A meaningful new fixture has made its debut outside of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Welcome Center as the university prepares to welcome students back to campus for the 2025-26 academic year.
A lifelike German pointer dog wood carving honoring the incoming class of 2025 will greet students and their families as they arrive to campus via Fourth Avenue on the south side of the center.
After a large tree outside of the Science Building was cut down for a steam pipe project along Fourth Avenue, Interim Assistant Director of Recruitment Operations and Events Genna Mattioli saw an opportunity to honor the tree removals in a meaningful way.
“I remember feeling a sense of sadness, shared by others in our office, about the tree removal,” she said. “A large portion of the trunk had been left behind, and it hit me. Just because the tree was taken down did not mean it could not live on in another way.”
Mattioli worked with Buschke Carving in Manawa, Wis., to commission the piece.
“This project stood out because it involved carving out multiple pieces and attaching them to get the shape of the pointer. The textured detailing and shaping were some of the highlights,” he said. “I was also excited to work on it because my wife and a handful of other family members attended UW-Stevens Point, so that tie was nice.”
In addition to honoring the incoming first-year class, the carving was commissioned to symbolize a campus-wide commitment to sustainability. While using repurposed materials was top of mind, the decision to commission a local craftsman was intentional and sustainably focused.
“The office of Admissions and Recruitment donated 250 tree seedlings to Schmeeckle Reserve in celebration of the incoming class of 2024, and I wanted to build on that tradition with something equally meaningful,” Mattioli said. “Commissioning the project locally helped us continue the theme of restoration and sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint. We often hear how our students value sustainability and the idea of creating something bigger, so continuing the spirit of last year’s donation felt like the right path forward.”
Everyone who had a hand in the process hopes to see this nod to mascot Stevie Pointer become a campus fixture, and something that students and the community alike can enjoy.
“I hope the carving adds another distinctive aspect to the university and the area, as well as bringing joy to the students coming in for the new school year,” Buschke said.
“While at first it was only a way to honor the fall 2025 first-year class, the vision grew into something larger,” Mattioli said. “Whether you are a prospective student, a visitor on a campus tour, a proud alum coming back to visit or someone just passing by, we hope this statue will leave a lasting impression. It stands not just for one class but for all Pointers, representing restoration, continuity and connection.”
Written by UW-Stevens Point
Link to original story: https://www.uwsp.edu/news/pointer-wood-carving/