As the year comes to a close, the Office of Business Engagement is taking a moment to reflect on 2022—a year of connection, growth and partnership. Here are our top headlines for the year, which were all made possible thanks to our partners.
Chancellor Mnookin, OBE staff on the move
In August, UW–Madison welcomed Jennifer L. Mnookin as the university’s 30th leader. In her first months, Chancellor Mnookin set out to build relationships across Wisconsin, traveling to every region to meet key partners. She brought incredible energy and leadership as she got to know Wisconsin, UW–Madison, and our industry colleagues.
In addition to the Chancellor’s travels, the team at the Office of Business Engagement (OBE) was also busy facilitating industry-university links both on and off campus. As OBE Managing Director John Garnetti said, “Building these relationships with corporate partners – being able to understand their needs and establish campus connections – is fundamental to the work we do…”
We look forward to continuing existing engagements and developing all-new ones in 2023!
Connect with UW–Madison
We’re so excited to continue our work with you in 2023! Start your planning here:
- Register for a Spring 2023 career fair.
- Bring UW–Madison to you by scheduling a Badger Talk for your upcoming conferences, meetings and trainings.
- Connect with the industry engagement team. We’re ready to help you achieve your goals by connecting your business to the research, talent, and solutions at UW–Madison.
Strategic investments strengthen alliances
Throughout the year, the university’s corporate and foundational partners made significant philanthropic and strategic investments, enhancing academic experience for students, engaging with world-class faculty, elevating innovation, and creating enduring alliances.
Highlights include Kemper Foundation’s long-term pledge to support diversity; Promega’s continued support and celebration of science; PPG making a splash at the South Madison Partnership through its Colorful Communities program; the inaugural Jake Leinenkugel Diversity in Brewing award; and the Odyssey project continuing its growth and advancement with support from American Family Insurance and Illumina.
Industry-university partnerships lead to innovation
Every year, UW–Madison works with industry to advance innovation, support students, and grow businesses. These partnerships create opportunities, solve problems, and build value for Wisconsin and beyond. This year was no exception, with many amazing examples of innovation and growth. Some of our favorite stories include:
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- UW–Madison engineers develop new carbon nanotube-based foam that promises superior protection against concussions, teaming up with helmet manufacturer Team Wendy to investigate its performance in real-world scenarios
- From isotopes to internships, UW–Madison partnership energizes growing Wisconsin company NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes
- Nine projects awarded funding through American Family Insurance partnership with UW–Madison Data Science
- UW–Madison, industry partners run quantum algorithm on neutral atom quantum computer for the first time
- Erin Silva named first recipient of the Clif Bar Endowed Chair in Organic Agriculture and Outreach
- Journal dedicates issue to WEMPEC’s 40-year influence on electric machines and power electronics
Unique connections advance sustainability
In addition to innovation and industry developments, we’ve worked with businesses to advance sustainability goals and initiatives. This year, UW–Madison and Alliant Energy collaborated on solar and agricultural research, and an ultra-efficient carbon capture technology devised by a UW–Madison team earned a top 60 spot in the global XPRIZE challenge. UW–Madison researchers developed a unique project to explore the effectiveness of goat grazing on the American Family Insurance campus in Madison, and a team also worked on how to recycle masks.
OBE has been busy behind the scenes working with partners like U.S. Venture, Kohler, Trane Technologies and Thermo King to explore exciting new opportunities in this hugely important area. OBE also partnered with UW–Madison’s Energy Analysis and Policy Program (EAP) during a trip to Milwaukee. The trip included students and faculty from EAP, with visits to Johnson Controls, Artisan Partners, and the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office.
IEP designation marks critical role as an industry & community connector, highlights future focus
A capstone moment of 2022 was the announcement that the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities designated the UW–Madison as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. The designation is an acknowledgement of the university’s significant, sustainable, and campus-wide commitment to economic engagement—and our future focus on expanding this work.
Thank you for a fulfilling year; we look forward to more great stories of connection and collaboration in 2023!