2024 Fall Commencement

UW-STOUT OVER THE YEARS

STOUT MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOL 1891 - 1908

Under the auspices of the Menomonie public schools, James Huff Stout funded various educational enterprises. In 1891, manual training and domestic science training were introduced through the Stout Manual Training School. In 1894, kindergarten classes were introduced. In 1899, the Kindergarten Training School began preparing teachers. In 1901, the School of Physical Culture opened and provided physical training. In 1903, training schools for manual training teachers and domestic science teachers were added. By 1907, a Homemaker’s School had opened and a trade school was planned. THE STOUT INSTITUTE 1908 - 1955 To simplify administration and clarify ownership of and responsibility for the various public and Stout training schools, the Stout Institute was formed in 1908. The institute was designed to “provide facilities in the way of buildings, equipment and teachers, through which young people... may secure such instruction and training in industrial and related lines of educational effort as will enable them to become efficient industrial, social and economic units within their environment.” In 1911, following Senator Stout’s death, ownership transferred to the State of Wisconsin.

STOUT STATE COLLEGE 1955 - 1964

The Stout Institute Board of Trustees was abolished, and the institution came under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents of the State Colleges, a move that the institute board resisted, fearing a loss of prestige from being a special college. In retrospect, joining the “league,” as President Fryklund expressed it, proved to be a distinct advantage to the school and its faculty.

STOUT STATE UNIVERSITY 1964 - 1971

The name change was authorized by the Board of Regents who believed that the “state colleges had reached another plateau in their development.” Increased enrollment brought new and enlarged facilities. A traditional focus was maintained even while new majors were added and new directions were given to established majors.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT 1971 - present

The Wisconsin State Universities and the University of Wisconsin campuses merged to form the University of Wisconsin System. UW-Stout was designated by the Board of Regents as one of only two special mission universities in the Universities of Wisconsin. UW-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 Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents.

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