Nicolet College, WTCS Honor Superior Diesel with Futuremaker Award

Photo (from left to right): Sara Rogers, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, Layla Merrifield, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System, Austin Hoffmann, director of OEM engine sales and marketing at Superior Diesel, Brian Wendt, president and CEO of Superior Diesel, Inc., Kate Ferrel, president of Nicolet College. 

Nicolet College nominated Superior Diesel for the Wisconsin Technical College System Futuremaker Partner award, which was presented during a WTCS Board meeting on July 8.   

The Futuremaker Partner Award is state-wide recognition of local businesses and organizations that collaborate with one of Wisconsin’s technical colleges. Superior Diesel is an engine distributorship with deep roots in Northern Wisconsin, providing engine power solutions since 1977. 

“Nicolet College’s deep roots in the community are a direct result of the strong, lasting relationships its leaders have cultivated with local businesses and community partners,” said Sara Rogers, president of the WTCS Board. “Superior Diesel has earned the Futuremaker Partner Award for its outstanding support of Nicolet College through hiring interns and apprentices, providing hands-on equipment for student learning, and creating meaningful career pathways for graduates. Superior Diesel exemplifies what it means to be a community-minded employer, and their partnership with Nicolet College is a true win for the entire region.” 

Superior Diesel employees serve on the college’s program advisory committees for business management, office management, and industrial mechanical technician programs. Employees provide valuable insights that help ensure the skills students learn in the classroom translate into on-the-job success.  

“One of the hardest things we experience in Northern Wisconsin is acquiring the talent base that we need,” said Brian Wendt, president and CEO of Superior Diesel.  

“It’s always intrigued me how Nicolet has made connections in the community, not just with their students, but with local businesses to understand the needs and specific skillsets that are needed in these businesses,” Wendt added. 

A long-time donor to the Nicolet College Foundation, Superior Diesel established an endowment to provide scholarships to students in any program. Through its generosity, the company also helped create a pathway for students interested in engineering careers, sponsoring supplies for STEM competitions for high school students, and a free engineering bootcamp to grow interest in engineering-related careers. The bootcamp also allowed high school students to earn one free college credit.  

Recently, Superior Diesel served as founding sponsors of the Nicolet College Foundation’s Alumni Giving Week, an annual tradition that encourages alumni to give back and support future generations of students. 

“We’ve developed an incredible level of trust with Superior Diesel,” said Kate Ferrel, president of Nicolet College. “We trust them, they trust us, and I think that makes our partnership just thrive.”