Chippewa Valley Times

A $3.1 million donation from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation is bringing new advanced manufacturing equipment to the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The equipment, which includes production-level 3D printers and a fully integrated automated manufacturing system, will be used in design, engineering, and education programs at the university.

The donation comes as part of an ongoing partnership between UW-Stout and the Wanek family, who are associated with Ashley Furniture Industries based in Arcadia. Todd Wanek, president and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries, is a 1988 alumnus of UW-Stout.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation and its belief in the distinctiveness, relevance, and need for the polytechnic learning experience that UW-Stout provides,” said Chancellor Katherine Frank. “This investment in labs and high-demand programs will serve thousands of students prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to the economic vitality of Wisconsin and beyond. The strong relationships with our business and industry partners, like Ashley Furniture Industries, are key to our ability to produce UW-Stout graduates prepared to succeed on day one and throughout their professional career.”

The Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation supports STEM education initiatives along with other community projects. Ron Wanek founded Ashley Furniture Industries; his wife Joyce co-founded the foundation.

“Our partnership with UW-Stout represents a strategic investment in the future of STEM education,” stated Ron Wanek. “By providing students with access to industry-standard equipment and technology, we are ensuring they graduate with the practical skills and technical expertise that today’s employers require. UW-Stout’s polytechnic mission aligns with our commitment to developing a skilled workforce, and we are pleased to support their efforts in preparing the next generation of manufacturing professionals.”

Daniel Freedman, dean of UW-Stout’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management (CSTEMM), said that these additions will put UW-Stout’s automation, robotics, and 3D printing labs among top undergraduate engineering programs nationally.

“UW-Stout’s partnership with Ashley Furniture and the Foundation will make us a national leader in educating students and supporting the manufacturing community in digital design, digital fabrication, and digital assembly and production,” Freedman said.

The donated equipment is being installed across several campus locations including Fryklund Hall labs as well as Jarvis Hall Technology Wing. Some machines have already been set up while others will be ready for use during fall semester by thousands of students from various programs.

Key items include an Amatrol Smart Factory Enterprise system for creating an Automation Training Center; Universal Cobots (collaborative robots) paired with AI-powered Cognex Vision Cameras; upgrades for additive manufacturing lab industrial printers such as One-Click metal printer alongside Stratasys Origin II models; plus new CNC mills fitted with robotic systems.

Professor David Ding noted that this technology would provide hands-on opportunities not only for engineering but also business program students focused on automation leadership: “The equipment provided through this generous donation will create valuable hands-on learning opportunities for a wide range of students – including those in engineering, engineering technology, technology education and business programs, particularly those focused on automation leadership. In addition to enhancing student learning, the equipment will support workforce development initiatives and serve as a resource/platform for funded research projects sponsored by industry partners and external agencies,” he said. “Bringing this equipment into our labs is not the final step – it marks the beginning of our continued commitment to elevating the UW-Stout learning experience to a new level.”

Previous collaborations between Ashley Furniture Industries/Ashley sponsors have included student-led projects such as developing prototypes or solutions related to company products as well as sponsorships for capstone projects.