Chippewa Valley Times

Sixteen students from the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) have been recognized nationally, statewide, and regionally in their respective fields this spring. The accolades span four different career fields: mechanical engineering, dietetics, construction management, and graphic design.

Heidi Benningfield, a mechanical engineering student at UW-Stout, received a significant scholarship from the U.S. Department of Defense. Meanwhile, Jordyn Springer, a dietetics student, was named state student of the year. A team of seven construction management students secured first place in a regional competition. Lastly, seven graphic design and interactive media students were awarded at the annual Minnesota AdFed regional advertising competition.

Benningfield's Department of Defense Smart Scholarship will cover her tuition until graduation and provide a stipend for room and board expenses along with paid internships with the agency. After graduation in 2026, she is committed to working for two years at the Army’s Redstone Arsenal space and missile defense technology center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Springer was named Dietetics Student of the Year by the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has served as co-president and public relations officer for the Stout Student Dietetic Association and was active as a community volunteer.

The construction management students triumphed over eight other universities in an invitational competition sponsored by Ryan Companies of Minneapolis. The team worked on a detailed request for proposal (RFP) for an actual project that Ryan Companies recently developed.

The graphic design students won multiple awards from the Advertising Federation of Minnesota. Kylie Ganther won gold and Best in Show from both local Minnesota chapter and regional chapter for her consumer campaign promoting a Play-Doh festival at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

The achievements reflect UW-Stout’s emphasis on applied learning. Benningfield, Springer, and the construction students benefited from industry internships while the graphic design students' campaigns were judged by professionals.