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Meet Dr. Neal O’Reilly, CES Feature of the Week!

51���� CES Director 2019-2023 (Retired)

Emeritus Associate Professor

Dr. Neal O’Reilly, a luminary in the Conservation and Environmental Science (CES) department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (51����), has an impressive professional background spanning over four decades. Neal has made remarkable contributions to regional environmental projects and has been a transformative force in higher education, particularly during his time as Director of the CES program. Despite his numerous achievements, he remains grounded, embodying a strong belief in teamwork and collaborative efforts. His dedication to sharing his extensive knowledge with local organizations and mentoring future leaders underscores his lasting impact on both the community and his students.

“It takes a village to build a mountain” is one of Neal’s insights built from experience. Neal’s educational journey began in electrical engineering before he shifted his focus to ecology, geology, and biology, influenced by his love for the outdoors and experiences in nature growing up in the formerly rural Menomonee Falls. Shortly after completing his Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Biology and Environmental Geology, Neal began a 15-year career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Neal played a crucial role in regional urban stormwater planning and design, watershed management planning, and stream and lake monitoring/restoration projects throughout the southeastern region of Wisconsin. A highlight of Neal’s career at the WDNR was the Delavan Lake Project, the world’s largest lake restoration initiative in the 1980s and 1990s. This project, which required extensive collaboration with federal and local agencies, earned several national awards and solidified Neal’s understanding of the importance of networking and community engagement in achieving large-scale success. These lessons have continued to guide him throughout his career in the public, private, and academic sectors.

In the middle of his career, Neal recognized his enduring interest in engineering, so he took a sabbatical from the WDNR to pursue his Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Marquette University while working at the consulting firm R.A. Smith. Despite initially planning to return to the WDNR, a hiring freeze redirected his path, leading him to co-found Hey and Associates, a firm focused on engineering and water resource consulting. After twenty-five years as Vice President and head of the water resource planning division, he sold his shares to pursue a career in academia, bringing his extensive professional experience into the educational world.

Neal has a philosophy of “making things happen”, which is evident in his Ph.D. pursuit in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Law at Marquette University. Neal explains his reasoning for pursuing this dual Ph.D. (beyond the encouragement of his wife!) “90% of environmental law administration is handled by ecologists, engineers, and bureaucrats, not lawyers…You can’t debate lawyers if you don’t understand their work!” Despite initial skepticism from the law school due to his lack of a formal law background, his extensive background and experiences as an expert witness led to his acceptance into the program. This achievement highlights the importance of connections and perseverance.

You can’t be an expert in everything…in the real world, you’re going to work with other people,” Neal emphasizes about the importance of being exposed to real-world experiences and teamwork, especially in the world of CES. Neal began his teaching career at Marquette University in 2004 and continued throughout his professional career, which led to a grant-funded collaboration with 51����. This partnership opened the door to Neal’s appointment as CES Director from 2019-2023, during which Neal transformed the program by integrating academic learning with real-world applications. Neal’s shifted the senior capstone course from a traditional lecture format to project-based experiences,  a significant program development for student success. He leveraged his extensive network to provide students with valuable real-world problem-solving opportunities and networking connections; this allowed student engagement directly with community partners and organizations. Neal emphasized the importance of diversity in these partnerships, allowing students to find projects they “get excited about.” This approach not only enhances education and practical skills but also prepares them for professional careers, opening doors to internships and career placements.

Neal encourages students to challenge themselves, teaching them the value of progress over perfection and fostering self-confidence and self-belief. Neal explains that students can evolve achievements from a combination of collaboration, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. For example, he has advised numerous students to choose courses aligned with their career aspirations rather than “easier” courses. This approach improves students’ academic performance and personal development, thereby better equipping them for future challenges in the world.

Although Neal retired as CES Director in 2023, he continues to teach with the CES program. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, as he remains actively involved in various non-profit and local organizations, including serving as president of the Waukesha County Land Conservancy. Despite his busy schedule, Neal finds time to relax through woodworking, an activity he finds rewarding for its immediate results, a contrast to the often-delayed outcomes in his other work.

Dr. Neal O’Reilly’s ability to handle challenges in a grounded matter, whether in large-scale projects, academic matters, or building students’ real-world skills, makes him an inspiring figure in the CES community. He is truly a part of the “village that builds -and makes- the mountains happen.”

Intrigued? For more information or contact information, check out 51����’s CES Program: uwm.edu/ces

Written by Zelenda Koch