2026 Distinguished Alumni
The Distinguished Alumni Award was created to honor career achievement and community service. Annually since 1992, the College has presented Distinguished Alumni Awards to outstanding diploma and degree graduates. Alumni selected for the award have distinguished themselves professionally in their careers and have demonstrated extensive service to the college and their community.
Paul is a 1987 graduate of the Architecture program.
“Graduating from Northwood Technical College (then Wisconsin Indianhead Technical Institute) in 1987 laid the foundation for both my professional journey and personal values. Just as a building must have a strong foundation to be built upon, so does a professional career and that’s exactly what I received when I arrived in Rice Lake. The hands-on, accessible and practical education I received helped launch my career in architecture and shaped my belief in the power of continual learning.
From scrubbing bathrooms as an entry-level drafter to leading nationwide architecture and engineering teams as a Vice President in my current firm, my path proves that dedication and a solid foundation from a two-year program can take you far. Today, I’m committed to opening similar doors for others—actively mentoring, hiring, and championing graduates from technical colleges."
