Universities of Wisconsin honor A.Y. McDonald for support of UW-Platteville

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents honored A.Y. McDonaldwith the Regents Business Partnership Award on Oct. 30, recognizing the company's longstanding support and impactful collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The award celebrates businesses that positively affect Wisconsin through their generosity and collaboration with the universities.

"A.Y. McDonald has been a longtime and valued partner of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville," said Regent Jack Salzwedel at the ceremony.

A.Y. McDonald has supported UW-Platteville and the Metals Processing Technology program through philanthropic contributions, engagement with faculty for continued education, and by hiring interns and graduates, with over 20 alumni currently employed at the company. Its new foundry is set to open in 2026 in Dickeyville, Wisconsin - just a few minutes from Platteville - which will create new opportunities for increased collaboration.

Chancellor Tammy Evetovich remarked that the partnership is successful because UW-Platteville and A.Y. McDonald share core values: a belief in the strength of collaboration, a dedication to serving communities and a commitment to innovation.

"I thank A.Y. McDonald for your support, for how you represent your community, and for how you bring our students into your fold and employ them and help them learn more," said Chancellor Evetovich. "It is a pleasure to recognize you with this award today."

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman also highlighted the significance of A.Y. McDonald's partnership with UW-Platteville.

"I express my gratitude to A.Y. McDonald for your superior support of this university and we look forward to that collaboration continuing into the future," he said.

Accepting the award on behalf of A.Y. McDonald was Andy Shea, a 2000 graduate of UW-Platteville and director of the company's new foundry. He was one of a handful of alumni currently working at A.Y. McDonald at the award ceremony.

Now in its second year, the Universities of Wisconsin Regents Business Partnership Award recognizes the innovative collaborations between a university and a business and their reciprocal beneficial impacts on curricular, program, or service efforts that reflect the changing needs of our universities, workforce and communities.