Chippewa Valley Times

Twenty students from the University of Wisconsin-Stout have been honored with the Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award. This recognition is given for their excellence in internships, contributions to employers, and academic achievements.

Among the awardees are manufacturing engineering seniors Zachary Morgan and Taylor Thompson from Eau Claire. Thompson has already secured a full-time position as a manufacturing engineer at Darley, where she completed her internship. Darley specializes in technology and equipment solutions for military and first responders.

Morgan is entering his third summer as an intern with Andersen Windows & Doors. He has received the CEIP Student of the Year award twice and was nominated by Career Services for the 2024 National Co-op Student Award. He plans to graduate in December and join Andersen’s engineering rotational program.

“This would allow me to continue growing with a company I deeply respect," Morgan stated about his future at Andersen. "The rotational program is an ideal next step."

The university emphasizes career success through applied learning and industry collaboration, evidenced by its Cooperative Education and Internship Program involving 990 students across more than 600 employers last year. The program also earned the 2024 Excellence & Innovation Stewards of Place award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Before attending UW-Stout, Morgan transitioned from a career in critical care nursing to engineering after working at Andersen Windows & Doors' warehouse. His experience there inspired him to pursue further education.

“Returning to school for a second degree was not an easy decision,” he said. “I hope my journey encourages others...to pursue their goals with courage.”

During his internship at Andersen's Menomonie Consolidation Center, Morgan focused on improving efficiency in key areas such as time studies, waste assessment, layout redesigns, including developing new systems.

“This experience deepened my understanding of how small changes can create measurable impact,” he noted.

Thompson’s role at Darley involved process improvements in assembly operations, writing work instructions, automating testing processes, among other tasks. She looks forward to continuing her projects now that she has joined Darley full-time.

“The thing I am most looking forward to...is making improvements to benefit workers and the company,” Thompson expressed.

Other recipients include Elaina Blazei (real estate property management), Addison Braun (applied mathematics), Kal Breeden (environmental science), Ben Gau (environmental science), Meir Hetletvedt (construction management), Connor Jensen (business administration), Anna Karrow (psychology), Madelyn King (hotel management), Madalyn Klaja (packaging), Braden Lefeber (mechanical engineering), Faith Leisgang (hotel management), Meghana Maske (food science), Antonio Meyer (mechanical engineering), Austin Moua (business administration), Gavin Soukkaserm (animation media), Samuel Tornow (construction management) Maya Van Hemert (manufacturing engineering) Jazmine Williams (arts administration).

These students were recognized during UW-Stout's annual Leadership Awards ceremony sponsored by various campus organizations.