A Q&A with one of the 750 students who received a diploma Dec. 14 at UW-Stout:
Name: Kolt Knutson
Hometown: Sturgeon Bay
Major: Engineering technology-mechanical
Awards, honors: Magna cum laude, U.S. Army commission, scholarships, business owner, club president 2½ years.
Why did you choose UW-Stout? Stout had a perfect mix of ROTC and engineering. I’ve put my heart and soul into both, and they both have given me everything I could ask for and more. Both my dad and grandpa graduated from Stout. This had nothing to do with me choosing UW-Stout, though.
What are the biggest obstacles you faced in earning your degree? My biggest obstacles were the classes and higher level learning. College is the next league for good reason. Thankfully, Stout has helpful people everywhere you turn. All I had to do was ask. An obstacle I noticed, for most students, is that we seem to trade our health, wealth and time for the opportunity of a better future. We stay up late putting the finishing touches on our final paper. Eating healthy is not the first thing on our mind, nor is drinking a V8. Finally, our wealth — money becomes everything when we don’t have it. When in reality, it’s just a number to help represent the value of a product. The value of college is so great due to all the knowledge that is bestowed upon us.
What stands out among your college experiences? The professors truly care about the students and their future career. Small class sizes allowed the professors to get to know everyone’s face, name and a little more about them. On another note, UW-Stout may be a small school, but it has high academic ambitions, vast outreach and a more-than-big attitude. Stout pride extends far beyond the campus.
What’s next? For the next few years I plan on traveling the world. My journey starts January going to Colombia. I plan to hit every continent, except Antarctica. Wisconsin has enough cold for me. On the Army side, I have my next schooling (EBOLC - Engineer Basic Officer Leadership Course) in Missouri.
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