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Biochem student’s sustainable vision takes root through native plantings on campus

giffeyt — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Biochem student’s sustainable vision takes root through native plantings on campusgiffeyt August 4, 2026

New historical mural, other areas enhanced by addition of local flora

A 91��Ƭ Polytechnic student is applying personal enthusiasm and academic experience to an on-campus summer job designing and creating landscapes that add native plants to the university grounds.

The landscapes will enhance the beauty and sustainability of several campus locations, including the new mural that showcases 91��Ƭ Polytechnic’s history on the exterior of the Administration Building, facing Alumni Clock Tower Plaza.

Pollinator-friendly native plants such as showy goldenrod and nodding pink onion have taken root this summer thanks to the green thumb of B.S. biochemistry and molecular biology major Adam Bayerl.

The student-led effort is an example of the university’s polytechnic identity, which emphasizes applied learning and research that brings students out of the classroom and into career-focused experiences.

Student Adam Beyerl plants perennials, including native species, in a bed on the 91��Ƭ Polytechnic campus.

“It’s definitely a passion project,” said Bayerl, a sophomore from Green Bay. “I have a personal vested interest in ecology. While it’s not my major, it’s definitely something my generation should start concerning itself with, considering how much it affects us, our well-being and the future in general.”

The project grew out of Bayerl’s interest in sustainability as well as inspiration from Assistant Professor Cassondra Vernier. In Vernier’s molecular cell biology course, Bayerl analyzed the gut microbiomes of bees, and Vernier suggested he could use the same technique to analyze soil microbiomes around campus. Bayerl learned that native plants improve soil in part by helping microorganisms thrive. Native plants are frequently more drought- and sun-tolerant than nonnative plants and are typically less expensive because they are easier for nurseries to grow.

In addition, Bayerl said, plants native to prairie biomes – which once covered parts of western Wisconsin – are known for their ability to trap carbon and filter environmental pollutants. Ideally, once established, these plants will require less water and labor to maintain.

Groundskeepers plant perennials on campus.

Idea becomes reality

Last spring, Bayerl prepared a proposal to create a native plant garden outside North Hall, where he lived at the time. The idea reached Zenon Smolarek, associate director of Facilities Management, and Nolan Dowd, assistant grounds supervisor, who met with Bayerl.

Associate Director of Facilities Management Zenon Smolarek

“He had a design, and we talked about native plants and drought resistance,” Smolarek said. “He came very well-prepared and was articulate. He really had a great attitude about the whole thing. I was impressed with what Adam had to say.”

Smolarek asked the student if there were other places on campus he had his eye on, while Dowd encouraged him to apply for a summer job as a groundskeeper – which he did.

First, Bayerl was asked to design a garden bed in front of Furlong Gallery by the Applied Arts Building. Then a spot alongside North Hall joined the list. Next came a mulch bed outside Bowman Hall and several spaces near the Administration Building, including beds by the new mural. In all, Bayerl has worked on plantings in eight locations on campus, six of which were entirely or partly composed of native plants.

“It’s quite a lot more than planned,” Bayerl acknowledged with a smile.

“Adam proceeded to design most of our plantings for the summer,” Smolarek said. “We’ve bought over 1,500 plants, and Adam has been primarily planting them along with a couple of the other limited-term employees.”

The projects have allowed Bayerl to step into a leadership role. In addition to typical summer groundskeeping tasks such as digging up mulch beds and sowing grass seed, he has been able to help his landscape ideas come to life by planting native species such as smooth aster, wild ginger and Lady in Red ferns.

Newly planted beds flank a new mural that encompasses 91��Ƭ Polytechnic's 135-year history.

Plantings enhance new mural

On a recent muggy summer morning, Bayerl and other groundskeepers carefully placed scores of plants in beds that flank the new mural on the east side of the Administration Building. The artwork, designed by California muralist Tom Seibert and painted by volunteers in June, was created as part of the communitywide Murals in Menomonie event.

The mural encompasses numerous elements from the institution’s 135-year history, including the logos of both the Stout Institute (1908-55) and Stout State University (1955-64), the contemporary triple-banded “S” logo, and pillars bearing the institution’s enduring values: Honor, Industry, Learning and Skill. A panoramic depiction of campus landmarks is framed by painted archways bearing the phrases “Forward from our founding” and “Forever to our future.”

And when it comes to the future, Bayerl has further dreams for helping native plants flourish across campus.

“I hope to incorporate more natural features, especially with a focus on pollinators – creating habitats for all the animals that you see around campus,” he said.

Smolarek said he admires Bayerl’s work ethic and imagination. “I’m curious what he’s going to think of next,” Smolarek said. “I’m sure the gears are turning, I’m sure he’s picking out other spots, other plants he wants to try. I’m very impressed with him.”

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New historical mural, other areas enhanced by addition of local flora Student Adam Beyerl in planting bed

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Creek restoration, data center viewpoints, sustainability researched by LAKES REU students

goersab — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:45:01 +0000

Creek restoration, data center viewpoints, sustainability researched by LAKES REU students goersab July 21, 2026

Nine undergraduates from around U.S. invite conversations at community presentation Aug. 6

Abbey Goers

Early in the morning on one of the hottest days of the summer, 91��Ƭ Polytechnic biology Associate Professor Keith Gilland and students Abi Cherry and Norah Shires trekked to the mouth of Galloway Creek, where it meets the Red Cedar River in Menomonie.

The group is investigating water quality, insect communities, and sedimentation processes in the heavily urbanized stream, as part of LAKES Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Cherry, Shires and seven other students representing nine universities from across the country are working to improve the health of the Red Cedar watershed.

Led by 91��Ƭ Polytechnic professors, the students are collaborating across disciplines in environmental science, biology, anthropology and psychology as they seek to develop sustainable solutions with community and government partners, local citizens and policymakers.

Associate Professor Keith Gilland and LAKES students Norah Shires and Abi Cherry measure the width and depth of Galloway Creek.

LAKES co-director Tina Lee, program director of applied social science, has been involved in the federally funded program, part of 91��Ƭ Polytechnic’s experiential learning, since its inception in 2014.

“Our interdisciplinary approach seeks to better prepare students with the analytical skills needed to address complex environmental issues. They are really helping to build knowledge for improving our local environment, water quality, and eutrophic lakes – where phosphorus and nitrogen pollution causes blue-green algae blooms and low oxygen levels – particularly in the Midwestern U.S. Students get the opportunity to see their research directly impact the community around them and make important contributions to new science and policy,” Lee said.

The LAKES program runs from June 7 to Aug. 8. Students and mentors invite community members to a public presentation and forum from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Raw Deal in Menomonie.

Abi Cherry uses a transparency tube at Galloway Creek to measure water clarity and turbidity.

LAKES REU researchers

91��Ƭ Polytechnic mentors and their students are:

Biology Associate Professor Keith Gilland
- Abi Cherry, University of Cincinnati, biology
- Norah Shires, University of Northern Iowa, environmental science
Biology Senior Lecturer Arthur Kneeland, co-director of LAKES
- James Devereaux, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, anthropology and psychology
- McKenna Dudley, Illinois State, environmental system science and sustainability
Anthropology Professor Thomas Pearson
- Sydney Peterson, UW-Milwaukee, freshwater science and water policy
- Daniel Rogers, University of North Texas, anthropology
- Jacob Smertneck, West Virginia University, anthropology and environmental science
Psychology Program Director Professor Sarah Wood
- Hattie Larson, 91��Ƭ Polytechnic, psychology
- Annabel Raffin, Amherst College, Massachusetts, environmental studies and psychology

Norah Shires uses a DO meter at Galloway Creek to measure temperature and oxygen levels.

Urban stream management and restoration

Cherry and Shires are comparing characteristics of Galloway Creek with those of streams in local nature preserves to determine the impacts of urban watersheds on streams and what management activities might help build a healthy stream through the city. They have visited disturbed, undisturbed and restored sites along the creek.

“This project is the next step in a long history of Stout faculty and students studying and stewarding Galloway Creek and its watershed,” Gilland said.

They are also examining stream morphology – how the course or the depth of the stream has changed over time – as well as the effects of recent restoration projects, focusing on improving the riparian corridor along the stream with the hopes of refining restoration methods and identifying future sites for improvement, including possible channel reconstruction, he explained.

“Water is our most important natural resource; everything living relies on it. Creeks provide water for several ecosystems and contribute to the large bodies we drink from; protecting them and restoring them to good condition will ensure that we get to drink from and recreate in our waters for millennia to come,” Shires said. “The most challenging part of restoration, I think, is public education. Without voters to voice their concerns, funding for restoration projects isn’t placed where it is needed.

“A lot of projects surround the site, like native tree and vegetative plantings, as well as invasive removal. These things help improve the channel of the stream and are achievable,” she added. “What I would like to see is a large-scale removal of impervious surfaces along the creek, like long stretches of concrete. Replacing them with a more permeable material or even forgoing the concrete altogether would reduce urban runoff and improve the overall quality of our waters.”

Abi Cherry and Norah Shires examine insect samples from Galloway Creek in a biology lab.

Circular economy in the Red Cedar watershed

Kneeland, Devereaux and Dudley are studying circular economy in the Red Cedar watershed, with the idea that local commerce has a clearer relationship to the environment, as well as economically benefiting the community in general.

They are using long and short form interviews, talking with local business owners and Chamber of Commerce members to discover people’s attitudes, values and perceived barriers to engaging in local economic activity.

The interviews have also given insight into how people shop, Devereaux noted, adding that he would like to “explore ways that the Chamber helps the community that might not be normally known, and the reasonings behind their decision making.”

Norah Shires and Abi Cherry identify insect samples from Galloway Creek.

Viewpoints on data center developments

Proposed data center development has become a politically charged and controversial issue that raises new questions about energy, water, and future land use and development in the watershed, Pearson said.

He is working with Peterson, Rogers and Smertneck to study the diverse viewpoints and beliefs that shape public debate about data center development. The students are gathering information through participant observation and interviews and are documenting how local history and place identity inform the concerns of residents. They are also looking at how data center proposals have become a catalyst for community organizing, the response of government officials, and the strategies adopted by industry or other stakeholders working to expand data center infrastructure.

Peterson thinks the most impactful part of the LAKES program is the community connection and how that connection makes the research feel more meaningful than any other project she’s pursued.

“I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the close relationship between the city of Menomonie and 91��Ƭ Polytechnic. 91��Ƭ feels very integrated into Menomonie, which creates an atmosphere of trust and collaboration I haven’t experienced before,” she said. “I’ve been really surprised at how much respect the community has for the school’s research and how eager they are to participate in our study, even regarding a contentious topic like data centers.”

Insect samples from Galloway Creek under a microscpe.

Understanding sustainable behaviors and goals

Wood is working with psychology students Larson and Raffin, who are developing two projects using the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand more about people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to sustainability.

Larson is researching people’s general attitudes and opinions regarding secondhand shopping and whether it influences other sustainable behaviors. Raffin is investigating community opinions about Wisconsin and Menomonie’s goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050; how people respond to large-scale sustainability goals that are set at the group level, such as by the city, county, or state; and how effective group-set goals are in motivating behaviors.

They think LAKES REU has been a wonderful opportunity for their team to dive into a wide range of interests regarding sustainability and to gain firsthand experience with the research process. “It has been a great experience to talk with Wisconsin residents and get involved in the Menomonie community,” Larson said.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. 2446660. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Students receive a $6,300 research stipend for the summer, as well as housing in 91��Ƭ Polytechnic’s residence halls, a $450 food allowance, up to $500 in travel reimbursement and funding support to travel to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research to present their final research findings.

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Tina Lee

Dr. Lee is an applied anthropologist who specializes in the anthropology of the contemporary United States, specifically public policy and inequality. She is a graduate of the Anthropology PhD program at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center and has conducted research about the child welfare system, environmental governance, and humanitarian engineering. She is the author of Catching a Case: Inequality and Fear in New York City's Child Welfare System, published by Rutgers University Press in 2016, as well as serval articles based on her fieldwork in New York City. A book chapter on her follow-up work on child welfare in rural Wisconsin will be published soon. She is also the co-director of the LAKES REU, an NSF-funded research experience for undergraduates site which trains students through research on phosphorous pollution in the Red Cedar Watershed and how it might be mitigated. She teaches anthropology, research methods, and women and gender studies courses and is the program director for the Applied Social Science major as well as the Stout Core Director (Stout's polytechnic version of general education).

Teaching Interests: Cultural Anthropology, Anthropology of Gender, Anthropology of the Contemporary U.S., Qualitative Research Methods, Applied Anthropology

Research Interests: Gender, Race, Poverty and Class; Family and the Law; Women’s Activism; Public Policy; Urban United States

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Degree: Women's Studies Certificate Women's Studies

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Degree: M.A. Anthropology

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Degree: B.A. Anthropology

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Arthur Kneeland

Skills: Teaching, Entomological taxonomy, sampling and IPM. Sustainable Agriculture, GIS proficiency, ARCgis and ERDAS. Statistical proficiency, SAS,

Teaching Interests: Entomology, lab teaching,

Research Interests: Innovative sustainable agricultural techniques, Insect Ecology,

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John Deere partners with engineering students, faculty on sustainable plastic research

giffeyt — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

John Deere partners with engineering students, faculty on sustainable plastic researchgiffeyt April 9, 2026

Two-year project seeks to identify recycled polymers that can be used in manufacturing process

Tom Giffey

John Deere machinery has been recognizable for its distinctive green color for more than a century. Student and faculty researchers at 91��Ƭ are working to ensure that John Deere is also known for a different kind of green: sustainability.

Led by Professor Wei Zheng, student research assistants in the B.S. plastics engineering program have been working over the past two academic years to study how John Deere might be able to use recycled plastic polymers to manufacture vehicles.

Zheng is an active member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, and it was through that organization that she formed connections with engineers from John Deere, which is based in Moline, Illinois. The relationship led to a research contract between the Fortune 500 company and 91��Ƭ, which was facilitated by the university’s Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement.

Beginning in August 2024, students and faculty have tested and molded batches of different types of recycled plastic to see if they meet the manufacturer’s needs.

“John Deere is asking two key questions,” Zheng said. “Can recycled polymers be used to manufacture these parts? And can those parts meet performance requirements?”

The research is part of the company’s commitment to incorporating more recyclable and renewable materials into its products so it can be ahead of the curve in its industry, she said.

Student research assistant Ryan Xu measures plastic samples.

Students create, test samples

This semester, two student research assistants have worked on the project. One of them, junior Stephanie Kuhn, explained that the process begins with pellets of different types of recycled plastic polymer that are fed into a massive injection molding machine in the Plastics Engineering Lab inside Jarvis Hall Technology Wing.

Heat and friction melt the pellets, which are forced into a mold where they take the desired shape. Once completed, these pieces are cut precisely into various testing specimens by Instrument Shop Supervisor John Buss, who also assists with machine-related issues.

Next, students subject the specimens to a range of tests, including evaluating their short- and long-term mechanical behavior under stress, as well as their thermal and physical properties to assess overall performance.

Kuhn, who is pursuing a double major in B.S. plastics engineering and B.S. mechanical engineering, said having an opportunity to do this kind of work as an undergraduate is what attracted her to 91��Ƭ.

“I just love being able to use all the machines hands-on. It helps being able to see and use the equipment,” Kuhn said. While already familiar with the injection units and testing equipment from her coursework, taking part in the research helped Kuhn better understand how the equipment operates, reinforcing what she learned.

Likewise, the importance of the research has been highlighted by Kuhn’s classwork, which has emphasized the need for increasing the use of recyclable plastics. “It has definitely opened my eyes that we need to learn to be more sustainable,” she said. “If John Deere begins to use this, hopefully other manufacturers will, too.”

Sabbatical recap: Wei Zheng, Plastics Engineering, 2024-25

Building biodegradable, sustainable plastics

This semester’s other research assistant, Ryan Xu, a Menomonie High School senior who is already taking classes at 91��Ƭ, said he appreciates the applied nature of the project, including being able to use advanced equipment and analyze data.

Professor Adam Kramschuster has also helped with the John Deere research project by setting up, optimizing and troubleshooting the injection molding process for manufacturing the samples. This work has involved training the student research assistants and helping with the machine during the molding trials.

“I love working with students. It’s why I am here, and I enjoy it when they learn and take responsibility as their knowledge base grows,” Kramschuster said.

“Our labs are exceptional,” he continued, “and the opportunity to use them for industry projects is ideal in that the students get even more real-world training during their undergraduate experience.”

Student research assistants Ryan Xu, left, and Stephanie Kuhn work with an injection molding machine in 91��Ƭ's Plastics Engineering Lab.

Sustainability key to professor’s research

The kind of research happening in the Plastics Engineering Lab isn’t uncommon at 91��Ƭ. In fact, applied learning and research are among the pillars of the university’s polytechnic identity, which also include business and industry collaboration and career-focused experience – all three of which are part of the John Deere project.

Zheng noted that two of her prior research assistants leveraged their experience on the project to find jobs in the plastics industry at EVCO and Phillips Medisize. “This project helped them to solidify their injection molding and material testing skills, giving them a clear advantage in the job market,” she said.

The research, she added, will continue through at least this August. “John Deere is quite pleased with the results we have generated so far,” she said. “John Deere has been very supportive throughout the process, including providing Stout the plaque mold and materials, as well as sharing their technical expertise. They even connected us with material suppliers and molders.”

Zheng’s work on behalf of John Deere complements her ongoing research focus on sustainability. During the 2024-25 academic year, Zheng conducted sabbatical research in advancing sustainability in the field of plastics, focusing on the biodegradation of plastic materials and the recycling of thermosetting materials. Typically, thermoset plastics have undergone a curing process that prevents them from being remelted or reshaped, posing a challenge in the recycling process. However, plastics engineers and chemists researching the reverse crosslinking process are developing ways to break the chemical bonds, allowing thermosetting plastics to be recycled. Part of Zheng’s research focused on finding ways to reverse the process, increasing the recyclability of this kind of plastic.

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John Deere partners with engineering students, faculty on sustainable plastic research

Two-year project seeks to identify recycled polymers that can be used in manufacturing process

Two-year project seeks to identify recycled polymers that can be used in manufacturing process Plastics Lab Injection Molding Machine

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Hero Caption: Student research assistants Stephanie Kuhn, left, and Ryan Xu hold samples in front of an injection molding machine in 91��Ƭ's Plastics Engineering Lab.

Wei Zheng

Dr. Zheng is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Plastics Engineering Program at University of Wisconsin-Stout. Prior to joining 91��Ƭ, she was a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Polymer Science and Engineering Department at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Texas Tech University in 2008. She is the recipient of several state-funded grants including the WiSys Applied Research Grant and the G. A. Taft Professorship of 91��Ƭ.

Her current research focuses on the bio- and/or biodegradable polymers including rheology of polymer melts and glasses, physics of crystallization and glass transition, curing kinetics of reversible thermosets, and structure-property-processing relationship. She has published 32 refereed articles with more than 700 citations. Dr. Zheng has also been active in the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) including serving as the Councilor of the Applied Rheology Division of SPE and the President of Chinese American Society of Plastics Engineers.

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Tree Campus designation latest step in sustainability efforts that protect Earth, benefit budgets

giffeyt — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Tree Campus designation latest step in sustainability efforts that protect Earth, benefit budgetsgiffeyt March 27, 2026

University honored for commitment to investing in, protecting trees

Tom Giffey

The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized 91��Ƭ as a Tree Campus for its dedication to enhancing community well-being through tree education, investment and community engagement.

The recognition is the latest chapter in the university’s long-running dedication to sustainability, which includes being named a national Green Ribbon school in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Education, earning bronze-level designation as a Bike Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists, and being a charter signatory of the Carbon Commitment, a higher-education pledge for carbon neutrality. In recent years 91��Ƭ has also made major investments in solar panels, LED lighting and other upgrades that are estimated to be saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs annually.

And while trees may be low-tech compared with photovoltaic panels, they also have a tangible impact: Trees can lower the energy cost of campus facilities by providing shade cover, reducing extreme heat, improving air quality and boosting physical health benefits for students and staff. In addition, trees improve students’ mental and cognitive health, provide an appealing aesthetic for campuses, and create shaded areas for gathering and studying. 

“Trees have the power to inspire learning and improve well-being,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation, a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. “By growing campus green spaces, forward-thinking higher education leaders like 91��Ƭ are cultivating vibrant learning communities that also benefit the greater environment.”

To earn Tree Campus recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation, colleges and universities must uphold five core standards including maintaining an advisory committee, setting a campus tree care plan, verifying annual investment in the tree care plan, celebrating Arbor Day, and creating a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body.

“I was thrilled to hear that we received this designation,” 91��Ƭ Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright said. “It’s rewarding to see our efforts recognized, and I look forward to continuing this work as part of the annual process.”

“Trees play a vital role in the college experience,” continued Wright, who holds a M.S. sustainable management degree from 91��Ƭ. “They offer shade and foster a connection to nature. Students were excited to learn that we were pursuing this designation.”

91��Ƭ is now one of only six universities in the state of Wisconsin to have the Tree Campus designation.

Students enjoy a shady spot on the south lawn of the 91��Ƭ campus.

Broadening the culture of sustainability

“The Tree Campus designation helps create a broader sustainability culture where sustainability is not just a commitment: It becomes something everyone shares responsibility for in everyday campus life and the student experience,” Wright said.

Much of the credit for fulfilling that responsibility, she added, should go to the campus facilities management and grounds teams for keeping trees healthy, growing and beautiful.

Arthur Kneeland, a senior lecturer in the biology department and co-chair of the Campus Exteriors Development Committee, took a lead role in preparing the Tree Campus application to the Arbor Day Foundation late last year.

“As we explored what was required, we quickly realized that we met the criteria easily,” Kneeland said. “Caring for our trees is in part managing the investment that we have made in this very important visual and emotional part of our campus. So, from a tree care perspective we were already doing everything that the Arbor Day Foundation wanted.”

As part of the process, 846 trees were tallied on campus last fall. “The trees have a tremendous positive impact on campus,” Kneeland said. “They provide shade in many places, reducing heat to buildings and people. They are also an important emotional component of campus life. People like trees – they make us feel happy and calm.”

Not only do trees contribute to shared outdoor spaces – such as the arboretum that encompasses the south lawn of the Memorial Student Center or the 3-acre outdoor classroom – but they contribute to the university’s polytechnic identity as well, which focuses on applied learning beyond the classroom. 91��Ƭ students apply their studies in sustainability to capstone projects that benefit the environment. For example, students in the B.S. environmental science program as well as in the sustainability and geographic information systems (GIS) minor programs have worked on a number of projects mapping campus trees and conceptualizing what they should look like in the future, Kneeland said.

The annual campus Earth Week celebration, which this year will begin April 20, will also recognize 91��Ƭ’s new Tree Campus status. In honor of Arbor Day, Kneeland will lead a Tree Tour on the south campus at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.

The photovoltaic array installed on the General Services Building in 2023.

91��Ƭ committed to clean energy, recycling

From installing solar panels to adding LED light fixtures, 91��Ƭ’s focus on sustainability has brought both environmental and financial benefits.

In 2023, photovoltaic arrays were installed on both Jarvis Hall Technology Wing and the General Services Building, which generate 200 kilowatts and 114.4 kilowatts, respectively. The same project included upgraded LED lighting in multiple buildings; installing energy-saving destratification fans in Johnson Fieldhouse and the Multipurpose Room of the Sports and Fitness Center; and weatherizing buildings campuswide. The entire project is estimated to save 91��Ƭ more than $172,000 in energy costs each year. Four years earlier, a separate LED upgrade project created savings of about $89,000 annually.

In addition, LED retrofits to the dining area and kitchen in Merle M. Price Commons funded through the Stout Student Association Green Fee in 2024 are expected to generate $50,000 in energy savings over four years. Likewise, solar panel installed atop Price Commons in 2018 and 2021 have also generated more than $35,000 in energy savings. These savings directly impact students, who pay the fees that operate the buildings, while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions by hundreds of tons, said Darrin Witucki, Director of the Student Centers.

Student Green Fees have also helped pay for eco-friendly equipment, including an electric mower used on campus and two solar-powered trash compactors, which were placed outside Johnson Fieldhouse to prevent waste from overflowing and contaminating nearby recycling bins during busy times.

91��Ƭ has been focused on reducing the amount of waste it produces as well. Last year, the university was a winner in the nationwide Campus Race to Zero Waste, a friendly competition that measures recycling and waste reduction on campuses. Over an eight-week period, 91��Ƭ students recycled an average of 23 pounds of waste each, earning Medium Campus Per Capita Recycling honors.

91��Ƭ offers a B.S. in environmental science and a P.S.M. in conservation biology, as well as minors in environmental health and sustainability.

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University honored for commitment to investing in, protecting trees Students on south lawn at 91��Ƭ

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91��Ƭ's Sustainability Office works to foster a culture of sustainability among the campus and in the community.

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Kadi Wright

Kadi is the campus Sustainability Manager, working on ways to improve sustainability on campus.

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Sustainability packaging helps Madison's Tricky Foods ship charcuterie, cheese boards coast to coast

giffeyt — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Sustainability packaging helps Madison's Tricky Foods ship charcuterie, cheese boards coast to coastgiffeyt December 17, 2025

Packaging professor and student identify sustainable insulation option

Tom Giffey

Faculty-student research conducted this fall in University of Wisconsin-Stout packaging labs is poised to help a Wisconsin business deliver its tasty but temperature-sensitive goods coast to coast.

Associate Professor Xiaojing “Kate” Liu of 91��Ƭ’s packaging program worked with Madison-based Tricky Foods to test the insulating abilities of two eco-friendly packaging options – one made of cornstarch, the other of recycled paper. The goal: To determine the best way to keep the cheese, meat and other perishables on the company’s charcuterie boards fresh while in transit.

Therese Merkel, owner of Tricky Foods, worked closely with Liu for months and is confident that the research-backed expertise that she’s received – and the custom-made packing materials she ordered based on that expertise – will help her small business break into the long-distance delivery market.

“Kate is the only reason I’m able to launch this thing so quickly,” Merkel said in an interview from her Madison office. “She has been the backbone of the entire project.”

Tricky Foods owner Therese Merkel, left, and Assistant Professor Kate Liu collaborate in 91��Ƭ's packaging lab. / Submitted photo

Research will aid business expansion

Merkel started Tricky Foods in her home kitchen during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Thanks to her charcuterie boards filled with sliced meats, Wisconsin cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, honey, jams, nuts, and more, the business grew rapidly, and now Merkel has a storefront and 12 employees. But her ability to continue to scale up the business collided with her inability to figure out how to safely ship her goods long distances, despite customers’ requests.

“We’ve had people asking us to ship since 2020. I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll work on it when it slows down,’ and I never got around to it,” she explained.

The route around her business roadblock began when she joined a business accelerator program operated by StartingBlock, a nonprofit regional startup hub and coworking space in Madison.

“Because Therese’s products are perishable and have a very clear aesthetic, it was clear that she needed to work with packaging experts,” said Scott Mosley, CEO of StartingBlock. “As the state’s only polytechnic and the only school to have a dedicated packaging program, it was natural to recommend that Therese contact 91��Ƭ.”

Merkel reached out to 91��Ƭ’s Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement, which works to connect university resources to business, industry and community stakeholders. Seth Hudson, 91��Ƭ’s executive director for corporate relations and economic engagement, put her in touch with Liu.

Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement

91��Ƭ's Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement is your go-to organization for connecting business and community with our extensive resources.

A sample charcuterie board prepared by Tricky Foods. / Submitted photo

Before partnering with Liu at 91��Ƭ, Merkel explained, “Nobody wanted to work with me because I’m too small at this point. I didn’t have a huge budget to pay someone to help me design something.” However, Liu was willing to collaborate, connecting frequently through video calls to ask questions and show packaging samples. Ultimately, she invited Merkel to visit 91��Ƭ to examine prototypes firsthand, which she did in September.

Once they settled on the optimal packaging – 1.5-inch-thick biodegradable foam insulation, which dissolves in water, wrapped in recyclable plastic and accompanied by 64- to 80-ounce cold gels – Liu helped Merkel identify vendors who could custom-make what she needed.

“I enjoyed it a lot,” Liu said of the collaboration. “(It was) especially satisfying to see the solution carried out and help Tricky Foods’ business.”

Liu said she is confident that the packaging solution will meet Merkel’s needs, and she added that part of the research results will be published in a peer-reviewed article and presented at an international packaging conference in 2026.

Merkel expects to begin test-shipping products using the new packaging this Christmas season, and she’s optimistic about the results and the impact on her business. “Next year will definitely be our biggest year ever,” she said.

The efficacy of sustainable packing materials, including cornstarch and recycled paper options (center), were tested at 91��Ƭ.

Impactful undergraduate research

91��Ƭ is one of only a few schools in the United States, and the only school in the Universities of Wisconsin, that offers a B.S. in packaging program.

Liu’s lab assistant for the research is Claire Le, a sophomore packaging major from Phu Quoc City, Vietnam. Le said she didn’t expect to be doing such impactful research so early in her college career. “It’s been challenging, but in the best way,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot about experimental design, budgeting, troubleshooting and presenting results professionally.”

Le said the most interesting part of the project was learning how different kinds of insulating materials behaved in cold-chain conditions. “Testing cornstarch versus fiber liners and tracking how long they keep food under 40°F feels meaningful because we’re working on something that can genuinely impact food safety,” she said.

These packaging options are also more environmentally friendly, replacing products made of polystyrene foam. Repeated lab tests found that cornstarch liners, when combined with cold packs, could keep 5-pound charcuterie boards properly cooled for 48 hours. When sealed correctly, the packages maintain the necessary temperature despite vibrations during transit, which were simulated in the lab with a vibration table that jostled the packages for hours at a time.

“I hope this research gives (Tricky Foods) clear, data-driven recommendations on which insulation material is more reliable for keeping food safe during transport,” Le said. “My goal is for the results to help them make stronger packaging decisions, reduce spoilage and improve their cold-chain performance.”

Merkel called 91��Ƭ a “hidden treasure” because of the expert assistance it can give to businesses like hers.

“For an entrepreneur who’s new in the e-commerce game, (91��Ƭ) is the difference between me being able to launch this and not,” she said. “Without Kate, I wouldn’t have been able to. I’m just beyond grateful.”

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Packaging engineering program ranks among top 10 in national listings for its polytechnic approach

Applied learning, strong industry partnerships benefit students, create clear career pathways

Packaging professor and student identify sustainable insulation option for small business Tricky Foods owner Therese Merkel and Assistant Professor Kate Liu

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B.S. Packaging

Our B.S. Packaging program provides hands-on training in package printing and design, business, quality management, and research and development.

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Hero Caption: 91��Ƭ Assistant Professor Kate Liu, left, and her lab assistant, sophomore Claire Le, pose with materials in the packaging lab.

Xiaojing (Kate) Liu

Full Name: Xiaojing "Kate" Liu

Job Title: Associate Professor

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College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

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Curriculum Vitae: Kate Liu CV (196.61 KB)

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Degree: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering

University: Wuhan University of Technology

Degree: M.S. Mechanical Engineering

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Degree: B.S. Mechanical Engineering

University: Wuhan University of Technology

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Charging toward a more sustainable future: 91��Ƭ unveils new electric vehicle charging stations

goersab — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:39:56 +0000

Charging toward a more sustainable future: 91��Ƭ unveils new electric vehicle charging stationsgoersab June 26, 2025

Stations open to campus and community members, visitors; adding to university’s ongoing energy solutions

Abbey Goers

A sustainability project more than two years in the making was unveiled at 91��Ƭ on June 23, adding to the university’s ongoing commitment to clean energy solutions and green transportation options.

Two electric vehicle charging stations, located in Lot 14, on the west side of Sorensen Hall, are now available for campus and community members and visitors.

The level two stations are part of the ChargePoint charging network and provide an opportunity for four electric or hybrid vehicles to charge simultaneously. They will be available for a charging fee of 35 cents per kilowatt hour, said Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright.

The project was made possible through the Stout Student Association (SSA) and its Sustainability Council, the Sustainability Office, the Campus Wide Energy Committee, Facilities Management and Parking Services.

Vice Chancellor Erik Guenard, Stout Student Association Vice President Chris Sander and Chancellor Katherine Frank

Campus stakeholders who spoke at the unveiling were Chancellor Katherine Frank, Vice Chancellor Erik Guenard, Facilities Management Associate Director Zenon Smolarek, Wright and SSA representatives.

Collection Development Librarian Cory Mitchell and Smolarek demonstrated how to activate the stations, how individuals can access them, and where to find more information.

“This event may seem like a small celebration, but it represents something much larger – our institution’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and progress. Every initiative like this is part of a larger strategic plan that represents our goals, is aligned with our mission, and demonstrates our responsibility to the future,” Frank said.

As Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, 91��Ƭ prepares students for the future, Frank said, adding that, “At Stout, education encompasses what happens both inside and outside of the classroom, studio, and laboratory. This means that our campus infrastructure should reflect our values as a polytechnic university: forward-thinking, applicable, and engaged with the issues of our time.”

Guenard agreed. “These new electric vehicle charging stations are more than a convenience – they’re a clear sign of our institution’s evolving role in addressing climate change and promoting environmental responsibility. We’re not just talking about sustainability – we’re building it into the physical landscape of our college.

“Sustainability is a shared effort. It’s championed by students who speak up for cleaner systems. It’s maintained by operations teams who innovate behind the scenes. And it’s strengthened by every person who chooses to walk, bike, carpool – or now – charge an electric vehicle right here on campus,” he said.

Collection Development Librarian Cory Mitchell (left) demonstrates how the ChargePoint stations works

The Sustainability Office and the SSA council share common goals: to make 91��Ƭ greener and to care for the students, said Bergen Haag, SSA Sustainability director and transportation liaison, who was unable to attend the unveiling

“We have completed numerous projects, both large and small, and this initiative is just one step toward making our campus more eco-friendly. I hope this project benefits many people and inspires further initiatives on our campus. Let’s keep the momentum going and keep charging toward a more sustainable future,” said Haag, who credited Wright for her many contributions.

“Projects like this show that our campus is serious about turning ideas into action. We’ve had a lot of conversations over the years – about climate change, clean energy, and how we can do our part as a college community,” added SSA Vice President Chris Sander. “This is one of those moments where you can see progress being made. These stations aren’t just about cars – they’re about access, about future-forward thinking, and about reducing our impact. It’s also a sign that when students, staff, and leadership work together, good things happen.”

Learn more at the Sustainable Stout website.

The ChargePoint Network app shows the locations of available ChargePoint stations

91��Ƭ’s clean energy solutions

As a Charter Signatory of the Carbon Commitment, 91��Ƭ has a commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. The university incorporates sustainability into its academic programs and operations, including a multibuilding solar and energy efficiency upgrades project.

The U.S. Department of Education named 91��Ƭ a national Green Ribbon school, based on its long-term and ongoing efforts to infuse sustainability into operations and the classroom and to create a campuswide culture that advances environmental initiatives.

The Green Ribbon award, a one-time honor, is given annually to a select number of schools, including early learning centers, elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions. In Wisconsin, 91��Ƭ was the only university to be recognized in 2024.

Sustainability efforts honored by U.S. Department of Education, statewide Focus on Energy

91��Ƭ can officially add a new “color” to its identity – green.

91��Ƭ was re-designated as a bronze Bike Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists through 2028.

University Recreation’s Stout Adventures offer StoutBikes, a bike share program through which students can rent a bike for a week, semester or over the summer. There are four bike fix stations around campus, a bike shelter at the University Library, bike lockers at CKTO residence hall and Jarvis Hall, as well as bike racks located all around campus.

Surplus Property helps keep more than 100 tons of materials out of area landfills each year to improve university sustainability and profitability. And the campuswide compost and recycling collection system results in a 48% decrease in landfill waste.

Last fall, 91��Ƭ hosted the Universities of Wisconsin Sustainability Annual Meeting, where sustainability leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni and external partners gathered to collaborate on environmental topics and share resources, ideas and knowledge to develop strategic goals and support sustainability efforts on UW campuses, as well as career and economic development across the state.

Earth Week events, coordinated through the Sustainability Office and various student organizations, including UW-Sprout Campus Garden volunteer day and apple tree planting, thrift swap, plant sale, campus cleanup and an Earth Day Bash at the University Library.

More than 80 off-campus students participated in this year’s Spring Move-Out event, when the Sustainability Office, Waste Reduction Work Group, and campus volunteers helped to properly dispose and recycle approximately 360 items, including furniture, bed frames, grills, electronics and appliances. The office also worked with Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity to donate items in good condition. This event was funded by the City of Menomonie and the Stout Student Association.

91��Ƭ offers a B.S. in environmental science and a P.S.M. in conservation biology, as well as minors in environmental health and sustainability.

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91��Ƭ Polytechnic announces budget proposals to build state workforce, next generation of businesses

Chancellor Frank joins other Universities of Wisconsin leaders to discuss Tech for Tomorrow and Accelerate Wisconsin proposals

Cadaver Lab trains future medical professionals through STEAM camps, high school programs

Students get hands-on access to specimens through 91��Ƭ Polytechnic’s unique on-campus lab

Biochem student’s sustainable vision takes root through native plantings on campus

New historical mural, other areas enhanced by addition of local flora

Stations open to campus and community members, visitors; adding to university’s ongoing energy solutions Vice Chancellor Erik Guenard, Stout Student Association Vice President Chris Sander and Chancellor Katherine Frank

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Sustainability Office

91��Ƭ's Sustainability Office works to foster a culture of sustainability among the campus and in the community.

Hero Caption: Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright and Facilities Management Associate Director Zenon Smolarek were part of a team of many to bring two ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations to 91��Ƭ

Kadi Wright

Kadi is the campus Sustainability Manager, working on ways to improve sustainability on campus.

Bio Introduction: Kadi is the campus Sustainability Manager, working on ways to improve sustainability on campus.

Full Name: Kadi Wright

Job Title: Sustainability Manager

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International Molded Fiber Association awards 91��Ƭ students first place for sustainable packaging solution

goersab — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:30:00 +0000

International Molded Fiber Association awards 91��Ƭ students first place for sustainable packaging solutiongoersab June 11, 2025

Leadership, design skills gained in hands-on experiences attributed to success

Abbey Goers

Packaging students from 91��Ƭ won first place among university teams from around the globe in the 2025 International Molded Fiber Association Student Competition.

Preston Briggs, Traverse City, Michigan; Hunter Clausen, Woodville; Lukas David, Johnson Creek; and Isaiah Sparks, St. Paul, created a sustainable packaging solution for a waffle iron, previously packaged in polystyrene, and replaced the components with molded fiber.

As modern manufacturing techniques are changing the way engineers approach their packaging designs for consumer goods, there is a growing use of molded fiber, typically seen in egg cartons and corner protectors.

Packaging Professor Kate Liu and student Preston Briggs attended the IMFA conference, where Briggs presented the winning design / Kate Liu

91��Ƭ’s team was awarded $1,000 for its first-place design. Packaging Assistant Professor Kate Liu and Briggs traveled to IMFA’s 27th Annual Conference in Miami, Florida, from April 30 to May 2, where Briggs presented a digital version of the winning design to industry professionals.

“Preston was a breath of fresh air and represented his team, his university, and himself with distinction on a global stage,” said IMFA Executive Chairman Gary Visser. “His team’s design was not only innovative but powerfully demonstrated the advantages of molded fiber compared to expanded polystyrene. IMFA believes that student engagement is essential to the future of our industry, and we’re committed to deepening our relationships with packaging programs and the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of sustainable packaging.”

Liu served as the team's advisor. She thinks their "final design solution closely reveals real-world applications and effectively addresses the initial challenge. The two factors, learned through their hands-on coursework and internship experiences, that contributed to their success were Lukas's excellent leadership and the solid design skill sets from Lukas and Preston, the team's primary designer."

Briggs presented a digital version of the winning design to industry professionals / Kate Liu

IMFA’s mission is to promote environmentally sustainable packaging solutions. It is dedicated to promoting the global use of renewable, recycled and natural fiber for products and packaging. IMFA covered all expenses for Liu and Briggs, including conference registration, flights, hotel and meals.

Designing sustainable packaging

The team’s design process began with analysis and market research of current packaging, before selecting to improve the waffle iron’s packaging, which originally contained foam molds that held the waffle iron in place.

“We also saw a way to change the box dimensions to save on corrugated for shipping size, as well as shipping costs,” David said. The team considered various solutions for design improvement, factoring in stacking capacity and the consumers’ unboxing experience.

They replicated the waffle iron three-dimensionally to get a feel for what a new package could look like and worked with engineers at Milwaukee-based Keiding, Inc., a molded pulp packaging manufacturer, to ensure they were making the mold properly for use in the manufacturing environment, David said.

Kate Liu and Preston Briggs with Keiding Chief Operating Officer Max Gehl / International Molded Fiber Association

Briggs, Clausen and David graduated in December 2024. Briggs is working at Imagine, in Minneapolis; Clausen at Boston Scientific; and David at Sartori Cheese, in Plymouth, Minnesota. Sparks graduated in May.

“I’m very proud of our students. They did an excellent job creating the new packaging. The design showcased the students' advanced skill sets, including 3D modeling, animation and rendering,” Liu said.

91��Ƭ is one of only a few schools in the U.S., and the only school in the Universities of Wisconsin, that offers a B.S. in packaging program. “Our program effectively prepares students for their careers by offering comprehensive courses and teaching essential design skills,” Liu said. “Additionally, our co-op opportunities provide excellent learning experiences within professional environments. These significantly contribute to our students’ success in national design competitions.”

Uncanny results: Students win international challenge to imagine new packaging for Pringles

Imagine creating a new package for a product that has been on store shelves around the world for more than 50 years. How would you make the package better?

This is just one of the numerous honors 91��Ƭ packing students have earned recently. Students also won the 2023 IMFA Student Competition, as well as first place in a competition sponsored by Kellanova, a division of Kellogg’s, to improve the Pringles potato crisps consumer experience; a Paperboard Packaging Alliance student competition; and an Institute of Packaging Professionals’ 48HR REPACK student design competition. The Stout Packaging Association hosted Packaging Jamboree 2024, or Pack Jam, an annual student-led international three-day conference.

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Packaging engineering program ranks among top 10 in national listings for its polytechnic approach

Applied learning, strong industry partnerships benefit students, create clear career pathways

Leadership, design skills gained in hands-on experiences attributed to success Kate Liu and Preston Briggs with Max Gehl, Keiding Chief Operating Officer

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B.S. Packaging

Our B.S. Packaging program provides hands-on training in package printing and design, business, quality management, and research and development.

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Xiaojing (Kate) Liu

Full Name: Xiaojing "Kate" Liu

Job Title: Associate Professor

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College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Engineering & Technology Department

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B.S. Packaging

Curriculum Vitae: Kate Liu CV (196.61 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering

University: Wuhan University of Technology

Degree: M.S. Mechanical Engineering

University: Wuhan University of Technology

Degree: B.S. Mechanical Engineering

University: Wuhan University of Technology

CSTEMM

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Focus on Energy honors Stout with sustainability award for energy efficiency initiatives

goersab — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:32:08 +0000

Focus on Energy honors Stout with sustainability award for energy efficiency initiativesgoersab June 27, 2024

Energy Efficiency Excellence Award, nominated by Xcel Energy, recognizes 79 energy-saving projects at Stout since 2017

Abbey Goers

For its collaboration and commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency in multiple campuswide initiatives in the last two decades, 91��Ƭ has received an Energy Efficiency Excellence Award from Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program.

91��Ƭ, the only university among 10 Wisconsin businesses and government entities awarded this year, was nominated by Xcel Energy, which partners in the award with other state utilities.

Since 2007, 91��Ƭ’s partnerships with Focus on Energy, Xcel Energy and the City of Menomonie has fostered a multifaceted approach to facilitate energy savings projects, which provided the university access to state and federal program funds. 91��Ƭ participates in Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program.

An award ceremony was held on June 26 at 91��Ƭ’s Memorial Student Center. Chancellor Katherine Frank and Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel accepted the award, presented by Focus on Energy Business Portfolio Manager Mike Plunkett.

Senior Facilities Officer and Chancellor Katherine Frank accept 91��Ƭ's Focus on Energy award / 91��Ƭ

“Thank you to Focus on Energy for this recognition and to all who have supported these projects. It truly is an honor,” Frank said. “As Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, 91��Ƭ has a unique opportunity to do more than simply implement energy efficiency projects within our facilities.

“Everything we do must be applied, and everything we do must positively impact our students. We use these improvements to educate our students and impact future generations by providing applied learning opportunities, utilizing real-world infrastructure and building systems that prepare our graduates for their careers. By doing so, Stout will continue to fulfill its commitment to addressing the workforce development needs of the future.”

Utpadel appreciates the recognition. “This award isn’t just a recognition of one person’s work or one stand-alone project but a demonstration of a shared, ongoing commitment to sustainability projects and initiatives from multiple people, committees and organizations.

“Through these projects, we have been able to install new renewable energy systems, but more importantly, we have been able to reduce the amount of energy we consume to begin with, resulting in a reduction of energy demand for our university facilities.”

View the award presentation.

91��Ƭ leadership, facilities and sustainability staff with Xcel Energy's Mike Plunkett and David Voss and State Rep. Clint Moses / 91��Ƭ

Also attending were 91��Ƭ’s Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright, Facilities Management Associate Director Zenon Smolarek, Trades Supervisor Matt Herum, Engineering Specialist Josh Kohnke and Campus Planner Michael Higgins.

Focus on Energy attendees were Energy Adviser David Voss, Portfolio Program Operations Director Erin Soman and Marketing and Outreach Specialist Casey Davidson, as well as Xcel Energy Energy Adviser Michael Yates and State Rep. Clint Moses of Menomonie, a 91��Ƭ alum who noted the university’s importance to Wisconsin and the quality of its graduates entering the state’s workforce.

The award is 91��Ƭ’s second major sustainability recognition this year. It was named a national Green Ribbon school this past spring by the U.S. Department of Education.

Sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives

Focus on Energy has 107 partners in electric and gas utilities across the state and offers incentives and rebates for energy efficiency efforts. Established in 2001, it has helped 2.8 million residents and customers save more than $730 million.

Since 2017, 91��Ƭ has completed 79 energy-saving projects on campus. More than 23 of those projects have earned it more than $272,000 in incentives from Focus on Energy and include various energy-saving programs such as Energy Design Assistance, Mid-Stream, and Schools and Government.

The university’s Focus2030 goal of Institutional Sustainability will systematically strengthen its financial, social and environmental outlook. A new University Long-Range Plan focuses on campus infrastructure and systems and reinforces its commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability priorities.

Voss has worked with the university on its initiatives for 17 years. “Stout has correctly positioned itself for the benefit of its students, staff and Menomonie community, and it is very deserving of this award. We look forward to continuing working with Stout in the future,” he said.

91��Ƭ’s largest solar panel array to date installed, boosting campus sustainability

Multibuilding energy conservation project also includes lighting and weatherization upgrades

Campuswide projects include:

Installing rooftop solar panels, destratification fans and LED lighting
Weatherization improvements of 23 buildings
Incorporating sustainable practices into building construction and renovation
Switching in 2020 from coal to natural gas for campus energy to reduce emissions
Maintaining a three-acre outdoor classroom with natural habitat
Operating UW-Sprout, a campus garden, to provide locally grown, healthy food options
A campuswide waste reduction system, with recycling and composting bins
Rideshare programs and sustainable transportation options, such as bike rental, helping 91��Ƭ earn a national Bike Friendly campus rating
Reusing and recycling campus surplus items, saving more than 215,000 pounds of material from landfills in 2023
Planned installation of two electric vehicle charging stations

91��Ƭ, its Sustainability Office and seven committees on sustainability address sustainability in every aspect of operations. Students are involved in the Campus-wide Energy Committee and the Sustainability Committee, and student organizations have committed more than $500,000 to sustainability-related projects since 2014.

In the last 15 years, 91��Ƭ’s efforts have resulted in campus emissions dropping by 33%, excluding emissions from commuting. It was a charter signatory in 2007 of the Second Nature Carbon Commitment, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. 91��Ƭ has most often placed first or second among Universities of Wisconsin schools and in the top 50 nationally in the Campus Race to Zero Waste recycling competition.

Last scoop of coal marks end of an era to heat university

Heating Plant Superintendent Brian Lorenz maneuvered a front-end loader at about 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, and dumped a bucketload of coal onto an iron grate.

Since 2011, Focus on Energy has aimed to deliver real, measurable energy and financial savings for Wisconsin’s residents and businesses. It has delivered more than $1 billion worth of net economic benefits to Wisconsin.

With 50 total nominations this year, other Focus on Energy award recipients were BiOrigin Specialty Products, Ladysmith; Kaysun, Manitowoc; Kerry Group, Jackson; Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Keshena; and PMI Manufacturing Inc., Bloomer.

Trade Ally Contractor Excellence award recipients recognized for helping residents and organizations make better energy efficiency choices were Automated Energy Solutions, Inc., Green Bay; Badger State Lighting LLC, Marshfield; Ethos Green Power Cooperative, Viroqua; and Roberts Irrigation Company, Plover.

Xcel Energy is one of more than 15 members of 91��Ƭ’s Career Services Partnership Program, which connects employers to students, including at the university’s biannual career conferences.

Sustainability efforts honored by U.S. Department of Education, statewide Focus on Energy

91��Ƭ can officially add a new “color” to its identity – green.

National Green Ribbon school

91��Ƭ's Green Ribbon award is based on its long-term and ongoing efforts to infuse sustainability into operations and the classroom and to create a campuswide culture that advances environmental initiatives.

It was the only Wisconsin university to be recognized in 2024. A ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 10, at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency William Ruckelshaus Conference Center, in Washington, D.C. Frank, Wright and Smolarek will attend.

“91��Ƭ is honored to receive the Green Ribbon award. This was possible due to our students’ investments in Stout’s sustainability efforts, our faculty who incorporate sustainability in their curriculum and applied research, and our staff who plan, implement and practice sustainability at the university on a daily basis,” said Erik Guenard, vice chancellor for Business, Finance and Administrative Services.

The Green Ribbon award, a one-time honor, is given annually to a select number of schools, including early learning centers, elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions.

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Energy Efficiency Excellence Award, nominated by Xcel Energy, recognizes 79 energy-saving projects at Stout since 2017 Focus on Energy Award presentation, June 26, 2024

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Sustainability Office

91��Ƭ's Sustainability Office works to foster a culture of sustainability among the campus and in the community.

Stout's Central Sustainability Resource

We coordinate and manage 91��Ƭ Polytechnic’s sustainability priorities and projects—from energy to waste to transportation and much more. We work to engage students and staff in our campus’ many sustainability initiatives to build a culture of sustainability at 91��Ƭ Polytechnic.

Kadi Wright

Sustainability Manager

Kadi is the campus Sustainability Manager, working on ways to improve sustainability on campus.

Phone 715-232-5254

Email wrightk@uwstout.edu

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Sustainability efforts honored by U.S. Department of Education, statewide Focus on Energy

polingj — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:21:44 +0000

Sustainability efforts honored by U.S. Department of Education, statewide Focus on Energypolingj April 26, 2024

Comprehensive initiatives on campus, classrooms, labs recognized with Green Ribbon, Energy Efficiency Excellence awards

91��Ƭ can officially add a new “color” to its identity – green.

The U.S. Department of Education has named 91��Ƭ a national Green Ribbon school, based on its long-term and ongoing efforts to infuse sustainability into operations and the classroom and to create a campuswide culture that advances environmental initiatives.

The Green Ribbon award, a one-time honor, is given annually to a select number of schools, including early learning centers, elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions. The 2024 winners are invited to a fall recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C. See a video announcing the winners and the list of awardees by state.

Solar panels were added to the roof of Jarvis Hall Technology wing, lower right, in 2023, as part of a major solar and LED project. Three buildings on campus have solar panels. / 91��Ƭ

“91��Ƭ is honored to receive the Green Ribbon award. This was possible due to our students' investments in Stout's sustainability efforts, our faculty who incorporate sustainability in their curriculum and applied research, and our staff who plan, implement and practice sustainability at the university on a daily basis,” said Erik Guenard, vice chancellor for Business, Finance and Administrative Services.

In Wisconsin, 91��Ƭ was the only university to be recognized in 2024.

91��Ƭ has addressed sustainability in every aspect of operations. In the last 15 years, myriad efforts aimed at sustainability and reducing environmental impacts have resulted in campus emissions dropping by 33%, excluding emissions from commuting.

It was a charter signatory in 2007 of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, now called the Second Nature Carbon Commitment, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Students work in Gilbert Creek west of Menomonie for a science project. 91��Ƭ students have conducted summer environmental research through LAKES REU and state grants. / 91��Ƭ

Efforts to reach that goal have included several rooftop solar panel and LED lighting projects to reduce energy use and save money. The latest such project in 2023 will reduce emissions by 1,431 metric tons annually.

“As a member of the 91��Ƭ community since 2005, I have seen 91��Ƭ’s commitment to sustainability grow stronger each year through cross-disciplinary applied projects and expanded internal and external partnerships; sustainability has become core to our polytechnic work,” said Glendalí Rodríguez, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

“It is exciting to have the opportunity to celebrate these accomplishments, and as the university wraps up its 10-year long-range plan, we continue to prioritize sustainability into the future,” Rodriguez added.

In early April, 91��Ƭ also received a Focus on Energy statewide Energy Efficiency Excellence Award. 91��Ƭ was nominated by Xcel Energy, which partners in the award with other state utilities. Xcel Energy is part of 91��Ƭ’s Career Services Partnership Program.

Environmental science students work on a prairie restoration project at Menomin Park near Menomonie. / 91��Ƭ

The university participates in Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program. Nearly $170,000 in incentives for completing energy efficiency projects is being reinvested, such as the planned installation of two electric vehicle charging stations.

Other campuswide “green” efforts include:

Incorporating sustainable practices into building construction and renovation
Switching in 2020 from coal to natural gas for campus energy to reduce emissions
Maintaining a three-acre outdoor classroom with natural habitat
Operating a campus garden, UW-Sprout, to provide locally grown and healthy food options to students, staff and University Dining Services
A campuswide waste reduction system, with recycling and composting bins
Promoting sustainable transportation options, such as bike rental, helping 91��Ƭ earn a national Bike Friendly campus rating, and rideshare programs
Reusing and recycling campus surplus items, saving more than 215,000 pounds of material from landfills in 2023.

91��Ƭ has most often placed first or second among Universities of Wisconsin schools and in the top 50 nationally in the Campus Race to Zero Waste recycling competition.

In 2010, 91��Ƭ became a tobacco-free campus after a ban was supported in two Stout Student Association student referendums.

Total package: Students earn two firsts, third in international sustainability challenges

Students from five majors collaborate to reimagine packaging

Student government, which has instituted a Green Fee and Alternative Transportation Fee, and student organizations have committed more than $500,000 to sustainability-related projects since 2014.

The university has a Sustainability Office and seven committees on sustainability.

“We are honored to accept this award,” said Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright. “Putting together the application was truly a team effort as many departments and individuals assisted. The application highlights the wide range of sustainable changes and progress occurring on our campus and the many departments, programs and initiatives involved.”

Academically, 91��Ƭ offers a master’s degree in sustainable management, a bachelor’s in environmental science, and a minor and two certificates in sustainability.

Professors and students conduct water quality-based research through the federally funded LAKES research experience for undergraduates, Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation, and Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin grants.

Curriculum that educates about and promotes sustainability is woven throughout many academic programs, such as engineering, construction management, packaging and design.

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Search Keywords: sustainability awardU.S. Department of EducationGreen Ribbon AwardFocus on EnergyEnergy Efficiency Excellence AwardSecond Nature Carbon Commitmentenergy efficiency

Hero Caption: A student tests stream water as part of research for 91��Ƭ’s Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation.

Kadi Wright

Kadi is the campus Sustainability Manager, working on ways to improve sustainability on campus.

Bio Introduction: Kadi is the campus Sustainability Manager, working on ways to improve sustainability on campus.

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Total package: Students earn two firsts, third in international sustainability challenges

polingj — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:33:33 +0000

Total package: Students earn two firsts, third in international sustainability challengespolingj November 20, 2023

Students from five majors collaborate to reimagine packaging

Is there a better way? More importantly, is there a more sustainable way?

Those were the questions at top of mind when three teams of 91��Ƭ students entered two international, industry-sponsored packaging competitions that challenged their technical and design skills — and visions for the future.

Turns out 91��Ƭ had the whole package, winning and taking a third place recently in the Paperboard Packaging Alliance student competition in San Diego and winning the International Molded Fiber Association challenge in Scottsdale, Ariz.

They did it by creating new, sustainable solutions for three consumer products — lip balm, shampoo and a desk lamp — and through cross-collaboration via seven students from five majors, including video production, graphic communications and mechanical engineering.

Assistant Professor Kate Liu, second from left, at the PPA event with students, from left, Erika Jackett, Zach Hoffmire, Starr Gong, Ethan Myers, Lukas David and Buddy Moreno. / Contributed photo

“This competition taught us the paramount importance of and inherent creativity needed in substituting plastic product packaging with paperboard,” said Starr Gong, of Altoona, a senior in graphic design and interactive media, who was on the PPA third-place team. “It's not just a design choice but a commitment to sustainability and a greener future. The experience has heightened our awareness of the environmental impact of packaging choices in today's world.”

Ethan Myers, of Kenosha, a senior majoring in packaging who was on the winning PPA team, agreed. “Sustainability is growing more and more every day, and being able to work with it is vital to finding success in the field of packaging.”

91��Ƭ offers a minor in sustainability.

Kate Liu, assistant professor in the engineering and technology department, was the students’ adviser for both competitions. “The designs, replacing plastic packaging with paperboard while minimizing material usage and aiming for zero waste, speak volumes about the students' understanding of the pressing environmental issues we face today,” Liu said.

Lip balm packaged in sustainable paperboard, instead of plastic, garnered a 91��Ƭ student team first place in a national competition by the Paperboard Packaging Alliance. / Contributed photo

“The cross-discipline strategy to team up packaging students with graphic design and video production students proved successful. We’re super excited about the results. It is tough to make the top three in the PPA challenge because of the competition nationwide,” she added.

PPA challenge: Vision and teamwork

The PPA contest required students to design recyclable paperboard packaging for a personal care product that typically comes in plastic.

Myers, fellow packaging major Lukas David, of Johnson Creek, a senior, and Zach Hoffmire, of Kenosha, a senior majoring in video production, created paperboard packaging for lip balm. The paperboard can be peeled away from the top of the stick as it’s used and resealed with a cap.

Hoffmire created an advertising-style video as part of the challenge.

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“I feel like our design stood out because of the attention to detail. At first glance it looks gimmicky and basic, but the intricacies of the design are what make it great. Everything from the psychological tricks that allow us to control how you handle our design to the coatings that allowed us to fill it with a liquid, we really dove deep into the details,” Myers said.

“These design competitions pull in aspects from every single packaging class we take. When we are at events like this, I also feel confident in holding conversations with professionals because of how much I’ve learned from these classes,” said Myers, who won another competition earlier this year with David and Hoffmire.

“I am just blown away by what I get to do at Stout. I attend a lot of packaging conferences, and have met many people from every single packaging school in the U.S., and even some from Canada. And of all of these schools, Stout is the only one that lets their freshman get into the lab. I got more hands-on experience as a freshman than most students at other schools get as seniors,” Myers said.

Gong’s team included Buddy Moreno, of Florence, who graduated in May in packaging with a minor in sustainability, and Erika Jackett, of Port Washington, a senior majoring in graphic communications. They prototyped packaging for shampoo made from a solid bar and created a glossy paperboard display holding three round disks. They also created a video ad for the product.

Shampoo made from a bar and packaged in sustainable paperboard earned a 91��Ƭ team third place nationally in the PPA competition. / Contributed photo

“Placing third nationally was not just a personal triumph but a testament to the hard work and innovation put in by our entire team. It's an honor to see our efforts recognized on a national level,” said Gong, who was part of a campus cross-collaboration design project in 2022.

“By crafting a packaging design devoid of plastic, reducing material usage by 50% and ensuring sustainability and recyclability, we addressed the challenge in a way that aligned with today's pressing environmental concerns. The feedback we received emphasized the uniqueness and practicality of our solution,” Gong said.

Moreno agreed. “Paperboard is a thin material, but it has more strength than you would think. After attending the conference in San Diego, I have seen how far paperboard packaging can go, things that I never thought were possible,” Moreno said.

The PPA winning team earned $5,500 and the third-place team $1,650. Earlier this year, Gong and Jackett received national scholarships. 91��Ƭ also received $6,500 — $5,000 for first and $1,500 for third; the money will be used for program improvements.

California Polytechnic took second place in the PPA contest, which drew close to 90 teams from universities around the U.S. and Canada. The top three were invited to present at the PPA conference in San Diego, where their final standing was revealed.

“The emphasis on creativity, problem-solving and the encouragement to think beyond traditional boundaries prepared us to tackle real-world challenges,” Gong said.

Gong, Moreno and Jackett also received the Stout University Foundation's Jordan R. Tracy Award for their cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The 91��Ƭ team’s IMFA winning design for a desk lamp, right, uses sustainable fiberboard and is much more compact than current packaging for the product, at left. / Contributed photo

“Pairing packaging with the power of Stout's graphic design and printing capabilities, it really showed how three majors can come together and make something great — just how it would be in the real business world,” said Moreno, who was hired at Target corporate in Minneapolis as a packaging engineer after graduating.

Gong found that her graphic design courses “provided the fundamental skills that served as the backbone” for the entry. “Moreover, the focus on user experience in my coursework has proven invaluable. It's not just about creating visually appealing designs but ensuring they are practical, user-friendly and align with the needs of the audience.”

Students worked on the projects last spring outside of class time, putting in dozens of hours in the labs.

IMFA challenge: Less is more

In the IMFA competition, Myers and David teamed with Gage Rusch, of Delafield, a second-year student majoring in mechanical engineering. Teams searched the market for a packaged product weighing between five and 20 pounds that used polystyrene or other plastic material, then created new packaging using molded fiber.

91��Ƭ student Gage Rusch receives the award in Scottsdale, Ariz., from the International Molded Fiber Association for winning the student design competition. / Contributed photo

The 91��Ƭ team redesigned the BenQ desk lamp by replacing the materials for sustainability and reducing cost by reducing the size of the packaging. Their design cut the size of the lamp box by 78%, largely because molded pulp can nest, or be layered, as opposed to the existing packaging.

The team estimated that if 10 trucks were filled with the old packaging, the number could be reduced to three trucks with the new boxes. Also, 4½ times more lamps could be shelved in the same space as currently allowed in a retail outlet.

Rusch was sponsored by IMFA to attend the annual conference Oct. 4 in Scottsdale, Ariz., and present the winning design. The team also received $1,000.

Sustainable efforts at PackExpo

In September, seven packaging students along with Associate Professor Min DeGruson, the program director, participated in the PackExpo in Las Vegas.

91��Ƭ had a booth about its program sustainability efforts, and it was one of the four universities selected to display a research project, led by Liu, centered around sustainability.

Also, student Nick Harpstead, a sophomore from Plymouth, Wis., was on a team that took second place in the student Amazing Race competition. A total of 23 teams from 13 universities tried to conquer challenges in a timed event that involved nearly one million square feet of exhibit space.

91��Ƭ also offers an undergraduate program in plastics engineering. Students are researching how the plastics industry can be more sustainable, including by using more recycled materials, as they prepare for their careers.

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Students from five majors collaborate to reimagine packaging PPA 4

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