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With WIAC trophy in hand, Blue Devils hockey team readies for postseason run

giffeyt — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:30:20 +0000

With WIAC trophy in hand, Blue Devils hockey team readies for postseason rungiffeyt February 25, 2026

After first-ever outright regular season title, ‘calm and composed’ squad aims for conference tourney, potential NCAA trip

Tom Giffey

Level-headed play, strong goaltending, and offensive consistency have all contributed to a season of success for the �� Blue Devil ��. hockey team, including a first-ever outright Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference regular season championship.

Now, the Blue Devils are headed into the WIAC Tournament — and potentially the NCAA Division III tourney — as the No. 10 team in the nation.

“We’ve been a very calm and composed team, both with and without a lead, and that has been very helpful for us. We’ve been able to dig out of some games that we probably would have lost last year,” Head Coach Mike MacDonald explained.

“I would say we have a less emotional team than we’ve had in the past when it comes to the highs and lows of the season,” MacDonald continued. “Becoming a little bit more level-headed has benefited us greatly.”

That ��. not to say the Blue Devils (19-5-1 overall, 12-2-1 in WIAC play) and their fans didn’t celebrate on Feb. 14 when the team beat the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds 3-2 to clinch the regular season title. But even as they hoisted the conference trophy, they were looking ahead to tournament play.

The Blue Devils hoist the regular season conference trophy after beating the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds on Feb. 14. / Owen Segna

“Going into the season, that ��. not necessarily your goal, but it ��. a nice achievement along the way,” junior defenseman Sam Kroon, one of three team captains, said of winning the regular season title. “We know we still have a lot to do and a lot of hard work to come, but it ��. definitely a sign of the work we’ve put in throughout the season.”

By beating the Blugolds in two consecutive games to close the regular season, the Blue Devils clinched their first-ever outright WIAC regular season title. (In 2011, they shared the crown with UW-Superior.) Next comes the WIAC Tournament, which for the Blue Devils begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, against UW-Stevens Point at the Fanetti Ice Center in Menomonie. A win that night will send them to the WIAC title game on March 7, where victory will mean a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 17 years.

Goalie Sebastian Monaco, a freshman, has been a standout for the Blue Devils this season. / Jeremy Cwan

Youth, experience combine for Blue Devils

MacDonald said the team has benefited from both experienced veterans and young talent this season. For example, freshman forward Arhip Sidarovich, from Minski, Belarus, earned WIAC Kwik Trip Men ��. Ice Hockey Player of the Week honors in November and ranked as the team ��. No. 2 scorer. Goalie Sebastian Monaco, a fellow freshman from Caledon, Ontario, was WIAC Player of the Week three times this season, most recently after making 58 saves in a two-game sweep of UW-Superior.

After several seasons of junior hockey in his native Ontario, Monaco knew he had to prove himself to earn a spot in the starting lineup. Likewise, the entire team had something to prove, having finished last season 12-13-2 and being picked fifth in the WIAC in a preseason poll. With help from Monaco ��. high save percentage, the team has beat expectations while building confidence.

“Honestly I think when we play with that attitude, that swagger, it ��. pretty hard to beat us — offensively and defensively,” Monaco said.

“We beat everyone in our league multiple times, going into the playoffs,” MacDonald added. “There isn’t a team out there who has our number this season, and that ��. a very good feeling.”

Defenseman Gunner Moore is one of three captains of the 2025-26 Blue Devil hockey team. / Reese Kupsky

The consistent success has rested on the steady shoulders of the team ��. seniors, including defenseman Gunner Moore and forward Kullan Daikawa, both co-captains, who have had to balance the intensity of both academics and athletics in their final semester.

Moore, a B.S. cybersecurity major from Las Vegas, Nevada, explained that as a senior, most of his coursework comes in the form of group projects that require leadership and teamwork, something he ��. accustomed to from years on the ice. His academic field focuses on problem solving and understanding systems — not to mention playing defense — all skills honed in hockey.

Consider the team ��. strength in penalty kill situations, which leave them temporarily shorthanded. “It might look like chaos to people, but there is a system to it,” Moore said of playing defense in the penalty kill. “It ��. built into my head: ‘This is what ��. going to happen.’”

Daikawa, a B.S. health, wellness & fitness major from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, said his academic field has helped him learn how to strengthen and condition his body and to recover faster after competition. “Everything I learn I try to relate it back to hockey,” he said.

Forward Jake McAlpine advances the puck against the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds on Feb. 14. / Ben Killinger

Prepped for the postseason

The Blue Devils regular-season title gave them a bye in the conference tournament, allowing them a couple of weeks to recover and prepare for the postseason, which begins Feb. 28 against UW-Stevens Point. As six-time NCAA champs, the Pointers can’t be taken lightly — but neither can the surging Blue Devils.

“We just take it one game at a time,” Daikawa said. “We’ve stayed calm through the storm, through the whole season.”

Looking forward to representing �� on a larger stage in the postseason, Moore said he ��. reminded of his experience winning a state hockey championship as a high school sophomore. “It was electric: You’d walk into school and people were so excited for you,” Moore said. “Now I’m at the end of my hockey career, and I’m doing that again. It ��. so fun.”

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February 25, 2026

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After first-ever outright regular season title, ‘calm and composed’ squad aims for conference tourney, potential NCAA trip Blue Devils hoist trophy at WIAC regular season victory

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Season schedules, team rosters, news and other updates for �� Blue Devil athletics.

Search Keywords: athleticsBlue Devil hockeyWIAC champions

Hero Caption: Members of the �� Blue Devils hockey team celebrate after clinching the regular-season WIAC title on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. / Owen Segna

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Career-connected learning: SkillsUSA brings nearly 400 middle, high school students to ��

goersab — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Career-connected learning: SkillsUSA brings nearly 400 middle, high school students to ��goersab February 25, 2026

Engineering, technical, design competitions prepare young people for future careers

Abbey Goers

Nearly 400 students from 41 middle schools and high schools across the state will put their engineering, technical and design knowledge to the test at the SkillsUSA Regional Competition at ��, Thursday, Feb. 26, and Friday, Feb. 27.

Students will compete in more than 35 events hosted by Continuing Education and Conferences. Using industry-standard machinery, devices and software across campus labs, competitors’ hands-on experiences help prepare them for their future careers – a goal at the core of Wisconsin ��. ��.

�� students will also build their leadership skills as they help coordinate judging and develop many of the challenges, such as the Team Engineering Challenge. Technical events include 3D printing, additive manufacturing, automotive service technology, carpentry, CO2 dragster, electronics technology, entrepreneurship, mechatronics, medical terminology, precision machining technology, robotics, photography and video production, welding and more.

Events are coordinated and judged by �� faculty, staff and students, SkillsUSA advisors, technology educators and alumni.

Media are welcome to cover the competition. Contact Youth Program Manager Tiffany Hoage at hoaget@uwstout.edu for a full schedule and location of events.

The competition will also host a Future-Ready Workforce Summit from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 26. Area business leaders, human resource directors, and recruiters from across Wisconsin will participate with SkillsUSA Wisconsin team members to discuss the challenges of finding and recruiting skilled employees and how SkillsUSA Wisconsin can partner with organizations and school districts to provide a pipeline of skilled and qualified future workers.

Career-connected learning in action

Career and technical student organizations (CTSOs), like SkillsUSA, are what ��. working in education, said SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Director Jake Mihm, technology and engineering consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

“When we think about career-connected learning and developing the whole child to be college and career ready, CTSOs are the perfect fit to round out a student ��. professional endeavors. Thank you to �� for hosting this event for more than 40 years,” he said.

Mihm, a 1998 �� education in technology and engineering alum, hopes the competition helps students:

Gain a sense of purpose and connectedness to what they are learning in their technology and engineering courses.
Gain a sense that there is more to learn outside of high school and that there is a wonderful variety of opportunities for them beyond secondary education.
Have a positive experience on a Universities of Wisconsin campus.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Students build leadership skills

Many student volunteers are members of student organizations, such as the Student Construction Association and the Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association, which provides leadership opportunities for future educators.

Students Jessica Heckenkamp and Lilly Douty are leading two volunteer efforts this year. Heckenkamp, a double major in manufacturing engineering and mechanical engineering, is the logistics lead for the Team Engineering Challenge, working with engineering technology Program Director Abhi Ghosh. Douty, a hotel, restaurant and tourism management major, is a SkillsUSA Wisconsin alum and has been helping to plan the regional competition.

“I hope the competitors take away from the challenge are the benefits of being able to solve a problem promptly, the value of teamwork, and gracious professionalism, which is the ability to be competitive whilst being a good sport,” Heckenkamp said. “The biggest benefits I see from young students getting to work within Stout are exposure to the college work environment and the confidence that they will get from knowing they can continue their learning and expand their skills up to the college level.”

For Douty, an events management minor, it ��. been a nostalgic experience planning the event. “It has reconnected me with my old SkillsUSA advisor and brought back many other sweet memories. It ��. been great to apply my HRTM skills I’ve learned in class to this event coordinator position. I plan to pursue a career in event management after college, so both HRTM and this campus position are equipping me for the future,” she said.

As a SkillsUSA alum, Douty ��. biggest takeaway from participating in the competition was the connections she made. “I connected with like-minded students from all over Wisconsin, many of whom are still close friends,” she said. “Beyond the friendships, I developed valuable skills such as public speaking, leadership and project management. Competing and collaborating pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me gain confidence in my abilities, both personally and professionally.”

The annual SkillsUSA State Competition will be held April 7-8, in Madison. �� faculty and students will be running the Team Engineering Challenge at the state competition.

SkillsUSA is a nationwide organization that provides educational programs, events, and competitions focused on career and technical education. Founded in 1973, Wisconsin SkillsUSA has 166 high school and middle school chapters. Its talent pipeline covers more than 110 trades, technical, and skilled service occupations, mostly related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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

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�� cybersecurity program ranks No. 14 in nation as students excel in cyber defense competitions

Program has earned national credentials, international reach during its first four years

March 2, 2026

Career-connected learning: SkillsUSA brings nearly 400 middle, high school students to ��

Engineering, technical, design competitions prepare young people for future careers

February 25, 2026

�� announces Latha Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan will advance strategic priorities, foster academic initiatives at Wisconsin ��. ��

February 18, 2026

Engineering, technical, design competitions prepare young people for future careers SkillsUSA Regional Competition

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College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Excitement, accomplishment and potential are three words that probably best describe what you will experience here.

Tiffany Hoage

As the Youth Program Manager at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin ��. ��, I design and lead initiatives that help young learners discover their strengths, spark curiosity, and see themselves as innovators and problem-solvers.

Through programs such as STEAM summer camps, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), SkillsUSA, and Science Olympiad, students explore emerging fields, build technical and transferable skills, and gain confidence in their academic and career pathways.

By collaborating with faculty, student leaders, PK-12 and higher education partners, industry, and youth-serving organizations, I help expand access to high-impact experiences that develop future-ready talent and strengthen communities.

If you are interested in partnering, I welcome the opportunity to connect and explore how we can create meaningful impact together.

Bio Introduction: Youth Program Manager at UW–Stout collaborating with schools, industry, and community partners to advance PK-12 career exploration and workforce readiness.

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Year of Design celebration central to ��'s spring 2026 event schedule

goersab — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:20:00 +0000

Year of Design celebration central to ��'s spring 2026 event schedulegoersab February 11, 2026

Community invited to exhibitions, civic and literary conversations, film screenings and performances

Abbey Goers

As �� steps into spring semester and continues its Year of Design, community members are invited to myriad civic talks, film screenings and literary conversations, art and design exhibitions, and performing arts events for everyone on campus and throughout the community. Events are open to the public; some events require tickets.

�� . Year of Design celebrates the innovation, leadership and impact central to Wisconsin ��. ��. Upcoming signature events include:

Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m.: Fashion Without Fabric, the Midwest ��. premier unconventional fashion runway shows.
Saturday, May 2, 4 p.m.: WEAR Fashion Show, showcasing innovative capstone collections from fashion design and development seniors.
Tuesday, May 5: Research Day, celebrating the research and creative work of students, faculty, and staff from all fields.
Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo (SGX), western Wisconsin ��. largest game developer exhibition.
Friday, May 8, 6 p.m.: SOAD Senior Show, graduating seniors take over Micheels Hall and the Applied Arts building.
Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10: 4th Annual Unspooled Film & Animation Festival, dedicated to showcasing the very best in independent filmmaking.
Wednesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 28: Murals in Menomonie, featuring the Walldogs, is a collaborative group of community organizations bringing in some of the world ��. best mural artists.

Fashion Without Fabric

�� and the School of Art & Design invite you one of the Midwest's premier unconventional fashion runway shows, Fashion Without Fabric.

Art & Design Exhibitions

Furlong Gallery opens its spring 2026 schedule with the School of Art and Design Faculty Exhibit, on view through Saturday, March 6. This exhibit brings together a wide range of interdisciplinary work by more than 25 SOAD faculty artists and designers.

'Vini Van Go' by Eli Koltanowski, and 'A pregnant pause followed by an audible sigh' by Matthew Wilichowski

Friday, March 13, to Thursday, April 23

North Gallery: "Support Structures," a group show by the Studio Art Program Advisory Committee.
South Gallery: "Simon Ungless: A Life in Print in the South Gallery." Ungless is the founder and designer of When Simon met Ralph, and former textile designer at Alexander McQueen

A reception will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, during Destination Weekend. A Meet the Artist event for Ungless will be on Monday, April 13.

Monday, May 4, through September

North Gallery: End of the Year Juried Exhibition
South Gallery: Bud and Betty Student Artist in Residence Exhibition, featuring SAIR recipients Ainsely Violet and Eli Koltanowski

Gallery 209 rotates exhibits on a weekly basis. Located in the Applied Arts building on the second floor, exhibits are reserved for Senior Thesis Exhibitions, as well as master ��. in design students, design and fine art classes and student organizations. An Advanced Printmaking exhibition will be held in Gallery 209, April. 10-12, Destination Weekend.

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.

Student Artist-in-Residence recipients Ainsley Violet and Eli Koltanowski

Civic dialogue

�� . Center for Applied Ethics will host guest speaker J.P. Messina, professor of philosophy at Purdue University. Messina will present on “Workplace Censorship” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, in the Memorial Student Center Ballroom A. He will discuss the legal environment that protects employers’ rights to fire employees, even while exercising freedoms guaranteed under the First Amendment. And if employer censorship becomes widespread, how discourse can suffer as people withhold their views from the public sphere.

Center for Applied Ethics

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

The center also hosts Philosophers’ Cafés, informal, friendly conversations on contemporary issues. Meetings are open to all and are led by �� and UW-Eau Claire faculty. Upcoming conversations will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, at Brewery Nønic in Menomonie:

Feb. 11: What Responsibility Does Society Have Toward Children?
March 11: Perceptions of Law and Its Discontents
April 8: Can Wartime Dehumanization Be Avoided?

The Center for Applied Ethics, Office of Student Opportunity & Excellence, and the Freedom of Expression Committee are hosting a series of events, “Enhancing Campus Culture: Free Expression and Civil Discourse,” funded by the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue and the Menard Center.

Forty to 60 students will participate in four discussion dinners over the course of the year. Each dinner will center around a controversial moral or political issue, with tables facilitated by faculty.

The non-partisan, non-ideological Menard Center is dedicated to the study and discussion of civil liberties and related institutions and innovations through scholarly inquiry, educational activities and community outreach.

Film screening and literary discussions

Continuing with Reading Across Campus’ focus on Jane Austen ��. “Pride and Prejudice,” the Literature Committee will host a film screening and discussion from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Harvey Hall Theatre. A short discussion led by professors Joan Navarre and Kristin Risley will follow the film.

Featured author Dasha Kelly, a former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, will present on her most recent anthology, “A Line Meant: A Collaborative Poetry Collection,” from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20, in Harvey Hall Theatre. Hamilton has worked with incarcerated populations, helping groups write and publish poetry. Her talk is co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Human Sciences and will connect to the theme of “Helping Humanity Flourish.”

University Theatre

University Theatre will present “Something Rotten,” directed by Audric Buhr, at Harvey Hall Theatre. Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world ��. very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

Performance dates and times are:

Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m.
Thursday, April, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.

“Something Rotten” has received several Best Musical nominations and was hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.”

Tickets will be available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Musical performances

Stout Choirs, directed by Jean Enyeart and Jonathan Campbell, while Jerry Hui is on sabbatical: Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m., at Our Savior ��. Lutheran Church, 910 9th Street E., Menomonie. The spring choral program, “Questions,” will be a musical exploration of “why?” As graduates move on to build a better world, they will be faced with many uncertainties. Questions come in many forms: rhetorical, spiritual and intellectual. Fear, awe and wonder lead to different kinds of questions.
The Symphonic Band, directed by Erika Svanoe: Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m., in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. “Echoes of Eco” will feature music about our national parks, the wilderness and the great outdoors, including “Diamond Tide” by Viet Cuong, “Wilderness” by Cait Nishimura, and a music and video presentation of “National Park Suite” by Ryan Fraley. The concert will also feature a new piece by Svanoe titled “Winds Across the Water.”
Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra, directed by James Anderson: Saturday, May 2, 7 p.m., at Harvey Hall Theatre. Come hear, groove and tap your toes to jazz classics, such as Benny Goodman ��. “Sing, Sing, Sing!,” Charles Mingus’ “Fables of Faubus,” Glenn Miller ��. “Moonlight Serenade,” as well as some new favorites, too.

Tickets will be available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

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With WIAC trophy in hand, Blue Devils hockey team readies for postseason run

After first-ever outright regular season title, ‘calm and composed’ squad aims for conference tourney, potential NCAA trip

February 25, 2026

Career-connected learning: SkillsUSA brings nearly 400 middle, high school students to ��

Engineering, technical, design competitions prepare young people for future careers

February 25, 2026

Year of Design celebration central to ��'s spring 2026 event schedule

Community invited to exhibitions, civic and literary conversations, film screenings and performances

February 11, 2026

Community invited to exhibitions, civic and literary conversations, film screenings and performances Artwork by Eli Koltanowski and Matthew Wilichowski

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Year of Design

A year of events highlighting the innovation, leadership, and impact at the heart of everything we do as Wisconsin's ��.

Hero Caption: "Choreography of the Deep" was the first-place winner in the 2025 Fashion Without Fabric show.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reinvigorating renovations

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

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

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

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

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

Advances in AI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upgrading STEMM spaces

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Degree and university programs honored

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

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

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

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

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

High-ranking services for veterans

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

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

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

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

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

Top design awards

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

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

Interior design student tops international field to win Steelcase competition

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

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

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

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

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

Students lending a Helping Hand

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

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

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

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

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

Industry-sponsored projects are standard practice

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blue Devil athletes excelling

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

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

Records set in tenacious battle against undefeated, defending champions NYU

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

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

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

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

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

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

BONUS: Introducing Officer Harvey

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

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

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Polaris, School of Education directors encourage grads to be proud as they ‘improve our world’

goersab — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:51:04 +0000

Polaris, School of Education directors encourage grads to be proud as they ‘improve our world’goersab December 22, 2025

Students share messages of community, kindness, belonging with graduates at Dec. 20 ceremony

Abbey Goers

Two alumni guest speakers and three students addressed 527 of their peers as they celebrated graduation from �� – Wisconsin ��. �� – on Dec. 20. During two ceremonies in Johnson Fieldhouse, the alumni speakers encouraged graduates to embrace the unknown and be proud of their Stout journeys as they positively impact their communities and the world:

Polaris Inc. Director of Industrial Design Michael Leighton (’02), B.F.A. industrial design, addressed College of Arts and Human Sciences and College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management undergraduates.
�� . Associate Dean and School of Education Director Shannon Donnelly (’00, ’05), B.S. vocational rehabilitation and M.S. education, addressed Graduate Studies graduates.

The three student speakers shared messages on the strength of community, sharing simple acts of kindness and belonging, and being a voice for others:

Sophia Moore, of Red Wing, Minnesota, B.S. applied social science, CAHS speaker.
Grace Rucker, of Oronoco, Minnesota, B.S. real estate property management and B.S. hotel, restaurant & tourism management, CSTEMM speaker.
Hanahh Eggum, of Menomonie, M.S. training & talent development, Graduate Studies speaker.

Embrace life ��. uncertainties

In his experiences in design, Leighton said he “found moments of uncertainty to be some of the most valuable, rewarding, surprising and impactful in my life and in my career.”

Michael Leighton, undergraduate ceremony alumni speaker

He offered graduates ideas that helped him navigate, embrace and get the most out of life ��. uncertainties:

“Stay curious: If you approach challenges with youthful curiosity, I guarantee you will learn something of value and surprise yourself along the way, while becoming increasingly comfortable with uncertainty.”
“Pursue your passion: Leverage, chase, and pursue your passion. It will guide your own unique path and be a reminder of what is most important to you.”
“Small hinges swing big doors: Never underestimate the value of the impact you can make in this world. The work you do and your actions and contributions matter.”
“Invest in your community: Paying it forward and taking a proactive, caring interest by contributing to the wellness of your community is worth the effort, and you will get back more than you give. An investment in your community is an investment in yourself.”

“It is now the obligation you own as a graduate of this great institution, to apply your knowledge, skills and craft to tackle life ��. challenges in ways that improve our world for us, our neighbors and for generations to come,” Leighton said.

#StoutProud is a way of life

When Donnelly first came to �� 30 years ago as an undergraduate and member of the women ��. basketball team, she admitted she was far more interested in being an athlete-student than a student-athlete. She had no idea what to major in, much less what career path to follow. But a conversation with a professor changed her life.

Shannon Donnelly, Graduate Studies ceremony alumni speaker

“She said, ‘If your plans of playing in the WNBA don’t work out, I think you should consider being a teacher.’ She suggested an intro class; I took it, and now I’m in my 26th year as an educator. All because a Stout professor saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself,” said Donnelly, whose first teaching job was in special education.

Donnelly soon returned to �� for her master ��. degree. “The relationships I had built and the support I experienced made it clear – there was no place else I’d rather be,” she said.

She has served in several leadership roles within education, including director of pupil services, high school principal and superintendent. And last spring, she jumped at the opportunity to return to �� yet again, this time as director of the School of Education.

“I didn’t hesitate. Coming back to the place that shaped my entire adult life was truly a dream come true,” said Donnelly, who on her first day back on campus “felt the true meaning of being Stout Proud. It ��. not just a slogan – it ��. a way of life.”

This core feeling was at the heart of her message to students: “Wherever you go, Stout Proud will forever be part of your journey.”

‘We lift each other up.’

Moore reminded her fellow graduates that �� “isn’t just a place where we earned a degree. It ��. where we learned what it means to support and be supported. To show up for one another. To build something bigger than ourselves.

Sophia Moore, CAHS student commencement speaker

“That became my legacy at this university. Being the loudest voice in any room, if it meant being a light for students who once felt like I did. Becoming a beacon for the lost. A wrecking ball to barriers that stood in their way,” said Moore, who was the director of Legislative Affairs with Stout Student Association.

“While Stout has been a cornerstone for teaching us what it means to take part in a community bigger than ourselves, I implore you to explore what this truly means to you,” she added.

“Our community at Stout is made up of people from many corners of the world, every background imaginable and every walk of life. And yet, we found connection, we learned from one another, challenged each other and grew together.

“That ��. the kind of community that doesn’t fade after graduation. That ��. the kind of community that carries us forward into our careers, into our neighborhoods, into the next chapters of our lives. It reminds us that no matter how big the world feels, we are never truly alone. We carry each other with us. We lift each other up,” Moore said.

Go in kindness

Rucker asked her fellow graduates to reflect on what makes them unique and what their purpose is. Reflecting on her own purpose, she shared a moment from her internship as a Disney cast member when she worked with Make-A-Wish children.

Grace Rucker, CSTEMM student commencement speaker

“There was one little girl I’ll never forget. Her family came to watch the fireworks, but every reserved viewing area was full. It had been a long, hot day, and sometimes the magic at Disney can start to feel routine – but not that night,” Rucker said.

She asked another cast member to cover her station, while she escorted the little girl and her family to one of the best spots she knew – a quiet bridge near Cinderella ��. carriage, tucked away from the commotion.

“I knelt down to her level, let her choose buttons and stickers and made sure her family had everything they needed. Then she looked up at me and asked, ‘Can I give you a hug?’ She wrapped her arms around me and whispered, ‘This is even better than I imagined,’” Rucker remembered.

From that moment, Rucker will forever carry a lesson: “Our purpose is often found in simple acts of kindness. That spirit of caring, of creating joy for others, is what I see reflected in all of us here today,” she said, looking out across the Class of 2025. “We share the same Stout values: resilience, creativity, professionalism and the drive to make things better.”

Helping others feel belonging

When Eggum transferred to �� during her undergraduate degree, she thought she would complete her classes, graduate and move on. “What I didn’t know then is that �� had very different plans for me,” she said.

Hanahh Eggum, Graduate Studies student commencement speaker

“Because of ��, I found my voice. I discovered passions I didn’t know I had. I uncovered strengths I didn’t realize were mine. This university didn’t just change my path; it changed who I believed I could become. And today, standing here, I am, and always will be, StoutProud,” she said.

Eggum returned to �� to manage Stoutfitters, the university bookstore. Her career then pivoted, and she went on to earn her master ��. degree. She is now the orientation coordinator and project manager for the Dean of Students Office, managing projects that strengthen communication, improve operational processes and enhance student experiences.

“My hope is simple: to help others feel the same belonging and encouragement and possibility that I found here,” Eggum said, encouraging graduates to “take every opportunity, even the ones that feel small, unexpected or uncertain, because you never know where it will lead you.

“As we graduate, we have the opportunity to extend that same support to others. To lead with compassion. To build workplaces and communities where people feel valued. To create change in ways both big and small. To use our voices, especially on days when someone else hasn’t yet found theirs.”

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

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

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

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

Abbey Goers

Two interior design students at �� are working to ensure their peers have a more efficient, comfortable and warm experience at Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the university ��. student pantry.

Emma Walstra and Klaire Johnson – project co-leads who form the EWKJ Interiors team – reimagined the pantry space to create an “atmosphere that reflects the care �� places in serving its students.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A welcoming space, designed for students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Improving lives through creativity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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May 14, 2025

Student design team reimagines pantry space to ensure peers have comfortable, warm experience Interior design, Helping Hand Pantry project

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Jacqueline Bonneville

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

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

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

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Game Expo, Senior Show, STEMM Student Expo cap fall semester with public demos, showcases

goersab — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:23:57 +0000

Game Expo, Senior Show, STEMM Student Expo cap fall semester with public demos, showcasesgoersab December 8, 2025

Students design custom controllers for unique racing games, puzzles, AR experiences

Abbey Goers

An Aesop ��. fables-inspired racing game, a haunted hotel and a futuristic repair shop are all on the menu for players at the Stout Game Expo, western Wisconsin ��. largest game developers’ event, featuring the creative works of about 250 University of Wisconsin-Stout students. SGX is from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall.

Come play games — from cozy tabletop experiences to intense 3D races and multiplayer competitions — all created by first-year to senior students in game design and development-art and the game design concentration in computer science, as well as M.F.A. in design students. All digital games will be available to play online after Dec. 10.

Students in the Exploratory Game Design courses, taught by Karl Koehle and Michael Tetzlaff, are exploring unique gaming experiences, including alternate controllers for their games:

AES-RACE: A cooperative four-player racing game based loosely on Aesop ��. fable “The Tortoise and the Hare.”
Hazard Hotel: A single-player puzzle game, in which a character is directed through an old, haunted hotel with the goal of repairing it.
Retro Repair: An augmented reality (AR) experience, where players repair gaming consoles in a futuristic, cutting-edge, zero-gravity workshop.
Clean Break: A comical two-player game, where one is a dinner plate trying to roll to the dishwasher, and the other, Mr. Ferguson, a crazy old man with a broom, tries to smash it.
Stars & Spurs: A playful shape-drawing adventure, where players control characters in a child-like imaginary play scene by drawing shapes and gestures into a Wacom digital drawing tablet.

Koehle teaches game design-art in the School of Art & Design, and Tetzlaff teaches game design-computer science in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management. Students work in teams, collaborating across degrees to develop their games.

“Michael and I had a collaborative teaching effort,” Koehle said. “Our classes were scheduled to meet during the same time, allowing us to provide critique and insights to each other ��. teams and assist students based on our own disciplines throughout the semester.”

The instructors selected the challenging design constraint to create unique gaming experiences, inspired by the novel interfaces and games on display at the “Alt+Control GDC” exhibit at the international Game Developers Conference.

Also running this week are the STEMM Student Expo from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall and ballrooms. Explore 300-plus STEMM students’ research in more than 100 projects across a dozen fields of study. The event is coordinated by the Hospitality Convention/Meeting Planning class.

The School of Art & Design Senior Show will feature capstone projects by more than 100 seniors from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. SOAD students will display their creative works in exhibits throughout Applied Arts and Micheels Hall.

AES-RACE

In Aes-Race, players race against each other as turtles and rabbits in three-wheel rickshaw tuk-tuk vehicles. Aiden Rogowski and Aidan Musil developed the physical steering controllers out of wood, PVC, microcontrollers and sensors. Caleb Budde led the racetrack development by programming tools to quickly revise the course design.

Two teams of two compete to complete three laps. Each team has a driver who steers, collects items, and performs tricks and drifts for speed boosters, while the saboteur places obstacles – like an exploding glue bottle – to hinder opponents and clear their own path. The game features custom controllers and takes place within five main levels – Funky Forest, Silly Swamp, Dizzy Desert, Whimsical Winter and Forest Mixed Tape.

Rogowski constructed the steering controllers at home – painted green for the tortoise team and pink for the rabbit team. They resemble bicycle handles, which turn via a caster swivel joint. A small sensor measures rotations processed by a microcontroller hidden beneath that updates player movements on screen.

Artists include Odessa Barreyro, who proposed the game idea, and KC Caron and Jess Haapoja. Programmers also include Jack Decker and Max Mike. The team collaborated on audio design with students at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Hazard Hotel

The development of the Hazard Hotel controller was led by Zak Suhajda, whose role was interface design, electronics and programming. Spencer Betchey was one of the programmers assembling the scenes and programmed interactions among the team.

To repair the haunted Hazard Hotel, the player acts as “The New Guy,” using an electrical switchboard to divert power and activate machinery as they slowly work their way to the top of the hotel.

“What makes this game unique is that the interface resembles a wire switchboard – think of an old-time telephone operator – to power the doors, elevator, lights, etc., in the video game environment,” Koehle said.

Suhajda ��. idea for the switchboard came about while working with Arduino controllers. “I wanted to create something simple, something that my dad would like to play,” he said.

Artists include Ben Musser, Antonio Garcia and Gregg Hammel, who created 2D and 3D art and puzzles. Programming was done by Donovan Hecimovich, Thomas Stolz and Sam Schreiter. The concept for the puzzle game was based on elements of four game ideas developed by the team earlier in the semester.

Retro Repair

Chloe Ferguson, an M.F.A. in design student, is the lead developer of the augmented reality experience, Retro Repair. The game focuses on the theme of “Right to Repair,” which gives consumers the legal right to freely maintain, repair, or modify their own products, such as automobiles, electronics and farm equipment, instead of having the original manufacturer provide repair service.

In this AR space, the player is a repair technician from the future, who uses tools to repair old, proprietary consoles. Tools at their disposal are a screwdriver, heat torch and wire cutters. They repair each console around the proprietary restrictions in their AR workshop.

Developers also include Connor Donnelly and Alex Lietha. The team mimicked the shape and feel of old consoles as well as an arcade-inspired color theme to give a nostalgic sense to their futuristic game.

“This is a collaborative process, a project based on teamwork,” Ferguson emphasized. “As a master ��. in design student, I can concentrate on the artistic aspects, while working with Connor and Alex, who are more versed in programming.”

Ferguson and Donnelly have both participated in the “Right to Repair” in a sense. Ferguson enjoys the creative freedom of building custom desktop computers, and Donnelly has adapted consoles and charging ports to suit his preferences. “The frustration we felt with some devices helped inform our design of our game. We can help to make things more accessible,” Donnelly said.

Stars & Spurs developers include artists Sam Kiewel, Seth Shaw and Jackson Hinshaw. Programmers Kara Defoe, Andrew Jones, Jasper Knutson, Iris Parke and Onyx Severin.

Clean Break! developers include artists Justin Bonelli, Maddie Honaker, Madi Moseng and Ethan Skoog. Programmers are Jack Belcher, Alex Tlougan, Riley Gaetz, Devon Russin and Dani Matthiesen.

�� . game design and animation lab spaces include a state-of-the-art Vicon Motion Capture Studio, along with many other labs, studios and galleries.

Board game renaissance: �� professor puts the pieces in place for successful game design business

Dave Beck ��. Paverson Games creates elaborate, concept-driven games with the help of other talented faculty

February 16, 2026

Co-op Q&A: Amber Kuhn, IBM, Rochester, Minnesota

Computer science senior hired as a hardware developer before graduation

February 4, 2026

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

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

January 29, 2026

Students design custom controllers for unique racing games, puzzles, AR experiences Game design, AES-RACE

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B.S. Computer Science

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Karl Koehle

Prior to ��, Karl worked over a decade producing animated video exhibits for use in trial. Cases included a variety of topics such as accident reconstruction, patent infringement, product liability, & demonstrative medical processes. He also devoted many years to athlete development as an alpine snowboard racing coach.

Karl joined �� in 2015 as a Lecturer in the Game Design program, teaching design foundation and game design classes. In 2023, he completed his master ��. degree at ��, and accepted the position of Assistant Professor. His thesis focused on affective responses in non-conventional human-computer interactions. Exploring the concepts of delightful design resulted in the production of two functional prototypes with novel interactions.

Teaching interests:
Game Art, 3D modeling, pixel art, exploratory games, senior capstone, course development for student engagement,
interdisciplinary collaborations, and mentorship through custom projects. Advisor for the Casual Gaming Club

Research Interests:
Delightful design, engagement, constructivism, and learning through play.
Current projects include both analog and digital systems, alternate controls, and interactive designs that surprise and delight.

Full Name: Karl Koehle

Job Title: Assistant Professor

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College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Karl Koehle CV (122.52 KB)

Website: Pixel Art Map

Education:

Degree: M.F.A. Design

University: University of Wisconsin–Stout

Degree: B.S. Film & Video Production – Animation

University: Grand Valley State University

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Michael Tetzlaff

Michael Tetzlaff is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin–Stout. He received his B.S. from Bethel University in St. Paul, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. His research interests include image-based computer graphics techniques and especially their applications in cultural heritage. He is the lead developer of Kintsugi 3D, an open-source software project for empirically based rendering of 3D cultural heritage artifacts captured using photogrammetry.

Full Name: Michael Tetzlaff

Job Title: Assistant Professor

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Area of Expertise: Interactive Computer Graphics Photogrammetry User Experience Design Game Design and Development

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

Department: Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department

Curriculum Vitae: Michael Tetzlaff CV (244.64 KB)

Website: Kintsugi 3D Project Website

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: M.S. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

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University: Bethel University

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�� women ��. golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourney

giffeyt — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 01:00:00 +0000

�� women ��. golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourneygiffeyt October 15, 2025

Blue Devils win first WIAC title since 2016, earn NCAA bid

Tom Giffey

The �� women ��. golf team ��. victory this month at the conference championship, where they triumphed by a near-record margin, isn’t the culmination of a season: It ��. a sign of things to come for a young, focused and talented Blue Devils team.

Sophomore Julia Imai and junior Brin Neumann placed first and second individually at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference Championship Oct. 3-5 at the Reedsburg Country Club in Reedsburg, topping the leaderboard and driving the Blue Devils to a 48-stroke victory over runner-up UW-Whitewater, the eight-time defending champions. It was the fourth conference title for the Blue Devils, who last won the WIAC crown in 2016, as well as Imai ��. second individual championship.

It was also the second consecutive season that Head Coach Sophia Connett was named WIAC Coach of the Year. At this year ��. WIAC tournament the Blue Devils managed their emotions — and their play — better than they had the previous year, when they came within nine strokes of the title, Connett said.

Golf Coach Sophia Connett with her second consecutive Coach of the Year award. / Steve Frommell

“This year we made it our main focus to address our fears and nerves and just go in with the killer mindset, which I’d say was exemplified by our margin,” Connett said, noting the team took a 19-stroke lead on the first day of this year ��. championship and didn’t look back.

“After day one we had a chat with the girls about staying focused and keeping the same mindset even though we were winning by that much,” Connett continued. “We just wanted to go and do the exact same thing again, and we did.”

Because of the split nature of the college golf season, the Conference Championship wasn’t the end of the road for this year ��. Blue Devil golfers: Barely a week later they finished fifth in a field of 24 teams from across the country at the Golfweek October Classic in Sandestin, Florida, where Imai tied for second place among 120 players. The team will now take a break until spring, when they will begin the second half of the 2025-26 season, culminating in a trip to the NCAA Championship May 19-22 in Palm Desert, California.

“Having nationals in May makes the spring season a little bit more focused and a little bit more competitive, which I would say is exciting for all of us,” Connett said.

Blue Devil sophomore Julia Imai placed first at the 2025 WIAC Championship. / Steve Frommell

‘Championship mentality’ lauded

“We are incredibly proud of our women ��. golf team for winning the WIAC Championship,” said Erin Sullivan, �� director of Athletics and Recreation. “Their unwavering focus and championship mentality were evident throughout the tournament. This marks our first championship of the academic year, and it sets a strong tone for the months ahead. We look forward to supporting the team as they prepare for the national championship in May. They continue to represent �� and Stout Athletics with excellence and pride.”

The championship is the latest in a string of athletic successes for �� women, including the basketball team ��. trip to the NCAA Division III Final Four last spring and the flag football team ��. victory in the first-ever Midwest College Women ��. Flag Football League Championship.

Fit to a tee: New Pat Kell Golf Center perfect match for Blue Devil teams, golf management majors

Women ��. and men ��. golf team members and students majoring in golf enterprise management have a new, high-tech playing and learning hub at ��.

Andrew Delong, �� director of golf, said the women ��. golf program has been building toward a WIAC championship over the past few seasons. “To fight for a goal and finally see it accomplished is tremendously rewarding,” Delong said. “Achievements like this take a whole community. While our student athletes played exceptionally and deserve the spotlight, the contributions of so many others in and around Menomonie cannot be overlooked.”

In particular, Delong credited Tanglewood Greens, a Menomonie golf course, for providing access to help players develop their skills, as well as the flexibility that �� instructors give to student athletes during the season. Donors are also critical to the program ��. success, Delong said.

“The Pat Kell Golf Center, our indoor facility made possible by Mike Kell and his family, has given our players an incredible space to train over the winter months,” he added. “Finally, the support and pride demonstrated by Chancellor Katherine Frank and our upper administration is contagious and our golfers carry it out on the course.”

Coaches and team members celebrated the conference championship in Reedsburg. / Steve Frommell

Competing at a high level

Imai and Neumann — who finished with three-round scores of 230 and 233 respectively — were part of a strong �� squad at the WIAC Championship, where all five players ended in the top nine, including junior Ashleigh Johnson and senior Hallie Tulip, who tied for fifth at 239, and freshman Sarah Chaffee, who placed ninth with a score of 242.

In just her third season as head coach, Connett said she has been able to form a team with strong bonds on and off the course. “Pretty quickly we got a bunch of girls that I would say all share the same mindset,” she explained. “They all want to work hard. They all want to get better. They all want to compete at a high level.”

And they certainly have competed at a high level. Consider Imai, who was chosen as WIAC Golfer of the Year and WIAC Newcomer of the Year last season as a freshman.

“I’ve always felt that if I do good for myself it ��. good for the team,” said Imai, a food science major from Brookline, Massachusetts. “What ��. best for me is best for the team.”

Reflecting on last year ��. second-place WIAC finish, Imai added: “Knowing where we were last year, being so close as a team, and then just to be able to actually compete all three days and take home the win, that was very fulfilling for us.”

Neumann added that competing at the WIAC Championship was different from taking part in other tournaments. “When you go to conference and you’re representing Stout, you’re playing for the entire school,” said Neumann, a professional and technical communication major from Warrens. “It ��. such a big privilege that out of the whole university population, we get to go out and do that.”

And representing �� in an overwhelming victory was particularly satisfying, Neumann added. “People asked me, ‘Oh, wouldn’t you want a closer finish?’ And I said, ‘Heck no,’” she laughed.

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After first-ever outright regular season title, ‘calm and composed’ squad aims for conference tourney, potential NCAA trip

February 25, 2026

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

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

January 21, 2026

�� women ��. golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourney

Blue Devils win first WIAC title since 2016, earn NCAA bid

October 15, 2025

Blue Devils win first WIAC title since 2016, earn NCAA bid Women's golf team at WIAC Championship

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Hero Caption: The �� women's golf team celebrates their victory at the WIAC Championship. / Photo by Steve Frommell

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Menomonie Culver ��., Brewery Nonic special events support Blue Devils at homecoming

goersab — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0000

Menomonie Culver ��., Brewery Nonic special events support Blue Devils at homecominggoersab October 13, 2025

Fundraisers, family-oriented activities, athletic events set for alumni, community Oct. 23-25

Abbey Goers

Mosey on over to downtown Menomonie to celebrate �� . 2025 homecoming, Thursday, Oct. 23, to Saturday, Oct. 25. As students saddle up for a “Way Stout West” homecoming theme, alumni, supporters, and community members anticipate the annual parade and football game on Saturday.

The community is also invited to two special events supporting students, in collaboration with Menomonie Culver ��. and Brewery Nonic, as well as two open house labs to experience the university ��. polytechnic advantage.

All events are open to the public. Registration is open on the homecoming site. �� staff will be available at the homecoming welcome table Oct. 24, 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Clock Tower Plaza, to provide more details about events happening around campus.

This year marks �� . 109th homecoming, with its first homecoming held in 1917.

Special events to support students

For the second year in a row, Menomonie Culver ��. has created a homecoming flavor for ��. Menomonie Culver ��. will have a Western-themed Flavor of the Day on Friday, Oct. 24, and 100% of Flavor of the Day sales will go to support the Student Success Fund.

Building on this spirit of community and support is a special collaboration with Brewery Nonic, owned by alum Ryan Verdon (’13). Together, �� and Brewery Nonic are debuting a limited-edition homecoming brew, available in apple ale and blueberry ale.

The initiative is more than a specialty beverage; it ��. a way for alumni, friends and community members to support �� students. With the purchase of a signature homecoming glass, guests will receive a free drink ticket, and 50% of proceeds will benefit the StoutProud Fund. This fund directly supports �� . strategic priorities, enhancing the student experience.

Glasses can be purchased online and picked up at the following:

Prehomecoming celebration: Thursday, Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m. (Brewery Nonic)
Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 24, 1 to 4:30 p.m. (Clock Tower Plaza)
Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Clock Tower Plaza)

Alumni connections with brewing and distilling run deep, with faculty and students collaborating for years on applied learning projects ranging from product packaging and design to biochemistry research using brewer ��. yeast.

�� also offers a new collaborative Beer, Cheese and Kombucha for Beginners course, attracting those interested in making their own food and beverages. Check out additional Continuing Education and Conferences opportunities.

Homecoming parade and community events on Saturday

Saturday will start with some preparade fun at the Stout Clock Tower Party from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Bowman Hall Clock Tower Plaza, with face painting, balloon art, yard games and more. All ages are welcome.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at 10th Avenue E. and Broadway Street S. The route goes through downtown and then south on Third Street E. through campus toward the Sports and Fitness Center, ending at 13th Avenue. Watch the parade livestream on YouTube.

A self-guided �� Landmark Walking Tour is available. Two open house labs will be held: a Golf Simulator Demo from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Pat Kell Golf Center, Recreation Complex room 25; and an Esports Lab Demo from noon to 2 p.m., in the brand-new Esports Arena, Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center room 111.

New this year, Downtown Menomonie is hosting the Downtown Fall Frolic, from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Shop sidewalk sales, get one-day-only deals at downtown shops and enter a free raffle to win Downtown Menomonie experience packages.

Athletics and recreation events

University Recreation ��. annual Blue Devil Glow Run is a 2-mile fun run/walk on Oct. 23, beginning at Williams Stadium, winding through campus and ending on the outdoor track. Registration begins at 7 p.m., and runners will take off at 8 p.m.

Cheer on the Blue Devils at two games on Oct. 25. Purchase tickets at the games, or watch the Blue Devils’ games online on the WIAC Network.

Softball Alumni Game: 9 a.m. (Alumni Field)
Football vs. UW-Stevens Point: 1 p.m. (Williams Stadium)

Alumni events

Two special events for alumni are planned. The �� Alumni Awards Celebration will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24, in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms. Purchase a ticket to attend. �� will recognize these distinguished alumni and supporters:

Distinguished Alumni Award: Gene Hallongren, a retired counselor, teacher and administrator at College of DuPage and DeVry University
Trailblazer Alumni Award: Leslie Barlow, a visual artist, educator and cultural worker
Luminary Alumni Award: Greg Else, director of Monitoring and Controls, Individual and Family Markets, with Health Care Service Corporation
Chancellor ��. Award: Dean Weidner, founder and chairman of Weidner Apartment Homes, headquartered in Kirkland, Washington
University Partner Award: Great Northern Corporation, headquartered in Appleton

On Oct. 25, Breakfast at the Buck features a breakfast for alumni from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Silver Dollar, 315 Main St. E. Register online.

Western-themed events for students

Blue Devil Productions is hosting student events all week long, centered around this year ��. theme “Way Stout West.”

Students will kick off the week on Oct. 20, with a Culver ��. Custard Social, followed by the annual Soapbox Derby, featuring student-made cars. Judging begins at 3:30 p.m. on the Memorial Student Center south lawn. The race is set to start afterward on the corner of Second Street W. and Wilson Avenue.

“Stout ��. Favorite Pizza” invites students to taste-test five local pizzerias and vote for their favorite. Students can also play glow-in-the-dark bingo, join a lip sync battle and a chalking competition. Weeklong events include a banner competition, a medallion hunt, and a food drive to support Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the student food pantry on campus.

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After first-ever outright regular season title, ‘calm and composed’ squad aims for conference tourney, potential NCAA trip

February 25, 2026

Career-connected learning: SkillsUSA brings nearly 400 middle, high school students to ��

Engineering, technical, design competitions prepare young people for future careers

February 25, 2026

Year of Design celebration central to ��'s spring 2026 event schedule

Community invited to exhibitions, civic and literary conversations, film screenings and performances

February 11, 2026

Fundraisers, family-oriented activities, athletic events set for alumni, community Oct. 23-25 �� homecoming football game

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Make your plans today to be at Homecoming, October 24-26, 2025!

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Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

giffeyt — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arenagiffeyt October 1, 2025

Teams begin play in state-of-the-art space funded with Foundation gift

Tom Giffey

�� . new $1 million Esports Arena is a real-world example of the expanding impact and importance of virtual sports.

In just five years, �� . esports program has grown into a championship-caliber varsity sport with a highly visible, state-of-the-art space for competitors and fans alike. Previously located in a former classroom in Heritage Hall, the esports program now practices and competes in a brand-new arena on the first floor of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center.

The arena, which was made possible by a $1 million donation from the �� Foundation & Alumni Association and donors, will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2.

“Our esports teams have already experienced significant success and growth, and I know that this amazing facility will continue to support our student athletes and the education of other students from a range of academic programs,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said.

The new 1,900-square-foot space is designed for gamers and spectators alike. In addition to rows of 34 high-end gaming PCs — 10 of which are on a competition stage at the front of the room — the area features comfortable seating for teammates and spectators, stylish design features such as recessed lighting and textured walls, huge monitors to watch the action, and a streaming booth where hosts can provide commentary for online audiences (who can follow the team at twitch.tv/StoutEsports).

Coach Aaron Froelich congratulates a competitor in the new Esports Arena.

�� is an esports trailblazer

�� esports is part of the Wisconsin Esports Conference, which includes teams from 22 Wisconsin schools, including public and private universities and technical colleges. The program has just under 40 students on its roster, divided into five varsity teams — competing in Overwatch, Valorant, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. and Marvel Rivals — and one “Academy” team, the equivalent of a junior varsity squad.

Head Coach Aaron Froelich, who is starting his third academic year with the esports program, said the new arena raises the program ��. profile on campus and among peer institutions.

“Something that ��. really special about this new place is that it allows us to have more team camaraderie within our different game titles,” Froelich said. “I like to compare it either to an athletic department or a track and field team, where you’ve got all these subdivisions within it. Previously we didn’t have a lot of cross-pollination between those rosters.”

In 2020, �� became the first public university in Wisconsin to launch a varsity esports program, which since then has built a tradition of success: Last spring, the Marvel Rivals team won the Wisconsin Esports Conference Championship and placed fifth in the nation across all divisions, while the program won the Wisconsin Valorant Summit LAN championship in 2024. Starting this fall, �� has a new and thriving Esports Club with more than 100 members.

Gaming and esports are also represented academically at ��, which offers a B.F.A. game design and development-art, a B.S. computer science with a game design and development concentration, a minor in esports coaching, and certificates in both esports management and esports production.

Assistant Professor Michael Bird of the kinesiology, health, food and nutritional sciences department said he expects the new arena will give the esports coaching minor a boost.

“The new Esports Arena allows our esports coaching students the ability to interact and coach with the teams, therefore aligning with �� . polytechnic mission,” said Bird, who serves as advisor for the esports coaching minor.

“Recruitment of students and esports athletes will be enhanced by the new facility,” Bird added. “It will provide opportunities to showcase the student athlete experience and also attract nongamers who want to work on the production and sports management side of the events.”

�� esports competitors practice inside the new arena.

Reaching the top of the leaderboard

Also launching this fall is a B.S. game and media studies program, which will give students the communication, research and leadership skills to work with cross-disciplinary teams creating interactive multimedia experiences, said Associate Professor Cody Reimer, the program director.

“Our program acts as the third leg of a tripod alongside game design and development programs in art and computer science,” Reimer said. “Whereas the B.F.A in art trains artists and animators, and the emphasis in game design in the B.S. in computer science trains programmers, our program focuses on all the other knowledge necessary to study, create and understand games and other media.”

Reimer called the new Esports Arena a “natural extension” of �� . efforts to grow and support a culture of gaming that aligns with the university ��. polytechnic mission.

“The gaming industry, including esports, is not a fledgling subculture anymore,” he said. “The creation of this arena represents institutional recognition and investment that puts Stout and our esports teams at the top of the leaderboards. It means opportunities for not just student athletes and coaches, but also for academic programs.”

The esports industry is growing in terms of both spectators and financial impact. According to recent research, the global esports audience is expected to reach 640 million people this year, while global esports revenue is estimated to be $4.8 billion.

Head Coach Aaron Froelich cuts a ribbon at the formal unveiling of the Esports Arena on Oct. 2, 2025.

Championship-level environment

Esports team members say their new hub will help the program level up by providing a more spacious, welcoming and visible environment.

“I think it ��. going to help a lot with the recruiting side,” said Trey Johnson, a junior from Barron and a member of the Rocket League Academy team. “We’re going to have more people here in person. It ��. going to be a lot more inviting to have people come in and practice.”

The esports program ��. previous space didn’t have enough computers to accommodate multiple teams at one time, which meant players sometimes had to practice in their residence halls instead of building strategy side by side with teammates.

Likewise, the new space makes hosting esports competitions easier:It will be the site of an Oct. 18 Rocket League tournament, the Red Cedar Rumble, whose eight teams will include Michigan State and the University of Minnesota. The arena will also host the WEC State Championship in December, which will draw as many as 20 teams.

“One of my goals is to become one of the premier hosting sites in Wisconsin but also in the Midwest,” explained Froelich.

Cody Larkin, a junior from Hanover, Minnesota, and a member of �� . Overwatch team, agrees that the new arena raises the program ��. profile. Larkin has witnessed this firsthand as a campus tour guide. “We actually get to walk through the arena, and so many people are interested in it,” he said. “They get to see it and say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is cool.’”

Froelich said the new arena helps dispel any lingering stereotypes about esports athletes being little more than casual gamers. “We’re out here, we’re competing and representing the university,” he said. “Our players practice as a team for 15 to 20 hours a week and put in a ton of time on their own to hone their craft.

“They take it extremely seriously,” he concluded. “They’re highly competitive.”

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Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

Teams begin play in state-of-the-art space funded with Foundation gift

October 1, 2025

Surging �� esports program scores new arena for 2025, thanks to $1M gift from Foundation

The esports program at �� had a banner year in 2023-24, winning a state championship and qualifying for two national tournaments.

September 12, 2024

Esports champion: Valorant team goes undefeated in state collegiate tournament

An esports team from �� is a state collegiate champion.

May 1, 2024

Teams begin play in state-of-the-art space funded with Foundation gift Coach fist bumps esports player in Esports Arena

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Learn more about ��'s esports program and related academic opportunities.

Esports Coaching Minor

��'s Esports Coaching Minor offers students the training and techniques to help esports athletes take their game to the next level.

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Hero Caption: ��'s Rocket League Academy team competes against a UW-Eau Claire squad at ��'s new Esports Arena on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.

Office: Aaron Froelich, Esports Head Coach

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News

With WIAC trophy in hand, Blue Devils hockey team readies for postseason run

Youth, experience combine for Blue Devils

Prepped for the postseason

Athletics

Career-connected learning: SkillsUSA brings nearly 400 middle, high school students to ��������

Career-connected learning in action

Students build leadership skills

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Year of Design celebration central to ��������'s spring 2026 event schedule

Fashion Without Fabric

Art & Design Exhibitions

Civic dialogue

Center for Applied Ethics

Film screening and literary discussions

University Theatre

Musical performances

Year of Design

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

Reinvigorating renovations

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

Advances in AI

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

Upgrading STEMM spaces

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

Degree and university programs honored

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

High-ranking services for veterans

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

Top design awards

Interior design student tops international field to win Steelcase competition

Students lending a Helping Hand

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

Industry-sponsored projects are standard practice

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

Blue Devil athletes excelling

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

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

BONUS: Introducing Officer Harvey

Our Polytechnic Advantage

Inspiring Graduates Share Their Stout Experiences

Polaris, School of Education directors encourage grads to be proud as they ‘improve our world’

Embrace life ��������. uncertainties

#StoutProud is a way of life

‘We lift each other up.’

Go in kindness

Helping others feel belonging

Fall commencement scheduled Dec. 20 for more than 525 graduates

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

A welcoming space, designed for students

Improving lives through creativity

B.F.A. Interior Design

Helping Hand Food+ Pantry

Game Expo, Senior Show, STEMM Student Expo cap fall semester with public demos, showcases

AES-RACE

Hazard Hotel

Retro Repair

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

B.S. Computer Science

�������� women ��������. golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourney

‘Championship mentality’ lauded

Fit to a tee: New Pat Kell Golf Center perfect match for Blue Devil teams, golf management majors

Competing at a high level

Athletics

Menomonie Culver ��������., Brewery Nonic special events support Blue Devils at homecoming

Special events to support students

Homecoming parade and community events on Saturday

Athletics and recreation events

Alumni events

Western-themed events for students

Homecoming

Championship �������� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

�������� is an esports trailblazer

Reaching the top of the leaderboard

Championship-level environment

Stout Esports

Esports Coaching Minor

Career-connected learning: SkillsUSA brings nearly 400 middle, high school students to ��

Year of Design celebration central to ��'s spring 2026 event schedule

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

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

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

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

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

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

Embrace life ��. uncertainties

�� women ��. golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourney

Menomonie Culver ��., Brewery Nonic special events support Blue Devils at homecoming

Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

�� is an esports trailblazer