Campus Connection

With gifts, Storhoffs give major boost to CBA students, faculty

Doug Storhoff knows the transformative power of higher education because he’s lived it.

“My wife and I have always been pro-education, and I have great memories from my time at UWL,” says Storhoff, ’80 (management), now the sole owner of ProActive Solutions USA, LLC, a chemical manufacturing company in Green Bay. “For me, UWL helped me develop the business skills and the communication skills that have allowed me to get ahead and have a successful career.”

Which is why Storhoff and his wife, Diane, are giving back to UWL’s College of Business Administration, where they hope to create opportunities for current and future generations of UWL business students.

The Storhoffs, working with the UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation, have arranged for annual gifts to be made to the CBA, supporting various student and faculty activities. This includes student scholarships, outside-the-classroom learning opportunities and other high-impact projects determined by the leadership of the college.

Dean TJ Brooks says the Douglas L. Storhoff & Diane L. Hatfield Storhoff Faculty and Student Support Fund is unlocking new possibilities for the CBA.

“This fund is in part an investment in our faculty, which is also a direct investment in our students’ futures," Brooks says. "By empowering our educators, we amplify their ability to influence and inspire, thereby enriching the lives of students in profound and lasting ways. Additionally, it will transform the lives of our students and prepare them to make meaningful contributions to the world, as Doug has done.”

After graduating from UWL, Storhoff accepted a job at EcoLab, a chemical manufacturing company specializing in sustainable solutions. He spent many successful years at EcoLab, gaining experience and advancing in his career, before deciding it was time for a new challenge.

In 2002, Storhoff purchased ProChemicals and became the sole owner in 2014. A company that became ProActive Solutions after the acquisition of Chaska Chemical Company in 2012.

Every step of his career, Storhoff says, the skills and experiences he drew from UWL positioned him for success. A quality college education helped Storhoff establish a diligent work ethic and become a strong leader.

“It’s not always the fastest horse that wins the race — it’s the most consistent, the most diligent that usually comes out ahead, and UWL helped show me that,” Storhoff says. “No one else will come along and make you successful. You must have a sense of urgency and a drive to be successful. You have to reflect on what you want to accomplish in life and how you’re going to get there.”

What excites the Storhoffs about supporting UWL, they say, is the potential to shape the future and create opportunities that otherwise would not exist.

In addition to the Faculty and Student Support Fund, the Storhoffs are planning an estate gift which will support business education at UWL for generations to come.

“I think you have to invest in students and faculty to make sure you have the best resources available and improve the chances for success,” Storhoff says. “If you’re an alum who had a positive experience and are in a position to give back, you should consider doing that. UWL is a great school, and today’s students are going to be the ones shaping our country for the next 25 to 50 years. It’s important for us to support that.”

Support the CBA

Jeff Meyer, the development officer for the College of Business Administration, is here to assist alumni and friends looking to give back and create opportunities in the CBA.

Interested businesses and prospective donors can reach Meyer at 608-785-8502 or jmeyer@uwlax.edu. If an in-person meeting is preferred, Meyer travels regionally and nationally to meet with CBA partners.