Search the Community

UW-Stout is a comprehensive, career-focused polytechnic university. Our students, faculty, and staff use applied learning, scientific theory, and research to solve real-world problems, grow the state's economy, and serve society. Located in scenic Menomonie, Wisconsin, our campus has a long and rich history of providing a distinct array of programs. Our students enjoy a 98.2% rate of finding employment or continuing their education after they graduate. We are proud of our tremendous industry partnerships and our contribution to the local and regional economy. At UW-Stout, we foster a culture where students gain invaluable skills and knowledge. With three times as many labs as lecture halls, our students are immersed in industry-relevant, hands-on learning. This is partially thanks to our tremendous industry partnerships with nationally recognized companies like Target, Thomson Reuters, Sony, and 3M. But it's not just students who benefit here — for every dollar invested in UW-Stout, taxpayers receive $3.50 in economic contributions. An impact study commissioned in 2016 found that as a whole, our university contributes $271.8 million per year to the regional economy. At UW-Stout, we have a community of leaders who can lend their knowledge and skills beyond teaching in the classroom. We are a vibrant group of problem-solvers, learners, and experts in our fields. With these skills and state-of-the-art equipment at our disposal, we want to connect with industry and community partners. Whether you're looking to jumpstart an event, develop a product, or bring a business idea to fruition, we would love to work with you. When industry and higher education join forces, important discoveries happen. At UW-Stout, we encourage the multidisciplinary collaboration that makes these advances possible. We can't wait to hear from you — let's team up to create something exceptional. At UW-Stout, we believe the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong rewarding endeavor. At any age, learning profoundly impacts your quality of life by enabling personal and professional growth, boosting health and longevity, improving socialization, and promoting prosperity. We are dedicated to empowering you with learning opportunities in business, education, leadership, rehabilitation, and more - each designed to foster your success. UW-Stout has earned a reputation for high-impact, transdisciplinary applied research that strengthens faculty and staff expertise and empowers students through real-world applications with industry and community partners. Interested in UW-Stout research collaboration opportunities? Continue reading this section to learn more about our impressive research services, facilities, and achievements. Discovery Center is the University of Wisconsin-Stout's primary outreach and engagement organization. We are a vibrant group of skilled problem solvers, gifted learners, and action-oriented colleagues working together to overcome hurdles you face in process improvement, product development, business growth, continuing education, culture development, applied research, and much more. If James Huff Stout were to return today to the institution he founded in 1891; he would not recognize most of the campus nor be familiar with the specialized majors offered by what is now the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Yet, upon close examination of the university's current mission, he would undoubtedly conclude that the spirit of his forward-looking vision lives on today. Taking your product idea from concept to reality can be daunting, especially if you're unfamiliar with research protocols, cost analyses, manufacturing issues, legalities, commercialization, etc. James Huff Stout was born and grew up in Dubuque, Iowa. He entered his father's lumber business at age 19, spent some years in Reads Landing, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C., and then settled in Menomonie, Wisconsin, where he resided for the last 20 years of his life. Today the name Stout is readily associated with the University of Wisconsin-Stout and with the Knapp-Stout lumber company. While Stout's principal claim to fame lies in laying a foundation for a great university, his prominence in other Wisconsin and national affairs has mostly been forgotten. The neglect of these contributions was partly due to his unassuming posture and seeming avoidance of public praise. During his residence in Wisconsin, he accomplished a great deal in educational change, the development of libraries, the "good roads movement," and other progressive enterprises. He was a civic leader and served as a state legislator. Admittedly, Stout was able to accomplish much of what he did utilizing his wealth. The exploitation of the great white pine forest of northern Wisconsin yielded significant fortunes for the Knapp, Stout & Co. Company families. Stout used his money to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate. UW-Stout is a monument to the man and his ideas – the only institution in the UW System named for an individual. The Wisconsin State Universities and the University of Wisconsin campuses merged to form the University of Wisconsin System. The Board of Regents designated Stout as one of only two exceptional mission universities in the UW System. Stout was to offer focused programs "related to professional careers in industry, technology, home economics, applied art, and the helping professions." In March 2007, UW-Stout was designated "Wisconsin's Polytechnic University" by the UW System Board of Regents. View full university