It Takes a Village — and a Few Engineers and Architects — to Raise a College Graduate

Editor’s Note: Ayres Associates marketing intern Blaine Burnham is graduating this week from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He’s had a definite impact at Ayres in the past eight months – and he’s learned that Ayres has had a big impact on his life on campus. Here’s his story:

Certain places on campus have made my college experience more enjoyable. Every student can find the daily workload a bit overwhelming at times. One of my favorite solutions to this problem is UW-Eau Claire’s Central Campus – an area where students can take a break from their busy days, socialize, and enjoy some fresh air.

And then there’s the footbridge over the Chippewa River and its beautiful views of the campus and river – especially this time of year. (Blaine is shown standing on the footbridge in the accompanying photo.) Winter is another story. I’m a Wisconsin native and am accustomed to subzero temperatures. However, crossing that bridge in the winter introduced me to another level of cold – one that has brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions. Luckily, in addition to housing fine arts students, the Haas Fine Arts Building – at the north end of the often frosty bridge – is a great “warming house” for pedestrians.

Before joining Ayres Associates, I never thought about who designed the fine arts building or central campus, or who made sure the pedestrian bridge wouldn’t fall down. When I became a marketing intern at Ayres, I soon discovered the company I had joined has made thousands of students’ daily routines possible. Working for a company that has had such an impact on the past four years of my life has been truly remarkable.

Ayres Associates has been involved in over 50 projects on UW-Eau Claire’s campus, and has completed work for all 13 four-year UW System schools. The Haas Fine Arts building was designed by Ayres Associates architects in 1970. The pedestrian bridge is an ongoing project for Ayres Associates as structural engineers perform periodic inspections to make sure the bridge is safe for pedestrians and bicyclists.

One of Ayres Associates’ most recent projects on campus is the Central Campus design. After the completion of the new W.R. Davies Center in 2012, and in coordination with the completion of Centennial Hall in 2013, Ayres designed the Central Campus as an area for students to socialize, study, and easily move from building to building.

From parking lot replacement to classroom remodeling to flood control, Ayres Associates continues to provide solutions that help create a safe and enjoyable higher education experience for UW-Eau Claire students. The company’s contributions to campus have certainly made a positive impact on my college experience, and I know that they will continue to do so for students, faculty, and staff for decades to come.

Interested in an internship with Ayres Associates? Watch our Careers page for future openings, or contact recruiting specialist Danielle Kretz.