“UW-Stout is an incredibly special place. It empowered me to discover who I am, what I do best and how I can make the greatest impact on my community, career and greater society," says Kenton, a senior studying applied math and computer science at UW-Stout.
When Kenton first began exploring colleges he was searching for more than a degree, he wanted a place where he could belong, grow and make a difference. UW-Stout stood out immediately. It wasn’t just the university’s reputation for applied learning or its designation as a Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy that caught his attention; it was the people. From the alumni who encouraged him to apply to the personal phone call announcing his selection as a Stout Scholar recipient, Kenton felt something special: a community that truly cared.
“That phone call represented something deeper,” Kenton recalls. “It was an affirmation that UW-Stout was willing to invest in me, not just as a student, but as a person.”
That investment has shaped every step of Kenton’s journey. As an applied math and computer science major with minors in cybersecurity and math education, Kenton has thrived academically while discovering his passion for helping others succeed. After a semester observing in a middle school classroom, he quickly discovered his love for working with students and shifted his career path toward education, hoping to become a teacher.
Thanks to donor support through the UW-Stout Foundation & Alumni Association, financial barriers and constraints have significantly decreased. This has allowed Kenton to work as a teaching assistant and tutor in the Math Teaching and Learning Center, a role that may not pay as much as off-campus jobs but offers him something he finds far more valuable: the chance to give back.
Beyond campus, Kenton’s commitment to service extends into the Menomonie community. He volunteers at a local church and recently curated an exhibit on historic telephones at the Dunn County Historical Society featuring his personal telephone collection.
Kenton lights up when he talks about Stout and the Stout experience: the people, the innovative and applied learning environments, the individualized support he has received and the sense of belonging he found on the UW-Stout campus and greater community.
For Kenton, UW-Stout is more than a university, it’s a #StoutProud community of faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters who believe in him and his future. Their support has removed financial barriers to his education, opened doors to meaningful experiences and inspired him to pay it forward.
Your gift to support UW-Stout provides opportunities for members of our #StoutProud community, like Kenton by removing financial barriers to a Stout education, providing robust and individualized student support, advancing academic innovation and success, creating dynamic living and learning spaces while ensuring a vibrant campus community – the full Stout Experience. Through your philanthropic support you provide the necessary flexible funds to ensure Stout thrives and continues to make positive impact on industry, in our communities and on society. Make your gift today.
