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

giffeyt — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Students, staff turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomoniegiffeyt June 30, 2026

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

From an artistic portrayal of the journey of Hmong refugees from Laos to Menomonie to an eye-catching image that captures the past, present and future of Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, students and staff members from ��Ͽ� Polytechnic had key roles in a just-completed effort to create 15 pieces of public art in and around Menomonie.

Murals in Menomonie drew hundreds of artists from across the United States and beyond for a five-day mural-making festival. Since 1993, members of The Walldogs – an international collective of muralists, artists and designers – have gathered annually in a new city to demonstrate their talents. From June 24-28, Walldogs from 30 states and four countries worked alongside local artists to create enduring images honoring the history and culture of the community as curious bystanders watched the process.

Among the murals was a vibrant image created in Wilson Park and designed by two ��Ͽ� Polytechnic students, graphic design and interactive media major Angelina Yang of Plover and interior design major Gao (Pretti) Zhong Thao of St. Paul.

Fifteen murals were painted during Murals in Menomonie, including this one devoted to the city's history.

The 8-foot-by-12-foot mural takes the form of a Hmong story cloth – a traditional style of embroidery that tells a story through images of everyday life, historic events and the natural world. Against a vivid blue background bordered by a triangular motif, the artwork details the journey of Hmong refugees from war-torn Laos across the Mekong River and ultimately to western Wisconsin, represented by a red barn, rolling fields, a farmers’ market and the familiar Bowman Hall Clock Tower.

Yang and Thao learned about Murals in Menomonie from Wade Lambrigtsen, a ��Ͽ� Polytechnic alumnus and lecturer who also owns Vintage Sign Shop in Menomonie. Lambrigtsen, who served as mural coordinator for Murals in Menomonie, reached out to the Hmong Stout Student Association last spring to see if any members were interested in submitting a design for the project. A mural honoring Hmong heritage had been one of the most popular options voted on by members of the public during the planning stages of Murals in Menomonie.

Volunteers paint a mural resembling a traditional Hmong story cloth.

Student gains experience in art, life

Though neither had experience making murals, Thao said she and Yang were eager to take part in the project. “This opportunity doesn’t come very often,” Thao said while taking a break from painting alongside a half dozen volunteers. “It was very exciting, and we wanted to do something to represent the community.”

Thao and Yang brainstormed the elements of the mural – which range from the mountains of Laos to the bandshell in Wilson Park – and then Yang created a digital image using Adobe Illustrator. Next, working with Lambrigtsen in his shop, they made a full-sized printout of the design, whose contours were then carefully transferred to a sheet metal surface with an electric pen.

For three days, muralists worked diligently to bring the artwork to life. While traditional story clothes are meticulous works of embroidery, this one was created with painstaking dabs of paint to create tiny figures and scenes.

Yang and Thao were joined by more than 20 volunteers in downtown Menomonie’s Wilson Park, where the mural took shape. The completed mural is expected to find a home – at least temporarily – at the Dunn County Historical Society’s Rassbach Museum.

��Ͽ� Polytechnic Student Pretti Thao, left, co-designer of the Hmong story cloth mural, poses with Chancellor Katherine Frank.

“I feel ecstatic. I feel great having the whole community here,” Thao said. “I hope this inspires other people to take part in learning our history.”

In addition to the artistic skills she’s developed, the project required Thao to communicate a great deal with other artists, something she expects will help her in professional life as an interior designer.

“I feel like it’s more than an experience on my resume,” she concluded. “It’s a life lesson.”

Camilla Estes, a veteran Walldog who operates a mural business in Paducah, Kentucky, said she was privileged to help the ��Ͽ� Polytechnic students with their mural.

“The best thing about Walldogs is that so many strangers can come together and create so much love and beauty,” Estes said.

Among the ��Ͽ� Polytechnic students and staff members who helped with the story cloth mural were Evangeline Thao, a graphic design and interactive media major from Hudson; Maiyer Xiong, a graphic communication major from Eau Claire; Ghiatight Xiong, an information and communication technology major from Eau Claire; Addison Vang, an applied math and computer science major from Rosemount, Minnesota; and university employees Michael Moua, TRIO Student Support Services, and Heidi Smith, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs. Chancellor Katherine Frank even grabbed a paintbrush to help while visiting the mural sites spread throughout downtown Menomonie.

Chancellor Katherine Frank joins other volunteers to paint a mural portraying ��Ͽ� Polytechnic's past, present and future.

Campus mural embodies polytechnic tenets

Murals in Menomonie involved the creation of 15 murals, 13 in Menomonie and one each for the nearby communities of Boyceville and Ridgeland. Many immortalized historic individuals, events or institutions, including Swiss Miss hot cocoa (invented by Charles Sanna of Menomonie), the Menomonie Blue Caps Base Ball Club, and the Knapp, Stout & Co. lumber business, co-owned by the father of university founder James Huff Stout.

Stout’s most enduring legacy – the educational institution he founded – is now depicted in a mural on the east side of the Administration Building, facing Clock Tower Plaza. Painted just weeks after the word “Polytechnic” was officially added to the university’s name, the mural encompasses elements from the institution’s 135-year history: bold block letters reading “STOUT,” the logos of both the Stout Institute (1908-55) and Stout State University (1955-64), the contemporary triple-banded “S” logo and the official designation as “Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University,” and pillars bearing the institution’s enduring values – Honor, Industry, Learning and Skill. Painted archways bearing the phrases “Forward from our founding” and “Forever to our future” frame a panoramic depiction of campus landmarks.

The artwork was designed by muralist Tom Seibert of California, who has taken part in about a dozen Walldogs events over the years. Seibert’s business, Murals for Schools, specializes in institutional murals like this one. Seibert said the mural was created in trompe l’oeil style (French for “deceive the eye”) and will likely become a popular selfie spot.

��Ͽ� Polytechnic alum Billie Walleen prepares to add her handprint to a mural dedicated to her family's longtime Menomonie business, Bolo Country Inn.

Frank lent a hand to the campus mural as well, praising Seibert’s design. “When we saw Tom’s expertise at creating pride through his murals, we knew we didn’t have to speak to a single point in ��Ͽ� Polytechnic’s 135-year history,” Frank said. “Tom has given us a mural that celebrates the legacy of our graduates and employees in a campus location that deeply resonates with our alumni and many others, while also inspiring future innovation in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and beyond through Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.”

Lambrigtsen said three years of planning went into bringing the Walldogs to Menomonie. Numerous community sponsors, including ��Ͽ� Polytechnic, supported the Murals in Menomonie effort, as did hundreds of volunteers. Among them were at least 10 former ��Ͽ� Polytechnic students and dozens of others connected to the university.

“I think the best part was seeing the community come together, seeing how people stepped up to help,” said Lambrigtsen, who added that the newly created artwork will attract admirers for years to come.

An art auction held June 27 at the Memorial Student Center to celebrate the conclusion of Murals in Menomonie raised nearly $34,000, one of the highest fundraising figures in Walldogs history. The funds will be held in an endowment to support mural upkeep.

The new mural on Clock Tower Plaza joins several others painted by students on campus in recent years. Students in the Graffiti and Street Art summer class have designed and created four large-scale murals on the east side of the Applied Arts Building, including one painted in early June under the leadership of Assistant Professor Mary Climes.

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Muralists from around the U.S. and world join university artists and volunteers for public art event Hmong story cloth mural part of Murals in Menomonie

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Hero Caption: Volunteers paint a mural on the exterior of the Administration Building on the ��Ͽ� Polytechnic Campus during the Murals in Menomonie event.

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

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

��Ͽ� 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 ��Ͽ�’s 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 ��Ͽ�’s 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 ��Ͽ�'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 ��Ͽ�. Their $5 million gift, the largest in the university’s 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 ��Ͽ� alum who, with his wife, Edye, donated $5 million toward the project, speaks at the groundbreaking event.

��Ͽ� Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel said he is among the numerous ��Ͽ� 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’s 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 ��Ͽ� psychology alum who now represents the Menomonie area in the state Legislature, said the remodeled facility will enhance ��Ͽ�’s 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’s doors annually for sporting events and youth programs but also ��Ͽ� student athletes.

��Ͽ� 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’s 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 ��Ͽ� Athletics.”

Fellow ��Ͽ� 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 ��Ͽ� 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 ��Ͽ�'s Sports & Fitness Center.

Wisconsin-based Miron Construction will serve as the project’s general contractor. Andrew Daniels, senior vice president of the company’s Eau Claire office, said the project is part of a long, meaningful partnership with ��Ͽ�: 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 ��Ͽ� 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 ��Ͽ� 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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Hero Caption: ��Ͽ� 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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Blue Devils’ Frozen Four trip, conference title highlight a hockey season for the record books

giffeyt — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:27:36 +0000

Blue Devils’ Frozen Four trip, conference title highlight a hockey season for the record booksgiffeyt March 31, 2026

Young ��Ͽ� squad tied all-time program record for wins in a season

Tom Giffey

The season may now be over for the ��Ͽ� Blue Devils men’s hockey team, but it will live on in the record books as one of the best in program history and points toward a bright future for a relatively young squad.

The Blue Devils finished the year 23-6-1, tying their all-time record for wins in a season set in the 2008-09 campaign. That was also the last time the team reached the NCAA Division III Frozen Four.

This season’s Blue Devils racked up two other notable achievements, winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season title outright as well as winning the WIAC Tournament. Both were firsts for the program.

The Blue Devils celebrate after winning the WIAC Tournament on March 7. / Reese Kupsky

Fans packed the Fanetti Community Center through the postseason run and followed the team to the NCAA tournament in Utica, N.Y.

“The support surrounding our hockey program this season was nothing short of incredible and made this run truly special,” Director of Athletics & Recreation Erin Sullivan said. “From our alumni and students to our dedicated staff and faculty, Menomonie youth hockey, and the entire community, the excitement was felt everywhere and for that I am thankful. I am proud of this team and the energy and belief they brought to our university and the Menomonie community.”

The Blue Devils’ season ended in the March 27 national semifinal with a 4-2 loss to the Hobart Statesmen, three-time defending national champions who were riding a 42-game winning streak. ��Ͽ� was within one goal of Hobart until the final minutes, when the Statesmen scored on an empty net. (Two days later, No. 1-ranked and undefeated Hobart was upset in the championship game, losing 2-1 to Hamilton College in overtime.)

Blue Devils goalie Sebastian Monaco in Frozen Four action March 27 against Hobart. / Reese Downs

��Ͽ�’s record-setting achievements bode well for the future, particularly considering the youth of the team. Freshman goalie Sebastian Monaco, who had 36 saves in the final game, was named a 2025-26 CCM/AHCA Men’s Division III All-American. Monaco led the WIAC with a 1.91 goals-against average and .939 save percentage, which ranked fifth in the nation.

The Blue Devils’ scoring leaders for the season were also all underclassmen, including sophomore forward Hayden Stocks, junior forward Nicolas Pigeon and freshman forward Arhip Sidarovich.

Monaco and Stocks were both named to the All-WIAC Team, while Coach Mike MacDonald was honored as WIAC Coach of the Year. Pigeon and senior defenseman Gunner Moore received honorable mention on the All-WIAC Team. In addition, junior defenseman Sam Kroon was named an Elite Scholar-Athlete by the NCAA.

“This season has laid a great foundation, and I'm excited about the future of Stout hockey,” Sullivan said.

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Hero Caption: The Blue Devils hockey team celebrates after a goal against Hobart in the Frozen Four on March 27. / Photo by Owen Segna

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Ranked fifth in nation, Blue Devils hockey team carries home ice advantage into first NCAA tournament in 17 years

giffeyt — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Ranked fifth in nation, Blue Devils hockey team carries home ice advantage into first NCAA tournament in 17 yearsgiffeyt March 11, 2026

��Ͽ� hosts Anna Maria College in first round on Saturday, March 14

Tom Giffey

For the first time in nearly two decades, the ��Ͽ� Blue Devils hockey team is headed to the NCAA tournament, riding high after a 5-4 victory in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference Tournament championship game.

��Ͽ� (21-5-1) defeated UW-River Falls on March 7 to earn its first trip to the NCAA tourney since 2009. The Blue Devils, now ranked fifth in NCAA Division III, will open the tournament with a first-round game against Anna Maria College (20-5-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, on home ice at the Fanetti Community Center in Menomonie. Tickets are available online.

Having a sell-out crowd — including fans filling the bleachers and standing several deep outside the glass — was a boost to the Blue Devils during the championship game, said Head Coach Mike MacDonald. He anticipates similar support Saturday from ��Ͽ� students and community members.

“When you go into a season, you’re thinking about just getting to the NCAA tournament, and home ice is an afterthought, because it’s such an accomplishment to get into the tournament in the first place,” he said. “But to have such an incredible season where we are going to host our first game at home, that’s icing on the cake.”

Blue Devils hockey players celebrate the WIAC Tournament victory that propelled them to the NCAA Tournament. / Photo by Ben Killinger

Defenseman Gunner Moore, one of the team’s captains, said support from the community, especially at the most recent game, has been unprecedented.

“The most exciting part for me was having the rink so filled and how excited people were. It’s never been like that here before,” said Moore, a senior from La Vegas, Nevada.

“It has been unreal,” he continued. “I was walking into the fieldhouse the other day and I heard some track athletes singing our goal song. Seeing people in the community and talking to them has been awesome.”

Fellow co-captain and defenseman Sam Kroon, a junior from Calgary, Alberta, added that playing in front of an energetic home crowd will give the team a huge advantage.

“The support from the entire school and town has been amazing,” he added. “All the guys have had professors, students and community members come up and congratulate us. It's special to see the school and community support and cheer us on during our games and the playoff run.”

Fans in the sell-out crowd at Fanetti Community Center in Menomonie. / Photo by Ben Killinger

Intense arena atmosphere

Director of Athletics & Recreation Erin Sullivan said it’s been an exciting season for the athletics department and the university.

“Our student athletes believe they can win, and that belief is showing up in how they compete. I’m incredibly proud of them,” she said. “I’m also grateful for the support we’ve received — from student athletes in other sports, from our student body, from the Stout community and from the Menomonie community.”

Sullivan added that “the atmosphere this past weekend was unreal” and she is looking forward to a similar environment on Saturday. “Hosting any round of the NCAA tournament is a big deal, and we intend to use home ice to our advantage,” she said. “This opportunity reflects the momentum across our department, and we’re excited to continue representing ��Ͽ� on the national stage.”

Depending on the outcome of Saturday’s game and other factors, there’s a chance the Blue Devils could host a second-round NCAA game at home as well. But the team isn’t thinking about that yet: They’re focused on carrying their season-long success into the next game.

“I think that when we’re playing at our best we can beat anyone. I think that was fairly evident by the way we could get up 5-1 against one of the most talented teams in the country,” MacDonald said, citing the lead the Blue Devils built in the championship before a late rally by the Falcons, who almost tied the game in the third period. That late rally by UW-River Falls was a reminder to the Blue Devils not to take their foot off the gas, MacDonald added.

Forward Arhip Sidarovich (19) scores against UW-River Falls. / Photo by Ben Killinger

Standout season

Three weeks earlier, on Feb. 14, the Blue Devils earned their first-ever outright regular season WIAC title with a home victory over UW-Eau Claire. They followed up with wins over UW-Stevens Point and UW-River Falls to clinch the WIAC tourney.

The team demonstrated a balanced approach against the Falcons, with the five goals coming from five different players — junior Nicolas Pigeon, sophomore Noah Tyrrell, freshman Arhip Sidarovich, sophomore Nicholas Stevens and senior Kullan Daikawa — while freshman goalie Sebastian Monaco stopped 24 shots.

The team has racked up numerous achievements this season, which has already been one of the most successful in program history. By beating the Falcons, the Blue Devils won their first-ever WIAC Tournament Championship, hoisting the Commissioner’s Cup and earning the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils have also won more than 20 games this season for the first time since 2009, when they reached the Frozen Four.

All this for a team that in a preseason poll was predicted to finish fifth in the six-team conference. Now they hold that same position in nationwide NCAA rankings.

“To be fifth out of 91 teams is quite an accomplishment, considering the schedule that we play,” MacDonald said.

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��Ͽ� hockey to host Anna Maria College in first round of NCAA tourney

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Hero Caption: Members of the ��Ͽ� Blue Devils hockey team celebrate with the Commissioner’s Cup after winning the WIAC Tournament. / Photo by Ben Killinger

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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 ��Ͽ� Blue Devil’s hockey team, including a first-ever outright Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic 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’s 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’s not necessarily your goal, but it’s 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’s 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’s Ice Hockey Player of the Week honors in November and ranked as the team’s 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’s high save percentage, the team has beat expectations while building confidence.

“Honestly I think when we play with that attitude, that swagger, it’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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’s built into my head: ‘This is what’s 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 ��Ͽ� on a larger stage in the postseason, Moore said he’s 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’s so fun.”

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

giffeyt — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:33:20 +0000

��Ͽ� announces Latha Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs giffeyt February 18, 2026

Dr. Ramakrishnan will advance strategic priorities, foster academic initiatives at Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University

Tom Giffey

��Ͽ� has announced that a new provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs will begin on Aug. 1.

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan, currently special assistant to the provost at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, will advance strategic priorities and foster academic initiatives that reflect ��Ͽ�’s status as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ramakrishnan to ��Ͽ�. She brings the background, ideas, and experience that will help advance ��Ͽ�’s distinct polytechnic identity and support student success,” said Chancellor Katherine Frank, who announced the appointment on Feb. 16.

With a focus on collaboration and innovation, Dr. Ramakrishnan will work closely with faculty, staff and stakeholders to address regional and state needs and support student success. 

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan

“I am excited to join ��Ͽ� and contribute to its vibrant polytechnic identity,” Ramakrishnan said. “I am inspired by the ‘Do More on Day One’ spirit, and I look forward to partnering with all stakeholders to lead Academic Affairs. Together, we will advance academic excellence in alignment with our core polytechnic tenets to better serve our students.”

Glendalí Rodríguez, who has served as ��Ͽ�’s provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs since 2019, will return to the faculty within the Operations and Management Department.

Ramakrishnan will come to ��Ͽ� with considerable academic and administrative experience, having served as a professor, chairperson, program director, dean and associate provost (interim). During her tenure at St. Cloud State University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, she secured or contributed significantly to securing more than $9 million in external grants, including several National Science Foundation grants, which provided scholarships in STEM, improved student success, and enhanced research infrastructure. At Commonwealth University, she established the college’s first external advisory board and empowered faculty to lead the development of the first college strategic plan.

During her interview process at ��Ͽ�, Ramakrishnan demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and excitement to lead the Academic Affairs unit in advancing ��Ͽ�’s polytechnic mission. Ramakrishnan holds a Ph.D. in physical polymer chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science; a M.S. in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras; and a B.S. in chemistry from the Sri Sarada College for Women. She was a Postdoctoral Fellow and a Research Associate at Cornell University from 2000 to 2006, including a year as Epilepsy Foundation and Milken Family Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow.

The Provost’s Office oversees the Division of Academic Affairs, which includes:

Career Services
Center for Applied Ethics
College of Arts & Human Sciences
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management
Educational Pathways & Outreach
Graduate Studies
Honors College
Menards Center for the Study of Institutions & Innovation
Multi-Modal Instructional Supports
Office of International Education
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center

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��Ͽ� women’s golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourney

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

��Ͽ� women’s 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 ��Ͽ� women’s golf team’s victory this month at the conference championship, where they triumphed by a near-record margin, isn’t the culmination of a season: It’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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’s golf team for winning the WIAC Championship,” said Erin Sullivan, ��Ͽ� 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 ��Ͽ� and Stout Athletics with excellence and pride.”

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

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

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

Andrew Delong, ��Ͽ� director of golf, said the women’s 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 ��Ͽ� instructors give to student athletes during the season. Donors are also critical to the program’s 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 ��Ͽ� 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’s good for the team,” said Imai, a food science major from Brookline, Massachusetts. “What’s best for me is best for the team.”

Reflecting on last year’s 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’s such a big privilege that out of the whole university population, we get to go out and do that.”

And representing ��Ͽ� 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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PHOTO ESSAY: Backyard Bash 2025

goersab — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:35:37 +0000

PHOTO ESSAY: Backyard Bash 2025goersab September 15, 2025

‘Being in a club is a chance for growth.’

Backyard Bash, ��Ͽ�’s annual student organization fair, invites students to meet with representatives from more than 150 student organizations, explore campus resources, and enjoy free food and entertainment.

Four student representatives share what their clubs – the Service Club at Stout and the Industrial Designers Society of America – are all about and their advice to new students at Stout.

Colten Berkner is a senior in computer and electrical engineering from Amboy, Minnesota. He is the Service Club treasurer.
Allie Mahon is an early childhood education junior from St. Paul. She is the digital media lead for the club.
Tyler Tran is an industrial and product design junior from Verona. He is the IDSA club secretary.
Owen Bailey is a sophomore in industrial and product design from Pleasant Hill, Missouri. He is the club’s public relations officer.

What are the main goals of your student organizations?

Colten: With Service Club, our goal is to give back. We do a lot of volunteer work around the Menomonie community and around campus. We have social get-togethers, like free food events, to strengthen and build our community, making friends along the way and to bring the whole campus together.

Tyler: IDSA is about connecting industrial design majors with industry professionals. A big push is giving them some experience – that can come in the form of tours of industry, like we’ll be touring Polaris soon, or with workshops we host. It’s also just a great way to connect with different classes of industrial design students, and that’s really important because you can learn from anybody and you can meet people outside of your cohort.

What’s your advice to first-year students looking to get involved on campus?

Allie: Try new things. I was never in a club in high school. Getting involved in the Service Club was a huge step for me. Take that leap of faith, and don’t be scared to try something that’s out of your comfort zone.

Owen: Showing up to meetings is as easy as it gets. Everyone is extremely friendly. My first year was just last year, and now as a sophomore, I’m an officer in the club. It’s really just about showing up.

Colten: Push yourself and get out of your comfort zone. Find a club that aligns with your goals and what you like in life. This is the time to do it, because college is the time to find yourself. People told me as a freshman to find a club I liked, and I kind of ignored them. I do regret that now as a senior.

What’s something you’ve learned in your organization?

Tyler: I think it’s kind of rare to be tasked with showing up outside of academics and personal friendships. Being in a club, it’s kind of this third amorphous form of relationship – it’s kind of a good test in that way, where you need to work that muscle of showing up for people and seeing how that can impact the community and the people around you. Of course, we all become friends through being together and interacting. Being in a club is a chance for growth.

Colten: Talking with people and building relationships. As an engineer, something that I struggle with is the social aspect of things. But here I am at a recruitment event, talking to people – random strangers I’ve never met. Being in a club has helped me deal with my social anxiety and connect with people and be my true self.

Allie: That social aspect is huge. Being able to connect with people you’ve never met before, and who may not share the same interests as you, is awesome. And there’s a lot of planning involved in a club and working as a team with our executive board and members.

What are you most excited about in the upcoming year, in general?

Allie: In terms of Service Club, I’m really excited for all of these new freshmen. I’m always excited to grow our club and see where we can go with it. I hope to build our outreach with more students who love to volunteer and get out into the community.

Tyler: I’m taking a sewing class, and I haven’t sewn anything since seventh grade in a family and consumer science class. It will be a really interesting challenge, and I’m sure I’ll be very frustrated, but I also like working on things like that..

Owen: As a sophomore, I’m excited to start in my industrial design courses. Also, the Design Wisconsin event was great last spring, and I’m looking forward to next year’s event.

To learn more about ways to get involved throughout the year, your student can download the CONNECT app, read the daily Campus Life Today email and explore upcoming events.

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PHOTO ESSAY: Celebrating the Blue Devil Community

goersab — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:13:22 +0000

PHOTO ESSAY: Celebrating the Blue Devil Communitygoersab September 11, 2025

First-year students join our Stout family at Blue Rah and Week One Orientation events

Week One Orientation hosts some of Stout’s most loved annual events, kicking off with Blue Rah, just for first-year students. For the first time, they truly feel like Blue Devils as they gather in Johnson Fieldhouse for music, lights, dancing and minute-to-win-it games.

Blue Devil Productions presents free student events throughout the year. This year opens with a night of laughter featuring comedian Ahmed Al-Kadri, whose humorous stories build good vibes and community.

BDP also hosts live music. Student musician Brennan Delaney is the opener for an independent rock headliner band, Recess, during WOO.

WOO gives students time to adjust to campus life, connect with their dormmates and peers, play games and just hang out.

They check out campus happenings, like Nacho Average Bingo, Bob Ross painting sessions, crafting activities and movie nights on the big screen outside at the Memorial Student Center amphitheater. They get to know their new town at Meet Menomonie, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

The fun doesn’t stop after classes start. There is always something to do at Stout. A rainy day couldn’t stop the 40th anniversary of the Great Stout Cookout. Students, faculty and staff gather to enjoy food, music and community, marking the start of a successful school year.

To learn more about ways to get involved throughout the year, your student can download the CONNECT app, read the daily Campus Life Today email and explore upcoming events.

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��Ͽ� stands out among peers as enrollment grows in all categories for 2025-26 academic year

giffeyt — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:41:26 +0000

��Ͽ� stands out among peers as enrollment grows in all categories for 2025-26 academic yeargiffeyt September 9, 2025

Growth in freshman class, transfer admissions among best in Wisconsin

Tom Giffey

University of Wisconsin-Stout already stands out among its peers as Wisconsin’s only Polytechnic University. This fall, it also stands apart as the only one of the Universities of Wisconsin to demonstrate growth in all major enrollment categories, including new freshmen, new transfer students, other undergraduates, graduate students, total headcount and full-time equivalent students.

��Ͽ�’s enrollment growth for the 2025-26 academic year is among the strongest of the state’s 13 public universities, with overall enrollment rising and the freshmen headcount growing by more than 6%.

Enrollment for the fall semester, which began Sept. 3, is estimated at 7,047 students, a 2% increase over fall 2024. The figure put ��Ͽ� in the top five for overall growth among its 12 peers in the Universities of Wisconsin, according to preliminary numbers based on Day One enrollment.

The enrollment figures reflect ��Ͽ�’s Polytechnic Advantage – with its ongoing emphasis on applied learning, business and industry partnerships, and career-focused experiences – as well as the university’s efforts to strategically expand enrollment, Chancellor Katherine Frank said.

“��Ͽ� has been very intentional in our work connected with enrollment,” Frank explained. “We are delighted to see the increase in our student population and that our stakeholders are recognizing the value of the polytechnic education we offer here at ��Ͽ�.”

Chancellor Katherine Frank speaks at the Blue Rah celebration for incoming freshmen.

Among the strongest areas of growth is in the number of first-year students, which expanded 6.3% from last fall to an estimated 1,273 freshmen on the first day of classes.

“A ��Ͽ� education continues to grow in appeal,” Director of Admissions Brian Weber said. “We hear it from our proud alumni all the time, and future students and families are taking note that the student experience at ��Ͽ� will set them up for long-term success. With an increase of new freshman of more than 6%, including increases in Wisconsin residents, more students are saying yes to a polytechnic education. For many students choosing ��Ͽ�, opportunities to apply learning on campus and through industry collaborations are top of mind – they want to make sure they’re preparing well for life after college, and we plan to support them in that.”

Fully 99% of ��Ͽ� graduates were either employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent First Destination Report, which covers those who graduated between fall 2023 and summer 2024. Those who received undergraduate degrees during that time reported average starting salaries of $57,000, the highest among universities in the region, while recipients of graduate degrees reported an average salary of $74,000.

Students celebrate at the Blue Rah event.

Another area of notable enrollment growth is among transfer students: That number rose 8% compared with fall 2024 after having grown 16% the previous year, said Meridith Wentz, vice chancellor for enrollment and quality.

“Growth of transfer students is one of the key initiatives in our strategic enrollment plan,” Wentz explained. Steps taken to assist transfer students include significantly expanding articulation agreements with other institutions, streamlining the review process to speed up admissions decisions, and implementing systematic and proactive outreach to re-enroll students who left ��Ͽ� without graduating, she said.

“We very intentionally ramped up support for transfer students through additional staffing to include faster responses and more flexibility for students,” Weber added. “When transfer students work with our team, they know they will quickly get the answers and help that they need.”

Preliminary enrollment estimates for all 13 public universities in Wisconsin were released Tuesday, Sept. 9. Final figures, based upon the number of students enrolled as of the 10th day of classes, will be available later this fall.

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