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AASCU’s Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort

goersab — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:20:44 +0000

AASCU’s Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort goersab June 29, 2026

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

For more than a decade, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) has prepared the next generation of higher education leaders to be effective, compassionate, resilient, accountable and courageous to help all students reach their goals.

��Ͽ� Polytechnic Special Assistant to the Provost Chris Engen has been named to this year’s 45-member national cohort, from institutions across more than 20 states.

The ELP program supports the development of mid-senior career higher education professionals as they strengthen their capabilities, broaden their networks, and contribute to the future of their institutions and the students they serve. Participants explore key topics, including strategic communication, project management, organizational change and the development of a personal leadership approach.

Engen is grateful for this professional development opportunity and honored to be representing ��Ͽ� Polytechnic among a distinguished group of colleagues from other regional and national public universities. “ELP provides a unique, impactful setting to build upon and leverage my previous experience while gaining new knowledge and skills for application to our current initiatives. I look forward to exchanging ideas and best practices with the other ELP cohort members,” he said.

A 30-year U.S. Army veteran (colonel, retired), Engen held a variety of leadership, staff, and faculty positions within the Army’s professional education and training system. Later joining federal civil service, he directed a center that provides workforce education and training within the U.S. Department of Defense.

Seeking to pursue a follow-on career in higher education, Engen joined ��Ͽ� Polytechnic in 2021, first serving as the Veteran Services coordinator before his current role in the Provost’s Office, which he began last year. He now manages a portfolio of cross-functional projects and initiatives involving interest holders within the university’s Academic Affairs and across campus, while continuing to provide assistance to Veteran Services.

“Chris has an impressive resume of achievements. His skills in project management and systems-thinking, coupled with his dedication to student success, are an asset and have helped move institutional work forward while strengthening relationships across the ��Ͽ� Polytechnic community,” said Provost Glendalí Rodríguez. “Chris’ interest in pursuing professional development, targeted to the higher education sector, was a clear next step, and I was pleased to endorse his application to the ELP.”

Each ELP cohort member leads a campus-based project or initiative over the course of the academic year, working with a designated advisor. The project will have an impact on the campus community and align with the participant’s professional goals.

With the dynamic changes occurring in the higher education sector and ��Ͽ� Polytechnic’s commitment to the Baldrige framework, Engen’s project will entail a collaborative review of the university-wide systems for student support and services to identify and act upon opportunities for improvement.

“This long-term project considers the continuing evolution of enrollment across all modalities – in-person, hybrid and fully online – and aims to provide an easily navigable student support and learning experience regardless of enrollment type through agile and streamlined university organization and processes,” he said.

Malcolm Baldrige Award

��Ͽ� is the first-ever higher education recipient of this prestigious award.

The ELP program began on June 23 with an in-person seminar in Washington, D.C., and will be followed by a series of interactive virtual sessions held throughout the year.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), based in Washington, D.C., is a higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to serving today’s students, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development.

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

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AASCU’s Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort

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

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Special assistant to the provost selected as one of 45 distinguished higher education professionals to participate in yearlong program 20210602_chrisengen_8384_web.jpg

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The Provost's Office, working with the deans, department chairs, directors and others, oversees the Division of Academic Affairs.

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Welcome, and thank you for your interest in ��Ͽ� Polytechnic. With our focus on applied learning, career preparation, and collaboration, students graduate from our institution ready for their next steps in work and life. We offer a wide array of specialized programs, and work closely with business, industry, and non-profit institutions to ensure our curriculum is up-to-date.

Our outstanding faculty and staff are dedicated to ensuring that our students leave the University with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful.

Our facilities, with three times more laboratories and studios than traditional classrooms, enhance our focus on applied learning. Our programming, with more than 90% of our students completing a co-op, internship, or other out-of-classroom experience, guarantees readiness for careers. Finally, the infusion of general education courses throughout our programs of study ensures that students are ready not just for their next job, but for future career changes, and their role as contributing citizens in society.

The Provost's Office has oversight of the Division of Academic Affairs, which encompasses the following areas at ��Ͽ� Polytechnic:

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

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

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

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

Tom Giffey

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

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

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

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

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan

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

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

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

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

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

Career Services
Center for Applied Ethics
College of Arts & Human Sciences
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management
Educational Pathways & Outreach
Graduate Studies
Honors College
Menards Center for the Study of Institutions & Innovation
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AASCU’s Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan will advance strategic priorities, foster academic initiatives at Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University Latha Ramakrishnan 2025

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

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

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

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

Abbey Goers

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

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

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

Fashion Without Fabric

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

Art & Design Exhibitions

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

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

Friday, March 13, to Thursday, April 23

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

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

Monday, May 4, through September

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

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

The Library Art Lab, on the first floor of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center, showcases student artists, faculty and campus collaborations. Exhibitions include applied research, capstones, clubs and classwork. There are two exhibitions each semester.

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

Civic dialogue

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

Center for Applied Ethics

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

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

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

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

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

Film screening and literary discussions

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

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

University Theatre

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

Performance dates and times are:

Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.

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

Tickets will be available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Musical performances

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

Tickets will be available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

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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

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

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Design focus anchors ��Ͽ�'s fall 2025 event schedule

goersab — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:20:27 +0000

Design focus anchors ��Ͽ�'s fall 2025 event schedulegoersab September 25, 2025

Community invited to exhibitions, lectures and discussions, readings and performances

Abbey Goers

As ��Ͽ� launches its Year of Design, community members are invited to myriad talks, performances and exhibitions scheduled on campus this fall.

From exhibitions featuring graphic design, photography, light play and ceramics to philosophical and literary conversations, to performing arts, there are events for everyone on campus and throughout the community.

In 2025-2026, ��Ͽ� is celebrating a Year of Design to highlight the innovation, leadership and impact central to Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. Upcoming signature events include:

Thursday, Oct. 9, 1 p.m.: Cabot Executive-in-Residence keynote address, “Designed to Influence,” with Andrew Murphy, head of Corporate Engagement Strategy at Apple.
Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11: School of Art & Design 60th Anniversary. Registration is required for the free event.
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo, western Wisconsin’s largest game developer exhibition.
Friday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m.: School of Art & Design Senior Show, featuring the works of more than 200 graduating seniors.

Celebrating 60 years: School of Art & Design hosts anniversary events Oct. 10-11

Year of Design highlights AI innovations, alumni leadership, student success

Art & Design Exhibitions

Furlong Gallery opens the 2025 fall exhibition schedule with two side-by-side solo exhibitions:

Saturday, Sept. 18, to Saturday, Oct. 25

��Ͽ� Professor Charles Matson Lume’s Sabbatical Exhibition, “becoming I, I say You (for Martin Buber),” is in the North Gallery. An artist talk with Matson Lume will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
School of Art & Design Visiting Artist, ceramist Hannah Niswonger, is in the South Gallery. Her exhibit “Didn’t I Used to Have a Sense of Humor?” brings together four installations: “Octopus’s Garden,” “Cloud—Bird—Place,” “Poisonous & Carnivorous Dinnerware,” and “Conversations with My Father’s Paintings.” Niswonger is a ceramicist from Massachusetts.
A closing reception for both artists will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, followed by an artist talk with Niswonger.

Monday, Nov. 10, to Saturday, Dec. 13

Dunn County-born artist and photographer Erinn Springer will be featured in the North Gallery. Springer now resides in Duluth, Minnesota.
Catalogtree, a multidisciplinary design collective based in the Netherlands, will be featured in the South Gallery.

A ceramic octopus by Hannah Niswonger, featured in “Didn’t I Used to Have a Sense of Humor?” / Hannah Niswonger

Join game designer Erika Svanoe and illustrator Erik Evenson for a talk on their creation and collaboration of the popular Jane Austen card game “Marrying Mr. Darcy” from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center. A Q&A and game play will follow. See if you can win the game and the heart of Mr. Darcy.

Gallery 209 rotates exhibits on a weekly basis. Located in the Applied Arts building on the second floor, exhibits are reserved for Senior Thesis Exhibitions, as well as master’s in design students, design and fine art classes and student organizations. An Alumni Art Exhibition will be held in Gallery 209, Oct. 10-12, Stout Proud Family and Supporter Weekend.

Civic dialogue

A special event, “Banned Books Week: A Conversation with Dr. Samuel Cohen,” will be held from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Harvey Hall Theatre. Cohen is the associate chair of the department of English at University of Missouri. He will discuss his forthcoming book “Banning Books in America: Not a How-to.”

Comments will be offered by Menomonie Public Library Director Joleen Sterk. An audience Q&A will follow, moderated by Menard Center for the Study of Institutions & Innovation Director Afton Greco. The event will conclude with a Kahoot contest with prizes for students. The event is sponsored by the Menard Center with co-sponsors, the University Library; Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Honors College; the Literature Committee; the Center for Applied Ethics; and the Menomonie Public Library. Cohen’s book will be published in February 2026.

Center for Applied Ethics

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

��Ͽ�’s Center for Applied Ethics hosts Philosophers’ Cafés, informal, friendly conversations on contemporary issues. Meetings are open to all and are led by ��Ͽ� and UW-Eau Claire faculty. Upcoming conversations will be held at 7 p.m., at Brewery Nønic in Menomonie:

Wednesday, Oct. 8: AI and Our Humanity
Wednesday, Nov. 12: The Wisconsin Idea: What Does It Mean to You?
Wednesday, Dec. 10: Are Gender Disparities in the Workplace a Problem?

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

Forty to 60 students will participate in four discussion dinners over the course of the year. Each dinner will center around a controversial moral or political issue, with tables facilitated by faculty members Mitch Ogden, Cynthia Bland, Daniel Sinkovits, Lopa Basu, Alison Lukowski and Tina Lee.

Literary discussions

The Literature Committee will host its annual Faculty and Staff Creative Writing Reading from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Raw Deal. The committee invites faculty and staff from all areas of the university to share their poetry or prose.

‘Sing, Slivered Tongue’: ��Ͽ� professor’s book of poetry is a statement of courage, hope

Basu’s anthology gathers 68 international voices to reflect on trauma, resolution

English Professor Lopamudra Basu will present on her book of poetry “Sing, Slivered Tongue” as part of the Chippewa Valley Book Festival at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Riverview Room at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire and virtually. The hybrid event will include several contributing poets joining via Zoom. Books will be available for purchase at local bookstores this fall.

“Sing, Slivered Tongue” sheds light on the subject of trauma and gathers the voices of 68 women from various South Asian communities. “It is not just a litany of trauma. It is a statement of courage. It offers hope and is an attempt to find resolution,” Basu said. “Although the poets are from South Asia, their experiences are global experiences, and our intention is to create bridges.”

In addition to his sabbatical exhibit mentioned earlier, Matson Lume collaborated with three alumni and artists over his 2025-25 sabbatical to publish “at the fountain, at the fountain,” a free artists’ book that features their art and texts. Two book launches will be held this fall: one on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2 to 5 p.m., at FOGSTAND Gallery & Studio, in St. Paul, Minnesota; and another on Thursday, Nov. 6, 4 to 5:30 p.m., at North Shore Readers and Writers Festival at the Grand Marais Art Colony, Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Sabbatical recap: Charles Matson Lume, Studio Art, 2024-25

Celebrating a shared commitment and love of making art within community

University Theatre

University Theatre will present “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again],” led by Director Audric Buhr, at Harvey Hall Theatre.

Performance dates and times are:

Thursday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 9, 2 p.m.

Fast-paced, witty, physical and full of laughter, this is one of the world’s most frequently produced plays and features all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays, performed in under 100 minutes.

Tickets will be available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Musical performances

Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra directed by James Anderson: Saturday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m., in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms. Come swing in the Big Apple, as the orchestra takes you from 42nd and Harlem to Times Square, and beyond, featuring music by Charles Mingus, George Gershwin, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and more.
Stout Choirs, directed by Jerry Hui: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m., in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. “Colorful Voices” will be a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the School of Art & Design. Music will focus on the metaphor and power of color, featuring a variety of musical styles from romantic Renaissance madrigals to empowering spirituals.
The Symphonic Band, under Director Erika Svanoe, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m., in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. “Music in Motion” will feature music about various kinds of transportation, including songs from “The Polar Express” and Rossano Galante’s “Sailing with Whales.”

Tickets will be available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

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

Community invited to exhibitions, lectures and discussions, readings and performances Hannah Niswonger, SOAD Visiting Artist at Furlong Gallery

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

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��Ͽ� collaborates on new bachelor’s degree program at Stanley Correctional Institution

giffeyt — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000

��Ͽ� collaborates on new bachelor’s degree program at Stanley Correctional Institution giffeyt September 15, 2025

Program is part of statewide coalition that aims to develop workforce, reduce recidivism

Tom Giffey

��Ͽ� plans to expand its career-focused, polytechnic approach to education this fall through the launch of a bachelor’s degree program at Stanley Correctional Institution.

The program is part of the University of Wisconsin Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (UW CHEP), a collaborative delivering in-person college courses, certificates and degree pathways to students in seven correctional institutions across Wisconsin.

The UW CHEP collaborative is coordinated by UW-Madison through its Prison Education Initiative (PEI), in partnership with ��Ͽ�, UW-Green Bay, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

“As Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, one of our goals is to prepare lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens in an equitable, inclusive and sustainable environment through collaborative career-focused programs that integrate applied learning, theory and research,” ��Ͽ� Provost Glendalí Rodríguez said. “��Ͽ� is fully committed to all people who seek to better their lives through education, including students who are incarcerated. With the return of Pell Grant support for incarcerated students, we embrace this opportunity.”

UW CHEP is designed to give students higher-education degrees and credentials that increase their employment opportunities after they are released as well as to reduce recidivism: Research has found that those who participate in prison education programs are more than 40% less likely to return to prison. In addition, every dollar invested in prison education has been found to save $4 to $5 in reincarceration costs.

“Higher education in prison can help people turn their lives around and break the cycle of reincarceration,” said Peter Moreno, director of PEI. “We are proud to be partnering with ��Ͽ�, which has become a leader in this area.”

Since UW CHEP launched in 2023, 19 students have earned associate degrees while more than 170 have earned micro-credentials, called digital badges, which demonstrate they have obtained workforce skills and progressed toward a degree.

Associate Professor Richard Gee

��Ͽ� began offering courses at Stanley Correctional Institution in the summer of 2024, including classes in criminal justice and rehabilitation, sociology, applied social science, design, business accounting and risk control. Students have gained credentials in foundations in data analytics, data accumulation and research methodology, and strategic planning and organizational management.

Beginning this fall, students at Stanley Correctional Institution will be able to work toward a B.S. management and leadership degree. Courses offered in the coming months will include biology, business accounting and industrial management. Fourteen students are enrolled for the fall semester, with a goal of 15 students for the Winterm next January.

��Ͽ� faculty members who have offered classes through the program say the experience has been professionally gratifying.

“Helping to establish a new construction of self and a narrative of redemption is very satisfying. I have seen the students grow academically, but also in self-confidence,” said Associate Professor Richard Gee, director of ��Ͽ�’s B.S. criminal justice and rehabilitation program.

Assistant Professor Jonny Wheeler

Gee, who has taught multiple courses at Stanley Correctional Institution, was also part of the team that set up and implemented the program at ��Ͽ�, and it was in that role that he helped Assistant Professor Jonny Wheeler prepare for the experience. Wheeler – who is part of the B.S. video production and M.F.A. design programs on campus – taught introductory design courses at both Stanley Correctional Institution and Oakhill Correctional Institution.

Without cell phones, social media, or Adobe software, these design classes relied on “foundational, analog principles: mostly sketching,” Wheeler said.

“It has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my professional career,” he added. “To witness firsthand the transformative power of education in a place where it is so deeply valued is to be reminded of our fundamental purpose as educators.”

UW CHEP was launched in 2023 as part of Gov. Tony Evers’ Workforce Innovation Grant program. It is funded through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and Ascendium Education Group, a Madison-based nonprofit. Students may also be eligible for federally funded Pell Grants to cover their tuition.

The program has a strong workforce development component: UW CHEP collaborates with employers and workforce agencies to ensure relevant curriculum, while a PEI career advisor and reentry support coordinator connect students to job opportunities and community resources.

“We pride ourselves on evidence-based practices, but having hope also disrupts (recidivism),” said Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy during a graduation ceremony earlier this year at Oakhill Correctional Institution, where 15 students earned Associate of Arts and Science degrees through UW-Green Bay. “There’s nothing I can say that will outshine your stories. This is just the beginning of the positive things you will do beyond prison.”

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Glendalí Rodríguez

I joined the ��Ͽ� community in August 2005. Prior to that, I worked in a variety of professional positions related to architecture (city planning, neighborhood planning, residential and commercial design). At Stout, I have navigated roles including faculty (from assistant to full professor), instructor of program and general education courses (both on-campus and online), student organization advisor (Latinos Unidos and Sigma Lambda Chi Honor Society), governance representative on a myriad of campus committees, department chair, and associate provost.

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��Ͽ� faculty, instructional staff honored for educational excellence

giffeyt — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000

��Ͽ� faculty, instructional staff honored for educational excellencegiffeyt September 2, 2025

Honorees include two professors receiving system-wide recognition

Tom Giffey

As a new academic year begins, several members of the University of Wisconsin-Stout faculty and instructional staff have been honored for their outstanding educational efforts in the laboratory, classroom and beyond.

Among them are Emma Green, assistant professor of developmental psychology, and Pranabendu Mitra, associate professor of food science and technology, who were named 2025-26 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars by the Universities of Wisconsin. For the coming academic year, the pair will be part of an exclusive cohort of scholars selected from across 11 Universities of Wisconsin campuses.

The WTFS program provides UW faculty and teaching academic staff a unique opportunity to collaborate with exceptional teachers from other campuses and various disciplines. In addition to discussing effective evidence-based teaching and learning approaches, participants are guided through systematic research focused on improving student learning through a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project.

Associate Professor Pranabendu Mitra

“I applied for this fellowship because I think that it is necessary to keep my eyes open on continuous improvement of teaching methods, as teaching is dynamic,” Mitra said.

As part of the fellowship, Mitra and Green took part in a Faculty College retreat in May and a Summer Institute in June, which will be followed by a Winter Institute in December and a conference next April. At that conference, the fellows will present the results of their research on teaching and learning.

Mitra’s research, which will begin this fall, is focused on how student-created lectures and project design will impact the “learning, intrinsic motivation and sense of belonging of the students.” This research and the fellowship program itself will allow him to systematically study and refine his teaching practices, he said.

In addition, Mitra said, the experience “will benefit my students because I will be better equipped to support student success, motivation and sense of belonging.”

Assistant Professor Emma Green

Likewise, Green hopes her upcoming research also benefits students, both directly and indirectly.

“Broadly, my project is a qualitative study that aims to understand post-secondary students’ perception of evaluation in the academic setting,” she said. “For example, what do students think other students think about them when they’re called on in class?”

Green plans to involve students both as research assistants and participants, giving them an opportunity to learn about the research process firsthand and become inspired to pursue their own research.

“I hope that by understanding the perspectives of students, this could eventually lead to adaptive teaching techniques in understanding students’ expectations and reactions to the post-secondary academic environment,” Green added.

Educators honored as academic year begins

Six employees received the Outstanding Teacher award and two received the Outstanding Graduate Faculty award Aug. 25 at the Opening Day Presentation and Awards Recognition that kicked off the 2025-26 academic year.

The Outstanding Teaching Awards, which were voted on by ��Ͽ� undergraduate and graduate students, recognize a commitment to excellence and the university community. Recipients and their departments are:

Saleh Alnaeli, associate professor, mathematics, statistics and computer science
Julia Chapman, lecturer/program director, biology
Avigdor Edminster, senior lecturer, social science
Lauren Johnsen, assistant professor, English, philosophy and communication studies
Nels Paulson, professor, social science
Derek Sturgill, assistant professor, mathematics, statistics and computer science

The university’s two colleges – the College of Arts and Human Sciences (CAHS) and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management (CSTEMM) – coordinate the selection of their honorees via an internal process.

The Outstanding Graduate Faculty Awards recognize outstanding commitment, enthusiasm and assistance to the graduate student community. One award is given for each of the university’s two colleges. The recipients are:

Molly Welch Deal, assistant professor, counseling, rehabilitation and human services
Laura Reisinger, assistant professor, hospitality and technology innovation

The eight recipients were recognized by Chancellor Katherine Frank during the academic year opening event at the Memorial Student Center.

��Ͽ� fall semester classes begin Wednesday, Sept. 3. In fall 2024, ��Ͽ� had 221 faculty and 179 instructional academic staff.

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From Norway to Wisconsin, children want to be social media influencers when they grow up

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Honorees include two professors receiving system-wide recognition Professor Pranabendu Mitra and food science students

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Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for nine ��Ͽ� faculty members

Changes in status take effect as 2025-26 academic year begins

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Glendalí Rodríguez

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Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for nine ��Ͽ� faculty members

giffeyt — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for nine ��Ͽ� faculty membersgiffeyt August 28, 2025

Changes in status take effect as 2025-26 academic year begins

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has approved promotions and tenure recommendations for nine ��Ͽ� faculty members effective for the 2025-26 academic year.

The professors and their departments are:

Promoted to professor

Kenan Baltaci, engineering and technology
Scott Turner, mathematics, statistics and computer science

Promoted to associate professor

Kenneth Mullins, business

Promoted to associate professor with tenure

Morgan Barrie, visual and performing arts
Heather Hessel, counseling, rehabilitation and human services
Dana Linnell, psychology
Xiaojing Liu, engineering and technology
Michael Tetzlaff, mathematics, statistics and computer science

Tenure

Jay Jones, hospitality and technology innovation

Associate Professor Dana Linnell, left, reviews data with applied psychology students.

Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, celebrated the professors’ achievements.

“The start of the academic year is a great time to recognize the faculty for their accomplishments; it provides positive energy to jumpstart the year,” Rodríguez said. “I am inspired by the faculty’s hard work and dedication to students. As well as their commitment to our polytechnic tenets — applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration and career-focused educational experiences. Tenure and/or promotion are critical milestones and I look forward to honoring them.”

The 2025-26 academic year began Aug. 18. Opening Day activities, including campuswide Engagement Sessions for faculty and staff, were Aug. 25. Classes begin Wednesday, Sept. 3.

In fall 2024, ��Ͽ� had 221 faculty and 179 instructional academic staff.

Changes in status take effect as 2025-26 academic year begins Bowman Hall

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Education Designed for the Future: ��Ͽ� to host global Polytechnic Summit, May 18-21

goersab — Tue, 13 May 2025 12:47:40 +0000

Education Designed for the Future: ��Ͽ� to host global Polytechnic Summit, May 18-21goersab May 13, 2025

Keynotes on AI, humanities; Evolution of Education panel; Applied Research Showcase

Abbey Goers

National and international academic professionals and community leaders will gather in Menomonie for the global Polytechnic Summit 2025, hosted by ��Ͽ�, Sunday, May 18, to Wednesday, May 21.

The annual summit brings thought leaders together to shape the future of polytechnic education, to build opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, and to discuss the latest in applied research, professional development programs and community outreach activities.

This year’s theme, “Education Designed for the Future,” will include discussions on industry engagement, humanistic and AI partnerships, future-focused infrastructure, entrepreneurship and polytechnic learning.

“External and internal factors occurring across the globe are accelerating the necessary pace of change for the education sector,” ��Ͽ� Provost Glendalí Rodríguez said. “The theme ‘Education Designed for the Future’ is timely for a convening of polytechnic stakeholders to share insights about how we are evolving to remain relevant and leading edge. We’re excited to gather a dynamic and diverse group of institutions to share ideas, foster collaboration and continue shaping the future of polytechnic education.”

Polytechnic Summit

Welcoming academic professionals and community leaders dedicated to shaping the future of Polytechnic education.

The summit attracts polytechnic universities, colleges, institutes and programs from across the globe, including:

American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Hochschule Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
Howest University of Applied Sciences, West Flanders, Belgium
Purdue Polytechnic Institute, West Lafayette, Indiana
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas

“Stout is leading the way among both Wisconsin and polytechnic universities, as evidenced by our 99% graduate employment rate, which we attribute to reflect the work of staying relevant through applied learning and research, business and industry partnerships, and career-focused learning opportunities,” Rodríguez said.

“Aligned with our commitment to performance excellence, celebrated by our achievement of the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award, the summit allows us to convene with thought-partners, problem-solvers and share best practices in our shared commitment to student success,” she added.

The summit was founded in 2009 by the late Chancellor Charles Sorensen, two years after ��Ͽ� was designated as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. ��Ͽ� is among the 3% of U.S. universities designated as polytechnics. It also hosted the summit in 2010 and 2019.

Design Wisconsin

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

As a prelude to the summit, ��Ͽ� is hosting the 4th Annual Design Wisconsin Friday, May 16, and Sunday, May 18. The free event is a showcase of Minnesota and Wisconsin industrial design and fashion design. Companies in past years have included TREK, Milwaukee Tool, Kohler, Mercury Marine, Polaris, Fiskars, Oshkosh, Harley-Davidson, Sherwin-Williams and Spectrum.

Keynotes related to AI and the humanities

The opening keynote will be led by international speaker Matt Kirchner, the TechEd Podcast host who focuses on education, workforce development and public policy.

His keynote “Hands-On Higher Ed and How AI Will Transform the University Experience” will discuss how some see advancing technology, shifting demographics and changing attitudes toward post-secondary learning as acute threats to higher education. However, Kirchner asks, might advancing technologies present the greatest opportunities to innovative leaders?

Keynote speakers Matt Kirchner, Rishi Jaitly and David Bruce

Kirchner is president of ATS/LAB Midwest. A former industrial CEO, he led three manufacturing companies for more than 20 years. He is the author of “Teaching the Industrial Internet of Things: Preparing Students and Learners for Industry 4.0.”

Rishi Jaitly, professor of practice and Distinguished Humanities Fellow at Virginia Tech, will lead a keynote on “Invisible Infrastructure: Reclaiming a Humanities-Inspired Technology Landscape.” Drawing on his decades of experience as an entrepreneur, educator and executive in and around Silicon Valley, and his learnings as Founder of the Institute for Leadership in Technology at Virginia Tech, Jaitly will offer his reflections on how the humanities might reclaim their role in technology specifically, and our culture more generally.

David Bruce, an executive partner with Gartner, will discuss “Navigating the Future: AI’s Role in Higher Education,” where he’ll explore the impact of artificial intelligence and how it can enhance educational outcomes, as well as foster an inclusive and dynamic academic environment. Gartner works with C-suite executives and their teams to deliver actionable, objective insight and expert guidance and tools to enable faster, smarter decisions and stronger performance.

Featured sessions and research showcase

A panel session on the Evolution of Education will be led by ��Ͽ� Chancellor Katherine Frank, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences President Arnd Steinmetz, Utah Tech University Vice Chancellor Michael Lacourse, Purdue Professor Emeritus Gary Bertoline, Whitehall School District Superintendent of Schools Mike Beighley and Western Technical College Associate Vice President of Workforce Partnerships and Innovation Joshua Gamer.

Katherine Frank, Arnd Steinmetz and Michael Lacourse

Featured breakout sessions will include:

Mindset, an Engineering Report: Bertoline
A Universal Framework for Artificial Intelligence Literacy: Emily Laird, AI integration technologist, ��Ͽ�
Building Future Learning Spaces Using Virtual Reality: Paul Grimm, professor of expanded realities and chief digital officer, Darmstadt
Integrating Industry-Focused Collaboration into Curriculum and Program Design: Keif Oss and Jonny Wheeler, professors of video production, ��Ͽ�

The summit will also host an Applied Research Showcase, a unique platform for faculty and industry partners across multiple institutions to present real-world research and innovative projects that address current challenges across industries and communities.

“Participants can share their findings, network with professionals and gain visibility for their work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. This showcase is the chance to demonstrate impact and inspire future collaboration,” Rodríguez said.

Gary Bertoline, Mike Beighley and Joshua Gamer

Propelling humankind forward

Graphic design and interactive media sophomores had the opportunity to have their concepts showcased at the summit. Students in a foundation’s studio course with graphic design Program Director Alex DeArmond participated in a short ideation project to create a design that would be printed on tote bags to be given to summit attendees.

Of the 15 students who presented their concepts, Grace Gilhousen, of Dresser, Wisconsin, created the winning design selected by the summit coordinators.

Within her design, Gilhousen conveyed the impact of educators in an abstract graphic resembling a wave or mountain.

Grace Gilhousen's Polytechnic Summit tote bag design

“I was inspired by optical illusions and how powerful the effect could be in a 2D space,” she said. “With that in mind, I constructed a pseudo 3D wave of influence to embody the passage of knowledge between learners. The movement depicted is upward, because education is what propels humankind forward and determines how we all live tomorrow.”

The project encouraged students to “understand that they should always be thinking strategically about how a design can translate across multiple platforms,” DeArmond said. “The students really got a lot out of this exercise. In our final critique, several expressed how meaningful it was to design for a client and a real-world outcome.”

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

Oshkosh Corporation will host Design Wisconsin, ��Ͽ�’s annual event exploring innovative design

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

Keynotes on AI, humanities; Evolution of Education panel; Applied Research Showcase Memorial Student Center amphitheater

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The Provost's Office, working with the deans, department chairs, directors and others, oversees the Division of Academic Affairs.

Welcome from Provost Rodríguez

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Our outstanding faculty and staff are dedicated to ensuring that our students leave the University with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful.

The Provost's Office has oversight of the Division of Academic Affairs, which encompasses the following areas at ��Ͽ� Polytechnic:

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��Ͽ� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025

goersab — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:03:12 +0000

��Ͽ� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025goersab January 28, 2025

Community programs include exhibits, ‘Alice by Heart’ musical, concerts, film screenings; coincide with Destination Weekend, Spring Showcase

Abbey Goers

From exhibits celebrating a lifetime of photography, illustrations to “Marvel” at and historical moments, to a musical inviting the audience to step into Wonderland in “Alice by Heart, concerts that transport listeners to outer space, film screenings of “February” and “The League,” and literary and civic conversations, there are arts events for everyone at ��Ͽ� this spring.

Many events are free and open to the public, and several will be held in conjunction with ��Ͽ�’s Destination Weekend, Friday, April 11, to Sunday, April 13; and Spring Showcase in April and May.

Visual Arts

Furlong Gallery’s spring season will open with an anticipated exhibit – Bill Wikrent: Capturing the Moment in the North Gallery; and artist and illustrator Matt Talbot in the South Gallery, on view through Saturday, March 1.

A reception for the exhibit Bill Wikrent: Capturing the Moment will be on Feb. 20, with a plaque unveiling ceremony at 5 p.m.

For 27 years, Wikrent worked with ��Ͽ�’s Instructional Technology Services, contributing significantly to the university and surrounding area’s visual history. This exhibition includes highlights of his campus work, as well as his personal photographs, highlighting his expertise and artistic voice. Wikrent passed away in April 2023. A reception will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, with a plaque unveiling ceremony at 5 p.m., in Micheels Hall Atrium.

Talbot is an illustrator and graphic designer from the seacoast area of New Hampshire. His clients include Marvel Studios, Sony, Mondo, Entertainment Weekly, Archie Comics, Fangoria and more. The exhibit includes both personal projects and client work. A meet and greet will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Furlong, with an artist talk following at 6 p.m., in Applied Arts room 321.

Matt Talbot's illustrations and designs include both personal projects and client work

Other exhibits across campus include:

Sunday, Feb. 2, to Sunday, March 30: The Library Art Lab, on the first floor of the University Library, will host Patient No More: People with Disabilities Securing Civil Rights. This traveling exhibit tells the stories behind a moment in history when protests across the country were held to have Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 signed into law, which ultimately made it illegal for any federally funded facilities or programs to discriminate against people with disabilities. It is a collaborative project with the university’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, Disability Services and Involvement Center. A reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Monday, March 10, to Wednesday, April 19: Associate Professor Daniel Atyim will showcase his sabbatical work at Furlong.
Monday, May 5, through September: The Student Artist-in-Residence Exhibition at Furlong will feature studio art majors Lily Smith and Ellie Eklof. A reception will be held during the School of Art and Design Show from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
Rotating exhibits of student works will be in Gallery 209, the Student Gallery in the Applied Arts building on the second floor.

'Alice by Heart' will be performed at Harvey Hall Theatre April 4-12.

University Theatre

Students will perform “Alice by Heart,” led by Director Audric Buhr, at Harvey Hall Theatre. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on April 4, 5, 10*, 11 and 12; and 2 p.m. on April 6.

“Alice by Heart” is a musical that encourages everyone to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times, and explores the poignancy of first love, loss and finding the courage to move forward.

Set during World War II, in the rubble of the London Blitz, Alice Spencer’s teenage life is turned upside down, when she and her friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

* An accessible performance will be held on April 10, with a more informal atmosphere aimed to welcome those with sensory difficulties or autism. The performance will remain the same but with small adjustments. House lights will remain on, loud noises will be softened, and audience members are free to leave and re-enter.

Tickets will be available soon at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

'Please' by SAIR artists Ellie Eklof, and 'worth it' by SAIR artists Lily Smith

Concert Performances

Stout Choirs, under Director Jerry Hui, will present Life on the World Scale at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 910 E. 9th St., in Menomonie. Join in a musical journey from the microcosmos to the cosmos and back. Whether it is in the microbes, the places we live in, in nature, or the universe, we see faces looking back as we reflect our life experiences, big or small.
The Symphonic Band, under Director Erika Svanoe, will perform Around the World at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. The concert will feature music celebrating different places, cultures and composers from around the world, including Minneapolis-based composer Samantha Hogan’s new piece “A Tour of Minnesota,” which commemorates the state flag.
The Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra, under Director James Anderson, will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, Harvey Hall Theater. Blast off into infinity and beyond with selections of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” and hear classics like Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly with Me,” Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust” and Dizzy Gilespie’s “Manteca!”

Tickets will be available soon at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Patient No More will be on exhibit at the Library Art Lab Feb. 2 to March 30.

Film and Literary Events

Two film screenings and Q&As with the directors will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 4:

“February,” with director Nathan Deming and lead actor David Duran, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Harvey Hall Theater. “February,” filmed in Eau Claire, recently won multiple awards at the Wisconsin Film Festival. The event is hosted by the video production program and Video Production Club.
“The League,” with filmmaker Byron Motley, 7 to 9 p.m., Memorial Student Center Terrace. Directed by Sam Pollard, “The League” celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball's triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century. The event is hosted by ��Ͽ� Athletics and the Office of Student Opportunity & Excellence.

The Literature Committee will host a virtual talk and reading with Andrew Krivak, author of “The Bear,” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.

Author Peter Geye will present and read from his new novel, “A Lesser Light,” from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, at Harvey Hall Theater. The novel will be released on Monday, April 15.

��Ͽ� Athletics and the EDI Office will host a screening of 'The League,' directed by Sam Pollard, on Feb. 4.

Civic Events

��Ͽ�’s Center for Applied Ethics will host several national and international speakers:

Wednesday, March 26: Is Abortion Morally Permissible if the Embryo is a Person?, with Kate Greasley, associate professor and Tutorial Fellow in Law at Oxford University.
Thursday, April 3: Assisted Dying: A Slippery Slope?, with Bonnie Steinbock, professor emerita at the University at Albany/State University of New York.
Wednesday, April 30: “Valuing the Diversity of Languages in a Multicultural World,” with Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, CEO of Gael Linn.

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

Monday, Feb. 10: Where the Wild Things Are. Moderator: Professor Julie Beston, biology
Monday, March 24: Is Free Speech Too Free? Moderator: Professor Tim Shiell, philosophy
Monday, April 7: Free: Priceless vs. Worthless. Moderator: Professor Chris Ferguson, economics

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Schmitt named dean of the College of Arts and Human Sciences

polingj — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 16:08:08 +0000

Schmitt named dean of the College of Arts and Human Sciencespolingj September 24, 2024

Duties include overseeing 41 academic programs, eight departments

A new dean of the College of Arts and Human Sciences has been named at ��Ͽ�.

The appointment of Jason Schmitt was announced recently by Glendalí Rodríguez, ��Ͽ� provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Schmitt, who began work in August, is responsible for overseeing 27 undergraduate and 14 Graduate Studies programs, eight academic departments and the schools of education, and art and design.

Jason Schmitt is ��Ͽ�’s new dean of the College of Arts and Human Sciences. / ��Ͽ�

“Dr. Schmitt brings wonderful cross-disciplinary skillsets as the college’s leader – including a passion for student success and open access to scientific and academic scholarship. He also brings great polytechnic energy to the university with a background in communication and entrepreneurship,” Rodríguez said.

“I am excited to welcome him to the ��Ͽ� community and look forward to working with him and CAHS on our goals as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University,” she added.

Schmitt most recently was interim dean for the School of Arts and Sciences at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. Schmitt also served as an associate dean of Strategic Development and Recruitment and was chair of the department of communication, media and design for eight years.

Schmitt’s academic career has focused heavily on the advocacy of open access to scientific scholarship and outputs. His documentary, “Paywall: The Business of Scholarship,” has had more than 700 public screenings globally and more than 350,000 views online.

He has traveled extensively, speaking with universities, governments and political leaders about the need of adapting to the European Coalition Plan S, which requires research outputs to be globally accessible on day one of publication.

In 2023, Schmitt was elected to be part of the ACM US Technology Policy Generative AI Committee Workgroup, bringing together 15 leaders in the space from organizations like Health Ethics Trust, Google, Meta/Facebook, Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, SecureWorks and Stanford University. The committee delivered eight principles intended to foster fair, accurate and beneficial decision-making concerning AI technologies to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

“I’m honored to serve this ��Ͽ� community,” Schmitt said. “Growing up in a Midwestern tool-and-die manufacturing family, the polytechnic roots resonate with my life’s paths, and I know how rare — and needed — applied learning expertise is, not only here in Wisconsin, but also on a national and global scale.”

Schmitt replaces Maria Alm, who retired after 12 years as dean.

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A new dean of the College of Arts and Human Sciences has been named at ��Ͽ�. Jason Schmitt

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