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Supporting entrepreneurs: Edgewood Bakeshop benefits from business students’ cost accounting project

goersab — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Supporting entrepreneurs: Edgewood Bakeshop benefits from business students’ cost accounting project goersab February 20, 2026

Successful small business collaborates with class to improve operations, sales

Abbey Goers

Nothing draws a hungry crowd quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread, the flaky deliciousness of croissants, the mouthwatering perfection of pastries. At Edgewood Bakeshop, owner Bekah Stamps welcomes daily crowds, as patrons form a line out the door of her popular artisanal bakeshop in downtown Chetek.

But how does an already successful business improve its operations and increase sales? For Stamps, the answer came in a collaboration with �� business administration students.

Recently, students in Lecturer Kayla Stajkovic ��. Cost Accounting course used Edgewood Bakeshop ��. real cost, sales and operations data to analyze break-even points, product decisions and seasonal sales patterns. At the end of the project, they presented their recommendations to Stamps.

As lines form out the door, Edgewood Bakeshop's products consistently sell out. / Bekah Stamps

“I was impressed with the level of professionalism I witnessed from the students in this class,” Stamps said. “There were multiple moments where I felt that I was sitting with an accounting firm I’d hired to deep dive into my business. These students have a bright future, and I’m honored to have been able to collaborate with them in this way.”

Stajkovic thinks small businesses are uniquely powerful learning partners because their challenges are visible, immediate and consequential. “When students work with small businesses, they see firsthand how interconnected decisions are. Small businesses — especially newer ones — are often operating with limited resources while the owner wears every hat: operations, marketing, finance, HR,” she said.

Using cost accounting as a strategic decision tool

At the start of the project, Stamps visited the class, shared her background, her vision for Edgewood Bakeshop and her belief that bread was her primary profit driver.

Bekah Stamps opened Edgewood Bakeshop's Chetek storefront in 2024, after operating as a travelling and pop-up bakery for two years. / Bekah Stamps

However, the students’ analysis proved that what looks most profitable on a simple revenue-minus-cost basis isn’t always the most profitable when constraints are considered. When they calculated contribution margin per oven minute and per labor hour, instead of just per unit, they discovered that croissants could outperform bread depending on which resource was the true bottleneck.

“That shift from ‘Which product makes more money?’ to ‘Which product makes the best use of our limited resource?’ was transformational for the students. It moved cost accounting from a formula-based approach to a strategic decision-making tool. Several students commented that this was the moment when accounting stopped feeling procedural and started feeling managerial,” Stajkovic said.

This was also a standout moment for Stamps, who had done a brief analysis of unit cost and profit margin on a couple of her products when she began. “My assumption about the bread was actually incorrect, and it caused me to think about ways to drive more sales with certain products that I wasn’t previously considering,” she said.

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‘Exactly what experiential learning is meant to do’

The Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement serves to connect organizations and entrepreneurs with �� . talent, tools and technology. Those seeking consultation and collaboration may reach out to OCREE with questions.

These collaborations distinguish �� students’ applied, experiential learning from a traditional education, as they give back to the community and fuel their careers with real-world experience before graduation.

Cost accounting students presented their findings at the end of their project. / Kayla Stajkovic

One of the most meaningful parts of this project for Stajkovic was watching students gain confidence. “Many began the semester unsure about cost accounting. By the end, they were defending recommendations to a real business owner using data they had analyzed themselves. That growth — from uncertainty to ownership — is exactly what experiential learning is meant to do,” she said.

Business administration senior Emanuel Sanchez, of St. Paul, was surprised by the confidence he gained. “This project changed how I approach business problems by shifting my focus away from finding a single ‘correct’ answer to making informed decisions with incomplete information. I strengthened my analytical skills, particularly in applying accounting tools to real-world situations and clearly explaining financial results,” he said.

Business administration junior Allison Lindner, of Stratford, thinks the project reinforced the idea that business decisions and analysis are not all about correct calculations and costs, but rather communication, informed judgment and thinking beyond the box.

“Overall, it has furthered my collaborative skills, ability to ask open-ended questions and assumptions, and understanding of the numbers in real operational challenges,” she said.

Cost accounting students enjoy treats from Edgewood Bakeshop. / Kayla Stajkovic

The students saw how messy real data can be, which is something no textbook can fully teach. “The experience changes how the students view their education. They began to understand that the numbers they learned in class can directly impact someone ��. livelihood,” Stajkovic said. “For the business, even one useful insight can be meaningful. Those partnerships may be smaller in scale, but they are incredibly high in impact — for both sides.”

For Stamps, it was a fun, informative and mutually beneficial project. “It would be interesting to revisit some of these calculations in two or three years when Edgewood Bakeshop is further established to see what ��. shifted and how the business has grown,” she said, adding that giving students interested in becoming business owners a “day in the life” might also be insightful for future business classes.

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

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Successful small business collaborates with class to improve operations, sales Edgewood Bakeshop

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Hero Caption: Edgewood Bakeshop, a popular artisanal bakeshop in downtown Chetek. Photo contributed by owner, Bekah Stamps.

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

goersab — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:48:14 +0000

AI reshaping industry: Advanced Machine Learning students develop impactful, competitive modelsgoersab January 22, 2026

Projects result in innovative way to search course bulletin, play digital Othello board game

Abbey Goers

�� . 360-degree AI education approach prepares graduates to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce by embedding artificial intelligence training in all of its degree programs. For two groups of applied mathematics and computer science students in an Advanced Machine Learning course, their final projects resulted in a model that could actively impact their institution and another that created a highly competitive AI opponent for a classic board game.

One group built a RAG model – or Retrieval Augmented Generation – to allow students to search the �� course bulletin in a much more engaging way. Another created a digital version of the board game Othello, using a Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) and a database of top international players to train the model.

Matthew Peplinski presents on the group Stout Bulletin RAG project.

“The motivation of the class is for students to pick up a cutting-edge paper, read it, understand it and implement it. Five years from now, when they are in their careers, they’ll know how to read a tech-heavy math paper and translate it into code,” said AMCS Program Director, Professor Seth Dutter. “These are the types of top-tier projects I look to give my students. The experience sets them apart. That ��. polytechnic and gets to the point of ��.”

The Stout Bulletin RAG

In developing their group project, Tyler Smith, of Rochester; Matthew Peplinski, of Milwaukee; Aaron King, of Rhinelander; and Kyler Nikolai, of Rochester, wanted to create an easy way to gather information about �� . courses, degree programs, minors and certifications without having to read through the entire course bulletin.

“We created the Stout Bulletin RAG, which can take any question someone has about Stout ��. courses and programs and give them accurate information back within a couple of seconds,” Smith said. “A new student could use the program when applying to Stout to find out what classes and programs are offered, or a current student could use it when scheduling their classes for the next semester. The program actively uses ChatGPT to curate a response that provides the necessary information in a nice way. It also gives ChatGPT more specific information because the data is directly from the current Stout bulletin, so there will be no mistakes in finding old or irrelevant information.”

The group demonstrates the Stout Bulletin RAG in a final project presentation.

A RAG model allows the user to describe what they are looking for in sentence form, rather than just by using a single word search. The model consists of three parts, Smith explained: the prompt, the retrieval of data and the response from a LLM, or large language model. The prompt is what the user, like a student, asks the model. The model then searches through the stored data and finds what sentences, paragraphs or documents of text are most similar to the question asked.

“This is determined by an embedding model, which, in short, is a specific model trained to find similarities between text using a vector space,” he said. “The RAG then retrieves the top results of the most similar text and throws it into a new prompt. This prompt has all the details of the question asked, the information retrieved, and any rules in place, so when the model gets an LLM, like ChatGPT, to summarize the information, the LLM will not make up information it does not have.”

Peplinski added that the point of the RAG is to leverage existing LLM models’ reasoning capabilities, utilizing information that it was not trained on. “We used two different AI models in the process, one for the text embedding and one for the summarization,” he said. “The embedding model was used to determine how similar a user ��. question is to the information available in our data set. We then pulled the top five most similar bits of information and sent that to the LLM, or ChatGPT, in our case. The LLM was used only to give the summary of the information that we provided it and given strict instruction to not make up false information.”

An example of a response generated by the Stout Bulletin RAG. / Tyler Smith

Peplinski and Smith thought the best part of the project was seeing how thorough their RAG model was during the final class presentation, as it nearly flawlessly answered prompts and challenges given by attendees.

The most challenging part was gathering all of �� . program information and automating the data collection process so they would not have to write it out manually.

Smith will graduate this spring and will begin work at Federated Insurance this summer. He feels the project helped prepare him for industry, as many companies already use internal chatbots to search documents. “They are very likely using similar RAG model structures to what we created. So, going into industry with that knowledge is helpful,” he said.

Dutter agreed, adding, “Companies would benefit from employees who know how to code a RAG. It ��. a useful skill to help a company that wants to be able to search for information within its sometimes decades worth of documents.”

Othello AI project

In four days, Nathan LaCrosse, of Portage; Noah Stitgen, of Lodi; Jake Swanson, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Lindsey Redepenning, of Elk River, Minnesota, programmed their digital Othello version from scratch, creating an interface and teaching the AI model parameters of play, how to capture an opponent ��. piece, and conditions to win the game. Over the next two weeks of the project, they optimized the game to make the most challenging, hyper-aggressive AI opponent they could.

Download their game at GitHub.

Nathan LaCrosse presents on the group Othello AI project.

LaCrosse originally wanted to select chess for the group ��. project, but they decided on Othello, as it ��. a simpler board game that ��. easy to watch and play. Also, unlike checkers, Othello cannot end in a draw.

The group used an MCTS, a lightning-fast algorithm used in AI for decision-making processes, particularly in games, to develop their model. It simulated 3,500 Othello games per second. “When the MCTS evaluates a board position, it plays out a bunch of random games and picks the move that statistically leads to a win,” LaCrosse said.

They were challenged by the tree search to make sure it worked properly. “We actually discovered that we had programmed the game incorrectly because the algorithm was finding glitched moves that gave it an unfair advantage,” LaCrosse said.

An example of opponents' positions in the AI board game of Othello. / Nathan LaCrosse

They later added a neural network to the tree search that studied a database of top French Othello players. They used the database to train the network.

The group enjoyed playing against all the variations of gameplay the model allowed. In the published version, they selected the tree search that had the most unique playstyle, LaCrosse said.

“This project prepared us for industry because it familiarized us with the process of creating a full application, where we had everyone working on different elements of the program and combined it all together in the end,” said LaCrosse, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science.

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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.

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�� . 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.”

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

Student design team reimagines pantry space to ensure peers have comfortable, warm experience

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.

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

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.

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

The newest police officer at the University of Wisconsin-Stout is also the department ��. furriest.

BONUS: Introducing Officer Harvey

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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Supporting entrepreneurs: Edgewood Bakeshop benefits from business students’ cost accounting project

Successful small business collaborates with class to improve operations, sales

February 20, 2026

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

Projects result in innovative way to search course bulletin, play digital Othello board game

January 22, 2026

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

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

January 21, 2026

Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year ��. notable headlines Dignitaries with shovels at Heritage Hall groundbreaking

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PHOTO ESSAY: ‘Good Design is Invisible’

goersab — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:30:00 +0000

PHOTO ESSAY: ‘Good Design is Invisible’goersab January 7, 2026

Industrial & Product Design students combine engineer-thinking and artistic expression

Abbey Goers

The warm, sweet, earthy smell of fresh sawdust, the roaring sound of bandsaws and ventilation hoses, and the shush-shush-shush rhythm of sandpaper on wood grain greet you as you walk down the long ramp tucked away on the first floor of the Applied Arts Building.

Tie your hair back and put on your safety glasses, because you’re about to enter �� . Process Lab. Each year, one thousand School of Art & Design students visit the Process Lab – a space for them to bring their creative concepts to fruition.

This week, industrial and product design students are building their final projects – “entryway assistants” – for their Product Form and Visualization course, led by Associate Professor Dan Neubauer.

Their entryway assistants need to at least hold one coat or other items their clients deem important. The project encompasses the full design process – market research, concept sketches, form studies, iterations, low-fidelity prototypes, and final models built of wood and metal.

“The unwritten course objective is the life skills that they’re building,” Neubauer said. Quoting design expert Don Norman, he adds that, “Good design is invisible,” meaning the “best designs are those that seamlessly integrate into our lives.”

Aaron Burnham agrees. “Most good designs we use, we don’t even notice. We don’t even think twice about,” he said.

Think of how often you enter and leave your home. How often do you hang up your coat or remove it from a hook to throw it on before stepping out into the cold? How often do you use an item as simple as a coat hook and not even appreciate its simplicity and utility?

Burnham ��. entryway assistant design is based on a link in a chain. “I was inspired by the simple shape and desire to create something that was sculptural and visually appealing, even when it isn’t being used as a coat hanger. It was important to me to create something that served multiple purposes, both functional and purely aesthetic,” he said.

He has two designs – one is 8 inches tall and the second is 16 inches. He initially thought of creating a 36-inch-tall chain link but went with the smaller sizes to keep it simple, while providing options.

Burnham is building the links of cherrywood and curved stainless steel pipes, with a chrome finish. The metal pipes are sunk into the cherrywood to join the two elements together.

The links are fixed to the wall via two posts inserted into the back of the link, so that it will sit out from the wall, giving it depth and making it appear as if the coats are floating as they rest atop the design.

Burnham researched CB2, a sister company of Crate & Barrel, but with a more eclectic vibe, he said. Many of CB2 ��. designs have Greek and Latin names, and Burnham is hoping to find a link – no pun intended – to the word “chain” as he decides on a name for his entryway assistant, which he ��. building for his fiancé, Hannah, and their home.

Across the lab, Alex Koszarek ��. freestanding 6-foot-tall oak-frame coat rack is designed for college students living in shared houses. The coat rack is 36 inches wide and 12 inches deep and can hold six jackets and six pairs of shoes. The sides of the frame are arched.

“My goal was to make something functional for tight, chaotic student spaces – something that would support coats, backpacks, shoes and other essentials without feeling bulky,” she said.

She researched IKEA as her design company, “focusing on their warm, organic aesthetic, and simple forms and clean lines that feel at home in any interior,” she said. She ��. waiting for inspiration to strike to name her design – possibly a Swedish name to follow IKEA ��. model?

To shape the coat hooks, Koszarek cuts and bends 16-gauge metal plates and mills out the oak frame, so the plates sit flush within. Working with Machinist Doug Stodola, she inserts countersinks to secure the plates to the frame.

She cuts and planes slats for the two shoe shelves and meticulously spaces the slats, forming a balanced latticework. Each shelf has a curved edge.

“The curved arch forms and layered shelves come from wanting the piece to feel friendly and easy to use,” she said. To create the arch forms, Instrument Shop Coordinator Deano Samens crafted a custom steamer for Koszarek – based on the concept of a garment steamer hooked up to a PVC pipe. The oak planks are placed in a pipe, which is filled with hot water. The wood is steamed for eight hours in a steamer. The planks are then clamped onto a curved wooden frame – crafted by Koszarek – to dry, forming the arch.

“Students learn that an idea might look nice on their laptop or sketchbook, but now the challenge begins of ‘how do you make it?’ How do you turn a concept into a real object?” Samens said. “That ��. the cool part about Stout ��. polytechnic model: Students are actively engaged in the making process.

“In their future careers, they may work with engineers who might say something can’t be done, but here, the designers can say, ‘Yes, it can. I’ve done it before.’ It ��. key that they learn their limitations here, as well as the steps they can take to succeed. These students have a grasp on what is possible,” Samens added.

The Process Lab is more than a wood shop. In one corner of the room, you notice heavy plastic curtains and the sharp smell of heat on metal. Inside the welding area, you don on a green flame-resistant welding jacket and helmet.

“The benefit of the Process Lab is that all the students are creating in one room. Everything they need to complete their projects is right here,” Neubauer said. “If I need to show or demo a tool, we can gather in one space. And if they need my assistance, I’m right here. We don’t have to walk across campus to another facility. Our classroom is right upstairs, and we come down to the lab when we’re ready for the build process.”

At a welding table, Jackson Killinger ignites a torch and practices connecting trial T-bars in preparation for creating metal shelving.

Having previously worked as a welder, Killinger ��. 83-inch-tall design is heavily constructed of metal. His entryway assistant mounts over the top of a window frame, with a wooden shelf that rests on top and another that rests on the windowsill. Two metal shelves sit at angles toward the base of the frame, serving as shoe racks.

His entryway assistant is inspired by Room & Board and Crate & Barrel designs, with clean, angular lines and a modern look. It is a gift for his wife, Caroline. As his client for the project, “She ��. given a lot of input to my design,” he said. Maybe he’ll name his design for her?

‘Engineer-thinking and artistic expression’

As a welder and woodworker, Killinger likes to work with his hands. “Industrial design allows me to be creative and use my skills. It ��. a good middle area, where I can have a reliable career,” he said.

Koszarek has always been drawn to hands-on problem-solving and creating objects that people interact with daily.

“Growing up, I analyzed how certain things were made, and I started thinking about how this thing could be made easier for interactions. Industrial and product design is a healthy mix between engineer-thinking and artistic expression, and that ��. what truly pulled me into the program,” she said.

On the flipside, up until about two years ago, Burnham didn’t know that industrial and product design was a career field.

“What drew me to industrial design was the fact that I would have the opportunity to work on projects that could create an impact on people ��. lives and solve problems that others might not recognize. I can work to understand people and apply that understanding in iterative and creative ways,” he said.

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

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The School of Art & Design students have access to a wide variety of woodworking and metalwork tools and related equipment.

Dan Neubauer

Dan Neubauer is an Associate Professor of Industrial Design with over ten years of teaching experience in higher education. His academic and professional focus centers on sustainable design practices, specializing in the application and development of non-petroleum-based materials. Neubauer brings expertise in materials research, manufacturing processes, and furniture design, bridging innovative material exploration with practical, human-centered applications.

Full Name: Dan Neubauer

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

goersab — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:16:07 +0000

Interior design program partners with Helping Hand pantry to highlight ‘essential campus resource’goersab December 16, 2025

Student design team reimagines pantry space to ensure peers have comfortable, warm experience

Abbey Goers

Two interior design students at �� 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 who form the EWKJ Interiors team – reimagined the pantry space to create an “atmosphere that reflects the care �� places in serving its students.”

Jacqueline Bonneville, Emma Walstra, Lindsy Tomski, Klaire Johnson and Karrin Ruch

Their three-week-long project was part of Lecturer Lindsy Tomski ��. Educational, Civic, and Cultural Interior Design Studio course, which partnered with the pantry to simulate a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Students analyzed site conditions; met with pantry co-directors Associate Dean of Students Jacqueline Bonneville and Dean of Students Executive Assistant Karrin Ruch; and developed full design service proposals, including budgets, timelines and general design strategies.

“Our partnership with the pantry is a great opportunity for students to practice flexible design solutions. It provides students with invaluable, real-world design experience, while highlighting an essential campus community resource. We’re proud to support their mission and look forward to the continued impact of our collaboration,” Tomski said.

Among the studio course proposals, EWKJ Interiors’ design was selected for the redesign of the 480-square-foot pantry, which offers food, personal hygiene items, winter coats, school supplies and other items.

“Klaire and Emma ��. work reflects the heart of our interior design program and marks the beginning of many meaningful contributions ahead,” Tomski said.

A mood board and layout from Klaire Johnson and Emma Walstra's design proposal

When the official design and implementation process begins, Walstra and Johnson will gain meaningful experience in project management, coordination, and client relations, and will follow common practice in commercial architecture. Tomski also hopes the team will be able to collaborate with other disciplines across the School of Art & Design – such as graphic design to revisit ideas for a new panty logo and construction for any building needs.

With a cross-disciplinary approach, Walstra and Johnson can “help direct and deliver a truly holistic refresh for the pantry space. My role will be to guide them – not direct them – as they navigate the stages of this collaboration,” Tomski said.

Walstra and Johnson are excited to work on a real-world project with real clients, expanding their skills, refining their design process and working on their professional development. “This opportunity has been the most engaging project so far since we will be able to see tangible results and assist the food pantry with creating something bigger than ourselves,” Johnson said.

Helping Hand, which opened in 2018, is open to all �� students. It is located at University Services room 111 and operates with the support of volunteers from the Dean of Students Office and the Stout Student Association.

Donations can be made to Helping Hand Food+ Pantry during pantry hours or by appointment. The pantry is funded through the �� Foundation. Monetary gifts are also accepted. All funds go to purchasing food or supplies.

“The pantry does not exist without the student volunteers and the incredible generosity of our faculty and staff and the �� Foundation,” Bonneville said.

A welcoming space, designed for students

The project began last summer, when Bonneville reached out to School of Art & Design Director Aaron Durst to share the collaborative idea with faculty, in hopes that students or classes would wish to elevate the pantry space, allowing it to continue to meet the ever-increasing needs of students. Tomski jumped at the opportunity for her students to participate in the real-life proposal project.

EWKJ Interiors’ design was inspired by the pantry ��. request to create a more welcoming space, one that incorporated �� . visual identity and polytechnic spirit.

A flexible storage solution from Klaire Johnson and Emma Walstra's design proposal

“We chose a color palette that featured the Stout blues from the university logo. Our color and material palette also incorporates light wood, seen throughout the university ��. public spaces, such as our classrooms and the Memorial Student Center,” said Johnson, of Wabasha, Minnesota.

“The pops of orange complement those blues and are incorporated through signage or decorative plants to add color. By introducing biophilic elements, such as potted plants, we can create a more natural, welcoming and comforting environment,” said Walstra, of Waupun.

The small space and tight budget were the most challenging aspects of the design. The space limited the furniture and shelving configurations. EWKJ Interiors explored multiple layout options and considered circulation and accessibility before landing on a final floor plan. Their proposed design solutions “reimagined a space without breaking the bank, so the food pantry can use its funds for resources for the students,” Johnson said.

“The location is also subject to change, so it was challenging to make the space feel permanent while also using temporary design solutions, such as peel-and-stick tile, portable shelves, and decorative fixtures that are easy to install and uninstall,” added Walstra.

Walstra and Johnson also teamed up for the 2024 Fashion Without Fabric, when they won first place for their design “The Prime Divine.

Improving lives through creativity

Growing up, Walstra enjoyed playing Minecraft and creating structures within the game. “When I was looking into careers, I figured that interior design would be something I would be really passionate about because I could be creative while making an impact on people ��. lives and on the environment,” she said.

Johnson was always drawn to arts and crafts and wanted to incorporate that creativity into a future career. “In middle school, I was researching different career paths I could pursue. Architecture and interior design instantly caught my eye because I could combine creativity with making the built environment better for everyone in terms of aesthetics, accessibility and health,” she said.

A layout and flowchart from Klaire Johnson and Emma Walstra's design proposal

Both students will graduate in spring 2027. Walstra would like to work with a firm that focuses on restaurant design, earn sustainability certifications, and possibly take the NCIDQ exam, the industry ��. leading credential. “I hope to make an impact in the field by bringing new ideas and innovative thinking that will create meaningful and sustainable spaces,” she said.

Johnson plans to pursue a career in workplace and hospitality design, with a focus on retail, restaurant and office environments.

“I am especially interested in creating spaces that foster community and reflect the culture of the people who use them, while supporting the employees who bring them to life. My goal is to contribute to professional organizations that help spread resources and knowledge about the field to aspiring designers, as communication, opportunities and connections are the foundation of the career,” said Johnson, who hopes to someday start her own business.

“I like to have the freedom of creating spaces that feel my own and contribute innovative, sustainable and accessible design solutions that really take projects to the next level with an excellent support team by my side,” she said.

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

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Jacqueline Bonneville

Jacqueline has been working in the areas of student affairs since graduating with her bachelor degree in 1994 from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

She worked at South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and now the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She has worked in the areas of housing, counseling, first-year programing, academic advising, orientation, conduct and dean of students office.

Jacqueline coordinated orientation at �� from 2000-2003. She then worked at UW-Eau Claire in advising, orientation and as their Assistant Dean of Students until returning to �� in 2017.

Jacqueline is involved in the Menomonie community in a variety of ways. She enjoys time with her family and dog, playing tennis, traveling, and time with friends.

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Hospitality students apply learning to plan, coordinate STEMM Student Expo, Dec. 11

goersab — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:45:00 +0000

Hospitality students apply learning to plan, coordinate STEMM Student Expo, Dec. 11goersab November 24, 2025

Signature event, open to the public, to showcase nearly 100 research projects

Abbey Goers

One of the �� . College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management ��. biggest events of the year is being planned and executed by hospitality students.

The STEMM Student Expo will showcase more than 250 students’ research in nearly 100 projects across a dozen fields of study. The expo, held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall and ballrooms, will welcome more than 200 guests, including faculty, staff, community members and industry professionals. It is open to the public.

The event has been running for more than 12 years, but this is the first year it is being coordinated by university students in Professor Kristal Gerdes’ Hospitality Convention/Meeting Planning class.

The STEMM Student Expo on Dec. 11, will showcase more than 250 students’ research in nearly 100 projects across a dozen fields of study.

“This is the hands-on, minds-on aspect of the polytechnic experience,” said Gerdes, chair of the hospitality and technology innovation department. “The students get to plan and execute the whole event. It ��. an opportunity for them to build their resumes and is a springboard for their careers. With this being the first year we’re taking charge of the expo, it ��. a learning process. But we’re creating a base for future expos, and with the hospitality students’ help, the event will grow.”

U.S.A.R., United Solutions of Automation and Robotics, will have a Stokes Robotics’ SHEP Quadruped Robot on exhibit at the STEMM Student Expo. The lightweight robotic dog highlights the capabilities and possibilities of different quadruped technologies. U.S.A.R is a Wisconsin-based distributor of a variety of automation and robotic solutions.

And don’t forget to “Find the Pineapple.” A hospitality-style scavenger hunt will be held during the expo, inviting guests to look for hidden pineapples – a symbol of welcome – throughout the Great Hall and ballrooms.

Professor Kristal Gerdes’ Hospitality Convention/Meeting Planning class meets with event staff at the Memorial Student Center Great Hall, where the STEMM Student Expo will be held.

Contact the STEMM Student Expo team with any questions: STEMM-Expo@uwstout.edu.

The STEMM Student Expo is one of a number of signature events taking place in early December, including Stout Game Expo on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and the School of Art and Design Senior Show on Friday, Dec. 12.

Creating a better customer experience

Leisure and hospitality is one of the fastest-growing sectors of Wisconsin ��. economy, with more than 32,000 jobs created between 2022 and 2032, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. “Within that, events is the fastest growing sector in the hospitality industry,” Gerdes added.

Gerdes’ course is a required, foundational class for hotel, restaurant and tourism management majors. With Forbes luxury management training fused into every hospitality course, students gain skills they can apply anywhere, from five-star resorts to local tourism to university events, sports centers, music festivals, museums and more.

“It ��. all about creating a better customer experience,” said Gerdes, who has more than 10 years of experience in the event industry. “I can help walk the students through the experience. I let them know that it ��. OK for them to stumble, but I’ll never let them fall. They’re gaining these event-planning experiences now, so that they know what will work and what won’t work in event planning in their careers.”

Hospitality Convention/Meeting Planning students learn event planning strategies to coordinate the STEMM Student Expo.

The hospitality students selected event-planning groups to work in, based on their interests, including design and theme of the event, evaluation and reflection, layout and logistics, marketing and promotion, poster management, registration and program coordination. Each group was given a to-do list, planned their approach and adjusted as needed.

In meetings with CSTEMM Executive Assistant Jacob Anderson and staff at the Memorial Student Center, the class discussed various needs for the event, including technology, catering and room layout, all while maintaining a budget for the event.

HRTM juniors Ian Bryant and Brooke Kugel were members of the marketing and promotions group. They were tasked with designing and producing promotional materials aligned with the event theme and university branding; coordinating event-related social media content and details with campus news and digital bulletins; and updating the expo website.

Faculty, staff, community members and industry professionals are invited to talk with students about their research and demonstrations.

“Our job is to sell the event. While we’re highlighting current students showcasing their research at the expo, we’re also trying to attract prospective students – new students – to encourage them to participate in the expo in the future,” said Bryant, of Rochester, Minnesota, who has a business administration minor. In high school, Bryant catered events with Powers Ventures.

Along the lines of attracting new students, Kugel added that “Professor Jay Jones always reminds us to show what hospitality students can do. There are a lot of undeclared majors at ��. Showing those students what we, as hospitality students, are doing is a positive way to bring students into our HRTM program.”

Kugel, of DePere, is also majoring in real estate property management and has an events management minor. She already has several years of experience in event planning. This past summer, she worked at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club in Door County, planning and hosting wine dinners, golf outings, weddings and more. For the past eight summers, she ��. worked on events at Door County Jellystone Park. She also plans events and serves as treasurer and service vice president for Gamma Sigma Sigma, the national service sorority.

�� . College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management offers 26 undergraduate and 11 Graduate Studies degree programs through eight academic departments, the School of Management and the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering.

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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

Abbey Goers

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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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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UW Regents honor �� on-campus job program that develops undergrads’ career skills

giffeyt — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 03:00:00 +0000

UW Regents honor �� on-campus job program that develops undergrads’ career skillsgiffeyt October 30, 2025

Grow, Persist, Succeed offers career counseling, boosts student retention

Tom Giffey

An innovative career-development program continues to gather accolades as it helps guide University of Wisconsin-Stout students on a route to post-college success.

The Grow, Persist, Succeed (GPS) Program, part of Career Services, is about more than connecting students to on-campus jobs: It makes these work experiences more meaningful by fostering one-on-one career coaching and feedback from supervisors about students’ evolving career skills.

The program was honored earlier this semester with the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award, which is given by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents to a noninstructional academic staff program that provides exceptional service.

“This exemplary program embodies the mission of �� by preparing our students for impactful careers through professional experiences that focus on applied learning and collaborative partnerships,” Provost Glendalí Rodríguez said in a letter nominating the program for the award. “The GPS program provides a holistic and student-centered initiative by pairing students with faculty and staff and meaningfully integrating job experiences with career development.”

Now in its fourth year, GPS is designed for first- and second-year students and new transfer students, particularly those from underserved populations such as first-generation college students. GPS aligns with �� . polytechnic tenets of applied learning and career focus. In its first three years, the program supported nearly 100 students across 23 university offices, departments and programs, ranging from Admissions and Athletics to the Discovery Center Fab Lab and the chemistry and physics department.

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Career Services Director Bryan Barts

In addition to developing career skills, the program fosters student retention, said Career Services Director Bryan Barts. “Research has shown us that students who have a job on campus have a higher likelihood of completing their degree,” Barts said.

Built into the GPS program are eight “career competencies” identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which include communication, critical thinking, leadership, professionalism and more. These competencies are seen as national benchmarks for how well students will perform in real-world work environments. GPS participants assess themselves on these skills at the beginning and end of the academic year, and results from 2024-25 showed that students had a 10% increase in their overall confidence about their career skills.

During their participation in the program, students pick a few of the eight competencies to focus on, and along the way receive targeted feedback about these skills from their supervisors. “That ��. a really impactful and intentional step to improving the students’ experience, and we’re seeing that the supervisors appreciate the guidance and support that it gives,” Barts said.

GPS helps students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed later in their academic careers and in the workplace. “Students appreciate knowing what employers are going to be looking for when they are searching for internship and co-op experiences,” said Sara Anger, career development manager with Career Services.

The Grow, Persist, Succeed (GPS) Program recently received the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award.

The Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award isn’t the first honor GPS has received: During its inaugural year, the program was given an Innovation Award by the Wisconsin Association of Colleges and Employers, WI-ACE, for providing unique and creative approaches to student programming, university/employer relations, recruiting and training. �� officials have also made presentations about the GPS Program at state and regional professional conferences.

�� junior Ian Bryant worked in the university ��. Admissions and Advisement offices as part of the GPS Program, which he said has helped him both develop talents and plan his career pathway. “They really tailor it to your skills, what your mindset is, and what your plans are,” he said of GPS. “And that really sets students up for success.”

While students can learn basic skills such as time-management at many other jobs, Bryant said, “The GPS Program adds another layer to it. It really emphasizes professional and personal growth.”

Career development jobs program for students honored with statewide Innovation Award

With applied and experiential learning and a career focus, students who attend �� know they will graduate ready to enter the work world.

Bryant, a B.S. hotel, restaurant & tourism management major from Rochester, Minnesota, said he isn’t surprised that the GPS Program has won awards.

“This is a perfect example of why Stout has the employment rate it does,” he said, alluding to the fact that 99% of Blue Devils are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation. “Not only are we setting students up for that hands-on experience in industry, but we’re developing those professional skills, and I think that ��. crucial.”

Barts said he expects programs such as GPS to have a long-term impact on �� graduates. He pointed to the results of the 2024 National Alumni Career Mobility Survey, which found that participating �� alumni from the classes of 2014 and 2019 rated the university higher than peer institutions on five out of six factors, including career pathway preparation, institutional career investment, career mobility, career satisfaction and community engagement.

“As an early career readiness program, GPS is a shining example of how �� prepares students quickly for success in future internships and post-graduation careers,” Barts said.

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Hero Caption: �� student Ian Bryant leads a campus tour as part of his Admissions Office job, which was part of the Grow, Persist, Succeed (GPS) Program.

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

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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

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Degree: M.S. Mental Health Counseling

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University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters

giffeyt — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000

University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters giffeyt September 18, 2025

Latest grants from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin bring $389K for research, education, monitoring

By Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin and Tom Giffey / ��

Cayanna Erickson says interning with the 2025 Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group will give her a step up when she enters the job market. The University of Wisconsin-Stout undergraduate recently declared a B.S. environmental science major, and the summer internship gave her experience with hands-on field work.

“My career goals involve water monitoring, specifically in the Eau Claire area as that is where I am from originally,” she said. “The skills that I learned this summer directly relate to what I want to do in the future.”

Erickson was one of six students from ��, UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls who spent the summer collecting and analyzing data that helps show the impact of restoration efforts in the Red Cedar Basin. This watershed includes Lakes Menomin and Tainter, which are listed as impaired by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Nutrient pollution causes frequent harmful algal blooms in these water bodies and others throughout Wisconsin.

Despite the multitude of problems facing the Red Cedar Basin, the lakes and rivers are heavily used for angling, recreation and power generation. This has led to multiple restoration projects to improve the health of the watershed.

The initial monitoring group was started two decades ago as a volunteer organization but languished after its leader retired. It was revived with funding from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, a partnership of Wisconsin ��. 13 public universities, connecting with industry partners, local communities, policymakers and advocacy groups. Since 2022, Freshwater Collaborative funding has provided continuity of data collection and built capacity to gather data from more sites and more diverse ecosystem types. Eighteen students have participated so far, and recent funding investments will ensure the project continues.

Students Carter Lane of ��, right, and Grant Ableson of UW-River Falls survey black ash impacted by emerald ash borers in Muddy Creek.

Fulfilling a community need

“The Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring Group trains students to collect data on aquatic ecosystems and fills a critical need of collecting data related to management and restoration,” said Nicole Hayes, an assistant professor at ��.

Hayes said the goals of the Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring Group are twofold. First, it leverages the expertise of scientists at �� to work with local community groups to understand how environmental change is impacting lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands in the watershed. Second, it builds a better understanding of how these ecosystems are responding to ongoing degradation and mitigation and restoration efforts. The data gathered is used to support management decisions.

“We are informing best management practices in trout stream restoration and maintenance,” added Professor Amanda Little, program director for environmental science. “Students are studying harmful algal blooms and monitoring the zebra mussel invasion of Lake Menomin in order to better understand the dynamics of the lake. Future projects will investigate aquatic vegetation restoration in local lakes to improve fish habitat. Students are also studying sedimentation in Galloway Creek in Menomonie to understand the impacts of sanding during the winter and erosion on this urban stream.”

Four �� educators – including Hayes and Little as well as Associate Professor Keith Gilland and lecturer Julia Chapman – collaborate with DNR Fisheries, the City of Menomonie, Dunn County, Beaver Creek Reserve, the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and The Prairie Enthusiasts, among others. This allows students to start building a professional network while gaining professional skills.

�� student Cayanna Erickson, left and UW-River Falls student Grant Ableson measured sediment type, sediment depth and particle size to assess soil erosion on Galloway Creek.

Each intern also develops an independent research project in addition to contributing to the overall data collection. Several students have continued their research projects into the following academic year, and many have presented their findings at local, state and even national conferences.

This summer, Erickson ��. independent student project focused on zebra mussels, an invasive species first identified in Lake Menomin in 2024. “I hope that the survey allows for a deeper understanding of the abundance of zebra mussels in our lake as well as their high-density areas,” she said. “In turn, both city and county could use the data as a means for reducing/confining the spread of zebra mussels.”

Erickson concluded that the internship was an “amazing experience” that will prepare her for future classes.

Little agreed, adding that working on the project prepares students for what lies ahead. “Students will be well-prepared for specific upper-level courses that incorporate the skills from the summer,” Little said. “The wide range of projects that they worked on over the summer are great resume-builders and give them a broad scope of work to discuss during interviews. This internship really makes them super-competitive due to both the breadth of skills and the depth of their own individual project which demonstrates leadership and initiative.”

Thanks to Freshwater Collaborative funding, 14 of the interns have received scholarships to participate in additional freshwater coursework at ��, UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls. The coursework helps prepare them for their internships and provides the opportunity to work with faculty and students from other universities.

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New funding announced

The Freshwater Collaborative recently announced that funding would continue for the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group for the next two years thanks to money included in the most recent state budget, which covers 2025-27.

In total, �� will receive $389,256 for four projects:

The Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring Group will receive $258,452 to continue the internship program and related research projects.

Crop Per Drop, a collaborative research project between �� and UW-River Falls aimed at understanding and improving water use in dry bean production, will receive $30,307.

Field Hydrology, a three-week summer field course for upper-level students from ��, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-River Falls, will receive $21,050.

Water in Western Wisconsin: An Interdisciplinary Freshwater Field Camp for High School Students, a collaboration among the three western Wisconsin universities that targets rising high school seniors, will receive $79,447.

Overall, the Freshwater Collaborative will invest $4.2 million in projects that involve faculty, staff and students from all 13 Universities of Wisconsin, as well as dozens of partners from industry, government, local communities, tribal nations, nonprofits and K-12 education. They will increase research and training opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students and will address Wisconsin ��. biggest water challenges, including PFAS and phosphorus pollution.

“The Freshwater Collaborative has helped campuses develop innovative statewide courses, programs and research collaborations over the past five years,” said Marissa Jablonski, executive director for the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. “With this latest round of funding, we are committing to ongoing investment in those programs that will best recruit and train the next generation of water professionals to address the needs of Wisconsin.”

The funding is part of a statewide initiative, backed by the Wisconsin State Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers, to tackle Wisconsin ��. grand water challenges and support recruitment, hands-on curriculum, undergraduate research opportunities, career development, and field training experiences for students interested in water-related careers.

Grant descriptions for the latest funded projects are available at freshwater.wisconsin.edu.

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University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters

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Latest grants from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin bring $389K for research, education, monitoring Students take water samples on Lake Menomin

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Hero Caption: As part of the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group, students from �� and UW-Eau Claire collect water samples to measure microcystin, a toxin produced by harmful cyanobacteria, near Wakanda Park on Lake Menomin.

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�� Center for Sustainable Communities aims to help rural areas thrive