Photo: McLean with UW-River Falls faculty at the ASABE meeting in Oshkosh. L-R: Youngmi Kim, assistant professor of agricultural engineering; McLean; Joe Shakal, chair and associate professor of agricultural engineering.

McLean named ASABE Agricultural Engineering Student of the Year

April 10, 2017 – University of Wisconsin-River Falls senior AnDrew McLean was honored with the Agricultural Engineering Technology Student of the Year Award at the March 29 meeting of the Wisconsin chapter of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) in Oshkosh.

After graduating from high school in 2004 and completing one year of college, McLean elected to enter the job market. He spent several years in various construction type positions before deciding to return to school. The broad range of courses and the emphasis on hands-on, problem-solving skills in the agricultural engineering technology program appealed to him.

McLean did not grow up on a farm, but spent a lot of time on his grandparents hobby farm where he gained an appreciation for agriculture.

In his award application materials, McLean noted two highlights from his coursework to date. He enjoyed working with GPS units and sensors on the combine provided through the partnership with Case IH, and he found the trip to the Oxbo International manufacturing facility in Clear Lake to be very valuable. Oxbo develops, manufactures, and services harvesting equipment for specialty crops such as berries, coffee beans and fresh market vegetables.

McLean, his wife and two children make their home in Hudson where they are active in their church and in various community service events. As a non-traditional student, balancing school and family life has been a challenge, but academic achievement is important to McLean and he has worked hard and earned grades that put him near the top of his class.

"Drew is a very deserving recipient of this award," said Dean Olson, professor of agricultural engineering technology and McLean's academic adviser. "I am impressed with Drew's ability to balance classes, work and family life. He is a pleasure to have in class and I am proud of his accomplishments."

McLean will graduate in December and hopes to pursue a career in design manufacturing with a focus on the business side of the process.

"I am excited to learn and grow in the industry for many years to come," McLean said.

For more information, email laura.walsh@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-4714.