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Canon selects �� for exclusive Explorers of Light program with award-winning cinematographer

giffeyt — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Canon selects �� for exclusive Explorers of Light program with award-winning cinematographergiffeyt April 23, 2026

Shana Hagan, ASC, has worked on everything from Oscar-winning documentaries to hit sitcoms

Shana Hagan, right, is shown filming actress Amy Poehler for an episode of "Parks and Recreation." / Photo courtesy Shana Hagan

Cinematographer Shana Hagan, ASC, whose work ranges from Academy Award-winning documentaries to hit TV sitcoms, brought professional advice and hands-on inspiration to �� recently as part of Canon ��. Explorers of Light program.

The Canon program, which recruits world-class cinematographers and photographers as brand ambassadors, only visits about 10 campuses annually. Hagan came to �� April 13-15, speaking to video production students about her career, holding a screening of her work, working with video and photo classes on topics such as editing and production, and reviewing student portfolios.

Hagan was among the first six cinematographers added to the Explorers of Light program in 2024. Her 30-year resume as a cinematographer and director of photography includes work on TV series like NBC ��. “Parks and Recreation” and HBO ��. Peabody and Emmy-winning “Somebody Somewhere”; documentaries such as “Queen of Versailles,” “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana” and the Oscar-winning “Breathing Lessons.” Hagan won an Emmy for her work on the documentary “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” and was nominated for an Emmy for the hit reality series “Survivor.”

“My week at �� has proven to me that the future is bright,” Hagan said. “I was absolutely blown away with the quality of work from the students. I admire their passion for filmmaking and their thirst for knowledge.”

�� Lecturer Co O'Neill, left, and cinematographer Shana Hagan watch video monitors during a student-led video production exercise.

Cinematographer shares professional skills

Hagan offered lectures and hands-on workshops during her visit, focusing on topics such as camera coverage, lensing choices, lighting techniques and set etiquette. During a workshop with B.S. video production seniors on April 14, Hagan covered all these subjects and more while helping students record a short mockumentary-style video.

As Hagan offered suggestions, about 20 students adjusted lighting, prepared cameras and monitors, hoisted boom mics, and performed in the brief sketch, which will be used to introduce students’ films during the upcoming School of Art & Design Senior Show on Friday, May 8. During a break in the action, Assistant Professor Keif Oss explained that the workshop allowed Hagan to demonstrate her mockumentary-making skills. Among her many Hollywood credits are mockumentary-style series such as “Parks and Recreation,” “Arrested Development” and “Welcome to Flatch.”

“Embrace the imperfections,” Hagan told the students before they began multiple takes of the sketch. “Sometimes the imperfect makes it feel more real.”

Cinematographer Shana Hagan, right, consults a script with �� video production students Luka Sunjic, center, and Sam Cheney, left.

Early in the process, Hagan advised the camera operators to stand in the space and watch a take of the scene unfold with only their eyes, not through a monitor or camera eyepiece. “The No. 1 rule on set is to pay attention,” she explained.

The director of the classroom project, senior Luka Sunjic of New Berlin, said it was a privilege to work with someone who had such extensive industry experience.

“Shana was so knowledgeable and down-to-earth, and she really cares about the medium,” Sunjic said. “I learned a lot about her style. I think what I appreciate most about Shana and her work is how she is able to use cinematography to convey emotion in the frame.”

Sunjic, who will graduate in May, said he attended nearly every event Hagan held on campus. “Shana offered a unique perspective into the industry and offered a lot of helpful advice that I will take with me after graduation,” he said.

Cinematographer Shana Hagan, left, and Assistant Professor Keif Oss, consult before Hagan shares some of her film work with students.

Canon builds strong relationship with ��

Oss, who is program director for the video production program, said �� has built a strong relationship with Canon over the past six years, hosting annual fall visits that include hands-on production workshops using the latest cameras and lenses.

“Canon tends to choose schools where students demonstrate strong engagement and enthusiasm for the craft, which our students have consistently shown during these interactions,” Oss said. “I consistently hear the engagement level by �� video production students stands out in a national crowd.”

Taking part in intensive workshops with an award-winning professional of Hagan ��. caliber is a clear demonstration of �� . polytechnic identity, Oss added.

“Bringing consistent, outside industry expertise into the classroom strengthens the connection between theory and practice, ensuring students gain immediately relevant, career-ready skills,” he said. “This kind of engagement adds meaningful value across every aspect of what defines a polytechnic education.”

Hagan said she advises students to get as much experience as possible in school and to work on as many projects as they can, taking each as an opportunity to make a new connection, hone a new skill or use a new piece of equipment.

“I love that this next generation of filmmakers has so many opportunities for work,” she said. “Studios and networks along with streamers and other online platforms provide so many different avenues for an incredibly diverse variety of content.”

�� . School of Art & Design is one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest. It offers bachelor ��. degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, and an M.F.A. in design. �� also has a new program in game and media studies.

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Shana Hagan, ASC, has worked on everything from Oscar-winning documentaries to hit sitcoms Cinematographer Shana Hagan and �� video student

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Hero Caption: Cinematographer Shana Hagan, right, works with video production major Sam Cheney during a recent visit to ��.

Keif Oss

Keif has an M.S. in Career and Technical Education and an MFA in Digital Filmmaking. He is an Assistant Professor of video production and serving as Program Director for the B.S. Video Production degree. Keif teaches a variety of courses in video production and photography with both narrative and commercial aspects.

Keif has worked on a range of professional and commercial video projects as a senior video producer and owner/independent contractor of A Creative Advocate, LLC. His work includes television/web advertising, documentary, motion graphics and a variety of marketing-oriented materials. Keif ��. expertise and creative contributions include work for 100+ clients including Mayo Clinic, Seventh Generation, State Farm Insurance, Royal Credit Union and others.

Keif has also worked on short and feature film projects in various capacities including writing, producing, directing, camera operation and post-production/VFX.

Full Name: Keif T. Oss

Job Title: Assistant Professor / Program Director

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Area of Expertise: Video Production Cinema Production Photography Graphic Communications Cross-Media Graphics Technologies

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Keif T. Oss CV (408.56 KB)

Education:

Degree: M.F.A. Digital Filmmaking

University: Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Filmmaking

Degree: M.S. Career & Technical Education

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: B.S. Graphic Communications Management

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

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Animation, video seniors' short films featured alongside seasoned storytellers at Unspooled, May 9-10

goersab — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:21:20 +0000

Animation, video seniors' short films featured alongside seasoned storytellers at Unspooled, May 9-10goersab April 21, 2026

Teen drama ‘Badge of the Dead’ and supernatural comedy ‘You Must Destroy’ among diverse lineup

Abbey Goers

Girl Scouts and turkeys and zombies! Oh, my! Animation and digital media and video production seniors are busy wrapping up their capstone projects before setting their cinematic monsters loose at the 4th Annual Unspooled Film & Animation Festival on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, at �� . Harvey Hall Theatre.

“Badge of the Dead” – a six-minute animated short, created by a team of nine students under the name Studio Juice – invites viewers to camp out with three scouts as they navigate life, death and teen drama in the zombie apocalypse.

“You Must Destroy” – a 15-minute short film written and directed by Doran Acero – is a supernatural comedy love letter to growing up in an exceptionally strange and beautiful place.

Sana, Charlie and Mack ready for an epic zombie battle in 'Badge of the Dead.' / Studio Juice

Unspooled showcases the very best in independent filmmaking and animation from both emerging and seasoned storytellers, offering a diverse lineup of genres and styles to enjoy.

Beyond the screenings, the festival offers unique workshops led by industry professionals, guest speakers, and lively panel discussions. Gain insights into the filmmaking process and get a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of cinema.

Purchase tickets to Unspooled, part of �� . Spring Showcase lineup of events.

‘Badge of the Dead’ by Studio Juice

After they’re left to the mercies of the undead during a zombie apocalypse, scouts Charlie, Mack and Sana must find a way to get along and work together to escape camp or be eaten by an onslaught of other campers and zombified forest creatures.

“Badge of the Dead” is created by Studio Juice:

Creative director, writer: Hannah Brown, of Appleton
Technical producer, master editor: Mady Hill, of Monroe
Character design lead: Jenna Good, of Victoria, Minnesota
Key art, background, merchandise: Kaleigh Kahl, of Mazeppa, Minnesota
Background, cleanup, social media: Renee Smith, of Janesville
Background, sound design: Novie Touchstone, of Waukesha
Special effects, compositing, editing: Jordan Grover, of Minneapolis
Rough animation: Paige Atherton, of Elysian, Minnesota
Rough animation, cleanup: Jack Carson, of St. Paul.

Studio Juice members Jenna Good, Kaleigh Kahl, Mady Hill, Renee Smith, Novie Touchstone, Paige Atherton, Jordan Grover and Hannah Brown.

Brown was a Girl Scout and would often play around with the idea of apocalyptic survival scenarios. She was inspired to make “Badge of the Dead” during an animation class last summer. “I created this weird art in class of a hardened warrior-scout with a nail bat and a gas mask,” she said.

“Every good idea starts with a piece of art,” Grover added.

'Badge of the Dead' movie poster and early concept art by Hannah Brown. / Studio Juice

With a heavy emphasis on character relationships, “Badge of the Dead” is geared toward teenagers and pre-teens. The setting is similar to the popular graphic novel-turned Netflix hit “The Last Kids on Earth.” Their style of animation in Good ��. character designs and Kahl ��. stylistic backgrounds are reminiscent of the Disney XD show “Gravity Falls.” Their capstone advisor, Professor Michael Heagle, worked with Touchstone to compose several soundtracks.

Studio Juice ��. biggest challenge came in a moment they called “Bus Gate.” Scene six of “Badge of the Dead” is an action sequence – the piece de resistance – when the scouts must find a way to escape on a bus. “We animated scene six early on because it ��. so big, but there was a huge continuity issue between shots of the bus in the background created by different animators,” Touchstone said.

Either the door placement was wrong, or the bus would be facing different directions from scene to scene. “In early production, there is such a cinematic importance to have 100% agreement by the team,” said Good, who created the team ��. 10-page animation style guide.

Angular animation styles in 'Badge of the Dead' are reminiscent of the popular show 'Gravity Falls.' / Studio Juice

Studio Juice received a Student Research Grant through �� . Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to study how having the biggest animation capstone group to date affects their productivity and project management. They’re looking to prove that a larger capstone group works if structured right and will set �� up to have better animated shorts in the future, replicating the industry standard for larger crews.

Historically, �� has had small capstone groups. With Studio Juice having nine members, they feel that their group is the most on track this semester to have their project completed ahead of time. From December through mid-April, they clocked 1,037 hours working on “Badge of the Dead.”

“Larger teams allow people to work at their best within their niche. It leaves room for specialization,” Good said. “It also helps with consistency between shots because it ��. easier to catch errors with more eyes in the editing process.”

Relationship building between the characters Sana, Mack and Charlie is a major theme in 'Badge of the Dead.' / Studio Juice

The grant funds supported the purchase of ToonBoom Harmony licenses for each animator. “This is the animation software that ��. available on Stout ��. campus computers, but we wanted our own personal Mac licenses so that we could work wherever. That way, we aren’t chained to the computer lab to get work done, which has greatly improved our productivity,” Brown said.

Follow the progress and view concept art for “Badge of the Dead” on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

‘You Must Destroy’ by Doran Acero

“You Must Destroy” is set in the fictitious town of Devils Kettle in northern Minnesota and follows two U.S. Forest Service personnel, Glen and Joey, who are tasked by Head Ranger Rusty to destroy their old mascot costume, Twigs the Turkey. When they improperly dispose of the suit, they find out why there were strict protocols in place – it ��. alive and is coming back after them.

'You Must Destroy' Director Doran Acero on set with crew outside of Grand Marais. / Doran Acero

Growing up in Grand Marais in the north woods on Lake Superior, Acero has both heard stories of and borne witness to natural wonders, the metaphysical world and strange true crime.

“I was lucky enough to grow up in this environment, and I wanted to make a short film that captures some of its humor and magic. This world has been bouncing around in my head for so long,” he said.

In his research, Acero found that the U.S. Forest Service had a protocol for destroying its old mascot costumes of Woodsy Owl, and that the costumes should be disposed of by incineration beyond recognition. “I don’t know. It seems extreme. It seems weird. It inspired me to make a short film,” he said.

U.S. Forest Service Rangers Glen and Joey, played by SJ Olson and Kelly Harris. / Doran Acero

Acero also wanted to work with people he already knew. The main cast of characters is:

Rusty: He's got to wear a lot of hats – boss, father figure, medic. Played by Audric Buhr, theater director at ��.
Glen: The youngest old-timer you will ever meet, who is utterly bored with the town of Devils Kettle, but who is also expected to take over the department when Rusty retires. Played by SJ Olson, director of education at Duluth Playhouse.
Joey: A new recruit – it ��. literally his first day. Played by Kelly Harris, a video production student from Eau Claire.

Head Ranger Rusty, played by Audric Buhr. / Doran Acero

Filmed in Grand Marais, featuring local establishments like The Fisherman ��. Daughter and Hungry Jack Canoe Outfitters off the Gunflint Trail, Acero leveraged the perks of coming from a small town and generous community. And with filming completed in just three days, Acero acknowledged that “something like this, you cannot do as a team of one.”

“You Must Destroy” crew includes video production alumni, students and friends: assistant director MG Gillis-Gambrell, director of photography Ethan Kullinski, assistant camera Bennet Johnson, runner Shelby Kraco, gaffer Nick Houchin, craft services Hartley Newell-Acero, script supervisor Brynn Crandal, sound Adam Trampel, and production assistants Cammi Bertossi and Nina Kitts.

The cast and crew of 'You Must Destroy.' / Doran Acero

The short film is supported through generous donations on the crowdfunding platform Seed & Spark. Acero also received a Student Research Grant through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to obtain a professionally-made turkey mascot costume. The suit arrived just two and a half weeks before shooting.

“I was getting nervous, but all ��. well that ends well,” said Acero, who hopes to continue to build the folklore and supernatural stories surrounding his characters. “I do want to keep doing projects like this – to make fun, creative narrative stuff in this place that I love. I have wanted to make something like this for a very long time, just ask my mom. She has had to put up with a thousand half-baked supernatural comedy plot lines for years now.”

Additional Spring Showcase events

Saturday, May 2, 6 p.m.: Stout Fashion Show, showcasing innovative capstone collections from fashion design and development seniors.
Tuesday, May 5: Research Day, celebrating the research and creative work of students, faculty, and staff from all fields.
Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo (SGX), western Wisconsin ��. largest game developer exhibition.
Friday, May 8, 6 p.m.: School of Art & Design Senior Show, celebrating more than 120 graduating seniors’ creative works.
Wednesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 28: Murals in Menomonie, featuring the Walldogs, is a collaborative group of community organizations bringing in international mural artists.

�� . School of Art & Design offers bachelor ��. degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, and an M.F.A. in design. �� also has a new program in game and media studies.

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Canon selects �� for exclusive Explorers of Light program with award-winning cinematographer

Shana Hagan, ASC, has worked on everything from Oscar-winning documentaries to hit sitcoms

April 23, 2026

Animation, video seniors' short films featured alongside seasoned storytellers at Unspooled, May 9-10

Teen drama ‘Badge of the Dead’ and supernatural comedy ‘You Must Destroy’ among diverse lineup

April 21, 2026

Years in the Making: Fashion Without Fabric theme pays tribute to generations of international designers

‘Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind’ and ‘A Fragile Wonder’ named winners of sold-out annual event

April 16, 2026

Teen drama ‘Badge of the Dead’ and supernatural comedy ‘You Must Destroy’ among diverse lineup You Must Destroy, Unspooled 2026

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Hero Caption: Glen, played by SJ Olson, stares into the soul of Twigs the Turkey in 'You Must Destroy.'

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Years in the Making: Fashion Without Fabric theme pays tribute to generations of international designers

goersab — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:45:31 +0000

Years in the Making: Fashion Without Fabric theme pays tribute to generations of international designersgoersab April 16, 2026

‘Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind’ and ‘A Fragile Wonder’ named winners of sold-out annual event

Abbey Goers

From the fashion houses of Versace, Gucci, and Betsey Johnson to the master artists Michelangelo and da Vinci. From the luxury automobiles of Porsche and Ferrari to game makers Rubik and a battle between the worlds of Sega and Nintendo.

From Dieter Rams’ philosophy of “less, but better” to Frank Lloyd Wright ��. organic architecture, and the internationally known animations of Hayao Miyazaki ��. anime and Chuck Jones’ Loony Tunes, 3D Design students at �� brought their sculptural costumes to life on the runway in front of a sold-out house during Fashion Without Fabric on April 11.

A fan favorite: 'The Spirit of the Kohaku River,' inspired by designer Hayao Miyazaki, by Riley Johnson, Izzy Russell and Ben Mattson.

This year ��. theme, “Years in the Making,” reflected the university ��. Year of Design and celebrated the “hellish mesh of hot glue and cardboard” transformed into works of wonder, like a caterpillar emerging as the butterfly, said the evening ��. emcee Ainsley Violet, a studio art senior and Student Artist-in-Residence.

The Fashion Without Fabric Hoeft Builders Endowed Scholarship winning team was “Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind,” inspired by designer Brenda Laurel, by Dani Binzcak, Cole Kothbauer and Zoe Watanabe. Each member will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Out of 79 designs created by more than 250 students, the winners of the runway event were:

First place: “A Fragile Wonder,” inspired by designer Eva Zeisel, by Elliott Clark, Quinlan Hartung and Kyra Oertel
Second place: “Metropolitan Muse,” inspired by designer Massimo Vignelli, by Marilena Grado, Margaret Stephenson and Sadie Peissig
Third place: “The Triadic Ballet,” inspired by designer Oskar Schlemmer, by Luci Janzen, Elise Lenhart and Alani Vue.

Third place: 'The Triadic Ballet,' inspired by designer Oskar Schlemmer, by Luci Janzen, Elise Lenhart and Alani Vue.

View Fashion Without Fabric 2026 on YouTube. The Year of Design features events highlighting the innovation, leadership and impact at the heart of Wisconsin ��. ��.

‘Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind’

Technology meets humanity in this scholarship-winning sculptural fashion design. Like a walking phantasmic dream, Kothbauer, the team ��. runway model, was nearly encased in a metallic cape resembling a satellite dish, held upright over his head. He wore a high-low, asymmetrical “shirt” of deep red blended into black, topped by a corset composed of a cross-grid of red, blue and white electrical wires. The vertical wires branched upward to a headdress adorned with two-foot-long bedazzled antennae and trailing tassels.

'Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind' was inspired by video game and interaction designer Brenda Laurel, popular in the 1990s.

Kothbauer then lowered the cape to create a double-layered skirt that swayed like shifting crystalline pendants as he made his way down the runway. Every angle of the design sheened and reflected light.

“Immerse yourself in reality, immerse yourself in fantasy, immerse yourself in technology,” said Violet, the emcee. “However, in a day when the work of artists and designers is under threat by artificial intelligence, this piece takes us back to when such technology was designed with humanist intentions. The blooming transformation is reminiscent of unveiling the layers of technology to find the hardware behind the screen, the software behind the hardware, and finally the human designer behind the software. This piece articulates what it means when humans blend with technology while keeping humanity at the forefront. For technology can never erase the humanity of the creator, but it is up to man to protect the humanity of the user.”

“Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind” was inspired by video game and interaction designer Brenda Laurel. Popular in the 1990s, one of Laurel ��. most notable and distinctive innovations was in virtual reality and immersive experiences, which use technology to enhance or simulate real-world concepts in fantastical ways.

Cole Kothbauer, who served as the team's model, Dani Binzcak and Zoe Watanabe accept their scholarship award.

“Her work varied, but amongst all of her designs, she used technology as a tool that benefited society through education and communication, which opposed the growing mindset of technology and virtual media being seen as a distraction or as something redundant to the development of humanity,” said Kothbauer, adding that some of Laurel ��. projects also involved space-related themes, such as Purple Moon Media and Colonizing Cyberspace.

Binczak, Kothbauer and Watanabe were inspired by other technology and media sources from the 1990s, particularly vintage technology and space technology. They appreciated the interesting visual appeal and sleek, smooth silver designs of the Sega VR and the International Space Station, which launched in 1998.

And with Fashion Without Fabric being a fashion show, the team also wanted to focus on the experimental designs of modern-day high fashion and studied Thierry Mugler and Selva Huygens and their interpretation of interesting silhouettes and use of rigid materials.

The foundation of their design is built of cardboard to give it a rigid structure and lightweight quality, as seen in the transforming skirt and headpiece. “Underneath the surface though, the skeleton of both pieces was made of manipulated steel broom handles. Aluminum foil, vinyl, and chicken wire were cheap and composed the abundant reflective surface that connected back to the team ��. technology theme. We also experimented with the appearance of zip ties on painted foam tubing that reminded us of the vertebrae of a spine or wires,” Kothbauer said.

Second place: 'Metropolitan Muse,' inspired by designer Massimo Vignelli, by Marilena Grado, Margaret Stephenson and Sadie Peissig.

The team thought that reimagining ordinary objects to suit a fashion design and working with abstract forms on a scale large enough to cover the human body was challenging but rewarding. And they enjoyed seeing teams and classmates support each other during the build process and the day of the event.

“This event is a yearly tradition in Menomonie and a staple in Stout ��. School of Art & Design. It is easy for artists to be undermined and overlooked today, so being involved in Fashion Without Fabric made us appreciate the chance we get to be in a show that inspires future generations of artists and designers. We want to remind people to continue supporting designers and to listen when an artist is trying to say something,” Kothbauer said.

‘A Fragile Wonder’

A white teapot painted with delicate pink and blue flowers, with a matching cup, gravy boat and spoon emerged as one from behind the curtain and walked down the runway to cheers for its delicate charm. Violet asked the crowd to picture this:

“You walk into the kitchen one morning to find all your ceramics gone, melded into a whimsical little creature which is now parading around without a single care in the world. You hear a faint clinking and clanking as the whimsical wonder wanders about, with a sense of wonder as she experiences the world for the first time. What used to be a teacup is now her head. What once was a gravy boat has become a flower basket, and an assortment of different vases and dishes now form limbs. This little creature entrances you with her odd but charming mannerisms, and her fragile ceramic exterior adorned with an array of painted flowers; you can’t help but be overcome by joy whenever you are around her.”

'A Fragile Wonder' embodies the craftsmanship of Hungarian industrial designer Eva Zeisel.

“A Fragile Wonder” embodies the craftsmanship of Hungarian industrial designer Eva Zeisel, whose 1946 “Museum” dinner service exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York was the MOMA ��. first one-woman exhibition.

For their design, Clark, Hartung and Oertel focused on Zeisel ��. tableware, emphasizing the natural curves of the human body that Zeisel incorporated in her ceramics. The design ��. interior structure is built of cardboard, hot glue and chicken wire. This was covered in layers of printer paper and glossy mod podge to mimic ceramics, painted with blue flowers. The ball on the top of the teacup headpiece is foam, covered in duct tape and painted cobalt blue. The headpiece also features white mesh sheets for visibility.

Kyra Oertel, who served as the team's model, Elliott Clark and Quinlan Hartung accept their first place award.

Oertel, who modeled the sculpture, enjoyed seeing the design finally realized on the day of the event. Hartung enjoyed painting the flower detailing on top of the papier-mâché to contribute to the ceramic finish. Being in the University Theatre ��. production of “Something Rotten,” which opened the same weekend, Clark could not attend Fashion Without Fabric with his team. “But when my castmates found out we had won, they surrounded me and celebrated, and it made me feel extremely proud,” Clark said.

Other honorary awards were presented to:

Artistry and Craft: 'The Living Room,' inspired by designer Fritz Haller, by Adrian Nelson, Aaron Tong and Alex Zimmerman.

Innovative Use of Material: 'Tiered Fragments of Wonder,' inspired by Nigel Coates, by Noah Leshok, Carys Gudahl and Kiera Lovett.

Accessories and Design: 'The Orbit Inn Motel,' inspired by Wayne McAllister, by Mia Forrette, Shelby Peterson and Kona Lansing.

Avant Garde Fashion: 'Beloved Buttons and Pleats, Please,' inspired by Issey Miyake, by Loganie Chalte, Treanna Fizer and Aaralyn Gardner

Working the Crowd: 'Dizzy Dolly,' inspired by Chuck Jones, by Jamie Pearson, Julia Robles and Isabel Galloy.

Honorable Mention: 'Court Jester of the Cosmos,' inspired by Keita Takahashi, by Lucy Carlson, Eligh Hermon and Tobi Fisher.

Additional Spring Showcase events

Saturday, May 2, 6 p.m.: Stout Fashion Show, showcasing innovative capstone collections from fashion design and development seniors.
Tuesday, May 5: Research Day, celebrating the research and creative work of students, faculty, and staff from all fields.
Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo (SGX), western Wisconsin ��. largest game developer exhibition.
Friday, May 8, 6 p.m.: School of Art & Design Senior Show, celebrating more than 120 graduating seniors’ creative works.
Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10: Unspooled Film & Animation Festival, dedicated to showcasing the very best in independent filmmaking.
Wednesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 28: Murals in Menomonie, featuring the Walldogs, is a collaborative group of community organizations bringing in international mural artists.

School of Art & Design

All School of Art & Design News

Canon selects �� for exclusive Explorers of Light program with award-winning cinematographer

Shana Hagan, ASC, has worked on everything from Oscar-winning documentaries to hit sitcoms

April 23, 2026

Animation, video seniors' short films featured alongside seasoned storytellers at Unspooled, May 9-10

Teen drama ‘Badge of the Dead’ and supernatural comedy ‘You Must Destroy’ among diverse lineup

April 21, 2026

Years in the Making: Fashion Without Fabric theme pays tribute to generations of international designers

‘Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind’ and ‘A Fragile Wonder’ named winners of sold-out annual event

April 16, 2026

‘Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind’ and ‘A Fragile Wonder’ named winners of sold-out annual event Fashion Without Fabric 2026, Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind

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Hero Caption: Fashion Without Fabric's scholarship winner “Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind,” inspired by designer Brenda Laurel, by Dani Binzcak, Cole Kothbauer and Zoe Watanabe.

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Industrial design seniors create cutting-edge models for music creation, home furnishings

goersab — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:23:42 +0000

Industrial design seniors create cutting-edge models for music creation, home furnishingsgoersab April 15, 2026

SOAD Senior Show on May 8, part of Stout ��. Spring Showcase, celebrates nearly 120 graduating seniors’ creative works

Abbey Goers

A smart indoor herb propagation system; an intuitive commercial device to help bystanders in the event of a seizure; a robotic solution for transporting landscaping materials; a portable, easy to clean dish system for college students; adjustable, telescopic ski poles; a contemporary doll.

These are a handful of the solutions and concepts crafted by industrial and product design capstone students at ��. Among the design solutions are Jace Johnson ��. product to help musicians create music faster and more effectively, and Aaron Hoyt ��. dynamic collapsible sofa for a younger generation seeking to save space in smaller home settings.

Both students originally came to �� for different majors – Johnson for animation and Hoyt for graphic design. They were introduced to industrial design through friends and events, like Fashion Without Fabric.

“The combination of thinking of new creative ways to solve problems, along with building and testing things with my hands, was what really sold me into the program,” Hoyt said.

Now, as they work to complete their capstones’ 3D full-scale models, Johnson and Hoyt are looking forward to presenting their creations at the School of Art & Design Senior Show, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 8, part of �� . Spring Showcase lineup of events.

Stout Spring Showcase

Join us for weeks of events that celebrate ��'s polytechnic research, creativity and innovation.

SOAD Senior Show celebrates nearly 120 graduating seniors across 12 degree fields, as they take over Micheels Hall and the Applied Arts building, welcoming the community to see what the polytechnic advantage is all about.

Dreamr: A portable, intuitive product for all music creators

Johnson, of Sturgeon Bay, is treating his product as an “ideas generator,” with core music equipment that musicians of all talents need to be successful, from people who are just starting to musicians on the road who get an idea for their next song.

“I was inspired when watching people who make music. They must set up four to six pieces of equipment before they get to start creating. That takes time away from creating and can take you out of your creative flow and lose all the progress that you have made,” Johnson said.

While generating product names with his grandma at Easter, Johnson landed on Dreamr. “I like this name because it allows the user to think of this as a device to get their ideas out and ‘dream’ of anything that they want. I also think the branding for this product will be very fun to create,” he said.

To understand what type of product he needed to design, Johnson interviewed people representing a spectrum of musicians and music producers – from those who make music in their bedroom to producers who have worked with some of the biggest artists in the world. He looked into products by companies like Moog Music, Arturia, Teenage Engineering and Telepathic Instruments.

“This helped give me perspective on what pieces of equipment are essential to starting the process of making music,” Johnson said. “I am taking into consideration the ideas of Dieter Rams (a designer who uses the philosophy of ‘less, but better’) and only using what the user needs to be successful.”

In his interview with Godwin Agbara, an Eau Claire-based indie-alternative artist who records under the name Yomchi, Johnson learned three important considerations in creating Dreamr.

“It needs to be portable. With traveling and playing gigs around Wisconsin, Godwin needs a product that can be used in any room and place,” Johnson said. “It needs to be able to be used repeatedly. One-third of products are used once and forgotten after the first month, so making a high-quality product that can withstand that one-month threshold is essential. Lastly, it needs to be intuitive. Godwin admits he is not the most versed artist out there, so an effective product needs to allow the user to know what everything does right out of the package.”

Configuring each component to fit within his product design was challenging. “Getting the drum pad, keys, and audio interface in one product is very hard, and trying to lay out how it can be most efficiently used has been a challenge,” he said.

But after talking with Professor Andy Janetski and deconstructing current real-world products, such as a handheld keyboard and audio interface, Johnson found a way to effectively fit everything into Dreamr, giving his product a more realistic feel.

Critiques from his capstone classmates also led Johnson to make Dreamr more portable for the user. “I was so stuck on making it a two-octave product that I overlooked the obvious – it was too big for a normal backpack. That small critique has helped me immensely,” said Johnson, who will 3D-print Dreamr ��. outer shell and spray paint it, giving the appearance of a marketable product.

Modular seating for modern homes

One of Hoyt ��. two big design passions is making furniture. During his initial research for his capstone project, Hoyt noticed that most of the furniture he saw was bulky and heavy, especially for someone in a small living space.

“I found that the vast majority of young individuals aged 20-30 are moving about once a year,” said Hoyt, of Menomonie. “Younger individuals are more likely to rent smaller spaces because of the high price of larger houses. My general audience is young professionals who are likely to live in smaller spaces within urban environments.”

His original three-section furniture design was centered around the idea of adaptability, collapsibility and space management, with sections that can be split into reconfigured seating modules, including a singular seat and a smaller couch.

“I looked into how we interact within our own spaces, and what kinds of things people choose to buy for their spaces. Visiting showrooms and furniture stores was very helpful to see what ��. currently on the market, as I got to chat with a couple of people in sales who knew what was selling and what wasn’t,” Hoyt said. “There ��. a lot of design inspiration in the DNA of this project stemming from timeless classics and trendy. What caught my eye were Brazilian sling chairs from the late ’60s, and stylish modern furniture from DUPE, a brand from California.”

Hoyt also researched materials, ergonomics and human factors. He created prototypes and conducted user testing to gain insight into what ergonomic details are most important for younger demographics.

During a mid-project class critique, a classmate suggested that Hoyt needed to be more granular and visualize one singular space. “This gave me better insight on dimensions and functional elements,” he said.

“Diving into the user, contexts and environments that my product will be used in has given me so many factors and ideas to keep in mind for my final product,” he said. “I’ve found young people ��. spaces to be more dynamic and divergent than older demographics, leading me to explore ideas of modular armrests and even side table options.”

Hoyt ��. build will consist of three main areas: metal work, wood work and fabric work. He has set up the appropriate manufacturing files and will start cutting patterns and sewing the upholstery. He will use a CNC router to cut out wood components, so he can piece together the hinging mechanism that allows the product to collapse.

Additional Spring Showcase events

Saturday, May 2, 6 p.m.: Stout Fashion Show, showcasing innovative capstone collections from fashion design and development seniors.
Tuesday, May 5: Research Day, celebrating the research and creative work of students, faculty, and staff from all fields.
Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo (SGX), western Wisconsin ��. largest game developer exhibition.
Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10: 4th Annual Unspooled Film & Animation Festival, dedicated to showcasing the very best in independent filmmaking.
Wednesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 28: Murals in Menomonie, featuring the Walldogs, is a collaborative group of community organizations bringing in international mural artists.

�� . School of Art & Design offers bachelor ��. degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, as well as an M.F.A. in design. �� also has a new program in game and media studies.

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SOAD Senior Show on May 8, part of Stout ��. Spring Showcase, celebrates nearly 120 graduating seniors’ creative works Industrial design capstones, Jace Johnson

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Equine therapy gives clinical mental health students skills to support clients’ growth

goersab — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:24:52 +0000

Equine therapy gives clinical mental health students skills to support clients’ growthgoersab April 3, 2026

Vance Creek Experiential Therapy internships add to clinical training for master ��. students

Abbey Goers

There is something therapeutic to a slow, rhythmic trail ride on horseback. You begin to feel grounded in the quiet nature of the woods and in the calming company of horses. The calm can lead to new thoughts or the banishment of worries or a “letting go” of control.

This form of experiential learning can help clients build self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen communication and trust. Vance Creek Experiential Therapy (VCET), an equine therapy ranch in Clayton owned by Christine Mattila, provides clients with a safe environment to practice coping skills, gain confidence and transfer those skills into everyday life.

It also builds career-ready skills for �� M.S. clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) students as they intern at the ranch and use activity-based learning to observe behavior, support growth and guide clients through real-time learning experiences.

Counselors at Vance Creek help clients feel safe and validated through equine therapy and experiential learning. / Christine Mattila

Ava Allroggen, a fall 2025 clinical mental health counseling graduate, had the opportunity to intern with VCET last summer.

“At the end of each week, it was cool to swap out my business casual for faded jeans and muddy boots,” she said. “I learned so much from my site supervisors and coworkers, but the people who taught me the most were the clients. The site rocked my understanding of therapy for the better, and I’m a better counselor as a result.”

Mattila thinks the biggest transfer of skills from an internship at Vance Creek is the ability for students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in a real working environment. “That kind of experiential learning builds practical skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability, all of which are just as important as technical knowledge once students enter the workforce,” she said.

It also helps students understand professional expectations, build confidence and learn how to contribute from day one. In this way, the internship experience prepares them not just for their first jobs but also for long-term success in their careers, Mattila added.

With the emphasis being on the relationship counselors develop with their clients, “Our goal is often to help clients feel safe and validated while also recognizing their engagements with themselves and the world around them,” said CMHC Associate Professor Andy Felton, who serves as Mattila ��. clinical supervisor. “The art of our work comes from the experiences we create with clients that offer new forms of engagement and interactions to help them create inter- and intra-personal shifts, becoming empowered to not just survive but thrive.”

Vance Creek internships add to clinical training

Felton and Mattila met about eight years ago when Mattila was looking to develop her clinical practice and expertise. “Then, as I developed the Expressive Arts in Counseling course, Christine was kind enough to allow students to do a field trip to learn more about equine therapy and experience some of what it may be like as a client,” Felton said.

Once Mattila became fully licensed and was in a position to take interns beginning in spring 2023, VCET and the CMHC program began a partnership for students wanting to add to their clinical training, moving beyond talk therapy.

Allroggen was one of three �� interns at VCET. Their role was to be the primary clinician in the room or on the trail with the client. “As a counseling intern, my responsibility was to facilitate the therapeutic part of the experience. I initiated check-ins, helped develop session plans and helped clients apply their experiences to their therapeutic goals,” she said.

CMHC graduate student Ava Allroggen with therapy horses at VCET. / Ava Allroggen

She was supported by Mattila and staff members, who served as the equine specialists (ES). They ensure the safety of both the client and the horse during sessions. “The ES provides direction for proper horse care and safe riding skills. While working with Christine, we often helped each other in our roles. I would help clients manage their horse, while Christine would give therapeutic direction,” Allroggen said.

“The healing process in equine therapy is usually very gradual and relationship-based. It starts with building trust and creating a sense of safety, because many clients need to feel calm and supported before they can begin deeper emotional work,” Mattila said. “From there, the horse often helps mirror emotions and behaviors, providing clients with real-time feedback and helping them become more aware of what they are feeling. Over time, that process can help clients regulate emotions, build confidence and carry those skills into their everyday lives.”

Much of equine work is viewed as the horse being the primary counselor. The horse can be used as the resource the client needs to better understand themselves, their experiences and to take steps towards eliciting change. So much of the therapeutic work comes from the relationship the client develops with the horse, Felton said.

“As clients interact with the horse, they can become empowered to face challenges, realize their potential and move toward becoming the person they want to be,” he said. “For example, as a client becomes more confident in their abilities to interact with the horse, this can translate to the confidence a person feels about themselves and the obstacles in their life.”

Inspiring Graduate: Ava Allroggen, M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Establishing roots in the community as a prelicensed counselor

The CMHC program is regularly looking for new partnerships in the community to help students apply their learning. Student placements are based on interests and opportunity for practice. Specific sites have included Menomonie School District, Bloomer School District, Cedar Hill Therapy, Chippewa Valley Free Clinic, Dunn County Human Services, Fernbrook Family Center, Kinnic Falls Inc., Lutheran Social Services, Park Avenue Center, Tomah VA Medical Center and various college counseling centers.

Those interested in pursuing partnerships with CMHC internships may contact Felton at feltonan@uwstout.edu.

�� . counseling, rehabilitation and human services department offers five master ��. programs, including marriage and family therapy, clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling and school psychology, as well as three undergraduate programs, minors and certificates.

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Vance Creek Experiential Therapy internships add to clinical training for master ��. students Vance Creek Experiential Therapy

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Hero Caption: M.S. clinical mental health counseling student interns use activity-based learning at Vance Creek Experiential Therapy. Photo submitted by Christine Mattila.

Andy Felton

Andy, a Wisconsin native out of Madison, WI, joined �� in 2016. Prior to returning to Wisconsin, Andy lived in Laramie, WY where he obtained his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. While obtaining his degree he was in private practice offering play therapy to children as well as counseling to individuals, couples, and families. Andy also helped facilitate intensive outpatient groups for individuals struggling with substance use. Andy also worked part time working at the university counseling center offering process groups and individual counseling. Before pursuing his PhD, Andy lived in Harrisonburg, VA where he obtained his master's and Ed.S. degrees in Community Counseling and then offered intensive in-home services for individuals and families. Andy continues to provide clinical supervision and clinical services to the community to further help inform his teaching. Though Andy loves teaching, he also has interests that revolve around his family, traveling, photography, and playing board games.

Teaching Interests: Children & Adolescents, Counseling Theory, Play Therapy, Creativity in Counseling, Group Counseling

Research Interests: Creative and expressive methods, Clinical Supervision, Teaching pedagogy

Full Name: Andy Felton

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College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Counseling, Rehabilitation & Human Services Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Andy Felton CV (50.24 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision

University: University of Wyoming

Degree: Ed.S. Community Counseling

University: James Madison University

Degree: B.A. Psychology

University: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Degree: Licensed Professional Counselor

University: State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Degree: Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

Degree: Acudetox Specialist

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Internships with Yankees, PGA Tour, Vikings, Brewers and beyond give �� students big-league skills

giffeyt — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Internships with Yankees, PGA Tour, Vikings, Brewers and beyond give �� students big-league skillsgiffeyt March 25, 2026

Students get professional experience working with sports professionals

Tom Giffey

�� senior Carson Leuzinger may be paying a little more attention than usual this year to Major League Baseball ��. Opening Day, when the New York Yankees face the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, March 25.

That ��. because Leuzinger, a dietetics major from Monroe, had two internships with the Yankees last summer at their development and rehabilitation center in Tampa, Florida. There he helped All-Stars and new draft picks alike get healthy – and stay healthy – by making the right nutritional choices.

�� student Carson Leuzinger poses in front of a mural celebrating the Yankees' many World Series victories. / Submitted photo

The Yankees aren’t the only professional sports franchise where �� students have interned in the past few years. Blue Devils have worked with VIPs as black jacket interns for the Minnesota Vikings. They have served as coaching fellows with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and made sure PGA Tour events were up to par. And they’ve worked behind the scenes for the home-state Milwaukee Brewers to ensure services for fans and clients were home runs.

All the while, Blue Devils like Leuzinger were finding ways to apply their �� education.

“Some things I learned at Stout that helped me down there were having a basic understanding of the macronutrients and micronutrients, what ��. high in protein, what ��. high in fat,” Leuzinger said. “I remember one time I was in the cafeteria and a player came up to me and said, ‘I want to eat a lot of protein. Should I eat shrimp or pork today?’ Just knowing that was a good background.”

Whether for major league sports franchises, Fortune 500 firms, or Main Street businesses, career-focused experiences like Leuzinger ��. are key to �� . polytechnic identity. �� students enroll in roughly 1,000 internship and co-op experiences annually, giving them career-ready skills before they receive diplomas. In fact, 35% of �� students accept positions with their co-op or internship employer.

The Yankees' facility in Tampa, Florida, includes exercise areas (left), George Steinbrenner Field (center), and dining facilities (right), where Carson Leuzinger kept players fed. / Submitted photos

Helping the Yankees at the plate

Leuzinger, a guard on the Blue Devils men ��. basketball team, came to �� with the goal of pursuing a career in some aspect of sports, whether it was nutrition, strength training, physical therapy or chiropractic. Ultimately, encouraged by what faculty members described as an increasing demand for dieticians, he joined the B.S. dietetics program.

Leuzinger first took part in an unpaid internship for the Yankees last June, then was asked to return in August for a paid internship. He worked at the team ��. facility in Tampa across the street from George Steinbrenner Field, which serves the Yankees during spring training as well as the regular season home of one of their minor league affiliates, the Tampa Tarpons.

Starting his days at 7 a.m., Leuzinger would work to keep players — notably those who had just been drafted as well as major leaguers who were undergoing rehab — fed and hydrated. His tasks included making meal plans for players, creating charts about the nutritional value of meals at restaurants near the facility and stocking fuel stations with protein shakes, granola bars and vitamins.

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University of Wisconsin-Stout alum Samantha Ziwicki is living her dream working for her favorite NFL team as a special events associate.

“One thing that shocked me was just how approachable everyone at the facility was — players and staff,” Leuzinger said. “They’re all just the nicest people ever. It can be intimidating coming to an internship with the Yankees, being a college student. They all took me in like I was just another part of the organization.”

He particularly enjoyed working and chatting with the likes of right fielder Aaron Judge, last season ��. American League MVP, as well as pitchers Carlos Rodón and Cam Schlittler. “Once you meet them and get to know them, you become more of a fan,” he said. “You kind of realize they’re just regular dudes at the end of the day. They’re just guys who play baseball who are really good at it.”

Leuzinger said his internship impacted what has been on his own training table as a student athlete: He returned from Tampa with a few new ideas, including electrolyte grapes (grapes mixed with electrolyte drink powder and frozen), protein balls and smoothie recipes.

Even more importantly, Leuzinger had opportunities for professional networking. The facility ��. head dietician, for example, had previously worked for the NCAA Division I programs at the University of North Carolina and the University of Florida. “It ��. important to build those connections because you never know who they know,” he said.

Garret Sigl during his internship at the Ryder Cup golf tournament in Farmingdale, New York. / Submitted photo

Behind-the-scenes experience

�� . B.S. golf enterprise management program has also provided a pathway to internships with affiliates of the PGA Tour, giving undergraduates behind-the-scenes experience at some of the golf world ��. most notable venues and events.

Senior Garret Sigl, a golf enterprise management major from Seymour, got an inside look at what it takes to make major competitions like the PGA Championship succeed during an internship last summer with Patina Group, a restaurant, hospitality and catering company owned by Delaware North.

Sigl split his logistics and operations specialist internship between working at a Patina warehouse near Green Bay — which housed countless items needed for large-scale catering jobs — and helping with three major PGA events.

“All the behind-the-scenes things that you wouldn’t think of, I got to help organize, work on and clean up,” Sigl explained. “Then whenever a tournament would come up, I’d fly out to the event, work there and come back to the warehouse.”

He spent nearly two weeks working at last May ��. PGA Championship, which was held at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The following month brought him to the Women ��. PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas. Then, even after the fall semester began, he spent late September working at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Course at Farmingdale, New York. Sigl gained experience in the back-of-house operations for these prestigious tournaments, which drew hundreds of competitors and hundreds of thousands of spectators.

For example, at the Women ��. PGA Tournament he oversaw the building that served food for caddies and players. “I like to say my position was kind of like an air traffic controller,” Sigl explained. “There are constantly problems that come up, and you don’t have much time to solve them, so you have to find a way to reprioritize what ��. going on, how important it is, and work your way through. It was quite interesting just to see how much organized chaos goes on and how well you’re able to overcome some challenges that can step in your way.”

At the Ryder Cup, which pits teams of American and European golfers against each other, Sigl ��. tasks ranged from ensuring supplies were property accounted for to managing liquor inventory to making sure 2,000 doughnuts were delivered each morning.

“I think the biggest thing I learned is how important teamwork and being positive helps with the workplace environment,” said Sigl, who is also a member of the �� men ��. golf team. “I’ve worked at many different companies and a couple of different industries, but I’ve never worked in a place that has as much positivity and shows as much teamwork as the Patina Group and Delaware North.”

#StoutProud: Mike Bond ('15, '17)

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Making connections through ��

Junior Henry Lavin, also a golf enterprise management major, spent the past two summers interning at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Twin Cities, first as a golf shop intern and then as golf shop coordinator. The PGA Tour-owned course in Blaine, Minnesota, which hosts the 3M Open, has given Lavin plenty of opportunities to apply the skills he ��. learned at ��.

“Everything I have been taught I have used during my internships,” Lavin said. “Every lesson that we have had a purpose. I’ve really noticed that, and it ��. allowed me to really truly like school.”

�� student Henry Lavin, right, at TPC Twin Cities his internship. Next to him is �� alum Ben Plant, an assistant golf pro at the course. / Submitted photo

Lavin formed a connection with �� even as a high school student in Richfield, Minnesota, when he reached out to Professor Emeritus Chris Schoonover, then the director of the golf enterprise management program, for a career research paper. Schoonover referred him to 2009 �� alum Adam Chandler, then head golf pro at TPC Twin Cities. This connection led to both internships.

During the summer after his freshman year at ��, Lavin helped run TPC Twin Cities’ junior golf programs, helped with youth lessons and assisted with tournaments. “My first-year internship was probably the best summer of my life,” Lavin said. “It really made me fall in love with the golf industry. It really opened my eyes to all the possibilities that could be.”

The following summer he gained responsibilities, especially during the 3M Open, when Lavin helped build and operate the fan shop that catered to tournament spectators. In between his retail duties, Lavin got to mingle with top players in the clubhouse. And on the Monday before the main tournament started, Lavin was even called in to caddy for an up-and-coming pro during a one-day pro-am competition.

In addition to rubbing shoulders with pro golfers, Lavin enjoyed being able to meet some of the top merchandisers with the PGA Tour, giving him insight into the retail portion of the golf industry.

And while Lavin won’t graduate for more than a year, �� connections have already contributed to a career path in the sport he loves. �� alum Chandler, his former boss at TPC Twin Cities, is now head pro at Edina Country Club, and he has offered Lavin an internship at the course this year and the opportunity to become an assistant pro the following year.

“So I have a job lined up once I graduate, which is pretty exciting and at a very good facility with a boss that I absolutely love,” Lavin said. “And I can confidently say that was mostly due to Stout ��. networking.”

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Students get professional experience working with sports professionals Carson Leuzinger in front of Yankees sign

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School of Education events help prepare future teachers, support educators’ well-being

goersab — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:25:00 +0000

School of Education events help prepare future teachers, support educators’ well-beinggoersab March 17, 2026

�� . Teach Day for high schoolers on April 21; Early Childhood Education Conference is April 24-25

Abbey Goers

With a focus on strengthening the number of teachers in the state, as well as supporting their well-being and work in the classroom, �� . School of Education is hosting two events this spring for both future and current educators.

Teach Day, on Tuesday, April 21, helps high school students envision themselves as future teachers with hands-on activities led by faculty and university students in peer-to-peer learning environments.

The annual Early Childhood Education Conference is on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25. This year ��. theme is “Whole-Child, Whole Educator: Building Emotional Wellness in Every Classroom.” Registration is open for current educators and child development professionals.

“There has never been a more crucial time to introduce high school students to the profession of education,” said School of Education Director Shannon Donnelly. “The more we can help to shape the narrative around the positives of being an educator, the more it helps to recruit people to the profession and also to keep them there.”

Media are welcome to the events and may reach out to Anna Dalka, Operations and Events Coordinator for Educational Pathways, at dalkaa@uwstout.edu, to coordinate.

Teach Day

For Teach Day, high school students choose to focus on one of the School of Education ��. undergraduate programs: art education, early childhood education, family and consumer sciences education, marketing and business education, math education, social studies education, special education and technology education.

Program directors and university student volunteers will lead the young students in two activities in their focus areas: the Teach Back Challenge and Future Classroom Design. These activities give students hands-on experiences in teaching a lesson and designing their dream school of the future through an innovative lens. The high school students also are given a campus tour and participate in a student panel of early childhood education (ECE) majors.

“By engaging in authentic, hands-on experiences and connecting with current education students and faculty, participants gain a better understanding of the impact and importance of the teaching profession. Events like this play an important role in strengthening the pipeline of future educators while also reinforcing the passion and commitment of those already preparing to enter the field,” said Assistant Professor Jody Shong, who will lead early childhood education and early childhood special education activities during Teach Day.

Participants will share in interactive, hands-on activities designed to give them a glimpse into what teaching young children looks like in practice. The activities are intentionally experiential, allowing students to step into the role of a teacher while exploring how young children learn, communicate and develop, Shong said.

Through a series of engaging challenges, students will experience the importance of clear instruction, problem-solving and inclusive teaching practices. They will explore how ECE teachers use their understanding of child development to design learning environments and support the needs of all learners.

“The session will conclude with a short demonstration highlighting how early relationships and learning experiences shape brain development during the critical birth-to-five years. This helps students see how early childhood educators play a powerful role in supporting children ��. development during one of the most important periods of life,” Shong said.

Early Childhood Education Conference

Through presentations and workshops guided by national early childhood professionals, educators at the ECE Conference will explore the powerful connection between their well-being and children ��. holistic development through research-based strategies, collaborative sessions and innovative approaches. They’ll learn to create inclusive, emotionally supportive learning environments to help every child and every educator thrive.

Keynote speakers will be Dr. Julie Bates-Maves, a licensed professional counselor and professor of clinical mental health counseling at ��, and Dr. Orinthia Harris (Dr. OH), founder and executive director of STEMearly LLC. They will focus on mental health and well-being strategies for educators.

Bates-Maves’ keynote, “Stress and Burnout: Considerations for Teachers,” will focus on why understanding the impact of and the response to educator burnout is important. Her talk will explore the state of burnout, its progression and recommend responses to support the body in a stressed state. Information will be useful for teachers as much as for the students they teach.

Dr. OH ��. keynote, “Finding J.O.Y. Everyday: Nurturing Mental Health and Equity in Early Childhood Education,” will give educators insight into how prioritizing their own mental health is foundational to supporting students’ well-being and cultivating positive, inclusive climates. Her keynote unpacks the J.O.Y. framework (Judging Thoughts, Observing Feelings, Yielding to Positive Actions). Reflective exercises and a hands-on STEM activity will bring the framework to life and provide concrete examples for educators to apply in their own practice.

Helping lead events for current and future teachers

For �� students, helping lead Teach Day and the ECE Conference provides valuable opportunities to practice communication, leadership and instructional skills while reflecting on their own development as future educators.

Alyssa Bratsch, an early childhood education junior from Minneapolis, will volunteer at the ECE Conference and volunteered last year as well. She sees the event as immensely beneficial to both educational professionals and �� student volunteers, who have the opportunity to connect with individuals and employers in the field.

Bratsch will graduate in fall 2027 and is also earning her Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist Certificate. She plans to be a special education toddler teacher and appreciates that special education courses are built into the ECE program, so she can gain the skills to best support all young learners.

“During toddlerhood, a child ��. brain is developing rapidly, making it a crucial period for learning basic life and social skills,” she said. “Early intervention is vital in helping children with disabilities or developmental delays. It provides support and teaching during the years when children are learning, growing and absorbing the most. By providing early intervention to children of this age range with exceptional abilities, I will help them to build the foundation for success for the rest of their lives.”

�� . School of Education offers nine undergraduate and five graduate programs, including on-campus and online options, along with five certificates and three certifications. Graduates are 100% employed or are continuing their education within six months of graduation and have an average starting salary of $50,000, according to Career Services’ First Destination Report.

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Destination Weekend celebrates students at entrepreneur, athletic, fine arts events

goersab — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:20:00 +0000

Destination Weekend celebrates students at entrepreneur, athletic, fine arts eventsgoersab March 17, 2026

Featured events include STEM-X, Made@Stout Pop-Up Market, Fashion Without Fabric on April 11

Abbey Goers

�� invites families, alumni and the community to campus Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12, for Destination Weekend, a celebration of fashion, fine arts, athletics and more.

The weekend is a continuation of �� . Year of Design, highlighting the innovation, leadership, and impact at the heart of Wisconsin's ��. Enjoy Stout Secrets self-guided tours and presentations, STEM Exploration events, a Made@Stout Pop-Up Market, the annual sellout Fashion Without Fabric and more.

Destination Weekend

Inviting families, supporters, alumni and others to campus April 10-12, 2026, to celebrate all things Stout!

View the full schedule and RSVP for Destination Weekend, the opening weekend of �� . Spring Showcase, a two-month-long lineup of events.

Some events are ticketed, but most do not require advance registration.

Fashion Without Fabric

The encore event of the weekend is Fashion Without Fabric, the annual showstopper, where students bring their wearable sculptures to life on the runway. This year ��. theme is “Years in the Making,” as teams of students take on modern fashion designs. The show is at 7 p.m. on April 11, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. Seating will also be available in an overflow and low-stimuli rooms.

Tickets will be available on Wednesday, March 25, at uwstout.universitytickets.com. Seating is first-come, first-served. In collaboration with industry partners and alumni, the School of Art and Design will award up to three $1,000 scholarships to the winners of the highly competitive show. Donate to support the scholarship.

STEM Exploration events

On April 11, community members are invited to STEM Exploration events, with hands-on lab experiences and tours. Leading the STEM-X events to celebrate the Blue Devils hockey team ��. dance at the national tournament, attendees can build and personalize an off-ice hockey puck. They can also create a concrete coaster and join the Construction Lab tour.

Made@Stout Pop-Up Market

Made@Stout will host a Pop-Up Market from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on April 11, in the Memorial Student Center. Made@Stout creates opportunities for Blue Devil creators, makers and entrepreneurs to share and sell their products, artwork and goods. Rooted in community pride and �� . applied, polytechnic spirit, the initiative builds pathways for students, faculty and staff to bring their ideas to market.

University Theatre

Students will perform “Something Rotten,” led by Director Audric Buhr, at Harvey Hall Theatre. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on April 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18; and 2 p.m. on April 12.

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world ��. very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

“Something Rotten” has received several Best Musical nominations and was hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.”

Tickets are available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Fine Arts Events

“Support Structures” and “Simon Ungless: A Life in Print in the South Gallery” exhibits reception: April 10, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Furlong Gallery. A Meet the Artist event for Simon Ungless will be on Monday, April 13.)
Mabel: Drawings Inspired by the Mabel Tainter Theater opening reception: April 10, 5:30 p.m. (Mabel Tainter Center for the Art, downtown Menomonie)
Gallery 209, in the Applied Arts building, second floor, will host an Advanced Printmaking exhibition.

Athletics Events

Lacrosse vs. UW-River Falls: April 10, 7 p.m. (Nelson Field)
Tennis vs. Central College: April 11, 2 p.m. (South Tennis Courts)
Baseball vs. UW-La Crosse: April 12, noon (Wakanda Park)
Softball vs. UW-Platteville (Senior Day): April 12, noon (Alumni Field)

Spring Showcase signature events in May and June

Saturday, May 2, 4 p.m.: WEAR Fashion Show, showcasing innovative capstone collections from fashion design and development seniors.
Tuesday, May 5: Research Day, celebrating the research and creative work of students, faculty, and staff from all fields.
Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo (SGX), western Wisconsin ��. largest game developer exhibition.
Friday, May 8, 6 p.m.: SOAD Senior Show, graduating seniors take over Micheels Hall and the Applied Arts building.
Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10: 4th Annual Unspooled Film & Animation Festival, dedicated to showcasing the very best in independent filmmaking.
Wednesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 28: Murals in Menomonie, featuring the Walldogs, is a collaborative group of community organizations bringing in some of the world ��. best mural artists.

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April 21, 2026

PODCAST: Beyond the Bell highlights �� STEAM Summer Camps

sixth- to 12th-grade students can delve into science, technology, engineering, design and more in university labs

April 17, 2026

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‘Immerse Your Eyes, Preserve Your Mind’ and ‘A Fragile Wonder’ named winners of sold-out annual event

April 16, 2026

Featured events include STEM-X, Made@Stout Pop-Up Market, Fashion Without Fabric on April 11 Fashion Without Fabric, 2025

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�� announces Latha Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs

giffeyt — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:33:20 +0000

�� announces Latha Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs giffeyt February 18, 2026

Dr. Ramakrishnan will advance strategic priorities, foster academic initiatives at Wisconsin ��. ��

Tom Giffey

�� has announced that a new provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs will begin on Aug. 1.

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan, currently special assistant to the provost at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, will advance strategic priorities and foster academic initiatives that reflect �� . status as Wisconsin ��. ��.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ramakrishnan to ��. She brings the background, ideas, and experience that will help advance �� . distinct polytechnic identity and support student success,” said Chancellor Katherine Frank, who announced the appointment on Feb. 16.

With a focus on collaboration and innovation, Dr. Ramakrishnan will work closely with faculty, staff and stakeholders to address regional and state needs and support student success. 

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan

“I am excited to join �� and contribute to its vibrant polytechnic identity,” Ramakrishnan said. “I am inspired by the ‘Do More on Day One’ spirit, and I look forward to partnering with all stakeholders to lead Academic Affairs. Together, we will advance academic excellence in alignment with our core polytechnic tenets to better serve our students.”

Glendalí Rodríguez, who has served as �� . provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs since 2019, will return to the faculty within the Operations and Management Department.

Ramakrishnan will come to �� with considerable academic and administrative experience, having served as a professor, chairperson, program director, dean and associate provost (interim). During her tenure at St. Cloud State University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, she secured or contributed significantly to securing more than $9 million in external grants, including several National Science Foundation grants, which provided scholarships in STEM, improved student success, and enhanced research infrastructure. At Commonwealth University, she established the college ��. first external advisory board and empowered faculty to lead the development of the first college strategic plan.

During her interview process at ��, Ramakrishnan demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and excitement to lead the Academic Affairs unit in advancing �� . polytechnic mission. Ramakrishnan holds a Ph.D. in physical polymer chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science; a M.S. in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras; and a B.S. in chemistry from the Sri Sarada College for Women. She was a Postdoctoral Fellow and a Research Associate at Cornell University from 2000 to 2006, including a year as Epilepsy Foundation and Milken Family Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow.

The Provost ��. Office oversees the Division of Academic Affairs, which includes:

Career Services
Center for Applied Ethics
College of Arts & Human Sciences
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management
Educational Pathways & Outreach
Graduate Studies
Honors College
Menards Center for the Study of Institutions & Innovation
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Office of International Education
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center

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�� announces Latha Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan will advance strategic priorities, foster academic initiatives at Wisconsin ��. ��

February 18, 2026

�� collaborates on new bachelor ��. degree program at Stanley Correctional Institution

Program is part of statewide coalition that aims to develop workforce, reduce recidivism

September 15, 2025

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Honorees include two professors receiving system-wide recognition

September 2, 2025

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan will advance strategic priorities, foster academic initiatives at Wisconsin ��. �� Latha Ramakrishnan 2025

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Board game renaissance: �� professor puts the pieces in place for successful game design business

giffeyt — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Board game renaissance: �� professor puts the pieces in place for successful game design businessgiffeyt February 16, 2026

Dave Beck ��. Paverson Games creates elaborate, concept-driven games with the help of other talented faculty

Tom Giffey

The gift of a board game, a visit to a historic distillery and a sleepless night during a sabbatical in Scotland combined to inspire �� Professor Dave Beck to create a successful game design business.

These experiences also transformed Beck ��. approach to teaching students in �� . game design and development programs. Whether they come from the artistic or computer science sides of game design, students make their way to Beck ��. Introduction to Game Design course, where he stresses the fundamentals. And good design, he emphasizes, doesn’t have to start on a computer.

“It ��. really the concept of the design and creating a system and a series of problems and challenges for a player to overcome,” Beck said. “That can happen on paper, or it can happen in pixels.”

The first assignment happens on paper, a common first step for budding game designers, as Beck ��. students use cards, dice and other components to fashion paper prototypes. Paverson Games, Beck ��. acclaimed indie game design business, also started in analog fashion.

Luthier, like other Paverson Games titles, features rich detail and exquisitely designed pieces.

Professor Dave Beck

Back in 2014, Beck — who has academic expertise in 3D modeling, virtual reality, animation, level design and game engines — was given a board game by his wife, �� Senior Lecturer Emily Beck, as a gift. Initially skeptical, he was quickly enchanted by Dominion, a medieval-themed deck-building game, which was very different from the frustrating, luck-based board games he remembered from childhood. Soon, he said, “I fell deep into a rabbit hole” and acquired a basement full of similar board games.

Beck isn’t alone in having his imagination captured by the hobby: Tabletop gaming has undergone a renaissance over the past decade or so, expanding into a $27 billion industry worldwide with projected annual growth of more than 10%. The trend has been driven by the increased availability of well-designed, attractive games like those produced by Paverson Games.

Yet for Beck, board games remained a pastime rather than a vocation for several years until he found himself on sabbatical in Scotland with his wife, who was teaching there for a semester. Amid working on his own 3D augmented reality project, Beck found time to play board games and tour some of Scotland ��. legendary distilleries.

It was shortly after one such tour that Beck spent a sleepless night pondering a potential game. “Probably around midnight, this idea, truly a lightbulb moment, popped in my head about how I could represent the distilling process through a game mechanic, which is basically shuffling and removing cards to represent cutting out the heads and the tails,” he said. (In this context, “heads” and “tails” are byproducts from the beginning and end of the distillation process.)

The next morning found Beck scribbling notes and fashioning pieces of paper — much like his Introduction to Game Design students do. “The second I came up with this idea, I was cutting things out,” he recalled. “It was just like this energy inside me and this kind of joy — I don’t know how to better describe it — that I hadn’t felt in years.”

�� professors, left to right, Seth Berrier (computer science), Sarah Wood (psychology) and Andrew Williams (design) play test an early version of Professor Dave Beck ��. game D / Submitted photo

After more designing and play testing, Beck returned to Wisconsin with the basis of Distilled, which is marketed as a “spirited strategy game” in which players compete to become master distillers by creating whiskey, gin, rum and other spirits. He launched a Kickstarter in 2021, which raised its original goal of $18,000 in just 23 minutes. Ultimately, more than 8,000 backers pledged nearly $550,000 toward the project.

To make the game a reality, Beck leaned on the talents of some of his �� colleagues. Professor Erik Evensen, program director for the B.F.A. illustration program, created the artwork and served as graphic designer for the project. Professor Seth Berrier, program director in B.S. computer science (game design and development concentration), helped create an online version of Distilled, which allowed users to play test the game and give feedback. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Cody Reimer, program director for B.S. game and media studies, used his technical writing skills to edit the rulebook and game text.

More than four years after the original Kickstarter launched, Distilled has sold more than 50,000 copies across 10 different languages. (A cocktail-themed expansion launched last fall raised an additional $631,000 on Kickstarter.) And Beck ��. business has gained attention beyond board-gaming circles, including being named one of the best strategy board games of the year by The New York Times and landing Beck a profile on a recent episode of the PBS Wisconsin series “Wisconsin Life.”

"Wisconsin Life" segment about Paverson Games / PBS Wisconsin

Just like his board game collection, Beck ��. board game output didn’t stop at one. He co-designed a second game, Luthier, in which players take the roles of 18th-century instrument makers during the height of the classical music era. This meticulously detailed game hit the market in 2025 after another successful Kickstarter, which raised $790,000. Two more Paverson Games titles by different designers are now in the pipeline: Class of ’89, which focuses on creating a high school yearbook (with artwork by Evensen), and Ringyō, a forestry game set in feudal Japan (designed by former �� Lecturer Charlie McCarron).

�� game design students have also played a role in the business as paid interns. Most recently, Amanda Gagnon, a junior from Racine, interned for Paverson Games over the winter break. The internship reinforced skills Gagnon learned in her coursework, from updating and formatting files to assembling physical prototypes. The experience, she said, gave her a solid foundation in working on both digital and tabletop games.

“I think a lot of people that first begin to pursue a game design degree — myself included — start out really excited to create the art, the code or the narrative,” Gagnon said. “However, when you’re introduced to tabletop design, it really makes you focus on the mechanic design and player experience instead. Learning more about tabletop design and working with a tabletop company emphasized to me the importance of play testing and making sure players enjoy your game, which can sometimes get missed in digital game design.”

All of the Paverson Games titles rely on strong themes that attract players and keep them fascinated, not frustrated. “I believe very strongly in theme-driven design,” Beck said. “It ��. something that not only helps people learn the game a little easier, because they can understand the real-world connection, but also it oftentimes will have more of a lasting impression that will allow you to really dive deeper into the art of that game as well to create that world for the player.”

Such focus has made Beck a success in both the classroom and the world of board gaming. “It ��. crazy to think how one sleepless night can literally change your life,” he said.

The Paverson Games booth at the Essen Spiel, the world ��. largest board game fair, in Essen, Germany, last fall. / Submitted photo

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PC game ��. win at M+DEV expo highlights �� . globally ranked program

December 9, 2025

Game Expo, Senior Show, STEMM Student Expo cap fall semester with public demos, showcases

Students design custom controllers for unique racing games, puzzles, AR experiences

December 8, 2025

Dave Beck ��. Paverson Games creates elaborate, concept-driven games with the help of other talented faculty Dave Beck with Luthier game in Furlong Gallery

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Hero Caption: Professor Dave Beck poses with Luthier, a board game he co-designed, which is on display at ��'s Furlong Gallery as part of the School of Art and Design Faculty Exhibit.

Dave Beck

Dave Beck is a practicing game designer and owner of the board game company, Paverson Games. He is the designer of the award-winning board game Distilled: The Spirited Strategy Game and co-designer of Luthier: The Art of the Instrument.

Beck has also designed video games, such as Tombeaux, released on Steam in 2018. This interactive experience investigates the convergence between cultures and the environment across a few hundred years of midwestern American history.

Beck is the recipient of the 2010 International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge Award, given by the National Science Foundation, and his artwork has been featured in publications such as the New York Times, Sculpture Magazine, National Geographic, the journal Science, and the book GameScenes: Art in the Age of Videogames.

Full Name: Dave Beck

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Area of Expertise: Game Design Video Game Design & Development Board Game Design Independent Business Owner Board Game Publishing

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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Curriculum Vitae: David Beck CV (417.55 KB)

Website: Personal Website Paverson Games

Education:

Degree: M.F.A. Sculpture & Extended Media

University: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Degree: M.A. Studio Art

University: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Degree: B.A. Studio Arts & Ancient Studies

University: St. Olaf College

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�� announces Latha Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs

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