Inspiring Graduate: Ryan Rumary (’26)
- Hometown: Watertown
- Degree: B.S. Video Production
- Minor: Graphic Media & Print Management
During his junior year in high school, Ryan Rumary took basic-level video production classes, creating media with minimal equipment.
“It sparked an interest in me to pursue the field further. I wanted an experience that allowed me to learn by doing, not by listening or watching someone else,” he said.
Rumary researched schools for video-related programs but found that many only offered minors or lecture-only classes.
“UW-Stout stood out and offered me something different – a hands-on experience, where I would be able to produce meaningful creations that would further my skills, portfolio and myself,” he said.
Rumary received his B.S. in video production from UW-Stout on May 16, among more than 1,000 of his peers. He was hired before graduation as a full-time video content media manager for Pest Badger and will have a range of responsibilities, including photographing employees, writing scripts, filming content and uploading polished videos to social media feeds.
Of this year’s graduates, 77.4% were hired prior to graduation, while 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.
How do you hope to make an impact in your field?
Video production is such a vast field with tons of categories and niches. Production can range from short narratives, documentary forms, feature-length films, product photography and much more.
My favorite part of the process is the editing phase. I deeply enjoy seeing my efforts come together into one final comprehensive story. I would love to leave a transformative impact on the editing process by creating visuals that make people question how I was able to achieve such a thing.
My goal is to inspire people to think and create outside the box.
How has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?
Thanks to UW-Stout’s hands-on learning approach, I’ve been able to turn theory into practice. There hasn’t been a semester where I haven’t had the opportunity to create something with my hands that pushes my portfolio and skills further.
My first semester here, I was even able to create a short film, “Chairs,” with my newfound friends. It’s a short film about sentient furniture and their long history of interacting with each other. Seriously, who thinks of something like that? “Chairs” was selected for the 2024 Unspooled Film & Animation Festival and the 2025 Ely Film Festival. It was the inaugural winner of the Best Comedy – Short Film at the 2024 Milwaukee Independent Film Awards.
From there, I’ve gone on to develop multiple more projects, such as “Unrest,” my first short film project as a director; “Caffeine Cultures,” a documentary about the reliance on caffeine in our society; and a marketing campaign called “Step into the Movement” for the global 2025 D&AD New Blood competition. Most recently, my senior capstone project, “Seeing Diabetes,” is a poetic documentary showcasing the vignetted realities of an individual struggling with Type 1 Diabetes. It was an official selection at the 2026 Unspooled Film & Animation Festival.
What were your greatest lessons or projects in your internships?
I’ve had plenty of both volunteer experience and real-world work opportunities because of Stout. My most recent client work was with the Menomonie Rotary Feeds Club, where I created a personalized workplace explainer video to help train new volunteers. For the past two years, I’ve also been an Unspooled Animation & Film Festival volunteer, helping set up the event and photographing important moments for their socials. My corporate photography group and I were even able to produce a department overview video directly for the chair of the English, philosophy and communication studies department.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
Some of my favorite memories have been made here at Stout, and I’m grateful for that. I’ve met so many wonderful people; friends that I’ll carry on through the rest of my life, and professors that I can rely on when I need advice.
One of my favorite leadership opportunities was getting to help teach new video production students in our early program courses. Being a Video Production Lab assistant allowed me to help educate new students about our specialty video gear and lighting techniques across two different core classes.
I was even able to achieve one of my major dreams by snorkeling in a coral reef during my study abroad in Belize. Not to mention also getting to view flocks of scarlet macaws and interacting with multiple cultures different from my own.
I truly believe these memories will carry on with me as I go forward in my life, and I’m truly thankful that I was able to achieve all this in only a small matter of time.
How did your involvement impact your experience?
The Video Production Club would meet every Tuesday night, and I would frequent it as often as I could. VPC was where most of my friendships turned into strong ones. We were able to share our videos, photos, ideas, and other creations freely with people who had the same desire to grow and better their skillsets. It’s a fun club that’s not video production exclusive, so anyone, regardless of their major, can join.
The video production program also has a special Mac Lab on the first floor of the Communications Technology building, where other students and I would gather and work on projects. I’ve probably spent most of my college career in that lab, and I’ve loved every minute I’ve gotten to share in that space with my friends. The VP Mac lab is truly a mix of the perfect work environment, post-class lounge or high-energy hotspot. There’s been plenty of secret late-night pizza parties there, too (don’t tell Matt Wysocki).
What challenges did you face in earning your degree, and how did you overcome them?
I took an aggressive approach to completing my major. I came into Stout with the intention to graduate as soon as I could. That quickly changed as I realized that if I wanted to properly learn and develop new skills, I would need to pace myself and learn at a speed where I could comprehend what was being taught to me. There were plenty of instances where I would bite off more than I could chew, and managing multiple high-level projects at once really took a toll on me. But despite that, I was able to fall back and rely on my friends to help me get through those tough times.
What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?
The thing I’m most proud of as I finish this chapter of my life and my degree, is that I was able to look an opportunity in the eyes and seize it. I’ve gotten to do so much throughout my time at Stout,
I’ve made wonderful lifelong friends, created astounding things alongside incredibly talented individuals, worked for various clients, secured a job in the field, and even studied abroad in Belize. The memories I’ve captured here will last me my lifetime.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
It’s not where you are in the room; all that matters is that you’re in the room. Be kind and compassionate to your fellow humans; after all, it’s their first time living, too. Be happy and proud of the work you’ve made thus far, but don’t ever stay complacent; always push yourself and strive for something greater. That way, you not only help yourself but also inspire those alongside you.
