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#StoutProud Impact: Annika ('27)

jasperb — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:33:20 +0000

#StoutProud Impact: Annika ('27)jasperb February 2, 2026

Annika discovered her calling at ��, where a vibrant polytechnic experience is shaping her journey toward becoming a technology education teacher.

Jen Rudiger

“�� shaped me into a leader, a mentor and a more confident version of myself because the university has embraced and supported me through my entire educational journey,” says Annika, a junior majoring in technology education.

Annika with her project partner Hunter in �� . Woods Lab in Jarvis Hall Tech Wing. / Submitted photo

Annika ��. journey is a powerful example of what happens when a student enters a university built around applied learning, personalized support and an environment designed for growth. �� . polytechnic mission, supported by strategic priorities that remove barriers to education, enhance individualized student support, drive academic innovation and success, advance modern living and learning spaces and nurture a vibrant campus life, helped Annika discover her confidence, her community and her calling as a future technology education teacher.

Annika remembers the moment she realized �� was where she belonged. “I was drawn to �� because of its polytechnic focus. From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home.”

Stout ��. commitment to removing barriers to education allowed her to fully engage in her program, take additional classes that broadened her skill set, and immerse herself in opportunities that shaped who she is today.

Her passion for woodworking led her to the Wood Prototyping Lab, a dynamic learning space made possible by Stout ��. dedication to creating innovative living and learning environments. There, state-of-the-art equipment and modern digital tools brought her creativity to life. What began as exploration quickly turned into expertise. As a lab assistant, she helped classmates learn to operate equipment and bring their own ideas to life.

“Having access to state-of-the-art technology and getting to teach it to others has been huge in preparing me to become a technology education teacher,” says Annika.

Annika demonstrating equipment in the Woods Lab. / Submitted photo

Annika ��. growth extended far beyond the lab. Through Stout ��. robust individualized student support, she was surrounded by mentors, advisors and staff who encouraged her to step into leadership roles. Her involvement runs deep across the �� campus. Annika is a tour guide, welcoming prospective students to the campus she calls home. She works with first-year students as a mentor, helping students adjust to campus life and as an academic resource coordinator, supporting residential learning experiences. Her leadership doesn’t stop there: she currently serves as vice president of the Student Council for Exceptional Children and treasurer for the Technology & Engineering Collegiate Association.

Each role developed confidence, communication skills and a deep understanding of how to support people of all ages; skills she’ll carry into her future classroom.

Annika working with young children during her study abroad experience. / Submitted photo

Through a study abroad experience, Annika gained a global teaching perspective, observed different learning styles and developed empathy that will make her classroom more inclusive and culturally aware.

Annika reflects, “Being immersed in another culture changed how I see the world. It shaped how I want to teach and connect with my future students.”

�� . polytechnic model paired with the support structures of the Stout experience are the backbone of Annika ��. entire journey. “Experiential learning isn’t an addition at Stout; it is Stout,” said Annika. “The Polytechnic Approach makes a huge difference. I’m not just learning about things, I’m doing them. That ��. what sets Stout apart."

Annika ��. story demonstrates the transformative power of a university and supporters who invest in its students, faculty, staff and greater community. Philanthropic support through the �� Foundation and Alumni Association helps create an environment where members of the #StoutProud community, like Annika don’t just succeed - they thrive.

As Annika reflects, “Stout helped me find my confidence, my community and my purpose. I wouldn’t be who I am today without everything this university made possible. The Stout community is something special.”

Annika showcasing a couple of projects completed in the Woods Laboratory. / Submitted photo

Your gift to support �� provides opportunities for members of our #StoutProud community, like Annika by removing financial barriers to a Stout education, providing robust and individualized student support, advancing academic innovation and success, creating dynamic living and learning spaces while ensuring a vibrant campus community – the full Stout Experience. Through your philanthropic support you provide the necessary flexible funds to ensure Stout thrives and continues to make positive impact on industry, in our communities and on society. Make your gift today.

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#StoutProud Impact: Annika ('27)

Annika discovered her calling at ��, where a vibrant polytechnic experience is shaping her journey toward becoming a technology education teacher.

February 2, 2026

#StoutProud Impact: Kenton ('27)

Philanthropic support removes financial barriers, empowering students like Kenton Newman to learn, lead and give back.

January 26, 2026

�� alumni, friends, supporters can make an impact during Giving Day, Dec. 2

Matching gifts are opportunity to double support for university community

December 1, 2025

Annika discovered her calling at ��, where a vibrant polytechnic experience is shaping her journey toward becoming a technology education teacher. Annika Schlueter 3

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Hero Caption: Annika, a technology education student, sketches the vision of a kindergarten student ��. imagined toy during a special collaboration between �� . Design for Industry course and a local kindergarten class.

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#StoutProud Impact: Kenton ('27)

jasperb — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 22:31:24 +0000

#StoutProud Impact: Kenton ('27)jasperb January 26, 2026

Philanthropic support removes financial barriers, empowering students like Kenton to learn, lead and give back.

Jen Rudiger

“�� is an incredibly special place. It empowered me to discover who I am, what I do best and how I can make the greatest impact on my community, career and greater society," says Kenton, a senior studying applied math and computer science at ��.

2025 Student Leadership Award Recipient / Submitted photo

When Kenton first began exploring colleges he was searching for more than a degree, he wanted a place where he could belong, grow and make a difference. �� stood out immediately. It wasn’t just the university ��. reputation for applied learning or its designation as a Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy that caught his attention; it was the people. From the alumni who encouraged him to apply to the personal phone call announcing his selection as a Stout Scholar recipient, Kenton felt something special: a community that truly cared.

“That phone call represented something deeper,” Kenton recalls. “It was an affirmation that �� was willing to invest in me, not just as a student, but as a person.”

That investment has shaped every step of Kenton ��. journey. As an applied math and computer science major with minors in cybersecurity and math education, Kenton has thrived academically while discovering his passion for helping others succeed. After a semester observing in a middle school classroom, he quickly discovered his love for working with students and shifted his career path toward education, hoping to become a teacher.

Thanks to donor support through the �� Foundation & Alumni Association, financial barriers and constraints have significantly decreased. This has allowed Kenton to work as a teaching assistant and tutor in the Math Teaching and Learning Center, a role that may not pay as much as off-campus jobs but offers him something he finds far more valuable: the chance to give back.

The Math Teaching and Learning Center Teaching Assistants at the 2025 �� Leadership Awards ceremony. / Submitted photo

Beyond campus, Kenton ��. commitment to service extends into the Menomonie community. He volunteers at a local church and recently curated an exhibit on historic telephones at the Dunn County Historical Society featuring his personal telephone collection.

Kenton lights up when he talks about Stout and the Stout experience: the people, the innovative and applied learning environments, the individualized support he has received and the sense of belonging he found on the �� campus and greater community.

For Kenton, �� is more than a university, it ��. a #StoutProud community of faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters who believe in him and his future. Their support has removed financial barriers to his education, opened doors to meaningful experiences and inspired him to pay it forward.

A few pieces from Kenton ��. remarkable historic telephone collection. Shown are early forms of business communication. / Submitted photo

Your gift to support �� provides opportunities for members of our #StoutProud community, like Kenton by removing financial barriers to a Stout education, providing robust and individualized student support, advancing academic innovation and success, creating dynamic living and learning spaces while ensuring a vibrant campus community – the full Stout Experience. Through your philanthropic support you provide the necessary flexible funds to ensure Stout thrives and continues to make positive impact on industry, in our communities and on society. Make your gift today.

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Philanthropic support removes financial barriers, empowering students like Kenton Newman to learn, lead and give back. Kenton Newman Leadership Award

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Hero Caption: �� . Math Teaching and Learning Center student staff where Kenton is a teaching assistant and tutor.

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Jen Rudiger

Bio Introduction: As a Stout alum, I know the value of a Stout education! I enjoy helping others fulfill their goals of supporting the �� experience for future Blue Devils.

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�� alumni, friends, supporters can make an impact during Giving Day, Dec. 2

goersab — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:38:37 +0000

�� alumni, friends, supporters can make an impact during Giving Day, Dec. 2goersab December 1, 2025

Matching gifts are opportunity to double support for university community

Abbey Goers

To continue the tradition of the National Day of Giving on Tuesday, Dec. 2, University of Wisconsin-Stout will host its seventh annual Giving Day campaign to support the university, its strategic priorities and the #StoutProud community.

�� students Lucas Moreno-Martinez III, Noah Rosenberger, Gabe Cauwels, Braeden Lange, Maria Winkelman and Sophia Moore spread the Giving Day excitement.

The event is supported by the �� Foundation & Alumni Association to encourage philanthropic gifts to support ��, its students, faculty, staff and programs.

Alumni, friends and supporters can make gifts to this year ��. priority – StoutProud Fund – or specify their gifts to an area of �� that aligns with their interests.

A goal to raise $500,000 has been set to build on previous years of Giving Day success.

Donations can be made online or by mail. Address checks to �� Foundation & Alumni Association, 320 S. Broadway St., Menomonie, WI 54751.

A group of visionary alumni and friends has already given gifts to support �� and Giving Day. These donors have established a matching opportunity for all donors who make a gift on Giving Day, doubling their gift and impact on Stout.

Last year ��. goal of $300,000 was far surpassed, with donors contributing more than 800 gifts and pledges totaling $476,455 in support of Wisconsin ��. ��.

Support of gifts through the StoutProud Fund will:

Remove barriers to education through scholarships and financial aid.
Provide robust support for students through holistic wraparound services to meet students where they are, support their Stout journeys, and foster their success.
Advance academic innovation and success through faculty-driven innovation, research and community collaboration.
Create state-of-the-art living and learning spaces through the development of environments that foster innovation, academic collaboration and a welcoming home away from home.
Ensure a vibrant campus life and athletics through investing in students’ experiences to enhance engagement, belonging and school spirit.

For more information, visit www.uwstout.edu/giving-day or contact the �� Foundation & Alumni Association.

Giving Day donors can share the hashtag #StoutProud to encourage others to give and follow �� . social media sites for the university and Alumni Association for posts on information before and throughout the event.

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#StoutProud Impact: Annika ('27)

Annika discovered her calling at ��, where a vibrant polytechnic experience is shaping her journey toward becoming a technology education teacher.

February 2, 2026

#StoutProud Impact: Kenton ('27)

Philanthropic support removes financial barriers, empowering students like Kenton Newman to learn, lead and give back.

January 26, 2026

�� alumni, friends, supporters can make an impact during Giving Day, Dec. 2

Matching gifts are opportunity to double support for university community

December 1, 2025

Matching gifts are opportunity to double support for university community Giving Day, 2025

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Impressive support: Foundation exceeds Giving Day 2023 goal with pledges topping $425,000

The Stout University Foundation set its sights high for the fifth annual Giving Day.

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Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

giffeyt — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arenagiffeyt October 1, 2025

Teams begin play in state-of-the-art space funded with Foundation gift

Tom Giffey

�� . new $1 million Esports Arena is a real-world example of the expanding impact and importance of virtual sports.

In just five years, �� . esports program has grown into a championship-caliber varsity sport with a highly visible, state-of-the-art space for competitors and fans alike. Previously located in a former classroom in Heritage Hall, the esports program now practices and competes in a brand-new arena on the first floor of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center.

The arena, which was made possible by a $1 million donation from the �� Foundation & Alumni Association and donors, will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2.

“Our esports teams have already experienced significant success and growth, and I know that this amazing facility will continue to support our student athletes and the education of other students from a range of academic programs,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said.

The new 1,900-square-foot space is designed for gamers and spectators alike. In addition to rows of 34 high-end gaming PCs — 10 of which are on a competition stage at the front of the room — the area features comfortable seating for teammates and spectators, stylish design features such as recessed lighting and textured walls, huge monitors to watch the action, and a streaming booth where hosts can provide commentary for online audiences (who can follow the team at twitch.tv/StoutEsports).

Coach Aaron Froelich congratulates a competitor in the new Esports Arena.

�� is an esports trailblazer

�� esports is part of the Wisconsin Esports Conference, which includes teams from 22 Wisconsin schools, including public and private universities and technical colleges. The program has just under 40 students on its roster, divided into five varsity teams — competing in Overwatch, Valorant, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. and Marvel Rivals — and one “Academy” team, the equivalent of a junior varsity squad.

Head Coach Aaron Froelich, who is starting his third academic year with the esports program, said the new arena raises the program ��. profile on campus and among peer institutions.

“Something that ��. really special about this new place is that it allows us to have more team camaraderie within our different game titles,” Froelich said. “I like to compare it either to an athletic department or a track and field team, where you’ve got all these subdivisions within it. Previously we didn’t have a lot of cross-pollination between those rosters.”

In 2020, �� became the first public university in Wisconsin to launch a varsity esports program, which since then has built a tradition of success: Last spring, the Marvel Rivals team won the Wisconsin Esports Conference Championship and placed fifth in the nation across all divisions, while the program won the Wisconsin Valorant Summit LAN championship in 2024. Starting this fall, �� has a new and thriving Esports Club with more than 100 members.

Gaming and esports are also represented academically at ��, which offers a B.F.A. game design and development-art, a B.S. computer science with a game design and development concentration, a minor in esports coaching, and certificates in both esports management and esports production.

Assistant Professor Michael Bird of the kinesiology, health, food and nutritional sciences department said he expects the new arena will give the esports coaching minor a boost.

“The new Esports Arena allows our esports coaching students the ability to interact and coach with the teams, therefore aligning with �� . polytechnic mission,” said Bird, who serves as advisor for the esports coaching minor.

“Recruitment of students and esports athletes will be enhanced by the new facility,” Bird added. “It will provide opportunities to showcase the student athlete experience and also attract nongamers who want to work on the production and sports management side of the events.”

�� esports competitors practice inside the new arena.

Reaching the top of the leaderboard

Also launching this fall is a B.S. game and media studies program, which will give students the communication, research and leadership skills to work with cross-disciplinary teams creating interactive multimedia experiences, said Associate Professor Cody Reimer, the program director.

“Our program acts as the third leg of a tripod alongside game design and development programs in art and computer science,” Reimer said. “Whereas the B.F.A in art trains artists and animators, and the emphasis in game design in the B.S. in computer science trains programmers, our program focuses on all the other knowledge necessary to study, create and understand games and other media.”

Reimer called the new Esports Arena a “natural extension” of �� . efforts to grow and support a culture of gaming that aligns with the university ��. polytechnic mission.

“The gaming industry, including esports, is not a fledgling subculture anymore,” he said. “The creation of this arena represents institutional recognition and investment that puts Stout and our esports teams at the top of the leaderboards. It means opportunities for not just student athletes and coaches, but also for academic programs.”

The esports industry is growing in terms of both spectators and financial impact. According to recent research, the global esports audience is expected to reach 640 million people this year, while global esports revenue is estimated to be $4.8 billion.

Head Coach Aaron Froelich cuts a ribbon at the formal unveiling of the Esports Arena on Oct. 2, 2025.

Championship-level environment

Esports team members say their new hub will help the program level up by providing a more spacious, welcoming and visible environment.

“I think it ��. going to help a lot with the recruiting side,” said Trey Johnson, a junior from Barron and a member of the Rocket League Academy team. “We’re going to have more people here in person. It ��. going to be a lot more inviting to have people come in and practice.”

The esports program ��. previous space didn’t have enough computers to accommodate multiple teams at one time, which meant players sometimes had to practice in their residence halls instead of building strategy side by side with teammates.

Likewise, the new space makes hosting esports competitions easier:It will be the site of an Oct. 18 Rocket League tournament, the Red Cedar Rumble, whose eight teams will include Michigan State and the University of Minnesota. The arena will also host the WEC State Championship in December, which will draw as many as 20 teams.

“One of my goals is to become one of the premier hosting sites in Wisconsin but also in the Midwest,” explained Froelich.

Cody Larkin, a junior from Hanover, Minnesota, and a member of �� . Overwatch team, agrees that the new arena raises the program ��. profile. Larkin has witnessed this firsthand as a campus tour guide. “We actually get to walk through the arena, and so many people are interested in it,” he said. “They get to see it and say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is cool.’”

Froelich said the new arena helps dispel any lingering stereotypes about esports athletes being little more than casual gamers. “We’re out here, we’re competing and representing the university,” he said. “Our players practice as a team for 15 to 20 hours a week and put in a ton of time on their own to hone their craft.

“They take it extremely seriously,” he concluded. “They’re highly competitive.”

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Teams begin play in state-of-the-art space funded with Foundation gift Coach fist bumps esports player in Esports Arena

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Hero Caption: ��'s Rocket League Academy team competes against a UW-Eau Claire squad at ��'s new Esports Arena on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.

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Statewide scholarship helps �� students ‘study and succeed with more confidence’

goersab — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Statewide scholarship helps �� students ‘study and succeed with more confidence’goersab April 15, 2025

Fund for Wisconsin Scholars supports accessibility, affordability of higher education, increases number of graduates

Abbey Goers

Two hundred �� students recently received nearly $1 million in grants through the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars nonprofit foundation.

They celebrated a moment of gratitude and financial relief at a reception with other Universities of Wisconsin students, hosted at �� on April 8. Recipients are awarded $2,500 a semester, for up to eight to 10 semesters.

With tuition at about $11,000 a year for in-state students at ��, not including room and board, the FWSS scholarship covers nearly half of a student ��. annual tuition.

FWSS recipient Lilly Gamache also serves as a peer mentor / Lilly Gamache

FFWS recipient Lilly Gamache, of Superior, thinks the scholarship allows her to “excel in and outside of the classroom. Sometimes the financial burden of college can have a negative impact while trying to study at a higher education institution, but this scholarship helps me and other scholars study and succeed with more confidence.”

She is now among the more than 1,200 �� students this academic year who have been awarded scholarships, including those who have received nearly $1.4 million in University Foundation scholarships, reflecting their dedication to their fields of study and promise in their future careers.

FFWS aims to increase the number of college graduates in Wisconsin by helping to make higher education more accessible and affordable through grants awarded to selected UW four-year college students. It was established in 2007 by philanthropic leaders and visionaries John and Tashia Morgridge.

“Many students come from families unfamiliar with the demands of college or may come from school districts that did not prepare them for the rigors of college classes. Our wish for the students is that a college education will enhance their lives and give them greater lifelong options and opportunities,” the Morgridges said.

FWSS Founders John and Tashia Morgridge / David Nevala

FFWS alum Simon Brown called the program transformative. “It is the reason that I was not only able to afford school and graduate, but it was also the reason that I was able to have the ‘college experience’ without having to worry about working to pay my tuition,” he said. Brown, an office manager in �� . Advisement Center, earned his applied social science degree in 2022.

FFWS also has a peer mentor program on each UW campus, where junior and senior scholarship recipients serve as mentors for new scholars.

As a peer mentor, Gamache enjoys connecting with the other recipients. “Being a part of this program creates a sense of community. I find it rewarding to be able to be a peer mentor, where I can build relationships, learn and push students to be their best selves,” she said.

�� Academic Advisor Jamie Arenz is the peer mentor supervisor on campus. “I am amazed by what this program does and how it helps students. Students are able to focus on their academics and not worry about money,” he said.

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FFWS is open to all students who meet the program requirements, following initial and continued eligibility. Funding is distributed through financial aid offices in the Universities of Wisconsin to students randomly selected from Pell Grant recipients who attended a Wisconsin public high school.

�� was named a Money Magazine 2024 Best Colleges in Wisconsin for its focus on affordability and student outcomes. On-campus resources include one-on-one guidance at the Financial Wellness & Literacy Center, Foundation scholarships, external industry-sponsored scholarships and more.

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Katona named vice chancellor for University Advancement and Alumni Relations

giffeyt — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Katona named vice chancellor for University Advancement and Alumni Relationsgiffeyt March 27, 2025

New administrator joins �� from Minnesota university

Tom Giffey

University of Wisconsin-Stout has selected a new vice chancellor for University Advancement and Alumni Relations.

Nicholas Katona’s role will also include serving as executive director of the �� Foundation, said Chancellor Katherine Frank, who announced the appointment on March 24.

Katona will provide the strategic vision for university development plans and alumni engagement in order to increase support for the university in accordance with the mission and identity of Wisconsin ��. ��, Frank said.

Katona is currently the vice president of Advancement & Alumni Engagement at St. Cloud State University as well as executive director of the St. Cloud State University Foundation Inc. and St. Cloud State University Alumni Association.

“During the interview process, Nic demonstrated a strong understanding of �� . Polytechnic mission and presented a strategic vision for increasing support for our faculty, staff, and students,” Frank said. “Nic ��. desire to enhance connections with our more than 76,000 alumni will be invaluable as we continue to advance our goals as Wisconsin ��. ��."

He holds an M.P.S. in Political Management and Fundraising from The George Washington University and has served in development and philanthropy roles at several institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“It is an honor to join Stout and advance its polytechnic mission. With the changing landscape of higher education, Stout ��. focus on supporting students by preparing them to be successful in the workforce and advancing innovative research sets us apart from our competitors,” Katona said. “As a proud Wisconsinite I am pleased to come home and join the leading polytechnic of the upper Midwest. I look forward to enhancing connections with our communities, including our alumni, donors, supporters and friends and strengthening this great institution. I am StoutProud and excited to be part of the team.”

Katona will begin his new role at �� on Thursday, May 1.

“We are pleased and excited to welcome Nic Katona to the �� Foundation and Alumni Association,” said Linda Funk, president of the foundation ��. Board of Directors. “His experience and passion for �� is a great match. The Foundation Board looks forward to working with Nic to accomplish our goals to support the university.”

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�� alumni, friends, supporters can make an impact during Giving Day, Dec. 2

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April 15, 2025

University of Wisconsin-Stout has selected a new vice chancellor for University Advancement and Alumni Relations. Nicholas Katona

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Hero Caption: Nicholas Katona, �� . incoming vice chancellor for University Advancement and Alumni Relations.

Katherine P. Frank

Katherine P. Frank became the eighth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, after a distinguished career as an administrator and faculty member.

Before her appointment as chancellor, Chancellor Frank served from 2016 in two roles at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., as Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Life and Vice President of Academic Innovation. She also held the rank of Professor of English.

From summer 2014 until spring 2016, she was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University. Frank served as Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Indiana University East, Chair of English and Foreign Languages at Colorado State University-Pueblo, and a faculty member and administrator of programs involving student writing, faculty professional development, and student success.

Chancellor Frank, the first female leader of ��, grew up in Colorado and has a bachelor ��. degree in English from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine. She has master ��. and doctorate degrees in English from the University of Washington, Seattle. Frank ��. research interests include Romantic and Victorian English Literature, rhetoric and composition, the scholarship of teaching, and academic leadership.

“I am delighted to join ��,” Chancellor Frank said. “Throughout the search process, I became increasingly impressed by the high-quality work and creative thinking exhibited by faculty, staff, and students at ��, as well as the strong, reciprocal relationships among the university, community, and regional partners. Everyone demonstrated dedication to the university and exhibited true focus on ensuring student success.

“As beautifully stated by one alumna, ‘Stout is where you need to be.’ I could not agree more and am honored to join this exceptional community of educators, learners, partners, and friends.”

“Dr. Frank has demonstrated throughout her academic career that she is a strategic, dynamic leader,” said UW System President Ray Cross. “She handles challenges extremely well. Her visionary perspective on the future of �� will serve the institution and the state of Wisconsin very well.”

Chancellor Frank and her husband, Joe Dvorsky, live in Menomonie with their three rescue cats. She is an outdoor activities enthusiast, including running, road cycling and mountain biking, and has a love of animals, travel, and adventure.

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Students recognized for leadership, academic excellence in packaging, social science, food technology, interior design

goersab — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:41:38 +0000

Students recognized for leadership, academic excellence in packaging, social science, food technology, interior designgoersab February 11, 2025

Competitive industry-sponsored scholarships positively impact graduate, undergraduates

Abbey Goers

Paying for college can be stressful. But as a Money Magazine 2024 Best Colleges in Wisconsin, �� understands. Noted for its focus on affordability and student outcomes, �� has resources to help alleviate some of that financial pressure.

From offering on-campus jobs through Career Services’ Handshake app, providing one-on-one guidance at the Financial Wellness & Literacy Center, and coordinating hundreds of �� Foundation scholarships and external industry-sponsored scholarships, Wisconsin ��. �� makes sure Blue Devils reach their graduation goals.

This academic year, more than 1,000 students have been awarded nearly $3 million in external and Foundation scholarships, reflecting their dedication to their fields of study and promise in their future careers.

Packaging senior Makenna Lowell / Makenna Lowell

Scholarships impact students’ education, allowing them to focus on their degree programs, applied research and creative endeavors at Wisconsin ��. ��, as well as motivate students to continue to strive for excellence in their fields through professional development opportunities.

“With this support, I can dedicate more time to hands-on projects, collaborate with peers and faculty, and participate in industry-related events. This will enhance my skills and knowledge in packaging, preparing me for a successful career,” said packaging senior Makenna Lowell, of Frederick, Md.

Lowell was recently awarded two industry-sponsored scholarships: a $5,000 Mark C. Garvey Scholarship by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, and a $500 scholarship from the Institute of Packaging Professionals Minnesota Chapter.

Other recent external scholarship recipients include:

Packaging senior Elaina Marxen, of Rochester, Minn.: $5,000 Cindy Finley Memorial Scholarship, on behalf of the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association.
Applied social science senior Sophia Moore, of Redwing, Minn.: $3,000 Tommy G. Thompson Leadership Scholarship, sponsored by the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.
M.S. food science and technology graduate student Meghana Maske: $3,000 Food Safety Scholarship, sponsored by the FMI Foundation in partnership with the Safe Quality Food Institute.
Interior design senior Lindsey Phillips, of Eden Prairie, Minn.: $7,500 Network of Executive Women in Hospitality ��. Icon of Industry Scholarship.

In addition, 48 students received $1,500 scholarships from Mayo Clinic Health Systems, for a total of $72,000; and five students received $2,000 each from the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Minneapolis for pursuing careers in commercial real estate and building management.

Gaining professional development opportunities in packaging

Marxen and Lowell enjoy how broad the packaging industry is and the opportunities for students and careers in the field, yet how tightly knit the professional community feels.

“It is a growing industry that is pertinent to the function of daily life. I hope to develop and design creative packaging solutions that benefit sustainability efforts and positive consumer experiences,” Marxen said.

Packaging senior Elaina Marxen

Lowell added, “There are tons of opportunities in niches of packaging that most people have never even thought of. I am excited by the idea of so many possibilities for my future and many career paths to choose from.”

Marxen, who has minors in graphic media and print management and global perspectives on engineering, has completed two co-ops: one with Starbucks’ global research and development and engineering team in Seattle and one with Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

“I see the major advantage to my Stout education when interacting with engineering students from other universities. Stout requiring a co-op not only encourages me to test out different areas of my field but also gives me related job experience I can talk about in interviews and bring forward into my career.

“These co-ops made me more confident than ever that I made the right decision to attend ��. The polytechnic education and career-focused program give me the tools and knowledge I need to be able to exceed expectations in my future endeavors,” added Marxen, who will graduate in May 2025.

Lowell, who has a minor in sustainability, has completed a seven-month co-op at Kimberly-Clark in Appleton, working on real-world projects that resulted in her contributions being featured on store shelves.

Packaging students Griffin Reisman and Makenna Lowell, IOPP scholarship recipients / Mary Paz Alvarez Valverde

“During this time, I honed my professional communication skills and learned extensively about project management and work timelines,” she said. “I have accepted a second seven-month co-op with Ocean Spray in Lakeville, Mass., and I am excited to collaborate with a new team and deepen my knowledge of the food packaging industry.”

Lowell will graduate in May 2026. She ��. interested in working for a consumer goods company on the East Coast, closer to her hometown.

“The packaging industry is so broad, and I have had so many memorable experiences with fellow packaging students from other universities and with industry professionals. I am excited for what the future brings and the many great people in the industry that I have yet to meet,” she said.

Moore is leading the way in public service

Moore has known from a very young age that she wanted to work in public policy and law. Within her applied social science degree, she ��. concentrating on history and politics.

Applied social science student Sophia Moore at the State Capitol Building / Sophia Moore

Moore is one of 15 students across the Universities of Wisconsin to receive the Tommy G. Thompson Leadership Scholarship, awarded for their spirit of tackling big problems through teamwork and determination to make Wisconsin a better place.

Last summer, Moore interned with AmeriCorps as a Housing Stability Fellow for a local domestic violence and homeless shelter.

“My experience there was completely life-changing,” she said. “Having an understanding of nonprofits and legislation regarding social welfare programs definitely enhanced my experience while on the job.”

Moore ��. on-campus leadership includes serving as a student senator for the Stout Student Association, later becoming a vice chair, and now, director of Legislative Affairs. She is a civic engagement student lead at the university ��. Involvement Center, a student orientation leader for incoming first-year students, and sits on committees, like the Student Retention Committee, all charged with maintaining a student-driven campus.

“Our campus is uniquely full of leadership opportunities, and our faculty and staff are so incredibly helpful in equipping you with the skills needed to become a great leader,” Moore said.

“The leadership scholarship will allow me to continue my undergraduate education at a lower cost, alleviating me of some financial burden as a low-income college student and leaving me able to put my all into my studies and leadership responsibilities,” she said.

Moore will graduate in winter 2026 and hopes to continue her journey into public service as an intern or staff member for a legislator before applying to law school.

Maske awarded for addressing challenges in food product development

Maske is passionate about advancing food safety protocols and leveraging her skills in quality management to enhance product integrity and sustainability.

Meghana Maske, M.S. food science and technology graduate student / Meghana Maske

She is one of 15 recipients from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico to receive the FMI scholarship, which recognizes outstanding food safety scholars based on academic ability, leadership potential, motivation and initiative.

Her thesis research, “Development of 3D Printed Fish Analogs with Enhanced Omega-3 Fatty Acids,” uses extrusion-based 3D printing technology to create plant-based fish analogs.

Maske has researched plant-based ingredients and is refining formulations to optimize texture and nutritional composition and to replicate the muscle fiber structure of fish.

“An ongoing focus of my research is enhancing omega-3 fatty acid levels from plant-based sources, an essential aspect of nutritional benefits. This project aims to contribute to sustainable food innovation and provide viable alternatives to traditional fish products,” she said.

“My research has greatly enhanced my technical and analytical capabilities, allowing me to systematically approach challenges in food product development. This structured and methodical approach has strengthened my collaborative skills and problem-solving mindset to enable me to contribute effectively to advancing food innovation, particularly in the development of sustainable food products,” she said.

Her research is funded by �� . Student Research Grant.

Maske will graduate in May 2025. She plans to work in food safety and quality assurance and thinks her research and internship as a food safety and quality intern at Bunge, in Danville, Ill., have prepared her for a career. At Bunge, Maske gained experience in conducting audits, developing standard operating procedures and managing food safety documentation.

Maske is grateful for the opportunity to receive the FMI scholarship.

“Meghana ��. strengths are her positive thinking and proactiveness in everything she does. This is an important virtue for personal success and for successfully leading a team,” said Program Director Eun Joo Lee. “Meghana ��. case is a good example of the snowball effect of success, showing how student's small successes lead to big successes continuously. I am very proud of her.”

Maske and FMI scholarship recipients are invited to attend the SQF Unites Conference, March 2-5, in Orlando, Fla.

Phillips creates perfect spaces for her clients

Phillips enjoys creating functional, beautiful and inspiring environments. “I have always been someone who loves puzzles, so solving problems with design, space planning and budgeting was a good fit for me. Turning a space with infinite possibilities into the perfect space for the client is what inspires me to design,” she said.

Interior design student Lindsey Phillips / Lindsey Phillips

She thinks her classes and studios have opened her eyes to what being an interior designer truly means. She has designed workspaces, retail, libraries, residential spaces and more.

“With courses like lighting design, construction documents, contracts and codes, my projects have developed to be the most successful and realistic products I can design,” said Phillips, who worked as a sales intern with Southern Lights, in Burnsville, Minn., last summer.

Phillips NEWH Icon of Industry scholarship covers almost all her senior year tuition.

“It has been very helpful since I pay for all my expenses by myself. I have been taking out loans and working multiple jobs while staying a full-time student. This scholarship not only helps me financially but also confirms that my hard work has paid off,” she said.

Phillips, who has a minor in project management, will graduate in May 2025. She plans to work for a commercial design firm that focuses on hospitality design.

NEWH Inc. fosters leadership development, scholarships, advancing education, mentorship and networking in the hospitality industry.

“This is a wonderful accomplishment for Lindsey, and we are all very proud of her. NEWH is a great organization and has supported our students for years,” said Program Director Shelley Pecha.

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Competitive industry-sponsored scholarships positively impact graduate, undergraduates Packaging student Elaina Marxen

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Scholarships

You've worked hard in high school to earn a high GPA. You deserve to be recognized for your success!

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�� alumni, supporters can double their impact during Stout Gives Back Dec. 3

goersab — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:30:00 +0000

�� alumni, supporters can double their impact during Stout Gives Back Dec. 3goersab December 2, 2024

Funds of Focus offer matching gifts challenge to support students, athletes, learning environments, more

Abbey Goers

To continue the tradition of National Day of Giving on Tuesday, Dec. 3, �� will host its sixth annual Giving Day event, Stout Gives Back, a 24-hour campaign to support departments and programs across campus.

The event is supported by the �� Foundation to encourage donations for areas of critical need. Donors can make gifts to the 2024 Stout Gives Back Funds of Focus or specify their gifts to an area of �� they would like to support. The foundation has set a goal to raise $300,000.

Donations can be made online or by mail. Address checks to �� Foundation, 320 S. Broadway St., Menomonie, Wis., 54751.

Giving Day

�� alumni, community members, and industry partners pay it forward to the next generation of Stout students on Giving Tuesday.

A collective of alumni and friends have already given gifts to support and uplift the Funds of Focus. They challenge others to meet their amounts to make an even bigger impact on the university and students’ college experiences.

“This giving day is more than a fundraiser – it ��. a celebration of community, generosity and the incredible impact we can create together. It is a movement that is exciting to be a part of,” said foundation Annual Giving Officer Jocelyn White.

A collective of 17 generous alumni and friends have already given. Some have created challenge gifts – Funds of Focus – calling on others to match their amounts. The Funds of Focus are listed below.

Of the donors who’ve given this year already is Viola Riebe. Riebe has been connected to several �� programs for more than 20 years, and one that is especially close to her heart is Fostering Success. She and an anonymous donor, in collaboration, are giving $30,000 on Giving Day to support foster youth through �� . Fostering Success program.

The program provides guidance, advocacy and resources to help students who have been in foster care, homeless or orphaned while they earn a college degree. With inspiring participants like Riebe, the foundation is confident about designing a bright future for students and the university.

Last year's goal of $250,000 was far surpassed, with 803 gifts and pledges totaling $425,000 in support of Wisconsin ��. ��. Gifts are being accepted through the end of the year.

Impressive support: Foundation exceeds Giving Day 2023 goal with pledges topping $425,000

The Stout University Foundation set its sights high for the fifth annual Giving Day.

Challenge Funds of Focus to maximize your impact

Blue Devil Athletics | $48,000 Challenge

Sponsored by a team of athletics alumni and friends, including Chancellor Katherine Frank, her husband, Joe Dvorsky, Sue Martin ('80), Rita and Howard Slinden and three anonymous donors. The Blue Devil Fund supports all �� intercollegiate athletics. The betterment of the student-athlete experience is at the heart of all projects.

StoutPromise Scholarship | $18,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Lou Welter ('76) and Marilyn Krause Leccese ('74) and Rick Leccese. This fund ensures that students receive the support they require to excel academically and professionally and allows �� to stay dedicated to student success.

Student Emergency Fund | $17,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Chancellor Katherine Frank, her husband, Joe Dvorsky and Roger ('63, '64) and Mary Schaefer. Contributing to ��'s Student Emergency Fund provides financial assistance to students faced with the difficult decision of whether to continue on in school.

Learning Environments Fund | $19,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Marilyn Krause Leccese ('74) and Rick Leccese and two anonymous donors. Labs and studio spaces are central to ��'s technology-driven, industry-aligned polytechnic education. Outnumbering traditional classrooms by three to one, these learning environments prepare students to lead the industries of tomorrow.

StoutProud Fund | $4,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Marilyn Krause Leccese ('74) and Rick Leccese. The StoutProud Fund empowers donors to make a difference without specifying the use of their gift. This allows the university to meet the highest needs as they arise.

Fostering Success | $30,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Viola Riebe and an anonymous donor.

For more information, visit www.uwstout.edu/giving-day or contact the �� Foundation.

Giving Day donors can share the hashtag #STOUTGIVESBACK to encourage others to give and follow social media sites for the university, Alumni Association and Athletics for posts on information prior to and throughout the event.

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Adaptability, relationship-building and leadership define alumna ��. journey to executive roles guiding growth and innovation in the consumer food industry

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A �� education helped LTC Brian Morgan ’07 lead Minnesota ��. first-ever National Guard cyber response and shape the future of public cyber defense.

January 30, 2026

Funds of Focus offer matching gifts challenge to support students, athletes, learning environments, more 20130923_lst_house_01.jpg

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Join Stout Gives Back and Support Funds of Focus

Jocelyn White

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Revved up: Professorship brings Indian Motorcycle collaboration into lab

polingj — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:14:50 +0000

Revved up: Professorship brings Indian Motorcycle collaboration into labpolingj September 27, 2024

Polaris donates two engines for test stand project, one of 13 university-funded awards, sabbaticals given to faculty

Students in the mechanical engineering program at �� soon will be hearing the words commonly announced at the start of motorsport races, “Start your engines!”

Two new Indian Motorcycle engines, one air-cooled and one liquid-cooled, were donated to the program by the manufacturer, Polaris, along with a collection of associated components. The collaboration is the result of a project by Professor Devin Berg, who is developing an engine testing system and stand to control the motors for in-class demonstrations and lab experiments.

“The test stand will allow students and faculty to explore the operating conditions of each type of engine and test different control models,” Berg said.

Two Indian Motorcycle engines donated by Polaris will be studied by mechanical engineering students at �� thanks to a professorship awarded to Devin Berg. / ��

The engines and stand setup will have a dynamometer to duplicate speed and torque; a data system to monitor performance; handlebars for throttle and clutch control; and electronic feedback on such things as oil temperature and pressure, coolant temperature and intake air temperature.

Berg ��. work is the result of receiving the John “Jed” Copham Memorial Professorship, in memory of Copham, a 1997 industrial technology graduate who owned Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. The professorship supports faculty and staff in the engineering and technology department, with preference for projects that have a connection to automobiles or motorsports.

Berg received the professorship in 2023 and has received it again this year, with $11,800 in funding. He has employed two students, Charles Lenk, a senior from Amery, and Lucas Lirette, a senior from North Prairie, to help design the stand.

Mechanical engineering majors Charles Lenk, left, and Lucas Lirette work on the motorcycle engine stand in an engineering lab. / Contributed photo

Berg ��. project will enhance learning in existing courses. It also could lead to new courses and additional collaborations with Polaris, the Minnesota-based company that also makes snowmobiles, off-road vehicles, pontoons and more.

“This project has already had an impact on the career progression of Charles and Lucas, and as it develops a much larger number of students will be impacted as well,” Berg said.

He is one of eight professors who have been awarded a professorship or endowed chair award through the �� Foundation and Alumni Association. Another five professors have been granted sabbaticals for research during the 2024-25 academic year.

Paul Craig, program director and recipient of a Fulton and Edna Holtby Manufacturing Engineering Chair award, works with students in an engineering lab. / ��

Professorships and endowed chairs are prestigious positions awarded to high-performing faculty to help them improve their areas of teaching expertise through professional development.

Faculty must apply for the awards, which are based on recommendations made by the Named Professorship Committee and are approved by Chancellor Katherine Frank. Use of the stipends must meet state guidelines and be approved by the Universities of Wisconsin.

Professorships and endowed chairs

Others receiving professorships and endowed chairs are:

Fulton and Edna Holtby Manufacturing Engineering Chair: Danny Bee, assistant professor; and Paul Craig, instrumentation coordinator and program director, engineering and technology department.

Bee will receive $31,000 a year for three years. He plans to strengthen industry connections to the Senior Design Experience capstone course, which this past spring involved 12 industry-sponsored projects. He also plans to develop instructional expertise and provide assistance to small and medium size manufacturers in the area of industry 4.0.

Craig also will receive $31,000 a year for three years. He will seek advanced training in integrating robotics into advanced manufacturing; research smart devices in automated industrial control systems to develop two industry-based courses; and develop a course on cyber-physical digital twins on the factory floor.

Fulton Holtby was a pioneering mechanical engineering professor for 41 years at the University of Minnesota. He and Edna supported �� . technical programs with scholarships for engineering students; he received an honorary doctorate from the university. Fulton ��. Workshop at the Rassbach Museum in Menomonie features equipment and tools from his shop and working models he created and manufactured.

Lenore Landry Apparel Design and Development Professorship: Joan Rhee, professor, fashion design and development. Rhee will receive $6,000 a year for three years to support faculty professional development initiatives, student research projects and classroom projects with industry partners.

The award was established by Landry, a 1945 alum in home economics education. Landry, a UW System specialist, was respected nationally for her expertise in textiles and clothing.

Grace Laudon Ostenso Nutrition and Food Science Endowed Chair: Lindsay Heidelberger, associate professor, food and nutrition sciences. Heidelberger will receive $39,700 a year for two years for her project, “Body Composition, Food Security and Eating Behaviors,” research focusing on college students.

Ostenso, a 1954 graduate of the family and consumer educational services program, now the dietetics program, founded the chair to provide leadership and vision to ensure expert instruction for �� students and the continued success of its food and nutrition-related programs.

Professor Debbie Stanislawski has received the Q Endowed Chair in Education award. / ��

Q Endowed Chair in Education: Debbie Stanislawski, professor, teaching, learning and leadership. Stanislawski will receive $62,500 a year for two years for her project, “Exploring the Impact of the �� Experienced Educator Bootcamps on CTE Teacher Retention, Self-efficacy, and Success.”

Funding for the chair is from an alum who wishes to remain anonymous. The goal is to promote study of interactions between human development, family stability, economic stability and vocational-technical preparation at all education levels.

Maybelle Ranney Price Professorship: JulieBates-Maves, professor, counseling, rehabilitation and human services. Bates will receive $2,400 for one year to develop and disseminate teacher training for undergraduate and graduate education students and faculty related to the impacts of traumatic childhood events.

Price, an alum, established the award to recognize outstanding ability and promise among faculty and provide support for professional activities.

Andrew G. Schneider Professorship: Kenan Baltaci, associate professor, engineering and technology. Baltaci will receive $13,400 for one year to address the challenges and opportunities presented by integrating AI technologies and tools into the computer and electrical engineering curriculum.

Schneider was a member of the Foundation Advisory Board. Through a substantial bequest at his death, the university purchased the land for the Stout Technology Park in Menomonie.

Five professors awarded sabbaticals

Research sabbaticals enable recipients to engage in intensive study to become more effective teachers and scholars and to enhance their services to the university. The awards are based on merit of past academic contributions.

The 2024-2025 recipients are:

Adam Kramschuster, professor, engineering and technology, fall
Chelsea Lovejoy, professor, psychology, fall
Charles Lume, professor, art and design, fall
Julie Peterson, professor, design, fall
Wei Zheng, professor, engineering and technology, spring.

###

Students in the mechanical engineering program at �� are the hearing words often announced at motorsport races: "Start your engines!" Devin Berg engines 1

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Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for 18 �� faculty members

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has approved promotions and tenure recommendations for 18 �� faculty members.

Glendalí Rodríguez

I joined the �� community in August 2005. Prior to that, I worked in a variety of professional positions related to architecture (city planning, neighborhood planning, residential and commercial design). At Stout, I have navigated roles including faculty (from assistant to full professor), instructor of program and general education courses (both on-campus and online), student organization advisor (Latinos Unidos and Sigma Lambda Chi Honor Society), governance representative on a myriad of campus committees, department chair, and associate provost.

I look forward to working with you to foster student success.

Full Name: Glendali Rodriguez

Job Title: Provost / Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

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Area of Expertise: Teaching Interests: Architecture, Sustainability, Building Information Modeling, Design.Research Interests: Universal Design for Learning, Building Information Management, Assessment of Student Learning, Strategic Planning.

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Degree: MARCH Architecture

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$3.5M gift from alumni to Foundation will provide eight full tuition scholarships per year

polingj — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 16:37:50 +0000

$3.5M gift from alumni to Foundation will provide eight full tuition scholarships per yearpolingj September 20, 2024

Ann and John Graf, 1973 graduates, happy to ‘pay it forward’

Two alumni whose career paths were determined and lives shaped during their college days at University of Wisconsin-Stout are supporting future student success with one of the largest gifts in school history.

Ann and John Graf, residents of Tomahawk and Houston, Texas, have committed $3.5 million from their estate to the �� Foundation and Alumni Association. The Ann B. and John H. Graf Restricted Scholarship Endowment establishes full tuition scholarships for up to eight students a year.

“We think education is important and want to help students get a start in life without loads of debt,” Ann said.

“I benefited from the GI bill when I went to college,” said John, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a first-generation college student. “It ��. an opportunity to pay it forward.”

Ann and John Graf, 1973 �� graduates, have made a $3.5 million estate gift to the �� Foundation and Alumni Association. / Contributed photo

The Grafs graduated in 1973, Ann in apparel, textiles and design; and John in hotel and restaurant management. They were residents of South Hall, where they met. They married in 1975, after John also earned a master ��. in education from ��.

The eight Graf scholarships will be split between four students in Ann ��. program, now called fashion design and development; and four in John ��. program, now called hotel, restaurant and tourism management, plus two related programs, real estate property management; and golf enterprise management.

Along with tuition, eventually the endowment is expected to cover room and board expenses for scholarship recipients.

“We want these students to have the opportunity to further their education and have a chance to excel in an area they are passionate about,” Ann said.

The gift was announced Sept. 19 during the Foundation ��. annual Scholarship Reception on campus.

“The university is extremely grateful to John and Ann for their generous support. Their gift is the largest scholarship in university history and will make a significant impact in supporting our students by alleviating financial barriers and allowing them to focus on their polytechnic education,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said.

Scholarship donors and students gathered Sept. 19 at the annual Foundation Scholarship Reception at the Memorial Student Center. / ��

Already for the 2024-25 academic year, the Foundation has awarded a record $1.4 million in scholarships to 573 students, with additional awards planned.

In 2023-24, the Foundation gave out a then-record amount in scholarships, more than $1.3 million, to a record number of students, 681.

When the Foundation held its first scholarship fundraising campaign in 1962, two $100 scholarships were established. In total, nearly $20 million has been awarded the past 62 years.

Long careers in their degree fields

Ann, who grew up in suburban Chicago and learned to sew from her mother, enrolled in the apparel design program at ��. Her high school counselor recommended the program.

“I had never lived in a small town, so it was kind of change. I enjoyed the university community and being part of, I guess you could call it, a family and the exposure to all of the people I met,” Ann said.

She began her career in fabric stores and in retail before working for more than 20 years as an administrator with Quilts Inc., a national leader in commercial and trade quilt shows. Ann, who still works part time with Quilts Inc., also is a quilter.

John grew up in the Milwaukee area, where he worked at a café. In Vietnam, he continued in food service by directing two officers’ mess halls. After the war, he transferred from a Milwaukee Area Technical College culinary program to �� to prepare for a career in the food service industry.

“The �� program was a natural extension of my interest in food service,” John said.

After graduating, he taught at the University of Houston ��. Conrad N. Hilton hospitality school and managed food service in a campus hotel. He and Ann owned and operated a deli in Houston, and John also worked in the restaurant industry.

He eventually transitioned to the Houston school district, fifth largest in the U.S., as food service purchasing manager for 10 years and then as a consultant with Frenchy ��. Sausage of New Orleans.

The Grafs live in Wisconsin during the summer and in Houston during the winter.

###

Two alumni whose career paths were determined and lives shaped during their college days at �� are supporting future student success. Ann and John Graf

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Stepping up: Alumni-based gifts support students, leadership, Heritage Hall renovation

Although the university catchphrase Stout Proud wasn't coined 60 years ago, three alumni from that era are showing their pride with major donations.

Hero Caption: Foundation President Linda Funk speaks at the Scholarship Reception on Sept. 19, when the Graf gift was announced..

Katherine P. Frank

Katherine P. Frank became the eighth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, after a distinguished career as an administrator and faculty member.

“As beautifully stated by one alumna, ‘Stout is where you need to be.’ I could not agree more and am honored to join this exceptional community of educators, learners, partners, and friends.”

Full Name: Katherine P. Frank

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#StoutProud Impact: Annika ('27)

#StoutProud Impact: Kenton ('27)

�������� alumni, friends, supporters can make an impact during Giving Day, Dec. 2

�������� Foundation & Alumni Association

Impressive support: Foundation exceeds Giving Day 2023 goal with pledges topping $425,000

Championship �������� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

�������� is an esports trailblazer

Reaching the top of the leaderboard

Championship-level environment

Stout Esports

Esports Coaching Minor

Statewide scholarship helps �������� students ‘study and succeed with more confidence’

Students recognized for leadership, academic excellence in packaging, social science, food technology, interior design

Scholarships

External Scholarships

Katona named vice chancellor for University Advancement and Alumni Relations

Alumni Association

Students recognized for leadership, academic excellence in packaging, social science, food technology, interior design

Gaining professional development opportunities in packaging

Moore is leading the way in public service

Maske awarded for addressing challenges in food product development

Phillips creates perfect spaces for her clients

Scholarships

External Scholarships

�������� alumni, supporters can double their impact during Stout Gives Back Dec. 3

Giving Day

Impressive support: Foundation exceeds Giving Day 2023 goal with pledges topping $425,000

Challenge Funds of Focus to maximize your impact

Revved up: Professorship brings Indian Motorcycle collaboration into lab

Professorships and endowed chairs

Five professors awarded sabbaticals

Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for 18 �������� faculty members

$3.5M gift from alumni to Foundation will provide eight full tuition scholarships per year

Long careers in their degree fields

Stepping up: Alumni-based gifts support students, leadership, Heritage Hall renovation

�� alumni, friends, supporters can make an impact during Giving Day, Dec. 2

�� Foundation & Alumni Association

Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

�� is an esports trailblazer

Statewide scholarship helps �� students ‘study and succeed with more confidence’

�� alumni, supporters can double their impact during Stout Gives Back Dec. 3

Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for 18 �� faculty members