Outlook Magazine - Fall 2025

Solid Success Paving a sustainable path with low-carbon concrete

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MacDonald realized the project could be a learning opportunity for students and a real-world test for one of his concrete reci pes, which doesn’t use traditional portland cement – the manufacturing of which is highly resource intensive. “I have worked with (MacDonald) in many classes and other projects, which has only increased my appreciation for the expansive wealth of knowledge he so generously shares,” said Jeremy O’Connor (’25) , president of the Student Construction Association.

n unassuming slab of grey con crete poured at UW-Stout last April is much more than a sidewalk in front of two bus shelters — it’s an example of how engineering can lead the way to a more sustainable,

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lower-carbon future. On a bright spring day the innovative con crete concoction was mixed, poured, shaped and finished by about a dozen members of the Student Construction Association under the expert eye of Associate Professor Kevin MacDonald, director of the B.S. construction management program. Considering that concrete — the most-used construction material worldwide — is respon sible for about 8% of global carbon emissions, creating it more sustainably would have global benefits. “This is a perfect example of why polytech nic education works very well,” MacDonald said. “Because we’re not looking at making a single cylinder or maybe a paving stone of con crete. We’re looking at making a real sidewalk. We’re learning what are the implications, what are the problems that we encounter when we go to make it, and how can we solve them?”

"A perfect example of why polytechnic education works very well... " Program Director Kevin MacDonald

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University of Wisconsin-Stout