News

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.

Community

All Community News

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

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

High school students complete university-level project to create spaces that inspire

Interior design camp, industry-standard software introduces campers to career paths in residential, commercial design

Construction camp introduces young students to careers, degree paths

Tour led by Boldt Company in Chippewa Falls gives campers a behind-the-scenes look at construction site

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

University Marketing

#StoutProud: Wade Lambrigtsen ('00), Lin Boland ('25), Megan McDowell ('25) and Lily ('27)

��Ͽ� Polytechnic alumni and students are using public art to celebrate local stories, strengthen community connections and inspire future generations.

First student-designed mural is ‘part of the legacy, history of art at the university’

Project unveiled June 2 praised by chancellor, mayor and appreciated by painters in new Graffiti and Street Art course

Search Keywords: murals

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

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

High school students complete university-level project to create spaces that inspire

goersab — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:50:00 +0000

High school students complete university-level project to create spaces that inspiregoersab June 25, 2026

Interior design camp, industry-standard software introduces campers to career paths in residential, commercial design

Abbey Goers

Every space has its own function, whether it’s an educational studio calling on students to advance their design skills and create a space optimal for learning, or a residential studio where they’re tasked with designing a cozy living room inviting friends to sit and stay awhile. For four days in June, area high school students created their own spaces in the Interior Design: Creating Spaces That Inspire Camp at ��Ͽ� Polytechnic.

In three interior design labs within the Applied Arts Building, the campers discovered how design influences the way people live, work and connect. From sketching, mood boards and space planning to color, lighting and design conceptualization, they created projects inspired by album covers, designing great rooms that encompassed kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms for clients of their choosing.

“This is a similar project that I give to my second-year students in their first interior design studio course. The young campers practiced exactly what the college students learn. They chose their album cover and drew from the visual or emotional aspects to design their space,” said interior design Assistant Professor Nicolette Brehm, the camp instructor.

Assistant Professor Nicolette Brehm and a STEAM camper review options in an architectural design software.

They also explored both residential and commercial interiors and gained insight into the numerous career paths in interior design. “There are many career pathways outside of residential design – this is what many students come in thinking of. But there are so many great opportunities in commercial design, furniture and more,” Brehm said.

The interior design campers are just some of the more than 500 youths from around the region and country who are traveling to ��Ͽ� Polytechnic to join the Middle School STEAM and High School STEAM experiences this summer.

A STEAM camper adds texture and color to their room design.

Introducing young campers to career paths in science, technology, engineering, and art and design fits hand-in-hand with ��Ͽ� Polytechnic’s mission of preparing its students for the workforce, as 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

Using music to create spaces that inspire

With interests in architecture and design, the high school students enjoyed creating floor plans, space planning and selecting color palettes. “I was surprised by how learning that interior design is more than just choosing paint colors. It involves a lot of technical work. You also have to think about the aspects you don’t see, like electrical and plumbing,” said one of the campers.

A room design inspired by The Alchemist’s 'Yacht Rock 2' album cover.

For their unique spaces, campers drew inspiration from the following album covers:

The Alchemist’s “Yacht Rock 2,” which pictures a bird’s-eye view of a white boat floating in a sandy ocean cove. Their great room reflected feelings of calmness, with marble countertops, sea-blue tile backsplashes and a boat-shaped bookshelf. A large sofa faced a ceiling-to-floor indoor water feature and overlooked panoramic ocean views.
SZA’s “Good Days,” where the artist is sitting on a diving board over a choppy, blue sea. Their great room featured a seating area with a fireplace adorned in deep blue tiles, with a pattern that mimicked the waves. The contrast of fire and water – warmth blended with cool colors – was striking.
Drake’s “Iceman,” in which Drake is wearing Michael Jackson’s iconic white glove. Their great room’s kitchen featured stark white countertops, ice-blue wallpaper and light-colored wooden cabinetry.
“The Normal Album” by Will Wood features the photo of a man waving from an open window. The photo is set against a pattern of 1980s-style pastel zigzags. Their great room felt playful, with a center terrarium of tropical plants, a rounded green sofa covered in colorful pillows, statues of various animals and a piano against a brightly patterned wall.

A room design inspired by Drake’s 'Iceman' album cover.

As the campers thought about their great rooms, they first needed to sketch out their floor plans, practicing drawing in 1/4 scale, in which 1/4 inch on paper is equal to one foot in real life. With access to the interior design Materials Lab, the campers selected tiles, flooring, wood and fabric samples to add to their materials palettes, or mood boards. Items within the lab are donated by interior design vendors and alumni.

With Revit, an architectural design software used by university students and industry professionals, they created 3D renderings of their floor plans. Through Architextures.org, they selected digital materials to represent items on their materials palettes. The website allowed them to select tints, tones, shapes and patterns of tiles, wood, stone, wallpaper and more to integrate into their Revit models.

A room design inspired by 'The Normal Album' by Will Wood.

They also referred to industry websites, such as Bernhardt Design, Haworth, Herman Miller, and BIM Object, to search for furniture and décor accessories and downloaded 3D models of the pieces to bring into their own models.

Teaching Assistant Colby Greene, a human development and family studies student, joined the campers in creating her own great room, learning interior design skills alongside them. “I’ve worked as a nanny for eight years, and I like working with kids. This is my internship, and I’ve learned a lot of new skills,” she said.

The campers presented their digital floor plans and materials palettes to each other, learning to communicate their ideas clearly with their peers, before presenting to families and supporters during the Camper Showcase, which concluded the camp.

A materials palette, or mood board, based on 'Yacht Rock 2.'

Additional STEAM camps this summer include experiences in:

Science & Health: Freshwater science, fish conservation, anatomy, molecular ecology, psychology and gardening
Technology: Construction, 3D printing, robotics and virtual reality
Engineering: Packaging and plastics engineering
Art & Design: Claymation, comics, game design, fashion, cinema production and drawing.

The STEAM programs are sponsored by the Menomonie, Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire school districts, the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, the National Science Foundation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Xcel Energy and the ��Ͽ� Foundation & Alumni Association, in partnership with Continuing Education & Conferences.

��Ͽ� Polytechnic’s interior design program is part of the School of Art & Design, which also offers bachelor’s degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production; and an M.F.A. in design. ��Ͽ� also has a new program in game and media studies.

The album covers chosen by the STEAM interior design campers.

Interior Design

All Interior Design News

High school students complete university-level project to create spaces that inspire

Interior design camp, industry-standard software introduces campers to career paths in residential, commercial design

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

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

Students collaborate across degrees in community project for The Neighbors

Construction, interior design, technology education majors build garden products for senior living home residents

Interior design camp, industry-standard software introduces campers to career paths in residential, commercial design STEAM interior design camp

University Marketing

Youth Camps & Programs

��Ͽ�'s youth programs provide engaging academic and athletic experiences designed to inspire young minds and encourage active lifestyles.

Search Keywords: interior design degree

Hero Caption: A room design inspired by SZA’s 'Good Days' album cover.

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Video production program work highlights viability of Wisconsin as film hub

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

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

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

Abbey Goers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bringing filmmaking to the Midwest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Winter Hymns’ – A golden opportunity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2026 Unspooled Film & Animation Festival

The Unspooled Festival recognized outstanding achievements across multiple categories:

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

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

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

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

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

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

��Ͽ� Polytechnic’s School of Art & Design offers bachelor’s degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, and an M.F.A. in design.

Video Production

All Video Production News

Video production program work highlights viability of Wisconsin as film hub

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

Creating music video for underground Japanese rapper is culmination of degree experience for ��Ͽ� graduate

Language barrier, jet lag can’t undermine video production student’s creative ambition

Inspiring Graduate: Ryan Rumary, B.S. Video Production

Hired before graduation as video content media manager for Pest Badger

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

University Marketing

B.S. Video Production

You can have the advanced technical knowledge and skills to create and edit your video and media products. Our team environment will teach you how.

Learn More

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

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

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Award

goersab — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:35:00 +0000

Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Awardgoersab June 11, 2026

Interdisciplinary team of graphic communications, graphic media, print management students’ ‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ celebrates print media

Abbey Goers

In an international competition designed to celebrate the way print media brings people together across the globe, a team of ��Ͽ� Polytechnic students won the coveted TAGA Student Choice Award at the 2026 Technical Association of the Graphic Arts, Helmut Kipphan Student Chapter Competition. The award was announced in April during a watch party hosted by Konica Minolta, in Chicago.

The winning team is made up of students in the B.S. graphic communications and B.F.A. graphic design and interactive media programs and the graphic media and print management minor. Their design, “Mail Across Minneapolis,” inspired by postcards, is a folding carton mailbox made of paperboard. Their submission included the final deliverable, a journal publication, and detailed production notes, which reinforced their skills in design, technical execution, project management and collaboration.

Sam Mireles-Melgarejo, Theodore Cerny, Becky Gaspord, Red Moser, Mallory Jakubiak, advisor Bethany Wheeler and Ariel Kissel, pose in front of the Konica Minolta building with the T / Becky Gaspord and Ariel Kissel

“Students are pushing new ideas, and industry folks are genuinely interested. It feels collaborative, not just competitive,” said TAGA President Birgit Plautz, adding that TAGA helps “connect new ideas with what’s actually happening in the industry,” creating opportunities for student work to influence real-world practices.

TAGA Student Choice Award team members were:

Mallory Jakubiak, of Shakopee, Minnesota
Red Moser, of Manitowoc
Trevor Anderson, of Menomonie
Ariel Kissel, of Neenah
Theo Cerny, of Maple Grove, Minnesota
Brynn Hessel, of South Range

“Competitions like these are so beneficial for students to participate in because their open-ended structure leaves a lot of room for the students to decide what direction to take the projects. This allows them the flexibility to make something they are really passionate about and something they can be really proud of,” said graphic communications Program Director Bethany Wheeler.

Other participating student chapters were from Ball State University, California Polytechnic State University, Clemson University, Ferris State University, Illinois State University, Rochester Institute of Technology and Toronto Metropolitan University.

TAGA’s Vice President of Education Celeste Calkins noted, “These students are the future of this industry,” highlighting the importance of providing opportunities for them to grow, connect and exchange ideas.

‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ winning design

During the ideation phase, the team chose to focus on mail in general, noting different types of mail through the iconography in their journal publication, including letters, bills, postcards, newspapers, packages and more.

Becky Gaspord, Ariel Kissel, Mallory Jakubiak, Theodore Cerny, Sam Mireles-Melgarejo and Red Moser at Mittera / Ariel Kissel

“We wanted our journal publication to look like a letter arriving in the mail. We cut a sleeve that looked like an envelope to hold the journal and added small details such as a cut-out window to see the address and recipient on the back, like you would an actual letter,” said Kissel, who will serve as ��Ͽ� Polytechnic TAGA chapter president in 2027-28 during her senior year.

Working in various labs across campus, the team used Adobe Illustrator and InDesign in the GCOM computer labs. They designed and cut out stamps according to official U.S. stamp regulations and requirements and made an ink stamp for the envelope, like the United States Postal Service would place on mail and packages. They used the 3D Printing Lab to make wax seals, as well as the Packaging Lab to cut out the mailboxes and assemble them using an industrial glue gun.

“We decided our overall package design would be a mailbox. We made more stickers to place on the outside to decorate, as someone might actually do to customize their own mailbox, and added a small detail of the address. We wrote ‘2026’ as though it were the house number and made the street name ‘��Ͽ� Street,’” Kissel said.

TAGA student tour Mittera / Ariel Kissel

Kissel thinks working in a cross-disciplinary team was really helpful. “We were able to bounce ideas off of each other and build on them as we worked. When we ran into issues, which we did quite often through the process, we found our best method was to adjust what we were doing and try again,” she said.

A big issue the team faced was the splitting of the spines of the journal. They initially planned on printing two journals on one block, binding them, and then splitting them in half when trimming the blocks. “Every time we split the block in half, the pressure being applied by the blade would cause the spine to split,” Kissel explained. “As a team, we bounced off ideas of possible solutions, and when we had something we thought might work, we gave it a try. We repeated the process until we found a solution.”

��Ͽ� Polytechnic’s TAGA chapter toured multiple facilities while in Chicago for the award watch party, including Mittera, Specialty Print Communications and Konica Minolta.

TAGA student tour Mittera / Ariel Kissel

This was the chapter’s first time in a decade entering the TAGA competition. “It’s been an extremely rewarding experience to assemble a team of students so passionate about showing off their skills and abilities by competing in this competition. The pieces they produced were incredible, and I couldn’t be prouder of the projects they were able to complete,” Wheeler said. “I’m thrilled to guide this team through a successful competition after many years without a TAGA chapter. I know our projects and team will continue to grow and dazzle the TAGA judges as we recruit more students and strive to showcase the very best of what we do at Stout.”

Kissel was extremely proud to be able to show the team’s work to the other competing chapters. “I was even more proud to be a part of the team to bring home an award after a 10-year hiatus! It was an honor to work with such talented designers,” she said.

Kissel has a summer internship at OEC Graphics, in Oshkosh, helping with quality checks on label and carton designs for BP Lubricants products.

“The biggest lesson I’ve been able to apply so far is to work with my team. I’m only one person, and I can really only do so much,” she said. “The same goes for the rest of my peers on the team. We each are given our positions to ensure things run smoothly and efficiently. By working all together, we really are a well-oiled machine (pun intended).”

TAGA student chapters play an important role in shaping how students understand the graphic communications industry and their place within it. Participation in the competition exposes students to current trends, emerging technologies, and evolving industry needs. The experience also underscores the role of research in driving innovation, encouraging students to think beyond individual projects and consider broader industry applications.

��Ͽ� Polytechnic’s graphic communications program blends design, technology and business strategy to prepare students for careers in printing, packaging, publishing, and related industries, emphasizing the university’s applied learning and industry collaboration.

With an average starting salary of $50,000, 100% of recent graphic communications graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, according to Career Services’ annual First Destination Report.

Graphic Communications

All Graphic Communications News

Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Award

Interdisciplinary team of graphic communications, graphic media, print management students’ ‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ celebrates print media

GCOM program receives grants to advance student experience, industry engagement

Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation supports lab, equipment upgrades, professional development opportunities

University and partners continue to illuminate opportunities through graphic communications, design programs

��Ͽ� M.F.A. design student Jake Cater creates winning design for chancellor's seasonal greeting card

Interdisciplinary team of graphic communications, graphic media, print management students’ ‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ celebrates print media GCOM, TAGA Student Choice Award team

University Marketing

B.S. Graphic Communications

Our B.S. Graphic Communications program teaches the technical aspects of graphics production, business, project management, manufacturing, and marketing.

Learn More

B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media

Develop the principles, practices, and portfolio to engage audiences in any medium through visual communication solutions.

Learn More

Search Keywords: TAGA Student Choice Awardgraphic communications degreegraphic design degree

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Creating music video for underground Japanese rapper is culmination of degree experience for ��Ͽ� graduate

giffeyt — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Creating music video for underground Japanese rapper is culmination of degree experience for ��Ͽ� graduategiffeyt June 2, 2026

Language barrier, jet lag can’t undermine Anderson’s creative ambition

Tom Giffey

Maya Anderson wanted to create something ambitious to cap off her B.S. video production degree at University of Wisconsin-Stout – something that would encapsulate her years of experience behind the camera, demonstrate her personal vision and set herself on a path toward professional success.

To meet these goals, Anderson traveled halfway around the world to Tokyo, overcoming jet lag and a language barrier to create a captivating music video with an underground Japanese rapper.

Anderson, who graduated May 16, had plenty of experience creating videos as part of the applied curriculum at ��Ͽ�, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. “Even in my first week of freshman year we were already on shoots, setting up cameras and getting real-world practice,” she explained.

For her senior capstone project, Anderson sought a new challenge and a new locale, and she found herself drawn to the bustling capital city of Japan – a stark contrast to her small northern Wisconsin hometown of Marengo. “It’s always a goal of mine to keep shooting in new and unfamiliar places,” she said.

��Ͽ� video production student Maya Anderson, left, worked with Japanese rappers Mezz, center, and OnJuicy in an April video shoot in Tokyo. / Submitted photo

While she’s an experienced international traveler, Anderson had never visited Japan. However, she is fascinated with Japanese culture, especially its urban life, and cites director Gaspar Noé’s surrealistic film “Enter the Void” as an inspiration with its intimate, vibrant portrayal of Tokyo.

Originally, Anderson had intended to travel to Japan to create a stylized travel montage, said Assistant Professor Keif Oss, director of the B.S. video production program. As the project evolved, however, Oss and other faculty members encouraged her to produce something that could expand her portfolio in a more strategic and professionally marketable way, he said.

Anderson decided to make a music video – something she already had experience doing in the United States. Having honed her focus, Anderson was inspired to seek out creative partners in Japan. Through an online forum about underground Japanese rappers, she discovered a hip-hop artist, Mezz, and messaged her through Instagram. “Let’s do it!” responded the musician, and the pair planned and scheduled the video shoot over Zoom.

Maya Anderson's video for "Under the Moon," featuring Japanese performers Mezz and OnJuicy / YouTube

‘A crazy yet rewarding experience’

With the help of a student research grant through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Anderson booked a trip to Japan in late March and early April.

“Coming off a 13-hour flight, entering a 15-hour time zone change, then shooting a full music video within 24 hours was such a crazy yet rewarding experience,” Anderson said.

The young filmmaker collaborated on the video shoot for the song “Under the Moon” with Mezz, OnJuicy (another hip-hop artist), a gaffer, and a hair and makeup artist.

“Mezz was the only one who spoke English,” Anderson explained, “so I was directing using her and Google Translate, which worked out really well. It turned out to be one of my favorite shoots I’ve ever done.”

��Ͽ� student Maya Anderson talks about her video May 5 during Research Day at the Memorial Student Center.

Anderson said she tries to make her videos as immersive as possible to give viewers the sense they are experiencing them with her. “This is a huge reason I shoot almost everything handheld, so it gives my work a human feeling, with all my movements being intentional,” she said.

Eight hours of shooting were followed by a week-long editing process that was both digital and analog. “I love incorporating mixed media into my videos, which ends up being the most time-consuming part,” Anderson said. “I print out every frame of a specific section of the video, then individually draw or cut out each frame, scan them with my printer, and go frame by frame making the images into a video again.”

��Ͽ� video production student Maya Anderson, center, collaborated with Japanese performers and crew members to make a music video in Tokyo. / Submitted photo

Video enjoyed by viewers worldwide

The final video premiered online May 1 and immediately gained praise on social media – although once again Anderson had to rely on Google Translate to read what Mezz’s fans were saying.

Other praise came from closer to home when Anderson shared her video on campus May 5 during the annual Research Day event.

“I’m incredibly proud of her on many levels, and I think the work speaks for itself,” said Oss, who lauded the video as “creatively unique, beautifully designed, and very well executed.”

“Maya’s willingness to travel internationally and pursue a project of this scale says a great deal about both her drive and her creative ambition,” Oss continued. “Producing a film abroad requires a high level of initiative, independence, planning and resilience, especially as a student balancing the demands of a capstone production.”

Behind the scenes of the video shoot for "Under the Moon" in Tokyo. / Submitted photos

Oss added that Anderson’s experience reflects positively on ��Ͽ�’s video production program, which encourages students to think beyond the classroom and pursue real-world projects.

“Maya’s project is an example of students being supported in taking creative risks, applying for research funding and developing work that has personal vision and professional-level scope,” he said. “While not every student will travel internationally for a project, the program is designed to foster that kind of initiative, independence and experiential learning mindset.”

Anderson is thrilled that her capstone experience created a video that people around the world are enjoying.

“It’s an unreal feeling to have had this ambitious idea turn to reality,” Anderson said. “I definitely made my freshman-year self proud. I’m so grateful to have completed this project during my time at Stout, and I’m excited for what’s yet to come.”

Video Production

All Video Production News

Video production program work highlights viability of Wisconsin as film hub

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

Creating music video for underground Japanese rapper is culmination of degree experience for ��Ͽ� graduate

Language barrier, jet lag can’t undermine video production student’s creative ambition

Inspiring Graduate: Ryan Rumary, B.S. Video Production

Hired before graduation as video content media manager for Pest Badger

Language barrier, jet lag can’t undermine video production student’s creative ambition ��Ͽ� video production student Maya Anderson with Japanese musicians

University Marketing

B.S. Video Production

You can have the advanced technical knowledge and skills to create and edit your video and media products. Our team environment will teach you how.

Learn More

Search Keywords: B.S. video production

Hero Caption: Maya Anderson was among the ��Ͽ� students who presented their work during the annual Research Day on May 5 at the Memorial Student Center.

Keif Oss

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

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

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

Full Name: Keif T. Oss

Job Title: Assistant Professor / Program Director

Include in Directory: Yes

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

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

Program

All Degree Programs

B.S. Video Production

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

Education:

Degree: M.F.A. Digital Filmmaking

University: Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Filmmaking

Degree: M.S. Career & Technical Education

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: B.S. Graphic Communications Management

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

CSTEMM SOAD

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Inspiring Graduate: Alexis Bellotti, B.F.A. Animation & Digital Media

goersab — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:10:00 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: Alexis Bellotti, B.F.A. Animation & Digital Mediagoersab May 21, 2026

Making an impact and opening minds through stories and experience

Inspiring Graduate: Alexis Bellotti (’26)

Hometown: Kaukauna
Degree: B.F.A. Animation & Digital Media

When Alexis Bellotti was searching for a program that matched her passion for storytelling, she found that ��Ͽ� was the only public university in the Midwest that offered an animation and digital media degree.

“I was drawn to the polytechnic nature of the university; the smaller class sizes and hands-on nature are suited to how I learn best. I also liked the small-town environment as I was worried about drowning in all the people that come with a big-city university,” she said. “It has been wonderful watching the program grow and flourish in my time here at Stout.”

Bellotti received her bachelor’s in animation and digital media from ��Ͽ� on May 16, among more than 1,000 of her peers. She was also one of 14 seniors who received the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the university’s highest nonacademic honor for students.

She plans to continue her work with her short film “Jilly and Juno,” a tale of two young sisters living on a futuristic oil rig, one of whom pushes the other down a mysterious pipe, causing her to encounter a flower-cultivating robot.

“I hope to make an impact through the stories I can tell and the people I can support. The industry can be incredibly intense, but I find it is one of the most rewarding industries next to teaching,” Bellotti said. “Sharing a diverse range of stories and experiences is how we as people can come to understand each other and open minds to new people and ways of thinking.”

She is also applying for production roles in the Twin Cities, as well as California and Washington state. “Depending on how the industry changes with the use of AI, I may go for my graduate degree abroad in project management or the programming side of animation as I really miss math. I hope to retire as a professor and share my knowledge with the next generation of students,” she said.

Of this year’s graduates, 77.4% were hired prior to graduation, while 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

How has ��Ͽ� prepared you to work in your field?

Stout has prepared me for my future through giving me a broad range of education within the animation field, from both 2D and 3D animation, through project management skills and beyond.

My favorite experience, and the one that prepared me most, is my senior project “Jilly and Juno.” “Jilly and Juno” received grant funding from the university for the research elements, which allowed my team incredible opportunities we would not have been able to finance ourselves. This includes purchasing the software we needed and hiring a composer and live musicians. This project taught me about scheduling, conflict resolution, contract writing, production pipeline efficiency and more that I couldn’t have learned from lectures alone.

We attended conferences out of state, and I represented the project at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) with a presentation titled “Exploring Mixed Media Pipelines for Animated Short Films.” It has also opened doors through the film festivals it has been shown at and won awards at, both from those that I attended and those across the globe that were too far away for me to attend. These opportunities furthered my knowledge of and connections within the local community and the animation industry, and I am honored to have been a recipient of this funding.

I also completed my field experience on campus on a project called “Inga’s Farm Adventure,” which is a pilot episode for our client to pitch to PBS to be made into a full series. Although I was the youngest student there, being the only sophomore on the project, I took over the leadership role until I had to leave to study abroad in London.

What stands out about your ��Ͽ� experience?

Looking back at my time at Stout, the thing that stands out to me the most is the passion that every professor has for their subject and for teaching the next generation everything they know. They have inspired me to someday return to higher education, after I have made my own mark in the industry, to share what I have learned with the next generation of students so they are able to make their own mark on the world.

The other thing that stands out most is the incredible staff at the Student Centers who work hard every day to create a welcoming environment for every student at Stout, and the incredible passion both the student and professional staff have about nurturing an incredible student experience. With the Student Centers team, I worked as a training manager, video tech and animator.

From the event planners hosting the craziest bingo events, to Darrin Witucki’s commitment to composting, to the custodial staff keeping everything clean and always lending a hand or an ear to the students in the center (we miss you Donna!), to the design team making sure each poster is created with style, to the Event Technology Crew putting in 40 hours of work per person in three days for a 30-minute freshman welcoming event every year.

Each team works incredibly hard and in unison to bring an incredible experience to the students, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to all the students and staff who welcomed me into their crazy and amazing community during my time at Stout. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this amazing team, and I hope that I was able to perpetuate the welcoming environment.

How did your involvement impact your experience?

My involvement in the Student Centers was instrumental in making ��Ͽ� feel like home, and it drove me to become the best version of myself that I can be. It also allowed me an opportunity as a training manager to make my own impact and be that supporting person for the next generation of students to walk the halls of Stout, and I hope that care will live on through the students I trained, the students they will train, and the events they will all run together.

I was also heavily involved in Life Drawing here at Stout, being the monitor for Open Life Drawing for the past two years, and a regular attendee a year before that. As a teaching assistant for Life Drawing I, it gave me a freedom to my drawing that I otherwise would be lacking. The intensity of being an art student often means that the only drawings I am completing are for class, but Open Life Drawing allowed time every week for me to draw in the way that I wanted to.

What challenges did you face in earning your degree, and how did you overcome them?

I faced some financial challenges when earning my degree, as there were times when I was living paycheck to paycheck and working four jobs on campus to make ends meet on top of being a full-time student. There was also an issue with credits not transferring as expected, both from high school and from my study abroad, which pushed me to stay an extra year.

Both of these hardships taught me so much about life and overcoming challenges, along with the importance of taking breaks so as to not burn out. Sometimes the most productive thing that I could be doing is resting, and that is a lesson that I am still struggling to learn, although I have been much better about it in the last year than I have in the past.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

I am most proud of my capstone project that I completed last year, and the community I built alongside it. It was an incredible undertaking, and the massive outpouring of support from the community was instrumental in the project’s completion. The short film turned out better than I could have ever hoped, and I learned key elements of production management from it that I will carry with me into my future careers.

I am also incredibly proud of my team on the Event Technology Crew and how they will continue on after I am gone. As a training manager there, I have had the incredible joy of training a wide range of students on both day-to-day tasks and advanced technology, and it has been immensely rewarding to be able to sit back and watch them now run events all on their own.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I would like to give a special thank you to all of the people I have met here who weren’t afraid to push back and speak up when they see things wrong, either within my work or within the world around them. The only way I was able to improve as a person and an artist here is due to those who aren’t afraid to give or receive criticism, and I am indebted to everyone who was able to give me that kind of guidance, even when it wasn’t pretty.

Inspiring Graduates

All Inspiring Graduates News

Inspiring Graduates Share Their ��Ͽ� Polytechnic Experiences

Celebrate our graduates as they cross the commencement stage and reflect on the journey that brought them here

Inspiring Graduate: Rosella Wille, B.S. Business Administration

Hired before graduation at Redpath and Company as a tax associate

Inspiring Graduate: Thomas Shamla, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Hired before graduation at Absolut Manufacturing

Making an impact and opening minds through stories and experience Alexis Bellotti

University Marketing

B.F.A. Animation & Digital Media

Combine your passions for art, design, and technology while enjoying collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects.

Learn More

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ��Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’

Student speakers at May 16 ceremonies encourage peers to act with compassion, courage, and to continue learning

Inspiring Graduate Q&As

Search Keywords: B.F.A. Animation & Digital Media

Is content a Story?: Yes

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Inspiring Graduate: Porter Christenson, B.F.A. Industrial & Product Design

goersab — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: Porter Christenson, B.F.A. Industrial & Product Designgoersab May 21, 2026

Hired before graduation as an associate industrial designer at Milwaukee Tool

Inspiring Graduate: Porter Christenson (’26)

Hometown: South Minneapolis
Degree: B.F.A. Industrial & Product Design
Minor: Business Administration

Porter Christenson has always loved drawing and building things, and as a kid, he wanted to be an inventor. “I didn’t know that was a real career path. When I toured ��Ͽ� with my mom, I discovered industrial design and realized it was the closest thing to what I had imagined. Seeing the program, the labs and the connection to companies like Room & Board and Milwaukee Tool made it clear that Stout was the place where I could turn creativity into a real profession,” he said.

Christenson received his B.F.A. in industrial and product design from ��Ͽ� on May 16, among more than 1,000 of his peers.

“Four years later, things came full circle,” he said. “I was hired as an associate industrial designer, creating outdoor power equipment at Milwaukee Tool, in Brookfield, a year before graduation. I had the opportunity to complete two internships there during school, and I’m excited to return full-time and continue learning from such a talented design team.”

Christenson also won the Room & Board annual competition for his dresser, which he named Bellevue. The national furniture designer and retailer will reserve the right to manufacture his design.

Of this year’s graduates, 77.4% were hired prior to graduation, while 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I want to design tools and products that genuinely improve people’s lives. Industrial design sits at the intersection of creativity, engineering and empathy. If I can create products that help people work better, solve problems, and feel inspired by the tools they use every day, I’ll feel like I’m making a meaningful impact.

How has ��Ͽ� prepared you to work in your field?

��Ͽ�’s hands-on approach prepared me incredibly well. From sketching and concept development to CAD modeling and physical prototyping, the program constantly pushes students to think through real problems and build real solutions. The labs and studios gave me the chance to experiment, fail, iterate, and learn the full design process.

I completed two internships with Milwaukee Tool, where I worked with the power tool and outdoor power equipment design teams on concept development, prototyping and user research.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was how important it is to deeply understand the user and the job they’re trying to accomplish before designing anything.

What stands out about your ��Ͽ� experience?

The culture of making. At Stout, ideas quickly turn into prototypes. Whether it was sketching late at night in the studio, building models in the shop, or collaborating with classmates, the environment constantly encouraged creativity and experimentation.

What challenges did you face in earning your degree, and how did you overcome them?

One of my biggest challenges was balancing school, work, and entrepreneurship while putting myself through college financially. It required a lot of discipline and long hours, but it also taught me resilience and how to manage real responsibilities alongside my education.

Outside of school, I ran my own landscaping design and installation business called Hey Porter Landscaping. Balancing school and running a business taught me a lot about time management, customer communication and problem-solving in the real world. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for the tools and products I design.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

I’m most proud that I followed something I was genuinely passionate about and turned it into a career. Starting school not fully knowing what industrial design was and finishing with a job designing tools I used to admire as a kid feels incredibly rewarding.

I’m really grateful for the professors, mentors, and classmates who pushed me to improve and supported my growth. ��Ͽ� gave me the environment to develop both creatively and professionally, and I’m excited to carry those lessons forward.

Inspiring Graduates

All Inspiring Graduates News

Inspiring Graduates Share Their ��Ͽ� Polytechnic Experiences

Celebrate our graduates as they cross the commencement stage and reflect on the journey that brought them here

Inspiring Graduate: Rosella Wille, B.S. Business Administration

Hired before graduation at Redpath and Company as a tax associate

Inspiring Graduate: Thomas Shamla, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Hired before graduation at Absolut Manufacturing

Hired before graduation as an associate industrial designer at Milwaukee Tool Porter Christianson

University Marketing

B.F.A. Industrial & Product Design

Combine your passion for design and function by creating products to improve the lives of consumers.

Learn More

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ��Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’

Student speakers at May 16 ceremonies encourage peers to act with compassion, courage, and to continue learning

Inspiring Graduate Q&As

Search Keywords: B.F.A. Industrial and Product Design

Is content a Story?: Yes

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Inspiring Graduate: Ryan Rumary, B.S. Video Production

goersab — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: Ryan Rumary, B.S. Video Productiongoersab May 21, 2026

Hired before graduation as video content media manager for Pest Badger

Inspiring Graduate: Ryan Rumary (’26)

Hometown: Watertown
Degree: B.S. Video Production
Minor: Graphic Media & Print Management

During his junior year in high school, Ryan Rumary took basic-level video production classes, creating media with minimal equipment.

“It sparked an interest in me to pursue the field further. I wanted an experience that allowed me to learn by doing, not by listening or watching someone else,” he said.

Rumary researched schools for video-related programs but found that many only offered minors or lecture-only classes.

“��Ͽ� stood out and offered me something different – a hands-on experience, where I would be able to produce meaningful creations that would further my skills, portfolio and myself,” he said.

Rumary received his B.S. in video production from ��Ͽ� on May 16, among more than 1,000 of his peers. He was hired before graduation as a full-time video content media manager for Pest Badger and will have a range of responsibilities, including photographing employees, writing scripts, filming content and uploading polished videos to social media feeds.

Of this year’s graduates, 77.4% were hired prior to graduation, while 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

Video production is such a vast field with tons of categories and niches. Production can range from short narratives, documentary forms, feature-length films, product photography and much more.

My favorite part of the process is the editing phase. I deeply enjoy seeing my efforts come together into one final comprehensive story. I would love to leave a transformative impact on the editing process by creating visuals that make people question how I was able to achieve such a thing.

My goal is to inspire people to think and create outside the box.

How has ��Ͽ� prepared you to work in your field?

Thanks to ��Ͽ�’s hands-on learning approach, I’ve been able to turn theory into practice. There hasn’t been a semester where I haven’t had the opportunity to create something with my hands that pushes my portfolio and skills further.

My first semester here, I was even able to create a short film, “Chairs,” with my newfound friends. It’s a short film about sentient furniture and their long history of interacting with each other. Seriously, who thinks of something like that? “Chairs” was selected for the 2024 Unspooled Film & Animation Festival and the 2025 Ely Film Festival. It was the inaugural winner of the Best Comedy – Short Film at the 2024 Milwaukee Independent Film Awards.

From there, I’ve gone on to develop multiple more projects, such as “Unrest,” my first short film project as a director; “Caffeine Cultures,” a documentary about the reliance on caffeine in our society; and a marketing campaign called “Step into the Movement” for the global 2025 D&AD New Blood competition. Most recently, my senior capstone project, “Seeing Diabetes,” is a poetic documentary showcasing the vignetted realities of an individual struggling with Type 1 Diabetes. It was awarded Best Student Short at the 2026 Unspooled Film & Animation Festival.

What were your greatest lessons or projects in your internships?

I’ve had plenty of both volunteer experience and real-world work opportunities because of Stout. My most recent client work was with the Menomonie Rotary Feeds Club, where I created a personalized workplace explainer video to help train new volunteers. For the past two years, I’ve also been an Unspooled Animation & Film Festival volunteer, helping set up the event and photographing important moments for their socials. My corporate photography group and I were even able to produce a department overview video directly for the chair of the English, philosophy and communication studies department.

What stands out about your ��Ͽ� experience?

Some of my favorite memories have been made here at Stout, and I’m grateful for that. I’ve met so many wonderful people; friends that I’ll carry on through the rest of my life, and professors that I can rely on when I need advice.

One of my favorite leadership opportunities was getting to help teach new video production students in our early program courses. Being a Video Production Lab assistant allowed me to help educate new students about our specialty video gear and lighting techniques across two different core classes.

I was even able to achieve one of my major dreams by snorkeling in a coral reef during my study abroad in Belize. Not to mention also getting to view flocks of scarlet macaws and interacting with multiple cultures different from my own.

I truly believe these memories will carry on with me as I go forward in my life, and I’m truly thankful that I was able to achieve all this in only a small matter of time.

How did your involvement impact your experience?

The Video Production Club would meet every Tuesday night, and I would frequent it as often as I could. VPC was where most of my friendships turned into strong ones. We were able to share our videos, photos, ideas, and other creations freely with people who had the same desire to grow and better their skillsets. It’s a fun club that’s not video production exclusive, so anyone, regardless of their major, can join.

The video production program also has a special Mac Lab on the first floor of the Communications Technology building, where other students and I would gather and work on projects. I’ve probably spent most of my college career in that lab, and I’ve loved every minute I’ve gotten to share in that space with my friends. The VP Mac lab is truly a mix of the perfect work environment, post-class lounge or high-energy hotspot. There’s been plenty of secret late-night pizza parties there, too (don’t tell Matt Wysocki).

What challenges did you face in earning your degree, and how did you overcome them?

I took an aggressive approach to completing my major. I came into Stout with the intention to graduate as soon as I could. That quickly changed as I realized that if I wanted to properly learn and develop new skills, I would need to pace myself and learn at a speed where I could comprehend what was being taught to me. There were plenty of instances where I would bite off more than I could chew, and managing multiple high-level projects at once really took a toll on me. But despite that, I was able to fall back and rely on my friends to help me get through those tough times.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

The thing I’m most proud of as I finish this chapter of my life and my degree, is that I was able to look an opportunity in the eyes and seize it. I’ve gotten to do so much throughout my time at Stout,

I’ve made wonderful lifelong friends, created astounding things alongside incredibly talented individuals, worked for various clients, secured a job in the field, and even studied abroad in Belize. The memories I’ve captured here will last me my lifetime.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

It’s not where you are in the room; all that matters is that you’re in the room. Be kind and compassionate to your fellow humans; after all, it’s their first time living, too. Be happy and proud of the work you’ve made thus far, but don’t ever stay complacent; always push yourself and strive for something greater. That way, you not only help yourself but also inspire those alongside you.

Inspiring Graduates

All Inspiring Graduates News

Inspiring Graduates Share Their ��Ͽ� Polytechnic Experiences

Celebrate our graduates as they cross the commencement stage and reflect on the journey that brought them here

Inspiring Graduate: Rosella Wille, B.S. Business Administration

Hired before graduation at Redpath and Company as a tax associate

Inspiring Graduate: Thomas Shamla, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Hired before graduation at Absolut Manufacturing

Hired before graduation as video content media manager for Pest Badger Ryan Rumary

University Marketing

B.S. Video Production

You can have the advanced technical knowledge and skills to create and edit your video and media products. Our team environment will teach you how.

Learn More

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ��Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’

Student speakers at May 16 ceremonies encourage peers to act with compassion, courage, and to continue learning

Search Keywords: B.S. Video Production

Is content a Story?: Yes

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Outstanding Student Leaders empower others, bring people together, build relationships

goersab — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:43:39 +0000

Outstanding Student Leaders empower others, bring people together, build relationshipsgoersab May 18, 2026

Bender, Lueck also receive Wood Medallion, highest nonacademic honor

Abbey Goers

Alongside more than 100 of their peers, three ��Ͽ� students were honored as Outstanding Student Leaders of the Year at the annual Leadership Awards on May 6, for their commitment, involvement and service around campus and the Menomonie community:

Brett Bender, a computer networking and information technology major from Rio
Melody Lueck, a graphic design and interactive media major from Fort Atkinson
Gabe Cauwels, a business administration major from St. Paul.

Each outstanding student feels that their ��Ͽ� experiences and opportunities have prepared them to make an impact after graduation.

“��Ͽ� has given me a starting point for how I can continue making an impact wherever I go,” Bender said. “The hands-on opportunities and empowerment I’ve been given to make change have allowed me the ability to start the long process of honing my leadership skills – something that will never be finished.”

2026 Outstanding Student Leaders of the Year recipients Brett Bender, Melody Lueck and Gabe Cauwels

Seniors Bender and Lueck, who will graduate this fall, also received the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the university’s highest nonacademic honor for students. Fourteen seniors were honored with the medallion this year.

“To be recognized among so many talented peers is humbling, but to me, these awards mean much more than an individual achievement. They are a testament to the growth I’ve experienced here at ��Ͽ� and the incredible community I’ve been surrounded by,” Bender said.

Lueck agreed, adding, “These recognitions reflect the impact I have been able to make within the ��Ͽ� campus and community throughout my four years here. As I begin my final semester this fall, I hope to continue making a meaningful difference and leave the same positive impact that has shaped my experience so far.”

Leadership is about opening doors for others

Bender is a student supervisor with the Event Technology Crew in the Student Centers and a resident advisor within HKMC Hall. When Bender came to ��Ͽ�, he knew he wanted to make an impact, but he wasn’t sure how.

“Through the support of my peers and the opportunities I’ve received, ��Ͽ� started to feel like home,” Bender said. “The opportunities I’ve been given are invaluable and irreplaceable. They’ve allowed me to grow not only as a leader in professional settings, but as an individual. Without the opportunities that I’ve been able to take advantage of, I do not believe that I would be as successful of a student as I am today. I will always hold the experiences I’ve had near and dear to my heart.”

Bender believes that “Leadership is about opening doors for others and creating a space where everyone feels empowered to contribute. For me, student leadership means a lot of things. It ranges from feeling empowered and enabled, to conflict resolution and compromise. Following graduation, I hope that wherever I go, I will be able to make those around me feel empowered, and that no matter how small the voice, everyone has a voice.”

Bringing people together in meaningful ways

Lueck is an executive producer with Blue Devil Productions, serves as president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts student organization, is the designer and secondary event coordinator of People’s Organization of Network Gaming (PONG), a First-Year Orientation assistant and a Week One Orientation leader.

“I truly enjoy creating events and experiences that positively impact the ��Ͽ� community and bring people together in meaningful ways,” Lueck said. “These opportunities have meant so much to me throughout my time here. Without them, I may never have discovered this passion.”

Student leadership is extremely important to Lueck. “Making a positive impact, whether that be with my colleagues or the campus community as a whole, has given me the drive to succeed in college. I hope to continue having this passion, positively impacting others as I continue into my career,” she said.

Building relationships across all majors

Cauwels serves as the Service Club at Stout president and the vice president of finance for the American Marketing Association student chapter. He works as an involvement specialist in the Involvement Center.

“These opportunities on campus have helped me build relationships with people not just in my major but across all majors, as well as allow me to make a positive impact on the local and distant communities and develop my professional skills,” Cauwels said.

“Student leadership has truly made me more sure of myself and helped me balance responsibilities in a variety of settings. I plan on taking the problem-solving skills I have gained from these experiences and applying them to whatever I do outside of school,” he added.

Samuel E. Wood Medallion and Leadership Award recipients

Less than 1% of full-time students receive the Wood Medallion. It is presented to seniors who have contributed to student activities and have demonstrated leadership and scholastic ability. Winners are selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students.

2026 Wood Medallion recipients

Other Wood Medallion recipients were:

Emily Avila, interior design, Hudson
Alexis Bellotti, animation and digital media, Kaukauna
Sumnima Devkota, psychology, Kathmandu, Nepal
Bergen Haag, industrial and product design, St. Paul
Cara Jenquin, individualized studies, Menomonie
Madelyn King, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, real estate property management, Brownville
Madi Klaja, packaging, Hudson
Melissa Kosharek, computer science, Dickeyville
Kloie Potts, family and consumer sciences education, Elkhorn
Noah Rosenberger, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, Sauk Rapids
Kayne Whitney, cybersecurity, Waunakee
Maria Winkelman, professional communication and emerging media, St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Samuel E. Wood was a longtime assistant chancellor for Student Services/Dean of Students Office. He retired in 1991 and died in February 2013.

Additional awards presented were:

Student Employee of the Year, three winners: Drew Albert, Event Technology Crew; Maria Winkelman, Involvement Center; and Nolan Zachgo, Math Teaching and Learning Center.
Student Staff Team of the Year, three winners: Student Center’s Event Technology Crew; Writing Center’s peer writing consultants; and Math Teaching and Learning Center’s teaching assistants.
Student Organization of the Year, three winners: Barbecue Eaters and Enthusiasts Federation, DND Club and Service Club at Stout.
Student Organization Event of the Year, three winners: Philosophy Club’s “Does God Exist? A Student Debate”; Craft Club’s “Make Your Own Keychains”; Service Club at Stout’s “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat.”
Bill Siedlecki Advisor of the Year, two winners: Danielle Clarizio, International Club; and Fred Prassas, Institute of Real Estate Management.
Twenty-four students received the Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year.

The Leadership Awards ceremony is sponsored by the Involvement Center, Stout Student Association and Career Services.

Student Highlights

All Student Highlights News

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

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

Construction camp introduces young students to careers, degree paths

Tour led by Boldt Company in Chippewa Falls gives campers a behind-the-scenes look at construction site

Ashley, Cadrex, Apogee among companies benefiting from engineering students’ prototypes

Capstone projects demonstrate mechanical, manufacturing know-how, leadership skills

Bender, Lueck also receive Wood Medallion, highest nonacademic honor 2026 Samuel E. Wood Medallion recipients

University Marketing

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Game design programs named among best in Midwest, nation in new Animation Career Review rankings

giffeyt — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:13:23 +0000

Game design programs named among best in Midwest, nation in new Animation Career Review rankingsgiffeyt May 14, 2026

Parallel B.F.A., B.S. programs produce career-ready grads who create award-winning games

Tom Giffey

��Ͽ�’s game design programs continue to climb in the rankings among their peers around the nation, rising to No. 6 in the Midwest and No. 17 among all public universities in the United States, according to the latest figures published by Animation Career Review.

��Ͽ� held steady on another Animation Career Review leaderboard, but that’s only because it couldn’t climb any higher: The game design programs were ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin for the eighth consecutive year. ��Ͽ� also placed No. 11 nationwide among universities offering game design-related B.F.A. degrees.

"Our program has matured beyond its ‘startup’ phase and is consistently producing industry-standard work, as evidenced by how many of our senior capstone games go on to be published on the Steam and Epic Games platforms,” said Associate Professor Kim Loken, program director for B.F.A. game design and development - art.

Loken said ��Ͽ�’s multiple game-design related degree programs – which also include a B.S. computer science with a game design and development concentration and a B.S. game and media studies – set Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University apart from its peers.

“Because we offer game dev-focused B.F.A. and B.S. degrees in parallel, our students achieve depth in their roles to maximize effective collaborations in the five semesters in which they take courses in which they make games together in ever-larger team structures,” Loken said.

Stout Game Expo attendees play Gator Hucker, one of the student-designed games.

Students build award-winning games

Game design courses culminate in the senior capstone, which simulates an industry environment as students create games in teams. These games are on display each semester at the Stout Game Expo (SGX), western Wisconsin’s largest game developer exhibition, which was held May 7.

Among the award-winning games at SGX was Gator Hucker, in which players brawl as alien alligators with wacky abilities. The game, which won the Audience Award, grew out of a running joke in class about a game in which gorillas threw alligators in space, explained senior Space Goettl. A game design and development - art major with a computer science minor, Goettl wore many hats during the game’s development, including leading the character art team, serving as a technical animator and heading marketing efforts.

“One really important thing the program does is that all of the interdisciplinary game design classes put you on a team where you basically function as your own indie studio, so by the time you graduate you’ve already independently published three video games,” Goettl said. “Because you’re always doing group work (and group work with people outside your individual areas of expertise, no less), you develop really important soft skills through the process that can apply to any job, not just the games industry.”

Esquelito was one of the award-winning games on display at the Stout Game Expo on May 7.

The award for Best Production at SGX went to Esquelito, a colorful, musical game set in the Mexican underworld. Players become Esquelito, a little skeleton who spreads joy through music, moving through levels while staying on beat.

The game was inspired in part by Mexican Day of the Dead traditions as well as the Disney film “Coco,” said senior Alex Colmenares, a B.F.A. game design and development - art major who served as game designer, VFX artist and illustrator for Esquelito.

“A big challenge that the team faced was ensuring that the game was not disrespectful in the way it represented Mexican culture,” said Colmenares, whose own heritage includes Mexican roots. “Another challenge was proper game balance. We wanted to market our game to children, so to that end we wanted to design a game that would be easier for kids. But sometimes things would come out to be way too difficult or way too easy! It was a lot of work to properly tune the game’s difficulty.”

Another big hit at SGX was Aeromancy, a virtual reality game in which players take the role of wizards who must land airplanes on the correct runway using magic gauntlets. At SGX, Aeromancy won the Audience Award for games created in the junior-level Exploratory Game Design course.

“The use of virtual reality enhances the chaotic, frantic nature of the game and allows the player to access that child-like headspace of playing with toy airplanes,” said Assistant Professor Michael Tetzlaff. Aeromancy is the third VR game exhibited at ��Ͽ� in recent years, and the first developed entirely by junior-level undergraduates.

One of the games at SGX, Driven to Madness, featured a game controller designed to look like an engine.

Junior-level students in the Exploratory Game Design course also showcased a two-player racing game called Driven to Madness, which featured a monstrous motorcycle engine as one of the game controllers. Professor Andrew Williams explained that one player drives a motorcycle on a racetrack while calling out to the other player, a mechanic, who must make adjustments to the engine to avoid obstacles.

“The game focuses on communication as each player has access to different types of information and needs to share it to play. This was an ambitious, high-risk project because it has very complex problems to solve and the team needed to learn a lot of skills independently,” said Williams, who added that the game won the Most Innovative Gameplay award at SGX.

A scene from the student-designed virtual reality game, Aeromancy.

Game design programs among top in nation

Overall, ��Ͽ� had a banner year in the Animation Career Review rankings, placing at No. 36 among all public and private universities in the United States. The rankings are driven by academic peer assessments, graduate employment outcomes, and metrics of program scale and institutional performance, including faculty size, retention rates, and graduation rates.

Games created by ��Ͽ� students have made an impression far beyond campus. Last November, a student-built submarine game called Dread Not was honored as best student entry at M+DEV, the largest game industry conference in the Midwest, which drew 1,500 attendees to Madison.

And the graduates who created these games are finding careers in their chosen field: According to ��Ͽ�’s most recent survey, 97% of game design and development - art graduates were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduating. Recent game design alumni have landed jobs with the likes of Activision, Raven Software, Fantasy Flight Games, Pixel Farm and Trek Bikes.

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

Game Design & Development

All Game Design & Development News

Game design programs named among best in Midwest, nation in new Animation Career Review rankings

Parallel B.F.A., B.S. programs produce career-ready grads who create award-winning games

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

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

��Ͽ� students’ submarine survival game surfaces to victory at M+DEV, the Midwest’s biggest game industry event

PC game’s win at M+DEV expo highlights ��Ͽ�’s globally ranked program

Parallel B.F.A., B.S. programs produce career-ready grads who create award-winning games Two players at ��Ͽ� SGX spring 2026

University Marketing

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

Our collaborative program will teach you to develop 2D and 3D videogame and tabletop game assets using industry-standard software and hardware.

Learn More

B.S. Computer Science (Game Design & Development Concentration)

Do you love video games?

B.S. Game & Media Studies

Our B.S. Game & Media Studies offers students interested in media and gaming an avenue to leadership through research and project management.

Learn More

Search Keywords: game designStout Game ExpoSGX

Hero Caption: Audience members test student-designed games at the Stout Game Expo (SGX) on May 7, 2026.

Kim Loken

Kim Loken's industry experience spans civic, commercial, and residential projects. Her approach to each is further informed by a storytelling mindset cultivated in work for film and theater. In her prior architecture practice, she helmed a variety of adaptive reuse, historic preservation and new construction projects. More recent work focuses on the use of games as systems for analyzing complex problems, particularly those related to environmental issues. Teaching invigorates her practice and provides the opportunity to mentor young designers in a variety of disciplines.

Teaching Interests: Design thinking, interdisciplinary design, large-scale collaborative projects

Research Interests: Phenomenology, narrative-driven design

Professional Interests: Place-making, critical regionalism, cultural history and adaptive re-use

Full Name: Kim Loken

Job Title: Associate Professor / Program Director / Minor Advisor

Include in Directory: Yes

Area of Expertise: Architecture Systems Design

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Kimberly Loken CV (97.64 KB)

Education:

Degree: M.Arch.

University: University of Texas at Austin

Degree: Licensed Architect

Degree: LEED-Accredited Professional

University: U.S. Green Building Council

CACHSS

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Seth Berrier

Seth earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 2012 where he worked with Professor Meyer in the disciplines of computer graphics and visualization. He also holds a B.A. in Music from the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University in Indianapolis. He is a classically trained tenor and an active participant in community theater in and around the Chippewa Valley.

Teaching Interests: Introductory programming courses, data structures and algorithms, software engineering, and computer graphics.

Research Interests: Seth is interested in using the visual power of graphics and visualization to bridge the pure technical disciplines of math and computer science with design and the arts. He has interests in design disciplines ranging from architecture to fashion and game design and seeks to develop new tools that enable the creative processes in these fields. He is also interested in advancing the primitive world of music visualization through the disciplines of formal music theory and form and analysis. In computer science, he is most interested in image based rendering and light field acquisition, photogrammetry and light fields for digital heritage, real-time photo-realistic rendering with graphics hardware and high-level shading languages.

Full Name: Dr. Seth F. Berrier

Job Title: Professor / Program Director

Include in Directory: Yes

Area of Expertise: Computer Graphics Real-Time 3D Rendering Game Design Design Process Photogrammetry Light-Field Rendering Web Programming Software Engineering

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

Department: Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department

Program

All Degree Programs

B.S. Computer Science

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Seth F. Berrier CV (259.43 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: M.S. Computer Science

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: B.A. Music

University: Butler University

CSTEMM

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

News

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

Student gains experience in art, life

Campus mural embodies polytechnic tenets

#StoutProud: Wade Lambrigtsen ('00), Lin Boland ('25), Megan McDowell ('25) and Lily ('27)

First student-designed mural is ‘part of the legacy, history of art at the university’

High school students complete university-level project to create spaces that inspire

Using music to create spaces that inspire

Youth Camps & Programs

Video production program work highlights viability of Wisconsin as film hub

Bringing filmmaking to the Midwest

‘Winter Hymns’ – A golden opportunity

2026 Unspooled Film & Animation Festival

B.S. Video Production

Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Award

‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ winning design

B.S. Graphic Communications

B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media

Creating music video for underground Japanese rapper is culmination of degree experience for ���Ͽ� graduate

‘A crazy yet rewarding experience’

Video enjoyed by viewers worldwide

B.S. Video Production

Inspiring Graduate: Alexis Bellotti, B.F.A. Animation & Digital Media

B.F.A. Animation & Digital Media

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ���Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’

Inspiring Graduate: Porter Christenson, B.F.A. Industrial & Product Design

B.F.A. Industrial & Product Design

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ���Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’

Inspiring Graduate: Ryan Rumary, B.S. Video Production

B.S. Video Production

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ���Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’

Outstanding Student Leaders empower others, bring people together, build relationships

Leadership is about opening doors for others

Bringing people together in meaningful ways

Building relationships across all majors

Samuel E. Wood Medallion and Leadership Award recipients

Game design programs named among best in Midwest, nation in new Animation Career Review rankings

Students build award-winning games

Game design programs among top in nation

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

B.S. Computer Science (Game Design & Development Concentration)

B.S. Game & Media Studies

Creating music video for underground Japanese rapper is culmination of degree experience for ��Ͽ� graduate

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ��Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ��Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’

Distinguished alum, educator Albrecht credits ��Ͽ� for preparing graduates who ‘step forward’