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Op-Ed: Reframing Higher Education

giffeyt — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Op-Ed: Reframing Higher Educationgiffeyt September 16, 2025

��Ͽ�, CVTC are working together to break down barriers and redefine higher education for the 21st century

By Dr. Katherine Frank, Chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Stout
and Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia, President of Chippewa Valley Technical College

As leaders of institutions committed to preparing the next generation of skilled professionals, we find ourselves aligned as regional partners at a decisive moment in the evolution of American higher education. We acknowledge that higher education is changing, that this is a good thing, and that we are uniquely positioned to reframe what higher education means in a 21st-century economy.

In place of perceived rigid educational silos, a more dynamic ecosystem is emerging. One where credentials are increasingly stackable, learning is lifelong, and value is measured not solely by credit hours earned but by competencies gained and career opportunities unlocked at different points in time and flexible to learners. This is particularly true at the intersection of technical education as offered at Chippewa Valley Technical College and polytechnic learning and research at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Together, our institutions serve as launchpads for students and professionals of all backgrounds to enter the workforce, upskill, or transition into new careers. Our aligned missions are not just to educate, but also to connect education directly to employment. Whether a student is earning an industry certification, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a graduate degree, the ultimate goals remains the same: to make the on and off ramps for students seamless as they navigate educational pathways, and to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills and experience to thrive in today’s — and tomorrow’s — economy.

What sets technical colleges like CVTC and polytechnic universities like ��Ͽ� apart is our intentional focus on aligning learning with labor market demand across our entire program array. We are uniquely equipped to translate credits into careers and experience into impact. From advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to healthcare and clean energy technologies, our institutions respond rapidly to evolving industry needs and emerging technologies such as the integration of artificial intelligence and automation.

Moreover, we are actively breaking down barriers between credentials by recognizing a wider range of qualifications. The future of higher education is not linear. It’s modular, flexible, and deeply connected to industry. A student may start with a short-term credential and then stack that into an associate degree at a technical college, and go on to pursue a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree at a polytechnic university — all while working and gaining real-world experience. This fluidity is no longer the exception; it’s the new norm through strong transfer agreements and program alignment between CVTC and ��Ͽ�.

As we look to the future, higher education must be reframed. Not as a one-size-fits-all model rooted in tradition, but as an agile, inclusive system that meets learners where they are and takes them where they want to go. Credentials must be transparent, portable, and a return on investment. Equally important, every student must see a clear connection among what they are learning today, the opportunities that await them tomorrow, and the impact they will have on society.

This is where our institutions excel. At the heart of our work is a shared belief that education should be transformational for the individual learner, their families, their communities, and the broader economy. Our institutions are not just adapting to change; we are driving it.

It’s time to reframe higher education. The future isn’t about competing models; it’s about complementary missions that support all learners, at every stage, and help them turn their education into a lifelong advantage. Together, we are building a model that is more responsive, equitable, and aligned with the needs of a rapidly changing world.

As we welcome new and continuing students this fall, and into the future, we do so with pride in our shared commitment to the communities we serve. Our campuses are more than places of learning. They are engines of opportunity and hubs of innovation. Together we are catalysts for a stronger, more vibrant future for all.

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Op-Ed: Reframing Higher Education

��Ͽ�, CVTC are working together to break down barriers and redefine higher education for the 21st century

Op-Ed: The Unmatched Value of Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University

Chancellor Katherine Frank discusses the importance of polytechnic universities after the Board of Regents modified RPD 1-1 to recognize ��Ͽ�.

��Ͽ�, CVTC are working together to break down barriers and redefine higher education for the 21st century ��Ͽ� Chancellor Frank and CVTC President Beaton-Garcia

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Hero Caption: Dr. Katherine Frank, ��Ͽ� chancellor, right, and Dr. Sunem Beaton Garcia, president of Chippewa Valley Technical College, at a Sept. 15 ribbon-cutting at CVTC’s Menomonie campus.

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Op-Ed: The Unmatched Value of Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University

hugginsm — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 17:50:15 +0000

Op-Ed: The Unmatched Value of Wisconsin’s Polytechnic Universityhugginsm September 4, 2024

Chancellor Katherine Frank discusses the importance of polytechnic universities after the Board of Regents modified RPD 1-1 to recognize ��Ͽ�

Katherine P. Frank

Beyond the Midwest, the "polytechnic" designation is widely known. Cal Poly, MIT, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech – all are recognizable names, and each is a polytechnic university. For ��Ͽ� Blue Devils, the distinction simply recognizes the education they have been earning for decades.

There are thousands of traditional four-year universities and two-year colleges throughout the U.S. By contrast, only 3% of U.S. universities are polytechnics. And as others begin to market themselves as “career-ready” and “hands-on,” what substantively separates a polytechnic from the traditional four-year and two-year higher education options might, at first glance, seem difficult to decipher.

At ��Ͽ�, we refer to the polytechnic "ABCs": Applied learning and research, Business and industry collaboration, and Career-focused experiences. These are the hallmarks of what we do best and are at the core of our polytechnic university. They are part of every student’s experience whether a student pursues engineering, a technology-forward field, art and design, management, or any other program at ��Ͽ�, and these ABCs contribute to the unmatched value we provide to our students, the future workforce.

Stout’s Polytechnic advantage is why 99% of our graduates are employed in their field of study within six months of graduation and why we have maintained a near-perfect employment rate for more than 15 years. It is why our graduates earn one of the highest average starting salaries among UW universities and why more than 50 Fortune 500 companies hire them each year. And it is why employers consistently rate our students above their national peers on leadership, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and other competencies.

Preparing students for professional and post-graduate success is what we do and have done best for decades at ��Ͽ�.

Converting cranberry waste to biodegradable food packaging. Improving road conditions, water security, and waste disposal in remote rural areas. Developing highway barriers from post-consumer plastic. Enhancing rural access to cultural heritage artifacts through improved 3D digital rendering. Designing protective base-layer fashion for workers who wear chemically treated uniforms. Using robotics to create automated solutions for industry partners. This is what applied learning and research look like in practice: impactful solutions applied to real problems. These examples, and so many more, started with students, faculty, and staff at Stout.

Polytechnic education is not only about what or how our students learn, but also where they learn. Stout’s labs and studio spaces outnumber traditional classrooms by three to one, and students work in these industry-aligned environments as soon as their first week of class: Labs for robotics, biotechnology, energy, construction, packaging, instrumentation, welding, and other professional fields. A foundry. Motion capture, industrial design, game design studios, and so much more. These spaces are incubators for ideas, problem-solving, and innovation. And they are designed so Stout students learn to critically examine, manage, and solve the real challenges that other students may only hear or read about in their classes.

Thanks to our business and industry partners, research and development projects are embedded at each step in a Stout education. Annual relationships with more than 700 companies, including partners like 3M, Andersen Windows, Phillips Medisize, Greenheck, EVCO, Prent, Room & Board, Fastenal, Forbes and Great Northern Company, ensure our students have access to industry experts, sponsored projects, paid internships, and other opportunities that replicate the cross-functional team scenario they will encounter after they graduate. And thanks to representatives from these companies and other industry professionals who sit on the program advisory committees for every academic degree program at Stout, our programs reflect the current and future skill sets graduates will need to not only outperform others on the job, but also to lead and manage others in the workplace.

So, what is distinct about a polytechnic education? We prepare graduates to see and solve problems on day one, to lead and manage innovative change, and to advance in their careers. How and where we teach ensures graduates develop communication, critical-thinking, and technology-forward skills in a real-world environment.

This is why ��Ͽ� continues to prepare our graduates for meaningful, gainful careers that meet workforce needs at a higher rate than anyone else in our region. And as you invest in helping your student find the best avenue for their future, I invite you to come experience ��Ͽ� in person. You'll leave a Blue Devil.

#StoutProud,

Katherine Frank
Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Stout

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Op-Ed: Reframing Higher Education

��Ͽ�, CVTC are working together to break down barriers and redefine higher education for the 21st century

Op-Ed: The Unmatched Value of Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University

Chancellor Katherine Frank discusses the importance of polytechnic universities after the Board of Regents modified RPD 1-1 to recognize ��Ͽ�.

Chancellor Katherine Frank discusses the importance of polytechnic universities after the Board of Regents modified RPD 1-1 to recognize ��Ͽ�. Chancellor Opening Presentation 2025

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Chancellor Frank tells UW System Board of Regents that ��Ͽ� is poised to do more for the state

polingj — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 15:41:18 +0000

Chancellor Frank tells UW System Board of Regents that ��Ͽ� is poised to do more for the statepolingj March 31, 2023

Additional support would generate more career-focused graduates, help Wisconsin meet its growing workforce needs

Chancellor Katherine Frank told the UW System Board of Regents that she is proud of the work ��Ͽ� is doing to serve the needs of Wisconsin — but she believes the university can do much more.

With increased support from the state, such as approving the renovation of Heritage Hall and for distinct challenges related to being a polytechnic university, ��Ͽ� can turn out more graduates to meet the state’s growing workforce needs, she said March 30 during her presentation “Fueling the Workforce through the Polytechnic Advantage” on the opening day of the Regents meeting on campus. The meeting wrapped up Friday, March 31.

“Adhering to our mission and fulfilling the promise we have made to our students and to the state is our job; it must be the outcome of this institution's work on behalf of the state of Wisconsin,” Frank said. “The fact of the matter is that we could be producing even more graduates to fill high-need workforce areas across the state with the appropriate investment in our institution.”

��Ͽ� Chancellor Katherine Frank addresses the Board of Regents in ��Ͽ�’s Memorial Student Center. / ��Ͽ�

��Ͽ� is producing impressive results: Nearly 60% of graduates remain in Wisconsin, and the employment rate of recent graduates has risen to 99.4%, based on a new First Destination report. The 99.4% includes success for first-generation students — more than one-third of those enrolled at ��Ͽ� — and veterans.

In her presentation, Frank noted that just 3% of U.S. universities are classified as polytechnics. She cited several other polytechnics, such as Michigan Technological University and Cal Poly Humboldt, which are smaller than ��Ͽ� but receive significantly more state funding.

“The philosophy of and approach to learning at a polytechnic university are different than at traditional comprehensive universities,” she said. “An investment in Stout is a sound investment in meeting workforce needs not only in this region, but also across the state,” she said.

Heritage Hall Renovation

This project creates a new, unified home for workforce-critical degree programs in the College of Art & Human Sciences and more.

Angela Adams, a member of the UW System Board of Regents, speaks during a meeting session at ��Ͽ�. / ��Ͽ�

“Again, the reasons for this tie back to our mission and the work that supports it. Workforce readiness and leadership is what we do, it’s in our DNA as an institution, from our earliest beginnings.”

Frank cited ��Ͽ�’s three educational tenets — applied learning and research, career focus and collaboration with business and industry — as the foundation of its workforce readiness approach to higher education.

“While comprehensive universities are beginning to embrace hands-on learning, ��Ͽ� emphasizes applied, project-based learning with career-focused outcomes that has been part of our educational philosophy for more than 130 years. We reinforce that students’ learning environments will be the labs and studios that outnumber traditional classrooms on our campus by three to one.”

Frank emphasized the importance of Heritage Hall, ��Ͽ�’s top capital project, to the university’s mission. She thanked the Regents for their “recognition of this critical major renovation and your continued advocacy for enumeration of this project in the 2023-2025 biennial budget.

The Board of Regents meets about once every five years at each UW System campus. / ��Ͽ�

“It will transform a dying 50-year-old home economics building into a state-of-the-art learning facility that addresses the high-need workforce areas of child care, mental health and wellness, and tourism and through cross-sector connections helps to support the workforce challenges of other sectors like manufacturing,” she said.

After presenting, Frank led a panel discussion of five people who represented four workforce sectors in Wisconsin, health care, manufacturing, tourism and public service. Four of the panelists were alumni whose programs are based in Heritage Hall:

Jeff Bzdawka, CEO, Knowland Group, 1985 ��Ͽ� graduate in hotel, restaurant and tourism management
Rep. Clint Moses, 29th Assembly District, 1999 ��Ͽ� graduate in psychology
Amy Sheehan, director of Talent Acquisition, Hormel Foods Corporate Services, 1993 ��Ͽ� graduate in hotel, restaurant and tourism management
Toni Simonson, executive director, Behavior Health, Western Wisconsin — Hospital Sisters Health System and Prevea Health, 2000 ��Ͽ� master’s graduate in guidance and counseling
Mark Tyler, founder and chairman, OEM Fabricators

A student explains his research to guests during the Polytechnic Showcase following the first day of Board of Regents meetings. / ��Ͽ�

The panel reinforced the value of ��Ͽ�’s polytechnic education and its Heritage Hall project by addressing the specific challenges facing their industries; how ��Ͽ� helps the state address workforce needs; how well ��Ͽ� prepares graduates for the workforce; and how their industry sector is changing and what institutions like ��Ͽ� can do best to prepare students to work within those sectors.

Student Polytechnic Showcase, other presentations

After the opening day of the meeting at the Memorial Student Center, the Regents, UW System President Jay Rothman, other officials and guests from around the state visited a student Polytechnic Showcase in Micheels Hall, Jarvis Hall Tech Wing and Jarvis Hall Science Wing.

��Ͽ� Provost Glendalí Rodríguez presented to a committee during the Board of Regents meeting. / ��Ͽ�

The event featured STEM-based research, innovation and creative work by more than 50 ��Ͽ� students and their faculty advisers. Academic areas represented include science, engineering and math; human and social sciences; art, design and graphics; business and management; and information, technology and communications.

All ��Ͽ� undergraduate and graduate programs incorporate project-based experiential learning components, such as applied research, co-ops, internships and field experiences.

Interactive tours of ��Ͽ�, including engineering and construction labs, were available during the showcase.

In addition on Thursday, five ��Ͽ� administrators presented at three committee meetings: business and finance, education, and capital planning and budget. They include Glendalí Rodríguez, provost; Erik Guenard, vice chancellor of Business, Finance and Administrative Services; Sandi Scott, dean of students; Justin Utpadel, Facilities Management director; and Kristi Krimpelbein, head of staff.

A presentation about the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and panel discussion included Commissioner Danielle Harris, ��Ͽ� Athletic Director Duey Naatz and student athletes.

###

Chancellor Katherine Frank told the UW System Board of Regents that she is proud of how ��Ͽ� is serving the state but that it is poised to do more. Regents Frank

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Industry partnerships are a cornerstone of ��Ͽ�’s polytechnic mission. Each year, the university collaborates with more than 700 industry partners.

Hero Caption: UW System President Jay Rothman speaks during the opening day of the Board of Regents meeting March 30 at ��Ͽ�.

Katherine P. Frank

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

Before her appointment as chancellor, Chancellor Frank served from 2016 in two roles at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., as Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Life and Vice President of Academic Innovation. She also held the rank of Professor of English.

From summer 2014 until spring 2016, she was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University. Frank served as Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Indiana University East, Chair of English and Foreign Languages at Colorado State University-Pueblo, and a faculty member and administrator of programs involving student writing, faculty professional development, and student success.

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

“I am delighted to join ��Ͽ�,” Chancellor Frank said. “Throughout the search process, I became increasingly impressed by the high-quality work and creative thinking exhibited by faculty, staff, and students at ��Ͽ�, as well as the strong, reciprocal relationships among the university, community, and regional partners. Everyone demonstrated dedication to the university and exhibited true focus on ensuring student success.

“As beautifully stated by one alumna, ‘Stout is where you need to be.’ I could not agree more and am honored to join this exceptional community of educators, learners, partners, and friends.”

“Dr. Frank has demonstrated throughout her academic career that she is a strategic, dynamic leader,” said UW System President Ray Cross. “She handles challenges extremely well. Her visionary perspective on the future of ��Ͽ� will serve the institution and the state of Wisconsin very well.”

Chancellor Frank and her husband, Joe Dvorsky, live in Menomonie with their three rescue cats. She is an outdoor activities enthusiast, including running, road cycling and mountain biking, and has a love of animals, travel, and adventure.

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Alumni, supporters can ‘double their impact’ by giving during Stout Gives Back Nov. 29

goersab — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:00:26 +0000

Alumni, supporters can ‘double their impact’ by giving during Stout Gives Back Nov. 29goersab November 21, 2022

General Scholarship Fund helps ensure university experience is affordable for all students

Abbey Goers

As part of National Giving Day on Tuesday, Nov. 29, University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils everywhere can unite and help transform their university.

Stout Gives Back is a time for alumni, business partners, community members and supporters to celebrate their love and passion for ��Ͽ� by giving back to an area that is most meaningful to them.

Last year, 452 donors gave more than $140,000 to Stout Gives Back. This year, the Stout University Foundation has a goal of $150,000. And with many exclusive matches, donors can double their impact when giving to these funds on or around Nov. 29:

Foundation Executive Director Willie Johnson / ��Ͽ�

Student Emergency Fund by Chancellor Katherine Frank and her husband, Joe Dvorsky: matched up to $15,000
Helping Hand Food+ Pantry Fund by Foundation Executive Director Willie Johnson and former directors Mark Parsons, Dave Williams and Pat Reisinger: matched up to $2,000
Blue Devil Athletics Fund supported by Craig Sandbulte (1998); and Ross Jones (2005): matched up to $10,000
General Scholarship Fund supported by alumnus and faculty emeritus Phil McGuirk (1976, 1981); and alumna Marilyn Krause Leccese (1974) and her husband, Rick: matched up to $7,000
Study Abroad Scholarships Fund supported by alumni and faculty emeriti Robert Spinti (1954, 1957); and Beverly Spinti (1954, 1976): matched up to $3,000

“We are excited that several of our alumni and friends have stepped forward to provide matching funds in those areas of campus that will have a direct impact on student success. We appreciate their support and encourage our entire university and campus community to join them in supporting our students,” Johnson said.

Donors can specify or make undesignated gifts. Hosted by the Foundation, donations can be made online or by check and addressed to Stout University Foundation, 320 S. Broadway St., Menomonie, Wis., 54751.

The General Scholarship Fund is comprised of many gifts from alumni, friends and business partners. The fund assists students with the most urgent and critical need for tuition assistance, helping ensure the ��Ͽ� experience is affordable for all students. McGuirk and the Krause Lecceses encourage fellow alumni to support their alma mater.

Chancellor Katherine Frank / ��Ͽ�

This fall, the Foundation awarded a record-setting $1.2 million in scholarships to 531 students, surpassing last year’s record of $977,000 to 436 students. Foundation scholarships have made a difference in the lives of 11,318 students over the past six decades.

“This year’s Stout Gives Back campaign is focused on student success. Our extended ��Ͽ� community is extremely committed to helping our students succeed. Every gift matters, is appreciated, and impacts students in meaningful ways,” Chancellor Frank said.

In addition to financial support, the university community can join the Baldrige Valuing People group in a food drive to support Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, which provides access to food and other life essentials for students facing insecurities.

Throughout the week the group will be collecting nonperishable food and personal care items. With more than 70 student visits and approximately 380 pounds of food utilized each month, the pantry continues to be an essential resource.

Giving Day donors can share the hashtag #STOUTGIVESBACK to encourage others to give and follow social media sites for the university, Alumni Association and Athletics for posts on information prior to and throughout the event.

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��Ͽ� alumni, friends, supporters can make an impact during Giving Day, Dec. 2

Matching gifts are opportunity to double support for university community

Championship ��Ͽ� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

Teams begin play in state-of-the-art space funded with Foundation gift

Statewide scholarship helps ��Ͽ� students ‘study and succeed with more confidence’

Fund for Wisconsin Scholars supports accessibility, affordability of higher education, increases number of graduates

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PODCAST: Chancellor Frank featured on Menomonie Chamber Chatter

hugginsm — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 16:40:02 +0000

PODCAST: Chancellor Frank featured on Menomonie Chamber Chatterhugginsm October 18, 2022

Hosts Ashley DeMuth and Scott Montesano welcome the chancellor for episode #3.

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Listen to Menomonie Chamber Chatter - Episode #3: Chancellor Katherine Frank

Chancellor Katherine Frank joined hosts Ashley DeMuth, CEO of the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce, and Scott Montesano, Owner of Eau Claire Hometown Media, for episode #3 of the "Menomonie Chamber Chatter" podcast. Chancellor Frank updated the duo on what's been happening on campus since she arrived in March 2019, the importance of Stout's partnership with the Menomonie community, and what exactly is an “investiture” celebration.

On October 14, 2022, University of Wisconsin-Stout officially welcomed Chancellor Katherine Frank as its eight chancellor and the first woman to lead the university. Watch the full celebration online on YouTube.

Expand the video description to access chapter marks for each speaker.

Investiture Celebration / ��Ͽ�

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PODCAST: Chancellor Frank tells TechEd Podcast about reframing higher ed

��Ͽ� chancellor, CVTC president discuss reframing higher education

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Faculty, staff connect with off-campus students during Knock and Talk

goersab — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 19:34:32 +0000

Faculty, staff connect with off-campus students during Knock and Talkgoersab September 7, 2022

Initiative welcomes students back to school, encourages safe and healthy choices

Abbey Goers

Three off-campus roommates at ��Ͽ� were enjoying a late morning chat on their porch recently, winding down before the rush of the start of the school year.

They were surprised by unexpected visitors from the university at their front door, bearing “Welcome Back” bags – Chancellor Katherine Frank and Provost Glendalí Rodríguez.

Provost Rodriguez, Hannah Hinker, Taylor Schmidt, Eli Dupslaff and Chancellor Frank / ��Ͽ�

Frank and Rodríguez were among 20 faculty and staff volunteering for Knock and Talk, an initiative to welcome off-campus students back for the school year, which started Sept. 7.

“Knock and Talk is a chance for us to connect with students before school starts and remind them of Stout’s values. It’s a way for us to encourage them to make responsible decisions in a positive way,” Frank said.

Volunteers met with nearly 700 students in 250 homes in neighborhoods around campus, covering about 50 city blocks near downtown Menomonie.

They handed out the reusable bags, which included flyers about campus resources, like Student Health Services, the Counseling Center and Stout Student Association; and Menomonie service agencies, like Bridge to Hope and Arbor Place. The bags also included information about city and campus policies and voting, along with coupons and small gifts from local businesses.

Provost Rodriguez, Rieko Seki and Chancellor Frank / ��Ͽ�

The roommates – Eli Dupslaff, a senior in graphic communications from Harris, Minn.; Hannah Hinker, a packaging senior from Greenwood; and Taylor Schmidt, of Greenville, who’s beginning her master’s in school psychology; along with neighbor Rieko Seki, a food science and technology third-year international student from Japan – feel anxious, knowing it will be a tough semester.

“It’s nice that faculty and staff make an effort to be out and about in the community, interacting and showing support and care for off-campus students,” Hinker said.

Schmidt, who has an undergraduate degree in human development and family studies from ��Ͽ�, agreed.

“The welcome bags are full of helpful reminders – on-campus resources that you learn about during first-year orientation, but that you forget about. And the community changes often, so you can learn about new available off-campus resources too,” she said.

Assistant Dean of Students Nate Kirkman and Stoutward Bound students prepare 'Welcome Back' bags / Alizabeth Candler

Assistant Dean of Students Nate Kirkman, who coordinated the event, isn’t aware of another UW System school that offers the same door-to-door initiative. He believes ��Ͽ� is unique in that the off-campus student neighborhoods are located right next to campus.

Rodríguez and Kirkman want off-campus students to know they are still a part of the campus community.

The initiative has been an annual event since 2016. In 2020, Knock and Talk was moved to Johnson Fieldhouse because of the pandemic, inviting students to visit and pick up welcome bags that included masks and thermometers.

Knock and Talk is sponsored by the Dean of Students office, the Chancellor’s Coalition on Drugs and Alcohol, University Counseling Center, Stout Student Association, Student Health Services, Memorial Student Center, the Office of Safety and Risk Management and University Police.

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Initiative welcomes students back to school, encourages safe and healthy choices Knock and Talk, 2022, 1

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The Dean of Students is one of the main points of contact for emergency incidents. Please follow the instructions below for connecting with your student or keeping the university informed of external situations that could impact your student's attendance.

Contacting a Student During a Family Crisis

Sometimes a family member might have difficulty contacting a student in a time of crisis, such as a medical emergency or a death in the family. All emergency inquiries during business hours should be directed to Dean of Students Office via phone at 715-232-1181 or via email. After hours, contact the University Police Department at 715-232-2222.

Student Crises & Absences

In the event of a short-term illness (less than 3 days) it is best for the student to contact their instructor directly. If the student is hospitalized or experiencing a difficulty that will keep them out of school for 3 days or more, please contact the Dean of Students Office via phone 715-232-1181 or via email. If a parent or family member is concerned about their student’s health or wellness, please contact the Dean of Students Office.

A notification of student absences will be issued by the Dean of Students Office. Documentation is required. This notification does not change attendance policies put in effect by the instructor and is a courtesy memo only, letting the instructor know the whereabouts of the student. Using this process to determine excused absences and/or work assignments is determined by the instructor. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate contact with their instructor regarding any missed work or exams.

Campus Emergency Information

The university posts any large-scale campus emergency on our ��Ͽ� Alert Messaging System and website. Students will be notified by text message when there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of students.

Our Emergency Response Guide provides campus the tools to stay safe during emergencies.

Confidential Campus Health & Mental Health Resources

The Student Health Centre is conveniently located on North Campus and offers appointments for preventive and primary care needs as well as laboratory services, tuberculosis testing, and vaccines. Students can be seen for anxiety and depression and a consulting psychiatric provider is available 2 half days per month. Most services are included in the students segregated fees.

Student Health Centre

Counseling Center is staffed by licensed and trained counselors. It is located in Bowman Hall. Services offered include individual, couple, and group counseling. Alcohol education classes are offered also. There is no charge to students for this service.

Student Counseling Center | University of Wisconsin - Stout (uwstout.edu)

You.uwstout.edu is a self-help and well being platform. YOU helps student navigate life and campus on their terms with independent goal setting, skill building, assessments and evidence based content on well-being topics. Through this web based application students can connect with a 24/7 crisis service available via call, text, or chat and can connect to Mantra teletherapy services which are available during the day, evenings, and on weekends.

��Ͽ� (uwstout.edu)

��Ͽ� Hazing Policy

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The University of Wisconsin-Stout is committed to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment, where individuals are free from hazing. The purpose of this policy is to define hazing at ��Ͽ� and establish requirements for hazing education, reporting, and response in accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

2.0 SCOPE OF POLICY

This Policy applies to all employees, registered student organizations (RSOs), students, student groups, and individuals who volunteer with RSOs and student groups.

3.0 DEFINITIONS

3.1 REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATION (RSO):

A group, composed mainly of, and directed by, students, consisting of at least four students and an advisor, and which has filed all appropriate registration forms with the Involvement Center in the Memorial Student Center and been confirmed by the Involvement Center as meeting the eligibility criteria for registration, and is active and in good standing.

3.2 STUDENT GROUP:

A group of at least two students that is established or recognized by the university, but the group does not meet the definition of a registered student organization. Examples include, but are not limited to, athletic teams and club sports (e.g., varsity sports, intramural sports), military organizations, honor societies, musical or theatrical ensembles, university bands and club sports

4.0 STATEMENT OF POLICY

In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Wis. Stat. § 948.51, ��Ͽ� defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act against an individual that endangers the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health of that individual for the purposes of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in any organization or group and that causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury, regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate.

5.0 CRITERIA

5.1 HAZING CAN INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:

5.1.1 Brutality of a physical nature or the threat of bodily harm such as assault, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to elements, sleep deprivation, confinement, or any other activity which could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual.

5.1.2 Forced consumption of any alcohol, food, liquid, drug, or other substance that could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual.

5.1.3 Soliciting a person to participate in or be actively involved in the planning of any act meeting the definition of hazing.

5.1.4 Any activity that constitutes the violation of university policies and/or federal, state, or local law (including ordinances of the City of Menomonie), or that causes another person to commit such a violation.

5.1.5 Acts that degrade, humiliate, embarrass, ridicule, or isolate such as requiring servitude, taking away cell phones or other devices, not allowing class attendance, requiring costumes or other apparel unless that apparel is part of a uniform for employment or a university or athletic program, confinement, or any other activity that could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual.

5.1.6 Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts.

5.2 REPORTING

5.2.1 Campus security authorities as defined in Institutional Clery Act Compliance are required to report incidents of hazing to the university.

5.2.2 Allegations of hazing may be reported via the University of Wisconsin-Stout Incident Reporting Form

5.3 INVESTIGATION/REFERRAL

5.3.1 The Dean of Students Office is responsible for investigating and adjudicating allegations of hazing.

5.3.2 Individual students will follow student nonacademic disciplinary procedures outlined in Wis. Admin. Code UWS § 17

5.3.3 Registered Student Organizations will follow the disciplinary procedures outlined in Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct

5.3.4 Hazing allegations involving individuals who are not students will be referred to the appropriate office.

5.4 HAZING PREVENTION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMMING

5.4.1 Research-informed hazing prevention and awareness training will be made available to students, staff, and faculty. This training will include information about this policy and other applicable university policies, how to recognize and report hazing, and strategies for intervening when hazing is witnessed or known.

6.0 GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Not Applicable.

7.0 RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

7.1 Approved Authority

7.1.1 Dean of Students/SSAO

7.2 Policy Manager

7.2.1 Assistant Dean of Students

7.2.2 Associate Director of the Memorial Student Center

7.3 Policy Contact(s)

7.3.1 Dean of Students/SSAO

7.3.2 Assistant Dean of Students

7.3.3 Associate Director of the Memorial Student Center

8.0 Consequences of Policy Violation or Noncompliance

8.1 Outcomes of cases are determined on a case-by-case basis upon conclusion of the investigation. Noncompliance by a respondent or victim will not preclude an investigation into the matter.

9.0 Appeal Process

Not Applicable

Appendix A: Related ��Ͽ� Policies

Institutional Clery Act Compliance

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Nathan Kirkman

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

goersab — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:44:50 +0000

First student-designed mural is ‘part of the legacy, history of art at the university’goersab June 3, 2022

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

Abbey Goers

Seventeen students in the new Graffiti and Street Art course celebrated the unveiling of the first mural on ��Ͽ�’s campus on June 2.

Joined by Chancellor Katherine Frank; Provost Glendalí Rodriguez; Menomonie Mayor Randy Knaack; course instructors Professor Cynthia Bland and Lecturer Wade Lambrigtsen; and supporters from the university and area community, the class revealed its mural on the Applied Arts Building east loading dock wall.

A wash of cool blue hues, warm sandy tones and creamy oranges depict art through the ages and capture the rich culture that flourishes inside the building.

Chancellor Katherine Frank / ��Ͽ�

Frank expressed her pride and gratitude for the “exceptional vision, persistence and energy of Cynthia and Wade to launch a new course that has produced a lasting impact on the university. This mural signifies what it means to be ‘Made at Stout’ and sets our educational experience apart from others.

"We teach students how to move from ideation to production and enact the collaboration among stakeholders – in this case, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members – that leads to meaningful contributions to the larger community.”

Frank added that the mural opens up the possibility for additional collaborations and praised the Campus Art Committee, chaired by Bland, for considering ways to support equity, diversity and inclusion efforts through future projects, aligning with ��Ͽ�’s FOCUS 2030 goals.

“You should be proud of your work and the lasting impact it will have on campus,” she said to the student artists.

Knaack added that he believes “��Ͽ� makes Menomonie a super cool city,” as he expressed his thankfulness for the university and the city’s cohesive relationship.

He asked, “What would Menomonie be without Stout? And what would Stout be without Menomonie? This is the kick off of more to come.”

First student-designed mural

Although it is not the first mural in the UW System, the Graffiti and Street Art mural, 40 feet long and 10 feet high, is the first student-designed mural to grace the walls of a UW System campus.

Designed by four School of Art and Design students during the spring semester, it took students in the course three weeks to prepare and paint the wall, using more than $800 worth of materials, including primer, base coat, paint and brushes.

Lecturer Wade Lambrigtsen and Professor Cynthia Bland with Blaze the Blue Devil / Glendali Rodriguez

Bland, art and art history department chair, praised her students for their “tireless efforts to complete the mural. It is part of the legacy and history of art at the university.”

After learning the professional process of mural painting, the class cleaned and prepared the wall, primed it and applied a basecoat. Students worked into the evenings, using a projector to trace the design onto the wall, working around and behind maple trees that line the loading dock.

As the projector light wouldn’t pass through the thick foliage, they used Michelangelo's pouncing technique to poke dots into the stenciling paper to mark the wall behind the trees. They did so with an Electro Pounce machine invented in 1961, Bland explained.

Projector tracing in the evening / Cynthia Bland

They were to begin painting on May 25, but needed to postpone a day because of the weather, battling rain and fighting time to complete their nearly 400-square-foot painting before the unveiling.

Lambrigtsen, a ��Ͽ� alum and owner of Vintage Sign Shop, thought “this was a wonderful opportunity to teach, to share knowledge and artwork around this beautiful campus.

“It took a lot of hard work and determination, and I think we learned that not every mural is going to be a breeze,” he said.

“This is about the students. This is their legacy. They can say, ‘We did this,’ and they can go out into other communities with the knowledge to produce more murals.”

Students who completed the painting are:

Ariel Ben-Ami, graphic design and interactive media, Fitchburg
Emily Bethell, interior design, Glenwood City
Megan Brochtrup, interior design, Appleton
Sophia Burgess, game design and development-art, Fall Creek
Kayla Daninger, interior design, Minneapolis
Erica Halvorson, game design and development-art, Columbus
Emma Hawley, interior design, Somerset
Ben Hendrix, entertainment design, Beaver Dam
Byeonghyeon Hwang, entertainment design, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Sara Johnson, game design and development-art, Eau Claire
Elizabeth Kelly, industrial design, Grafton
Camile Lemm, game design and development-art, Chanhassen, Minn.
Sierra Loew, graphic design and interactive media, Marshfield
Allie Lubahn, interior design, Grand Meadow, Minn.
Evan Mancl, applied social science, Eau Claire
Bree Marconnet, studio art, Waterloo
Jessie Schwandt, studio art, Madison

Allie Lubahn / ��Ͽ�

Lubahn has been working with Lambrigtsen for two years at Vintage Sign Shop. They’ve painted several murals and signs together around Menomonie and the surrounding area.

“It has been extremely rewarding to be a part of the campus mural experience,” she said.

“The Graffiti and Street Art class was a change of pace from what I am used to at the shop. I hope this opportunity opens the door for more students to be involved in the arts and to integrate art in the community.”

Marconnet was among the group of four SOAD student designers. When they originally created the mural characters on the computer, the characters were smaller than their hand on the screen.

“Now many of them are taller than me. It’s pleasing to see and to explore the mural,” Marconnet said. “Applied Arts is such a concrete building. We were able to express the creativity happening on the inside.”

As an applied social science major, Mancl is studying sociology and the humanities. The class has brought him a better understanding of art history.

Evan Mancl / Cynthia Bland

“Art is extremely important when looking back and viewing humanity through time. It is vital to understanding societies,” he said.

“Art is proof of history – like watching a black and white TV show before color film to know how technology changed. Art proves history happened.”

Mancl had not picked up a paint brush since the seventh grade, remembering that his teacher then was not very happy with his painting, he joked.

“This course has given me the knowledge to be comfortable and confident in the painting process and has given me an understanding of the professional process of mural painting,” he said. “Cynthia and Wade are helping to drive back the stigma that you can’t make a living doing art.

“Approve this class again. Keep it going,” Mancl encouraged the university.

And Bland reminded visitors “to find the little Blue Devil” hidden in the mural. Follow on Instagram at #stoutsoadmural, and view a timelapse video on ��Ͽ�’s Facebook.

School of Art & Design

All School of Art & Design News

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

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

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SOAD Mural

The first student-designed mural was unveiled by Graffiti and Street Art students June 2, 2022.

Making of a Mural

Street Art and Graffiti course students to paint mural on Applied Arts Building

Wall 40 feet long will feature design by four students and be unveiled at public event on June 2

Students to begin painting campus mural; unveiling June 2

Summer class taking on project outside of Applied Arts Building

Hero Caption: University and community members celebrated with Graffiti and Street Art students the unveiling of the SOAD mural.

Cynthia Bland

Teaching Interests: Art and Controversy, Modern, 19th Century, Art Since 1950, Japanese Art

Research Interests: Romanticism, Eugene Delacroix, George Sand

Full Name: Dr. Cynthia Bland

Job Title: Professor

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College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Visual & Performing Arts Department

Curriculum Vitae: CV Fall 2025 (30.21 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Art History

University: University of Iowa

Degree: M.A. Art History

University: University of Iowa

Degree: B.A. Art History and Theology

University: University of St. Thomas

CACHSS SOAD

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Students collaborate to design, package gifts for commemorative university event

goersab — Tue, 24 May 2022 15:51:24 +0000

Students collaborate to design, package gifts for commemorative university eventgoersab May 24, 2022

Porcelain mugs to be given to partners, guests at Chancellor Frank’s fall investiture

Abbey Goers

Over the next several months, a team of ��Ͽ� faculty and students will be working in an unfamiliar lab space to create gifts that will be handed out at a special event this fall.

Industrial design Program Director Jennifer Astwood is guiding three students as they prepare 400 Made at ��Ͽ� porcelain mugs for industry partners and guests attending Chancellor Katherine Frank’s investiture ceremony on Friday, Oct. 14.

Astwood is joined by sophomores Amelia Dobbratz, of Fond du Lac; and Jordan Jentsch, of West Bend; as well as Leo Lickfold, of Shakopee, Minn., who graduated in May.

Each student presented the chancellor with two mug prototypes, with the idea that one from each would be produced. However, Frank decided they should execute both of Lickfold’s designs, so four mugs will be presented at the investiture.

Chancellor Katherine Frank / ��Ͽ�

Astwood’s team is collaborating with graphics and packaging faculty and students to design and produce packaging for the mugs.

“Collaboration, team-based learning, innovation and problem-solving are reflected in this project,” Frank said.

“Faculty and students from a variety of disciplines have worked together to make this project successful. I have watched our faculty use this project as a learning experience for their students and apply guidance in such a way that empowers student learning and leads to success.

“And, as occurs on a regular basis at ��Ͽ�, I have been amazed by students’ ideas, professionalism and final products,” she added. “This project has allowed me to observe how the ‘magic’ happens at ��Ͽ� both in and out of the classroom and why our students are in such high demand by employers even before they leave our university.”

Applied learning in large-scale production

Astwood and the students began to create the mugs in early April. Using a slip cast process, molds were created of the designs, and liquid porcelain was poured into the molds. When the porcelain – a specialized type of ceramic – dried, the mugs were pulled from the molds. Later, they will be fired in a kiln and glazed with versions of ��Ͽ� blue and white gloss, with the Made at ��Ͽ� logo and designers’ identifications.

Industrial design student Amelia Dobbratz / ��Ͽ�

Usually, industrial design projects are completed in the School of Art and Design’s labs in the Applied Arts Building.

However, for this project, the team headed across campus to the Harvey Hall Theatre scene shop, working backstage in a far different setting, among stacks of plywood and small workbenches, as they needed a dedicated space.

The Industrial Design Lab and Ceramics Studio were in use, and as no theater productions were scheduled, the scene shop fit their needs.

This is the second time Astwood has led a large-scale porcelain pour for a university event. In 2019, she and five industrial design students created about 450 mugs for industry and education partners at the Polytechnic Summit and a WiSys symposium held on campus.

Made at ��Ͽ� mugs designed to delight visitors

University of Wisconsin-Stout is known for its hands-on learning, so giving two groups of conference attendees a homemade gift seemed like a natural fit.

The designs for the investiture will be more consistent than previously, through a controlled and designed venture, Astwood explained.

“The students’ designs are more complicated this round. And with an executed vision approved by the chancellor, it is awesome in letting the students project their own vision and strengths in the process,” she said.

Dobbratz, Jentsch and Lickfold designed mugs with different themes based on their interests and ��Ͽ�’s mission.

“Their designs tell the story of the university,” Astwood said.

Industrial design student Leo Lickfold and Program Director Jennifer Astwood / ��Ͽ�

Lickfold wanted his designs to have a minimalistic look and comfortable fit – one features a sturdy handle and the other is asymmetrical for easy gripping. He spent two hours designing his models on the computer and then built them with a 3D printer, which took 17 to 18 hours to print.

“In industrial design, I get to ask, ‘Why is it this way – why can’t it be something else?’ I wanted to challenge the form of what a mug could be and let the form tell the story,” Lickfold said.

“Stout has a different way of teaching in its polytechnic model. Our ideas are pushed from first ideation to 16th step, and the instructors believe we’re more than we think we can be,” he added.

Dobbratz and Jentsch hand-lathed their initial models, then hand-carved and attached handles to their mugs, taking about eight iterations to perfect their designs.

Dobbratz’s mug represents ��Ͽ�’s polytechnic roots, combined with art and design, she said. With an impression of a flame curling around the mug, representing the three tenets of collaboration, career focus and applied learning, it also represents Blue Devil athletics.

Industrial design student Jordan Jentsch / Jennifer Astwood

Jentsch’s mug has a travel-cup style and ergonomic handle made to fit in any cup holder and an industrial-looking form, as she wanted it to appeal to industrial engineers.

“STEM is a big component of the university,” she said.

“My mug’s form is symmetrical, basic and geometric. It speaks to the perfection of math and science. Industrial design gives us collaboration experience we can bring forward into our careers. It pushes us to think analytically. It’s a combination of math, graphic design, packaging and marketing.”

Dobbratz agreed. “Industrial design includes all aspects of programs at Stout. We’re in the School of Art and Design, but we have engineering experience too.”

One round of mugs has been bisque fired – the process which strengthens ceramics in preparation for glazing. This summer, Astwood will work with two more industrial design students – Maggie DeChant of Tomah and Lauren Jaunich of Delano, Minn. – to cast, bisque and glaze the rest of the mugs in preparation for packaging.

Collaboration across four programs for finished product

Astwood’s team is working with Associate Professor of packaging Min DeGruson and Chad Nyseth, graphic communications instructor and lab manager. They supervised seven students who developed three packages to adequately protect the mugs and designed graphics to showcase the products.

Head of Staff Kristi Krimpelbein / ��Ͽ�

Head of Staff Kristi Krimpelbein, who is helping to coordinate the investiture events, believes the collaborative approach allows students and faculty to work across disciplines to create a finished product.

“The project provides students an applied learning opportunity to work through all phases of the process. It is a tangible way to demonstrate ��Ͽ�’s polytechnic mission,” she said.

Four graphic communications seniors in their capstone course – Grant Dejno, of Neenah; Kayla Peplinski, of Amherst; Matthew Smith, of Waterford; and Bailey Tobiason of Anoka, Minn., met with packaging students Abbey Dahlseng, of Stevens Point, and Ben Lindgren, of Medford; and graphic design and interactive media student Starr Gong, of Altoona, to brainstorm ideas.

“Our four programs of study overlap in a number of ways, so the chancellor’s investiture mug project allowed students from multiple programs to work side by side to apply their specialized knowledge and skills to a project, just as they would in an industry setting,” Nyseth said.

“All of the students came away with a new appreciation for their peers’ contributions. Students in technical disciplines learned from students in artistic disciplines and vice versa and now have a better understanding of how aesthetics and engineering must come together to both showcase and protect any packaged item,” he added.

After seeing prototypes of the mugs, Dahlseng and Lindgren designed packaging structures in the Packaging Lab, using ArtiosCAD Packaging Software donated by industry partners. Gong designed the graphics, adhering to the university’s branding guidelines, using the set color palette and typeface, as well as the Made at ��Ͽ� logo.

Associate Professor Min DeGruson, packaging students Ben Lindgren and Abbey Dahlseng and GDIM student Starr Gong assemble packages for the porcelain mugs in the Packaging Lab. / ��Ͽ�

The team went through at least five packaging and four graphics ideations before deciding on three models.

“I wanted to create something new and different by playing with the existing guidelines while remaining consistent,” Gong said. “The graphics look like Stout.”

She used patterns and gradients to match the feel of Dobbratz’s and Jentsch’s mugs and made the logo more prominent on Lickfold’s packaging graphics, as she enjoys working with typography.

Using the GCOM lab’s large-format UV inkjet printer, the GCOM students printed several packaging prototypes, which Dahlseng and Lindgren then cut on a Kongsberg digital cutting table in the Packaging Lab and then folded and assembled the packages.

Packaging students Abbey Dahlseng and Ben Lindgren at the Kongsberg digital cutting table / ��Ͽ�

“Being able to work in the Packaging Lab, we’re able to have instant feedback. We can design and cut a package and see if it will work right away,” Lindgren said.

“It’s more efficient and beneficial to be here learning and to be able to do it ourselves versus having to go off campus,” Dahlseng added. “Within 10 minutes, we can edit a package using the software and cut it on the machine. It streamlines the process.”

After a meeting with Frank, minor artistic and structural changes were made, and the finalized packages were printed, taking approximately 12 hours. Every student enrolled in the GCOM capstone course helped to meet the end-of-semester delivery date, Nyseth said.

His students used skills related to printing large-format items such as signage and billboards, and product package printing – growing markets in the industry, he added. They also applied color management skills to ensure that the packages reflected the intended colors.

DeGruson also worked with Astwood on the Polytechnic Summit and WiSys symposium project in 2019, when the focus of the package was to protect the mugs for international traveling.

“This time, our focus shifted to design a package and opening experience to provide Chancellor Frank the opportunity to tell the story behind the project and ��Ͽ�’s polytechnic mission while she hands the gift to her guests,” DeGruson said.

“Team communication and collaboration are so important,” Gong said. “This has been a meaningful experience, and we’re proud to make a product that represents our school.”

The Chancellor’s Office is helping to cover the cost of making the mugs, including materials and faculty and student time in the labs.

Made at Stout

All Made at Stout News

Students collaborate to design, package gifts for commemorative university event

Porcelain mugs to be given to partners, guests at Chancellor Frank’s fall investiture

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��Ͽ�'s commitment to health and safety this fall includes something out of the ordinary, a narrow, molded plastic tool.

Made at ��Ͽ� mugs designed to delight visitors

University of Wisconsin-Stout is known for its hands-on learning, so giving two groups of conference attendees a homemade gift seemed like a natural fit.

Porcelain mugs to be given to partners, guests at Chancellor Frank’s fall investiture madeatstout_investituremugs_heroimage_2.jpg

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School of Art & Design

We guide aspiring artists and designers to build theoretical and practical foundations, and encourage personal development in art, design, and the humanities.

Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering

The Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering focuses on enhancing the learning experience for students in ��Ͽ� Polytechnic's engineering programs.

Hero Caption: Industrial design student Jordan Jentsch pours liquid porcelain into a form, using a slip cast process to produce mugs for the chancellor's investiture ceremony.

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Spring commencement ceremonies

powersp — Mon, 03 May 2021 18:53:27 +0000

Spring commencement ceremoniespowersp May 3, 2021

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:

On Saturday, May 8, we will recognize 1,075 graduates as part of our spring commencement ceremonies. I am pleased that we were able to put the necessary precautions in place to offer several in-person ceremonies for our graduates, and grateful to the ��Ͽ� team, led by Britta Miller, that has worked tirelessly on planning. After more than a year of many challenges due to COVID-19, this is a very positive step forward for our university.

Our graduates have much to celebrate this Saturday, and I hope that everyone will take time to congratulate them and tune in to one (or all) of the virtual and livestreamed ceremonies to share your support.

The last month or so, as we have phased back award and recognition ceremonies, has served as a reminder of the incredible hard work and dedication of our students, as well as that of the faculty and staff who have supported them throughout their ��Ͽ� journey. I witnessed this during the Scholar-Athlete Celebration when faculty mentors were present to support the scholar-athletes being recognized. I also observed it during the Bestow the Stole event hosted by the Honors College when faculty and staff mentors, selected by the students, spoke about the achievements of our graduates.

We see the innovation and achievements of our graduates on display in capstone projects presented virtually and in various installations and exhibits throughout our university buildings. Faculty and staff have reached out to me numerous times during the last few weeks in order to invite me to student presentations and to inform me about opportunities to observe student work.

Indeed, we have much to celebrate this week as a university community, and much to look forward to in the coming year.

Again, I encourage the entire ��Ͽ� community, friends, and family to join in the celebration by watching the virtual and livestreamed ceremonies, and by showing support of our graduates on social media by using #StoutGrad2021. The link for the virtual and livestreamed ceremonies will be posted prior to the start times on the commencement website.

Livestreamed Ceremonies:

9 a.m. College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management

11 a.m. College of Education, Hospitality, Health and Human Sciences

1 p.m. College of Arts, Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences

3 p.m. The Graduate School - All Graduate Programs

Virtual Ceremony:

A virtual ceremony will be held for all graduates who did not RSVP to a small ceremony. This ceremony will premiere at 10 a.m. on our YouTube channel and the commencement website.

My sincere congratulations to our graduates, and my deepest thanks to the entire ��Ͽ� community for your support of our students.

In Stout Pride,

Chancellor

All Chancellor News

University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic amends name to reflect longstanding applied, career focus

After 135 years of innovation, ‘polytechnic’ officially added to university’s name

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

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

��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

On Saturday, May 8, we will recognize 1,075 graduates as part of our spring commencement ceremonies. balloons.jpg

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Hero Caption: Congratulatory balloons at a past commencement ceremony. / ��Ͽ� photo

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National Volunteer and Earth Week events

powersp — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 19:12:26 +0000

National Volunteer and Earth Week eventspowersp April 19, 2021

National Volunteer Week is April 18-24, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the volunteer efforts that are occurring on campus. I also hope that this week serves as a reminder to us all to seek out new opportunities for voluntarism in support of the Menomonie and surrounding communities.

While National Volunteer Week is recognized this week, I know that for many of our faculty, staff, and students, their efforts to give back to organizations and causes that inspire them occur year-round.

Despite more limited opportunities due to COVID-19, many of our student organizations and athletics teams have been actively participating in volunteer events throughout the year including food drives, clean-up events, sponsoring families in need, and coordinating blood drives. While this is certainly not a comprehensive list of all the efforts occurring amongst our faculty, staff, and students, I want to thank our students for their leadership and dedication in these efforts and thank all members of our university community who have volunteered their time this year.

In addition to National Volunteer Week, Earth Day is recognized on Thursday, April 22nd. In honor of Earth Day, Stout will host a series of events throughout the week. I encourage everyone to consider participating in these events and to commit to the ongoing support of university sustainability efforts.

If we all take small steps in our commitment to voluntarism and sustainability, we will initiate a lasting impact on our community and our environment.

In Stout Pride,

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