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With $2 million federal grant, �� seeks business partners to help fill region ��. high-demand jobs

giffeyt — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000

With $2 million federal grant, �� seeks business partners to help fill region ��. high-demand jobsgiffeyt February 10, 2026

New program will build certificate courses in areas such as manufacturing, cybersecurity to train hundreds of workers in the next four years

Tom Giffey

�� will work closely with Wisconsin businesses to ensure a recently announced $2 million federal grant will provide hundreds of workers with the skills needed to fill the state ��. most in-demand jobs.

Over the next four years, �� FUSE (Fast Upskilling for Skills and Employment) will give adult learners, displaced and underemployed workers, and other students the skills needed to succeed through six new short-term programs serving high-demand sectors aligned with Wisconsin ��. Hot Jobs, which may include health care and behavioral support, manufacturing and logistics, IT support and cybersecurity, meeting and event planning, and child care.

�� is the only institution in Wisconsin and one of only a handful of four-year universities nationwide among the 22 recipients of a U.S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Special Project Program grant to create high-quality, short-term programs.

Business & Industry Partners Sought

Businesses can help �� create programs to meet the region ��. workforce needs.

Email to learn more

Businesses can help determine which programs move forward first by participating in program advisory committees, sharing workforce data, and providing direct input on hiring needs and skill gaps. Interested parties are invited to contact �� . Educational Pathways & Outreach Office at continuinged@uwstout.edu to learn how they can take part.

The FIPSE grant to �� is in the amount of $2,031,578, and 100% of the federal funds will be used by the FUSE project with no additional funds financed by nongovernmental sources.

�� is now building the new certificate programs in cooperation with business and industry partners as well as the West Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, said Executive Director of Educational Pathways and Outreach Beth Hein.

“FUSE is built on listening first — to employers, to industry leaders and to our regional partners,” Hein said. “When business and education work side by side, we create programs that don’t just prepare students for jobs, but for long-term careers. Our ongoing connection with industry keeps our training relevant, responsive and impactful.”

A �� class in the Material Removal Lab on campus.

FUSE will fill training gap

Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota are experiencing sustained and intensifying workforce shortages across multiple critical industries, most notably those targeted by the FUSE program. Employers throughout the region consistently report difficulty filling both entry-level and mid-skill roles, even as job postings persist at historically high levels and unemployment sits near record lows.

However, current short-term employment education programs are fragmented and uneven, tending to focus on very short basic workshops and bootcamps or traditional semester-long courses. �� . FUSE program will fill the gap between these options.

As Wisconsin ��. only ��, �� is uniquely poised to contribute to the development of short-term credentials to meet the employment needs of Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. �� has a strong history of applied learning and research, business and industry collaborations, and career-focused education.

The FIPSE grant received by �� in January will build the capacity of employer-aligned programs that last from eight to 15 weeks and culminate in industry-recognized skills and credentials. The programs will also be Workforce Pell eligible, allowing students with financial needs to access them through the newly established Workforce Pell Grant Program, which goes into effect on July 1.

Students in an event planning course meet in the Memorial Student Center.

Programs will launch by end of 2026

�� anticipates serving 400 to 600 students during the four-year grant period. The first two FUSE certificate programs will be launched as early as the end of 2026. The certificate programs will be stackable, with a pathway allowing students to apply their FUSE credentials toward �� bachelor ��. degrees. FUSE students will also have access to academic support, such as onboarding, academic coaching, digital literacy support, tutoring and other wraparound services.

Among the students FUSE will target are adult, rural and under-resourced learners, who will make up at least 40% of enrollment. The program will use flexible, hybrid evening and weekend scheduling to reduce barriers faced by working adults and caregivers. FUSE will also set specific performance targets, including ensuring that 80% of students complete their program, 75% obtain credentials and 70% find job placement within six months of graduation.

“This work is only possible because of ��'s strong partnerships,” Hein said. “Together with business, industry and community leaders we are creating opportunities that meet real needs and open doors for learners across our region.”

The contents of this media release were developed under a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

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Certificate courses in areas such as manufacturing, cybersecurity will train hundreds of workers in the next four years Computer networking student works with server rack

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Royal Credit Union internship gives �� grad student opportunity to apply skills in data science, machine learning

giffeyt — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Royal Credit Union internship gives �� grad student opportunity to apply skills in data science, machine learninggiffeyt January 29, 2026

M.S. applied computer science student finds workplaces experience aligns with coursework

Tom Giffey

A yearlong business intelligence internship at Royal Credit Union, one of Wisconsin ��. largest financial institutions, has helped a �� applied computer science graduate student gain confidence and skill in both data engineering and machine learning.

“It ��. been a fun experience. I’m really grateful,” said Justin George, who expects to receive his M.S. applied computer science degree in May. “This internship has been the best part of my Stout experience so far.”

George began his business intelligence internship last May at the Eau Claire-based financial institution, which serves 330,000 members through 28 branches in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Now in its third semester, George ��. internship has provided an opportunity for him to apply what he ��. learned through his degree program at Wisconsin ��. ��.

Professor Keith Wojciechowski of �� . Department of Math, Statistics and Computer Science, who encouraged George to pursue the internship, praised the graduate student for seizing the opportunity and making it a successful experience.

“One of the things that we emphasized and that he was very eager to do was to get an internship where he could apply those skills and learn on the job,” Wojciechowski said.

Lou Heimstead, Royal ��. business intelligence and analytics manager, supervises �� student Justin George during his internship.

Student ��. work makes business data visual

�� . M.S. applied computer science program provides professionals in a wide range of occupations a pathway to deepen their knowledge, skills and experience with computer systems that automate tasks, analyze data and create new workflows. Through the program, George has been able to focus on topics that interest him, such as data visualization and machine learning, both of which have played a role in his Royal internship.

Lou Heimstead, business intelligence and analytics manager at Royal, said George has been fully integrated into her team and its work. “He ��. not doing isolated intern tasks,” Heimstead said. “He ��. been learning and applying the same processes that our business intelligence analysts and data engineers use.”

And as George has continued to demonstrate his skills, the scope of the internship has expanded into the realm of machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence in which algorithms are used to find patterns in data to make predictions without explicit programming.

“What he has added is the capacity to bring in his technical skills that align closely with what he ��. been studying at ��, specifically data science and machine learning,” Heimstead explained. “With that background, he ��. been able to contribute to more technical work that would otherwise compete for my senior analyst ��. time. So rather than replacing existing work, he ��. actually been expanding what the team can realistically take on, especially in areas requiring stronger programming, modeling and data science skills.”

Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

Computer science students from ��, UWEC, UWRF exercise ‘exceptional’ AI acumen for leading financial institution

Expanding machine learning applications

Last summer, four undergraduates — including two from �� — took part in a machine learning internship at Royal. They focused on writing software to dive into Royal ��. data and address two issues: The first was studying the factors that could lead members to leave the credit union, while the second aimed to determine a “next best product” that might interest an existing member. After the undergraduates’ internship ended last summer, George was asked to continue working with the machine learning-powered software models they built.

“It was not part of my job description, but since I was interested, they were happy to give me the opportunity to work on machine learning,” he said. As a result, George continues to hone his machine learning skills, while Royal continues to benefit from what the previous interns helped build.

Graduate student Justin George, at far right, in a �� Advanced Machine Learning class.

In fact, Heimstead said, George has enhanced and unified the multiple machine learning models into a single model for each issue. His work ensures the solution remains both usable and valuable. That continuity helps Royal keep the work ready to build on in the future.

George said the �� master ��. program offers a sharp contrast to his bachelor ��. degree experience. “Here I get the exposure of practical training and working on projects. There are so many internship opportunities, and they are directly aligned with my academics,” George said.

“I feel like the professors are very helpful,” he continued. “They are always making sure you are getting practical exposure. It ��. not just theory. That ��. something I like about Stout.”

Wojciechowski is impressed by George ��. hard work and adaptability in the Royal internship. “He ��. out there in the world solving problems,” Wojciechowski said.

Not only has George been able to tackle the tasks he was originally hired for, but he ��. been able to grow his skill set, too. “He ��. been able to adapt and evolve at Royal,” Wojciechowski said. “I think that speaks very well for him.”

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Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

giffeyt — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Uniongiffeyt January 26, 2026

Computer science students from ��, UWEC, UWRF exercise ‘exceptional’ AI acumen for leading financial institution

Tom Giffey

Three Universities of Wisconsin campuses partnered with Royal Credit Union to launch an innovative internship program using AI to support this Wisconsin-based financial institution. This story is one of four in a series showcasing the impact of this collaboration. Read more about the faculty who supported the internship, how the partnership supported the state's economic development and how the collaboration originated.

Computer science students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses leveraged their knowledge of machine learning to address real-world questions for one of the state ��. largest credit unions in a unique internship program.

Four students — two from ��, one from UW-Eau Claire and one from UW-River Falls — honed their professional skills through internships with Royal Credit Union ��. AI Innovation Lab last summer. The internship was a pilot program to help Royal implement machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence in which algorithms are used to find patterns in data to make predictions without explicit programming.

Chris Meyer, Royal ��. vice president of IT Innovation and Efficiency, said such partnerships with the Universities of Wisconsin provide “immeasurable” value for the credit union, which serves 330,000 members in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.

“This particular program brought about an opportunity for us to try some new, innovative ideas without the risks of derailing existing strategic projects or core work that were going on with our existing teams,” Meyer said.

Royal Credit Union interns, left to right, Paige Keller of UW-Eau Claire, Mariah Waslie of UW-River Falls, Emmett Jaakkola of �� and Matthew Peplinski of ��. / Submitted photo

“The interns we worked with from ��, UW-River Falls and UW-Eau Claire absolutely exceeded our expectations,” he continued. “Not only did they bring exceptional skills immediately out of school into the workforce, but they brought a perspective that we don’t always see — a younger perspective in how to approach some of the projects we’re looking at.”

The student interns were Matthew Peplinski and Emmett Jaakkola of ��, Paige Keller of UW-Eau Claire, and Mariah Waslie of UW-River Falls.

“We got to fully make our own data set, run all these machine learning models, analyze the results, present them, double check our own processes, and lay out a foundation for the company. It ��. amazing what we could do as interns,” said Peplinski, of Milwaukee, who graduated in December with a B.S. in applied mathematics and computer science.

“We were the catalyst to all machine learning that Royal was delving into,” explained Jaakkola, of St. Paul, who graduated in December with degrees in both computer science and applied math and computer science.

Matthew Peplinski works on his laptop in an Advanced Machine Learning course at ��.

Leveraging students’ talents

Interns were recruited from the computer science programs at the three universities, all of which are within Royal ��. geographic footprint. Once the interns began working in June at the Royal Credit Union Corporate Center in Eau Claire, the students began brainstorming how they could apply their machine learning acumen to the financial institution.

Keller, a UW-Eau Claire senior from Crystal Lake, Illinois, majoring in computer science, was excited by the opportunity, which allowed the students to come up with their own use cases for machine learning. “It ��. almost like we were in the driver ��. seat as the interns, which was what I loved most about the experience,” Keller said.

For the first few weeks of the internship, the students delved into Royal ��. databases, learning what data was available, creating queries to gather it, and determining how it could be used to make projections.

Working with interns from multiple universities enhanced the experience because of the students’ varied experiences and curriculums, Keller said. “We all helped each other. We all asked each other questions,” Keller said. “We ran into the same roadblocks a lot of times, and so we had to come together and brainstorm. Having that experience from different backgrounds was very useful in coming up with different ideas.”

For example, Waslie — a UW-River Falls senior from Maiden Rock pursing a double major in computer science and data science — was adept at creating models with the programming language R, which the other interns had less experience with. Meanwhile, Peplinski used SQL to combine data and Python to develop models, while also bringing business skills to the table thanks to his �� minors in business and economics.

Universities of Wisconsin interns pose with Royal Credit Union employees Tad Carlson, far left, and Linda Kampa, far right. / Submitted photo

With the help of their team leader — Linda Kampa, a senior data engineer at Royal — the interns built a giant table set of more than 100 customer attributes, combining pieces of data from multiple sources. Once all this data had been gathered, the team tried to use it to predict members’ future behavior.

“Building out our own data set was a pretty astounding part of the internship, something that is pretty unique,” Peplinski said. His �� classmate, Jaakkola, agreed: “Working with a large database like that, it would be hard to get that experience without actually doing it.”

Over the course of the summer, the interns focused on two main classification problems. The first was to determine which factors indicated a member was about to leave the credit union: For example, was it when their balances reached a certain amount, or perhaps when a loan had been paid off? The second aimed to determine a “next best product” that would interest an existing member, similar to how a streaming service algorithm might recommend a new TV series.

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Jaakkola said he was well-prepared by his �� machine learning coursework to tackle problems for Royal. “I think the foundation we had from our classes really made it possible,” he said. Nonetheless, he added, the tasks were more complex: For example, while the queries he wrote for class might have included roughly 10 lines of code, some he wrote for Royal were as long as 1,000 lines.

The interns worked with managers from many of the credit union ��. departments, strengthening their communications skills in frequent meetings and presentations. Part of the project ��. goal, Peplinski said, was to create confidence that machine learning could supplement these managers’ own business intuitions.

Peplinski said the experience also helped him hone his technical communication skills. “In the same way that when you’re building machine learning models you iterate and make it better every iteration, I felt we also got better over time communicating results,” he said.

Emmett Jaakkola, right, in an Advanced Machine Learning course at ��.

Learning workforce skills

Professor Keith Wojciechowski of �� . Department of Math, Statistics and Computer Science, commended Royal Credit Union for putting trust in student interns to create algorithms for the financial institution. “This is like being part of a real research and development team,” Wojciechowski said.

Professor Keith Wojciechowski

During the course on the internship, Wojciechowski and faculty members from UW-River Falls and UW-Eau Claire met twice with the interns and the Royal Credit Union team, once in the middle of the summer and once at the end for a final showcase of their work.

“Not only are we impressed with their ability to solve the problems, but by their ability to present and work in a professional environment,” Wojciechowski said of the interns. “That ��. also a very important skill that they eventually have to learn.”

Kampa, the senior data engineer who worked side by side with the students, said part of the goal of the internship was to determine if Royal is ready to build machine learning models in-house. The interns, she said, were well-positioned to pursue the project.

“They came in with fresh ideas,” Kampa said. “None of them had a lot of financial background, but it was nice to have that clean slate. There were no preconceived notions of how something should work. It really led to a lot of unique and fresh perspectives, unbiased solutions and the recommendations that they made.”

Kampa said the interns arrived with excellent technical skills and absorbed new abilities quickly. The team experienced numerous “lightbulb moments” throughout the summer, she said.

“Early on in the internship, we were meeting to discuss what type of data we would be including to feed into the models,” Kampa recalled. “The idea that we were working through was really a complex concept to understand right away. We met a few times, we worked through some examples and did some whiteboard drawings, and to see the look on their faces when it clicked was really a rewarding experience for both me and the interns.”

Both businesses and students benefit from these collaborations, Kampa added. “Having the interns participate was a win-win for both Royal and the interns, because we got things up and running more quickly with their expertise from all the classes they’ve taken, and it gave the interns a chance to see what it ��. like to work in a business setting,” she said.

Having Universities of Wisconsin campuses nearby creates a talent pipeline for the credit union as well as other organizations in the region, added Meyer, Royal ��. vice president of IT Innovation and Efficiency. “The opportunity to work with faculty, who are experts in their areas, and students who are learning from them is something unique that we would not be able to do if we didn’t have those universities in our backyard,” he said. “And the opportunity to do that means that we can provide new value to our members, growing our organization in a way that would have been impossible without the universities’ presence.”

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Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025

giffeyt — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025 giffeyt January 21, 2026

Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year ��. notable headlines

It was a year of big things at ��, from breaking ground for the biggest construction project in university history to posting some of the most notable enrollment growth in the Universities of Wisconsin to being chosen as the area ��. Large Business of the Year.

In 2025, Wisconsin ��. �� also earned big accolades, such as being named one of America ��. Best Colleges by Money Magazine for the second year in a row and made big waves by continuing to break down barriers and redefine higher education for the 21st century.

These milestones are just some of the university ��. Stout Story highlights as it looks back at 2025.

Reinvigorating renovations

The university began its fall 2025 semester with a groundbreaking for the long-awaited $144.3 million Heritage Hall renovation project, which will transform the half-century-old building into a cutting-edge educational hub to help meet Wisconsin ��. workforce needs. The project, which is expected to be finished in 2028, will be paid for with funding from the state as well as $13.5 million donated by university supporters, industry partners and alumni.

‘Power of Partnership’: �� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

Chancellor, lawmakers, community and campus leaders join to highlight project that will boost Wisconsin workforce

“The renovation of Heritage Hall is a direct reflection of our mission as Wisconsin ��. ��: to provide career-focused, applied learning and research, and industry collaboration that meets the evolving needs of the state ��. workforce and communities,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said.

The campus also looked forward to another major project, a $31.7 million revitalization of the Recreation Complex. Funded through the 2025-27 state budget as well as a record-setting $5 million gift, the renovations are expected to begin this year. And in October, �� celebrated the opening of a $1 million Esports Arena, a new high-tech home for the championship-caliber esports team.

Advances in AI

Artificial intelligence isn’t a stand-alone subject at �� — it ��. been integrated across all programs, a 360-degree approach to create tomorrow ��. AI-ready workforce.

“Equipping students from every major with AI skills is not only important but necessary,” said engineering and technology Assistant Professor Yuan Xing, who is working with applied social science Professor Tina Lee on a cross-disciplinary program focused on an AI-enhanced farming robot.

AI, fully integrated: �� . 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

‘Equipping students from every major with AI skills is not only important but necessary.’

The university ��. AI Fellows and AI Innovation Committee, led by faculty and staff, ensure AI is embedded into learning, operations and innovation, while directing AI integration, governance, ethics and literacy. Among the many examples of faculty engagement with AI include employing machine learning in engineering and manufacturing processes as well as comparing human and AI-generated written communication.

Assistant Professor Cami Banger, program director of business information technology and digital marketing technology, created a business technology class with AI “baked in,” while Professor Betsy Pudliner used AI-driven prompts to transform hospitality industry experiences into interactive online course content.

Meanwhile, a $647,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will allow �� . Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence – CAM-AI – to provide advanced manufacturing and AI support to small- and medium-sized manufacturers.

Upgrading STEMM spaces

The completion of a two-year, $7.4 million renovation project ensured that labs in the Jarvis Hall Technology Wing provide the technology, accessibility and visibility necessary for students to succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management.

Some of the new equipment in labs in both Jarvis and Fryklund halls — including production-level 3D printers, a fully-integrated automated manufacturing system and more — was funded through a $3.1 million donation from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation. The gift was the result of an ongoing partnership between �� and the Wanek family and their business, Ashley Furniture Industries, based in Arcadia.

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences

Such campus labs create space for innovation, such as work by Associate Professor Kevin MacDonald, director of the B.S. construction management program, and his students to create innovative low-carbon concrete using blast-furnace slag, which was tested in April in a campus project.

Labs also provide workspaces for students like mechanical engineering senior Heidi Benningfield, who received more than tuition and an internship through the U.S. military ��. SMART Scholarship program. After graduation, she ��. guaranteed a job with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, Alabama.

Other students brought research on optimizing plant growth through the use of robotics to the national stage, while a faculty-student collaboration created software for making better 3D models of priceless objects in museums from Minneapolis to Amsterdam.

Degree and university programs honored

�� and its programs continued to rake in top rankings in 2025. Princeton Review listed �� . undergraduate game design programs, which include the B.F.A. game design and development and B.S. computer science – game design concentration, No. 5 in the Midwest and No. 24 worldwide.

�� . game design programs ranked among international best by Princeton Review

Side gigs at Roblox, Respawn strengthen students’ skills; Stout Game Expo on May 8

�� . Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity was named a Top 25 Best Value Cybersecurity Degree Bachelor ��. Program in the U.S. by Programs.com, the only Wisconsin program on the list. And U.S. News and World Report said �� had some of the Best Online Programs in the nation, including the M.S. manufacturing engineering online (Top 20 in the Midwest), the M.S. education online (Top 45 in the Midwest), and the B.S. management and leadership online (Top 15 in the Midwest).

University programs also garnered state and national honors, with the Grow, Persist, Succeed on-campus job program earning an Academic Staff Excellence Award from the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents and the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute receiving the annual W.F. Faulkes Award from the National Rehabilitation Association for its nearly 60 years of helping tens of thousands of Americans with disabilities.

High-ranking services for veterans

For veterans and active military students, �� was named to the 2025 Best for Vets Colleges list by Military Times for its commitment to serving veterans and their families, ranking first in Wisconsin among traditional and online universities.

Serving those who served: �� among top 25 in Midwest on annual Best for Vets list

University lauded by Military Times for services to veterans, their families

The university was also honored as a Military Friendly® School. Its silver designation marked the 16th consecutive year the university was named a Military Friendly® School for its efforts to offer service and support to meet the needs of military students. It was also named a 2025-26 Military Spouse Friendly School.

Army ROTC Northwoods Battalion students learn leadership theory, time management skills, basic soldier skills, map reading and other skills from experienced Army leaders. �� has a long-standing agreement with the Air Force ROTC program at University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul – a unique agreement among Wisconsin universities – that allows students to enroll in Air Force ROTC classes while completing their degrees.

Top design awards

While ��'s School of Art & Design celebrated its 60th anniversary, students from across degree programs celebrated top wins in state, national and international competitions.

Interior design senior Khendra Thompson rose to the challenge at the 12th Annual Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition and won with her design of a 16,000-square-foot workplace spread across two floors in a Chicago office building, beating four other finalists from a field that began with 1,600 students from across the continent.

Interior design student tops international field to win Steelcase competition

Interior design majors who entered the 12th Annual Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition faced a lofty challenge.

To address the concern of microplastics in food and water, Master of Fine Arts in design student Ashley Jandro created a social awareness campaign called “MicroWhat?,” for which she received a Student – Integrated Consumer Campaign Silver Pin at the Minnesota AdFed awards, sponsored by the Advertising Federation of Minnesota.

A team of four packaging students won first place among university teams from around the globe in the 2025 International Molded Fiber Association Student Competition. They created a sustainable packaging solution for a waffle iron, previously packaged in polystyrene, and replaced the components with molded fiber.

The claustrophobic, cooperative game Dread Not, in which players try to survive a sinking submarine, won the award for Best Student Entry at M+DEV, the largest game industry conference in the Midwest. Dread Not was developed by a team of 15 game design students.

With a design inspired by her adventures with her black lab, Max, studio art major Jaelyn Logterman won the 2026 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission pass design contest, announced by the state ��. Department of Natural Resources.

Students lending a Helping Hand

Two interior design students are working to ensure their peers have a more efficient, comfortable and warm experience at Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the university ��. student pantry. Emma Walstra and Klaire Johnson, project co-leads, reimagined the pantry space to create an “atmosphere that reflects the care �� places in serving its students.”

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In a cross-disciplinary collaboration, four groups of students in a Light Construction Methods class built two raised garden beds, one raised tool bench and one raised tool holder for The Neighbors of Dunn County, a senior living home. The project was part of a service-learning activity and was launched last summer during a new STEAM camp for high school students.

A team of animation and digital media students collaborated with Dunn County Humane Society to develop a public service announcement as part of the Animation Production junior capstone class. Their 72-second 2D animated film, “Stray,” was created to help advocate for pet adoption. The informative short features Bow, a stray orange tabby cat rescued during Wisconsin ��. bitter winter.

Industry-sponsored projects are standard practice

Arcadia-based Ashley Furniture sponsored multiple engineering student projects in 2025. A team of students, including Inspiring Graduates Luke Mertens and Zachary Morgan, designed an innovative nonstandard pallet stacker. Ashley Manufacturing Engineer Erik Kramer, the team ��. project manager, said, “The �� team built a better system, a better product for us. Now, with the team ��. documentation, our automation team can replicate their functional design to build six more stackers for our facilities.”

All stacked up: Ashley Furniture-sponsored project results in ‘better product’ developed by engineering seniors

Student team builds functional nonstandard pallet stacker to be implemented, replicated in company ��. facilities

Students also developed toolless bed connections for Ashley and worked in eight cross-disciplinary groups to research market trends, ideate preliminary designs, test materials and build professional prototypes. The class traveled to Ashley for a tour of the facility and to present their prototypes to the R&D team.

Packaging faculty and student research is poised to help Madison-based Tricky Foods deliver its tasty but temperature-sensitive charcuterie boards coast to coast. Associate Professor Kate Liu of �� . packaging program worked with Tricky Foods to test the insulating abilities of two eco-friendly packaging options – one made of cornstarch, the other of recycled paper.

Three industrial and product design students were awarded a cash prize by Room & Board in exchange for the rights to produce their designs if they choose. The senior’ project focused on storage solutions for media, dining, living, entry, bathroom and kitchen systems.

Blue Devil athletes excelling

The �� Blue Devil women ��. basketball team ��. Cinderella run to the Final Four last March marked the team ��. best-ever performance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. They completed their historic season with a 23-8 record, going 10-4 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference. Senior Raegen Sorensen became ��'s all-time leading scorer with 1,754 career points.

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Records set in tenacious battle against undefeated, defending champions NYU

Gymnast Jamie Beatty delivered a historic performance at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association National Championships, capturing national titles in both the all-around and the uneven bars and being named WIAC Newcomer of the Year.

The inaugural women ��. flag football team hoisted the Midwest College Women ��. Flag Football League Championship trophy at the Minnesota Vikings’ TCO Performance Center in April. �� was a founding member of the collegiate league, which was kickstarted with support from the Vikings.

Women ��. golf took the WIAC conference championship, where they triumphed by a near-record margin. Sophomore Julia Imai and junior Brin Neumann placed first and second individually.

Blue Devils football made history at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium, earning the program ��. first-ever postseason victory with a 31-23 win over Washington University in the Culver's Isthmus Bowl. �� finishes the season 6-5 for their second straight winning season.

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Officer Harvey, a therapy dog in training, joined ��'s University Police as its newest member in March. Once Harvey is fully trained, he will serve University Police by assisting people experiencing mental health crises as well as victims of crime and will help the department bridge the gap with members of the community, said University Police Chief Gregory Kalosis.

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All stacked up: Ashley Furniture-sponsored project results in ‘better product’ developed by engineering seniors

goersab — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 13:50:00 +0000

All stacked up: Ashley Furniture-sponsored project results in ‘better product’ developed by engineering seniorsgoersab January 5, 2026

Student team builds functional nonstandard pallet stacker to be implemented, replicated in company ��. facilities

Abbey Goers

A team of engineering students at �� designed an innovative nonstandard pallet stacker for Arcadia-based Ashley Furniture, which plans to quickly implement the machine in its facilities.

Within their Senior Design Experience II capstone course, the team was tasked with building a machine that could lift and hold 6-foot-long, 100-pound pallets off the ground until a stack of 12 was collected. Made of quarter-inch steel, the stacker can support 1,800 pounds, a 125% increase of Ashley ��. requested 1,400 maximum stack weight.

Once the stack is complete, the system lowers it to the floor for removal with an electric pallet jack. The stacker – which is 10 feet long, 8 feet wide and 4 feet tall – can be operated by a single person and has a maximum cycle time of 40 seconds.

Erik Kramer, Chase Rodewald, Luke Mertens, Riley Stiehl and Zachary Morgan.

The student team is Luke Mertens, a double major in manufacturing and mechanical engineering from Blue Earth, Minnesota; manufacturing engineering major Zachary Morgan of Eau Claire; and mechanical engineering majors Chase Rodewald of Lake City, Minnesota, and Riley Stiehl of Alma.

During the Manufacturing Engineering & Mechanical Engineering Showcase on Dec. 16, they presented a scaled, controls-focused prototype to �� faculty and supporters, as well as Ashley representatives, including Manufacturing Engineer Erik Kramer, the team ��. project manager.

“The �� team built a better system, a better product for us. And with a final product price of about $25,000, their solution offers us a cost reduction of about 60%,” Kramer said. “Now, with the team ��. documentation, our automation team can replicate their functional design to build six more stackers for our facilities.”

Riley Stiehl (left) and Chase Rodewald (right) present the Ashley Furniture nonstandard pallet stacker.

The team will submit their accompanying documents and the full-size machine, which includes an emergency stop for user safety, to Ashley for integration into the company ��. operations. Final assembly will be completed at Ashley, when safety curtains will be installed around the machine as well.

Reverse-engineering to build a better product

The two-semester-long project began last spring, when the team had a site visit to Ashley to meet with Kramer and other staff. Ashley had purchased a stacker from a third party, but there were aspects of the machine that Kramer and staff didn’t like.

“We needed the Stout team to find a way to reverse-engineer the machine to have it function as we needed it to,” Kramer said.

A digital SolidWorks model of the Ashley Furniture nonstandard pallet stacker.

The team developed schematics in SolidWorks software and a small-scale model, which they presented to Ashley in May. Ashley purchased the materials needed to build the prototype as well as the final product.

“We’re no different than a real engineering team. Everyone is working together, but we each have niche roles based on our strengths,” said Mertens, who led the team ��. controls and instrumentation. Morgan was the CNC machinist and completed the documentation and organization of project records. Rodewald and Stiehl managed the manual assembly, machining and welding.

While some of the parts were cut and machined at Ashley, the team also completed the machining and welding of parts in �� . Fryklund Hall labs.

Chase Rodewald (left) and Riley Stiehl (right) assemble the Ashley Furniture nonstandard pallet stacker prototype.

“There ��. a lot to be done, so it ��. nice to have multiple people working on it together,” Stiehl said. “We relied on Ashley ��. industry equipment and experience. Having them cut and machine parts, rather than going to a third source, was a lot more cost-effective and saved a lot of time. And we could also use our own skills right in the labs on campus.”

Electrical and welding breakthroughs

During the first phase of their project, the team ��. biggest challenge was how to meet one of the requirements set by Ashley: using electrical power, rather than pneumatics or hydraulics, to lift the pallets.

“Because most electrical motors are rotational based, it limits your options for linear motion, or the straight-line and up-and-down motion we needed for the pallet stacker,” Rodewald said. “We achieved this through a linear actuator, which is a device that converts a motor ��. rotational energy into linear motion.”

Luke Mertens works on the controls for the Ashley Furniture nonstandard pallet stacker prototype.

The electrical power matches Ashley ��. capabilities and can be implemented immediately on the shop floor by pulling in power from overhead sources, instead of the company having to install tanks to support a fluid power device.

During the project ��. second phase, the team was challenged by how to weld some of the individual pieces before final assembly. The gussets – a three-part support structure, for example – needed to self-align at a 90-degree-angle to make it easier for Rodewald and Stiehl when welding the pieces together.

“We devised a self-aligning slot and tab mechanism, so the parts would basically hold themselves in place,” Stiehl said.

A side-by-side comparison of a digital model and a welded gusset.

“Breakthroughs often come just after the moment you feel you’ve exhausted every option,” Mertens added.

Engineering students use a project management methodology called a “stage gate process,” which includes built-in briefs and reviews at key points in the design and build process. It also allows for feedback from their classmates, professors and project sponsors.

“The process is very helpful because it allows you to review the current aspects of your design, so you never get too far down a rabbit hole,” Mertens said. “The feedback allows for a varying array of perspectives from your rough draft to the final draft of your concept.”

Zachary Morgan (left) and Luke Mertens (right) present a prototype of the Ashley Furniture nonstandard pallet stacker.

This fall semester, the Ashley capstone team was just one of a dozen teams composed of about 50 engineering students working on Capstone I and II projects in Fryklund Hall labs.

Mertens, Morgan, Rodewald and Stiehl earned their degrees and crossed the commencement stage on Dec. 20, among a class of 527 Stout Proud graduates.

According to the university ��. most recent First Destination Report, 99% of 2023-24 graduates from the mechanical and manufacturing engineering programs reported they were either employed or continuing their education within six months, with an average starting salary of $72,000.

�� . Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering is home to five ABET-accredited programs that also include computer and electrical engineering, engineering technology and plastics engineering, as well as a sixth bachelor ��. program in packaging. A master ��. in manufacturing engineering is available on campus or online.

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Student team builds functional nonstandard pallet stacker to be implemented, replicated in company ��. facilities Engineering capstone, Ashley project

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Hero Caption: Zachary Morgan (left) and Luke Mertens (right) present a prototype of the Ashley Furniture nonstandard pallet stacker.

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Cool solution: Faculty-student research will help Madison company ship charcuterie, cheese boards coast to coast

giffeyt — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Cool solution: Faculty-student research will help Madison company ship charcuterie, cheese boards coast to coastgiffeyt December 17, 2025

Packaging professor and student identify sustainable insulation option

Tom Giffey

Faculty-student research conducted this fall in University of Wisconsin-Stout packaging labs is poised to help a Wisconsin business deliver its tasty but temperature-sensitive goods coast to coast.

Associate Professor Xiaojing “Kate” Liu of �� . packaging program worked with Madison-based Tricky Foods to test the insulating abilities of two eco-friendly packaging options – one made of cornstarch, the other of recycled paper. The goal: To determine the best way to keep the cheese, meat and other perishables on the company ��. charcuterie boards fresh while in transit.

Therese Merkel, owner of Tricky Foods, worked closely with Liu for months and is confident that the research-backed expertise that she ��. received – and the custom-made packing materials she ordered based on that expertise – will help her small business break into the long-distance delivery market.

“Kate is the only reason I’m able to launch this thing so quickly,” Merkel said in an interview from her Madison office. “She has been the backbone of the entire project.”

Tricky Foods owner Therese Merkel, left, and Assistant Professor Kate Liu collaborate in ��'s packaging lab. / Submitted photo

Research will aid business expansion

Merkel started Tricky Foods in her home kitchen during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Thanks to her charcuterie boards filled with sliced meats, Wisconsin cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, honey, jams, nuts, and more, the business grew rapidly, and now Merkel has a storefront and 12 employees. But her ability to continue to scale up the business collided with her inability to figure out how to safely ship her goods long distances, despite customers’ requests.

“We’ve had people asking us to ship since 2020. I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll work on it when it slows down,’ and I never got around to it,” she explained.

The route around her business roadblock began when she joined a business accelerator program operated by StartingBlock, a nonprofit regional startup hub and coworking space in Madison.

“Because Therese ��. products are perishable and have a very clear aesthetic, it was clear that she needed to work with packaging experts,” said Scott Mosley, CEO of StartingBlock. “As the state ��. only polytechnic and the only school to have a dedicated packaging program, it was natural to recommend that Therese contact ��.”

Merkel reached out to �� . Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement, which works to connect university resources to business, industry and community stakeholders. Seth Hudson, �� . executive director for corporate relations and economic engagement, put her in touch with Liu.

Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement

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A sample charcuterie board prepared by Tricky Foods. / Submitted photo

Before partnering with Liu at ��, Merkel explained, “Nobody wanted to work with me because I’m too small at this point. I didn’t have a huge budget to pay someone to help me design something.” However, Liu was willing to collaborate, connecting frequently through video calls to ask questions and show packaging samples. Ultimately, she invited Merkel to visit �� to examine prototypes firsthand, which she did in September.

Once they settled on the optimal packaging – 1.5-inch-thick biodegradable foam insulation, which dissolves in water, wrapped in recyclable plastic and accompanied by 64- to 80-ounce cold gels – Liu helped Merkel identify vendors who could custom-make what she needed.

“I enjoyed it a lot,” Liu said of the collaboration. “(It was) especially satisfying to see the solution carried out and help Tricky Foods’ business.”

Liu said she is confident that the packaging solution will meet Merkel ��. needs, and she added that part of the research results will be published in a peer-reviewed article and presented at an international packaging conference in 2026.

Merkel expects to begin test-shipping products using the new packaging this Christmas season, and she ��. optimistic about the results and the impact on her business. “Next year will definitely be our biggest year ever,” she said.

The efficacy of sustainable packing materials, including cornstarch and recycled paper options (center), were tested at ��.

Impactful undergraduate research

�� is one of only a few schools in the United States, and the only school in the Universities of Wisconsin, that offers a B.S. in packaging program.

Liu ��. lab assistant for the research is Claire Le, a sophomore packaging major from Phu Quoc City, Vietnam. Le said she didn’t expect to be doing such impactful research so early in her college career. “It ��. been challenging, but in the best way,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot about experimental design, budgeting, troubleshooting and presenting results professionally.”

Le said the most interesting part of the project was learning how different kinds of insulating materials behaved in cold-chain conditions. “Testing cornstarch versus fiber liners and tracking how long they keep food under 40°F feels meaningful because we’re working on something that can genuinely impact food safety,” she said.

These packaging options are also more environmentally friendly, replacing products made of polystyrene foam. Repeated lab tests found that cornstarch liners, when combined with cold packs, could keep 5-pound charcuterie boards properly cooled for 48 hours. When sealed correctly, the packages maintain the necessary temperature despite vibrations during transit, which were simulated in the lab with a vibration table that jostled the packages for hours at a time.

“I hope this research gives (Tricky Foods) clear, data-driven recommendations on which insulation material is more reliable for keeping food safe during transport,” Le said. “My goal is for the results to help them make stronger packaging decisions, reduce spoilage and improve their cold-chain performance.”

Merkel called �� a “hidden treasure” because of the expert assistance it can give to businesses like hers.

“For an entrepreneur who ��. new in the e-commerce game, (��) is the difference between me being able to launch this and not,” she said. “Without Kate, I wouldn’t have been able to. I’m just beyond grateful.”

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Packaging professor and student identify sustainable insulation option for small business Tricky Foods owner Therese Merkel and Assistant Professor Kate Liu

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Hero Caption: �� Assistant Professor Kate Liu, left, and her lab assistant, sophomore Claire Le, pose with materials in the packaging lab.

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�� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest ��. biggest game industry event

giffeyt — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000

�� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest ��. biggest game industry eventgiffeyt December 9, 2025

PC game ��. win highlights �� . globally ranked program

Tom Giffey

The creators of a computer game about a doomed submarine had a real-life sinking feeling last May as the date of the Stout Game Expo (SGX) approached. After months of work on the claustrophobic, cooperative game Dread Not, the team of 15 University of Wisconsin-Stout students were facing problems with their code which had broken an otherwise polished game.

It was a stressful situation, recalled Ryan Thiede, the game ��. art manager and original pitch creator. Not only was the game a capstone project for these soon-to-be graduates, but it was scheduled to be shared with hundreds of attendees at SGX, the region ��. largest game expo.

Fortunately, what Thiede described as “late-night heroics” from lead coder Ben Rowan and gameplay coder Jacob Richardt got the two-player networked game working, and it went on to win two awards, Audience Choice and Best Art, at the spring event.

“It ��. a crazy story, but it says something for the tenacity and drive from the people on the team,” added Thiede, who graduated in May with a degree in game design and development-art. “We went from an unplayable game to an award-winning capstone project, essentially, overnight.”

Six months later, the Dread Not team received more accolades, winning the award for best student entry at M+DEV, the largest game industry conference in the Midwest, which drew 1,500 attendees to Madison Nov. 7-8 and featured two days of expert-led panels and speakers, game showcases, workshops and networking. M+DEV served as a platform for the creativity, skill and scholarship generated by �� . globally and nationally ranked game design program.

At least 90 M+DEV attendees were either current students, alumni or faculty of ��. These included two faculty members and three alumni who made presentations and several dozen alumni who exhibited games, including three teams of recent graduates who shared recent capstone projects: Dread Not as well as Tubular!! and Mega Dimension Ripper 9000.

The latest student-built games will be ready for players at the fall semester SGX, which will run 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Great Hall of Memorial Student Center on the �� campus.

Visitors play Dread Not, a game created in a �� game design capstone course, at the spring 2025 Stout Game Expo (SGX).

Expo showcases top-ranked program

M+DEV, which is organized annually by the Wisconsin Games Alliance, bills itself as “the hub for indie and AAA developers, industry professionals, students and casual gamers.” The event ��. sponsors include ��, whose undergraduate game design program is ranked No. 5 in the Midwest and No. 24 in the world by Princeton Review.

Unique among public universities in Wisconsin, �� offers bachelor ��. degrees in both the art and science of gaming: namely the B.F.A. game design and development-art and the B.S. computer science (game design and development concentration). Graduate students in the M.F.A. design program also can choose a game design focus.

�� is also home to the new B.S. game and media studies program, the only game-oriented media studies program in Wisconsin. The university also offers an esports coaching minor and was the first public university in Wisconsin to launch a varsity esports program.

M+DEV provides a valuable opportunity for the �� students, faculty and alumni to connect with each other and the game development community at large while gaining visibility for their projects, said Professor Andrew Williams.

Professor Andrew Williams

“Anytime you can get people to interact with your work, you are reaching your intended audience, and you learn how to improve your craft,” Williams said. “Game development is an incremental process and the more opportunities you have to talk with your players and build that community around your project, the better!”

Williams, whose game art has previously won awards at M+DEV, returned this year as a speaker. His presentation — evocatively titled “Building the Plane While Flying It: The Rapid Development of an AI-Powered Educational Game Series” — highlighted how a company he works with, immersionED, is using AI to create engaging history content for elementary through high school students. Through roleplaying as fictional historical characters in 70 scenarios, students can develop their historical thinking skills, Williams said.

“In the industry, AI use is highly varied as there is no ‘standard practice’ yet since we are just learning how it could be beneficial to speeding up workflows,” Williams said. “We may be moving into a new phase of its use as the industry is starting to understand it is not a solution to every problem.”

Other M+DEV presenters included Michael Tetzlaff, assistant professor of computer science, and �� alumni Jacob Schwitzer, B.S. computer science (game design & development concentration); Sam Baeseman, B.F.A. game design & development-art; and Mary Benetti, B.F.A. game design & development-art.

Benetti, graduated in 2021 and worked for four years at Field Day Lab, a digital learning game studio in Madison. At M+DEV, she delivered a presentation about how to create game art that looks beautiful even on computers and VR devices with lower technical specifications.

Benetti developed an interest in educational games during her �� coursework, which also gave her an understanding of the entire pipeline of a game project, from concept to release.

“I always felt a strong sense of community with the Stout game program, whether you're a current student or alumni,” she said. “The program also has a very motivated and positive set of faculty that push students to keep growing their skills, and M+DEV is the place to do it.”

She continued: “M+DEV provides a space to connect with like-minded creatives, be inspired by unique game projects, and learn about game skills and the industry through presentations. It ��. incredibly encouraging to see all the amazing projects underway in the Midwest too — there is a lot of talent in the area. The value of M+DEV has remained as strong as it was when I was a student. I go there to learn, grow and connect.”

In the game Dread Not, players must cooperate to survive in a sinking submarine. / Contributed image

Winning game an ‘intense experience’

Thiede, who now works as a 3D artist for Las Vegas-based Game Breakdown, conceived the idea that became Dread Not as a capstone project and pitched it to his fellow students last year. His goal was to create something that could be enjoyed by players of all ages — including people who don’t consider themselves “gamers” — and that fostered collaboration.

“It was a project that was meant to immerse and connect two people through an intense 10-minute experience,” Thiede said. The two players, a pilot and a mechanic, must cooperate quickly and effectively to solve multiple problems — namely dwindling oxygen levels and an angry sea monster — and reach the surface before their submarine ��. oxygen runs out.

And just as the game players must cooperate to succeed, so did the 15 �� students who created the game. At the helm was Sarah Ziebarth, who as the game ��. producer kept the project on schedule, balancing the team ��. workload while also completing her own lighting design and project marketing responsibilities.

Ziebarth, who graduated in May with dual majors in game design and development-art and computer science, praised how the students cooperated over the course of two semesters to overcome obstacles, add features and optimize the game.

“The game design and development program at Stout has always done an exceptional job of making sure both sides of development (art and computer science) work together in multiple classes throughout their college careers and thus learn the important skills of teamwork and communication,” Ziebarth said.

Thiede agreed, adding that �� . program allowed him to explore many different paths in the game design field. “The layout of courses grants you time to experiment to see what you like, as well as plunge deep into what you may choose to focus on: 2D art, 3D art, VFX, lighting, animation, technical art, etc.,” he said. “All are possible at Stout.”

Thiede said he was pleasantly surprised when, while chatting with industry friends at M+DEV, he was suddenly whisked to the stage to receive an award for Dread Not.

“Genuinely, I pictured my career to be filled with people telling me what to do, and me just doing it,” he reflected. “I never imagined having an idea of mine make it this far. The reason it has is because of the people I worked with at Stout — the professors, but more importantly, my teammates.”

Professor Seth Berrier, far left, and Associate Professor Kim Loken, far right, stand with some of the �� alumni who created Dread Not at the M+DEV conference in Madison. / Submitted photo

Associate Professor Kim Loken, who was co-instructor for the capstone course alongside Professor Seth Berrier, praised the Dread Not team for their success.

“Unlike the held-together-by-duct-tape world of their game, this team was high-performing and well-organized with clear goals, excellent communication and exceptional craft,” Loken said. “Their networked game, damage system and puzzle design challenged the programmers, and the artists excelled with a rigorously researched and realized 3D environment, enriched by a diegetic backstory and wry character details. We’re proud of the continued commitment they’ve shown to their work, polishing it over the summer for a Steam release and continuing to exhibit their work for direct engagement with players.”

Since its June release on Steam, the largest digital distribution platform for PC games, Dread Not has been downloaded more than 250,000 times.

Other members of the Dread Not team included B.F.A. game design and development-art majors Zach Adler, Eleanor Berg, Gabe Anderson, Elaine Kelling, Samuel Lambert, Ben Moon, and Jon Wolfe, and B.S. computer science majors Guinness Bruce, Graham Higdon, Victor Mondragon, Nathan Morgan-Shimmin, Jacob Richardt, and Ben Rowan. The team also collaborated with 11 students from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, who contributed original music, sound effects and voice talent.

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Hero Caption: �� game design alumni celebrate their winning game, Dread Not, at November's M+DEV game conference in Madison. / Submitted photo

Kim Loken

Kim Loken's industry experience spans civic, commercial, and residential projects. Her approach to each is further informed by a storytelling mindset cultivated in work for film and theater. In her prior architecture practice, she helmed a variety of adaptive reuse, historic preservation and new construction projects. More recent work focuses on the use of games as systems for analyzing complex problems, particularly those related to environmental issues. Teaching invigorates her practice and provides the opportunity to mentor young designers in a variety of disciplines.

Teaching Interests: Design thinking, interdisciplinary design, large-scale collaborative projects

Research Interests: Phenomenology, narrative-driven design

Professional Interests: Place-making, critical regionalism, cultural history and adaptive re-use

Full Name: Kim Loken

Job Title: Associate Professor / Program Director / Minor Advisor

Include in Directory: Yes

Area of Expertise: Architecture Systems Design

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Kimberly Loken CV (88.67 KB)

Education:

Degree: M.Arch.

University: University of Texas at Austin

Degree: Licensed Architect

Degree: LEED-Accredited Professional

University: U.S. Green Building Council

CACHSS

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Seth Berrier

Seth earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 2012 where he worked with Professor Meyer in the disciplines of computer graphics and visualization. He also holds a B.A. in Music from the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University in Indianapolis. He is a classically trained tenor and an active participant in community theater in and around the Chippewa Valley.

Teaching Interests: Introductory programming courses, data structures and algorithms, software engineering, and computer graphics.

Research Interests: Seth is interested in using the visual power of graphics and visualization to bridge the pure technical disciplines of math and computer science with design and the arts. He has interests in design disciplines ranging from architecture to fashion and game design and seeks to develop new tools that enable the creative processes in these fields. He is also interested in advancing the primitive world of music visualization through the disciplines of formal music theory and form and analysis. In computer science, he is most interested in image based rendering and light field acquisition, photogrammetry and light fields for digital heritage, real-time photo-realistic rendering with graphics hardware and high-level shading languages.

Full Name: Dr. Seth F. Berrier

Job Title: Professor / Program Director

Include in Directory: Yes

Area of Expertise: Computer Graphics Real-time 3D Rendering Game Design Design Process Photogrammetry Light-field Rendering Web Programming Software Engineering

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department

Program

All Degree Programs

B.S. Computer Science

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Seth F. Berrier CV (128.16 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: M.S. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: B.A. Music

University: Butler University

CSTEMM

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Nearly 350 national companies attend four-day Career Conference to recruit students, alumni

goersab — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:30:00 +0000

Nearly 350 national companies attend four-day Career Conference to recruit students, alumnigoersab September 18, 2025

Employers looking to fill hiring needs help 2,000 Blue Devils reach career goals

Abbey Goers

Recruiters from hundreds of companies from across the United States will travel to �� to interview students and alumni for internships and post-graduation positions during the university ��. four-day Career Conference Week.

More than 2,000 Blue Devils will connect with leading employers in engineering, packaging, plastics, design, hospitality and more at five industry-focused fairs from Monday, Sept. 22, to Thursday, Sept. 25, hosted by Career Services at the Memorial Student Center.

Fortune 500 companies attending are 3M, Boston Scientific, DR Horton, Fastenal, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Hilton, JLL, Northwestern Mutual Insurance, Parker Hannifin, Sanmina and Xcel.

Many of the recruiters represent businesses that have formed deeper connections with ��, including through the Career Services Partnership Program. CSPP works with employers to identify their strategic focus and build deeper connections with students and academic programs on campus.

Fastenal, Sundt and Menards are top-level CSPP members, as are EVCO Plastics, Greenheck Group, Heartland Business Systems, Phillips-Medisize, John Roberts, Market & Johnson, Nexen, Skyward, Vertin, Wilderness Resort and Xcel Energy.

Two new CSPP partners this year are CTech Manufacturing, a maker of aluminum carts, cabinets and drawers, in Weston, Wisconsin; and Nox Group, a construction company based in Phoenix, Arizona.

The companies seek student interns from �� because of the university ��. practical, hands-on approach to learning, which prepares students to contribute to real-world projects from day one.

“Leaders within Nox Group have been recruiting from Stout for more than 10 years, and we’ve always been impressed with the quality of students that come from the construction management program,” said Delaney Clark, a talent acquisition specialist with the company. “Nox Group values strong relationships with universities, and the CSPP program allows us to build meaningful connections with both students and faculty. It gives us a platform to support career development while also creating a pipeline of future talent for our organization.”

CTech Manufacturing has a goal to develop a lasting relationship with students and faculty and offers a variety of internships, including engineering, software development, sales, marketing, manufacturing technology and operations. Two students interned with them last summer.

“�� interns are prepared to take risks, ask questions, and make an impact at CTech, and that fits well with our high-performance culture and goals,” said Jennifer Rauscher, the company ��. director of Workforce Strategy and Partnerships. “We also have two �� alums at CTech: Jacob Wolfe, our director of software development, graduated in mechanical engineering; and Nick Janse is our newest manufacturing engineer.”

Student interns at Nox Group support both field and office operations and step into real project roles, assisting with scheduling, project documentation, coordination with subcontractors, and on-site tasks with project managers and superintendents.

“We want interns to leave with hands-on experience that adds real value to their career path,” Clark said. “We see career fairs not just as recruiting events, but as opportunities to mentor and connect with the next generation of industry leaders. Even if a student doesn’t end up at Nox Group, our goal is that they walk away from a conversation with us feeling encouraged and better prepared for their career.”

Clark encourages students to come prepared to share their story. “Think about what motivates you, what experiences you’ve had so far and where you want to grow. Research the companies you’re most interested in and prepare a few thoughtful questions. Confidence and curiosity go a long way,” she added.

Rauscher agreed. “Take the time to learn about companies like CTech Manufacturing that are coming to the Career Conference, so that you can connect your interests and experiences to the companies’ work. Let us know what else you’re involved in on campus. We’re proud supporters of Blue Devil Baja student organization and would love to learn more about other organizations.”

“These new CSPP partners evidence the value our students bring to the workforce, both within the state of Wisconsin and across the country. The breadth and depth of the students’ applied learning experiences in the classroom prepares students and reflects the commitment of �� and our polytechnic focus. We are truly excited to welcome the nearly 350 companies to campus to talk with students, connect with faculty, engage with classes and expand their relationship with ��,” Career Services Director Bryan Barts said.

Career Conference Week and additional recruitment events

Career Conference Week kicks off the fall recruitment season of Career Services’ programs and events for students, including the Built Environment Career Fair, Wisconsin BioHealth Summit, Government & Nonprofit Career Fair and Internship Draft Day.

Employers connect with students graduating into the workforce as well as with juniors and seniors looking for internships and opportunities to enhance their applied learning. The Cooperative Education and Internship Program helps to coordinate students’ required experiential learning components and builds partnerships between employers, students, and university faculty and staff.

Career Conference Week ��. events are:

Monday: Computing: Data, Software and Security
Tuesday morning: Packaging, Print and Design
Tuesday afternoon: Science and Engineering
Wednesday: Construction: Design, Build, Manage
Thursday: Management: Business, Hospitality and Human Sciences

More than 40 companies will be attending the conference as brand-new partners or re-engaging with the campus. Many companies attend multiple days of the conference to recruit students from across degree fields.

“Of note this fall are the more than 25 companies attending our computing career fair, which is a 20% increase from the spring conference. The increase represents companies from diverse industries across Wisconsin, including manufacturing, insurance, medical technologies, engineering and consumer goods,” Barts said.

Students and alumni are encouraged to attend any and all days.

The CEIP program received the 2024 annual Excellence & Innovation Stewards of Place award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, “for its outstanding results and potential to influence and serve as a model for other institutions.”

Nearly 1,000 students enroll each year in CEIP, completing hands-on co-ops and internships at more than 500 companies in Wisconsin and nationally. More than 27,000 �� students have benefited from the program since its inception in 1982.

�� . Career Outcomes site provides First Destination and CEIP reports. Student success is the leading goal of �� . FOCUS2030 strategic plan.

The Spring 2026 Career Conference will be held Monday, Feb. 23, to Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Career Services

All Career Services News

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February 4, 2026

Employers looking to fill hiring needs help 2,000 Blue Devils reach career goals Career Conference

University Marketing

Career Conference Week

One of the largest conferences in the Midwest, preparing Blue Devils to be career ready on day one.

Search Keywords: Nox GroupCTech ManufacturingCareer Conference

Bryan Barts

12 yrs experience in Career Services offices within higher education, spanning private, public, small and large universities. Diverse background in career counseling, employer relations and development and strategic planning.

Teaching Interests: Job search skills and technology, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, Interviewing

Research Interests: Resiliency in First Generation College Students

Professional Interests: Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment within Career Services

Roles/Responsibilities:
Manage office staffing, budget and programming for centralized career office serving 9400+ students. Implement growth opportunities for Co-op program, enrolling 1000+ per year Provide vision and direction to office planning, employer development, recruiting events and technology Produce the largest Career Conference recruiting event, bringing nearly 400 employer to campus each semester Introduce "Best Practice" approach to serving students, employers and faculty/staff, achieving 97.1% employment or continuing education of university graduates Partner with Faculty Program Directors to increase engagement of students Create partnerships with University Foundation and Alumni offices

Full Name: Mr. Bryan Barts

Job Title: Director

Include in Directory: Yes

Department: Career Services

Education:

Degree: M.S. Mental Health Counseling

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: B.A. Psychology

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW)

University: Resume Writing Academy

Degree: Career Coaching Intensive (CCI)

University: NACE

Degree: MBTI Certified Practitioner

University: CPP, Inc.

Career Services

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GCOM program receives grants to advance student experience, industry engagement

goersab — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:30:00 +0000

GCOM program receives grants to advance student experience, industry engagementgoersab September 3, 2025

Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation supports lab, equipment upgrades, professional development opportunities

Abbey Goers Bethany Wheeler

�� . graphic communications program has received three targeted grants from the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) totaling $13,000, part of a national initiative that awarded $535,000 in scholarships and educational support to students and institutions across the country for the 2025-26 academic year.

The grants will directly support �� graphic communications students and students in related majors pursuing the graphic media and print management minor through upgraded lab equipment, enhanced learning experiences and professional development opportunities:

Color Management Lab Equipment: New tools will be added to the Color and Quality course, including a Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue Test, a light booth, monitor calibration devices and a spectrometer. These additions will strengthen students’ understanding of color perception and measurement in professional environments.
TAGA Student Chapter Funding: �� . student chapter of the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA) will receive funding for travel to participate in the annual TAGA Technical Conference and Student Competition. Students on the collaborative cross-disciplinary team will compete in categories including package production, technical paper publication, technology review, publication production, journal design, T-shirt design and production, and website design. The team will compete with TAGA chapters at other universities all over the world for the coveted Kipphan Cup.
PRINTING United Expo Travel Support: Five students will receive partial scholarships to attend PRINTING United Expo, the largest printing industry event in North America. The expo offers exposure to cutting-edge technologies and networking opportunities with professionals across the graphic communications field. This opportunity will allow students to participate in Guided Show Floor and booth tours, with exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge equipment, software, and applications across packaging, commercial print, apparel decoration, and wide-format graphics, as well as the opportunity to speak directly with professionals, explore career paths and learn about trends shaping the future of print. Students will also attend special events and network with other PGSF recipients and alumni.

“These grants allow us to bring industry-quality tools and equipment directly into our classrooms and labs,” said Program Director Bethany Wheeler. “This type of support helps us offer opportunities for our students to build confidence, sharpen technical skills, and practice real-world applications throughout the program curriculum in addition to experiences where they connect with professionals who are shaping the future of print and graphics.”

In addition to the grants awarded above, PGSF has supported numerous students in the B.S. graphic communications program and graphic media and print management minor with scholarships based on their academic activity: Red Moser, Allison Zwettler, Samuel Huss, Erika Jackett, Udit Patel and Cali Scholes were selected by the PGFS Board of Directors for the 2023-26 school years.

Graphic Communications Labs

Bring your graphic communications training to life in our hands-on pre-press, press, post-press and computer labs.

“�� and the B.S. graphic communications program would like to express our tremendous gratitude to PGSF for their continued support. The direct impact the organization has on our students is unmatched. We could not be more thankful,” Wheeler said.

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

At ��, 100% of recent graphic communications graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $51,000, according to Career Services’ annual First Destination Report.

About the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation

PGSF awarded scholarships to 144 students attending 68 institutions nationwide this school year. In addition to scholarships, the foundation supports students through educational grants and design contests.

“Without a doubt, the work we do changes and enriches lives,” said Debbie Bohan, PGSF administrative director.

For more information on PGSF, visit pgsf.org.

Graphic Communications

All Graphic Communications News

GCOM program receives grants to advance student experience, industry engagement

Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation supports lab, equipment upgrades, professional development opportunities

September 3, 2025

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�� M.F.A. design student Jake Cater creates winning design for chancellor's seasonal greeting card

December 21, 2023

Total package: Students earn two firsts, third in international sustainability challenges

Students from five majors collaborate to reimagine packaging

November 20, 2023

Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation supports lab, equipment upgrades, professional development opportunities Graphic Communications lab

University Marketing

B.S. Graphic Communications

Our B.S. Graphic Communications program teaches the technical aspects of graphics production, business, project management, manufacturing, and marketing.

Learn More

Search Keywords: B.S. graphic communicationsGraphic communications degreePrint and Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Bethany Wheeler

Full Name: Bethany Wheeler

Job Title: Assistant Professor / Program Director

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: School of Management Operations & Management Department

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All Degree Programs

B.S. Graphic Communications

Website: LinkedIn Profile

Education:

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Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

giffeyt — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipmentgiffeyt August 27, 2025

Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences

Tom Giffey

A $3.1 million donation of high-tech equipment from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation (the Foundation) will dramatically increase University of Wisconsin-Stout ��. ability to offer a state-of-the-art polytechnic experience for students in design, engineering and education programs.

The generous gift of equipment – which includes production-level 3D printers, a fully-integrated automated manufacturing system and more – is the result of an ongoing partnership between �� and the Wanek family and their business, Ashley Furniture Industries, based in Arcadia.

Chancellor Katherine Frank

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation and its belief in the distinctiveness, relevance, and need for the polytechnic learning experience that �� provides,” �� Chancellor Katherine Frank said. “This investment in labs and high-demand programs will serve thousands of students prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to the economic vitality of Wisconsin and beyond. The strong relationships with our business and industry partners, like Ashley Furniture Industries, are key to our ability to produce �� graduates prepared to succeed on day one and throughout their professional career.”

The Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation is a philanthropic organization committed to supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and other community initiatives. The Foundation was established by Ronald Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC, and his wife, Joyce. Their son, Todd Wanek, is a 1988 �� alum and president and CEO of the company.

“Our partnership with �� represents a strategic investment in the future of STEM education,” stated Ron Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries. “By providing students with access to industry-standard equipment and technology, we are ensuring they graduate with the practical skills and technical expertise that today ��. employers require. �� . polytechnic mission aligns with our commitment to developing a skilled workforce, and we are pleased to support their efforts in preparing the next generation of manufacturing professionals.”

CNC equipment donated by the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation installed in a lab at ��'s Fryklund Hall.

The Foundation ��. investment expands applied learning across �� . STEM disciplines, benefiting both undergraduate and graduate students as well as allowing them to gain additional industry certifications. It also will enhance experiences for K-12 students and professional learners, amplifying the impact of �� . polytechnic focus.

CSTEMM Dean Daniel Freedman

Daniel Freedman, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management, said the new equipment will create automation, robotics and 3D printing labs at �� that will be in the top tier for undergraduate engineering programs in the United States.

“�� . partnership with Ashley Furniture and the Foundation will make us a national leader in educating students and supporting the manufacturing community in digital design, digital fabrication, and digital assembly and production,” Freedman said.

The equipment donated by the Foundation will be used in multiple campus locations, including three labs in Fryklund Hall and one in the Jarvis Hall Technology Wing. Some equipment has already been installed, while the rest will be put in place for use during the soon-to-begin fall semester, when it will be used by thousands of students in multiple programs.

Donated equipment is driven through the �� campus earlier this summer.

The Foundation ��. equipment donation includes the following:

An Amatrol Smart Factory Enterprise system, which will be used to create a new Automation Training Center. This fully integrated automated manufacturing system includes a manufacturing line composed of processes such as inventory control, inspection, sorting, assembly, testing, CNC machining and storage, all linked by ethernet or wireless communications. The system is designed to showcase how all these technologies are integrated in a modern production system and to educate students in how to build and maintain these systems. Through the Smart Factory Enterprise system and �� . ground-breaking Automation Leadership and Engineering programs, the university will be able to offer a wide variety of industry recognized certifications through the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA).
Three new Universal Cobots (collaborative robots) and six AI-powered Cognex Vision Cameras will be added to �� . already impressive Industrial Robotics and Machine Vision Lab. AI powered robotics creates a major leap forward from preprogrammed automation to intelligent, adaptive systems. Adding AI turns robots from rigid machines into smart collaborators that can see, learn, adapt and optimize – making them far more valuable in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, agriculture and beyond.
�� . Additive Manufacturing Lab will be upgraded with state-of-the-art industrial printers. This includes a One-Click metal printer and Origin II, J55 and H350 printers from Stratasys, enabling the printing of almost anything out of a wide variety of materials, from stainless steel to nylon to high-performance plastics such as ULTEM and Antero. The Origin II and H350 are production-level 3D printers that will fabricate tens to hundreds of parts virtually overnight at high resolution and precision.
The Fryklund 101 machining lab has been upgraded with 6 Haas VF-2SS CNC mills; a Haas ST-20Y CNC lathe with Y-axis capabilities; a bar feeder and live tooling; and a Fanuc Robodrill with a machine tending robot system. Two of the Haas CNC mills will be fitted with machine tending robotic systems from Universal Robots and Robotiq end-of-arm tooling.

Ashley sponsors toolless bed connections engineering project

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This new equipment will enhance the education of well over 1,000 students and will support �� . many industry partners by giving them access to advanced technology directly and through student projects as well as opportunities for upskilling employees in automation and additive manufacturing.

“The equipment provided through this generous donation will create valuable hands-on learning opportunities for a wide range of students – including those in engineering, engineering technology, technology education and business programs, particularly those focused on automation leadership. In addition to enhancing student learning, the equipment will support workforce development initiatives and serve as a resource/platform for funded research projects sponsored by industry partners and external agencies,” said Professor David Ding, director of the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering and associate dean of CSTEMM. “Bringing this equipment into our labs is not the final step – it marks the beginning of our continued commitment to elevating the �� learning experience to a new level.”

Previous collaborations between the university and Ashley Furniture include a cross-disciplinary student project to develop toolless bed connections and the company ��. sponsorship of engineering students’ capstone projects. In addition, Todd Wanek was �� . Cabot Executive in Residence in 2017.

School of Engineering

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February 5, 2026

�� . packaging program ranks among top 10 in national listings for its polytechnic approach

Applied learning, strong industry partnerships benefit students, create clear career pathways

February 3, 2026

�� Online engineering, education, management programs ranked among best by U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News rankings recognize bachelor ��. and master ��. programs for helping students advance education, career goals

February 2, 2026

Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences CNC machine donated by the Wanek Foundation

University Marketing

Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering

The Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering focuses on enhancing the learning experience for students in ��'s engineering programs.

Success by design

CEO, an alumnus, tells how Ashley strives to remain No. 1

Search Keywords: Ashley Furniture IndustriesRonald & Joyce Wanek Foundation3D printingautomated manufacturingindustry partnershipsSTEM education

Hero Caption: Computer numerical control (CNC) equipment donated by the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation is delivered to a �� lab.

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News

With $2 million federal grant, �������� seeks business partners to help fill region ��������. high-demand jobs

Business & Industry Partners Sought

FUSE will fill training gap

Programs will launch by end of 2026

Educational Pathways & Outreach

Royal Credit Union internship gives �������� grad student opportunity to apply skills in data science, machine learning

Student ��������. work makes business data visual

Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

Expanding machine learning applications

M.S. Applied Computer Science

Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union

Leveraging students’ talents

AI reshaping industry: Advanced Machine Learning students develop impactful, competitive models

Learning workforce skills

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �������� top story highlights of 2025

Reinvigorating renovations

‘Power of Partnership’: �������� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

Advances in AI

AI, fully integrated: �������� ��������. 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

Upgrading STEMM spaces

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

Degree and university programs honored

�������� ��������. game design programs ranked among international best by Princeton Review

High-ranking services for veterans

Serving those who served: �������� among top 25 in Midwest on annual Best for Vets list

Top design awards

Interior design student tops international field to win Steelcase competition

Students lending a Helping Hand

Interior design program partners with Helping Hand pantry to highlight ‘essential campus resource’

Industry-sponsored projects are standard practice

All stacked up: Ashley Furniture-sponsored project results in ‘better product’ developed by engineering seniors

Blue Devil athletes excelling

Blue Devil women ��������. basketball makes history in Cinderella run to the Final Four

Officer Harvey: University Police therapy-dog-in-training is already warming hearts

BONUS: Introducing Officer Harvey

Our Polytechnic Advantage

Inspiring Graduates Share Their Stout Experiences

All stacked up: Ashley Furniture-sponsored project results in ‘better product’ developed by engineering seniors

Reverse-engineering to build a better product

Electrical and welding breakthroughs

B.S. Manufacturing Engineering

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Cool solution: Faculty-student research will help Madison company ship charcuterie, cheese boards coast to coast

Research will aid business expansion

Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement

Impactful undergraduate research

B.S. Packaging

�������� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest ��������. biggest game industry event

Expo showcases top-ranked program

Winning game an ‘intense experience’

B.F.A. Game Design & Development - Art

B.S. Computer Science (Game Design & Development Concentration)

Nearly 350 national companies attend four-day Career Conference to recruit students, alumni

Career Conference Week and additional recruitment events

Career Conference Week

GCOM program receives grants to advance student experience, industry engagement

Graphic Communications Labs

About the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation

B.S. Graphic Communications

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

Ashley sponsors toolless bed connections engineering project

Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering

Success by design

With $2 million federal grant, �� seeks business partners to help fill region ��. high-demand jobs

Royal Credit Union internship gives �� grad student opportunity to apply skills in data science, machine learning

Student ��. work makes business data visual

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025

‘Power of Partnership’: �� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

AI, fully integrated: �� . 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

�� . game design programs ranked among international best by Princeton Review

Serving those who served: �� among top 25 in Midwest on annual Best for Vets list

Blue Devil women ��. basketball makes history in Cinderella run to the Final Four

�� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest ��. biggest game industry event