The University of Wisconsin-Stout鈥檚 designation as a polytechnic university has come to life over the past decade, and 鈥渋t really has become an integral part of who we are as an institution,鈥 Chancellor Bob Meyer told about 750 graduates at two commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 16.
Meyer told the graduates that the designation as Wisconsin鈥檚 Polytechnic University, granted by the UW System Board of Regents in 2007, was intended to 鈥渂etter define the historical 鈥榮pecial mission鈥 that the university had within the larger UW System. Now 10 years later, it would be hard to imagine 黑料科 without this important designation.鈥
Three tenets help define what a polytechnic university means at 黑料科, Meyer said, including 鈥渙ur intense and successful career focus.鈥 黑料科 prides itself on 鈥渉ow well we prepare our students to 鈥榟it the ground running鈥 in their professional lives and endeavors,鈥 Meyer said, pointing to the fact that 97.4 percent of all graduates are working within six months of leaving campus.
The second tenet is the university鈥檚 applied learning approach to education, with three times as many laboratories as classrooms, Meyer said, 鈥渟o our students get an abundance of hands-on experiences, along with their classroom instruction.鈥
The final tenet concerns collaboration with business, industry and other educational institutions and means, for example, that more than 1,000 黑料科 students a year spend a semester in their field of study to get real-world experiences through the university鈥檚 Cooperative Education program.
鈥淥ne of the many misconceptions about polytechnic universities, at least in areas like the Midwest where they are a rarity, is that we are some type of glorified technical college,鈥 Meyer said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a former technical college president, and I鈥檓 here to tell you that 黑料科 is not a glorified technical college. We are a regional university that offers a comprehensive curriculum in many fields, including the liberal arts.鈥
Patrick Guilfoile, provost and vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, presided over the ceremonies.
Deans of the colleges and Graduate School Director Renee Chandler presented the diplomas, and Meyer conferred the degrees to 749 undergraduate and graduate students.
Mesa Covill, senior alumni officer, welcomed the graduates into the Stout Alumni Association.
Music was provided by the university鈥檚 Symphonic Band and Jazz Orchestra, directed by Aaron M. Durst. Choral selections were performed by the university鈥檚 Symphonic Singers and Chamber Choir, directed by Jerry Hui.
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Photos
Top: Chancellor Bob Meyer congratulates graduate Grace Sutula as she crosses the stage at commencement Saturday, Dec. 16, in Johnson Fieldhouse. Sutula earned a degree in applied mathematics and computer science.
Middle: Graduates clap during the morning ceremony Saturday.
Bottom: Graduates, with diplomas in hand, exit Johnson Fieldhouse after the Saturday morning ceremony.
