Inspiring Graduates Share Their Stout Experiences

Commencement is a time of celebration, reflection and anticipation. A tradition bringing UW-Stout students, families, friends, faculty, staff and supporters together.

It's a time for students to celebrate the accomplishment of earning their college degree. A time to reflect on their successes, struggles and steps on the journey that brought them to this moment. And the great anticipation of what's to come – a career, a higher degree or an embrace of the unknown.

Each semester, we ask a handful of inspiring graduates from Graduate Studies, the College of Arts & Human Sciences, and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management to share their Stout experiences, what brought them here and what's next. Catch up with our graduates in their Q&As, and join us in celebrating their graduation from UW-Stout.

Fall 2024 Inspiring Graduate Studies Graduates

Inspiring Graduate: Tejasri Vanga, M.S. Food Science and Technology

‘Joining Stout gave me a strong foundation. I improved my skills, which helped me to carve the next step.’

Inspiring Graduate: Alex Stuckert, M.S. Operations and Supply Management

‘I am capable of much more than I could ever have imagined.’

Inspiring Graduate: Hailey Kollmansberger, M.S. Ed. School Psychology

‘UW-Stout provided me with an opportunity to truly find myself as a student, future school psychologist and a human being within society.’

Fall 2024 Inspiring CSTEMM Graduates

Inspiring Graduate: An Nguyen, B.S. Environmental Sciences

‘I have not only grown academically and professionally but personally, since Stout always provided me with opportunities.’

Inspiring Graduate: Ethan Myers, B.S. Packaging

‘Hands-on, applied learning is the best thing about Stout.’

Inspiring Graduate: Brady Cunningham, B.S. Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

‘UW-Stout has been instrumental in making me a strong, competitive candidate for medical school.'

Inspiring Graduate: Lukas David, B.S. Packaging

‘I knew that Stout would guide me to my career.’

Inspiring Graduates: Grace Goodreid and Josh Goodreid, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

‘Stout is a university where you get to use your hands and apply what you learn.’

Fall 2024 Inspiring CAHS Graduates

Inspiring Graduate: Mikayla Obsuszt, B.S. Marketing and Business Education

‘Stout is a school that prepares students to be lifelong learners in real-life situations.’

Inspiring Graduate: Josie Finocchiaro, B.S. Family and Consumer Sciences Education

‘What really stood out about my UW-Stout experience was the polytechnic aspect and how quickly I got into doing what I was learning.’

Inspiring Graduate: Luke Bousley, B.S. Technology Education

‘The polytechnic approach helped me solidify that I want to be a teacher.’

Inspiring Graduate: Alicia Webster, B.S. Psychology

‘I came to Stout because I really like how the university helps students gain work experience.’