MONROE — Ten members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison community, working in areas including facilities, academic departments, human resources, technology and even a Master Cheesemaker have been selected to receive 2020 University Staff Recognition Awards. While an official ceremony recognizing the winners has been postponed, they have been honored for their contributions and many years of helping keep the university running efficiently.
Gary Grossen, a cheesemaker for the Center for Dairy Research, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, was among the 10 earning the recognition.
Grossen is a Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker with more than 60 years of experience and numerous awards and recognitions.
“Gary has raised the bar for the University of Wisconsin Babcock Hall Dairy Plant through his skill as a cheesemaker, his ability to train aspiring cheesemakers and his generosity with his time outside of work promoting the University of Wisconsin,” according to the person who nominated him.
Grossen had been a full-time cheesemaker at the Babcock Hall Dairy Plant for the past 15 years, crafting more than 20 cheese varieties. When the plant closed temporarily in September, Grossen joined the CDR as a Research Cheesemaker.
The new position with CDR requires him to take on the processes of all milk and dairy ingredient for CDR. These are very technical tasks with no room for error. However, as expected, Gary has taken on these new tasks and has quickly learned these new procedures, which are critical for the CDR to maintain operations while the dairy plant is closed due to the building project.
For the past 15 years, Gary Grossen has been a full-time cheesemaker in the Babcock Hall Dairy Plant, crafting more than 20 varieties of cheeses, including his award-winning Gouda. When the plant closed temporarily in September for remodeling, Grossen joined the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) as a Research Cheesemaker. This new position with CDR required that he take on the processes of all milk and dairy ingredients for the center. These are very technical tasks with no room for error. Grossen has demonstrated his ability to go above and beyond and has truly mastered these new responsibilities.
Grossen is a sought-after mentor in the dairy industry. He has trained numerous undergraduate students, grad students and aspiring cheesemakers from around the U.S. on how to make artisan, award-winning cheeses. Many former students often make a point to seek out Grossen when they return to campus.
In addition to his duties at Babcock Hall, Grossen is a prolific volunteer. He volunteers his time with the U.S. and World Championship Cheese Contest, the Foreign Type Cheesemakers Board of Directors, the National Historical Cheesemaking Center and the Cheese Days Celebration, where he and his wife, Corie, were named Cheese Days King and Queen in 2008.
