program has been more than a course of study, it has had a major impact on my lifestyle.”
Al Gunther
GM-Warren East
Mid Lux Car Division
Warren, Michigan
“The UW-Madison Engineering Outreach Program allowed me to take courses in subjects highly relevant to my career. These courses were taught by people who I believe are truly leaders in their disciplines. Their helpfulness cannot go unmentioned. They understood my circumstances as an off-campus student with a family and full-time job and were very accommodating and flexible. I also felt a mutual respect from my instructors and I believe they enjoyed some of the perspectives and feedback from a student who has spent several years as a practicing engineer in industry.
“I would recommend the Engineering Outreach Program to anyone interested in expanding their technical knowledge. Compared to some of the two-or three-day seminars so prevalent in today's fast-paced workplace, the Outreach courses provide a much better value.”
Dave Hyypio (MSEE '97)
Marathon Electric
Wausau, Wisconsin
“I initially entered the program because the quality of the education compared to local institutions. An additional benefit that quickly became apparent is the flexibility of the program. While enrolled in the program, I went through several major life changes, including becoming a father, transitioning from submarine duty in the Navy to a civilian job, relocating and buying a house, and changing locations within my new company. The Outreach program's flexibility allowed my education to continue at a pace that fit my life, without transferring schools, taking semesters off, or falling behind in my classes.”
Chad Licht (MSME '98)
Pratt & Whitney
North Haven, Connecticut
“The Engineering Outreach Program presented me with a rare opportunity: Obtaining a first-class education in areas such as electrical machines, power electronics, and controls from a world-renowned faculty. Moreover, I was able to work through the classes while continuing my full-time job, and using the knowledge gained directly on specific job projects. It was very fulfilling to gain this valuable information working with the excellent staff and faculty.”
Paul Mezs
United Technologies
Hamilton Sundstrand
Rockford, Illinois
“I am grateful to the Outreach Program because it has allowed me to change careers without having to leave my job, family and home to attend college. I sincerely appreciate your staff being flexible enough to make the program a success for me.”
Kevin Payette (MSME '97)
Hitech Control Systems, Inc.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
“Prof. Davis's approach to technical Japanese is real-world and practical. The material he presents covers various technical topics and he easily passes his knowledge of Technical Japanese to his students. I am in my second semester of Intermediate Technical Japanese and have learned more than I expected to learn beyond 'technical subjects', both academically and personally. In addition, the support staff for the outreach program is on task and adds to the learning experience. They are knowledgeable and I receive the support I need to be successful. Even though the work is challenging, the rewards are sufficient to continue in the program. I recommend this course to any one interested in advancing his technical expertise and personal growth.”
Bob Palczewski
GM Powertrain Group
Defiance, OH
“Everyone involved with your program was courteous and extremely helpful... and you truly understand the problems and concerns of non-traditional students. You were willing to work with me in accomplishing my goals. I applaud your efforts in this area.”
Tom Richardson
Rockwell Collins Systems Engineering
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
“I was very pleasantly surprised to find a program of such high quality that so easily accommodated my work schedule. Professor Jim Davis is an expert in his field, an excellent instructor and makes himself readily available —even to his remote students. Professor Davis, in cooperation with the college's Office of Engineering Outreach, has efficiently facilitated my professional goal of improving my technical Japanese language skills. I am better at my job because of this program.”
Jeff Root
Yaskawa Electric
Buffalo Grove, IL
“Through this MS degree I have been able to update my job skills and improve my competitiveness, which is increasingly important with the economic downturn in the technology arena. The administrators and professors involved with the Outreach program are world-class and incredibly sympathetic to the special constraints which working professionals operate under. My experience was uniformly positive, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have earned an MS in this fashion.”
Clarissa Thomas
Hewlett-Packard Co.
Corvallis, Oregon
