UW-Stout embarks on its first comprehensive campaign

A COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN FOR UW-STOUT

If James Huff Stout were to return today to the institution he founded in 1891, he wouldn’t recognize most of the campus or the specialized majors offered by what is now UW-Stout. Yet, he would undoubtedly conclude that the spirit of his forwardthinking vision lives on.

Through its 127-year journey, the university has maintained a commitment to a high-quality, affordable, career-focused education. The 98.2 percent postgraduation employment or continuing education rate is a testament to the value of the polytechnic approach, which blends hands-on learning with liberal arts theory to develop highly sought-after graduates.

However, state funding has been reduced to approximately 14 percent of UW-Stout’s operating budget, while costs to update and maintain state-ofthe-art learning environments, hire and support exceptional faculty, and provide industry relevant experiences for students continue to rise.

To maintain the university’s national reputation of preparing career-ready graduates and sustain its leadership position as a forward-focused polytechnic university, the Pathways Forward campaign has been launched. It is the first comprehensive campaign in university history.

This $35 million campaign is designed to support three areas: student experience, learning environments and program innovation.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

The Student Experience Pathway will empower student success with an increase in scholarships and additional faculty support.

Scholarships Despite value-driven tuition and housing rates, the total average cost, including living and additional expenses, of attending UW-Stout is approximately $88,500. A “lack of funding” is a reason many students are unable to complete their degree. Stout University Foundation has funds to assist only 30 percent of students qualified for scholarships.

Faculty support UW-Stout’s distinctive programs depend on attracting and retaining highly soughtafter faculty and instructional staff.

Initiatives within this pathway include: • Scholarships • Named professorships and chairs • Chancellor’s Fund for Teaching

Excellence and Student Success

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

The Learning Environment Pathway will ensure the ability to continue to provide industry-standard learning environments that mirror evolving, modern workplaces.

Lab modernization UW-Stout has nearly three times the number of labs to traditional classrooms, which are increasingly difficult to keep current.

Technology-enabled classrooms These cross-disciplinary learning environments incorporate modern learning technologies to help the university better collaborate with internal and external audiences.

Laboratory operational funding Funding is required to ensure the ability to enhance hands-on learning in specialized environments with lab technicians to support operations, maintenance safety and equipment training.

Initiatives within this pathway include: • Child and Family Study Center • Digital Process Laboratory • Multipurpose recreational field • Automation and robotics

PROGRAM INNOVATION

The Program Innovation Pathway will create new opportunities to swiftly respond to rapidly evolving industry and societal needs.

Program support Dynamic shifts in the workplace are creating opportunities to produce industryspecific programs to meet these needs through industry partnerships who help keep programs current, as well as facilitate new majors and minors in emerging areas.

Schools and centers The creation of a school or center will provide critical resources to facilitate cross-sector collaboration internally and externally, differentiate program offerings and further develop faculty expertise.

Collaborative initiatives The development of faculty, staff and student leaders through collaborative partnerships transforms the student educational experience, expands faculty expertise and creates industry and societal solutions.

Initiatives within this pathway include: • STEPS for Girls summer program • Social Science Research Center • Cybersecurity