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Students collaborate across degrees in community project for The Neighbors

goersab — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:30:00 +0000

Students collaborate across degrees in community project for The Neighbors goersab November 20, 2025

Construction, interior design, technology education majors build garden products for senior living home residents

In a cross-disciplinary collaboration, four groups of students in Lecturer James Bunkelman ��. Light Construction Methods class are designing and building two raised garden beds, one raised tool bench and one raised tool holder for a senior living home.

The project is part of a service-learning activity, as their final products will be delivered to The Neighbors of Dunn County for the residents to use and enjoy in their garden.

The project was launched last summer during a new STEAM camp for high school students. The Blueprint for Success: Construction Career Camp, led by Assistant Professor Janelle Skoyen Hestekin, blended practical construction skills with community engagement, thanks to a partnership with Junior Achievement and The Neighbors.

Madelyn Pretzer, Tanner Schauf, Brandy Wolf and Erika Rivolta build a tool bench for The Neighbors

The high school students built prototypes of the garden beds and benches after meeting with The Neighbors residents to learn about their needs, laying the groundwork for the �� students’ projects.

When Bunkelman ��. university students took the project on, “I told them to have fun. I told them what they were to build, but not how to do it. They have free rein in their research, designs and building processes.”

A group of four students is completing an ADA-compliant raised tool bench, built with treated two-by-four pine boards and capable of holding 200 pounds, they estimate. The cross-disciplinary team is:

Madelyn Pretzer, interior design, of Rochester, Minnesota
Erika Rivolta, interior design, of Comerio, Italy
Tanner Schauf, technology education, of Sparta
Brandy Wolf, construction management, of Le Sueur, Minnesota

Brandy Wolf nails pine boards in place on the tool bench frame

Wolf enjoys smaller-scale construction projects and has experience in the building process. “Applying the skills we’ve learned in class to turn our design into reality for a client is very fulfilling,” she said.

The team believes it ��. extremely important to know a client ��. wants or needs before beginning a design. They designed the tool bench to be ADA compliant, considering the needs of The Neighbors residents. The height is designed so that a person in a wheelchair may sit at the bench comfortably.

Madelyn Pretzer cuts a two-by-four pine board on a band saw.

“We’re all bringing our own skills into the project,” Pretzer said. “Erika and I have design experience. Next semester, we have a Residential and Senior Living class. This project gives us an early perspective on senior living needs and their possible preferences.”

As a future teacher, Schauf believes collaboration and community involvement are essential. “For teachers, there ��. an expectation to be a pillar in the community,” he said. “I hope to connect my classroom with the programs like this at Stout through similar projects that bridge the gap between technology education and field experiences.”

Tanner Schauf cuts a two-by-four pine board on a band saw.

Social responsibility is a fundamental component of the Stout Core curriculum, a series of foundational classes that enhance students’ applied learning while building the soft skills in high demand by employers.

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Students collaborate across degrees in community project for The Neighbors

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Environmentally friendly effort uses byproducts to create strong, sustainable concrete

June 17, 2025

Construction, interior design, technology education majors build garden products for senior living home residents Light Construction Methods, The Neighbors project, tool bench

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�� completes $7.4M lab renovation, improving space for cutting-edge equipment and learning

giffeyt — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0000

�� completes $7.4M lab renovation, improving space for cutting-edge equipment and learninggiffeyt October 14, 2025

Changes to Jarvis Tech labs boost engineering, construction programs

Tom Giffey

The final phase of a $7.4 million renovation project has brought crucial upgrades to two of �� . biggest and busiest labs.

The revamp of the Construction Lab, the Woods Lab and adjacent portions of Jarvis Hall Technology Wing was completed over the summer, with the labs fully upgraded by the beginning of the fall semester.

Among the most visible changes are the addition of new windows and large overhead doors that open onto the well-traveled hallway between the labs, a frequent route for students and visitors alike passing through the connected Jarvis Science, Jarvis Tech, Micheels and the Applied Arts buildings.

“The Jarvis Tech renovations will significantly improve the functioning of some of the largest labs on the campus through upgrades in the HVAC system, increased visibility and access to the labs through the addition of roll-up doors and more efficient use of valuable space through reconfiguring lab layouts,” said Daniel Freedman, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management.

Windows to education: $7.4M labs renovation project sheds light on mechanical, plastics engineering

Two large engineering labs and one of the busiest building corridors at �� have fresh, new looks this fall with students back on camp

Phase 1 of the project was completed during the summer of 2024, and encompassed about 17,000 square feet of Jarvis Tech, including the Plastics Engineering Lab and the Engineering Technology Research and Development Lab. The recently completed Phase 2 included nearly 25,000 square feet. The two-phase project was funded as part of the 2021-23 state capital budget.

As Wisconsin ��. ��, �� emphasizes applied learning and provides three times more labs than classrooms. In many cases, as with the newly renovated labs, classroom and lab space are next to each other so that lectures and hands-on applications are seamlessly intertwined.

Chad Schlough, project manager for Facilities Management, said one of the major components of the latest renovation was replacing two air handling units, creating more efficiency and adding greater control. A new dust-collection system and three new exhaust fans in the Construction Lab, which is used extensively by students in the B.S. construction management program, also will improve air quality and environmental safety.

Both labs also received new paint, while in the Woods Lab worn-out parquet flooring made way for polished concrete. Other nearby rooms — including the Construction Conference Room — received upgrades such as new flooring, ceilings and paint.

Students collaborate in the newly renovated Woods Lab.

Other elements of the project included:

The completion of a sprinkler system that now encompasses the entire first floor of Jarvis Tech.

Upgrades to the fire alarm notification system.

Renovations to existing restrooms and the addition of a single-occupant restroom.

The addition of a secure store area for surveying equipment used in site engineering classes.

“This renovation is another step forward for �� . applied learning environment,” said Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel. “The upgrades not only enhance safety and functionality but also increase the visibility and adaptability of our instructional spaces.”

New hallway windows, like these at the Plastics Engineering Lab, have been added to multiple labs in Jarvis Hall Technology Wing in the past two years.

The renovations also created space for two new pieces of state-of-the-art machinery purchased through other funding sources. A newly renovated room will house a $1 million Amatrol Smart Factory Enterprise system donated by the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation. 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 such systems.

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

This equipment, which will be installed in a room adjacent to the Woods Lab, was made possible by a $3.1 million donation from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation, which was announced in August. 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.  

Similarly, the renovation made space in the Construction Lab for a 3D concrete printer that will be installed later this academic year. That device was purchased through a $647,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. announced last spring for �� . Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence (CAM-AI).

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Changes to Jarvis Tech labs boost engineering, construction programs Two students in Wood Lab

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Solid success: Faculty, student project focuses on low-carbon concrete

giffeyt — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:51:26 +0000

Solid success: Faculty, student project focuses on low-carbon concretegiffeyt June 17, 2025

Environmentally friendly effort uses byproducts to create strong, sustainable concrete

Tom Giffey

An unassuming slab of grey concrete recently poured on the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus is much more than a sidewalk in front of a pair of bus shelters – it ��. an example of how engineering can lead the way to a more sustainable, lower-carbon future.

On a bright spring day the innovative concrete concoction was mixed, poured, shaped and finished by about a dozen members of the Student Construction Association under the expert eye of Associate Professor Kevin MacDonald, director of the B.S. construction management program. Now, as it continues to cure and harden, the concrete will be monitored for its strength and sustainability.

And considering that concrete – the most-used construction material in the world – is responsible for an estimated 8% of total global carbon emissions, creating it more sustainably is vital to the planet ��. future.

“This is a perfect example of why the polytechnic education works very well,” MacDonald said, reflecting on the project. “Because we’re not looking at making a single cylinder or maybe a paving stone of concrete. We’re looking at making a real sidewalk. We’re learning what are the implications, what are the problems that we encounter when we go to make it, and how can we solve them?”

MacDonald has decades of experience in the industry, working on projects as notable as replacing the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis when he was vice president for engineering services at Twin Cities-based Cemstone. MacDonald has been working with low-carbon concrete for years, he said, but this is the first time he ��. used this particular recipe in ready-mix concrete trucks.

Student Jeremy O'Connor, top left, and Associate Professor Kevin MacDonald watch concrete pour from a ready-mix truck.

Associate Professor Kevin MacDonald

Moving from lab to sidewalk

The concrete project is the indirect result of upcoming renovations to Heritage Hall, which required the shifting of the bus shelters to a spot in front of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center. After learning about the proposed relocation, MacDonald knew it could become a learning opportunity for his students and a real-world test for one of his concrete recipes, which doesn’t use traditional portland cement – the manufacture of which is highly resource intensive.

A week before the big pour, MacDonald and a handful of students gathered in the construction lab inside the Jarvis Hall Technology Wing to test several cylindrical samples of concrete in a compression testing machine. As the pressure steadily increased to nearly 8,600 pounds per square inch, the samples cracked loudly and ultimately broke, shedding aggregate onto the ground below. After the tests, MacDonald scribbled calculations with one hand while typing numbers into a calculator app with the other.

Next, MacDonald led the students in preparing some of the chemicals needed to create the concrete, carefully pumping sodium carbonate – a caustic liquid used in drain cleaners – into a series of pails. The liquid would provide a critical ingredient the following week when the concrete was ultimately mixed, serving as a chemical activator to the primary ingredient, blast-furnace slag. This slag, a byproduct of steel production, was used as an ecologically friendly substitute for portland cement. Not only is the slag less resource-intensive because it ��. an industrial byproduct, MacDonald said, but it also creates a stronger final product, meaning less material is needed. Furthermore, because of its chemical properties, concrete made with slag instead of portland cement removes more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it not just carbon neutral but potentially carbon negative.

Joking that “the heaviest thing I lift up most days is a pen,” MacDonald knew that the Student Construction Association would be an ideal partner for the project. �� senior Jeremy O’Connor, the club ��. president, was one of more than a dozen students to help with the early morning concrete pour on April 29.

As other students stood by with concrete rakes and other equipment, O’Connor – clad in safety gear atop a scissor lift – carefully “dosed,” or poured, the liquid ingredients into the back of a Cemstone ready-mix truck. As the dark-grey material flowed out, the students worked quickly with their tools to ensure the concrete flowed evenly and smoothly into the 10-foot-by-50-foot form laid out for it. The concrete was placed in about three hours, then cured under plastic for two days. The concrete strength at two days was greater than the 20-year strength of a conventional sidewalk, MacDonald said.

�� construction management major Ellie Becker helped spread wet concrete during a campus project.

Student benefits from ‘world-class expertise’

O’Connor said the project was challenging not only because of the atypical mixture of ingredients but also because the mixture set much more quickly than typical concrete – about 75 minutes compared with two hours or more. “This made it extremely hard to finish because it set so quickly compared to the pace we were pouring at,” he said. In addition, strong sunlight and winds dried the surface of the concrete faster than expected.

Nonetheless, he added, “We were still able to finish the concrete successfully and complete the pour through adversity.”

O’Connor said it was an “amazing experience” to work with someone who has the depth of knowledge that MacDonald does. While he has world-class expertise, MacDonald is still able to provide jargon-free explanations that even people who aren’t in the construction field can understand, O’Connor said.

“I have worked with (MacDonald) in many classes and other projects, which has only increased my appreciation for the expansive wealth of knowledge he so generously shares,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor added the experience allowed him to practice all the steps of a construction project, from site utilization and speaking with owners to preparing estimates and creating a schedule. “By applying knowledge I have gained through the university, my professional experiences, my internships, and my competition teams, I am in a much better place following my completion of college because of the knowledge, expertise, and great experiences I have gained,” he said. “(The project) has also exposed me to this brand-new material, which I believe will be implemented in many projects in the future, as it will revolutionize the construction industry, help global warming, and make the world a better place.”

O’Connor graduated in May and in June began work as a field engineer with Gilbane Building Co. in Rochester, Minnesota.

A �� construction management student using a power screed to compact and level wet concrete.

Addressing climate change with engineering

The relocation of the bus shelters was made necessary by the upcoming renovation of Heritage Hall, which will begin in August, said Justin Utpadel, the university ��. senior facilities officer. The original site of the shelters was within the boundaries of the project, so university planners decided to move them down 10th Street East to a spot in front of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center. This provided a perfect on-campus construction opportunity for MacDonald and his students.

The project, Utpadel added, was a win for all parties, supporting not only the students’ education but also a major campus renovation project and the needs of bus riders.

Ultimately, the experience and data gathered from the concrete pour will also provide helpful in the concrete industry ��. ongoing efforts to become more environmentally sustainable. Just days after the concrete was poured, MacDonald noted, the Portland Cement Association, a century-old national group representing U.S. cement manufacturers, announced it was officially changing its name to the American Cement Association. It ��. one indication of the industry ��. ongoing shift to lower-emissions products that don’t contain portland cement.

“It ��. the biggest challenge in the concrete industry,” MacDonald said, referring to carbon emissions. “You can build buildings out of only concrete, but you can’t build buildings without it.”

He continued: “The climate change issue is an engineering problem we’re going to solve, and one of the ways we’re going to solve it is by reducing our emissions. That ��. what this material is meant to do.”

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Students collaborate across degrees in community project for The Neighbors

Construction, interior design, technology education majors build garden products for senior living home residents

November 20, 2025

�� completes $7.4M lab renovation, improving space for cutting-edge equipment and learning

Changes to Jarvis Tech labs boost engineering, construction programs

October 14, 2025

Solid success: Faculty, student project focuses on low-carbon concrete

Environmentally friendly effort uses byproducts to create strong, sustainable concrete

June 17, 2025

Environmentally friendly effort uses byproducts to create strong, sustainable concrete Students watch as a unique, lower-carbon cement mixture pours from a ready-mix truck on the �� campus.

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Hero Caption: Students watch as a unique, lower-carbon cement mixture pours from a ready-mix truck on the �� campus.

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Inspiring Graduate: Ellie Becker, B.S. Construction Management

goersab — Wed, 14 May 2025 17:55:50 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: Ellie Becker, B.S. Construction Managementgoersab May 14, 2025

‘I want to be a public figure that others in the construction industry can look up to.’

Inspiring Graduate: Ellie Becker (’25)

Hometown: St. James, Minnesota
Degree: B.S. Construction Management

Ellie Becker was hired before graduation to work on semiconductor facilities with Sundt Construction, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ellie Becker receives her diploma from Chancellor Frank.

“I hope to make a meaningful impact by promoting equality and expanding opportunities within the construction industry,” Becker said. “I want to be a public figure that others in the construction industry can look up to – someone who shows that success is possible for anyone, no matter their background.”

Becker, of St. James, Minnesota, chose �� for its polytechnic advantage, something she didn’t find among other universities in the Midwest. She earned her bachelor ��. in construction management on May 10, along with 1,174 �� graduates.

“I want to remind people that there are endless opportunities out there, as long as you’re willing to take that chance. One day, I hope to share my experiences to inspire others to do the same and help build a more inclusive, supportive environment for everyone in the construction field,” she said.

Ellie Becker celebrates earning her construction management degree at commencement.

How has �� prepared you to work in your field?

The best feature Stout offers is requiring students to have an internship or co-op before graduation. That allowed me and others to travel and make new connections all across the country.

I’ve been a field engineer intern with Ames Construction, in Elk River, Minnesota, working on transportation and heavy civil road construction. I’ve been a project engineer intern with Hensel Phelps, in Seattle, Washington, working on commercial construction at SEATAC Airport.

During my co-op with Sundt Construction in fall 2024, I was a field engineer intern, working in the advanced technology and industrial sector.

Construction students, donor collaborate with nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for children

Women in Construction students organize effort to support the community

How did your involvement on campus impact your experience?

My involvement in different communities and at �� has connected me with more people than I could have imagined. It ��. been incredibly fun and rewarding to meet individuals from all over the country, each bringing their own unique backgrounds, talents and perspectives.

I loved getting to share experiences and build relationships with such a diverse group – everyone has something cool to offer, and those connections are ones I truly hope will last a lifetime.

I served on the boards of several student organizations, including the Student Construction Association, Sigma Lambda Chi Construction Honor Society and �� Women in Construction.

I was a member of �� . women ��. tennis team for four years, and I volunteered for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Seattle Pride, Northwest Pride and Minneapolis Pride.

Ellie Becker played on the Blue Devil women's tennis team for four years.

I was also a student member of the National Association of Women in Construction and was on the Association of Building Contractors Construction Management Competition Team.

What stands out about your �� experience?

My absolute best experience at �� was studying abroad in northern Thailand to learn more about their culture and their minority groups. Spending roughly three weeks in Thailand gave me such an eye-opening experience, learning more about their history, culture and people.

The highlights of the trip for me were spending time at a protected refugee camp playing soccer and basketball and learning new games; exploring the city of Chang Mai on a moped; and celebrating the Hmong New Year in the mountains at their festival.

Members of �� . ABC competition team: Lance Wallis, Noelle Urlaub, Jeremy O’Connor, Ellie Becker and Garrett Johnson. / Contributed photo

What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them?

I’ve faced challenges in areas like reading, writing and math, which made certain classes especially tough. On top of that, it was difficult for me to reach out to professors for help. Over time, I realized how important it is to build genuine relationships with my instructors. When professors get to know you personally, they start to understand where you’re struggling, and that connection can make a big difference. It helped me feel more supported and more confident in asking for the help I needed.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

I am most proud of who Stout has made me as a person. Without my experience at Stout, I cannot imagine where I would be today.

A big part of my success isn’t just because of me. It's thanks to the incredible people I've surrounded myself with. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me have shaped not only where I am today but also how I’m perceived as an individual. Of course, it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows. I’ve faced plenty of challenges and obstacles along the way.

But I truly believe those tough moments helped shape me into the person I am today – and for that, I’m grateful.

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‘I want to be a public figure that others in the construction industry can look up to.’ Ellie Becker, Commencement

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Construction students, donor collaborate with nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for children

goersab — Tue, 21 May 2024 15:28:27 +0000

Construction students, donor collaborate with nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for childrengoersab May 21, 2024

Women in Construction students organize effort to support the community

Abbey Goers

With nearly one in 10 children in Dunn County living in poverty, a team of �� students and a local nonprofit chapter has built 25 twin beds to help meet children ��. basic needs for their physical, emotional and mental support.

The Women in Construction student organization invited volunteers of Sleep in Heavenly Peace to a build event at the university ��. Construction Lab this spring. Don and Peggy Qually, of Menomonie, sponsored the event with a gift to SHP.

Ellie Becker, an upcoming senior in �� . construction management program and president of the student organization, helped organize and manage the event.

“I was 100% on board with the idea because it seemed like a good way to get students involved with one another while giving back to the community,” she said.

Women in Construction and Sleep in Heavenly Peace volunteers built 25 beds for local children / ��

Becker, of St. James, Minn., reached out to SHP ��. Dunn County Chapter President Mary Bygd to talk about a collaboration between their groups. Bygd invited the student organization board members to a local bed delivery in Menomonie, where volunteers built two bunk beds and a twin bed.

“We were overwhelmed with the rewarding feeling of giving back to a local family who had no beds for their children,” Becker said. “We wanted to implement the idea of bringing a build day to ��. The process was long but quite simple with the right communication between the Women in Construction, �� advisers and Sleep in Heavenly Peace members.”

Bygd, a retired health care administrator, worked at Mayo Clinic for more than 34 years and has been a member of the Menomonie Lions Club for 19 years. In 2019, a Lions Club member invited Sleep in Heavenly Peace to a club meeting and asked if anyone would be interested in starting a chapter in Dunn County.

“It immediately got me excited, and so I quickly raised my hand,” Bygd said, adding that the founding of the chapter was delayed because of the pandemic. It hosted its first bed build in August 2021. Since then, it has delivered 158 beds to local children and families in need.

Students deliver beds to a local family / Mary Bygd

Twelve of the beds built at �� have been delivered thus far to four homes. The other beds will be delivered when the need is identified by SHP. Children also receive a new mattress, bedding and pillows.

One fully furnished bed costs $250 to build and deliver, and each is possible with the support of donated sponsorships, like the Qually ��..

Giving back to their community

For the build day, Women in Construction reached out to other student organizations and classes to promote the event, including students in the construction program, the Student Interior Design Organization and �� . Honors College.

They were joined by Bygd, the Quallys and other community volunteers and philanthropists, as well as faculty and university leadership, including Chancellor Katherine Frank and John Buss, instrument shop supervisor in the engineering and technology department, who prepared the Construction Lab for the build.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace build event sponsors Don and Peggy Qually in ��'s Construction Lab / John Buss

The team cut, sanded, stained and constructed all of the wood components before installing the beds in the applicant families’ homes.

“Ellie and her team are a wonderful example of this generation giving back to their community,” Bygd said. “Since we typically build outdoors, having an inside option at �� was perfect. I can’t thank Ellie and �� leadership enough for opening the Construction Lab for us.”

Bygd believes she ��. had a fortunate life and a successful career and never had to struggle to make ends meet. But she has known people who struggled and lived paycheck to paycheck.

Students stain wooden bed components in the Construction Lab / ��

“The thought that children in our community do not have their own bed to sleep in pulls at my heartstrings. Sleep in Heavenly Peace was created to address this issue in any community,” Bygd said.

“My personal reward is working with a great team of people and all of the volunteers I’ve met along the way. People are so generous. The bonus reward is seeing the kids’ and families’ faces when their babies have a beautiful bed to sleep in.

“One family of five kids and a mom who escaped a domestic violence home was particularly meaningful to me. The kids were old enough to help carry in the bed materials and helped put everything together in the house. When we left, the mom thanked and hugged each of us with tears in her eyes and every one of those kids did the same. That is my ‘why.’”

A student predrills holes to prepare a bed for assembly / ��

SHP was founded in 2021 and has built and delivered in excess of 200,000 beds. There are more than 370 chapters in 45 states, and it is growing in Canada, Bermuda and the Bahamas. Studies by Harvard University, the National Science Foundation, Auburn University and the Better Sleep Council have reported on the effects that lack of sleep can have on children.

The Women in Construction student organization is new at �� and was approved last December. It currently has 20 members of all genders.

Board members, along with Becker, include Vice President Rorie Boettcher, of Eau Claire; Treasurer Marissa Harmon, of Colfax; Secretary Adrianne Krueger, of Superior; Public Relations Manager Ellie Senn, of Fall Creek; and construction Program Director Kevin Wilkinson, who serves as the organization adviser.

Ellie Becker, Chancellor Frank and Mary Bygd in the Construction Lab / John Buss

What Becker enjoys most about construction is seeing the step-by-step building process, having the hands-on experience, and using sustainable and green building practices.

This summer, she is interning with Hensel Phelps in the Pacific Northwest and may have a co-op opportunity in the fall with another company to build a more well-rounded experience before graduating in May 2025.

“After graduation, I plan on signing on full-time with a company that aligns with my values, offers great growth development opportunities and allows me to make an impact with my education,” she said.

To younger female students looking to enter traditionally male career fields, such as construction, Becker said, “You have every right to pursue a career you are passionate about; you’re just as capable as anyone else.”

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Students collaborate across degrees in community project for The Neighbors

Construction, interior design, technology education majors build garden products for senior living home residents

November 20, 2025

�� completes $7.4M lab renovation, improving space for cutting-edge equipment and learning

Changes to Jarvis Tech labs boost engineering, construction programs

October 14, 2025

Solid success: Faculty, student project focuses on low-carbon concrete

Environmentally friendly effort uses byproducts to create strong, sustainable concrete

June 17, 2025

Women in Construction students organize effort to support the community Women in Construction, Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build

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Students in engineering, dietetics, construction, design receive national, regional honors

polingj — Mon, 13 May 2024 15:45:23 +0000

Students in engineering, dietetics, construction, design receive national, regional honorspolingj May 13, 2024

Awards include U.S. Department of Defense Smart Scholarship, student of the year, Best in Show

Sixteen students at �� in four career fields have been recognized this spring nationally, statewide and regionally.

Heidi Benningfield, mechanical engineering, received a major scholarship from the U.S. Department of Defense; Jordyn Springer, dietetics, was named state student of the year; a team of seven construction management students took first in a regional competition; and seven graphic design and interactive media students received awards at the annual Minnesota AdFed regional advertising competition.

The students’ success reflects in part �� . emphasis on applied learning, with Benningfield, Springer and the construction students benefiting from industry internships and the graphic design students’ campaigns judged by professionals.

Department of Defense Smart Scholarship

Heidi Benningfield, a �� mechanical engineering major, has received a U.S. Department of Defense Smart Scholarship. / Contributed photo

Benningfield, a sophomore from Mokane, Mo., applied for and received the Department of Defense Smart Scholarship.

The award will cover her tuition until she graduates, provide a stipend for room and board expenses and paid internships with the agency. This summer, she will work at National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Denver.

She will be hired and committed to working for the department for two years upon graduation in 2026. Her job will be at the Army ��. Redstone Arsenal space and missile defense technology center in Huntsville, Ala.

“I still can’t believe it,” she said of the award. “It ��. exciting to get all these big opportunities.”

Benningfield recently worked on a project with Sierra Space in Madison, an aerospace and space technology company, machining a combustion chamber component. She hopes to get her master ��. degree and become an aerospace engineer, working on design or research, with a possible interest in space systems.

Benningfield, a member of the Blue Devil gymnastics team that took fifth place in the nation this past season, loves �� . applied learning focus and individual attention from faculty and staff.

“I like the hands-on work in the machine shop. Most engineers don’t know how to operate machines. The professors and lab assistants are always willing to help and take their own time to help. The professors want you to succeed,” she said.

Dietetics student of the year

Jordyn Springer, �� dietetics senior, receives the Wisconsin Dietetics Student of the Year award from the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. / Contributed photo

Springer, a senior from Florence, was named Dietetics Student of the Year by the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and was honored recently at the WAND annual conference in Oshkosh.

The award recognizes achievement and leadership. Springer, who graduated May 4 with academic honors, served as co-president and public relations officer for the Stout Student Dietetic Association, was active as a community volunteer, was part of a faculty-led research project and was a social media manager for WAND.

She also completed 320 hours of field experience, required for the program, with the Florence County Health Department through the Area Health and Education Centers Community Health Internship Program — CHIP.

“The award recognizes that I am already a contributing representative of the profession, and that means everything to me. I’ve stepped into leadership roles, spent countless hours volunteering and gained valuable work experience in the field. It ��. a wonderful feeling to be recognized by the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,” Springer said.

She is excited about her career opportunities. Along with clinical nutrition, community nutrition and food service she hopes to explore private practice that could combine her passion for digital marketing and design. “There are truly so many opportunities in this field, and I can't wait to keep exploring them,” she said.

In June, Springer will begin the Master of Science program in dietetics at �� and apply to an internship program while preparing to become a registered dietitian.

“Jordyn has proactively prepared for her courses and planned for her future,” said Assistant Professor Karen Ostenso, program director. “She seeks opportunities to enhance her skills outside the classroom through volunteer work, leadership and work experiences.”

Construction management champions

Students who won the Ryan Companies Pursuit competition are, from left, Mason Fischer, Ryan Hazzard, Jayden Boero, Andrew Ernstmeyer, Logan Baribeau, Leif Triller and Matt Grady. / Contributed photo

The construction management students won an invitational competition against eight other universities. Ryan Companies of Minneapolis sponsors the annual event, called the Pursuit.

Students worked all semester on a detailed RFP — request for proposal — for an actual project that the company recently developed. It was two, 150,000-square-foot precast warehouses in Brooklyn Center, Minn., with a six-month completion schedule. Then, students gave a 15-minute presentation of their RFPs at Ryan Companies headquarters, followed by Q&As.

“Not only did these students do a great job with the information in the RFP, but they also put a significant amount of effort into their presentation skills, which is what truly separated them from the competition,” said Lecturer Jim Bunkelman, their adviser.

The �� team first had to compete internally against four other student teams to represent the university in the event.

Team members were Logan Baribeau, of Cameron; Jayden Boero, of Burlington; Andrew Ernstmeyer, of Hixton; Mason Fischer, of Jordan, Minn.; Matt Grady, of Menomonee Falls; Ryan Hazzard, of Oconomowoc; and Leif Triller, of Oconomowoc.

Ryan Companies is represented on the advisory committee for �� . construction management program.

For the actual Brooklyn Center project, a �� alum, Jack Houlihan, was the project manager.

Graphic design Minnesota AdFed awards

�� graphic design student Kylie Ganther won Best in Show for her multifaceted advertising campaign promoting a Play Doh festival. / Contributed photo

�� students won four gold, two silver and three bronze awards from the Advertising Federation of Minnesota.

The event, called the Show, is juried by accomplished creative directors, writers and designers from across the country. Along with the student competition, professionals from the region received awards.

Kylie Ganther, a senior from Chili, Wis., won gold and Best in Show from the local Minnesota chapter and a gold medal from the regional chapter, which includes the Upper Midwest. She created a consumer campaign promoting a Play-Doh festival at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Her entry included ads for print, commercials, virtual reality and social media.

It ��. the third time in the past four years that a �� student has won Best in Show.

Evan Pope, a junior from Brillion, won two golds, from the Minnesota and regional chapters, for a consumer campaign and magazine campaign for Hello Goodbye, a sustainably based whitening, anti-plaque toothpaste.

Other �� winners were:

Mercy Berglund, a senior from Alexandria, Minn., silver, a consumer campaign for Surely, a wine-tasting truck
Alex Martin, a senior from River Falls, bronze, consumer campaign for Forget About It, a golf ball that when lost in the water is biodegradable
Niamh Sass, a junior from Hugo, Minn., silver, a website campaign compatible with a desktop or mobile device for Mid-Century Modern Illustration
Addy Spaeth, a junior from Rochester, Minn., a consumer campaign for Anything Goes, a social media influencer
Grace Walz, a junior from Maple Grove, Minn., bronze, consumer campaign for Design on Tap, which would bring together designers and brewers.

Professor Nagesh Shinde congratulated the students on their “well-deserved” awards.

“Congratulations on winning regional and national advertising awards. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to your hard work, creativity and dedication. Your innovative ideas and exceptional skills have set you apart, showcasing your potential to significantly impact the advertising industry,” he said.

“We are incredibly proud of your success and eagerly anticipate the groundbreaking contributions you will continue to bring to the profession. Keep pushing the boundaries of creativity and excellence.”

###

Sixteen students at �� in four career fields have been recognized this spring nationally, statewide and regionally. Jordyn Springer

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More than 100 outstanding students recognized at annual Leadership Awards ceremony

Wood Medallion recipients Charest, Timm share experiences in service on and off campus

Karen Ostenso

Biography

Karen Ostenso is a registered dietitian (RD) with over 20 years of clinical experience in both the inpatient, outpatient setting. She was a certified diabetes educator (CDE) for 15 years. Karen enjoyed working one on one with clients and now enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with students who want to be future dietitians. Karen also enjoys involvement in projects related to community nutrition, health, and wellness.

Teaching Interests

Undergraduate community and older adult nutrition; general nutrition, professional development; and experiential learning; graduate clinical nutrition; older adult nutrition; and experiences in community practice.

Research Interests

Development of evidenced based public health interventions or initiatives promoting successful aging; community health promotion; dietetic student education; success in the classroom and career development; school-aged nutrition

Professional Interests

Program leadership; student professional development; UG and graduate research; community connection building

Full Name: Karen Ostenso

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Curriculum Vitae: Karen Ostenso CV (182.8 KB)

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Vincent M. Wheeler

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B.S. Mechanical Engineering

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University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Location: Minneapolis, MN

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Academic Final Four: Construction management students take second in MCAA event

polingj — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 17:58:10 +0000

Academic Final Four: Construction management students take second in MCAA eventpolingj April 1, 2024

Team scores ‘huge accomplishment’ in mechanical proposal contest against peers from across country; ABC team eighth in U.S.

A �� team made it to the coveted Final Four — not the NCAA ��. March Madness basketball tournament but the MCAA Final Four for construction management students.

The six-person team didn’t just get to the big show — like the hoops tournament just four teams qualified after preliminary rounds — but came home with hardware. They reached the championship game, so to speak, at the Mechanical Contractors Association of American conference in Orlando, earning a second-place trophy in the national collegiate competition.

“This was a huge accomplishment by the team. We were up against some tough competition, and the work our team put in over the seven months was evident. I’m extremely proud of the �� MCAA team,” said team member Hans Stelpflug, a senior from the southeastern Wisconsin village of Colgate.

Along with Associate Professor Dean Wirtanen, left, MCAA competition team members at the national event were Hans Stelpflug, Carter Hamilton, Conner DeTienne and Jacob Kallas. / Contributed photo

Meanwhile, another student construction team took eighth place in the U.S. at a separate competition in Florida.

After making the Sweet 16 in 2023, taking 14th place, the MCAA team members put their hearts into doing better in this year ��. challenge, which was to submit a request for proposal involving mechanical contracting for a real project at the Kansas City Zoo.

Although disappointed in not taking first, Jacob Kallas, a senior from Thiensville, was “completely overjoyed by the experience I received, both in completing the actual proposal and attending the conference, and thankful for the opportunities and standings that were a result of our work.”

�� took second behind California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo, Calif. The other two finalists, Ball State University from Muncie, Ind., and McMaster University from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, received honorable mention.

�� team members present their project at the MCAA competition in Orlando. / Contributed photo

MCAA is a national trade association representing mechanical construction, plumbing and service firms.

Also attending were Connor DeTienne, a senior from Grantsburg, and Carter Hamilton, a senior from Appleton. Team members Sam Tornow, a junior from Eau Claire, and Ross Zillman, a senior from Eau Claire, did not make the trip.

“The team worked very hard on their report and presentation. I’m very proud of them,” said Associate Professor Dean Wirtanen, their adviser, who attended the conference with them.

Project began in September

The team began work on its proposal in September, submitted it in December and was notified in January that it had made the Final Four. After meeting weekly the past two months, their final, 10-minute presentation was March 19 in Orlando.

They also had to prepare for follow-up questions by the judges. “While both were nerve-racking, we diligently spent the past few months preparing, and it ended up paying off,” Kallas said.

They were required to provide a detailed proposal for installing mechanical equipment during the zoo project, accounting for numerous aspects such as safety, equipment travel paths, site utilization, phasing and more.

Team members each receive a signed football from Jim Kelly, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, after taking second place. / Contributed photo

“There was limited access on the site, and equipment had to be set on multiple levels of the building. We approached this as a team and used real world examples from our various experiences to generate feasible solutions,” Stelpflug said. “Having project specific information about safety, site logistics and a detailed schedule were very important to place in the final four teams.”

Team members said their on-the-job experiences through �� . Cooperative Education and Internship Program contributed to their MCAA success. Stelpflug worked with Catalyst Construction in Milwaukee in 2022 and Boldt Company in Eau Claire in 2023. Kallas worked in 2022 at Gabor Design Build in Germantown and 2023 at JP Cullen in Milwaukee.

After their presentations, teams also met with judges — professionals in the mechanical contracting industry — to get individual feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their proposals and presentations.

The �� team received $5,000, which will go toward the students’ education expenses. They also each received a signed football from and met NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, formerly of the Buffalo Bills.

B.S. Construction Management

Our B.S. Construction Management will help you develop expertise in technical construction and engineering processes, business management, and marketing.

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Also, Stelpflug received a tournament MVP award — most valuable presenter — and a $500 gift card.

“The way our team worked together to develop a successful proposal was a key component to our success this year,” Kallas said. “If I didn’t join this team, I would have never had the opportunity to learn from my teammate ��. experiences and knowledge. We all came into it with different skillsets in different areas, and we all grew and excelled because of one another.”

Team members said they benefited from networking opportunities at the conference and meeting fellow construction management majors from around the country. “It was amazing to hear how the three other teams approached some of the issues and challenges within this year ��. RFP,” Kallas said.

The seniors in the MCAA student chapter plan to pass on the knowledge and lessons they learned from the experience to other members of the student chapter to hopefully help them return to the MCAA Final Four in 2025.

“I think the biggest takeaway for me was the amount of construction experience I gained from joining this competition team. Over the last two years, I was able to learn so many things about the mechanical industry and further my knowledge of writing construction proposals,” Stelpflug said. “While our construction courses provide a solid foundation for students, this competition team allowed us to dive deeper into the mechanical industry and understand how important the mechanical scope is on a project.”

Members of �� . ABC competition team who traveled to Florida were, from left, Lance Wallis, Noelle Urlaub, Jeremy O’Connor, Ellie Becker and Garrett Johnson. / Contributed photo

Eighth place in ABC competition, plus a first

Another �� team competed at a different competition in March in Orlando sponsored by ABC — Associated Builders and Contractors. The team took first place in the estimating division for a project at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.

Out of 25 teams from around the U.S., �� took eighth place in the overall competition, which included contests in project management, quality control and safety. Many of the competing schools were from large universities, such as Purdue and Michigan State. Clemson University took first place.

The team included Ellie Becker, of St. James, Minn.; Riley Boushack, of Chili, Wis.; Dak Doyle, of Hayward; Connor Hemme, of Andover, Minn.; Garrett Johnson, of Duluth, Minn.; Jeremy O’Connor, of Preston, Minn.; Noelle Urlaub, of Eau Claire; and Lance Wallis, of Dresser. Boushack, Doyle and Hemme did not attend the event.

After submitting their proposal, they completed a five-hour challenge in Florida and were one of nine teams to advance to the final stage.

"We had great coordination and teamwork in aligning each of our sections of the project to complete the proposal. During the presentation and step three, this team did a great job responding to the judges’ complex questions with efficiency and ingenuity,” said O’Connor, who noted that �� improved from 17th place last year.

O’Connor is vice president of �� . Student Construction Association.

The team is part of the ABC National Student Chapter Network.

###

A �� team made it to the coveted Final Four — not the NCAA ��. March Madness basketball tournament but the MCAA Final Four for construction students. MCAA

University Marketing

On familiar ground: Construction major Hoyord interning on project at his former high school

After just one year of college, �� construction major Isaiah Hoyord could have been a bit intimidated when he walked on the job for his first internship.

Dean Wirtanen

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Department: School of Management Operations & Management Department

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B.S. Construction Management

Curriculum Vitae: Dean A. Wirtanen CV (340.7 KB)

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Degree: Ed.D. Education

University: Northcentral University

Degree: M.S. Environmental and Public Health

University: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Degree: B.S. Civil Engineering

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: Professional Civil Engineer

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The parent trip: Return home during COVID-19 inspired Ambriz to earn �� degree, football honors

polingj — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:21:06 +0000

The parent trip: Return home during COVID-19 inspired Ambriz to earn �� degree, football honorspolingj December 14, 2023

Graduating construction major used time with family to gain new perspective on college, shine as a Blue Devil and focus on career

When Jesus Ambriz thinks back to late summer 2019, he sees a young man who was excited to begin college and play football at �� — but one who had a lot to learn.

In Monee, Ill., he had been a good student and football player, even drawing Division I football scholarship interest. Admittedly lacking, however, were the commitment and focus he needed to realize his potential and to succeed at the next level of school and athletics.

When he graduates Saturday, Dec. 16, from �� with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction, he will celebrate all that �� has brought to his life and with thanks for his parents, Jesus Sr. and Irma Ambriz.

Ambriz meets with his mother, Irma, left, and father, Jesus Sr., after a Blue Devil game. / Contributed photo

Ambriz will soon begin a management position at one of the country ��. largest construction companies, Turner Construction, with an all-conference football honor to his credit and so much more confidence and perspective.

However, Jesus said he was “late to the party” when it came to good study and football practice habits. He also dealt with loneliness when he arrived at ��. “Having to figure it out was a lot,” he said.

Unexpectedly, Jesus found his way forward when he went back — back home. Like others, he was off campus in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions. In Monee again, after having been away for seven months, he saw clearly for the first time the life opportunity that had been laid at his feet because of his parents, who had come from Mexico for a better life in the U.S.

Jesus Ambriz, of Monee, Ill., earned a degree in construction from �� and was an all-conference football lineman. / ��

After COVID and some home cooking, things slowly fell into place at ��. “That year helped me the most mentally,” he said. “Being home gave me time to talk with them. We had lots of conversations about how I can benefit from going to school. I felt like I needed that. They told me, ‘You can do great things if you keep going.’ It motivated me. It was awesome,” Jesus said.

When he returned to Stout, the young man who at one point in high school had begun to associate with the wrong crowd “knew what I had to do to be a student and an athlete.”

He was committed, learned how to manage his time, got through some tough classes like Physics and Engineering Mechanics: Statics and had the full support of his professors and coaches. “They have been great, and they offer you the resources you need to succeed,” Jesus said.

He bore down in the classroom, at first to the detriment of his focus on the football field. However, everything came together this fall as he finished his degree and was named first-team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and second-team D3Football.Com All-Region. A 6-foot-3, 290-pound left tackle on the offensive line, he allowed no quarterback sacks in more than 500 team pass plays. �� had one of the top offenses in the WIAC.

Ambriz holds the War on 94 trophy after �� defeated UW-Eau Claire in 2022. / ��

“This past year Jesus really saw the big picture in life and developed into a great teammate on and off the field,” said Clayt Birmingham, �� head football coach. “He learned how to be a better communicator and took pride in being another coach by always trying to help the next guy get better. When you see a young man like Jesus mature into a servant leader, that is a great feeling knowing he will be successful in life.”

In February, Jesus will begin work in Chicago as a field engineer at Turner, a North American leader with $15 billion a year in construction projects. He had summer internships with Turner in 2022 and 2023 through �� . Career Conference and Career Services, one of more than 1,000 students each year who gain on-the-job experience in their majors.

After working on construction projects for a supercomputer facility at Argonne National Laboratory and a cancer center for the University of Chicago Medical Center, he was told, “We definitely want you back.”

�� . construction program has a history of 100% employment, exceeding the university ��. overall 99.4% employment and continuing education rate within six months for graduates.

Ambriz, No. 75, gathers with other Blue Devil linemen after a game at UW-Platteville. / Contributed photo

Growth and perspective

Jesus also had an unofficial internship that left a big impression. The summer he returned home, in 2020, he worked at his dad ��. place of employment, a company that makes Styrofoam products. He saw firsthand how hard his father has worked to get ahead, including as a construction laborer for a time.

Irma works the night shift for a company that manufactures car parts.

His parents never had the chance to go to college. Jesus Sr. emigrated to the U.S., the first in his family, at age 17 and harvested strawberries in Watsonville, Calif. Irma was born in Texas but moved back to Mexico, where she met Jesus Sr. in Michoacan, central Mexico. They married and eventually moved to Blue Island, Ill., then Monee, on the southern edge of suburban Chicago, for a job opportunity.

Jesus, whose parents mostly spoke Spanish, attended Crete-Monee High School. In football, he was all-conference, a team captain and part of a team that took second in the state in 2018.

B.S. Construction Management

Our B.S. Construction Management will help you develop expertise in technical construction and engineering processes, business management, and marketing.

Learn More

He initially planned to get a two-year degree and become an electrician, until his high school football coach suggested he consider college and the field of construction management. Jesus had never heard of it, but the next day a �� football coach stopped by on a recruiting visit and mentioned Stout had that program.

The program and �� . applied learning approach intrigued Jesus. He and his parents drove the six hours to visit campus. He decided that day to commit. “I liked the coaches and players. It felt like a family. I liked it right off the bat,” he said.

When he left home for college in 2019, Jesus made a promise. “I told my parents I would do my best.”

Going to college, however, forced him to leave behind friends and family.

“One of those moments that I still think about to this day is not being there for my grandmother in her final days. However, I knew she wanted me in school to continue pursuing my dream. My grandparents, whom I loved very much, left this world before they could see what I've accomplished so far. I can only hope they're proud of me.

“The thought of what I have yet to accomplish in this life, and the prospect of my parents witnessing everything, gives me a sense of bliss. They are watching that bundle of joy they call 'son' finally piecing together into a young man entering the real world. I am extremely grateful for everyone who has played a role in shaping me into the person I am now. Without them and my parents, only God knows what I would have become.

“I didn’t want to be the kid who could have done it but didn’t. I didn’t want that regret. You have to sacrifice to get what you want, and I did it. It ��. a good feeling,” he said.

###

When Jesus Ambriz thinks back to 2019, he sees a young man who was excited to begin college and play football at �� — but one who had a lot to learn. Jesus Ambriz 1

University Marketing

On familiar ground: Construction major Hoyord interning on project at his former high school

After just one year of college, �� construction major Isaiah Hoyord could have been a bit intimidated when he walked on the job for his first internship.

Hero Caption: Jesus Ambriz blocks on a passing play during a Blue Devil game. The left tackle was named first-team All-WIAC and second-team All-Region.

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Building stronger Blue Devils: Hoeft Builders’ gift of new weights gives back to student athletes

polingj — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 21:16:19 +0000

Building stronger Blue Devils: Hoeft Builders’ gift of new weights gives back to student athletespolingj November 22, 2023

Owners of Altoona-based company, including two alums, commit $76,000 for upgrade to training facilities

Around west-central Wisconsin, Hoeft Builders is known for its upscale commercial and industrial buildings. The company also builds community connections, helping sponsor the Eau Claire Marathon and supporting building projects with nonprofits like the Eau Claire Children ��. Museum and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Chippewa Valley.

When co-owners Peter Hoeft, Jay Rideout and Luke Rykal learned that Athletics at �� needed new weights in the athletes’ weightlifting room, they didn’t hesitate to provide $76,000 to Stout University Foundation to make it possible.

Hoeft Builders is Stout Proud — helping build stronger Blue Devils at the newly christened Built by Hoeft Weight Room but also with its history of hiring �� graduates and interns.

The co-owners of Hoeft Builders, from left, are Jay Rideout, Peter Hoeft and Luke Rykal. / Hoeft Builders

“It feels great to be at a point in life where we can start giving back,” said Rykal, a 2005 graduate who played outside linebacker for the Blue Devil football team from 2001-04. He has a degree in business administration with an emphasis in construction.

Rideout, a 2004 construction graduate, agreed. “This takes me back to when I was going to Stout, and I’d see different rooms named for donors. Now that we’re part of that, it ��. pretty special.”

They learned about the weight room need from Erin Sullivan, deputy director of Athletics and a friend of Rykal ��.. “When I walked in (to the room), it brought back a lot of memories,” Rykal said. “I attribute a lot of my success to athletics and to Stout. I said, ‘We’d love to be part of it.’ Athletics builds character, but you get so much more out of it.”

A Blue Devil student athlete uses the new weights in the Built by Hoeft Weight Room in the �� Sports and Fitness Center. / ��

The gift also was supported by Peter Hoeft. “He understands the company ��. connection with ��,” Rideout said.

All of Hoeft ��. new project managers and superintendents are �� graduates, many of whom were interns with the company. Hoeft typically has two to four �� interns a summer.

Rykal and Rideout believe in the university ��. polytechnic approach to education. “We both had good internships at Stout, and it kick-started our careers,” Rykal said.

Hoeft Builders has a new office in the bustling River Prairie area of Altoona near Eau Claire. The company was founded in the 1980s by John Hoeft, Peter ��. father. It provides construction management services, guiding businesses through projects from start to finish.

The company has expanded significantly in recent years, now with 40 employees and having done work in eight states.

The weight room gift is a testament to Hoeft Builders’ connection to �� as well as to an overarching mission to be a company that values the communities and people where it does business. “It ��. a natural fit. We’re a construction company, but we’re a people company. We’re relationship-driven,” Rideout said.

The gift was featured in �� . 2023 Outlook alumni magazine. The Alumni Association offers on- and off-campus alumni events, travel adventures, opportunities to impact student experiences and more. Contact the association to learn or to connect with alumni: 715-232-1151 or alumni@uwstout.edu.

###

When Hoeft Builders learned that Athletics at �� needed new weights, it didn't hesitate to lift a hand. Hoeft 1

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Pankowskis’ record $5M gift provides major boost to Recreation Complex renovation

The upcoming Recreation Complex renovation at �� has received a major boost with a gift of $5 million — the largest in university history.

Duey Naatz

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�� . Fostering Success Program, leaders recognized by Gov. Evers

goersab — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:23:35 +0000

�� . Fostering Success Program, leaders recognized by Gov. Eversgoersab October 30, 2023

First-of-its-kind program, Provost Rodríguez, Professor Lukowski recognized Oct. 27 at state Diversity Awards

Abbey Goers

A unique program and two outstanding individuals at �� were recognized by the Wisconsin State Council on Affirmative Action and the Division of Personnel Management for their commitment to faculty, staff and student success through diverse educational services and efforts in the workforce.

At the council ��. Diversity Awards ceremony on Oct. 27, �� . Fostering Success Program, the first-of-its-kind program on Universities on Wisconsin campuses, received the Ann Lydecker Educational Diversity Award.

Diversity Awards recipients Alison Lukowski, Glendali Rodriguez and Angie Ruppe with Gov. Tony Evers and �� Multicultural Student Services Director Mai Khou Xiong / Mai Khou Xiong

�� Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, received the Lifetime of Service Diversity Award for her profound impact on efforts across the institution for the last two decades.

And Associate Professor Alison Lukowski received an Outstanding Leadership Diversity Award for her leadership as director of the university ��. First-Year Composition program, promoting a respectful and inclusive campus environment.

“�� is appreciative of this recognition of the outstanding work of our faculty and staff in support of student success and institutional excellence,” said Chancellor Katherine Frank. “We value our people at ��. It is because of their tireless efforts on behalf of our institution and our students that we are able to meet our mission as Wisconsin ��. �� and support the workforce needs of our state.”

�� has received the Ann Lydecker Educational Diversity Award two years in a row; Stoutward Bound, an early-start bridge program for incoming first-year underrepresented students, including first-generation or low-income students, was recognized in 2022. Fostering Success received the Regents' Diversity Award from the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents in 2020.

View the awards ceremony recording on YouTube.

Stoutward Bound honored with state Educational Diversity Award

A highly successful program that supports students each year from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds has received a state award.

Fostering Success through unequaled support

�� . Fostering Success supports college students who were former foster youth, students who have experienced out-of-home care, are orphaned or wards or the court, or those experiencing housing insecurity, a population that is often underserved and faces additional barriers to college education.

The program provides guidance, resources, leadership and involvement opportunities on and off campus so students can make the most of their college experience.

Fostering Success has a strong enrollment and retention rate, with 30 returning students in the program this year and 46 new eligible students identified. Students in the program have an average cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and are retained at an average rate of 73%.

Nationally, although 80% of foster youth hope to attend college, only 13% enroll and less than 4% graduate from a four-year institution.

The program also coordinates overnight experiences and campus tours for youth ages 13 to 17 to learn about higher education, grants and scholarships, courses and resources. It provides information to other campuses interested in developing a similar program.

Angie Ruppe, director of Fostering Success and TRIO Student Support Services, is proud and honored that the program was recognized.

“Fostering Success has been a labor of love and a collective effort by our university community, and its impact on the lives of our students is truly remarkable,” she said. “It's heartwarming to know that our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is being acknowledged. This award serves as a validation of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the program."

Fostering Success wins Regents' Diversity Award

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will honor the recipients of the 12th annual Regents’ Diversity Awards on February 7 in Madison at the next

In its letter of recognition, the DOA congratulated Fostering Success, as its initiative “embodies your institution ��. commitment to equity and inclusion. The program also showcases your dedication to offering a multicultural, multiethnic experience for students at all levels of academic pursuit. Programs such as this make a difference in student success and make possible options that might not otherwise be attainable.”

Fostering Success works in collaboration with the TRIO Student Support Services grant, which supports students from first-generation and limited-income backgrounds as well as students with a disability.

A career of profound impact

In her 18 years at ��, Rodríguez has been an active leader at the university, in the community and in academia, affecting positive change with a collaborative approach through her expertise, actions and lived experience as a woman of color.

She joined �� . construction program in 2005 as its only female faculty member and has had a demonstrable impact on the university through progressive roles as department chair, associate provost and provost. Rodriguez continues to play a central leadership role on the university ��. Baldrige committee, which identifies people as a key driver of organizational success.

Actively involved with students beyond the classroom, Rodriguez was also an early advocate of planned improvements to �� . Student Counseling Center. She has served as a faculty adviser to �� . Latinos Unidos chapter, one of the university ��. largest student organizations, and as director of the university ��. former STEPS program, inspiring young women in engineering, technology and science fields.

Under her leadership, �� was awarded the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs' IDEAS grant to support a series of heritage-based, faculty-led study abroad programs and led the first Latinx program to Costa Rica in January 2023.

Ten students immersed in Costa Rican culture via international business study abroad course

Hands-on, polytechnic experiences bring group closer to heritage of Latin America

To aid faculty, Rodríguez worked to create support networks for diverse employees across campus through the Minority Faculty and Staff Network, now known as the Underrepresented Faculty and Staff Alliance.

As a licensed architect with expertise in building information modeling and design, she has advised nonprofit organizations on aspects of universal design, and her work with students integrated service learning as a high impact practice.

She is a recipient of the UW System Pathways Initiative grant and was selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' Student Success Institute, a leadership development program for campus leaders to help implement transformational change necessary to meet the evolving needs of diverse students. She was the recipient of the Fellow ��. Choice award in the program.

Diversifying student experiences through education

Lukowski is in her sixth year at ��. As director of First-Year Composition, nearly every incoming first-year student passes through her program. “We work really hard to make these courses support student success,” she said.

Lukowski also teaches women and gender studies in the English, philosophy and communication studies department, serves as a faculty fellow for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, is a core team member of the Higher Learning Commission ��. Student Success Academy and has presented research and published articles on supporting diverse student needs.

“Equity, diversity and inclusion have always been central to my career,” she said. “Some of my motivation for this work is tied to my experience as a Pell grant recipient and first-generation college student. I took the position at Stout because I saw an opportunity to support students like me.”

2023 Diversity and Virginia Hart award recipients at the Capitol ��. Assembly Chambers in Madison / Department of Administration

Now in their 24th year, the Diversity Awards were presented at the Diversity and Virginia Hart Special Recognition Awards event, at the Capitol ��. Assembly Chambers in Madison. The ceremony was open to the public, with remarks by Gov. Tony Evers, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, SCAA Chair Angela Nash and special guest Maysee Herr, CEO of the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce.

The SCAA established the Diversity Awards program in 2000 to recognize outstanding Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action practices among state agencies, UW campuses and Wisconsin technical colleges for their strong commitment to recruiting, retaining and promoting a diverse classified workforce.

“These awards recognize some of the most dedicated public servants in our midst,” said state Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, “and we are proud to be able to celebrate not only the impact of these outstanding individuals, but to also inspire future leaders to serve and build a state government that is equitable and inclusive.”

�� . FOCUS2030 strategic plan includes initiatives for inclusive excellence, student retention and employee success.

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Fostering Success

Fostering Success provides guidance and resources for youth who have experienced out of home care and have interest in pursuing higher education.

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Growth and perspective

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Fostering Success through unequaled support

Fostering Success wins Regents' Diversity Award

A career of profound impact

Ten students immersed in Costa Rican culture via international business study abroad course

Diversifying student experiences through education

Provost's Office

Fostering Success

English, Philosophy & Communication Studies Department

�� completes $7.4M lab renovation, improving space for cutting-edge equipment and learning

Kraus-Anderson vice president, regional education leaders credit �� with shaping them

The parent trip: Return home during COVID-19 inspired Ambriz to earn �� degree, football honors

�� . Fostering Success Program, leaders recognized by Gov. Evers