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Polytechnic at its finest: Miron Construction campus projects give students unique opportunities

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

Polytechnic at its finest: Miron Construction campus projects give students unique opportunitiesgiffeyt July 22, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On-campus internship leads to full-time job

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Miron helps create year-long construction master class

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

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

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

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

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

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

�� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

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

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

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

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Oshkosh Corporation will host Design Wisconsin, �� . annual event exploring innovative design

giffeyt — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:25:40 +0000

Oshkosh Corporation will host Design Wisconsin, �� . annual event exploring innovative designgiffeyt May 7, 2026

Professionals, students will gather May 29-30 for a showcase of the cultural and commercial impact of design

Tom Giffey

Oshkosh Corporation, a leading innovator of purpose-built vehicles and a Wisconsin-based Fortune 500 company, will host the Fifth Annual Design Wisconsin event May 29-30 at its Global Headquarters in Oshkosh.

Design Wisconsin, presented by ��, is a showcase of the impacts of industrial design and fashion design on Wisconsin ��. culture, commerce, community and brand. The event typically draws several hundred design professionals and students annually. Admission is free, but organizers request that attendees register in advance.

In addition to serving as host, Oshkosh Corporation will be among the many Wisconsin and Minnesota companies that will display their designs and products at the event, which is held each spring at a different site. In the past, Design Wisconsin has taken place at Milwaukee Tool in Milwaukee, Trek in Waterloo, DELVE in Madison, and on the �� campus in Menomonie.

“We have an exciting lineup of speakers, workshops and exhibitors the embody this year ��. theme, ‘Innovation by Design,’” said Professor Jennifer Astwood, director of the industrial and product design program at ��, who is organizing the event with �� . Continuing Education & Conferences office.

Headquartered in Oshkosh, Oshkosh Corporation employs more than 18,000 people worldwide. Formerly known as Oshkosh Truck Corporation, the company makes vehicles for defense, fire and emergency, commercial, and other market segments. Its products can be found in more than 150 countries under brands such JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™, Oshkosh® Defense and Pratt Miller.

�� Chancellor Katherine Frank speaks at the 2024 Design Wisconsin event hosted by Milwaukee Tool.

Designers and executives from Oshkosh Corporation will be among the featured speakers sharing frontline expertise that is actively reshaping how the world around us is designed, built and experienced. Design Wisconsin speakers will include:

Austen Angell, founder and CEO of Modern Edge Inc., a design and development firm at the leading edge of health technology and user research, and CEO of Epira.AI, which harnesses artificial intelligence to modernize how governments and citizens interact. Angell served as chair of the Industrial Designers Society of America and was inducted as a Fellow.
Chad Smith, senior director of engineering at Oshkosh Corporation, leads advanced technology development across autonomy, active safety, electrification and innovation by combining deep engineering expertise with emerging technology leadership.
Jason Sadler, a 1994 �� industrial design graduate, is a visual development artist with more than 30 years of experience in the animation industry. His clients include Apple, Netflix, Disney, Blue Sky Studios and Locksmith Animation.
Rob Wurm, senior industrial designer at KI Furniture, has spent the past decade designing commercial contract furniture. Over his career, he has developed products and design strategies for companies such as Michelin, Hershey, Kimberly-Clark, and Kohler, and has designed power yachts for Cruisers Yachts and Palmer Johnson.
Nyko de Peyer is product expert team lead at Vizcom, an AI-powered design platform. A trained car designer, he worked at Local Motors on projects including the Rally Fighter, the world ��. first co-created vehicle, and the Strati, the world ��. first fully 3D-printed car.
Mark Charniak, director of engineering at Oshkosh Corporation, where he leads efforts that bring early-stage innovation to life through cross-functional collaboration.
Jesse Gander, industrial design tech fellow at Oshkosh Corporation, specializes in user experience across high-performance, mission-driven vehicles.

An exhibitor speaks to attendees at Design Wisconsin in 2024.

In addition to these featured speakers, Design Wisconsin will include product showcases, panel discussions, networking opportunities, student portfolio review sessions and workshops.

While participating organizations are still being confirmed, organizations that have taken part in Design Wisconsin in the past include Ashley Furniture Industries, DSG Outerwear, Emerson, Fiskars, Generac, Gulf Stream, Harley-Davidson, Kohler, Mercury Marine, Milwaukee Tool, Polaris Industries, National Presto Industries, Room & Board, Sherwin-Williams, Spectrum Industries, Trek and more.

Complete information on Design Wisconsin, including registration details, the event schedule, and accommodations, can be found on the Design Wisconsin website.

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Design professionals from around Wisconsin representing some of the state ��. biggest and best-known brands gathered May 18 for the third annual Design Wisconsin.

Professionals, students will gather May 29-30 for a showcase of the cultural and commercial impact of design Audience at 2025 Design Wisconsin event at ��

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Showcasing the impacts of industrial and product design on Wisconsin's culture, commerce, community, and brand.

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Jennifer Astwood

Teaching Interests: DES 331 – ID3: Product Interface Design (2 sections) DES 231 – ID2: Ergonomics DES 205 – Design Drawing and Concept Visualization ART 256 – Slip-Casting for Designers and Artists DES 231 – ID1: Product Form and Visualization DES 333 – Professional Practice DES 405 – Advanced Presentation Techniques DES 431 – System, Environment, and Context DES 432 – Theory, Society, and Application DES 712 – Sustainable Design Practice SUST 432/632 – Global Sustainability Experience in Design & Manufacturing

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�� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

giffeyt — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:17:16 +0000

�� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilitiesgiffeyt May 1, 2026

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

Tom Giffey

A $31.7 million renovation of �� . Recreation Complex will transform the facility and provide more than 39,000 square feet of new and remodeled space for student health, fitness and wellbeing.

Campus leaders, alumni, legislators and students were among those who took part in the official groundbreaking for the project at the campus Sports & Fitness Center on Thursday, April 30.

Chancellor Katherine Frank speaks at the Recreation Complex groundbreaking on April 30.

Chancellor Katherine Frank said the project came about because of a combination of student initiative and donor generosity. Students voted to support this project in 2019 and again in 2022 through student fees, and Dallas and Edye Pankowski donated $5 million to support the project.

“We often talk about �� . Polytechnic Mission – and at the heart of that mission is student success,” Frank said. “This renovation will support student success by prioritizing student health and wellness through modern, accessible recreation and athletic spaces.”

The transformative project, which is already underway and is expected to be completed by early 2028, will add nearly 12,000 square feet of recreation space and renovate an additional 28,000 square feet at the facility, which was built in 1963. The renovation includes turning a decommissioned pool into a multipurpose gym, relocating the athletic weight room to the current fitness center and then converting the previous weight room into multi-use studios, expanding and upgrading locker rooms, creating a second-floor addition with multi-use courts, and creating a new entrance and atrium to attract and welcome visitors.

The future entrance to ��'s Sports & Fitness Center will be named in honor of donors Dallas and Edye Pankowski.

The latter space will be named in honor of the Pankowskis: Dallas, an alum, and Edye, a Menomonie native he met when she worked at ��. Their $5 million gift, the largest in the university ��. history, will help students and other community members develop and maintain active lives. The couple said their own dedication to physical activity has allowed them to pursue rigorous adventures around the world, from the glaciers of Greenland to the base camp of Mount Everest.

“We know that Stout has world-class laboratories to complement their ‘learn by doing’ philosophy,” Dallas Pankowski said. “This updated remodeling and addition to the gym facility will take a just adequate building and make it an outstanding facility. Stout is a school committed to progress.”

Dallas Pankowski, a �� alum who, with his wife, Edye, donated $5 million toward the project, speaks at the groundbreaking event.

�� Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel said he is among the numerous �� alumni who benefited from using the Sports and Fitness Center for fitness, recreation, stress relief and to form connections with other students. However, over the years, it became clear that the building needed significant upgrades.

“Over time, the building ��. infrastructure, layout, and capacity have struggled to keep pace with student demand, modern standards, and evolving expectations for recreation and wellness,” Utpadel said. “This renovation directly addresses those challenges.”

State Rep. Clint Moses, a �� psychology alum who now represents the Menomonie area in the state Legislature, said the remodeled facility will enhance �� . reputation for the next generation of Blue Devils. “This is going to be state-of-the-art and on par with – if not better than – the other institutions in our UW system,” Moses said. “We need to attract these students here to create the jobs and fill the jobs Wisconsin needs.”

The project will benefit not only the thousands of community members who come through the facility ��. doors annually for sporting events and youth programs but also �� student athletes.

�� students Maraya Wiltrout, at podium, and Ian Bryant, left, spoke about the impact the project will have on the campus.

“From an athletics perspective, this project is incredibly exciting,” said junior Maraya Wiltrout, a member of both the Stout Student Association and the women ��. basketball team. “Our athletic facilities play a huge role in how we train, prepare, and come together as teams – and what we’re breaking ground on today is a major step forward for �� Athletics.”

Fellow �� junior Ian Bryant, who works as an orientation and first-year specialist as well as a campus tour guide, said the renovated facility will benefit all students’ physical and mental wellbeing.

“I often tell prospective students and their families that one of the best things you can see on a campus tour is construction – and luckily we have a lot of it,” Bryant said. “It shows that this institution is growing, it is visible proof that we are investing back into our students, and it means those students will soon have brand-new, state-of-the-art spaces to call their own. What we are seeing here at �� is exactly that kind of investment.”

Director of Athletics and Recreation Erin Sullivan credit student leaders, the campus planning team and retired Director of Athletics and Recreation Duey Naatz with creating the momentum that allowed the project to reach this point.

“This project has involved a long journey, and it is incredibly rewarding to finally gather here for the official groundbreaking,” she said. “This renovation will transform this space into something truly special for our campus community.”

This design rendering shows the interior of the addition to ��'s Sports & Fitness Center.

Wisconsin-based Miron Construction will serve as the project ��. general contractor. Andrew Daniels, senior vice president of the company ��. Eau Claire office, said the project is part of a long, meaningful partnership with ��: Miron is also general contractor for the ongoing renovation of Heritage Hall, which began last fall, and served the same role for the 2016 renovation of Harvey Hall. Such projects create applied learning opportunities for �� students who intern with Miron Construction.

“With our teams on campus every day supporting the Heritage Hall and Recreation Complex projects, we are proud to partner with �� to provide authentic, real-world experiences for students in construction management and safety and risk control,” Daniels said. “These active jobsites offer students firsthand exposure to jobsite conditions, safety coordination and the practical realities of project delivery.”

Just before 20 campus and community representatives donned hard hats and ceremonially turned over shovelfuls of soil, Chancellor Frank offered thanks for the collective effort that is bringing the project from drawing board to reality.

“The end result will be a renovated building that reflects a commitment to health and wellbeing in support of our campus and broader community,” she said.

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Student success, current and future, was at the heart of major progress made on multiple fronts during 2023 at ��.

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift Shovels full of soil are turned at Rec Complex groundbreaking

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

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

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Hero Caption: �� and community officials, students, alumni and other dignitaries take part in an official groundbreaking for the Recreation Complex renovation on April 30.

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Moving forward: Top 10 stories of 2023 highlight success for and by students

polingj — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 17:46:29 +0000

Moving forward: Top 10 stories of 2023 highlight success for and by studentspolingj January 3, 2024

Heritage Hall renovation, record gift for Recreation Complex lead the list

Student success, current and future, was at the heart of major progress made on multiple fronts during 2023 at ��.

The university ��. top 10 news stories of the year reflect that progress. The list is led by state approval for the renovation of Heritage Hall and record private support for another project, the Recreation Complex. The facility improvements will support students on their higher education journey in the classroom and on campus in the years and decades to come.

Student success, the leading goal of �� . FOCUS2030 strategic plan, also was the focus of the other top stories of the year, including new academic programs, major grants, achievements and awards.

Heritage Hall at �� will feature more glass on the exterior and state-of-the-art classrooms and labs when renovations are completed. / ��

1. Heritage Hall renovation fully funded

In the spring, $139 million in state funding for Heritage Hall, one of �� . major academic buildings, was approved and included in the state ��. 2023-25 state budget. Bidding for construction will begin in fall 2024.

Renovating the 50-year-old building will directly address Wisconsin's workforce needs in hospitality and tourism, mental health and wellness, child care and education, food science, disability and rehabilitation services. Nearly 60% of �� graduates remain in Wisconsin, and the employment rate of recent graduates is 99.4%, based on a spring First Destination report.

The project also has received $13.5 million in private funding from university supporters, industry partners and alumni made through the Stout University Foundation.

Another renovation project wrapped up in the summer at South Hall, a residence hall. The $22.5 million refresh of the 1967 building, with 356 beds, began in spring 2022.

Also last summer, the university ��. largest solar photovoltaic array to date was installed at Jarvis Hall Technology Wing, part of a multibuilding solar and energy efficiency project.

Thanks to a $5 million donation from Dallas and Edye Pankowski, a renovated Recreation Complex at �� will include a new welcome center. / ��

2. Record-setting $5M gift for Recreation Complex

In the fall, �� received more good facilities news: Alum Dallas Pankowski and his wife, Edye, a Menomonie native, committed the largest private gift in school history, $5 million, toward the planned Recreation Complex renovation.

The gift will provide one-sixth of the cost for the $30.5 million project and create a new welcome and community space named in honor of the Pankowskis. The 2,700-square-foot addition will be on the west side of the Sports and Fitness Center, just south of the adjoining Johnson Fieldhouse.

3. Major grants

In October, the U.S. Department of Education awarded �� a $2.5 million Title III federal grant over five years to provide comprehensive student support.

The STRONG — Strategic Technology, Retention and Organizational Networks and Guidance — program will holistically support students with increased support in academic advising, first-year experiences, financial wellness and mental health counseling.

Students collect macroinvertebrate samples last summer in Galloway Creek. / ��

In August, �� . environmental science and applied science programs received three research grants totaling more than $463,000 from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. One of the grants, $358,940 for the Red Cedar Watershed Monitoring Project, will focus on water quality in the area ��. lakes, rivers and streams.

Earlier, in April, the cybersecurity program received a $299,000 state Fast Forward grant to address workforce and infrastructure needs. The grant provides paid industry internships to students.

4. NSA cybersecurity designation

In the fall, the university received renewed designation from the National Security Agency and its partners as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity based on the strength of the cybersecurity and the computer networking programs.

The designation, through the 2028 academic year, is an extension of the university ��. 2017-2022 designation from the National Security Agency. �� was the first four-year university in the state to receive it in 2017, and the university ��. computer networking and information technology degree is the only undergraduate program in the state designated a CAE Program of Study.

A student works with a robot in a �� engineering lab. The new automation leadership program addresses advances in engineering and manufacturing technology. / ��

5. First automation leadership program of its kind

In July, �� announced a first-of-a-kind bachelor ��. program in automation leadership. Inspired by industry, it addresses the new age of manufacturing — robots, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, analytics and more, called Industry 4.0, or smart automation.

In the fall, �� began an esports coaching minor to reflect the growing interest in esports competition. �� has an intercollegiate esports — competitive video game — team, the first in the Universities of Wisconsin.

In January, the School of Management began offering a first-of-its-kind Service Excellence course with the support of Forbes Travel Guide, which is known for its independent annual ratings of luxury hotels, restaurants and spas in more than 74 countries.

6. First state apprenticeship program of its kind

In December, �� and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced a first-of-its-kind state initiative to combine instruction at a four-year college with the Registered Apprenticeship program.

The Workforce Development Specialist Certificate program, also known as the Train the Trainer apprenticeship, teaches students about employment and training solutions that meet the needs of businesses and workers.

�� is the first four-year university collaborating with Wisconsin Apprenticeship since it began in 1911. The program offers classes that fulfill instruction requirements for a Registered Apprenticeship and could be credited toward an undergraduate or graduate degree program. The three-class online program teaches students ways to design, develop, implement and evaluate training and development solutions.

�� . Coding Club took first place in a Midwest computer science programming competition. / ��

7. Students shine in competitions

Student success was tangible throughout 2023 with trophies and awards in numerous competitions. They won industry-sponsored, national sustainability challenges in San Diego and Scottsdale, Ariz.; a Midwest computer science programming competition; and took second in a regional computing competition.

Areeba Ali, M.S. food science and technology, won the Wisconsin Biohealth Communications Competition for graduate students at the Wisconsin Biohealth Summit. She also won the state title and People ��. Choice Award for “Development of Eco-friendly Milk Whey Protein Isolate Biodegradable Packaging,” at the annual WiSys SPARK Symposium ��. Quick Pitch final.

Game design student Aden Weisser won two awards at the M+DEV state conference in Madison while Isabel Roberts took first in a regional graphic design competition in the Twin Cities.

Three students, two from packaging and one from video production, took first place in a 48-hour national packaging design competition sponsored by the Institute of Packaging Professionals.

High school students compete in the Make48 competition. / ��

8. First Make48 Career Pathways competition

In late October, �� hosted Make48, a long-running, 48-hour national competition television show. Students from six area high schools invented physical prototypes to solve real-world problems in maker spaces at the Fab Lab while competing for cash and other prizes in Make48 ��. first Career Pathways competition.

Another version of the Make48 competition, building on �� . applied learning focus and industry partnerships, is scheduled for fall 2024.

9. Women ��. basketball championship

In February, the Blue Devils claimed the university ��. first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in 16 years by defeating rival UW-Eau Claire 63-45 in a February showdown at Johnson Fieldhouse. Hannah Iverson was named WIAC Coach of the Year.

The women ��. gymnastics team finished third in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association championships.

Athletics also announced a new men ��. soccer program. The team will begin play in fall 2024.

10. Top UW school for veterans

In November, �� was named the top public university in Wisconsin for veterans and active military students, according to Military Times as part of its national Best for Vets rankings.

In the spring, �� also earned a silver rating and made the national Military Friendly list for the 14th straight year.

Special services for veterans at �� include a peer-to-peer Veteran Mentorship Program, a Military and Veteran Resource Center, a Council on Veteran Services and a student Veterans Club.

Bonus: Top photo of 2023

The top photo of 2023 at �� features members of the women ��. conference championship basketball team in the homecoming parade. / ��

In addition to the top stories of the year, a photo of the year was chosen: Members of the women ��. basketball team taking part in the fall homecoming parade.

The university's photographers and social media manager selected their 10 favorite photos of the year. Faculty and staff were invited to vote, as well as student families and supporters through the StoutFam newsletter.

The 2023-24 academic year at �� continues Monday, Jan. 22, with the start of spring semester classes.

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Student success, current and future, was at the heart of major progress made on multiple fronts during 2023 at ��. Heritage rendering

University Marketing

Major progress: �� highlights its top 10 stories of 2022

At �� in 2022, the word major meant more than a student ��. chosen field of study. It also described progress made and good news received.

Hero Caption: State Reps. Clint Moses, right, and Rob Summerfield speak at a news conference to celebrate the Legislature's funding of the Heritage Hall renovation project.

Marketing Communications

Leading ��'s marketing  and communications

Our Mission

We lead and implement marketing communications, strategies and research to help drive ��'s enrollment, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives.  

Marketing Communications (MarCom) works collaboratively across campus to lead campus-wide marketing strategies through:

Development and implementation of strategic marketing plans and campaigns that support a wide variety of campus goals
Oversight of branding guidelines, imagery, and our internet presence
Engagement of students, donors, and partners through the effective implementation of story-telling via news stories, web, publications, email campaigns, advertising, social media, and video
Data and research to help inform strategic decision-making
Leadership, education, and outreach with various campus committees and constituencies

Request Marketing Services

Faculty and staff can submit requests for marketing support related to following needs through MarCom's StoutCloud services page.

Design/Print Requests
Digital Marketing Requests
Email Design Requests
Photo or Video Requests
Faculty & Staff Profile Support

Visit the MarCom StouTCloud Services Page

Web Production

Search Keywords: Marketing CommunicationsMarComMarketing

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Contact Information

Marketing Communications

Office: 301 Sorensen Hall

715-232-5409

Email: marcom@uwstout.edu

MarCom | StoutCloud

Student On-Campus Jobs

The following student positions are available on the MarCom team:

Digital Marketing Assistant

Campus Connections Newsletter
Please visit our Submission Form to submit your request.

University Branding & Templates
Please visit our I dentity Standards page for more details.

University Calendar Guidelines
Please visit our University Calendar Guidelines page for more details.

Web Development
Please email web content and page development requests to webmaster@uwstout.edu.

Stout Stories
Please email your story ideas to stoutstories@uwstout.edu.

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Best for Vets: University recognized as top public school in Wisconsin for veterans

polingj — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:54:30 +0000

Best for Vets: University recognized as top public school in Wisconsin for veteranspolingj November 6, 2023

�� also 24th best in Midwest in new national rankings by Military Times

For veterans and active military students, �� is the best public university in Wisconsin and one of the best places in the U.S. to earn a higher education degree.

�� made the 2023 Best for Vets list, one of 325 in the country announced Monday, Nov. 6, by Military Times. Veterans Day is Saturday, Nov. 11.

�� ranked first among public universities or colleges in Wisconsin. Six of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin schools made the list. Overall, �� was 24th in the Midwest and 151st among the 325 schools that qualified.

Brian Hackner, �� military education benefits coordinator and Veteran Services director. / ��

“It is an honor, and I am very proud �� made this list. It is a testament to the quality of the veteran-connected students we have and the support they get from their families,” said retired Army Lt. Col. Brian Hackner, the university ��. military education benefits coordinator who oversees Veteran Services.

Earlier this year, �� received a silver designation as a Military Friendly® school for 2023-24. In September, �� also was No. 29 among Midwest universities in the Best Colleges for Veterans ranking by U.S. News & World Report.

�� has 236 veterans and current military students. In the university ��. new First Destination report, 100% of veterans who graduated in fall 2021 and spring 2022 were employed within six months.

Support for veterans

Special services for veterans at �� include a peer-to-peer Veteran Mentorship Program, a Military and Veteran Resource Center, a Council on Veteran Services and a student Veterans Club.

An initiative launched during 2022 is an online course, Military Benefits 101, for first-year and transfer students who are military-affiliated. The course provides an overview of military education benefits along with information about support and services available at ��.

Flags outside of the Memorial Student Center at �� honor fallen service members on Veterans Day 2022. / ��

�� also offers a minor in military leadership.

�� is part of the Northwoods Battalion Army Reserve Officer ��. Training Corps with UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls.

On Friday, Nov. 10, �� will add two alumni to its Memorial Wall, or Hall of Heroes, in the Memorial Student Center. They are the 46th and 47th former students to be recognized for giving their life while serving.

The Military Times

The Military Times is a source for independent news and information for service members and their families, including the Air Force Times, Army Times, Marine Corps Times and Navy Times.

Military Times is owned by Sightline Media Group.

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Veterans

All Veterans News

AASCU ��. Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort

Special assistant to the provost selected as one of 45 distinguished higher education professionals to participate in yearlong program

�� honored for strong support of employees in National Guard and Reserve

Tech. Sgt. Nelson nominates Infrastructure Services Deputy CIO Janicki with Patriot Award

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

For veterans and active military students, �� is the best public university in Wisconsin and one of the best places in the U.S. to earn a degree. S logo on flag

University Marketing

University again receives Military Friendly designation for supporting veterans’ education goals

According to a national organization, �� is a great place for veterans and active military members to pursue their higher education g

Brian Hackner

Full Name: Brian Hackner

Job Title: Military Education Benefits Coordinator / Veteran Certifying Official

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Department: Veteran Services Registration & Records Office

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Web Production Veterans Center

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Celebration of South Hall renovation, latest facility improvement, planned Oct. 12

polingj — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 17:11:11 +0000

Celebration of South Hall renovation, latest facility improvement, planned Oct. 12polingj October 6, 2023

Future university building projects include Recreation Complex addition, Heritage Hall renovation

An open house to celebrate the latest facility upgrade at ��, the renovation of South Hall, is planned Thursday, Oct. 12.

The event, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., will begin with a dedication in the new courtyard, on the north side of the building, followed by self-guided tours of the student residence hall.

“Student success at Stout depends on what happens both inside and outside of the classroom, lab or studio, and this project allows students to live in an updated, dynamic and engaging environment,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said.

Family members help students move their belongings into South Hall at the start of the semester this fall. / ��

The $22.5 million refresh of the building includes updated restrooms and showers, room makeovers with new furnishings, new lounge and kitchen spaces, the latest technology, sustainability features, an elevator, and a new central entryway and courtyard facing the campus mall.

“This project has been a true collaboration and a joy to be a part of,” said Adam Ludwig, director of University Housing. “From student input on design and furniture selection to Stout student interns and alums on the general contracting team – this is a building by the students and for the students that is designed to meet their needs for many years to come.”

Construction majors Noah Gansluckner and Tommy Quinn were part of the Market & Johnson building crew. Alum Ryan Wichmann, 2010, was overall project manager, and Chad Schlough, 1997, was an HVAC manager for a subcontractor.

Students moved into the hall, which has 356 beds, in late August and early September for the start of fall classes.

A lounge space with natural light features a study table in South Hall. / ��

A new feature in the courtyard is an art space. The School of Art and Design and University Housing plan to unveil a new piece of student art annually at the site beginning in 2024, Ludwig said.

Justin Utpadel, �� director of Facilities Management, said the goal of the project was to “create spaces that foster relationship building, integrate sustainability and provide for an improved experience that supports student success.”

South Hall, built in 1967, is at the northeast corner of Broadway Street and 13th Avenue E. The project was approved by the State Building Commission in 2021. Construction began in May 2022.

The rain site for the South Hall event is Merle M. Price Commons, north of South Hall.

An updated kitchen for student use is part of the renovated South Hall. / ��

Rec Complex, Heritage Hall projects on the horizon

The next project on �� . radar is a $30.5 million upgrade to the Recreation Complex, featuring an addition and new atrium on the west side of the Sports and Fitness Center building. If approved by the state, construction could begin in 2026 and finish in 2027.

Last summer, �� received full funding approval in the 2023-25 state budget for the $139 million renovation of Heritage Hall, an academic building. Bidding for construction will begin in fall 2024.

The Heritage project includes demolition of the oldest portion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Building, the university ��. original library built in 1954.

Also last summer, the university ��. largest solar photovoltaic array to date was installed at Jarvis Hall Technology Wing, part of a multibuilding solar and energy efficiency project.

FOCUS 2030 Plan & Initiatives

Other recent facilities improvements

South Hall is the third recent residence hall renovation. McCalmont Hall reopened in 2014 and North Hall in 2019. Similar to those projects, silver metal cladding was added to portions of South Hall ��. brick exterior.

Renovations of other residence halls on south campus are in the university ��. capital plan. �� is developing a University Long Range Plan, an extension of its FOCUS2030 strategic plan.

Previously, renovations were completed on two north campus residence halls, Hovlid in 2010 and Fleming in 2012.

Other recent building renovations on campus have included Harvey Hall, Merle M. Price Commons and Bowman Hall, including the Clock Tower.

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University Highlights

All University Highlights News

Polytechnic at its finest: Miron Construction campus projects give students unique opportunities

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

Oshkosh Corporation will host Design Wisconsin, �� . annual event exploring innovative design

Professionals, students will gather May 29-30 for a showcase of the cultural and commercial impact of design

�� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

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

An open house to celebrate the latest facility upgrade at ��, the renovation of South Hall, is planned Thursday, Oct. 12. South Hall exterior

University Marketing

Recreation Complex Renovation

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

Hero Caption: �� will celebrate the renovation of South Hall with a dedication and open house on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Adam Ludwig

Full Name: Adam Ludwig

Job Title: Director

Include in Directory: Yes

Department: University Housing

Education:

Housing

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Best College on the rise: �� makes strides in U.S. News & World Report rankings

polingj — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 17:10:29 +0000

Best College on the rise: �� makes strides in U.S. News & World Report rankingspolingj September 12, 2022

University advances in five key categories, including Best Colleges for veterans and engineering

The University of Wisconsin-Stout is a Best College on the rise, based on the latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

The 2022-23 Best Colleges lists released Monday, Sept. 12, by the magazine included �� in five key categories. Wisconsin ��. �� moved up in each area over the previous year:

Public regional universities in the Midwest: 13th, up two places; top three in the UW System
Regional universities in the Midwest: 62nd, up seven places.
Midwest regional universities for veterans: 27th, up three places; also up 21 places in two years; top three in UW System
Undergraduate engineering schools nationally without doctoral programs: 70th, up 22 places; also up 40 places in two years; top two in UW System
Best value in the Midwest, 63rd, up two places; top four in UW System

The rankings reflect the university ��. ongoing commitments to excellence, applied learning, career-focused programs, serving veterans and affordability. In 2021, �� implemented its FOCUS2030 strategic plan, which includes five key goals, led by student success.

“At ��, we are committed to continuous improvement in all that we do, as is exemplified in our rapid rise in rankings,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said. “Our distinctive approach to learning as Wisconsin ��. �� and our unmatched employment rate for graduates across the UW System are evidence of our unwavering commitment to student success.”

Students, including Summer Schaefer, second from left, take part in the summer registration and orientation for fall classes, which began Sept. 7. / ��

Student success on campus, in online programs and post-graduation is at the core of �� . mission. The university has three times as many labs and studios as classrooms, required experiential learning in every academic program, a robust Cooperative Education and Internship Program and one of the largest career conferences in the Midwest.

The career-focused approach, which builds on strong industry partnerships, has resulted in a long-running employment rate near or above 98% within six months for graduates, including 98.4% this past year.

In a separate ranking recently by CollegeValuesOnline, �� was named one of the top 30 schools in the nation for its business and industry partnerships.

The university ��. significant improvement in the U.S. News & World Report engineering rankings in part reflects a nearly 100% employment rate for recent engineering graduates. Hands-on learning in labs is part of the everyday experience in the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering.

�� has four undergraduate engineering programs, a master ��. program and an engineering technology program with a total of approximately 1,000 students.

The commitment to supporting veterans at �� includes peer-to-peer Veteran Mentorship Program, a Military and Veteran Resource Center, a Council on Veteran Services and a student Veterans Club. �� also has an Army ROTC — Reserve Officer Training Corps — program.

This year, the university was named a Military Friendly® school for 2022-2023, moving up two levels to a silver designation. This month it also was named a Best for Vets college by Military Times, ranking No. 1 in Wisconsin and 111th overall in the U.S.

�� has approximately 450 military-affiliated students, who include veterans, current members of the U.S. military (active and reserve) and eligible family members.

The university continues to be one of the most affordable in the Midwest. Students have benefited from consistent tuition costs, textbook rental and a growing digital textbook initiative. They also can apply for hundreds of annual scholarships totaling about $1 million through the Stout University Foundation.

A new Wisconsin Tuition Promise program through the UW System will provide additional support to students beginning in 2023.

###

�� is a Best College on the rise, based on the latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report. FYRO 2022

University Marketing

New study abroad program gives students JUMPSTART in precollege experience

Incoming first-year students gain confidence, global awareness while earning credits

Hero Caption: Students walk across campus outside of the Memorial Student Center west entrance. / ��

Katherine P. Frank

Katherine P. Frank became the eighth chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic in March 2020, after a distinguished career as an administrator and faculty member.

During her time at �� Polytechnic, Chancellor Frank has led efforts to codify and amplify the university ��. distinct mission as Wisconsin ��. �� in Board of Regents’ policy documents and a formal university name change, the first throughout the Universities of Wisconsin since 1971. The university has celebrated a balanced budget, enrollment gains, major capital investments, increase in research expenditures, and fundraising successes under Chancellor Frank ��. leadership.

Chancellor Frank serves in leadership roles for several national boards and councils, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and Alliance for Innovation and Transformation. She is actively engaged throughout the state, region, and local community through her work with such organizations as the Wisconsin Technology Council, Momentum West, the Menomonie Area Chamber and Visitor Center, and the Greater Menomonie Development Corporation.

Before her appointment at �� Polytechnic, Chancellor Frank served in administrative and faculty roles at Central Washington University, Northern Kentucky University, Indiana University East, and Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Chancellor Frank, the first female leader of �� Polytechnic, grew up in Colorado and holds a bachelor ��. degree in English from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine. She has master ��. and doctorate degrees in English from the University of Washington, Seattle. Frank ��. research interests include Romantic and Victorian English literature, rhetoric and composition, the scholarship of teaching, and academic leadership.

Full Name: Katherine P. Frank

Job Title: Chancellor

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Department: Chancellor's Office

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Degree: Ph.D. English

University: University of Washington

Degree: M.A. English

University: University of Washington

Degree: B.A. English

University: Bates College

Chancellor

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University moves up in national Military Friendly ranking

polingj — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 16:33:05 +0000

University moves up in national Military Friendly rankingpolingj March 10, 2022

List highlights schools that provide the best programs, services for military-affiliated students

For veterans and active military members, University of Wisconsin-Stout is a great place to get an education, according to a national organization.

The university has been named a Military Friendly® school for 2022-2023, moving up two levels to a silver designation in this year ��. ranking, which was announced recently.

A total of 665 four- and two-year U.S. universities and colleges, about one-third of close to 1,800 that were surveyed, received gold, silver or bronze recognition. Previously �� received the designation but not at one of the top three levels. Ranking criteria include retention, graduation, employment and loan default rates among students, especially veterans.

The list of Military Friendly® schools, developed by the veteran-owned business VIQTORY, can be found online and will be published in the May and October issues of G.I. Jobs magazine.

�� has approximately 450 military-affiliated students, who include veterans, current members of the U.S. military (active and reserve) and eligible family members.

“We are excited about the continued advancement of our tailored support and services for military-affiliated students,” said Chris Engen, a 30-year Army veteran who is the university ��. military education benefits coordinator and oversees Veteran Services

"We are committed to enabling their success from admission to graduation and beyond through personalized service.”

�� . programs and services for military-affiliated students include a resource center in Bowman Hall. / ��

Special programs at �� include a peer-to-peer Veteran Mentorship Program, a Military and Veteran Resource Center, a Council on Veteran Services and a student Veterans Club.

A new initiative is an online course, Military Benefits 101, for first-year and transfer students who are military-affiliated. The course provides an overview of military education benefits along with information about support and services available at ��.

Chris Engen, �� military benefits education coordinator / ��

“Our efforts and initiatives consider and incorporate the perspectives and experiences of our veterans, those currently serving and their family members,” Engen said. “We want to continue to create maximum opportunities for these students to achieve their goals.”

According to VIQTORY, the Military Friendly® program “creates civilian opportunities for veterans. By setting a standard, promoting it and raising the bar over time, it provides long-term, positive reinforcement for American organizations to invest in programs that improve the lives of veterans. It ��. about creating demand for veterans in the private sector.”

�� also is part of the Northwoods Battalion Army Reserve Officer ��. Training Corps with UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls. �� offers a minor in military leadership.

Last fall, �� moved up 18 places to No. 30 among all Midwest universities in the Best Colleges for Veterans 2022 ranking by U.S. News & World Report. The university also has been recognized in recent years as a Best for Vets school by Military Times.

###

Veterans

All Veterans News

AASCU ��. Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort

Special assistant to the provost selected as one of 45 distinguished higher education professionals to participate in yearlong program

�� honored for strong support of employees in National Guard and Reserve

Tech. Sgt. Nelson nominates Infrastructure Services Deputy CIO Janicki with Patriot Award

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

For veterans and active military members, �� is a great place to get an education, according to a national organization. Military Friendly logo

University Marketing

Veteran Services

A community of veterans and services providing you with the camaraderie you came to rely on in the military.

Christopher Engen

Responsibilities

Manages Academic Affairs projects for the Provost's Office
Serves as the Provost ��. representative on committees as required
Provides additional support and assistance to Veteran Services

Full Name: Christopher Engen

Job Title: Special Assistant to the Provost

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Department: Provost's Office

Education:

Web Production Veterans Center

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Lab renovations include new maker space for fashion, engineering students

polingj — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 17:08:01 +0000

Lab renovations include new maker space for fashion, engineering studentspolingj November 19, 2021

Recently completed $3 million upgrades involve multiple rooms in two buildings

At University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin ��. ��, all of the academic programs have an experiential learning component.

For students from seven of those programs, the applied learning and collaborative experiences will be even more robust for years to come with the completion of a $3 million lab and facilities renovation project.

The centerpiece of the project is a 3-in-1 Makers Laboratory on the third floor of Fryklund Hall, which houses the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering. Students from the fashion and retail program and all six engineering and technology programs now have a flexible space when needed.

The space, with movable dividers, has a common central teaching area and labs on each side.

Students in a fashion and retail class work recently in the new Makers Laboratory in Fryklund Hall. / ��

Fashion and retail students have an updated garment construction lab, said Belinda Banike, the program director. Engineering and technology students have a new space for projects, including for storage and power tools, said Professor Tom Lacksonen, engineering and technology department chair.

With large work tables and a central audiovisual screen, the center flex space is designed to help students collaborate on in-class and special hands-on projects. Also, it promotes collaborative projects between the majors, said Chris Bendel, associate dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management.

Other academic majors also can benefit from the maker space, Bendel said.

He said it ��. a “flexible, multidisciplinary setting” where the “tables and furnishings are appropriate for making things, and there is some ready access to tools and equipment.”

One of the goals of �� . FOCUS2030 strategic plan is to advance the university ��. polytechnic reputation by “providing students access to cutting edge technology, innovative programs and collaborative partnerships that support the development of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills.”

A movable curtain divides space in the new Makers Laboratory, with an engineering and technology lab on the right. / ��

Glendali Rodriguez, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said the lab renovation helps address that goal.

“At ��, we have three times as many labs as classrooms. That statistic is significant — it reflects how our buildings and programs intentionally facilitate learning through spaces that allow applied experiences,” Rodriguez said.

“The renovation of this key space is just one example of our strategic approach to creating environments that foster hands-on, cross-disciplinary learning. We are excited about the flexibility it affords and appreciative for the state ��. support in alignment with our mission as a polytechnic university,” she said.

Funding for the project was approved in October 2020 by the State Building Commission.

The project was completed by �� . Facilities Management.

Other improvements

Near the Makers Laboratory is a new computer-aided design — CAD — lab and an expanded and remodeled conference room, both part of the project.

The Makers Laboratory is on the third floor in Fryklund Hall. / ��

Finally, funding was used to create a new materials testing lab for fashion and retail in the adjoining Communication Technologies Building. The old testing lab was in Heritage Hall.

The new testing lab, where students analyze the properties of materials that go into clothing, is about three times larger. Students can “work together much more easily,” Banike said, including in groups of 10 to 15, and the equipment is more accessible than previously for group work.

Near the materials testing lab is new storage and display for the program ��. garment collection.

With the changes, all fashion and retail labs are now in Fryklund and Communication Technologies, which are connected via an indoor walkway. Previously, students had about a two-block walk to Heritage.

Most of the renovated spaces have enlarged historic photos of labs at ��.

The project additionally helps address a proposed complete renovation of Heritage Hall, home to the College of Education, Hospitality, Health and Human Sciences.

Fryklund Hall, named after former school President Verne C. Fryklund, opened in 1962.

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At ��, Wisconsin ��. ��, all of the academic programs have an experiential learning component. Makers Lab 1

University Marketing

Residence hall renovation receives green light from State Building Commission

After 55 years of housing students, South Hall is due for an upgrade, University of Wisconsin-Stout officials believe.

Hero Caption: The Makers Laboratory and other renovated spaces include large work tables for collaborating on projects and large, historic lab photos on the walls.

Christopher Bendel

Teaching Interests: Mathematics, at all levels

Research Interests: Mathematics: cohomology and representation theory of algebraic groups, Lie algebras, finite groups, and related structures

Mathematical Software: Created by student researchers at ��, supported by NSF grant DMS-0400558.

To obtain the software, please contact Dr. Bendel.

Full Name: Dr. Christopher Bendel

Job Title: Associate Dean / Professor

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

Department: Dean's Office (CSTEMM)Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Christopher Bendel CV (224.79 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Mathematics

University: Northwestern University

Degree: M.S. Mathematics

University: Northwestern University

Degree: B.A. Mathematics

University: University of St. Thomas

CSTEMM

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With revised mission statement, university has a guide for the future

polingj — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 17:27:50 +0000

With revised mission statement, university has a guide for the futurepolingj October 15, 2021

Board of Regents approves change, which is part of new 10-year strategic plan

A revised mission statement, part of a new 10-year strategic plan, has received Board of Regents approval to guide University of Wisconsin-Stout into a post-pandemic society and into the future.

At the October meeting of the UW System Board of Regents, the mission statement received final approval, culminating more than a year of work to update it while remaining true to the school ��. founding principles set forth in 1891 by James Huff Stout.

The revised statement reads:

The University of Wisconsin-Stout prepares students for careers through applied learning and research, professional experiences, and collaborative partnerships to benefit a global society. As Wisconsin ��. ��, we fulfill our mission through a curriculum that combines interdisciplinary knowledge and discipline-specific technical skills with critical thinking, creative problem-solving, communication, and social and ethical reasoning skills to better the human condition. We offer career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs for diverse students, in a variety of in-person, hybrid, and virtual modalities, organized around career clusters that include:

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
Art and design;
Business and management;
Education;
Social and behavioral sciences;
Information technology and communications; and
Health sciences and human services.

Students in an environmental science class work on a prairie restoration project near campus, an example of �� . applied learning focus. / ��

The revisions cover an increased emphasis on �� . polytechnic tenets of applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career focus; a focus on changes and opportunities realized during the COVID-19 pandemic; and alignment with the university ��. seven career clusters.

The mission statement was last revised in 2009.

“A 10-year strategic plan encourages innovative, visionary thinking. This is of particular importance because we must challenge our traditional ways of knowing and doing to be successful in a post-pandemic environment,” said Chancellor Katherine Frank.

The statement revision and the FOCUS2030 strategic plan, the latter which was launched in May 2021, were part of a yearlong process that began in July 2020. A meeting was held with approximately 80 people, including 50 external stakeholders such as business and community leaders, legislators, Regents, and UW System officials, to help inform development of the university ��. goals for the next decade.

Chancellor Katherine Frank / ��

As a result of the meeting, it was determined that the mission statement needed to be revised. A public hearing on the proposed statement was held in August prior to Board of Regents approval.

Along with the mission statement changes and FOCUS2030 plan, the university ��. vision statement, part of its mission and values, also has been revised. Key changes include an expanded focus on equity, diversity and inclusivity; enhanced future focus, including a progression from a regional to international leader; and an increased focus on polytechnic tenets, specifically career.

The vision statement reads:

University of Wisconsin-Stout prepares lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens in an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable environment through collaborative career-focused programs that integrate applied learning, theory and research. We will advance our position as a future-focused polytechnic institution and as a regional, national and international leader in higher education in a diverse society.

The FOCUS2030 plan has five goals that are guiding short-term and long-term decision-making. They are:

Student success
Employee success
Institutional sustainability
Equity, diversity and inclusivity
Identity.

The goals align with a series of action plans managed by the university ��. Strategic Planning Group, which is made up of faculty, staff and students.

###

University Highlights

All University Highlights News

University Marketing

FOCUS 2030 Plan & Initiatives

Hero Caption: The sun rises over �� . Bowman Hall and the quill atop the Clock Tower. / �� photo

Meridith Wentz

Primary areas of responsibility:

Enrollment Strategies & Initiatives
- Admissions
- Advisement Center
- Financial Aid
- First-Year Experience
- Registration & Records
- Title III
Planning, Assessment, Research & Quality
- Strategic Planning Process
- University Policies
- University Accreditation
- University-Wide Assessment
Director of Institutional Research
Director of Applied Research Center

Full Name: Meridith Wentz, Ph.D.

Job Title: Vice Chancellor for Enrollment & Quality

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Department: Office of Enrollment & Quality Planning, Assessment, Research & Quality

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PARQ

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News

Polytechnic at its finest: Miron Construction campus projects give students unique opportunities

On-campus internship leads to full-time job

Miron helps create year-long construction master class

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

�������� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

Heritage Hall Renovation

Recreation Complex Renovation

Oshkosh Corporation will host Design Wisconsin, �������� ��������. annual event exploring innovative design

Design Wisconsin

B.F.A. Industrial & Product Design

B.S. Fashion Design & Development

�������� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

Recreation Complex Renovation

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

Moving forward: Top 10 stories of 2023 highlight success for and by students

1. Heritage Hall renovation fully funded

2. Record-setting $5M gift for Recreation Complex

3. Major grants

4. NSA cybersecurity designation

5. First automation leadership program of its kind

6. First state apprenticeship program of its kind

7. Students shine in competitions

8. First Make48 Career Pathways competition

9. Women ��������. basketball championship

10. Top UW school for veterans

Bonus: Top photo of 2023

Major progress: �������� highlights its top 10 stories of 2022

Our Mission

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Best for Vets: University recognized as top public school in Wisconsin for veterans

Support for veterans

The Military Times

University again receives Military Friendly designation for supporting veterans’ education goals

Celebration of South Hall renovation, latest facility improvement, planned Oct. 12

Rec Complex, Heritage Hall projects on the horizon

FOCUS 2030 Plan & Initiatives

Other recent facilities improvements

Recreation Complex Renovation

Best College on the rise: �������� makes strides in U.S. News & World Report rankings

New study abroad program gives students JUMPSTART in precollege experience

University moves up in national Military Friendly ranking

Veteran Services

Responsibilities

Lab renovations include new maker space for fashion, engineering students

Residence hall renovation receives green light from State Building Commission

With revised mission statement, university has a guide for the future

FOCUS 2030 Plan & Initiatives

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

�� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

Oshkosh Corporation will host Design Wisconsin, �� . annual event exploring innovative design

�� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

9. Women ��. basketball championship

Major progress: �� highlights its top 10 stories of 2022

Best College on the rise: �� makes strides in U.S. News & World Report rankings