Fundraisers, family-oriented activities, athletic events set for alumni,
community Oct. 23-25
Menomonie, Wis. – Mosey on over to downtown Menomonie to celebrate University of Wisconsin-
Stout’s 2025 homecoming, Thursday, Oct. 23, to Saturday, Oct. 25. As students saddle up for a “Way
Stout West” homecoming theme, alumni, supporters, and community members anticipate the
annual parade and football game on Saturday.
The community is also invited to two special events supporting students, in collaboration with
Menomonie Culver’s and Brewery Nonic, as well as two open house labs to experience the
university’s polytechnic advantage.
All events are open to the public. Registration is open on the homecoming site. UW-Stout staff will
be available at the homecoming welcome table Oct. 24, 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30
p.m., in the Clock Tower Plaza, to provide more details about events happening around campus.
This year marks UW-Stout’s 109th homecoming, with its first homecoming held in 1917.
Special events to support students
For the second year in a row, Menomonie Culver’s has created a homecoming flavor for UW-
Stout. Menomonie Culver’s will have a Western-themed Flavor of the Day on Friday, Oct. 24, and
100% of Flavor of the Day sales will go to support the Student Success Fund.
Building on this spirit of community and support is a special collaboration with Brewery Nonic,
owned by alum Ryan Verdon (’13). Together, UW-Stout and Brewery Nonic are debuting a
limited-edition homecoming brew, available in apple ale and blueberry ale.
The initiative is more than a specialty beverage; it’s a way for alumni, friends and community
members to support UW-Stout students. With the purchase of a signature homecoming glass, guests
will receive a free drink ticket, and 50% of proceeds will benefit the StoutProud Fund. This fund
directly supports UW-Stout’s strategic priorities, enhancing the student experience.
Glasses can be purchased online and picked up at the following:
Prehomecoming celebration: Thursday, Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m. (Brewery Nonic)
Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 24, 1 to 4:30 p.m. (Clock Tower Plaza)
Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Clock Tower Plaza)
Alumni connections with brewing and distilling run deep, with faculty and students collaborating for
years on applied learning projects ranging from product packaging and design to biochemistry
research using brewer’s yeast.
UW-Stout also offers a new collaborative Beer, Cheese and Kombucha for Beginners course,
attracting those interested in making their own food and beverages. Check out additional Continuing
Education and Conferences opportunities.
Homecoming parade and community events on Saturday
Saturday will start with some preparade fun at the Stout Clock Tower Party from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
in the Bowman Hall Clock Tower Plaza, with face painting, balloon art, yard games and more. All
ages are welcome.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at 10th Avenue E. and Broadway Street S. The route goes through
downtown and then south on Third Street E. through campus toward the Sports and Fitness Center,
ending at 13th Avenue. Watch the parade livestream on YouTube.
A self-guided UW-Stout Landmark Walking Tour is available. Two open house labs will be held: a
Golf Simulator Demo from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Pat Kell Golf Center, Recreation Complex
room 25; and an Esports Lab Demo from noon to 2 p.m., in the brand-new Esports Arena, Robert S.
Swanson Library & Learning Center room 111.
New this year, Downtown Menomonie is hosting the Downtown Fall Frolic, from 9:30 a.m. to 8
p.m. on Saturday. Shop sidewalk sales, get one-day-only deals at downtown shops and enter a free
raffle to win Downtown Menomonie experience packages.
Athletics and recreation events
University Recreation’s annual Blue Devil Glow Run is a 2-mile fun run/walk on Oct. 23, beginning
at Williams Stadium, winding through campus and ending on the outdoor track. Registration begins
at 7 p.m., and runners will take off at 8 p.m.
Cheer on the Blue Devils at two games on Oct. 25. Purchase tickets at the games, or watch the Blue
Devils’ games online on the WIAC Network.
Softball Alumni Game: 9 a.m. (Alumni Field)
Football vs. UW-Stevens Point: 1 p.m. (Williams Stadium)
Alumni events
Two special events for alumni are planned. The UW-Stout Alumni Awards Celebration will be from 5
to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24, in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms. Purchase a ticket to attend. UW-
Stout will recognize these distinguished alumni and supporters:
Distinguished Alumni Award: Gene Hallongren, a retired counselor, teacher and
administrator at College of DuPage and DeVry University
Trailblazer Alumni Award: Leslie Barlow, a visual artist, educator and cultural worker
Luminary Alumni Award: Greg Else, director of Monitoring and Controls, Individual and
Family Markets, with Health Care Service Corporation
Chancellor’s Award: Dean Weidner, founder and chairman of Weidner Apartment Homes,
headquartered in Kirkland, Washington
University Partner Award: Great Northern Corporation, headquartered in Appleton
On Oct. 25, Breakfast at the Buck features a breakfast for alumni from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Silver
Dollar, 315 Main St. E. Register online.
Western-themed events for students
Blue Devil Productions is hosting student events all week long, centered around this year’s theme
“Way Stout West.”
Students will kick off the week on Oct. 20, with a Culver’s Custard Social, followed by the
annual Soapbox Derby, featuring student-made cars. Judging begins at 3:30 p.m. on the Memorial
Student Center south lawn. The race is set to start afterward on the corner of Second Street W. and
Wilson Avenue.
“Stout’s Favorite Pizza” invites students to taste-test five local pizzerias and vote for their favorite.
Students can also play glow-in-the-dark bingo, join a lip sync battle and a chalking competition.
Weeklong events include a banner competition, a medallion hunt, and a food drive to
support Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the student food pantry on campus.
UW-Stout, a member of the Universities of Wisconsin, is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a
focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn
more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.
