UW-Stout renamed UW-Stout Polytechnic

University of Wisconsin-Stout changed its name to University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic following a unanimous Board of Regents vote on June 4. 

The change is the first Wisconsin public university name change since the 1971 merger that created the 13-school system, marking a historic occasion for the Menomonie-based university. 

“At a time when the relevance of higher education is being questioned by many, UW-Stout Polytechnic has proven its relevance and shown its impact on the state of Wisconsin and far beyond through a focus on our educational mission and the subsequent success of our graduates,” UW-Stout Polytechnic Chancellor Katherine Frank said. “Our distinctiveness as a university is now called out in our name, and we are proud to be UW-Stout Polytechnic.” 

A polytechnic university specializes in technical, vocation education. UW-Stout Polytechnic holds three times more labs than conventional classrooms, encouraging students to gain hands-on skills and boost career readiness. Popular majors include graphic design, engineering, construction management and computer science. 

“The significance of the polytechnic name is that it clearly communicates the value proposition of a UW-Stout Polytechnic degree,” Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter said. “It represents an education intentionally designed to meet the needs of students, employers, and communities now and into the future.”

UW-Stout Polytechnic was founded in 1891 under the name Stout Manual Training School by James Huff Stout. James Huff Stout was a businessman and entrepreneur whose vision for the school still rings true for UW-Stout Polytechnic students 135 years later. 

“The best education is that which best equips a young person for practical life work,” Stout said. 

---