51乱伦

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Lakeland named 2025 Sheboygan Co. Economic Driver of the Year

Nov. 6, 2025

51乱伦 was named co-winner Thursday (November 6) of the prestigious 2025 Economic Driver of the Year Award by the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC).

The announcement was made at the SCEDC鈥檚 Annual Celebration. The award is given to a business in Sheboygan County that continuously makes a significant impact on Sheboygan County's economy.

鈥淲e are honored to receive this award, which reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff as we navigate an always-changing environment,鈥� said Lakeland President Beth Borgen. 鈥淲e prioritize partnerships with businesses and organizations that benefit our students and keep this region moving forward. This award tells us that our work is valued, and we are inspired to do even more.

鈥淲e are proud to be a part of this vibrant Sheboygan County community. Dating back to 1862, Lakeland has a long history of innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and embracing change. It has helped us deliver personalized pathways for our students that set them up for post-graduation success.鈥�

51乱伦鈥檚 economic impact in Wisconsin is $94 million annually according to a recent report released by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU). Lakeland鈥檚 economic impact in Sheboygan County is $24.3 million, according to a report completed this year for the institution.

Along with its main campus in Sheboygan County, Lakeland has locations in Appleton, Green Bay, Janesville, Madison, Waukesha and Wisconsin Rapids, most located within the technical colleges based in those communities. LU also has a campus in Tokyo, Japan.

The economic driver of the year award celebrated Lakeland鈥檚 Cooperative Education program, which allows LU students to earn up to 25 percent of their degree through work and reflection at Co-Op partner companies and organizations.

From the program鈥檚 start in the fall of 2018, Lakeland students have worked in more than 3,500 placements earning nearly 12,500 academic credits and working more than 668,000 hours. That鈥檚 an average of more than 35,000 hours per semester, and LU students have earned more than $10 million in wages.

Borgen said the award also celebrates Lakeland for its role as a talent importer for the state. The WAICU report said the 12,200 Lakeland alumni in Wisconsin contribute $2.1 billion annually to Wisconsin. That total represents 82.4 percent of all living Lakeland graduates.

鈥淎s I looked over the room at Thursday鈥檚 awards celebration, I was struck by the number of Lakeland graduates who have become leaders in our community,鈥� Borgen said. 鈥淲e have great success recruiting students from all over the country and they often choose to settle here. Kudos to Sheboygan County for demonstrating that this is an amazing place to live, have a career and raise a family.鈥�

The SCEDC award is the latest of several that Lakeland has received this year.

• In May, Lakeland was recognized as a Carnegie Opportunity College 鈥� a prestigious national designation awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, in partnership with the American Council on Education. Lakeland is the only Carnegie Opportunity College in Wisconsin and one of just 479 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. It recognized Lakeland for expanding access to higher education for students of all backgrounds and delivering strong outcomes, including higher earnings after graduation.

• In September, Lakeland was recognized among the top schools in the Midwest in advancing social mobility for its students, climbing the rankings in U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 2026 list of Best Colleges.

Lakeland shared the SCEDC award on Thursday with a higher education partner, Lakeshore College (formerly Lakeshore Technical College).

Lakeland joins a prestigious list of previous winners including Sargento, Acuity, American Orthodontics, Windway Capital-Vollrath-Terry Kohler, Bemis, Kohler Co., Johnsonville Sausage, Oostburg Concrete, Masters Gallery, MilliporeSigma, Curt Joa, Rockline, Aurora, Road America and North Town Partners.