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Before They Started Stout: Polytechnic students do more before ‘Day One’

giffeyt — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 20:46:45 +0000

Before They Started Stout: Polytechnic students do more before ‘Day One’giffeyt September 3, 2026

Whether it ��. space-oriented research, welding prowess or Science Olympiad success, Blue Devils arrive with talent and motivation

Tom Giffey

Because of its polytechnic focus on applied learning, industry collaborations, and career-oriented experiences, students at �� Polytechnic are poised to Do More on Day One. In fact, they often do more even before Day One: Diving into applied research that could impact space missions. Building high-value industrial skills on the shop floor. Winning national scholarships for success in STEM competitions.

These experiences exemplify the ambition and talent of students who are drawn to be Blue Devils. Meet three �� Polytechnic undergraduates who have been busy doing more before, during and after Day One.

Student Reese Hufnagel spoke about her research at the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy, in August. / Submitted photo

Starting early with space-bound research

If she is asked to write an essay on her summer vacation, Reese Hufnagel of Anoka, Minnesota, would have plenty of material: This summer, she spent 10 weeks interning at NASA. She made presentations at space conferences in Italy and the United States. She and her business partner and research mentor, Professor Matthew Ray, submitted a provisional patent for their work designing materials to mitigate the risk of space debris crashing to earth.

Now she ��. beginning her third and final year at �� Polytechnic, and the coming semester will not only be filled with courses and lab work but also with submitting new research proposals, conducting materials tests, pursuing an internship for next summer and applying to graduate schools.

Hufnagel ��. �� Polytechnic experience exemplifies the university ��. “Do More on Day One” slogan: She started working on research before classes began during her first year – or, as she put it, on “Day Negative Two.” Hufnagel, who will graduate with a B.S. chemistry degree in May, was drawn to the university for both its size and its polytechnic focus, both of which have allowed her to work closely with faculty.

“The thing that mattered most to me was finding something that felt like a good fit, where I was comfortable,” she said. “I knew the way I learned best was through physically doing things, so the polytechnic aspect really stood out to me.”

Falling space debris poses an escalating risk as spacecraft get stronger and more heat resistant

Student Reese Hufnagel and Professor Matthew Ray examine the material solutions and ‘designing for demise’ to counter public safety risks

Hufnagel was intrigued by the possibility of studying materials science at �� Polytechnic, and her mother, a school counselor, helped her contact Ray. He had an opening in his lab, and Hufnagel had lab experience from earning her associate ��. degree while in high school.

“He asked me directly, ‘What do you want to do?” recalled Hufnagel, “and I said ‘space.’ Any way we can connect it (to research), I will be there.” The connection they found was the problem of space debris surviving reentry – something that is becoming more common both because of the exponential increase in rocket launches and the fact that newer carbon-fiber materials don’t burn up as easily as older rocket components.

For the past two years, Hufnagel and Ray have focused on creating a catalytic additive that, when integrated into carbon-fiber materials, can cause them to disintegrate when they reach a specific trigger temperature. This research led them to form a business partnership, Aurora Catalytic.

“Once we realized that there was commercialization potential with it, then we basically just wanted to see how far we could take it,” Hufnagel said. It was on behalf of Aurora Catalytic that she spoke at both the Wisconsin Space Conference in Kenosha and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy, where she made connections with scientists from around the world.

Before attending the conferences, Hufnagel interned at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, conducting validation tests on equipment for a probe slated to be sent to Venus.

Hufnagel said these opportunities would have been unlikely if she was an undergraduate at another institution. “It allowed me to start doing something that I wanted to do right away,” she said of the university ��. polytechnic approach. “And you can’t do that at other schools.”

Isaah Holden has balanced his mechanical engineering studies at �� Polytechnic with his employment at OEM Fabricators. / Submitted photo

Love of welding leads to engineering program

While a junior at Unity High School, Isaah Holden of Luck took a welding class and fell in love. He progressed quickly, practicing multiple techniques during extra hours in an open lab. Within months, through the Youth Apprenticeship Program he landed a job with Schaffer Manufacturing, a metal fabrication business in nearby Milltown. Through on-the-job training, Holden learned how to read blueprints, fit parts and size up welds. Eventually, he earned his American Welding Society D1.1 qualification, and after graduating high school was hired by OEM Fabricators.

“It was really just a gradual progression of on-the-job training, being obsessed with welding, and having people around me who supported me that paved the way to where I am now,” he said.

Holden knows that welders are in high demand and can be well-paid, especially when working on pipelines or in oil fields. But he also knew the occupation had drawbacks: It ��. dirty, physically demanding and potentially dangerous.

To give himself additional career options, Holden enrolled at �� Polytechnic based on the reputation of the engineering program.

�� mechanical engineering major Isaah Holden, inset, and an example of his welding work. / Submitted photo

“The first time I stepped on campus was the day of orientation,” said Holden, who expects to graduate this fall with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. “I really liked how small it was compared to some larger universities. I also liked how the engineering department really invested in labs for the students. It wasn’t like all you were going to be learning was textbook material: You actually apply the things you’ve been learning.”

Throughout his college career, Holden has continued to work at OEM Fabricators. “I started at OEM as a welder and eventually worked my way into engineering as I progressed through my mechanical engineering degree at Stout,” he said. “Having a welding background has helped me a lot because I understand both sides of manufacturing. I can design something on the computer, but I also understand what it actually takes to build and weld it out on the shop floor.”

Holden credits his �� Polytechnic experience with giving him this dual perspective.

“Stout has prepared me really well through the hands-on classes and projects we have done,” he said. “I’ve gained a ton of experience with several different manufacturing techniques and engineering methods that involve different types of analysis. College also teaches you how to work through the struggle and the grind, and that you can do and manage hard things. I think Stout ��. mechanical engineering program has been a really good balance of all that.”

�� Polytechic first-year student William Engel was drawn to the university because of its packaging program.

Science Olympiad standout drawn to packaging

William Engel, an incoming freshman from Boyceville, excelled as a competitor in Science Olympiad, earning nearly 170 medals and nine state championships in the STEM-based competition.

Earlier this year, he was chosen from among more than 4,000 applicants as one of five winners of a $10,000 Science Olympiad Founders’ Scholarship, with other recipients heading to schools such as Michigan State, University of Pennsylvania and University of Texas. Engel was the first Wisconsin student to ever receive the honor.

What really sparked his interest in science and technology, however, was a trip to IKEA. While hunting through the store for a desk for his brother, Engel became fascinated with how IKEA products were packaged, from the shape of the boxes that held the company ��. furnishings to their strategic placement on pallets. Packaging, he learned, was an entire discipline of its own – a discipline, he discovered, he could pursue at �� Polytechnic.

�� Polytechnic student William Engel at a Science Olympiad competition. / Submitted photo

In fact, the university ��. B.S. packaging program is ranked No. 3 in the nation, something Engel learned while touring �� Polytechnic in advance of the Wisconsin Science Olympiad State Tournament, which was held on campus last year. “We were shown the mechanical engineering, plastics, and the packaging labs, while also meeting with the professors along with students who all were passionate about their fields and simply loved being at Stout,” Engel said.

“I really like that Stout is a polytechnic university and emphasizes experiential learning,” he continued. “I find hands-on work to be extremely beneficial for learning. While on the packaging program tour I was amazed that Stout holds such a high ranking.”

After eight years competing in Science Olympiad, Engel knows a lot about high rankings. “Science Olympiad helped me build important skills by teaching me how to work under pressure, and problem solve with limited materials,” he said.

Engel also enjoyed interacting with other Science Olympiad coaches and competitors: “It ��. fun to collaborate with other schools to improve not only our skills but to share our knowledge with other teams as well.”

Now, he ��. looking forward to similar collaboration in a polytechnic environment. Even before he began classes this semester, Engel said, he had the opportunity to connect with professors in the packaging program.

As the semester begins, Engel said, “I am excited to start learning more and getting hands-on experience in my major, and to also get to know more people from other places across the state.”

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Before They Started Stout: Polytechnic students do more before ‘Day One’

Whether it ��. space-oriented research, welding prowess or Science Olympiad success Blue Devils arrive with talent and motivation

Bridging the Divide student leader Zeman hopes active listening can bring humility to political conversations

Thompson Center ��. leadership program invites university students to civil discourse discussions

Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Whether it ��. space-oriented research, welding prowess or Science Olympiad success Blue Devils arrive with talent and motivation Student Reese Hufnagel during NASA internship summer 2026

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Hero Caption: �� Polytechnic student Reese Hufnagel during her summer internship at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. / Submitted photo

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Bridging the Divide student leader Zeman hopes active listening can bring humility to political conversations

goersab — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:50:00 +0000

Bridging the Divide student leader Zeman hopes active listening can bring humility to political conversations goersab September 1, 2026

Thompson Center ��. leadership program invites university students to civil discourse discussions

Abbey Goers

�� Polytechnic junior Brooke Zeman will join a select cohort of student leaders from across the 13 Universities of Wisconsin who will conduct monthly civil discourse discussion groups on campuses this fall.

The cohort represents the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership ��. program, Bridging the Divide, which brings students of different ideological backgrounds together to foster civil discourse and reduce partisan division through small group conversations about current political issues.

The 13 student leaders range from sophomores to seniors and come from a variety of academic backgrounds.

Bridging the Divide hosts four events a semester at each of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin campuses. Each session is free, student-run, and includes dinner. All students are welcome.

�� Polytechnic ��. events will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center Ballroom B. The first event, “Let ��. Talk World Affairs,” will be on Thursday, Sept. 10. Following events will be on Tuesday, Oct. 13, Thursday, Nov. 12 and Thursday, Dec. 3.

Active listening can bring humility to the conversation

Zeman, a business administration major from Ladysmith, has always been interested in politics but hasn’t always enjoyed conventional political spaces.

“Sometimes these spaces feel like it ��. you against the other person, and it can feel like it ��. more of a personal disagreement than a productive conversation. The first time I went to a Bridging the Divide event, the atmosphere felt way different. I felt like my opinions were valued, and disagreements weren’t personal attacks. After experiencing this, I knew I wanted to be involved in a program that actively promotes civic discourse,” said Zeman, who has minors in economics, investments and finance and philosophy.

The number one step Zeman thinks people can take to bridge the divide is to actively listen.

“When people actively listen to others, even if they think they 100% disagree, they start to notice more commonalities in thought. Overall, it brings more humility to the conversation as well,” she said. “I hope everyone leaves each event with a little bit of a better understanding of the topics. I also hope that Bridging the Divide ��. mission to improve civil discourse translates into every attendee ��. life, and everyone can help make political conversations more productive by listening.”

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Our mission is to increase and enhance ethical conversations across the campus community.

�� Polytechnic ��. Center for Applied Ethics Director Xan Bozzo, assistant professor of philosophy, will serve as Zeman ��. mentor during her student leadership role.

“Bridging the Divide ��. main goal is to foster civil discourse and reduce partisan division. My main task is to help Brooke achieve these aims, whether by navigating the logistics of putting on events on campus, recruiting for them or just serving as someone she can bounce ideas off of,” Bozzo said.

Bozzo sees the program ��. goals as being consistent with �� Polytechnic ��. applied learning focus. “The best way to help people work through tough conversations – and have fun doing it – is to do so in a supportive and encouraging environment,” he said. “There will be disagreement, and we may not reach consensus, but the aim is to learn from others and come to appreciate how open disagreement, when civil, is beneficial and worthwhile. It can even be something to look forward to.

“Bridging the Divide helps students put this into practice. At Stout, we don’t just talk about how to reduce partisan division; we model it in concrete ways. Bridging the Divide is one of the many ways we do this,” he added.

Bridging the Divide has engaged more than 3,900 students in civil discourse across the Universities of Wisconsin since the program began in 2024. Student leaders are chosen based on the strength of their academics and their written essays. They are awarded scholarships through the program.

�� Polytechnic ��. Center for Applied Ethics serves to increase and enhance ethics across the campus community. Its programs and offerings include an applied ethics certificate, discussion societies such as Philosophers' Café, book clubs, guest speakers and workshops, consultations, grants and research participation, and research opportunities.

The university ��. Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovations regularly advertises Bridging the Divide events. It is a nonpartisan, nonideological academic center dedicated to the study and discussion of civil liberties and related institutions and innovations through scholarly inquiry, educational activities and community outreach.

Student Highlights

All Student Highlights News

Before They Started Stout: Polytechnic students do more before ‘Day One’

Whether it ��. space-oriented research, welding prowess or Science Olympiad success Blue Devils arrive with talent and motivation

Bridging the Divide student leader Zeman hopes active listening can bring humility to political conversations

Thompson Center ��. leadership program invites university students to civil discourse discussions

Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Thompson Center ��. leadership program invites university students to civil discourse discussions Brooke Zeman

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

goersab — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:25:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsingoersab August 26, 2026

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Supply chain management, business administration and construction management are interconnected industries that transform ideas and resources into projects that improve the places where people live, work and gather. Supply chain professionals ensure that materials, services and resources move efficiently, while business professionals help organizations make strategic decisions and manage people, finances and operations. Construction professionals then bring those plans to life by creating the physical spaces that support businesses, families and communities.

Together, these fields offered �� Polytechnic student Katelynn Peterson opportunities to develop versatile skills, explore meaningful careers and see how her work can have a tangible impact. As a supply chain management major, she served as a business administration intern at Michels Construction Inc., in Lomira. She was one of the first interns placed in this role and managed more than 100 Michels interns.

Peterson was even given the opportunity to take a day trip on a private jet to Syracuse, New York, to watch Project Yankee, where Michels is testing deep foundation pouring for Micron ��. new microchip facility – a $100 billion, 680-acre-plus project.

“The opportunities are endless with Michels,” she said. “If you want to try something new or go somewhere for more experience, Michels is more than willing to put you where you need to be. This company is incredibly flexible in developing a strong career through support, networking and experience.”

Peterson, of New Richmond, expects to graduate in spring 2029, and plans to one day work at the corporate level in supply chain management.

“What interests me is the operations behind companies regarding transportation, logistics and quality management,” she said. “I hope to make an impact in my field by setting a positive, professional, and respectful standard, while finding the best protocols and operations within any project or company.”

Peterson was one of 745 �� Polytechnic students enrolled in Career Services' Cooperative Education and Internship Program this summer. CEIP ensures structure, support and collaborative partnerships between employers, students, faculty and staff.

What were your main roles as an intern at Michels Construction?

As a business administration intern, my main role was managing 115 of the 335 interns in the program. I used Excel to manage all the information. I monitored and managed their time clocks for payroll processing using ExakTime, tracked dashcam alerts with Samsara and audited their receipts for thousands of transactions in Corpay.

I had to navigate best operations for handling all of this for future business admins. Mass communicating to so many interns was challenging – sending proper protocols, policies, standards, training guides and more proved to be more than difficult. It was hard maneuvering all the communication consistently amongst the number of employees, but after finding the best system, it worked out very pleasantly.

What is a project you helped with at Michels Construction?

I created the Business Administration Playbook. It ��. a standard operating procedure (SOP) document that contained everything I did for the summer as a training guide for future business administration interns.

With two other interns placed in this role, it was a lot of organizing and navigating the best processes throughout the three months. We created the guide for those who may need it in the future.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

I enjoyed the networking and professional relationships, as well as friendships that I made. This internship presented endless opportunities for me to experience more – even developing relationships with executives and presidents. This gave me the opportunity to watch testing be done on-site firsthand for Project Yankee for Micron.

Currently, Michels is testing foundation pouring for 80-foot caissons, which are underground cement pipes. They are testing about 10 of these pours before pouring the thousands to come. It was neat to see a challenge firsthand and watch the engineers navigate solutions and what to do going forward.

What advice would you give other students who are given large responsibilities?

Be confident! Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters. Even if you aren’t sure about what you are doing, you can be confident in navigating the next best steps to get there. Others see this motivation, and it will only make them more confident in having you experience different things.

Do you think your courses and experiences at Stout will help you to make an impact?

Yes! I do think my courses and experiences at Stout will help me to make this impact. The Career Conference Week that Stout hosts twice a year has so much potential for any individual, with any opportunity, in any major. The engaging, hands-on courses are informative and provide both soft skills and technical skills.

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‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

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‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

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‘Supply chains connect everything – materials, information and people all work together.’

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’ Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction intern

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Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

goersab — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:20:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Fallsgoersab August 26, 2026

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Great Northern Corporation, which manufactures packaging and retail displays, is headquartered in Appleton and has operations in ﬁve states. It employs more than 1,700 people nationwide, including more than 40 �� Polytechnic alumni. For more than 60 years, Great Northern has led the way in recyclable packaging, protective components, and retail display solutions that help customers succeed while minimizing environmental impact.

This summer, �� Polytechnic student Owen Whitney, a double major in business administration and supply chain management, served as a supply chain intern at Great Northern ��. Chippewa Falls location.

He worked independently to find areas of improvement within the company, developed solutions and ran projects to implement those solutions.

Whitney, of Morristown, Minnesota, plans to graduate in spring 2028 and would like to work in either project management or within supply chain.

“As a message for other students, I would say: do internships. I know it sounds cliché, and I know everyone says it, but they are telling the truth. Try to get one every year. Go to every career fair. I know they can be intimidating at first, but being uncomfortable is what creates some of the greatest growth. Eventually, you’ll start to see that discomfort turn into comfort, or at the very least, it won’t feel like something to fear anymore. That builds confidence, and that confidence builds you,” said Whitney, who also has minors in sales and marketing and computer science.

Whitney was one of 745 �� Polytechnic students enrolled in Career Services' Cooperative Education and Internship Program this summer. CEIP ensures structure, support and collaborative partnerships between employers, students, faculty and staff.

What were your main roles as a supply chain intern at Great Northern Corporation?

What interested me in interning with Great Northern was that not only would I get experience in a supply chain role, but I would also gain knowledge in how to run projects. Getting this real experience was valuable in many ways to me. It allowed me to learn that progress takes time, organization is vital, and that being resourceful is necessary in project management.

As a supply chain intern, I spent a lot of time walking through the days of our employees to see what would stick out to me. I did a lot of research, reached out to vendors, grabbed important details, presented ideas to my boss, planned out next steps and solutions, tested, and did what I could to finish the projects I started.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

What I enjoyed most about my internship was getting to meet members of each role in the company and learn all about their position. This allowed me to make connections with many people and really understand how my role in the company ��. process works from start to finish.

I also really enjoyed having the freedom to choose my own projects. Being able to identify an area for improvement and then take the initiative to develop and implement a solution was very interesting and rewarding. It gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.

What are one or two projects you helped with at Great Northern Corporation?

Currently, the Great Northern production lines use paper quality sheets to document quality checks. A member of the company had the idea of transitioning these sheets to iPads, and I helped turn that idea into a more achievable concept. I edited a digital version of the quality sheets in Excel, incorporating features such as checkboxes, automatic timestamps, and other functionalities to make the process more efficient and user-friendly. I also developed a macro that allows the digital quality sheets to be automatically duplicated and organized as many times as needed, regardless of the number of sheets required. This will allow the whole system to be much more user-friendly, and a digital version would mean it would be much better organized.

Another project I helped with involved Great Northern ��. improvement idea process, where employees can submit ideas for improving operations. However, the existing process was entirely paper-based, requiring employees to fill out a physical form, management to manually review each submission and the completed forms to be stored. I developed a digital system to streamline this process and make it easier to manage from submission through approval.

I began by converting the existing improvement idea sheet into a Microsoft Form so employees could submit their ideas electronically. I then created a centralized Microsoft List to automatically store the responses in an organized format. From there, I used Power Automate to build the workflow that connects the different parts of the process. The workflow can notify the appropriate manager when an idea is submitted, route the idea through the necessary approval levels, update the submission based on the decisions made and send the appropriate notifications throughout the process.

The project also required me to troubleshoot and adapt the system as I developed it. When I found a limitation that affected the system, I worked with the corporate IT team to find an alternative solution.

Overall, this project gave me experience designing an automated process from the ground up. While I was not physically writing traditional code, I had to use the same type of logical thinking involved in programming, such as mapping out how information should move through the system, identifying potential problems, troubleshooting them and developing solutions to make the process work efficiently.

What was challenging about your internship, and how did you face those challenges?

The freedom was one of the most challenging aspects of my internship. It is also funny that the part of my internship I found most rewarding was also one of the most challenging. I had near-complete freedom over how I structured my days, which was very different from any job I had worked before. Instead of being given a set list of daily responsibilities, I had to identify areas that could be improved and then figure out how to approach them.

My managers were always great about answering questions and providing direction, but I still had to learn how to work independently. For a few weeks, I had to take a step back and focus on improving my organization, planning ahead, and becoming more comfortable reaching out to people and vendors.

I faced the challenge with a positive attitude and a genuine desire to make a difference, and over time I became much more comfortable working independently and taking ownership of my projects. I know I still have much to improve on, but this challenge helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I hope to make an impact by being good at what I do. My impact in project management would be knowing my company well, understanding the roles, communicating well and planning ahead. I want to make a difference at the places I work; I want to be an asset, I want to make others’ lives easier, and I want to be the best version of myself. So, I think the way I can have the biggest impact on my field is by being coachable and wanting to learn from everyone ��. perspective. With that, I think I could become well-rounded and knowledgeable in whatever job I’m in.

How will your experiences at Stout help you to make that impact?

My courses and experiences have already helped me a lot. My first year, I was an undecided student and wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. I was deciding between computer science and business, and because I like planning and thinking about the future, not knowing what direction I wanted to take was really stressful for me.

However, by listening to the students and teachers around me, I slowly started to narrow down what I wanted to do. I especially want to credit one person: Kelly Wenig, my first-year advisor. He worked with me throughout my first year to help me develop a plan and commit to something. At first, I chose computer science, then switched to business a semester later, and eventually added supply chain as a double major this past semester. That was a lot of change, but each time I considered making a big change, I went back to Kelly. He is very personable and genuinely wants everyone to find something they can be passionate about.

By listening to him and many others, I was able to slowly work my way toward something that felt like a better fit for me. And this didn’t all happen in one day, one week, or even one month. It took me two years, and I’m still not entirely sure what I want to do. But I’ve learned that it ��. OK not to have everything figured out.

My experiences at Stout have taught me how important it is to keep learning, ask questions, and be willing to change direction when something isn’t the right fit. My courses have also given me the technical and business knowledge to actually turn ideas into solutions. Combined with the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had, I feel like Stout has given me the confidence and tools to find my own path and make a difference wherever I’m meant to be.

2025 University Partner Award: Great Northern Corporation

'�� . hands-on approach aligns with our values of innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.'

Student Highlights

All Student Highlights News

Before They Started Stout: Polytechnic students do more before ‘Day One’

Whether it ��. space-oriented research, welding prowess or Science Olympiad success Blue Devils arrive with talent and motivation

Bridging the Divide student leader Zeman hopes active listening can bring humility to political conversations

Thompson Center ��. leadership program invites university students to civil discourse discussions

Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’ Owen Whitney at Great Northern Corporation

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Biochem student ��. sustainable vision takes root through native plantings on campus

giffeyt — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Biochem student ��. sustainable vision takes root through native plantings on campusgiffeyt August 4, 2026

New historical mural, other areas enhanced by addition of local flora

Tom Giffey

A �� Polytechnic student is applying personal enthusiasm and academic experience to an on-campus summer job designing and creating landscapes that add native plants to the university grounds.

The landscapes will enhance the beauty and sustainability of several campus locations, including the new mural that showcases �� Polytechnic ��. history on the exterior of the Administration Building, facing Alumni Clock Tower Plaza.

Pollinator-friendly native plants such as showy goldenrod and nodding pink onion have taken root this summer thanks to the green thumb of B.S. biochemistry and molecular biology major Adam Bayerl.

The student-led effort is an example of the university ��. polytechnic identity, which emphasizes applied learning and research that brings students out of the classroom and into career-focused experiences.

Student Adam Beyerl plants perennials, including native species, in a bed on the �� Polytechnic campus.

“It ��. definitely a passion project,” said Bayerl, a sophomore from Green Bay. “I have a personal vested interest in ecology. While it ��. not my major, it ��. definitely something my generation should start concerning itself with, considering how much it affects us, our well-being and the future in general.”

The project grew out of Bayerl ��. interest in sustainability as well as inspiration from Assistant Professor Cassondra Vernier. In Vernier ��. molecular cell biology course, Bayerl analyzed the gut microbiomes of bees, and Vernier suggested he could use the same technique to analyze soil microbiomes around campus. Bayerl learned that native plants improve soil in part by helping microorganisms thrive. Native plants are frequently more drought- and sun-tolerant than nonnative plants and are typically less expensive because they are easier for nurseries to grow.

In addition, Bayerl said, plants native to prairie biomes – which once covered parts of western Wisconsin – are known for their ability to trap carbon and filter environmental pollutants. Ideally, once established, these plants will require less water and labor to maintain.

Groundskeepers plant perennials on campus.

Idea becomes reality

Last spring, Bayerl prepared a proposal to create a native plant garden outside North Hall, where he lived at the time. The idea reached Zenon Smolarek, associate director of Facilities Management, and Nolan Dowd, assistant grounds supervisor, who met with Bayerl.

Associate Director of Facilities Management Zenon Smolarek

“He had a design, and we talked about native plants and drought resistance,” Smolarek said. “He came very well-prepared and was articulate. He really had a great attitude about the whole thing. I was impressed with what Adam had to say.”

Smolarek asked the student if there were other places on campus he had his eye on, while Dowd encouraged him to apply for a summer job as a groundskeeper – which he did.

First, Bayerl was asked to design a garden bed in front of Furlong Gallery by the Applied Arts Building. Then a spot alongside North Hall joined the list. Next came a mulch bed outside Bowman Hall and several spaces near the Administration Building, including beds by the new mural. In all, Bayerl has worked on plantings in eight locations on campus, six of which were entirely or partly composed of native plants.

“It ��. quite a lot more than planned,” Bayerl acknowledged with a smile.

“Adam proceeded to design most of our plantings for the summer,” Smolarek said. “We’ve bought over 1,500 plants, and Adam has been primarily planting them along with a couple of the other limited-term employees.”

The projects have allowed Bayerl to step into a leadership role. In addition to typical summer groundskeeping tasks such as digging up mulch beds and sowing grass seed, he has been able to help his landscape ideas come to life by planting native species such as smooth aster, wild ginger and Lady in Red ferns.

Newly planted beds flank a new mural that encompasses �� Polytechnic's 135-year history.

Plantings enhance new mural

On a recent muggy summer morning, Bayerl and other groundskeepers carefully placed scores of plants in beds that flank the new mural on the east side of the Administration Building. The artwork, designed by California muralist Tom Seibert and painted by volunteers in June, was created as part of the communitywide Murals in Menomonie event.

The mural encompasses numerous elements from the institution ��. 135-year history, including the logos of both the Stout Institute (1908-55) and Stout State University (1955-64), the contemporary triple-banded “S” logo, and pillars bearing the institution ��. enduring values: Honor, Industry, Learning and Skill. A panoramic depiction of campus landmarks is framed by painted archways bearing the phrases “Forward from our founding” and “Forever to our future.”

And when it comes to the future, Bayerl has further dreams for helping native plants flourish across campus.

“I hope to incorporate more natural features, especially with a focus on pollinators – creating habitats for all the animals that you see around campus,” he said.

Smolarek said he admires Bayerl ��. work ethic and imagination. “I’m curious what he ��. going to think of next,” Smolarek said. “I’m sure the gears are turning, I’m sure he ��. picking out other spots, other plants he wants to try. I’m very impressed with him.”

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Students, staff turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomonie

giffeyt — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Students, staff turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomoniegiffeyt June 30, 2026

Muralists from around the U.S. and world join university artists and volunteers for public art event

Tom Giffey

From an artistic portrayal of the journey of Hmong refugees from Laos to Menomonie to an eye-catching image that captures the past, present and future of Wisconsin ��. ��, students and staff members from �� Polytechnic had key roles in a just-completed effort to create 15 pieces of public art in and around Menomonie.

Murals in Menomonie drew hundreds of artists from across the United States and beyond for a five-day mural-making festival. Since 1993, members of The Walldogs – an international collective of muralists, artists and designers – have gathered annually in a new city to demonstrate their talents. From June 24-28, Walldogs from 30 states and four countries worked alongside local artists to create enduring images honoring the history and culture of the community as curious bystanders watched the process.

Among the murals was a vibrant image created in Wilson Park and designed by two �� Polytechnic students, graphic design and interactive media major Angelina Yang of Plover and interior design major Gao (Pretti) Zhong Thao of St. Paul.

Fifteen murals were painted during Murals in Menomonie, including this one devoted to the city's history.

The 8-foot-by-12-foot mural takes the form of a Hmong story cloth – a traditional style of embroidery that tells a story through images of everyday life, historic events and the natural world. Against a vivid blue background bordered by a triangular motif, the artwork details the journey of Hmong refugees from war-torn Laos across the Mekong River and ultimately to western Wisconsin, represented by a red barn, rolling fields, a farmers’ market and the familiar Bowman Hall Clock Tower.

Yang and Thao learned about Murals in Menomonie from Wade Lambrigtsen, a �� Polytechnic alumnus and lecturer who also owns Vintage Sign Shop in Menomonie. Lambrigtsen, who served as mural coordinator for Murals in Menomonie, reached out to the Hmong Stout Student Association last spring to see if any members were interested in submitting a design for the project. A mural honoring Hmong heritage had been one of the most popular options voted on by members of the public during the planning stages of Murals in Menomonie.

Volunteers paint a mural resembling a traditional Hmong story cloth.

Student gains experience in art, life

Though neither had experience making murals, Thao said she and Yang were eager to take part in the project. “This opportunity doesn’t come very often,” Thao said while taking a break from painting alongside a half dozen volunteers. “It was very exciting, and we wanted to do something to represent the community.”

Thao and Yang brainstormed the elements of the mural – which range from the mountains of Laos to the bandshell in Wilson Park – and then Yang created a digital image using Adobe Illustrator. Next, working with Lambrigtsen in his shop, they made a full-sized printout of the design, whose contours were then carefully transferred to a sheet metal surface with an electric pen.

For three days, muralists worked diligently to bring the artwork to life. While traditional story clothes are meticulous works of embroidery, this one was created with painstaking dabs of paint to create tiny figures and scenes.

Yang and Thao were joined by more than 20 volunteers in downtown Menomonie ��. Wilson Park, where the mural took shape. The completed mural is expected to find a home – at least temporarily – at the Dunn County Historical Society ��. Rassbach Museum.

�� Polytechnic Student Pretti Thao, left, co-designer of the Hmong story cloth mural, poses with Chancellor Katherine Frank.

“I feel ecstatic. I feel great having the whole community here,” Thao said. “I hope this inspires other people to take part in learning our history.”

In addition to the artistic skills she ��. developed, the project required Thao to communicate a great deal with other artists, something she expects will help her in professional life as an interior designer.

“I feel like it ��. more than an experience on my resume,” she concluded. “It ��. a life lesson.”

Camilla Estes, a veteran Walldog who operates a mural business in Paducah, Kentucky, said she was privileged to help the �� Polytechnic students with their mural.

“The best thing about Walldogs is that so many strangers can come together and create so much love and beauty,” Estes said.

Among the �� Polytechnic students and staff members who helped with the story cloth mural were Evangeline Thao, a graphic design and interactive media major from Hudson; Maiyer Xiong, a graphic communication major from Eau Claire; Ghiatight Xiong, an information and communication technology major from Eau Claire; Addison Vang, an applied math and computer science major from Rosemount, Minnesota; and university employees Michael Moua, TRIO Student Support Services, and Heidi Smith, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs. Chancellor Katherine Frank even grabbed a paintbrush to help while visiting the mural sites spread throughout downtown Menomonie.

Chancellor Katherine Frank joins other volunteers to paint a mural portraying �� Polytechnic's past, present and future.

Campus mural embodies polytechnic tenets

Murals in Menomonie involved the creation of 15 murals, 13 in Menomonie and one each for the nearby communities of Boyceville and Ridgeland. Many immortalized historic individuals, events or institutions, including Swiss Miss hot cocoa (invented by Charles Sanna of Menomonie), the Menomonie Blue Caps Base Ball Club, and the Knapp, Stout & Co. lumber business, co-owned by the father of university founder James Huff Stout.

Stout ��. most enduring legacy – the educational institution he founded – is now depicted in a mural on the east side of the Administration Building, facing Clock Tower Plaza. Painted just weeks after the word “Polytechnic” was officially added to the university ��. name, the mural encompasses elements from the institution ��. 135-year history: bold block letters reading “STOUT,” the logos of both the Stout Institute (1908-55) and Stout State University (1955-64), the contemporary triple-banded “S” logo and the official designation as “Wisconsin ��. ��,” and pillars bearing the institution ��. enduring values – Honor, Industry, Learning and Skill. Painted archways bearing the phrases “Forward from our founding” and “Forever to our future” frame a panoramic depiction of campus landmarks.

The artwork was designed by muralist Tom Seibert of California, who has taken part in about a dozen Walldogs events over the years. Seibert ��. business, Murals for Schools, specializes in institutional murals like this one. Seibert said the mural was created in trompe l’oeil style (French for “deceive the eye”) and will likely become a popular selfie spot.

�� Polytechnic alum Billie Walleen prepares to add her handprint to a mural dedicated to her family's longtime Menomonie business, Bolo Country Inn.

Frank lent a hand to the campus mural as well, praising Seibert ��. design. “When we saw Tom ��. expertise at creating pride through his murals, we knew we didn’t have to speak to a single point in �� Polytechnic ��. 135-year history,” Frank said. “Tom has given us a mural that celebrates the legacy of our graduates and employees in a campus location that deeply resonates with our alumni and many others, while also inspiring future innovation in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and beyond through Wisconsin ��. ��.”

Lambrigtsen said three years of planning went into bringing the Walldogs to Menomonie. Numerous community sponsors, including �� Polytechnic, supported the Murals in Menomonie effort, as did hundreds of volunteers. Among them were at least 10 former �� Polytechnic students and dozens of others connected to the university.

“I think the best part was seeing the community come together, seeing how people stepped up to help,” said Lambrigtsen, who added that the newly created artwork will attract admirers for years to come.

An art auction held June 27 at the Memorial Student Center to celebrate the conclusion of Murals in Menomonie raised nearly $34,000, one of the highest fundraising figures in Walldogs history. The funds will be held in an endowment to support mural upkeep.

The new mural on Clock Tower Plaza joins several others painted by students on campus in recent years. Students in the Graffiti and Street Art summer class have designed and created four large-scale murals on the east side of the Applied Arts Building, including one painted in early June under the leadership of Assistant Professor Mary Climes.

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Muralists from around the U.S. and world join university artists and volunteers for public art event Hmong story cloth mural part of Murals in Menomonie

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Ashley, Cadrex, Apogee among companies benefiting from engineering students’ prototypes

giffeyt — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:45:05 +0000

Ashley, Cadrex, Apogee among companies benefiting from engineering students’ prototypesgiffeyt June 15, 2026

Capstone projects demonstrate mechanical, manufacturing know-how, leadership skills

Tom Giffey

�� Polytechnic mechanical engineering student Dominick Marco faced several challenges when he became team leader for the second semester of a capstone project on behalf of Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions.

In addition to designing and building a prototype that would automatically assemble a plastic latch and a steel bracket into a completed part, Marco had to ensure that his six-member team stayed on track as the project deadline – and graduation – approached.

Marco wasn’t just learning engineering; he was learning leadership.

“I worked on delegating by asking questions rather than directing, and through this and similar techniques, I was able to stay up to date on my team ��. progress while helping direct team members to work on important tasks without overstepping or feeling like I was micromanaging,” explained Marco, of Eleva.

“Working on a project like this with a team is a very valuable experience,” Marco continued. “Learning alongside other up-and-coming engineers has been an incredible two semesters.”

Students, faculty and industry representatives examine the prototype for Cadrex after the demonstration.

Such applied learning, which is key to the polytechnic mission that distinguishes �� Polytechnic, was on display in mid-May as mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering seniors presented their capstone projects to industry leaders, faculty members and peers. These two-semester projects aren’t theoretical exercises. They lead to real, working prototypes designed to solve problems for industrial sponsors. In addition to Cadrex, one of the nation ��. largest metal fabricating firms, corporate sponsors included Ashley Furniture, Tomahawk Manufacturing, Apogee Enterprises, Genesis Industries, Frost Inc. and Industrial Heat Transfer.

“This course sequence truly is a capstone on a student ��. academic career at �� Polytechnic,” said Assistant Professor Nathan Spike, part of the capstone teaching team. “Over the two semesters, a student completes the transition from engineering student to a full-fledged, career-ready manufacturing or mechanical engineer – or, in some cases, both for students pursuing a dual major. Students can put what they have learned in these courses directly into practice as they transition into their engineering career.”

According to the university ��. most recent First Destination Report, 100% of 2024-25 graduates from the manufacturing engineering program reported they were either employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary was $76,000. During the same period, mechanical engineering graduates had a 99% employment rate within six months and an average starting salary of $66,000.

A �� Polytechnic student adjusts piston positions in the prototype. / Submitted photo

Process teaches communication skills

At the culmination of the capstone process, second-semester teams offer presentations of their mechanical and manufacturing solutions, then demonstrate them. During their presentation, Marco and his team – fellow seniors Aiden Koepsel, Ben Swift, Will Schlafke, Darren Byle and Josiah Castleberg – described their project scope and how they reached their final design. Originally, they considered a conveyor belt to carry the two parts. However, this was ultimately replaced with static, angled ramps that bring the two pieces together to become the completed part, which ultimately will be used in a battery holder in a data rack enclosure.

Later, the Cadrex group and other capstone teams moved into a nearby lab in Fryklund Hall to demonstrate their projects. The Cadrex prototype, a single workstation on casters, came to life, smoothly combining the pieces into completed latches, which flowed into a plastic bin.

The prototype that students developed for Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions combined these two pieces into one component.

After the demonstration, team members chatted about the prototype with Wayne Greensky, an automation engineer at Cadrex ��. Osceola plant, who provided technical input during the project. While the students had solid technical understanding when they began the project, what really grew over the course of two semesters was their communication skills, Greensky said.

“Communication with project stakeholders helps students shake off communication anxiety and prepares them for proper meeting etiquette, structure, and progress update communications, while also dealing with customer dictated deliverables,” Greensky said.

The �� Polytechnic students handled challenges – including bill of materials ordering and issues with electrical schematics – promptly and professionally, he added.

“This type of project is useful for getting engineering students comfortable with solving an unsolved problem,” Greensky explained. “Undergraduate degree curriculums typically do not prepare the students with coursework that does not have a ‘correct’ answer or solution method. This senior design experience fills that gap nicely.”

Students discuss a pallet destacker they designed on behalf of Ashley Furniture.

Efforts aimed at automation

During the spring semester, the Cadrex capstone group was just one of 13 teams composed of 83 students from �� Polytechnic ��. Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering who worked on projects in Fryklund Hall labs.

Senior Sawyer Boigenzahn, a manufacturing engineering major from Mondovi, was the first-semester team lead for a project to create an automated system to wash and dry extruded aluminum window frames for Apogee Enterprises, owner of the Wausau Windows and Walls brand.

The frames, Boigenzahn explained, are processed in a CNC machine and emerge covered in chips, coolant and cutting fluid. Currently, the parts must be washed by hand, which leads to inconsistent cycle times. Automation would improve the quality and consistency of the process, ultimately saving Apogee time and money.

The five-member team – which also included Boigenzahn, Logan Boettcher, Brody Bongaarts, Brooks Brewer, and Joseph Gardner – conceived of a device that operated something like a car wash, but they pondered whether the sprayer or the aluminum part itself should be what moves. Ultimately, Boigenzahn explained, they decided it was easier to move the part through the sprayers than vice versa.

Based on feedback from their end-of-semester presentation, the team will return to build a prototype of their design in the fall semester. “We are at the start of that process, because this is a very difficult process to automate,” he said.

Boigenzahn, who previously worked as a welder, said the capstone project is a reminder that engineering isn’t about a single input inevitably leading to a single output: It ��. a practical discipline that involves hands-on craft.

“For us, it ��. an experiment in terms of our ability to understand the mechanical and engineering principles that we’ve been taught and actually apply them in the real world,” Boigenzahn said. “And more importantly, when you encounter real world problems – including teamwork issues, design problems, people giving you conflicting advice – how do you try to solve them? The thing about design is that you can’t just plug it into a computer and it spits out the right answer. That is just not the way this works.”

Despite the challenging work involved in the capstone process, Boigenzahn said it ��. ultimately a valuable part of the �� Polytechnic experience. “I don’t think Stout would stand out as much if we did not do these things,” he said.

Capstone students cut holes in an electrical box while building their prototype for Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions. / Submitted image

Teamwork connects students, faculty, industry partners

The capstone process is a team effort, and not just among the students: In addition to Spike, instructors include Senior Lecturer Glenn Bushedorf, Lecturer Anwr Albaghdadi, Lecturer Brandon Dick and Lecturer Niloofar Moradian, with technical support from Paul Craig, program director for manufacturing engineering.

And it ��. an effort that leads to results for industry sponsors, Spike explained. “The prototypes students develop often serve as a starting point or otherwise inform the direction a company will go with their process or product,” he said.

In addition, two semesters of intensive, iterative capstone work provide invaluable experience for emerging engineers as they enter the job market.

“Getting the chance to be a part of a project like this and create such a cool prototype machine for Cadrex has honestly been one of the best experiences to date,” Marco said. “This is the largest, most expensive project I have ever been a part of, and it makes me emotional seeing it come to a close. I am sad knowing that I will most likely never see it after it ships away, but I am so very happy to have gotten to design, develop and assemble the prototype.”

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Hero Caption: �� Polytechnic students demonstrate a prototype they created for Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions as part of their senior capstone project.

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Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Award

goersab — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:35:00 +0000

Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Awardgoersab June 11, 2026

Interdisciplinary team of graphic communications, graphic media, print management students’ ‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ celebrates print media

Abbey Goers

In an international competition designed to celebrate the way print media brings people together across the globe, a team of �� Polytechnic students won the coveted TAGA Student Choice Award at the 2026 Technical Association of the Graphic Arts, Helmut Kipphan Student Chapter Competition. The award was announced in April during a watch party hosted by Konica Minolta, in Chicago.

The winning team is made up of students in the B.S. graphic communications and B.F.A. graphic design and interactive media programs and the graphic media and print management minor. Their design, “Mail Across Minneapolis,” inspired by postcards, is a folding carton mailbox made of paperboard. Their submission included the final deliverable, a journal publication, and detailed production notes, which reinforced their skills in design, technical execution, project management and collaboration.

Sam Mireles-Melgarejo, Theodore Cerny, Becky Gaspord, Red Moser, Mallory Jakubiak, advisor Bethany Wheeler and Ariel Kissel, pose in front of the Konica Minolta building with the T / Becky Gaspord and Ariel Kissel

“Students are pushing new ideas, and industry folks are genuinely interested. It feels collaborative, not just competitive,” said TAGA President Birgit Plautz, adding that TAGA helps “connect new ideas with what ��. actually happening in the industry,” creating opportunities for student work to influence real-world practices.

TAGA Student Choice Award team members were:

Mallory Jakubiak, of Shakopee, Minnesota
Red Moser, of Manitowoc
Trevor Anderson, of Menomonie
Ariel Kissel, of Neenah
Theo Cerny, of Maple Grove, Minnesota
Brynn Hessel, of South Range

“Competitions like these are so beneficial for students to participate in because their open-ended structure leaves a lot of room for the students to decide what direction to take the projects. This allows them the flexibility to make something they are really passionate about and something they can be really proud of,” said graphic communications Program Director Bethany Wheeler.

Other participating student chapters were from Ball State University, California Polytechnic State University, Clemson University, Ferris State University, Illinois State University, Rochester Institute of Technology and Toronto Metropolitan University.

TAGA ��. Vice President of Education Celeste Calkins noted, “These students are the future of this industry,” highlighting the importance of providing opportunities for them to grow, connect and exchange ideas.

‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ winning design

During the ideation phase, the team chose to focus on mail in general, noting different types of mail through the iconography in their journal publication, including letters, bills, postcards, newspapers, packages and more.

Becky Gaspord, Ariel Kissel, Mallory Jakubiak, Theodore Cerny, Sam Mireles-Melgarejo and Red Moser at Mittera / Ariel Kissel

“We wanted our journal publication to look like a letter arriving in the mail. We cut a sleeve that looked like an envelope to hold the journal and added small details such as a cut-out window to see the address and recipient on the back, like you would an actual letter,” said Kissel, who will serve as �� Polytechnic TAGA chapter president in 2027-28 during her senior year.

Working in various labs across campus, the team used Adobe Illustrator and InDesign in the GCOM computer labs. They designed and cut out stamps according to official U.S. stamp regulations and requirements and made an ink stamp for the envelope, like the United States Postal Service would place on mail and packages. They used the 3D Printing Lab to make wax seals, as well as the Packaging Lab to cut out the mailboxes and assemble them using an industrial glue gun.

“We decided our overall package design would be a mailbox. We made more stickers to place on the outside to decorate, as someone might actually do to customize their own mailbox, and added a small detail of the address. We wrote ‘2026’ as though it were the house number and made the street name ‘�� Street,’” Kissel said.

TAGA student tour Mittera / Ariel Kissel

Kissel thinks working in a cross-disciplinary team was really helpful. “We were able to bounce ideas off of each other and build on them as we worked. When we ran into issues, which we did quite often through the process, we found our best method was to adjust what we were doing and try again,” she said.

A big issue the team faced was the splitting of the spines of the journal. They initially planned on printing two journals on one block, binding them, and then splitting them in half when trimming the blocks. “Every time we split the block in half, the pressure being applied by the blade would cause the spine to split,” Kissel explained. “As a team, we bounced off ideas of possible solutions, and when we had something we thought might work, we gave it a try. We repeated the process until we found a solution.”

�� Polytechnic ��. TAGA chapter toured multiple facilities while in Chicago for the award watch party, including Mittera, Specialty Print Communications and Konica Minolta.

TAGA student tour Mittera / Ariel Kissel

This was the chapter ��. first time in a decade entering the TAGA competition. “It ��. been an extremely rewarding experience to assemble a team of students so passionate about showing off their skills and abilities by competing in this competition. The pieces they produced were incredible, and I couldn’t be prouder of the projects they were able to complete,” Wheeler said. “I’m thrilled to guide this team through a successful competition after many years without a TAGA chapter. I know our projects and team will continue to grow and dazzle the TAGA judges as we recruit more students and strive to showcase the very best of what we do at Stout.”

Kissel was extremely proud to be able to show the team ��. work to the other competing chapters. “I was even more proud to be a part of the team to bring home an award after a 10-year hiatus! It was an honor to work with such talented designers,” she said.

Kissel has a summer internship at OEC Graphics, in Oshkosh, helping with quality checks on label and carton designs for BP Lubricants products.

“The biggest lesson I’ve been able to apply so far is to work with my team. I’m only one person, and I can really only do so much,” she said. “The same goes for the rest of my peers on the team. We each are given our positions to ensure things run smoothly and efficiently. By working all together, we really are a well-oiled machine (pun intended).”

TAGA student chapters play an important role in shaping how students understand the graphic communications industry and their place within it. Participation in the competition exposes students to current trends, emerging technologies, and evolving industry needs. The experience also underscores the role of research in driving innovation, encouraging students to think beyond individual projects and consider broader industry applications.

�� Polytechnic ��. graphic communications program blends design, technology and business strategy to prepare students for careers in printing, packaging, publishing, and related industries, emphasizing the university ��. applied learning and industry collaboration.

With an average starting salary of $50,000, 100% of recent graphic communications graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, according to Career Services’ annual First Destination Report.

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Construction students among finalists in national ABC Competition

goersab — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:07:53 +0000

Construction students among finalists in national ABC Competitiongoersab May 20, 2026

Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City project gives glimpse into real world construction management

Abbey Goers

�� construction management students competed against the nation ��. top students during Associated Builders and Contractors’ hallmark annual event, the Construction Management Competition, held this spring in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The ABC competition gives students a glimpse into the real world of construction, testing their project management, estimating, safety, quality control and presentation skills. This year ��. project was the Salt Lake City Convention Center ��. Hyatt Regency Hotel – a nearly 700,000-square-foot venue located in the heart of downtown.

Senior Lecturer Jim Bunkelman, Riley Hibner, Megan Schatz, Ian Farrell, Anna Odisho, Rep. Clint Moses and Sen. Jesse James in �� . Construction Lab.

“The construction industry needs to bring in 349,000 new workers this year just to meet demand, and that includes experienced young construction management professionals like these because they can solve real-world problems so contractors can build quality infrastructure,” said ABC National Board of Directors Chair Thomas “Murph” Murphy.

Of the 31 national teams, �� was among the final nine invited to present in the third phase of the competition, which included a presentation and Q&A with a panel of 40 industry experts.

�� . ABC team members were:

Evan Ambourn, of Eau Claire
Rorie Boettcher, of Eau Claire
Ian Farrell, of Waukesha
Riley Hibner, of Portage
Kameron Konsela, of Minneapolis
Sarah Meyers, of Plover
Anna Odisho, of Roselle, Illinois
Megan Schatz, of Brookfield

“Acting like our own contracting company, the ABC competition gave us a real-life project, where we could work as a group to build a proposal that a true industry company would create – from breaking ground to completion,” said Schatz, the team lead.

“This team demonstrated exceptional dedication and skills from day one. They took a complex project and vision, executing it with precision and professionalism. I have no doubt that the skills they’ve honed during this project will serve them incredibly well in their upcoming professional careers,” said Senior Lecturer James Bunkelman.

Sarah Meyers, Rorie Boettcher, Kameron Konsela, Megan Schatz, Ian Farrell and Evan Ambourn at the ABC Student Competition / Megan Schatz

Recently, the team was presented with a proclamation on behalf of the Wisconsin State Legislature by Sen. Jesse James and Rep. Clint Moses, a �� psychology alum. They were joined by John Schulze, ABC Wisconsin Director of Legal and Government Affairs, and Bunkelman.

“We appreciate �� students’ engagement and their achievements. They were up against some very big schools, and they held their own,” Schulze said. Competing universities included Clemson, Purdue and Michigan State. Louisiana State University won first place.

A project to reimagine a city skyline

The Hyatt Regency Salt Lake is a 25-story hotel, with 517 guestrooms, more than 60,000 square feet of meeting space, a lobby and reception area, a fitness center, multiple restaurants, a market, an outdoor pool, an event terrace and underground parking. The glass façade helps shape the city ��. skyline.

The ABC student teams were provided access to the project by ABC member contractor Hensel Phelps, which has already completed the project.

�� "Stout Builders" ABC Competition Top Performers title slide / Megan Schatz

The first phase of the competition was to research and prepare a proposal. The process took two-and-a-half months, and �� . final proposal was 120 pages long. Logistics was the biggest challenge, with Odisho handling much of the research.

“Since our project was in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, there was not a lot of room for a project trailer, let alone a laydown of space for all the materials. The convention center also needed to be fully operational during the duration of the construction. So, safety was a large factor, as we’d be hoisting large pieces of steel and other material. It is also on the corner of two busy roads, so we had to time deliveries and plan what lanes of traffic we could change during construction,” said Schatz, who serves as vice president of the Student Construction Association, as well as director of public relations for Sigma Lambda Chi, the construction honors society.

For the project ��. second phase, the 31 teams convened at Salt Lake City Convention Center for a six-hour-long day, where they were given five addenda and changes they needed to incorporate into their proposals. The addenda reflected both fictional and actual events that happened during the construction of the hotel.

“Some of the addenda we were given were: a build-out of the restaurant on the sixth floor, the final build-out of the top five floors for the NBA All-Star Game, adding balancing water valves that were missed originally, and an earthquake that hit Salt Lake City,” Schatz said.

Ian Farrell, Evan Ambourn, Megan Schatz and Sarah Meyers present during phase three of the ABC Student Competition / Megan Schatz

Phase three was the final presentation, in which the �� ABC Team was one of nine finalists. “Presenting in front of the judges and audience was such an accomplishment. I’m incredibly grateful to have been able to complete this project with such a dedicated and committed team. We learned not only more about the industry but also grew as a team and had a fun time doing it,” Schatz said.

Graduates from �� . B.S. construction management program reported a 100% employment rate within six months of graduation and an average starting salary of $70,000, according to the latest university First Destination Report.

�� . School of Management offers 20 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates that build students' leadership skills in operations and management, business, hospitality and technology innovation, and military science fields.

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Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City project gives glimpse into real world construction management

Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City project gives glimpse into real world construction management ABC Construction competition team, 2026

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Hero Caption: This year ��. ABC Competition project was the Salt Lake City Convention Center ��. Hyatt Regency Hotel – a nearly 700,000-square-foot venue located in the heart of downtown.

James Bunkelman

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Degree: M.S. Construction Management

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

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Outstanding Student Leaders empower others, bring people together, build relationships

goersab — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:43:39 +0000

Outstanding Student Leaders empower others, bring people together, build relationshipsgoersab May 18, 2026

Bender, Lueck also receive Wood Medallion, highest nonacademic honor

Abbey Goers

Alongside more than 100 of their peers, three �� students were honored as Outstanding Student Leaders of the Year at the annual Leadership Awards on May 6, for their commitment, involvement and service around campus and the Menomonie community:

Brett Bender, a computer networking and information technology major from Rio
Melody Lueck, a graphic design and interactive media major from Fort Atkinson
Gabe Cauwels, a business administration major from St. Paul.

Each outstanding student feels that their �� experiences and opportunities have prepared them to make an impact after graduation.

“�� has given me a starting point for how I can continue making an impact wherever I go,” Bender said. “The hands-on opportunities and empowerment I’ve been given to make change have allowed me the ability to start the long process of honing my leadership skills – something that will never be finished.”

2026 Outstanding Student Leaders of the Year recipients Brett Bender, Melody Lueck and Gabe Cauwels

Seniors Bender and Lueck, who will graduate this fall, also received the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the university ��. highest nonacademic honor for students. Fourteen seniors were honored with the medallion this year.

“To be recognized among so many talented peers is humbling, but to me, these awards mean much more than an individual achievement. They are a testament to the growth I’ve experienced here at �� and the incredible community I’ve been surrounded by,” Bender said.

Lueck agreed, adding, “These recognitions reflect the impact I have been able to make within the �� campus and community throughout my four years here. As I begin my final semester this fall, I hope to continue making a meaningful difference and leave the same positive impact that has shaped my experience so far.”

Leadership is about opening doors for others

Bender is a student supervisor with the Event Technology Crew in the Student Centers and a resident advisor within HKMC Hall. When Bender came to ��, he knew he wanted to make an impact, but he wasn’t sure how.

“Through the support of my peers and the opportunities I’ve received, �� started to feel like home,” Bender said. “The opportunities I’ve been given are invaluable and irreplaceable. They’ve allowed me to grow not only as a leader in professional settings, but as an individual. Without the opportunities that I’ve been able to take advantage of, I do not believe that I would be as successful of a student as I am today. I will always hold the experiences I’ve had near and dear to my heart.”

Bender believes that “Leadership is about opening doors for others and creating a space where everyone feels empowered to contribute. For me, student leadership means a lot of things. It ranges from feeling empowered and enabled, to conflict resolution and compromise. Following graduation, I hope that wherever I go, I will be able to make those around me feel empowered, and that no matter how small the voice, everyone has a voice.”

Bringing people together in meaningful ways

Lueck is an executive producer with Blue Devil Productions, serves as president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts student organization, is the designer and secondary event coordinator of People ��. Organization of Network Gaming (PONG), a First-Year Orientation assistant and a Week One Orientation leader.

“I truly enjoy creating events and experiences that positively impact the �� community and bring people together in meaningful ways,” Lueck said. “These opportunities have meant so much to me throughout my time here. Without them, I may never have discovered this passion.”

Student leadership is extremely important to Lueck. “Making a positive impact, whether that be with my colleagues or the campus community as a whole, has given me the drive to succeed in college. I hope to continue having this passion, positively impacting others as I continue into my career,” she said.

Building relationships across all majors

Cauwels serves as the Service Club at Stout president and the vice president of finance for the American Marketing Association student chapter. He works as an involvement specialist in the Involvement Center.

“These opportunities on campus have helped me build relationships with people not just in my major but across all majors, as well as allow me to make a positive impact on the local and distant communities and develop my professional skills,” Cauwels said.

“Student leadership has truly made me more sure of myself and helped me balance responsibilities in a variety of settings. I plan on taking the problem-solving skills I have gained from these experiences and applying them to whatever I do outside of school,” he added.

Samuel E. Wood Medallion and Leadership Award recipients

Less than 1% of full-time students receive the Wood Medallion. It is presented to seniors who have contributed to student activities and have demonstrated leadership and scholastic ability. Winners are selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students.

2026 Wood Medallion recipients

Other Wood Medallion recipients were:

Emily Avila, interior design, Hudson
Alexis Bellotti, animation and digital media, Kaukauna
Sumnima Devkota, psychology, Kathmandu, Nepal
Bergen Haag, industrial and product design, St. Paul
Cara Jenquin, individualized studies, Menomonie
Madelyn King, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, real estate property management, Brownville
Madi Klaja, packaging, Hudson
Melissa Kosharek, computer science, Dickeyville
Kloie Potts, family and consumer sciences education, Elkhorn
Noah Rosenberger, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, Sauk Rapids
Kayne Whitney, cybersecurity, Waunakee
Maria Winkelman, professional communication and emerging media, St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Samuel E. Wood was a longtime assistant chancellor for Student Services/Dean of Students Office. He retired in 1991 and died in February 2013.

Additional awards presented were:

Student Employee of the Year, three winners: Drew Albert, Event Technology Crew; Maria Winkelman, Involvement Center; and Nolan Zachgo, Math Teaching and Learning Center.
Student Staff Team of the Year, three winners: Student Center ��. Event Technology Crew; Writing Center ��. peer writing consultants; and Math Teaching and Learning Center ��. teaching assistants.
Student Organization of the Year, three winners: Barbecue Eaters and Enthusiasts Federation, DND Club and Service Club at Stout.
Student Organization Event of the Year, three winners: Philosophy Club ��. “Does God Exist? A Student Debate”; Craft Club ��. “Make Your Own Keychains”; Service Club at Stout ��. “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat.”
Bill Siedlecki Advisor of the Year, two winners: Danielle Clarizio, International Club; and Fred Prassas, Institute of Real Estate Management.
Twenty-four students received the Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year.

The Leadership Awards ceremony is sponsored by the Involvement Center, Stout Student Association and Career Services.

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