Bushman honored by Mid-State
By Patrick Lynn
Wayne Bushman has been honored by Mid-State Technical College.
The MSTC alum was named Distinguished Alumni of the Year, and later, 2020 Distinguished Alumni by the Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association. The awards signal a statewide recognition for his contributions to technical education and the central Wisconsin community.
Bushman is the founder and owner of Wood Street Rental and Sunrise Pointe Ventures, LLC, along with a large number of investment properties housing over 40 commercial and manufacturing tenants and occupying over a million square feet of space.
Bushman’s efforts have resulted in over 400 jobs in Portage Co., making “a real and lasting impact in the local economy,” according to a news release from the school.
Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik presented Bushman with the awards during a special event on Mid-State’s Wisconsin Rapids Campus on Oct. 15.
“Mid-State Technical College is thrilled to have the opportunity to honor Wayne Bushman as our choice for the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award,” Mondeik said. “We are truly grateful for his unflagging support and commitment to Mid-State and technical education and the standard-setting example of community service he known for in our district.”
After the selection by each of the 16 technical colleges of their distinguished alumni award, the association confers an annual statewide award recognizing a truly outstanding Wisconsin Technical College Alumni who has demonstrated accomplishments in his or her professional field, community involvement, support for the technical college system and a commitment to continuing education and lifelong learning.
“It is more than an honor to be awarded, and also be chosen for the award at the state level,” Bushman said. “I hope that by doing my part I will inspire others in the community and central Wisconsin to make a difference as well.”
Bushman’s most recent contributions include a substantial land donation in the business park, home to the future Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship Center. The new center will expand Mid-State’s educational programming in the skilled manufacturing and engineering trades and train an additional 400 students annually when fully operational. Bushman is also chairman of the project’s capital fundraising campaign.
“This particular project is number one on my bucket list, to get this school up and running,” Bushman said. “It is very important in our community that central Wisconsin says strong, and I want to do my part.”
Bushman entered into an IBEW-sponsored electrical apprenticeship program at Mid-State Technical College in 1970, launching a 50-year career dedicated to the electrical field. His career since has been marked by notable success as the owner of Bushman Electric Crane & Sign.
In affiliation with Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Bushman has relied on Mid-State’s apprenticeship programs when hiring for his business and has repeatedly used educational services provided by Wisconsin Technical College System schools—including supporting two sons through Mid-State electrical apprenticeships of their own and encouraging his grandchildren to carry on in the apprenticeship tradition.
Bushman also utilizes the school for continuing education requirements to maintain proper certification statuses for Bushman Electric.
Bushman is known across central Wisconsin for his community support and service, including donations to area festivals and local fundraising efforts such as Special Olympics Wisconsin, Riverfront Rendezvous, Portage County Cultural Fest, Celebrate Plover and Prime WATER Anglers as well as local church picnics.
He is a member of the American Rental Association and has served on the National American Rental Risk Management Committee and is part owner and serves on the board of directors for Ki Mobility, a Wisconsin manufacturer specializing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ultra-lightweight manual wheelchairs.
