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

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

��Ͽ� breaks ground on transformative $32 million project to enhance athletics, fitness facilitiesgiffeyt May 1, 2026

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift

A $31.7 million renovation of ��Ͽ�’s Recreation Complex will transform the facility and provide more than 39,000 square feet of new and remodeled space for student health, fitness and wellbeing.

Campus leaders, alumni, legislators and students were among those who took part in the official groundbreaking for the project at the campus Sports & Fitness Center on Thursday, April 30.

Chancellor Katherine Frank speaks at the Recreation Complex groundbreaking on April 30.

Chancellor Katherine Frank said the project came about because of a combination of student initiative and donor generosity. Students voted to support this project in 2019 and again in 2022 through student fees, and Dallas and Edye Pankowski donated $5 million to support the project.

“We often talk about ��Ͽ�’s Polytechnic Mission – and at the heart of that mission is student success,” Frank said. “This renovation will support student success by prioritizing student health and wellness through modern, accessible recreation and athletic spaces.”

The transformative project, which is already underway and is expected to be completed by early 2028, will add nearly 12,000 square feet of recreation space and renovate an additional 28,000 square feet at the facility, which was built in 1963. The renovation includes turning a decommissioned pool into a multipurpose gym, relocating the athletic weight room to the current fitness center and then converting the previous weight room into multi-use studios, expanding and upgrading locker rooms, creating a second-floor addition with multi-use courts, and creating a new entrance and atrium to attract and welcome visitors.

The future entrance to ��Ͽ�'s Sports & Fitness Center will be named in honor of donors Dallas and Edye Pankowski.

The latter space will be named in honor of the Pankowskis: Dallas, an alum, and Edye, a Menomonie native he met when she worked at ��Ͽ�. Their $5 million gift, the largest in the university’s history, will help students and other community members develop and maintain active lives. The couple said their own dedication to physical activity has allowed them to pursue rigorous adventures around the world, from the glaciers of Greenland to the base camp of Mount Everest.

“We know that Stout has world-class laboratories to complement their ‘learn by doing’ philosophy,” Dallas Pankowski said. “This updated remodeling and addition to the gym facility will take a just adequate building and make it an outstanding facility. Stout is a school committed to progress.”

Dallas Pankowski, a ��Ͽ� alum who, with his wife, Edye, donated $5 million toward the project, speaks at the groundbreaking event.

��Ͽ� Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel said he is among the numerous ��Ͽ� alumni who benefited from using the Sports and Fitness Center for fitness, recreation, stress relief and to form connections with other students. However, over the years, it became clear that the building needed significant upgrades.

“Over time, the building’s infrastructure, layout, and capacity have struggled to keep pace with student demand, modern standards, and evolving expectations for recreation and wellness,” Utpadel said. “This renovation directly addresses those challenges.”

State Rep. Clint Moses, a ��Ͽ� psychology alum who now represents the Menomonie area in the state Legislature, said the remodeled facility will enhance ��Ͽ�’s reputation for the next generation of Blue Devils. “This is going to be state-of-the-art and on par with – if not better than – the other institutions in our UW system,” Moses said. “We need to attract these students here to create the jobs and fill the jobs Wisconsin needs.”

The project will benefit not only the thousands of community members who come through the facility’s doors annually for sporting events and youth programs but also ��Ͽ� student athletes.

��Ͽ� students Maraya Wiltrout, at podium, and Ian Bryant, left, spoke about the impact the project will have on the campus.

“From an athletics perspective, this project is incredibly exciting,” said junior Maraya Wiltrout, a member of both the Stout Student Association and the women’s basketball team. “Our athletic facilities play a huge role in how we train, prepare, and come together as teams – and what we’re breaking ground on today is a major step forward for ��Ͽ� Athletics.”

Fellow ��Ͽ� junior Ian Bryant, who works as an orientation and first-year specialist as well as a campus tour guide, said the renovated facility will benefit all students’ physical and mental wellbeing.

“I often tell prospective students and their families that one of the best things you can see on a campus tour is construction – and luckily we have a lot of it,” Bryant said. “It shows that this institution is growing, it is visible proof that we are investing back into our students, and it means those students will soon have brand-new, state-of-the-art spaces to call their own. What we are seeing here at ��Ͽ� is exactly that kind of investment.”

Director of Athletics and Recreation Erin Sullivan credit student leaders, the campus planning team and retired Director of Athletics and Recreation Duey Naatz with creating the momentum that allowed the project to reach this point.

“This project has involved a long journey, and it is incredibly rewarding to finally gather here for the official groundbreaking,” she said. “This renovation will transform this space into something truly special for our campus community.”

This design rendering shows the interior of the addition to ��Ͽ�'s Sports & Fitness Center.

Wisconsin-based Miron Construction will serve as the project’s general contractor. Andrew Daniels, senior vice president of the company’s Eau Claire office, said the project is part of a long, meaningful partnership with ��Ͽ�: Miron is also general contractor for the ongoing renovation of Heritage Hall, which began last fall, and served the same role for the 2016 renovation of Harvey Hall. Such projects create applied learning opportunities for ��Ͽ� students who intern with Miron Construction.

“With our teams on campus every day supporting the Heritage Hall and Recreation Complex projects, we are proud to partner with ��Ͽ� to provide authentic, real-world experiences for students in construction management and safety and risk control,” Daniels said. “These active jobsites offer students firsthand exposure to jobsite conditions, safety coordination and the practical realities of project delivery.”

Just before 20 campus and community representatives donned hard hats and ceremonially turned over shovelfuls of soil, Chancellor Frank offered thanks for the collective effort that is bringing the project from drawing board to reality.

“The end result will be a renovated building that reflects a commitment to health and wellbeing in support of our campus and broader community,” she said.

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

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift

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

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

Moving forward: Top 10 stories of 2023 highlight success for and by students

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Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift Shovels full of soil are turned at Rec Complex groundbreaking

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Hero Caption: ��Ͽ� and community officials, students, alumni and other dignitaries take part in an official groundbreaking for the Recreation Complex renovation on April 30.

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‘Power of Partnership’: ��Ͽ� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

giffeyt — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:00:00 +0000

‘Power of Partnership’: ��Ͽ� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation giffeyt September 10, 2025

Chancellor, lawmakers, community and campus leaders join to highlight project that will boost Wisconsin workforce

Tom Giffey

With ceremonial shovels full of dirt, leaders from University of Wisconsin-Stout, the regional business community and the state of Wisconsin celebrated the start of a three-year, $144.3 million renovation project that will transform the half-century-old Heritage Hall into a cutting-edge educational hub to help meet Wisconsin’s workforce needs.

The project, which began in August and is expected to be completed by fall 2028, will double the number of students Heritage Hall can serve through an extensive, clean-slate renovation.

“Today, we celebrate more than the groundbreaking of a building – we celebrate the power of partnership and perseverance. The renovation of Heritage Hall is a direct reflection of our mission as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University: to provide career-focused, applied learning and research, and industry collaboration that meets the evolving needs of the state’s workforce and communities,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said at the ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Chancellor Katherine Frank spoke at the Heritage Hall groundbreaking.

“For more than 50 years, Heritage Hall, originally known as the Home Economics building, has served as a launchpad for thousands of ��Ͽ� graduates – teachers, counselors, police officers, food scientists, hospitality leaders, and more – who have gone on to strengthen Wisconsin’s economy and enrich our communities,” Frank continued. “With approximately 60% of our graduates remaining in-state and a near-perfect employment rate, ��Ͽ� places students into Wisconsin’s workforce at a higher rate than any other technical college or university. But the building’s true value lies in the lives it will shape and the challenges it will help solve – from childcare and education to mental health, manufacturing, and tourism.”

Among those whose lives and careers have already been shaped by ��Ͽ� is state Rep. Clint Moses, a ��Ͽ� psychology alum who now represents the Menomonie area in the state Legislature. In that role, Moses was a strong advocate for funding the project in the state budget.

“I’d like to thank the chancellor and her team for doing an excellent job showing why it’s important that we support ��Ͽ� and the type of students that this institution puts out,” Moses said. “From hotel, restaurant, and tourism to golf management, all of these create the jobs we need for Wisconsin.”

State Rep. Clint Moses of Menomonie spoke at the Heritage Hall groundbreaking.

Another proud ��Ͽ� alum is Ashley DeMuth, CEO for the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce, who called the project an affirmation of a shared commitment to improving the workforce and the community.

“Heritage Hall truly is more than a building. It’s a bridge between campus and community. It’s an investment in the next generation of professionals in education, hospitality, mental health, manufacturing, health care, tourism, nutrition and more,” DeMuth said. “This is where applied learning meets real-world needs. From the Child and Family Study Center to the programs training our future teachers, counselors, and wellness leaders, Heritage Hall has long been at the heart of ��Ͽ�’s mission. The Chamber and our investors across all industries are proud to support this vision.”

Before the renovation began, Heritage Hall served more than 2,000 students in 29 undergraduate and graduate programs annually. Once it reopens, this number is expected to grow to more than 4,000 students each year.

The three-year project will involve demolishing the interior partitions of the building to create maximum flexibility for new spaces. An independent feasibility study conducted in 2020 found that while the building is structurally sound, most of its systems are either obsolete and difficult to repair or near the end of their life. The renovation will completely replace the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; replace the roof, windows and entrances; create code-compliant and accessible restrooms; and more.

“The renovation of Heritage Hall represents a bold step forward for ��Ͽ�,” Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel said. “This four-story facility will be completely revitalized with modern infrastructure, including solar panels and enhanced daylighting to support sustainability and wellness. Accessibility will be significantly improved, with accessible entrances on three floors.”

Representatives from the campus, community and state took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking.

The renovation will also directly benefit the community at large, noted Provost Glendalí Rodríguez. “Heritage Hall is not only physically central to the university’s footprint; along the north it is a key community connection and entrance,” Rodríguez said. “With the renovation, the university’s Clinical Services Center, which serves members of the community, will be more easily accessible and celebrated.”

Rodríguez went on to outline the plethora of programs that will be housed within the remodeled building, noting that many of them produce graduates who can fill jobs in economic sectors projected to grow in Wisconsin in the near future, including tourism, mental health, education and child care.

The bulk of funding for the project came from the state of Wisconsin through the 2023-25 state budget. The project also received $13.5 million in private funding from university supporters, industry partners and alumni made through the Stout University Foundation. In terms of dollar value, it is the largest project in the university’s history.

Miron Construction is the general contractor for the project.

“We’re excited to build a space that reflects the future of learning: flexible, interdisciplinary, sustainable and safe,” Daniels said. “And we’re even more excited to know that the students who will walk these halls – some of whom may one day join our team – will be learning in an environment designed to help them thrive.”

The renovation will allow Heritage Hall to serve Blue Devil students well into the future, said Noah Rosenberger, president of the Stout Student Association, who said he knows the building well as a hotel, restaurant and tourism management major.

“To me, the biggest takeaway from today is that this project shows how much the university, alumni and community believe in us as students,” said Rosenberger, of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. “They are investing in spaces where we learn, grow, connect and live the polytechnic spirit. I can’t wait for the day I walk back into Heritage Hall as an alumnus and see it completely reimagined. Not just new walls and classrooms, but the energy it’s going to bring to campus.”

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Hero Caption: Ground was officially broken for the $144 million Heritage Hall renovation project on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

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

polingj — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:06:58 +0000

Fit to a tee: New Pat Kell Golf Center perfect match for Blue Devil teams, golf management majorspolingj October 11, 2024

Gift that created facility with state-of-the-art simulators, indoor putting and chipping green honors longtime golfer, family

Women’s and men’s golf team members and students majoring in golf enterprise management have a new, high-tech practice and learning hub at ��Ͽ� — the indoor Pat Kell Golf Center.

The center, in the Recreation Complex, has two state-of-the-art monitors that provide instant swing and ball data paired with two golf course simulators for year-round practice. In an adjoining room is a putting green, about 35 feet by 12 feet, and chipping area with artificial turf.

Recently, members of the Kell family joined Mike Kell to dedicate the center, built in two former racquetball courts. Mike’s gift in honor of his wife, Pat Kell, who died in 2021, made it possible.

Mike Kell’s gift in honor of his wife led to the creation of the Pat Kell Golf Center. / ��Ͽ�

Pat Kell joins her dad for a golf outing in 1958 in Madison, where she grew up. / Contributed photo

“She would be thrilled, tickled pink about this whole complex,” Mike Kell said.

The idea grew out of Pat’s lifelong love for golf and the multiple benefits that could be realized at ��Ͽ�. Along with players receiving instant swing feedback — such as ball speed, spin rate, distance — they can practice indoors during winter months and play simulated rounds of golf on holes projected onto a giant screen, a version of the game that has grown in popularity across the country as technology has advanced.

GEM majors, trained to take on management positions at top golf facilities, can use the center as a lab to learn about swing instruction, club fitting, event management and more.

In addition, the center will be available to the general student body, faculty, staff and the community to reserve.

“There are a lot of things we can do that we couldn’t do before,” said Andrew Delong, men’s team coach and GEM program director.

A member of the ��Ͽ� men’s golf team uses one of the two golf simulators at the center. / ��Ͽ�

He noted that Blue Devil golfers by the nature of their sport didn’t have a locker room — until now. “It’s such a great opportunity for our kids to experience the highest level of technology.”

The facility includes player lockers and a social area with a TV and couch.

Men’s golf team member Andrew Bauer was on hand for the dedication and was practicing his chipping and putting with other men’s and women’s team members. “This will allow us to improve our games and gain an edge. It looks like a Division I facility,” Bauer said after personally thanking Mike Kell.

Bauer is a sophomore from Chippewa Falls majoring in business administration.

Members of the ��Ͽ� women’s golf team practice on the putting green. / ��Ͽ�

The women’s team recently took second place in the conference tournament, led by first-year player Julia Imai, who won the individual title by seven shots. Imai, from Brookline, Mass., is majoring in food science and technology.

Blue Devil Coach Sophia Connett, who also attend the Kell Center dedication, was named WIAC coach of the year.

Athletics Director Duey Naatz called the center a “top tier” facility and told Kell family members at the dedication that the university was “thrilled you chose to honor Pat in this way.”

Mike Kell is the son of Paul Kell, who founded Kell Container in Chippewa Falls. In 2004, Kell Container was purchased by Great Northern Corp. Kell Container and GNC have a long history of collaborating with ��Ͽ� and its academic programs.

Mike Kell tries a putt at the center in the Recreation Complex. / ��Ͽ�

Multiple Kell family members are alumni, including most recently Charlie Pierce, a 2023 graduate and grandson of Mike and Pat. Charlie graduated in packaging and works for GNC.

“The Kell family appreciates ��Ͽ� and always will,” Mike Kell said. “Stout made this happen.”

The gift was coordinated through the ��Ͽ� Foundation and Alumni Association.

The Pat Kell Golf Center is the first of many expected changes at the Recreation Complex, where a renovation supported by students is ��Ͽ�’s next major capital project awaiting state approval.

###

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

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Moving forward: Top 10 stories of 2023 highlight success for and by students

polingj — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 17:46:29 +0000

Moving forward: Top 10 stories of 2023 highlight success for and by studentspolingj January 3, 2024

Heritage Hall renovation, record gift for Recreation Complex lead the list

Student success, current and future, was at the heart of major progress made on multiple fronts during 2023 at ��Ͽ�.

The university’s top 10 news stories of the year reflect that progress. The list is led by state approval for the renovation of Heritage Hall and record private support for another project, the Recreation Complex. The facility improvements will support students on their higher education journey in the classroom and on campus in the years and decades to come.

Student success, the leading goal of ��Ͽ�’s FOCUS2030 strategic plan, also was the focus of the other top stories of the year, including new academic programs, major grants, achievements and awards.

Heritage Hall at ��Ͽ� will feature more glass on the exterior and state-of-the-art classrooms and labs when renovations are completed. / ��Ͽ�

1. Heritage Hall renovation fully funded

In the spring, $139 million in state funding for Heritage Hall, one of ��Ͽ�’s major academic buildings, was approved and included in the state’s 2023-25 state budget. Bidding for construction will begin in fall 2024.

Renovating the 50-year-old building will directly address Wisconsin's workforce needs in hospitality and tourism, mental health and wellness, child care and education, food science, disability and rehabilitation services. Nearly 60% of ��Ͽ� graduates remain in Wisconsin, and the employment rate of recent graduates is 99.4%, based on a spring First Destination report.

The project also has received $13.5 million in private funding from university supporters, industry partners and alumni made through the Stout University Foundation.

Another renovation project wrapped up in the summer at South Hall, a residence hall. The $22.5 million refresh of the 1967 building, with 356 beds, began in spring 2022.

Also last summer, the university’s largest solar photovoltaic array to date was installed at Jarvis Hall Technology Wing, part of a multibuilding solar and energy efficiency project.

Thanks to a $5 million donation from Dallas and Edye Pankowski, a renovated Recreation Complex at ��Ͽ� will include a new welcome center. / ��Ͽ�

2. Record-setting $5M gift for Recreation Complex

In the fall, ��Ͽ� received more good facilities news: Alum Dallas Pankowski and his wife, Edye, a Menomonie native, committed the largest private gift in school history, $5 million, toward the planned Recreation Complex renovation.

The gift will provide one-sixth of the cost for the $30.5 million project and create a new welcome and community space named in honor of the Pankowskis. The 2,700-square-foot addition will be on the west side of the Sports and Fitness Center, just south of the adjoining Johnson Fieldhouse.

3. Major grants

In October, the U.S. Department of Education awarded ��Ͽ� a $2.5 million Title III federal grant over five years to provide comprehensive student support.

The STRONG — Strategic Technology, Retention and Organizational Networks and Guidance — program will holistically support students with increased support in academic advising, first-year experiences, financial wellness and mental health counseling.

Students collect macroinvertebrate samples last summer in Galloway Creek. / ��Ͽ�

In August, ��Ͽ�’s environmental science and applied science programs received three research grants totaling more than $463,000 from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. One of the grants, $358,940 for the Red Cedar Watershed Monitoring Project, will focus on water quality in the area’s lakes, rivers and streams.

Earlier, in April, the cybersecurity program received a $299,000 state Fast Forward grant to address workforce and infrastructure needs. The grant provides paid industry internships to students.

4. NSA cybersecurity designation

In the fall, the university received renewed designation from the National Security Agency and its partners as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity based on the strength of the cybersecurity and the computer networking programs.

The designation, through the 2028 academic year, is an extension of the university’s 2017-2022 designation from the National Security Agency. ��Ͽ� was the first four-year university in the state to receive it in 2017, and the university’s computer networking and information technology degree is the only undergraduate program in the state designated a CAE Program of Study.

A student works with a robot in a ��Ͽ� engineering lab. The new automation leadership program addresses advances in engineering and manufacturing technology. / ��Ͽ�

5. First automation leadership program of its kind

In July, ��Ͽ� announced a first-of-a-kind bachelor’s program in automation leadership. Inspired by industry, it addresses the new age of manufacturing — robots, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, analytics and more, called Industry 4.0, or smart automation.

In the fall, ��Ͽ� began an esports coaching minor to reflect the growing interest in esports competition. ��Ͽ� has an intercollegiate esports — competitive video game — team, the first in the Universities of Wisconsin.

In January, the School of Management began offering a first-of-its-kind Service Excellence course with the support of Forbes Travel Guide, which is known for its independent annual ratings of luxury hotels, restaurants and spas in more than 74 countries.

6. First state apprenticeship program of its kind

In December, ��Ͽ� and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced a first-of-its-kind state initiative to combine instruction at a four-year college with the Registered Apprenticeship program.

The Workforce Development Specialist Certificate program, also known as the Train the Trainer apprenticeship, teaches students about employment and training solutions that meet the needs of businesses and workers.

��Ͽ� is the first four-year university collaborating with Wisconsin Apprenticeship since it began in 1911. The program offers classes that fulfill instruction requirements for a Registered Apprenticeship and could be credited toward an undergraduate or graduate degree program. The three-class online program teaches students ways to design, develop, implement and evaluate training and development solutions.

��Ͽ�’s Coding Club took first place in a Midwest computer science programming competition. / ��Ͽ�

7. Students shine in competitions

Student success was tangible throughout 2023 with trophies and awards in numerous competitions. They won industry-sponsored, national sustainability challenges in San Diego and Scottsdale, Ariz.; a Midwest computer science programming competition; and took second in a regional computing competition.

Areeba Ali, M.S. food science and technology, won the Wisconsin Biohealth Communications Competition for graduate students at the Wisconsin Biohealth Summit. She also won the state title and People’s Choice Award for “Development of Eco-friendly Milk Whey Protein Isolate Biodegradable Packaging,” at the annual WiSys SPARK Symposium’s Quick Pitch final.

Game design student Aden Weisser won two awards at the M+DEV state conference in Madison while Isabel Roberts took first in a regional graphic design competition in the Twin Cities.

Three students, two from packaging and one from video production, took first place in a 48-hour national packaging design competition sponsored by the Institute of Packaging Professionals.

High school students compete in the Make48 competition. / ��Ͽ�

8. First Make48 Career Pathways competition

In late October, ��Ͽ� hosted Make48, a long-running, 48-hour national competition television show. Students from six area high schools invented physical prototypes to solve real-world problems in maker spaces at the Fab Lab while competing for cash and other prizes in Make48’s first Career Pathways competition.

Another version of the Make48 competition, building on ��Ͽ�’s applied learning focus and industry partnerships, is scheduled for fall 2024.

9. Women’s basketball championship

In February, the Blue Devils claimed the university’s first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in 16 years by defeating rival UW-Eau Claire 63-45 in a February showdown at Johnson Fieldhouse. Hannah Iverson was named WIAC Coach of the Year.

The women’s gymnastics team finished third in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association championships.

Athletics also announced a new men’s soccer program. The team will begin play in fall 2024.

10. Top UW school for veterans

In November, ��Ͽ� was named the top public university in Wisconsin for veterans and active military students, according to Military Times as part of its national Best for Vets rankings.

In the spring, ��Ͽ� also earned a silver rating and made the national Military Friendly list for the 14th straight year.

Special services for veterans at ��Ͽ� include a peer-to-peer Veteran Mentorship Program, a Military and Veteran Resource Center, a Council on Veteran Services and a student Veterans Club.

Bonus: Top photo of 2023

The top photo of 2023 at ��Ͽ� features members of the women’s conference championship basketball team in the homecoming parade. / ��Ͽ�

In addition to the top stories of the year, a photo of the year was chosen: Members of the women’s basketball team taking part in the fall homecoming parade.

The university's photographers and social media manager selected their 10 favorite photos of the year. Faculty and staff were invited to vote, as well as student families and supporters through the StoutFam newsletter.

The 2023-24 academic year at ��Ͽ� continues Monday, Jan. 22, with the start of spring semester classes.

###

Student success, current and future, was at the heart of major progress made on multiple fronts during 2023 at ��Ͽ�. Heritage rendering

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Hero Caption: State Reps. Clint Moses, right, and Rob Summerfield speak at a news conference to celebrate the Legislature's funding of the Heritage Hall renovation project.

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Wisconsin representatives Moses, Summerfield celebrate ��Ͽ�'s Heritage Hall funding, workforce impact

goersab — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 19:45:28 +0000

Wisconsin representatives Moses, Summerfield celebrate ��Ͽ�'s Heritage Hall funding, workforce impactgoersab July 11, 2023

Project addresses workforce needs by producing dedicated, skilled graduates across multiple disciplines

Abbey Goers

State representatives Clint Moses and Rob Summerfield on July 11 joined University of Wisconsin-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank, Provost Glendalí Rodríguez and Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel for a news conference outside of Heritage Hall to celebrate state funding for the hall’s renovation.

Funding for Heritage Hall, which opened 50 years ago, was approved for $139 million. The renovation project will directly address Wisconsin's workforce needs in hospitality and tourism, mental health and wellness, child care and education, food science, disability and rehabilitation services.

Moses, a ��Ͽ� psychology alum, thanked the members of the Joint Finance Committee, who saw the value in the renovation project and ensured its addition in the State’s 2023-25 budget.

State representatives Clint Moses and Rob Summerfield, both ��Ͽ� alums, speak to the university's uniqueness as a polytechnic. / ��Ͽ�

“��Ͽ� has always produced the type of workers that Wisconsin needs. I always say that ��Ͽ� was polytechnic before polytechnic was even a thing. Stout has always had a tradition of teaching the skills that we need in our workforce,” Moses said, noting that his father is a ��Ͽ� industrial arts alum who taught in the Chippewa Valley.

“This expansion of Heritage Hall will more than double the capacity of students that will be coming through this particular building, and I hope that it will continue to attract the very best students to our region and to our state. ��Ͽ� also has a great record of job placement and retention of workers within our state of Wisconsin,” Moses added.

Nearly 60% of ��Ͽ� graduates remain in Wisconsin, and the employment rate of recent graduates is 99.4%, based on a new First Destination report.

Summerfield, a ��Ͽ� business administration alum, believes the university is “one of the most unique campuses in the nation” in its ability to transform the state’s workforce and in the importance of graduates coming out of Heritage Hall to regional, state and national companies.

Chancellor Katherine Frank speaks to the readiness of Stout graduates as they enter Wisconsin’s workforce. / ��Ͽ�

Chancellor Frank expressed her gratefulness to the Legislature and governor for the investment and for recognizing that “Heritage Hall and a polytechnic education that emphasizes career-focused, applied learning in collaboration with business and industry partners is part of the solution to lead Wisconsin forward.

“We place students in the Wisconsin workforce better than any other higher education institution in the state. And thanks to your efforts and those of our alumni, statewide industry and business partners, community advocates and university employees and students, now future Stout students and others will learn and collaborate in a state-of-the-art building that will amplify our impact on our state’s economy,” she said.

“This renovation couldn’t be more critical than it is today. Wisconsin faces immediate workforce challenges, from child care and education, to mental health and manufacturing, to housing and tourism. And we are projected to need even more dedicated, skilled Wisconsinites in the decade to come,” Frank added. “This renovated building, the applied research and learning it will inspire, the community resources it will provide and the business and industry partners it will support will allow Stout as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University to provide solutions to these challenges – challenges that impact our economy and communities.

“The return on investment is easy to calculate and the value is very, very clear. It is our mission at ��Ͽ�, Wisconsin’s only polytechnic university, to continue to prepare the generations to come to help create an even better Wisconsin,” Frank said.

More than 4,000 students will pass through the newly renovated Heritage Hall each year. / ��Ͽ�

Utpadel, a ��Ͽ� construction alum, announced that the final design of the renovation will be ready within a year and bidding for construction will be held in fall of 2024. “It will save taxpayers more than $10 million a year in projected inflation costs that would have been incurred by further delays,” he said.

Rodríguez noted that more than 2,000 ��Ͽ� students from 29 undergraduate and graduate programs pass through Heritage Hall each year. The renovation will double the number of students served each year to more than 4,000.

The university’s Child and Family Study Center, Disability Services, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute and Counseling Center, which provide applied learning experiences to students and offer free services to community members and students, will also move to Heritage Hall.

The project has received $13.5 million in private funding from university supporters, industry partners and alumni made through the Stout University Foundation.

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‘Power of Partnership’: ��Ͽ� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

Chancellor, lawmakers, community and campus leaders join to highlight project that will boost Wisconsin workforce

Wisconsin representatives Moses, Summerfield celebrate ��Ͽ�'s Heritage Hall funding, workforce impact

Project addresses workforce needs by producing dedicated, skilled graduates across multiple disciplines

Chancellor's Statement on Heritage Hall Funding

Chancellor Katherine Frank issues a statement following funding approval of Heritage Hall by the Joint Finance Committee.

Project addresses workforce needs by producing dedicated, skilled graduates across multiple disciplines Representative Clint Moses speaking

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Chancellor's Statement on Heritage Hall Funding

hugginsm — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 14:25:44 +0000

Chancellor's Statement on Heritage Hall Fundinghugginsm June 2, 2023

Chancellor Katherine Frank issues a statement following funding approval of Heritage Hall by the Joint Finance Committee.

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Chancellor Katherine P. Frank issued the following statement in reaction to the Joint Finance Committee’s approval of funding for ��Ͽ�’s Heritage Hall:

"Yesterday evening, the Joint Finance Committee voted to approve funding for the Heritage Hall Renovation Project. ��Ͽ�, the City of Menomonie, Dunn County and our statewide business and industry partners welcome this exciting development. We appreciate the Committee’s support and recognition of ��Ͽ�’s critical contributions to Wisconsin.

In my conversations with business and industry partners throughout our state, I have heard significant concerns voiced about childcare, mental health, manufacturing and other issues impacting local economies. Heritage Hall is part of the solution.

Degree programs housed in Heritage produce career-ready teachers, school and clinical mental health counselors, police officers, food scientists, property managers and directors of hotels, restaurants and tourism, who before graduation, provide direct services to our state. Stout graduates are the backbone of Wisconsin communities, large and small.

State funding will rejuvenate the 50-year-old Heritage Hall into a state-of-the-art learning facility. It will double the number of students served each year to more than 4,000. And it will save the State and Wisconsin’s taxpayers more than $10M a year in projected inflation costs incurred by further building delays.

We will continue to stress the importance of this project to the Assembly, the Senate and to the Governor through the remaining steps of the budget process, but I want to repeat my sincere gratitude to members of the Joint Finance Committee for investing in ��Ͽ�’s impact on Wisconsin’s high-need workforce areas now and into the future."

Learn more about the Heritage Hall Renovation Project at the link below.

Heritage Hall Renovation

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

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‘Power of Partnership’: ��Ͽ� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

Chancellor, lawmakers, community and campus leaders join to highlight project that will boost Wisconsin workforce

Wisconsin representatives Moses, Summerfield celebrate ��Ͽ�'s Heritage Hall funding, workforce impact

Project addresses workforce needs by producing dedicated, skilled graduates across multiple disciplines

Chancellor's Statement on Heritage Hall Funding

Chancellor Katherine Frank issues a statement following funding approval of Heritage Hall by the Joint Finance Committee.

Chancellor Katherine Frank issues a statement following funding approval of Heritage Hall by the Joint Finance Committee. heritage-render-2023.jpg

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Renovate now: State industry, business leaders tell legislators Heritage Hall project is vital, long overdue

polingj — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:56:46 +0000

Renovate now: State industry, business leaders tell legislators Heritage Hall project is vital, long overduepolingj April 27, 2023

Plan to update 1973 building needs state funding, would support students, state workforce needs

Two clear messages regarding ��Ͽ� were sent by Chancellor Katherine Frank and business and industry leaders to the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee during its statewide budget hearings in April: Renovation of Heritage Hall is needed to support Wisconsin’s workforce needs, and it’s needed now.

The 50-year-old academic building needs classroom, lab and mechanical updates throughout, according to testimony from more than two dozen people, to continue serving the needs of and driving innovation in the state. If funding is included in the budget, the programs based in Heritage Hall could produce 5,000 graduates over the next decade to boost the state’s economy in critical areas.

“In my conversations with industry partners throughout Wisconsin, I have heard concerns voiced about child care, mental health and other issues impacting local economies. Heritage Hall is part of the solution,” Frank said.

A renovated Heritage Hall at ��Ͽ� would feature new entrances on both sides of the building along with updated classrooms, labs and mechanical systems. / ��Ͽ�

Renovation is long overdue. “It will transform Heritage Hall into a state-of-the-art learning facility that addresses high-need workforce areas. Cross-sector connections mean that programs housed in the building will help to support the workforce challenges of other sectors, like those impacting manufacturing,” she said.

Speakers from a variety of industries echoed Frank’s comments while advocating for the project and reinforcing ��Ͽ�’s impact throughout the state.

Jason Manke, director of corporate recruitment at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, said the need for leaders in the hospitality industry continues to grow and ��Ͽ�’s hospitality and tourism program, a national leader, and a renovated Heritage Hall will help address “the critical need for qualified, local hospitality leaders.” Hospitality and tourism is a $12 billion a year industry in Wisconsin.

Katie Feuerholm, an education consultant, speaks on behalf of the ��Ͽ� Heritage Hall project at the Joint Finance Committee hearing in Eau Claire. / WisconsinEye

Ruben Nilsson is director of operations for Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, which has a new facility in Menomonie. “The presence of ��Ͽ� was one of the deciding factors in locating this facility in Menomonie to address our current and future workforce needs.” The university provides graduates who address company needs in food science, manufacturing, nutrition, and tourism and hospitality — programs that are based in Heritage Hall. The cooperative hopes to build on the tradition of the dairy industry working with the UW System by “deepening ties with ��Ͽ�, its alumni and faculty.”

But the university needs state investment to maintain the leading-edge facilities that produce innovative, industry-ready graduates for which it’s known.

“Employers want students to graduate ready. ��Ͽ� needs facilities that are ready for the future to make this happen so it can continue to supply the economy and workforce for another 50 years,” testified Katie Feuerholm, a Wisconsin education consultant in career and technical education. She stressed the importance of appropriate space to reflect “the state-of-the-art instruction that the polytechnic university ��Ͽ� is known for.”

Christian Gausman, of OEM Fabricators in Baldwin, advocates for the Heritage Hall project at the Eau Claire hearing. / WisconsinEye

Other speakers who advocated for the Heritage Hall project at the hearings included:

Christian Gausman, director of Strategic Initiatives at OEM Fabricators of Baldwin, cited the importance of the child care profession in helping workers fill their shifts at the manufacturing company. ��Ͽ� has an early childhood education program at Heritage Hall. Many OEM leaders are ��Ͽ� graduates. “We’ve found ��Ͽ� to be a great partner,” Gausman said while urging the Legislature to support the renovation of an aging building.
Angela Yudes, senior learning performance specialist at Andersen, toured Heritage Hall recently and saw firsthand some of its deficiencies. “As an employer, it’s very important for our employees to have child care services in our area and for our employees to access mental health care. If we’re going to be asking students to be developing into these fields, they deserve to have a better building to do that in.”
Ashley DeMuth, Menomonie Chamber of Commerce CEO who traveled to Minocqua to address the Joint Finance Committee again after speaking in Wisconsin Dells, said, “This isn’t just about academics. It’s about building on the future talent pipeline and retaining students. Funding this project is an investment with a return that will be defined for years.”
Krystal Westphal, executive director of Let’s Minocqua Visitor Bureau & Chamber of Commerce, shared DeMuth’s perspective and spoke to the impact of ��Ͽ� graduates in her region.
Jane Busch, human resources at Andersen in Menomonie, said ��Ͽ�’s clinical services center and child care resources are used by many employees. “The quality of employees and people Stout provides is unmatched. It’s amazing to have this university right in our back yard.”

Several of those who testified are alumni. Faculty, staff and students also testified in support of the project.

The Heritage Hall renovation has been sought by ��Ͽ� since 2007. As the student spaces and infrastructure in the building have aged, the UW System has named the project No. 1 on its list for academic building projects in the Chippewa Valley.

Heritage Hall Renovation

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

However, final approval is needed by way of the 2023-25 state budget or project completion would be delayed several more years, until 2031. The building will be shovel ready by May 2024. Planning and design for the renovation is nearly 50% complete. The cost of the project is estimated at $139 million but is increasing by about $10 million a year.

Along with early child care education, programs in Heritage provide career-ready graduates in various teacher education fields; school counseling and clinical mental health counseling; marriage and family therapy; hospitality and tourism; real estate property management; food science; and dietetics.

Demand for ��Ͽ� graduates continues to grow. The employment rate of recent graduates has risen to 99.4% and remains the highest in the UW System, based on a new First Destination report. Nearly 60% of those hired work in Wisconsin.

Ashley DeMuth, of the Menomonie Chamber of Commerce, speaks at the hearing in Wisconsin Dells. / WisconsinEye

Additional support for Heritage

In addition to testimony at the budget hearings, numerous letters supporting the project were written to Joint Finance Committee members supporting the project.

Private gifts through Stout University Foundation to support academic programs at Heritage Hall have risen to $13.5 million, including a recent $1 million gift for the real estate property management program from Weidner Apartment Homes.

"��Ͽ� has a long history of preparing graduates who contribute to Rockwell Automation’s success, helping Wisconsin lead the way in industrial automation innovation,” said Michael Cook, director of Global Academic Enablement, Rockwell Automation. “Our ability to attract a skilled workforce includes having access to resources that improve the lives of our employees such as quality child care, education and professional development opportunities. We strongly support the ��Ͽ� Heritage Hall Renovation Project and urge the state to fund this project.”

At the recent UW System Board of Regents meeting held at ��Ͽ�, a panel of professionals discussed the importance of programs at Heritage Hall.

One of them was Toni Simonson, executive director of Western Wisconsin Behavioral Health Division for Hospital Sisters Health System/Prevea Health. She said that the clinical mental health counseling program is helping address a major shortage of mental health providers in the state.

“Stout’s approach to preparing students is spot-on. It’s not just the training but the applied learning piece of it and the experience Stout students get. They practice what is taught. It’s exactly what our community needs,” Simonson said.

The last major academic building renovation at ��Ͽ� was Harvey Hall in 2015. The last new building on campus was Sorensen Hall (formerly Millennium Hall) in 2000. 

###

Two clear messages regarding ��Ͽ� were sent to the state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee at budget hearings: Renovate Heritage Hall and renovate now. Heritage rendering

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Hero Caption: The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee holds a state budget hearing in Wisconsin Dells. / WisconsinEye

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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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.

“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.”

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Real estate management program receives $1M donation from industry partner Weidner

polingj — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:30:40 +0000

Real estate management program receives $1M donation from industry partner Weidnerpolingj March 29, 2023

Private support for workforce-based programs at Heritage Hall tops $11 million

Private support for the renovation of Heritage Hall at ��Ͽ� has continued to grow, highlighted by a new, major donation for an important undergraduate program.

Dean Weidner, who founded and owns Weidner Apartment Homes based in Kirkland, Wash., has announced a $1,050,000 donation to Stout University Foundation. The gift includes $500,000 for major scholarships benefiting new and transfer students in the real estate property management program.

The gift brings Weidner’s total support for the program to $2.5 million. He donated $1 million in 2012 to create the Weidner Center for Residential Property Management at Heritage Hall and another $500,000 in 2015 for additional program support.

Dean Weidner, founder and owner of Weidner Apartment Homes in Kirkland, Wash., has donated $1,050,000 to ��Ͽ�’s real estate property management program and $2.5 million total. / Weidner Apartment Homes

“Our long-term investment into the real estate property management undergrad program at ��Ͽ� reflects my confidence in the curriculum that is being taught to students; the fact that the educators in the program have prior industry experience and can help to personalize the education with real world examples; and that we’ve seen strong results in terms of the students that have been recruited to our team,” Weidner said “I look forward to our continued partnership with the university and this program for many years to come.”

In the past decade, the company has hired 84 ��Ͽ� graduates and 161 ��Ͽ� student interns. Three spring 2023 graduates will begin their careers with the company.

The donation raises to more than $11 million the amount of private support ��Ͽ� has received for programs based in Heritage Hall. The Heritage renovation project received priority approval from the UW System Board of Regents, is ranked No. 1 in the Chippewa Valley and No. 3 for major academic building renovation projects across the UW System.

Heritage Hall Renovation

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

Other programs, all areas of critical workforce needs in Wisconsin, based in the building include teacher education, counseling, dietetics, food science, and hospitality and tourism.

Weidner Apartment Homes helps Wisconsin meet its affordable housing needs with facilities in 13 cities, mostly in southern and southeastern areas of the state. Overall, the company manages apartment units in 12 states and in Canada.

Programs like the one at ��Ͽ� are important to the industry. “There continues to be strong demand in the residential property management sector for workers to lead the day-to-day operations of the nation’s numerous multifamily housing communities,” Weidner said.

Dean Weidner visits ��Ͽ� in 2015 for the dedication of the Weidner Center for Residential Property Management in Heritage Hall. / ��Ͽ�

“To meet that demand, employers like Weidner Apartment Homes have looked toward career pathway programs that focus on applied learning, such as the one at ��Ͽ� to identify, support and target students who are looking to grow their skills and move directly into the workforce post-graduation,” he added.

Chancellor Katherine Frank thanked Weidner for his generosity and ongoing support of ��Ͽ�.

“Mr. Weidner’s incredible gift to support teaching and learning at ��Ͽ� has already and will continue to impact students’ learning and career trajectory far into the future. He recognizes the value of our distinct approach to education at ��Ͽ� and how this approach produces future leaders in the workplace who positively impact their communities,” Frank said.

Weidner Apartment Homes has properties in 12 states and Canada, including La Bella Vita in Colorado Springs, Colo. / Weidner Apartment Homes

Supporting students and REPM program

The new Weidner donation will provide up to 20 scholarships a year for five years. First-year and transfer students in the program are eligible for one $5,000 award — about one-third of the cost for one year at ��Ͽ�.

The awards are available to new students beginning this fall. Students do not have to apply, but will be awarded directly through the Financial Aid office if eligible.

The $550,000 program support portion of the donation includes funding a program ambassador position to help recruit students.

Daymark in Minneapolis is one of the Weidner Apartment Homes properties in Minnesota. / Weidner Apartment Homes

With 60 students, ��Ͽ�’s program already is believed to be the largest of its kind in the U.S. Another 27 students are enrolled in the property management minor.

“The workforce of the future requires an adaptable mindset of lifelong learners who continuously upgrade their technical skills as well as the ‘soft’ skills that are valued by employers,” Weidner said. “By partnering with colleges and universities, we can help shape the education of the upcoming workforce and embed the requirements of the industry into the curriculum. In this way, we are helping to create the workers we need, instead of merely trying to find them on the open market.”

In ��Ͽ�’s new First Destination report, recent graduates from the program reported 100% employment within six months of earning their degree.

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‘Stout’s REPM major is unique and gave me a head start.’

Private support for the renovation of Heritage Hall at ��Ͽ� has continued to grow, highlighted by a new, major donation for an important program. Weidner Center

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Hero Caption: The Weidner Center for Residential Property Management is in Heritage Hall at ��Ͽ�, thanks to a 2012 donation from Dean Weidner and Weidner Apartment Homes.

Frederick Prassas

Professional Interests: Real Estate Management - Strategic Planning - Association Management

Teaching Interests: Real Estate Finance Real Estate Asset Management Real Estate Ethics Real Estate Management

Full Name: Frederick Prassas

Job Title: Associate Professor / Program Director

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College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Hospitality & Technology Innovation Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Frederick Prassas CV (25.8 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ed.S.

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: M.B.A.

University: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Degree: B.S. Journalism

University: Southern Illinois University

Degree: Certified Property Manager (CPM)

Degree: Graduate Realtors Institute

Degree: Real Estate Broker, Wisconsin

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Teaching excellence: Four School of Education alum honored with awards

polingj — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 19:08:45 +0000

Teaching excellence: Four School of Education alum honored with awards polingj March 20, 2023

Emily Larson recognized as state family and consumer sciences Teacher of the Year

In 20 years of teaching family and consumer sciences, Emily Larson has built a powerhouse program at Amery High School in northwestern Wisconsin.

Larson created a Leadership Academy and directed an overhaul of the school’s family and consumer sciences kitchen, among other achievements, to help students “become leaders in the classroom and the community.”

In March, the 2003 University of Wisconsin-Stout alum was named the 2023 Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is one of four School of Education alum, whose programs are based in Heritage Hall, to be recognized recently.

Emily Larson, a 2003 ��Ͽ� graduate, recently was named Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She teaches at Amery High School. / Contributed photo

“I was honored, delighted and surprised because I knew I was against some incredible FCS teachers. Wisconsin has some of the best family and consumer sciences teachers in the nation, and I am fortunate to collaborate with them because it makes us better teachers for our students,” said Larson, who accepted the award at the WAFCS conference in Onalaska.

The other School of Education alum recently recognized are:

Kendra Haessly, 1988 graduate and a teacher at Grant Elementary in Marshfield, received a regional Crystal Apple award for the second time.
Jamie Nord, who is executive director of the St. Croix River Education District, received the Outstanding Central Office Leader award from the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. She received a Master of Science in education in 2006 and an Education Specialist degree in school psychology in 2008.
Jonathan Szymanski, 2022 graduate and a counselor at Manz Elementary in Eau Claire, received a Golden Apple regional honor.

��Ͽ� has seven undergraduate and three graduate programs in teacher education. Students in the programs will benefit from the renovation of Heritage Hall, which received priority approval from the UW System Board of Regents, is ranked No. 1 in the Chippewa Valley and No. 3 for major academic building renovation projects.

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The School of Education offers challenging education programs that prepare highly qualified, successful teachers, leaders, and student services professionals.

Renovation, supporting Wisconsin’s workforce needs including teacher shortages, is slated to begin in 2026.

“��Ͽ�’s alumni are well-prepared as educators, and these award recognitions demonstrate the impact the recipients are making in their schools and communities. I am so proud of these alumni for their accomplishments and for the examples they set for others,” said Deanna Schultz, School of Education director.

The employment rate for graduates from the programs in fall 2021 and spring 2022 was nearly 100%, according to ��Ͽ�’s new First Destination report.

��Ͽ� was foundation for career

A native of Merrillan in Jackson County, Larson said ��Ͽ� “was excellent at helping me prepare for my family and consumer sciences education degree. ��Ͽ� instructors go above and beyond to help and encourage.”

She cited late Professor Carolyn Barnhart. “She was not only an outstanding instructor, but she also mentored me until her passing in 2020. She would send me encouraging quotes and visited me when I had my classroom remodeled. She brought me a ��Ͽ� banner to hang in my classroom,” Larson said.

Larson, who has maintained strong ties with ��Ͽ�, oversaw a renovation of the kitchen in the family and consumer sciences program at Amery. / Contributed photo

“This award is not only mine but also Dr. Carolyn Barnhart's. I am where I am today because of her mentorship and guidance throughout my FCS career.”

Larson returns to ��Ͽ� annually to speak at a family and consumer sciences conference and has been a guest speaker in classes.

Larson supports students, community

The WAFCS award is one of Larson’s many honors. In 2018, she was Wisconsin VFW Teacher of the Year, is in the Who’s Who Among American Teachers and has received a National Presidential service award. She also was chosen to create lesson plans for the National Pork Association.

She also serves on the WACFS board and was president in 2022.

One of her major achievements was creating the FCS Leadership Academy in 2015 at Amery. Students explore career pathways, participate in service-learning, develop leadership skills and take dual credit classes through two colleges. They can become certified and earn certificates in the areas of leadership, health, food and child care.

Leadership activities include youth apprenticeship, work-based learning, running a school-based enterprise, online school store and catering business. One business enterprise is roasting coffee beans — all opportunities aligned with the polytechnic, applied learning identity of ��Ͽ�.

B.S. Family & Consumer Sciences Education

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She is the only family and consumer sciences teacher in the high school.

“I love teaching my students life skills, like being a good parent or preparing healthy, nutritious meals,” she said, citing 21 classes she has taught including subjects such as child development, foods and nutrition, food science, architecture and design, catering, health and leadership.

As part of her teaching and outreach, Larson directs the high school chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, which promotes personal growth and leadership development. About 25% of students take part, and the chapter consistently ranks in the top three in the state for membership. Students can take part in an FCCLA event each year at ��Ͽ�.

Larson, who has three children, is licensed to teach health education and earned a minor in health at ��Ͽ�. She is a certified CPR instructor and has been active as a volunteer in Amery and Polk counties. Her husband, Neil, also is a ��Ͽ� graduate and teaches technology education in the Clear Lake school district.

Larson also teaches summer classes at Clear Lake Elementary.

###

In 20 years of teaching family and consumer sciences, Emily Larson has built a powerhouse program at Amery High School in northwestern Wisconsin. Emily Larson 2

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Inspiring Graduate: Jessica Daley, B.S. Family & Consumer Sciences Education

Daley, hired before graduation, enjoys teaching students life skills

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Moving forward: Top 10 stories of 2023 highlight success for and by students

1. Heritage Hall renovation fully funded

2. Record-setting $5M gift for Recreation Complex

3. Major grants

4. NSA cybersecurity designation

5. First automation leadership program of its kind

6. First state apprenticeship program of its kind

7. Students shine in competitions

8. First Make48 Career Pathways competition

9. Women’s basketball championship

10. Top UW school for veterans

Bonus: Top photo of 2023

Major progress: ���Ͽ� highlights its top 10 stories of 2022

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B.S. Real Estate Property Management

Teaching excellence: Four School of Education alum honored with awards

School of Education

B.S. Family & Consumer Sciences Education

School of Education’s Teach Day gives high school students opportunity to ‘explore teaching in an interactive way’

Alumna wins national family and consumer sciences award

Barnhart honored by American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

Inspiring Graduate: Jessica Daley, B.S. Family & Consumer Sciences Education

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

‘Power of Partnership’: ��Ͽ� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

Meet ��Ͽ�'s Leaders

Major progress: ��Ͽ� highlights its top 10 stories of 2022

Wisconsin representatives Moses, Summerfield celebrate ��Ͽ�'s Heritage Hall funding, workforce impact

Meet ��Ͽ�'s Leaders

Meet ��Ͽ�'s Leaders

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