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Fall 2026 lineup features panel on ‘25 Years After 9/11,’ acclaimed painter Stonehouse, ‘Metamorphoses’ production

goersab — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:35:00 +0000

Fall 2026 lineup features panel on ‘25 Years After 9/11,’ acclaimed painter Stonehouse, ‘Metamorphoses’ productiongoersab September 17, 2026

Community invited to exhibitions, discussion panels, keynote speakers, film screenings and performances

Abbey Goers

From canvases featuring a cast of hybrid creatures, weeping figures and antlered beings to a theatrical performance cast representing tragic Greek and Roman mythological characters. An exhibition offering a behind-the-scenes look at the regional underground music scene, as well as civic, free speech and literary conversations and a special discussion panel focusing on “25 Years After 9/11,” there are events for everyone at �� Polytechnic this fall.

And in addition, upcoming annual signature events that highlight the innovation, leadership and impact central to �� Polytechnic are:

Thursday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m.: Cabot Executive-in-Residence keynote address by Eric Erpenbach, senior software engineering manager for IBM Fusion.
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo, western Wisconsin ��. largest game developer exhibition.
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.: School of Art & Design Showcase, featuring the works of hundreds of SOAD students and highlighting graduating seniors.

Civic and community conversation events

�� Polytechnic ��. Center for Applied Ethics and the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovations host several community events each semester.

The Constructive Dialogue Series will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays Sept. 17 and Sept. 24, in Harvey Hall room 143. In a time of polarization, many people feel stuck between speaking up and keeping the peace. This three-part series offers a different path — one that honors free expression while strengthening our ability to listen, understand and engage across differences. Registration is required. The series is hosted by Continuing Education & Conferences.

9/11 panel speakers Lopa Basu, Tim Shiell, Chris Engen and Damir Kovacevic

A faculty and staff panel on “25 Years After 9/11” will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. �� Polytechnic professors Lopa Basu and Tim Shiell, Col. Chris Engen, and UW-Eau Claire Professor Damir Kovacevic will discuss the many facets of this historical and terrible event in American history. The discussion will focus on 9/11 and its literary representation, the shifting landscape of civil liberties, the War on Terror, the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and Iran, new realities in the face of terrorism, U.S. standing in the world, and other topics.

In partnership with the Jack Miller Center, the Menard Center will host a one-day symposium for Wisconsin middle and high school social studies teachers on Saturday, Sept. 26. The Free Speech, Citizenship, and Civil Dialogue symposium will focus on the First Amendment, free expression rights, and the practice of civil dialogue, particularly in the classroom. Participants will receive a $200 stipend upon completion of the symposium. Registration is open to teachers.

During Free Speech Week, a public screening of “Mighty Ira: A Civil Liberties Story,” a documentary film that profiles Ira Glasser, the former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, will be shown at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, in the MSC ballrooms. After the screening, documentary co-producer Nico Perrino, executive vice president of FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression), will offer comments and respond to audience questions.

A Banned Books Week event, “The Right to Read in Prison,” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the MSC ballrooms. Attorney Harvey Silverglate will serve as keynote speaker. After Silverglate ��. presentation, a panel of faculty, including B.S. criminal justice and rehabilitation Associate Professor Richard Gee, who has taught at the Stanley Correctional Institution, will share their experiences.

Free Speech Week and Banned Books Week guest speakers Harvey Silverglate and Nico Perrino

Philosophers’ Cafés are informal, friendly conversations on contemporary issues and are open to all. Led by Universities of Wisconsin faculty, events are at 7 p.m., at Brewery Nønic in Menomonie:

Wednesday, Oct. 14: Distinguishing Military from Law Enforcement: Considerations and Implications
Wednesday, Nov. 11: Can We Promote Health Without Reinforcing Weight Stigma?

Approximately 60 students will participate in four free expression and civil discourse Discussion Dinners over the course of the year. Each dinner will center around a controversial ethical or political issue, with tables facilitated by faculty members Mitch Ogden, Cynthia Bland, Daniel Sinkovits, Lopa Basu, Tina Lee, Dana Linnell and Mary Paz Alvarez Valverde. The series is sponsored by the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions & Innovation, Center for Applied Ethics, Office of Student Opportunity & Excellence, Freedom of Expression Steering Committee, and the Provost's Office.

Art & Design Exhibitions

Furlong Gallery opens the 2026 fall exhibition schedule with two solo exhibitions.

'Belief in the Cure' by Fred Stonehouse, acrylic on panel

“Emblem and Epigraph/Curses and Catchphrases: Fred Stonehouse, Paintings 2015-2025” is on exhibition through Saturday, Oct. 24. A reception and artist talk, "Belief in the Cure," will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, with the reception at Furlong and the talk beginning at 6 p.m. at Harvey Hall Theatre.

Acclaimed Wisconsin painter Fred Stonehouse shows regularly in New York at Howard Scott Gallery and in Los Angeles with Koplin/DelRio. He has exhibited in Mexico, Amsterdam, Rome, and Berlin, and is currently an associate professor of painting and drawing at UW-Madison.

The paintings in this exhibition demonstrate recurring themes in Stonehouse ��. practice: devils and saints, mythic hybrids, buffoons and imaginary beings paired with cryptic words and phrases, Stonehouse said. His work “exists somewhere between a joke and a prayer. The humor in my work is obvious I think and serves as a foil to some of the darker psychological themes,” he added.

“Low-Fidelity Design: Making Techniques from the Minnesota Underground Music Archives” will be on exhibition from Monday, Nov. 9, to Saturday, Dec. 12. A reception date is to be determined.

“Low-Fidelity Design” delves into the regional underground music scene to uncover how artists craft visual identities. Showcasing affordable methods like Risograph, screen printing, and DIY art from the Minnesota Underground Music archive, the exhibition explores the connection between sound and visual expression. Bringing this body of work to �� Polytechnic bridges community archive research with a polytechnic design context, highlighting accessible, resource-driven visual making and low-fidelity production methods for student designers.

Gallery 209 rotates exhibitions on a weekly basis. Located in the Applied Arts building on the second floor. This semester, Gallery 209 will feature five class exhibits, five thesis exhibits, a fashion group show and a solo show by studio art major Cora Kauffman.

A “Skizzenbuch Exhibition,” a German word that translates to sketchbook, will offer a glimpse of work in progress by School of Art & Design students. The exhibition will take place over homecoming weekend, Oct. 16-18, and will be curated and organized by students.

School of Art & Design students take over Q.arma with juried ‘Fieldwork’ exhibition

Fine arts students display nearly 60 contemporary works in three-story exhibition in Minneapolis

The Library Art Lab, on the first floor of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center, showcases student artists, faculty and campus collaborations. Exhibitions include applied research, capstones, clubs and classwork. There are two exhibitions each semester. The Art Lab currently features selected works from “Fieldwork,” a n exhibition with artwork by more than 40 students and which took place in June at Q.arma Gallery in Minneapolis. In November, the Art Lab will display artwork from a Special Topics studio art course focusing on repetition. And an art education senior group exhibition will take place December through January.

University Theatre

University Theatre will present “Metamorphoses,” led by Director Audric Buhr, at Harvey Hall Theatre. Performance dates and times are Nov. 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Adapted from Ovid ��. classic poem, the play “Metamorphoses” by Mary Zimmerman is staged in a series of vignettes. It captures the stories of Greek and Roman mythological characters King Midas, Orpheus and Eurydice, Phaeton, Alcyone and Ceyx, Eros and Psyche, and others.

Musical performances

Stout Choirs will present “Festival of Light,” directed by Jerry Hui: Saturday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m., at Our Savior ��. Lutheran Church, 910 9th St. E., Menomonie. The concert will mark the festive occasions that celebrate light, including Diwali from India, Hanukkah from Israel, Lucia Day from Sweden, and Christmas.

Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra will present “Going Crackers,” directed by James Anderson: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m., in the MSC Great Hall. Celebrate the season with music featuring the “Nutcracker Suite” and holiday favorites by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and more.

Symphonic Band, directed by Erika Svanoe, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m., in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. The concert will feature music surrounding the concept of time.

Tickets will be available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

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Fall 2026 lineup features panel on ‘25 Years After 9/11,’ acclaimed painter Stonehouse, ‘Metamorphoses’ production

Community invited to exhibitions, discussion panels, keynote speakers, film screenings and performances

School of Art & Design students take over Q.arma with juried ‘Fieldwork’ exhibition

Fine arts students display nearly 60 contemporary works in three-story exhibition in Minneapolis

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

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

Community invited to exhibitions, discussion panels, keynote speakers, film screenings and performances 'Night King II' by Fred Stonehouse, acrylic on canvas

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Hero Caption: 'Night King II' by Fred Stonehouse, acrylic on canvas, is on display at Furlong Gallery as part of the 'Emblem and Epigraph/Curses and Catchphrases' through Oct. 8.

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School of Art & Design students take over Q.arma with juried ‘Fieldwork’ exhibition

goersab — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:50:00 +0000

School of Art & Design students take over Q.arma with juried ‘Fieldwork’ exhibition goersab September 16, 2026

Fine arts students display nearly 60 contemporary works in three-story exhibition in Minneapolis

Abbey Goers

Cradled in straps of pale linen, supported by a copper-piping frame, rests a foot-long double-headed spoon, forged and fastened to the lower portion of a white-tailed deer leg and hoof. Around the corner, adhered to the gallery wall, are rune-like letterings created with tape – shapes that seem so familiar, yet so alien. And the posterior view of a skeleton painted with bleach is stretched across richly textured mauve fabric near the slumped figure of a soft, headless man-like 3D creature.

For two weeks this summer, 46 emerging artists in �� Polytechnic ��. School of Art & Design took over three floors of the Q.arma Building in Minneapolis for “Fieldwork,” a curated exhibition featuring 57 works of art spanning painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, comics, photography, ceramics and metals.

Travis Bennett's 'Untitled (Dining Object No. 1)'

“The top-to-bottom ‘Fieldwork’ exhibit at Q.arma was a unique opportunity for our students to come together,” said Senior Lecturer Darren Tesar, program director of B.F.A. studio art and B.S. arts administration and entrepreneurship. “It showed that our studio art program and the School of Art & Design is a leading institution of contemporary art. We are not bound by dogma or tradition. It ��. important for people to see our students’ full range and complexity.”

Selected works from “Fieldwork” will be on display through October at the university ��. Library Art Lab, on the first floor of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center.

Engaging in every aspect of an exhibition

Alongside faculty, recent B.F.A. studio art graduates Ashley Hannasch and Xander McFaul helped install “Fieldwork.” They thought the Q.arma experience was a unique opportunity to engage in every aspect of an exhibition in a setting outside of the university – from transportation to curating to installation and final gallery preparations.

McFaul, of St. Paul, whose pieces in the show were “Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink Moon” and “This Is Our Last Song,” said, “This is significant on my resume and opens the door to more Twin Cities opportunities in my future. I encourage students to apply to as many of these opportunities as possible, as well as start curating their own shows in their own spaces and communities.”

A detail of Xander McFaul's 'Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink Moon'

Hannasch, of Lakeville, Minnesota, agreed. “Working alongside faculty and students strengthened my confidence in exhibition planning and gave me a deeper understanding of the collaborative nature of working in a gallery,” she said. “I encourage current students to seek opportunities both within and beyond the university, trust their instincts, and build relationships with fellow artists.”

Hannasch, whose exhibit piece was “Spineless,” noted, “I believe artists grow strongest when we communicate, collaborate and support one another as a community.”

Ashley Hannasch's 'Spineless,' bleach on fabric

Two current students, Travis Bennett and Cora Kauffman, think “Fieldwork” was a great opportunity to showcase their work to a bigger audience outside of campus.

“It helped me understand how my work exists within a larger gallery space and gave me more experience for future exhibitions,” said Bennett, a fashion design and development and studio art major, concentrating in metals and contemporary art jewelry.

Bennett, of Hager City, creates artwork with a Midwestern-Gothic flair, inspired by his material-based investigation of the relationship between the body, animals and objects of utility. His piece in “Fieldwork” was titled “Untitled (Dining Object No. 1).”

“Growing up in the rural Midwest has influenced my work a lot. I thought about the way we harvest our food, and I wanted to transform a deer's foot, something that is a byproduct of hunting, into a utensil and case that feels both functional and uncomfortable,” he said.

Cora Kauffman's 'Before you even know it,' packing tape

Kauffman is inspired by forms of language. “After my semester abroad in Japan, I knew I had to continue this line of work. I thought about the forms present in the written Japanese language and how to create something that invokes these forms while remaining as ephemeral as spoken language is,” she said. Her “Fieldwork” piece, “Before you even know it,” consisted of several site-specific installations of rune-like letters.

Kauffman, a studio art major from Chippewa Falls, was awarded a solo thesis show at the university ��. Gallery 209 this fall. “This experience was a great opportunity for me to learn how an exhibition is organized and installed. I was also able to learn how to manage my time as I installed my piece in the gallery,” she said.

Ella Borchert's 'Soft Male Figure,' soft sculpture

Collaborations to create trajectory

“Fieldwork” emphasized the university ��. commitment to preparing students for professional careers in the arts, highlighting the making, collaboration, curation, installation and professional practices that shape contemporary artists.

The exhibit included a juried collection by intermediate and advanced studio art courses, an independently organized exhibit by the student-run Fine Arts Association, and a series of pop-up presentations and sales by the Print Club, Comix Club, Metals Guild and more.

Sabrina Hagberg's 'Shards of My Reflection,' oil on wood

Tesar and Professor Alex DeArmond knew Q.arma had a history of exhibiting emerging artists’ works. “Owner Jono Query has a passion for providing art spaces to students, knowing how difficult opportunities can be after graduation. We wanted to create a connection. Studio art seemed to be the best vehicle for an exhibit,” Tesar said. “If we’re going to show our strength as part of the university, we need to show our work professionally in spaces like Q.arma. We need to provide access and opportunities outside of our campus for our students and create a trajectory for them for after graduation.”

Ashley Hannasch's 'Spineless,' bleach on fabric; and Bryan Irish's 'Clothesline,' condoms, found objects, clothesline, clothespins

After the exhibition, which was held June 6-21, Tesar and other faculty realized how much students want more external professional, collaborative and entrepreneurial experiences.

“There ��. only so much that an in-class curriculum can do. The experience allowed us to fill a gap that we can’t provide in the classroom – for the students to see how art plays out across a wide range of organizational models. The collaboration between Stout and Q.arma provided access for students to see and act with economy and culture in the private sector,” Tesar said.

“Every single student could put on an exhibition. Younger students need to learn that they can’t just follow; they have to create these opportunities for themselves as well. And we need to help them recognize it takes a collection of people to make these possibilities happen,” they said. “Creating the experiences gives students that confidence – it gives them the know-how. They become aware of the nuance and simplicity of making things happen professionally.”

Meghan LeMay's 'Bouquet Twisters,' leather, PVA size liquid sealant, oil paint, wood

�� Polytechnic ��. School of Art and Design, one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest, 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.

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Fall 2026 lineup features panel on ‘25 Years After 9/11,’ acclaimed painter Stonehouse, ‘Metamorphoses’ production

Community invited to exhibitions, discussion panels, keynote speakers, film screenings and performances

School of Art & Design students take over Q.arma with juried ‘Fieldwork’ exhibition

Fine arts students display nearly 60 contemporary works in three-story exhibition in Minneapolis

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

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

Fine arts students display nearly 60 contemporary works in three-story exhibition in Minneapolis Q.arma, Xander McFaul, Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink Moon

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B.F.A. Studio Art

Train to become a successful studio artist. Apply your knowledge, techniques, and methods while pursuing a concentration in a studio art discipline.

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B.S. Arts Administration & Entrepreneurship

Through experiential learning the program provides you with a broad foundation across diverse fields in arts and design.

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Search Keywords: Q.arma Buildingstudio art degreearts administration and entrepreneurship

Hero Caption: Recent studio art graduate Xander McFaul displayed 'Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink Moon' at the 'Fieldwork' exhibition at Q.arma.

Darren Tesar

Darren Tesar ��. activity—visual, curatorial and textual—can be understood as simply as a prolonged proximity maintained between entities, materials and/or processes. Prolonged proximities that produce a kind of pidgin—a grammatically simplified means of communication that develops between two or more groups that do not have a language in common. The result is a production and maintenance of signs that are doubly non-native, meaning the author and object/subject are both made into partial objects.

This notion of partial plays off all three of its possible meanings, namely having a particular liking or fondness for something or someone, that, by nature of its sentimentality (a form of bias or prejudice), relates to being or affectation only in part, not total; incomplete.

Notable activities include: phantoms (1996), MnArtists, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2024; CLING RING, MirrorLab, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2022; _storation of limbs, MnArtists, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2021; NCAF Development Grant, Taipei, Taiwan, 2020; Yoke Anima, Seohak Gallery, Jeonju, South Korea, 2019; Curator: unsupportive, N/A Gallery, Seoul, South Korea, 2019: VAF Fund, Midway Contemporary Art, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2018; Guest Curator (with Wen Li Chen): he’ (FOGSTAND Gallery) Taiwan Academy, New York, NY, USA 2018; Rough Sleeper, Sadie Halie Projects, Minneapolis, MN, USA 2018; bar-mouthing, Sadie Halie Projects, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2106; bar-mouthing, (Exhibition text, They Rephrased the Question for Another Answer: Chun Kaifeng), Fost Gallery, Singapore, 2016; fromming (Exhibition text for Death is the mother of beauty: Charles Matson Lume), New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN, 2015; Refining Commitment, Serpentine Magazine, USA & DE, 2015; Guest Curator: Absolving the Object: Kaifeng Chun, Richard Frater, Song-yun Kim, Latent Spaces, Singapore, 2015; Time after Time, Market Gallery, Glasgow, UK, 2014; Nameless Forms, Latent Spaces, Singapore, 2014; Refining Commitment, XMS Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan, 2013; Reverential, published for the exhibition, Della Liquidezza Della Terra, Milan, Italy, 2013; Resident Artist at Seoul Art Space_Geumcheon, Seoul, South Korea 2013

Full Name: Darren Tesar

Job Title: Senior Lecturer / Program Director

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Area of Expertise: Contemporary Sculptural Practices & Environmental Aesthetics

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Visual & Performing Arts Department

Program

All Degree Programs

B.S. Arts Administration & Entrepreneurship

Curriculum Vitae: Darren Tesar CV (217.26 KB)

Website: Personal Website YouTube Channel

Education:

Degree: M.F.A.

University: Glasgow School of Art

Degree: B.F.A.

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

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

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

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

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

Tom Giffey

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

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

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

Starting early with space-bound research

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love of welding leads to engineering program

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Science Olympiad standout drawn to packaging

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Our B.S. Mechanical Engineering program covers mechanics, kinematics, thermal/fluid sciences, materials sciences, and more.

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B.S. Packaging

Our B.S. Packaging program provides hands-on training in package printing and design, business, quality management, and research and development.

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

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AI reshaping industry: Using artificial intelligence to help students understand a human-centered profession

goersab — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:32:00 +0000

AI reshaping industry: Using artificial intelligence to help students understand a human-centered professiongoersab September 1, 2026

Professor Hessel develops training for future clinicians to gain ‘clarity about AI as a tool versus a replacement for human connection’

For the last several years, M.S. marriage and family therapy Associate Professor Heather Hessel has been examining how artificial intelligence is impacting the mental health field – particularly the ethical dimensions – and how best to prepare students and clinicians for a future that integrates AI with a profession fundamentally about human connection.

“Almost invariably, the first ethical concern most clinicians raise is client confidentiality. That's a real issue, but it's also one we can solve with sensible policies, secure technology and training,” Hessel said.

More challenging issues raised by both students and clients include the biases perpetuated by AI tools and the environmental cost of running AI systems, she added.

“And there's a deeper ethical question at stake – one about what therapy fundamentally is. Clients know that a therapist can offer perspectives and interventions, but a chatbot can do that too. What clients sometimes don’t understand is that therapy works because those things come from a real, embodied human in a unique relationship with you – someone with a life, a history, their own interpersonal relationships and imperfections,” Hessel said.

These questions have moved from theoretical to urgent: Clients are already using AI tools, and therapists need training to navigate that reality.

Recently, a client who had not disclosed using AI before mentioned using a parenting chatbot trained on a specific therapeutic approach. “The casualness with which she mentioned it surprised me. Clients are experimenting with AI tools, finding them helpful for certain tasks, such as quick advice offered ‘just-in-time.’ How do I work with clients to understand what a chatbot can and cannot do in their lives? How do we work together to see both the opportunities and the risks without influencing them too much based on my own opinions about AI?” Hessel said.

These conversations require therapists who understand AI ��. strengths, but also its emotional and relational limitations – and who can work with clients to gain clarity about AI as a tool versus a replacement for human connection.

Hessel ��. thinking on these questions has been developing through multiple channels. Last fall, with her colleague Assistant Professor Somi Hynes, program director of marriage and family therapy, Hessel published “A Framework for Ethical Considerations in the Integration of AI and Systemic Therapy” in the International Journal of Systemic Therapy. This spring, she presented at the Midwestern American Psychological Association conference in Chicago, and she recently delivered a webinar for the Minnesota Association for Marriage & Family Therapy.

Across these venues, a consistent theme emerged: clinicians are looking for frameworks to help them think through AI, with the goal of integrating it responsibly and ethically into their practices.

A master's student conversing with a SimCare AI-simulated client.

This year, Hessel and her colleagues are translating these insights into graduate training through SimCare, a clinical simulation platform launching this fall with students. The pilot creates a space where students can practice therapeutic skills with more than 500 counselor-designed AI avatars, providing a low-stakes environment to develop competence before working with real clients. SimCare gives access to AI-simulated individuals, couples, and families with a variety of presenting issues, such as substance use, family conflict and mental health diagnoses. Students can also use this space to practice talking about AI with an AI-simulated client, building competence in conversations they’ll increasingly have with real clients.

“The goal isn’t to reject AI or embrace it uncritically, of course,” Hessel said. “It ��. to help future practitioners think through the ethics of how to integrate AI tools into their future work – should they choose to do that – gain experience having these conversations with clients, and learn how to work with clients who are already navigating their own AI use.”

Hessel is the recipient of a Carl Whitaker Award from the Wisconsin Association for Marriage and Family Therapy for her creative and innovative contributions in advancing AI integration with therapy.

Marriage and family therapy professor awarded for advancing AI integration with therapy

Hessel receives Carl Whitaker Award from state professional association

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Professor Hessel develops training for future clinicians to gain ‘clarity about AI as a tool versus a replacement for human connection’ SimCare counselor, AI-simulated patient

M.S. Marriage & Family Therapy

Our M.S. Marriage & Family Therapy program will train you to make a positive impact on families and relationships as a successful therapist.

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Heather Hessel

Dr. Hessel is a faculty member in Counseling, Rehabilitation, and Human Services, teaching in the Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) and Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) programs. Her research interests include the young adult life stage, extended family relationships, and the role of technology in family relationships and in clinical practice. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Dr. Hessel's clinical interests include the use of technology in clinical practice, mindfulness, and Buddhist psychology.

Full Name: Heather Hessel

Job Title: Associate Professor

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College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Counseling, Rehabilitation & Human Services Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Heather Hessel CV (315.96 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Family Social Science, Specialization Couple and Family Therapy

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: M.A. Counseling Psychology, Specialization Couple and Family Therapy

University: University of St. Thomas

Degree: MLIS Information Studies, Specialization Information Systems

University: University of California-Los Angeles

Degree: B.A. Humanities, Specialization Music

University: Loyola Marymount University

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M.S. food science and technology students, graduates win awards at WiSys SPARK Symposium

goersab — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:12:00 +0000

M.S. food science and technology students, graduates win awards at WiSys SPARK Symposiumgoersab August 26, 2026

Innovations in vegan cheese, ‘swicy’ cherry-tamarind hot sauce stand out among presentations

Abbey Goers

A stretchy, melty vegan cheese and new “swicy” sauce created by M.S. food science and technology students and recent graduates at �� Polytechnic had the audience saying, “Yum! Yes, please,” at this summer ��. WiSys SPARK Symposium.

Caldrida Pearl D Souza earned second place during the WiSys Quick Pitch State Final for her “Comparative Analysis of Meltability and Stretchability in Traditional and Plant-Based Cheeses.”

People ��. Choice Award at the Student Poster & Innovation Showcase was presented to D Souza, Nichitha Bhookya, Nikitha Bhookya, Premanvitha Salla and Sowmya Kotha for their research entitled “Development of Cherry-Tamarind ‘Swicy’ Hot Sauce.”

Caldrida Pearl D Souza wins second place at WiSys Quick Pitch State Final.

They were among the nine �� Polytechnic students who attended and presented five posters, joining 130 Universities of Wisconsin students at the three-day symposium, July 22-24.

Potato-soy protein blend vegan cheese, please

In her pitch, “Comparative Analysis of Meltability and Stretchability in Traditional and Plant-Based Cheeses,” D Souza discussed her master ��. thesis of developing a vegan cheese formulation designed to improve protein content, meltability and stretchability compared with commercially available plant-based cheese alternatives.

“With most options of vegan cheeses in the market, a quick scan of their nutritional information labels shows that commercial vegan cheeses have a predominant carbohydrate and fat composition, often with minimal protein. I wanted to compare traditional dairy cheeses and commercially available vegan cheeses for their meltability and stretchability,” she said.

Caldrida Pearl D Souza presents at the WiSys Innovation Showcase.

Based on her analysis, D Souza aimed to develop a vegan cheese recipe with higher protein and stretchability. She first used texture analyzer-based tests to compare textural properties, including stretchability, and evaluated the melting behavior of traditional and vegan cheeses to better understand the differences between the two. Additional analyses included scanning electron microscopy to examine microstructure, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis to investigate chemical characteristics, and texture profile analysis to measure properties such as hardness, chewiness and gumminess, she said.

D Souza then developed ingredient formulations using plant-based protein, like soy, potato, and pea; a carbohydrate source, like tapioca and corn starch; and coconut oil as a fat source, to formulate a vegan cheese with improved protein content and stretchability and then analyzed its properties.

“My developed vegan cheese recipe is a potato-soy protein blend, in contrast to the predominant cashew or other nut-based vegan cheeses available on the market. I believe it offers some variation in core ingredients used, providing an alternative to nut-based vegan cheese formulations,” D Souza said.

A comparison of the stretchability of three cheeses measured using a texture analyzer: mozzarella cheese, Follow Your Heart vegan cheese and D Souza ��. sample.

“The increased stretchability gives a more natural cheese-pull experience that you would get with dairy cheese,” she added. “The results showed greater stretchability than the commercial vegan cheeses tested, along with improved protein content.”

D Souza, who won first place at �� Polytechnic ��. WiSys Quick Pitch event at the university ��. Research Day in May, noted that her recipe is still in its initial stages of development, and further studies focusing on intermolecular bonds between starches, fats, and protein in these cheeses are needed to further optimize the formula.

A ‘swicy’ synergy for Gen Z wins People ��. Choice

D Souza, Bhookya, Bhookya, Salla and Kotha researched the “Development of Cherry-Tamarind ‘Swicy’ Hot Sauce” as part of their Food Innovation and Plant Management course last spring.

The group researched market trends in food and beverages in 2026 and noticed the rise of the “swicy” trend in food products – a fusion of sweet and spicy flavors. They also noted that cherry had been identified as a major flavor trend for 2026.

Nichitha Bhookya and Nikitha Bhookya present at the WiSys Innovation Showcase.

“Combining these aspects and adding a touch from our own roots (Indian flavors), we decided to make a cherry-based hot sauce that featured tamarind for a sour note and Indian red chili for the spice,” D Souza said.

Their innovation creates a synergy between tart, sweet fruit profiles and regional spices, and they anticipate that the cherry-tamarind hot sauce would perform better than store-bought sauces, specifically with Gen Z consumers.

“Market analysis shows that Gen Z likes spicy flavors and are open to try new and bold flavor combinations. Having Indian ingredients like the red chili and tamarind also adds a nostalgia factor, particularly for international Asian students in the U.S. who would love the taste of home,” D Souza added.

The group developed an acceptable recipe through trial and error, while also conducting characterization tests on physicochemical properties such as color, moisture content, water activity, and viscosity to ensure product stability and quality. They also performed a sensory analysis test on campus that involved 51 participants.

“The uniqueness of this product is that it is as spicy as it is sweet. Competitor cherry-based sauces or hot sauces currently available do not provide the flavor combination of sweet-sour-spicy that this product provides. There are Chinese- or Thai-based hot sauces, but an Indian-flavor-based hot sauce is pretty new,” D Souza said.

Connecting applied research to real-world needs

�� Polytechnic students extend classroom learning through applied research experiences, investigating meaningful questions in their fields and learning to communicate the significance and potential impact of their findings, said Professor Eun Joo Lee, program director of M.S. food science and technology and D Souza ��. thesis advisor.

“When I prepare students for WiSys Quick Pitch, I encourage them to focus on why their research matters and to communicate a few key points clearly to a nonexpert audience. I also have them revise and repeatedly practice their presentation within the three-minute limit, using previous award-winning presentations as examples. Opportunities such as Quick Pitch are especially valuable because they give students a chance to communicate complex research clearly and connect their work to real-world needs,” Lee said.

Nichitha Bhookya, Assistant Professor Sudarshan Medagam and Nikitha Bhookya.

What began as a class project in their Food Innovation and Plant Management course evolved into an opportunity for D Souza, Bhookya, Bhookya, Salla and Kotha to develop, test, and present a novel product using the same types of processes they may encounter in industry, said Assistant Professor Sudarshan Medagam.

“Experiences like the WiSys Innovation Showcase help students build confidence, communication skills and a passion for innovation. Watching them earn recognition for their work and seeing their excitement throughout the process is incredibly rewarding and makes me very proud as an instructor,” Medagam said.

WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the Universities of Wisconsin to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries, and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.

The Quick Pitch challenges students to think beyond their research and explain the significance of their work to a general audience in a three-minute speech. The Innovation Showcase gives students the opportunity to present to attendees and a panel of faculty, staff and industry judges.

�� Polytechnic ��. undergraduate and graduate food science and technology programs are offered through the kinesiology, health, food and nutritional sciences department. The department also offers a bachelor ��. in health, wellness and fitness; as well as a bachelor ��. in dietetics and a master ��. in nutrition and dietetics.

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M.S. food science and technology students, graduates win awards at WiSys SPARK Symposium

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Innovations in vegan cheese, ‘swicy’ cherry-tamarind hot sauce stand out among presentations Caldrida Pearl D Souza wins second place at WiSys Quick Pitch State Final

M.S. Food Science & Technology

Our M.S. Food Science & Technology program will prepare you for a future as a food technologists/leaders through education, research, and outreach.

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Search Keywords: food science and technology master's degreeWiSys Spark Symposiumvegan cheeseswicy hot sauce

Eun Lee

Dr. Lee (Ph.D., & CFS) is a Professor of Food Science and Technology (FST) program. She received her Ph.D. degree from Korea University (Seoul, Korea) in 2001 and worked at Iowa State University (Ames, IA) as a post-doctor and research scientist (2001-2011). She joined the �� in 2011 as an Assistant Professor, early promoted to an Associate Professor in 2015, tenured in 2017, and promoted to a full Professor in 2020. Dr. Lee served as Evelyn Van Donk Steenbock Endowed Chair (2015-2017), a Graduate Program Director of M.S. Food and Nutritional Sciences program (Jan. 2016-May 2019), and a Department Chair of Food and Nutrition (May 2018-June 2020).

Teaching Interests: Since Fall 2011, Dr. Lee has taught a variety of courses from introductory to graduate-level courses, online courses, and lecture-laboratory combined courses, including General Education (GE) courses and specialized courses to undergraduate and graduate students in the FST program. She developed four new courses (FN123-Science of Food (GE), FN425/625-Food Chemistry, FN435/635-Food Analysis, and FN725-Flavor Chemistry) related to the Food Chemistry area following IFT guideline and has been teaching mainly them so far.

Research Interests: Focused on the food chemistry area, especially “bioactive peptides produced from the egg protein (phosvitin)” and “mechanisms and prevention studies of quality changes of irradiated meats”. She has published more than 65 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 12 book chapters and received total $ 0.6 M research grants since 2002. Recently, Dr. Lee received the Sabbatical Award, and plans to conduct research for “the production of plant-based meat alternatives using 3D-Food Printing Technology” during the sabbatical year (Sept. 2021-May 2022).

Professional Interests: Dr. Lee has actively involved in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), working in the Food Chemistry Division Leadership Team (2013-2020). She was honorably elected and served as the Division Chair (2017-2018) for 1,400 division members. IFT is the largest international food science association with 17,000 members and evaluates the accreditation of the food science program, which the �� Food Science program received in 2014. As a result of her dedication, she received the IFT Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2016 and two IFT Outstanding Service Awards in 2015 and 2020.

Full Name: Dr. Eun Joo Lee

Job Title: Professor / Program Director

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Kinesiology, Health, Food & Nutritional Sciences Department

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All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Eun Joo Lee CV (412.17 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Food Science and Technology

University: Korea University

Degree: M.S. Food Chemistry

University: Korea University

Degree: B.S. Food and Nutrition

University: Myong Ji University

Degree: Certification of FSPCA training course-"Preventive Controls for Human Food"

University: Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) - August 2016

Degree: Certification of Certified Food Scientist (CFS)

University: Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) - June 2016

Degree: Korean Nutritionist License

University: Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea - April 1992

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Miron Construction projects give construction students professional experience

giffeyt — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Miron Construction projects give construction students professional experiencegiffeyt July 22, 2026

Construction majors get up-close experience on multimillion-dollar Heritage Hall, Recreation Complex upgrades

Tom Giffey

Two major ongoing construction projects have provided �� Polytechnic students with exceptional applied learning opportunities without having to leave campus.

This summer, 13 �� Polytechnic students are interning with Miron Construction, Co. Inc., general contractor for both the $144.3 million renovation of Heritage Hall and the $31.7 million upgrade of the Recreation Complex. In addition, a recent two-semester master class led by Miron staff members gave students unique access to the Heritage Hall renovation.

“We are proud to maintain a strong relationship with �� Polytechnic, including helping train the next generation of construction professionals through a variety of internships each year,” said Andrew Daniels, senior vice president of the company ��. Eau Claire office. “The ongoing work to transform Heritage Hall and the Recreation Complex has created a unique opportunity to foster these applied learning opportunities right on campus.”

This summer, Miron interns from �� Polytechnic are gaining skills in project management, risk management, network security and technology support. Over the past decade, more than 40 �� Polytechnic students have interned for Neenah-based Miron, one of the largest construction contractors in the Midwest.

Among this summer ��. Miron interns from �� Polytechnic is Tyler Evans of Shawano, who is pursuing a degree in construction management and a minor in construction safety and risk control. As a risk management intern, Evans focuses on maintaining safety both at the Recreation Complex site on campus as well as at Miron projects around western Wisconsin. That means conducting safety walks, performing safety audits and learning the numerous factors on a job site necessary for maintaining safety.

“Safety isn’t just about us being safe and going home and not getting hurt,” said Evans, who will begin his junior year in the fall. “It ��. also about how we can do things easier and faster, but also in the right way where we’re all being safe and taking care of ourselves.”

Tyler Evans, Miron Construction intern and �� Polytechnic construction management major

For Evans, being a risk management intern doesn’t mean sitting in a trailer filling out paperwork. It means getting out on job sites and pitching in alongside the construction crews. “It ��. allowing me to gain the knowledge and experience of what people are doing and what they have to do to make their career,” he said.

This summer ��. internship, he added, will add a great deal of value to his education: Even if he goes on to become a project manager or a superintendent, the internship will have given him a strong understanding of safety. “The biggest thing about this internship is it ��. allowing me to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life,” Evans said.

Miron Construction ��. John Younger, project manager for the Recreation Complex renovation, is a 2011 graduate of the B.S. construction management program, as are many of his coworkers. He said his �� Polytechnic education prepared him for his current role, and he sees Evans getting the same experience on the campus job site.

“Tyler ��. always asking a lot of questions. He ��. trying to get a handle on what we do and why we do it,” Younger said.

On-campus internship leads to full-time job

Every year, the �� Polytechnic Cooperative Education & Internship Program oversees nearly 1,000 co-op and internship experiences. More than one-third of the time, these internships and co-ops lead to job offers – and Miron is no exception.

Consider recent graduate Lucy Krieg of Kaukauna, who received her construction management degree in May and immediately took a job as safety manager for Miron.

Lucy Krieg, safety manager for Miron and recent �� Polytechnic graduate

Krieg ��. journey with Miron began at an on-campus career fair, which led to two consecutive summer internships and then a year-long opportunity to work on the Heritage Hall project as an intern.

“Being able to see things both on the construction site and in the classroom and being able to go back and forth between the two was really important to me,” Krieg said. For example, Krieg could experience something new during her internship, then return to the classroom and ask a faculty member about it. This kind of networking with professors and peers helped fortify the construction knowledge she gained on job sites, Krieg said.

“Looking back, I feel like my internship prepared me exactly how I needed going into my career,” she said. “It gave me the skills and the confidence that I need to back up those skills.”

Sawyer Steineke of Kaukauna is another construction management major who is interning with Miron this summer, working on projects in Green Bay, Kaukauna and elsewhere around the state. Steineke said the internship has given him a deeper understanding of the construction business, “Especially when you get in the field with people who’ve been doing this for the past 30 years.”

Steineke expects to bring his internship experience with him when he returns to class in the fall. “When I get to Heavy Construction and certain classes like that, I’ll have the knowledge that I’ve been on a job that was similar to this,” he said.

Sawyer Steineke, Miron Construction intern and �� Polytechnic construction management major

Likewise, the skills he ��. gained this summer will follow him into his professional life. “If you speak to a lot of construction management majors, they’ll tell you a lot of the things you’re going to bring with you into your future career are going to be learned through these internships,” he said. “So, Stout allowing us to be able to do something like this and get credit for it is a really cool opportunity.”

Miron helps create year-long construction master class

The Heritage Hall project also created the opportunity for a new course that gave students unique access to the site and the construction experts working on it.

When the Heritage Hall project was in its planning stages, Lecturer James Bunkelman of the operations and management department reached out to Holly Nowak, a senior project manager with Miron, to see if he could arrange a site visit for students. Instead of offering only a tour, Nowak suggested creating a master class that would be built around the Heritage Hall project.

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

Once a quarter during both the fall and spring semesters, students met for a four-hour class, which began with Miron staff members presenting topics which were then explored on the job site so students could see their real-world application.

“This was polytechnic at its finest. You couldn’t define polytechnic any better than how this class ended up,” Bunkelman said. “It can be very challenging for the students to take the academic side of what we’re trying to teach them and put it into perspective. The goal was to use the fact that Heritage Hall couldn’t be any closer or any better suited for that.”

The course turned out better than Bunkelman could have hoped: Because of the size and complexity of the project, Miron is using cutting-edge technology that might not be found at other job sites, giving students a richer experience. For example, students were able to use a virtual reality 3D model to better understand how site planning works as construction managers determine the placement of construction cranes, parking and pedestrian pathways.

Opportunities for student engagement will continue for the coming semesters, as both construction projects are expected to continue into 2028.

Stout breaks ground on transformative $32M project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift

The long-awaited work on Heritage Hall, which opened in 1973 as the Home Economics Building, began last September. The extensive, clean-slate renovation will double the number of students the building will be able to serve to about 4,000. The project was primarily funded through the 2023-25 state budget, with an additional $13.5 million in private funding from university supporters, industry partners and alumni made through the �� Foundation & Alumni Association.

The Recreation Complex project, which began last spring, will add nearly 12,000 square feet of recreation space and renovate an additional 28,000 square feet at the facility, which was built in 1963. The project is primarily funded through student fees as well as a record-setting $5 million gift from alumnus Dallas Pankowski and his wife, Edye, a Menomonie native.

Construction management majors get up-close experience on multimillion-dollar Heritage Hall, Recreation Complex upgrades Miron Construction Scaffolding Training

Heritage Hall Renovation

This project creates a new, unified home for workforce-critical degree programs in the College of Art & Human Sciences and more.

Recreation Complex Renovation

A new renovated recreation complex to improve the student experience with expanded, improved fitness and recreation space.

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Hero Caption: Miron Construction conducts safety training at �� Polytechnic.

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Creek restoration, data center viewpoints, sustainability researched by LAKES REU students

goersab — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:45:01 +0000

Creek restoration, data center viewpoints, sustainability researched by LAKES REU students goersab July 21, 2026

Nine undergraduates from around U.S. invite conversations at community presentation Aug. 6

Abbey Goers

Early in the morning on one of the hottest days of the summer, �� Polytechnic biology Associate Professor Keith Gilland and students Abi Cherry and Norah Shires trekked to the mouth of Galloway Creek, where it meets the Red Cedar River in Menomonie.

The group is investigating water quality, insect communities, and sedimentation processes in the heavily urbanized stream, as part of LAKES Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Cherry, Shires and seven other students representing nine universities from across the country are working to improve the health of the Red Cedar watershed.

Led by �� Polytechnic professors, the students are collaborating across disciplines in environmental science, biology, anthropology and psychology as they seek to develop sustainable solutions with community and government partners, local citizens and policymakers.

Associate Professor Keith Gilland and LAKES students Norah Shires and Abi Cherry measure the width and depth of Galloway Creek.

LAKES co-director Tina Lee, program director of applied social science, has been involved in the federally funded program, part of �� Polytechnic ��. experiential learning, since its inception in 2014.

“Our interdisciplinary approach seeks to better prepare students with the analytical skills needed to address complex environmental issues. They are really helping to build knowledge for improving our local environment, water quality, and eutrophic lakes – where phosphorus and nitrogen pollution causes blue-green algae blooms and low oxygen levels – particularly in the Midwestern U.S. Students get the opportunity to see their research directly impact the community around them and make important contributions to new science and policy,” Lee said.

The LAKES program runs from June 7 to Aug. 8. Students and mentors invite community members to a public presentation and forum from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Raw Deal in Menomonie.

Abi Cherry uses a transparency tube at Galloway Creek to measure water clarity and turbidity.

LAKES REU researchers

�� Polytechnic mentors and their students are:

Biology Associate Professor Keith Gilland
- Abi Cherry, University of Cincinnati, biology
- Norah Shires, University of Northern Iowa, environmental science
Biology Senior Lecturer Arthur Kneeland, co-director of LAKES
- James Devereaux, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, anthropology and psychology
- McKenna Dudley, Illinois State, environmental system science and sustainability
Anthropology Professor Thomas Pearson
- Sydney Peterson, UW-Milwaukee, freshwater science and water policy
- Daniel Rogers, University of North Texas, anthropology
- Jacob Smertneck, West Virginia University, anthropology and environmental science
Psychology Program Director Professor Sarah Wood
- Hattie Larson, �� Polytechnic, psychology
- Annabel Raffin, Amherst College, Massachusetts, environmental studies and psychology

Norah Shires uses a DO meter at Galloway Creek to measure temperature and oxygen levels.

Urban stream management and restoration

Cherry and Shires are comparing characteristics of Galloway Creek with those of streams in local nature preserves to determine the impacts of urban watersheds on streams and what management activities might help build a healthy stream through the city. They have visited disturbed, undisturbed and restored sites along the creek.

“This project is the next step in a long history of Stout faculty and students studying and stewarding Galloway Creek and its watershed,” Gilland said.

They are also examining stream morphology – how the course or the depth of the stream has changed over time – as well as the effects of recent restoration projects, focusing on improving the riparian corridor along the stream with the hopes of refining restoration methods and identifying future sites for improvement, including possible channel reconstruction, he explained.

“Water is our most important natural resource; everything living relies on it. Creeks provide water for several ecosystems and contribute to the large bodies we drink from; protecting them and restoring them to good condition will ensure that we get to drink from and recreate in our waters for millennia to come,” Shires said. “The most challenging part of restoration, I think, is public education. Without voters to voice their concerns, funding for restoration projects isn’t placed where it is needed.

“A lot of projects surround the site, like native tree and vegetative plantings, as well as invasive removal. These things help improve the channel of the stream and are achievable,” she added. “What I would like to see is a large-scale removal of impervious surfaces along the creek, like long stretches of concrete. Replacing them with a more permeable material or even forgoing the concrete altogether would reduce urban runoff and improve the overall quality of our waters.”

Abi Cherry and Norah Shires examine insect samples from Galloway Creek in a biology lab.

Circular economy in the Red Cedar watershed

Kneeland, Devereaux and Dudley are studying circular economy in the Red Cedar watershed, with the idea that local commerce has a clearer relationship to the environment, as well as economically benefiting the community in general.

They are using long and short form interviews, talking with local business owners and Chamber of Commerce members to discover people ��. attitudes, values and perceived barriers to engaging in local economic activity.

The interviews have also given insight into how people shop, Devereaux noted, adding that he would like to “explore ways that the Chamber helps the community that might not be normally known, and the reasonings behind their decision making.”

Norah Shires and Abi Cherry identify insect samples from Galloway Creek.

Viewpoints on data center developments

Proposed data center development has become a politically charged and controversial issue that raises new questions about energy, water, and future land use and development in the watershed, Pearson said.

He is working with Peterson, Rogers and Smertneck to study the diverse viewpoints and beliefs that shape public debate about data center development. The students are gathering information through participant observation and interviews and are documenting how local history and place identity inform the concerns of residents. They are also looking at how data center proposals have become a catalyst for community organizing, the response of government officials, and the strategies adopted by industry or other stakeholders working to expand data center infrastructure.

Peterson thinks the most impactful part of the LAKES program is the community connection and how that connection makes the research feel more meaningful than any other project she ��. pursued.

“I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the close relationship between the city of Menomonie and �� Polytechnic. �� feels very integrated into Menomonie, which creates an atmosphere of trust and collaboration I haven’t experienced before,” she said. “I’ve been really surprised at how much respect the community has for the school ��. research and how eager they are to participate in our study, even regarding a contentious topic like data centers.”

Insect samples from Galloway Creek under a microscpe.

Understanding sustainable behaviors and goals

Wood is working with psychology students Larson and Raffin, who are developing two projects using the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand more about people ��. thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to sustainability.

Larson is researching people ��. general attitudes and opinions regarding secondhand shopping and whether it influences other sustainable behaviors. Raffin is investigating community opinions about Wisconsin and Menomonie ��. goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050; how people respond to large-scale sustainability goals that are set at the group level, such as by the city, county, or state; and how effective group-set goals are in motivating behaviors.

They think LAKES REU has been a wonderful opportunity for their team to dive into a wide range of interests regarding sustainability and to gain firsthand experience with the research process. “It has been a great experience to talk with Wisconsin residents and get involved in the Menomonie community,” Larson said.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. 2446660. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Students receive a $6,300 research stipend for the summer, as well as housing in �� Polytechnic ��. residence halls, a $450 food allowance, up to $500 in travel reimbursement and funding support to travel to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research to present their final research findings.

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Tina Lee

Dr. Lee is an applied anthropologist who specializes in the anthropology of the contemporary United States, specifically public policy and inequality. She is a graduate of the Anthropology PhD program at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center and has conducted research about the child welfare system, environmental governance, and humanitarian engineering. She is the author of Catching a Case: Inequality and Fear in New York City's Child Welfare System, published by Rutgers University Press in 2016, as well as serval articles based on her fieldwork in New York City. A book chapter on her follow-up work on child welfare in rural Wisconsin will be published soon. She is also the co-director of the LAKES REU, an NSF-funded research experience for undergraduates site which trains students through research on phosphorous pollution in the Red Cedar Watershed and how it might be mitigated. She teaches anthropology, research methods, and women and gender studies courses and is the program director for the Applied Social Science major as well as the Stout Core Director (Stout's polytechnic version of general education).

Teaching Interests: Cultural Anthropology, Anthropology of Gender, Anthropology of the Contemporary U.S., Qualitative Research Methods, Applied Anthropology

Research Interests: Gender, Race, Poverty and Class; Family and the Law; Women ��. Activism; Public Policy; Urban United States

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Arthur Kneeland

Skills: Teaching, Entomological taxonomy, sampling and IPM. Sustainable Agriculture, GIS proficiency, ARCgis and ERDAS. Statistical proficiency, SAS,

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Research Interests: Innovative sustainable agricultural techniques, Insect Ecology,

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Engineering students support Sierra Space ��. lunar testing system

giffeyt — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Engineering students support Sierra Space ��. lunar testing system giffeyt July 15, 2026

Alum works with computer and electrical, mechanical engineering students to improve lunar dust testing, bolstering NASA ��. return to the moon

Tom Giffey

Through a collaboration with Sierra Space, a leading defense-tech space company, �� Polytechnic students are validating critical systems that may be part of missions that return humanity to the moon.

Under the mentorship of alumnus Todd Treichel, Ph.D., a principal manufacturing engineer at Sierra Space, students from �� Polytechnic ��. Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering have been developing methods to ensure that high-tech parts can survive in the harsh lunar environment.

The work comes at a time of revived public interest in space travel, thanks in large part to NASA ��. successful Artemis II lunar flyby in April. Sierra Space has been actively developing In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies, including developing a system to extract oxygen from lunar soil, as well as efforts to design inflatable space habitats and support activities for an upcoming Moon base.

For several years, �� Polytechnic students have been redesigning and improving a lunar dust testing chamber. The chamber is used to study how gray, gritty moon dust – technically known as “lunar regolith” – could impact components like gears and lighting elements.

�� Polytechnic Sierra Space project research team, from left to right: Luke Stanelle, Heidi Benningfield, Sammie Kotek, Dominick Konkel and Todd Treichel.

“It is very encouraging to know that something our team worked on could impact future designs for lunar testing,” said Sammie Kotek, of New Prague, Minnesota, who graduated in May with a bachelor ��. degree in mechanical engineering. “Todd has given us an opportunity to highlight what we learn here at Stout and apply it to something that will reach very important projects. The redesign and testing of the dust chamber could help better design equipment that is being sent to the moon, and I think that ��. pretty cool!”

From lab to lunar environment

On a Friday during the spring semester, Kotek was among several students who joined Treichel in a lab in Fryklund Hall to use the dust chamber to test two headlights intended for a moon rover. Colorado-based Sierra Space developed the lights, which are meant to be used on an unmanned rover.

While images from the Apollo missions may make moon dust appear light and fluffy, it ��. anything but. Heidi Benningfield, who graduated in May with a mechanical engineering degree, described the substance as “jagged like a kidney stone.” Unlike dust on Earth, which is smoothed and rounded by wind and rain, lunar dust is like a fine, abrasive ash. It ��. also electrically charged, Treichel explained, which means it sticks to things – something Apollo astronauts discovered in the 1960s.

SMART Scholarship recipient guaranteed employment upon graduation

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Over the past two years, a team of �� Polytechnic students have redesigned the lunar testing chamber to make it more functional: For instance, they added variable speeds to the fan that keeps the dust airborne, as well as added a method to keep the dust from settling. Benningfield and Kotek engineered structural components while controls and electrical components were the focus of senior Luke Stanelle, a computer and electrical engineering major from St. Paul; senior Noah Flood Elyafi, a computer and electrical engineering major from Orfordville; and 2025 mechanical engineering graduate Dominick Konkel, who now works at Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Chippewa Falls.

The process had two goals: Measuring how effectively the chamber could coat the headlight lenses with simulated moon dust and assessing how that dust impacts the light output of the lenses. The lenses were coated with a prototype material to prevent dust from accumulating. When compared with an uncoated control piece also placed in the testing chamber, the coating seems to have done its job, Treichel said.

Just as importantly, the chamber that the students designed did its job, too, which will usher in the next phase of the project.

“The ultimate goal would be to take what the students have done and up-scale the chamber size to accommodate larger-sized test articles,” Treichel said. He plans on having several �� Polytechnic students visit Sierra Space ��. Madison location this summer to conduct further tests.

Sierra Space Principal Manufacturing Engineer Todd Treichel with the lunar dust testing chamber in a Fryklund Hall lab.

Mentor comes full circle

Treichel, who received his manufacturing engineering degree from �� Polytechnic in 1990, has worked for Sierra Space and its affiliate, Sierra Nevada Corporation, for 18 years. His experience spans manufacturing and design engineering as well as quality, reliability, and environmental testing. He has worked on everything from rocket engines and thrusters to Mars landers, specifically the Phoenix Lander, and payloads sent to the International Space Station.

A few years ago, Treichel was invited to become a member of his alma mater ��. Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board. At the encouragement of faculty, he visited �� Polytechnic in the hopes of arranging a project between the university and Sierra Space. He connected with Benningfield, who he described as having an exemplary passion for aerospace, and she interned at Sierra Space and presented at the Wisconsin Space Conference in 2024. Benningfield later completed a three-month paid internship as a SMART Scholar Engineer with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

Last summer, Konkel made a keynote presentation about the lunar dust testing chamber at the conference, which is held annually by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, of which �� Polytechnic is an affiliate member.

Left: Dominick Konkel presents at the Wisconsin Space Conference. Right: Cannisters of lunar and Martian simulants. / Todd Treichel

“Being surrounded by so many brilliant minds and mind-blowing projects and knowing that the work I did earned the keynote spot at the conference was such an amazing achievement,” Konkel said.

“What I learned during this project will contribute to my future career through introducing me to topics that I have grown increasingly eager to explore,” continued Konkel, who plans to pursue a master ��. degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan. “These new topics will continue to drive me as I go to grad school and continue to drive deeper into the world of aerospace.”

The lunar dust chamber project grew out of a prototype that was developed about a decade ago, Treichel said. The original chamber prototype had several limitations and was put on pause. However, the launch of the Artemis program and NASA ��. desire to return to the moon meant lunar dust testing was once again a relevant topic, and one that Treichel brought to �� Polytechnic students.

“The Stout team really took on an open-ended challenge where they were tasked with providing recommendations for design architecture, presenting them to Sierra Space, gaining approval, and then cut loose to design, build, and test,” Treichel said. The challenge was complex, he noted, involving the synthesis of mechanical and electrical engineering – precisely the interdisciplinary strength of �� Polytechnic ��. polytechnic model.

“I found this transition to be most impressive because it represents the real world of aerospace design engineering,” he said. “The amount of electrical engineering was greater than originally planned, but the students figured it out and executed without hesitation.”

The lunar dust testing chamber developed by �� Polytechnic students is shown with containers of simulated lunar and Martian dust.

Kotek, who began working at Scott Equipment Company after graduation, said working on the project not only broadened her horizons but gave her valuable experience working across teams, as the testing chamber was frequently passed between the students as deadlines arrived and new features were added.

She lauded the mentorship Treichel has been able to provide because of his long experience in the aerospace field.

“His knowledge about general engineering and aerospace was highly valuable to my learning experience,” Kotek said. “He taught with a purpose and always wanted us to walk away from a conversation gaining something. He also valued our engineering process and never tried to take our project away from us. When doing projects like this, it ��. nice to know that your mentor trusts you to get the job done and does not overstep.”

Treichel said working with students has given him a full-circle experience. “Having graduated from ��, it ��. rewarding to work with the next generation of engineers, almost like handing off the baton in a relay race,” he said. “As a polytechnic university, hands-on work coupled with experimentation on prototype hardware really makes this a solid focus on a career-oriented skill that can one day serve the aerospace industry as well as others like it.”

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

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

Student ��. research aims at space debris

The Sierra Space project isn’t the only space-related research going on at �� Polytechnic. In April, junior Reese Hufnagel presented her work on addressing the growing problem of space debris during the Research in the Rotunda event at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison.

Hufnagel, a chemistry major from Anoka, Minnesota, is working with Professor Matthew Ray to mitigate the risk of reentry debris from spacecraft and satellites. Ideally, materials like used rocket stages and old satellites burn up when they fall to earth. However, as stronger carbon-fiber materials have become more common and the number of rocket launches has increased dramatically in recent years, reentry debris has become much more common. To address this growing danger, Hufnagel and Ray have worked to create a catalytic additive that, when integrated into carbon-fiber materials, can cause them to disintegrate when they reach a specific trigger temperature at reentry.

To bolster their work, Hufnagel and Ray have conducted more than 50 interviews with people in the space industry, including experts at NASA, SpaceX and Sierra Space. The pair have also formed a startup to commercialize their work, and Hufnagel has received a research scholarship from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. The pair also recently published an article about their research at The Conversation, an academic outline that rarely publishes work by authors who aren’t faculty members.

Hufnagel will be a panelist in August at the Wisconsin Space Conference this August in Kenosha. In the meantime, however, she will spend the summer as an intern at NASA ��. Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

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Engineering students support Sierra Space ��. lunar testing system

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Alum works with engineering students to improve lunar dust testing, bolstering NASA ��. return to the moon Sierra Space project team checks equipment

Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering

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Hero Caption: �� Polytechnic students and recent graduates who worked on a research project for Sierra Space look at their lunar dust testing chamber.

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Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group trains next generation of water scientists

goersab — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group trains next generation of water scientistsgoersab July 8, 2026

Faculty, students work across universities in Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin ��. longest-running programs

Abbey Goers

Biology and environmental science faculty, university students and high school students ventured into the marshes, creeks and wetlands surrounding �� Polytechnic and the Menomonie area this summer to understand and strengthen the health of the Red Cedar Watershed.

Their research is part of three of Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin ��. longest-running programs that seek to train the next generation of water scientists: the Field Hydrology three-week advanced field course, the Red Cedar River Basin Internship Program, and the Water in Western Wisconsin: An Interdisciplinary Freshwater Field Camp for High School Students.

The programs are led by �� Polytechnic ��. Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group, which works in collaboration with Universities of Wisconsin schools in its efforts. �� Polytechnic received $358,949 in grants from Freshwater Collaborative to run the three programs during the 2025-27 biennium.

Field Hydrology course

The Field Hydrology course was led by faculty from four Universities of Wisconsin, with 14 students from �� Polytechnic, UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and Beloit College. Students spent a week at or near each UW campus conducting hands-on activities in water science.

“By collaborating with faculty at UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, and UW-Oshkosh, we created a course that lets students explore a wider diversity of water-related research and careers than is available at any one institution. Students learned from experts in the field while building on knowledge from their home institutions and emerged better prepared for careers in water resources,” said �� Polytechnic biology Assistant Professor Nicole Hayes.

Hayes and Lecturer Julia Chapman, program director of M.S. sustainable management, brought the students to Birch, Gilbert and Galloway creeks in the Red Cedar Watershed, which includes about 40,000 acres of open water and 4,900 miles of waterways in northwestern and west-central Wisconsin.

Students learned to assess water quality by measuring physical and chemical variables in the stream and on land. They also collected macroinvertebrate samples and analyzed them in the lab, then calculated diversity indices and the biotic index.

The students learned about soils and wetland delineation with Professor Amanda Little, program director of environmental science, and Professor Matthew Kuchta before visiting Muddy Creek wetland. They also spent time on the Kinnickinnic River at UW-River Falls.

�� Polytechnic students in the course were Cayanna Erickson, who served as a teaching assistant, and Harrison Bennett, Georgia McGrath, and Carter Tieman. The four students are also part of the Red Cedar River Basin internship program.

As a teaching assistant, Erickson, who interned last summer as well, enjoyed teaching her fellow interns how to conduct stream sampling, seeing them each gain skills ranging from stream monitoring to wetland delineation and from understanding how geology impacts aquatic systems, and seeing their growth in the professional world, she said.

“I think what is most interesting to me about participating in these activities is the various skills that I have developed in these experiences, as well as assisting others in developing those skills, from stream monitoring to wetland delineation, and how geology impacts aquatic systems.

“Collaboration between various universities is extremely important because not all faculty members are able to teach every skill necessary for the professional world. Collaborating also allows students to learn a variety of skills from professionals that they may not have learned otherwise,” she added. “My goals for my research are to solidify a sampling protocol that future interns are able to replicate and continue for a long-term monitoring program.”

Red Cedar River Basin Internship Program

In the Red Cedar River Basin Internship Program, six interns – four from �� Polytechnic and two from UW-Eau Claire – are collecting data throughout the summer. The program is organized through the Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring Group.

The goals of the group are twofold. “First, we are training students to conduct research and monitor in a variety of aquatic ecosystems, so when they graduate, they are prepared to solve freshwater challenges as the next generation of water scientists,” Hayes said.

The students are participating in a range of projects this summer. With Hayes, they are collecting water samples from lakes Menomin and Tainter to assess the size of the harmful cyanobacterial algal blooms and measure concentrations of a toxin produced by these blooms.

With Chapman, they are sampling Birch, Galloway, Gilbert, Hay and Wilson creeks to assess water quality by looking at chemical, physical and biological parameters. They’ll study oxygen and pH levels, nutrient concentrations and conductivity, while also examining bank erosion, sediments in the water, habitat in the riparian zone and macroinvertebrate communities.

With Associate Professor Julie Beston and Assistant Professor Cassondra Vernier, the students are studying the relationship between beaver activity, macroinvertebrates and trout. As they collect data above and below beaver dams, they will also look at trout populations in streams with dams using environmental DNA (the genetic material that organisms shed into their surroundings).

Macroinvertebrates are small organisms that live in streams; many are juvenile insects that mature into flying insects as adults. They are important food resources for fish, and the mature adults are food for organisms that live near streams and lakes. Macroinvertebrates are key indicators of water quality.

Each student is also leading an independent research project they developed during the Field Hydrology course:

Bennett is examining how trout stream restoration impacts water quality and macroinvertebrate communities leading up to and directly after the project.
Erickson is conducting a study to estimate the number of zebra mussels currently in lakes Menomin and Tainter and how rapidly they are reproducing.
McGrath is testing methods to use environmental DNA to examine trout populations above and below beaver dams.
Tieman is examining how fish populations change once trout streams are restored.
Emma Herfel, UW-Eau Claire, is measuring growth of potentially toxin-producing cyanobacteria on rocks in local streams.
Kasey Klouser, UW-Eau Claire, is sampling macroinvertebrates in beaver ponds to gain insights into the importance of these ponds for providing bat food resources.

Water in Western Wisconsin high school camp

During the Water in Western Wisconsin high school camp, which ran June 22-25, 21 students from across the state and the country experienced what it ��. like to work in water science through hands-on coursework, preparing them for degrees in biology and environmental science and to enter the workforce.

Camp participants learned about ecological restoration, groundwater systems, water quality, surface water, fish diversity, and water pollution, as well as academic programs and careers focused on water science. Each day was spent in a different location, with experiences led by faculty from �� Polytechnic, UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls.

The Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring interns served as teaching assistants and taught the young students how to do the stream sampling, bug identification and water quality monitoring.

Freshwater Collaborative funded the camp, including visits to other UW campuses. The camp has run every year since 2021, making it one of the longest-running and most successful programs through the Freshwater Collaborative.

Overall, the Freshwater Collaborative invested $4.2 million for the 2025-27 biennium 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. Freshwater Collaborative funding increases research and training opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students and addresses Wisconsin ��. biggest water challenges, including PFAS and phosphorus pollution.

�� Polytechnic ��. biology department offers undergraduate degrees in applied science; biochemistry and molecular biology; biology; and environmental science, as well as an online master's in conservation biology. �� Polytechnic also offers degrees in chemistry and physics.

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Video production program work highlights viability of Wisconsin as film hub

goersab — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:25 +0000

Video production program work highlights viability of Wisconsin as film hubgoersab June 24, 2026

Students, alums assist in Deming ��. unique medical drama ‘Winter Hymns,’ filmed in Menomonie

Abbey Goers

Los Angeles-based Wisconsin filmmaker Nathan Deming believes that there is an immense, untapped wealth of authentic storytelling in his Midwestern home state, and his goal is to continue highlighting regional characters and communities that audiences instantly recognize.

With his latest film, “Winter Hymns,” Deming also highlighted regional filmmaking talent. His professional crew worked alongside �� Polytechnic video production students and recent graduates: Doran Acero, Braden Borgerding, Parker Cmeyla, Bennett Johnson, Ethan Kulinski, Connor Nelson, Ryan Rumary and Caleb Sander.

“Making movies in the Midwest allows us to capture a genuine, grounded human element that also hasn’t been seen that many times authentically on film before,” said Deming, originally from Tomah.

Bennett Johnson (center left) and Parker Cmeyla (right) on the set of 'Winter Hymns.' / Parker Cmeyla

“Having �� Polytechnic students work alongside a more experienced crew was an incredibly rewarding aspect of this production. The creative energy on set was fantastic because the students brought an immense eagerness to learn, and the professionals involved were incredibly generous with their mentorship,” he said.

“Winter Hymns” was featured at �� Polytechnic ��. 4th annual Unspooled Film & Animation Festival, May 9-10. This year ��. festival placed a strong spotlight on regional talent and locally produced cinema.

Bringing filmmaking to the Midwest

With his creative roots firmly planted in the Midwest, Deming was at the forefront of the movement for Wisconsin ��. new film office, Film Wisconsin. Operated by the Department of Tourism, Film Wisconsin promotes and supports the film and television industry in the state.

The office ��. film tax credit makes $5 million available annually to assist the production of feature and short films, scripted and unscripted television shows, documentaries, broadcast advertisements, and production infrastructure in Wisconsin. The tax credit helps drive economic development, builds long-term investment in Wisconsin ��. creative community, boosts domestic and global reputation and inspires movie tourism in Wisconsin.

Colleen Madden (left) in a scene from 'Winter Hymns.' / Peggy Trojan

Video production Lecturer Co O’Neill believes filmmaking is on the rise in Wisconsin, as productions decentralize from the coasts. “The passing of the film tax credit was a big deal for Wisconsin. Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan already had state film offices. The opportunity upped the profile of people already making movies here. More people now have a platform and are building a state network of resources for local folks,” he said.

Gabe Roeske, a department assistant in the School of Art & Design and 2019 alum, thinks that with the new tax credit being passed, more potential crew coming out of the university ��. video production program, and more independent productions, like “Winter Hymns,” coming to the area, things are starting to move in a positive direction.

“There are already a lot of very passionate and incredibly talented video production people living in Wisconsin,” Roeske said. “They’re people who want to make films just as much as anyone else in the country, and they have the skills to pull it off. Unfortunately, with previous tax laws, lack of film incentives, and just a general lack of productions going on, a lot of people end up moving away in search of video production work.

“Hopefully projects like these, and the work of the video production professors and students, keep the momentum rolling and we can see Wisconsin filmmaking really flourish for the first time,” he said.

Doran Acero assists with sound on the set of 'Winter Hymns.' / Ericka Kreutz

Acero ��. “You Must Destroy,” also featured at Unspooled, was filmed in his hometown of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Having graduated in May, he plans to remain in the region, knowing the rich storytelling culture and wanting to represent on film the places he feels most connected to.

“I am so happy to have been a part of the making of ‘Winter Hymns,’ and I want more films like it to be made here in the Midwest. I love the craft of filming and ideally, I can continue to pursue that here; in a place I love with people I love,” he said.

Bringing filmmaking to Wisconsin is something Johnson believes is “incredibly important, especially given the current state of the film industry. As independent filmmaking continues to grow and with the launch of the film tax credit, many young filmmakers in Wisconsin want our voices to be heard and our work to be seen around the world.

“Our goal is to help attract more film and television productions to Wisconsin and establish the state as a viable production hub,” he said. “Beyond the economic benefits, I think it ��. an opportunity to showcase what Wisconsin truly has to offer. We are more than our accents or the Green Bay Packers – we’re a state with stunning landscapes, unique locations, and diverse, creative people whose stories deserve to be told.”

‘Winter Hymns’ – A golden opportunity

“Winter Hymns,” which was featured on Wisconsin Public Radio, was inspired by Deming ��. father, a family physician who practiced palliative care late in his career. The unique drama, set over the course of a single day in a Midwest hospital, follows a dedicated palliative care doctor, played by Colleen Madden, who meets with a series of dying patients and their families.

Ethan Kulinski and Parker Cmeyla on the set of 'Winter Hymns.' / Parker Cmeyla

Working on a small budget, Deming reached out to O’Neill to see if video production students were available to help. O’Neill ��. small-town connections also served well in helping Deming secure the lease of an affordable office building near the hospital in Menomonie for filming.

“Nathan learned about Stout ��. program and the quality of our students,” said O’Neill, who ��. taught video production for more than 20 years. “They’re composed, professional and excited to be on set. Working on the production of ‘Winter Hymns’ helped the university ��. and the program ��. profile, while giving the students professional experience. It was a symbiotic experience.”

Acero and Johnson joined Deming ��. production team to help with lighting the week before principal photography. As second assistant camera, Johnson was responsible for changing lenses, helping build and prep the camera each day alongside Cmeyla, first assistant camera, and assisting with the on-set camera workflow. Acero served as production assistant, assisted the gaffer, operated the c-camera and ran sound.

Parker Cmeyla (right) on the set of 'Winter Hymns.' / Parker Cmeyla

The students also worked with sound recordist Roeske, who handed the main audio dialogue to a professional post-production sound mixer at Warner Bros.

“As the whole film takes place in a single room, we had to figure out how to make the doctor ��. office visually appealing and squeeze a lot of visual variety out of this one location,” Acero said. “This short stint on an independent production was golden. I picked up so much new terminology, got to use tools that were a step above what I previously had, and I made professional connections that have already benefited me greatly.”

O’Neill added that watching professionals work, like cameraman Leo Purman, was life-changing for the students. “Watching his methods was an immersive experience for them that they wouldn’t have had in the classroom. In these guided experiences, they build soft skills while gaining knowledge of equipment and processes. They understand more and come back to the classroom changed in ways of professionalism,” he said.

Nathan Deming (right) and cinematographer Leo Purman on the set of 'Winter Hymns.' / Nathan Ouellette

2026 Unspooled Film & Animation Festival

The Unspooled Festival recognized outstanding achievements across multiple categories:

Best Documentary: “Making It” by Benjamin Mohr (M.F.A. design student).
Best of the Midwest: “A Date with Your Family” by Joel Sacramento (Madison)
Best Short Film: “Stay” by Aden Gonzalez (Racine)
Best Student Animation: “Badge of the Dead” directed by Hannah Brown (B.F.A. animation student)
Polytechnic Pioneers: “Delivery Life” directed by El Ovall (B.F.A. animation student)
Best High School: “Everything I Am, Everything I’m Not” by 17-year-old Xavier Alexander (Texas)
Best Student Short: “Seeing Diabetes” by Ryan Rumary (B.S. video production graduate)

The festival hosted animation premieres, including “Closet Combat 3” by alum Augustus Hinton, with support from a Minnesota Arts Grant; and “Glow” produced by Professor Jesse Woodward alongside several �� students.

Beyond screenings, the festival offered educational programming and workshops that provided hands-on industry experience to Wisconsin students, including �� Polytechnic students and secondary students from Eau Claire, Mauston and Milwaukee.

Guest speakers included Deming, who discussed the art of cinema and regional production, drawing on his decade-long “The Year Project” and his upcoming, untitled Wisconsin thriller. Jeff Kennel, an immersive documentary and editorial filmmaker who has documented conflict, post-disaster recovery, and poverty across 11 countries for NGOs like Americares, alongside commercial work for Trek Bikes and NMDP.

Eau Claire-based filmmaker Tim Schwagel joined the festival to share his invaluable expertise on the art of the short film. Guest speaker Hinton offered audiences an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at his creative process. Bowling Green State University animation instructor Rachel Immel, Sacramento, and alum Reed Theship-Rosales led hands-on mentorship sessions for students.

The 2026 Unspooled Film and Animation Festival was supported by a $10,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation and the Modern Language Association.

�� Polytechnic ��. 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.

Video Production

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Hired before graduation as video content media manager for Pest Badger

Students, alums assist in Deming ��. unique medical drama ‘Winter Hymns,’ filmed in Menomonie Video production, Winter Hymns, directed by Nathan Deming

B.S. Video Production

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Search Keywords: video production degreeWinter HymnsNathan DemingUnspooled Film and Animation Festival

Hero Caption: Nathan Deming (center left) directs Colleen Madden (center right) in a scene from 'Winter Hymns.' Photo by Nathan Ouellette.

Keif Oss

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

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

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

Full Name: Keif T. Oss

Job Title: Assistant Professor / Program Director

Include in Directory: Yes

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

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

Program

All Degree Programs

B.S. Video Production

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

Education:

Degree: M.F.A. Digital Filmmaking

University: Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Filmmaking

Degree: M.S. Career & Technical Education

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: B.S. Graphic Communications Management

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

CSTEMM SOAD

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

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2026 Unspooled Film & Animation Festival

B.S. Video Production

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