Outlook Magazine - Fall 2023

BUILDING: BETTER HOUSING D

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Dean Weidner believes the real estate property management program at UW-Stout is making a difference around Wisconsin and the U.S. It’s why last spring he donated $1,050,000 — his third major donation since 2012, totaling $2.5 million — to help educate the leaders of tomor row in the housing industry. “Our long-term investment in the program reflects my confidence in the curriculum; the fact that the educators have prior industry experience; and that we’ve seen strong results in terms of the stu dents recruited to our team,” Weidner said “By partnering with colleges and universities, we can help shape the education of the upcoming work force and embed the requirements of the industry into the curriculum. I look forward to our contin ued partnership for many years to come.” Weidner Apartment Homes, founded in 1977, has hired 84 UW-Stout graduates and 161 stu dent interns in the past decade. Three spring 2023 graduates began their careers with the company, which has properties in 12 states, including 13 cities in Wis., and Canada. The donation includes $500,000 for scholar ships — up to 20 a year for $5,000 to first-year and transfer students — along with $550,000 to recruit students. With 60-plus students, the pro gram already is believed to be the largest of its kind in the U.S. “There continues to be strong demand in the resi dential property management sector for workers to lead the day-to-day operations of the nation’s numerous multifamily housing communities,” Weidner said.

The 2016 UW-Stout history book “An Idea Comes of Age” cites one of the key reasons why the university — and why education and higher education in particular — exist. “Tomorrow is what matters most. Tomorrow is what drives the students, leaders, faculty and staff. It’s why, 125 years after it opened UW-Stout remains a proud, productive and progressive institution.”

Building for tomorrow, for the future, continues to inspire those associated with UW-Stout, an innovation and technology leader since its inception in 1891. In this first section of the magazine are a half-dozen shining examples of how that tradition is continuing — as rock legend Steve Miller sang — into the future.

Dean Weidner and two of his company's properties.

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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT

OUTLOOK 2023