PHOTO ESSAY: Celebrating the Blue Devil Community

First-year students join our Stout family at Blue Rah and Week One Orientation events
September 11, 2025

Week One Orientation hosts some of Stout’s most loved annual events, kicking off with Blue Rah, just for first-year students. For the first time, they truly feel like Blue Devils as they gather in Johnson Fieldhouse for music, lights, dancing and minute-to-win-it games.

Blue Rah 2025
Blue Rah 2025
Blue Rah 2025
Blue Rah 2025
Blue Rah 2025

Blue Devil Productions presents free student events throughout the year. This year opens with a night of laughter featuring comedian Ahmed Al-Kadri, whose humorous stories build good vibes and community.

WOO events, comedian Ahmed Al-Kadri
WOO events, comedian Ahmed Al-Kadri

BDP also hosts live music. Student musician Brennan Delaney is the opener for an independent rock headliner band, Recess, during WOO.

BDP concert, Brennan Delaney opening for Recess
BDP concert, Brennan Delaney opening for Recess
BDP concert, Brennan Delaney opening for Recess
BDP concert, Brennan Delaney opening for Recess
BDP concert, Brennan Delaney opening for Recess

WOO gives students time to adjust to campus life, connect with their dormmates and peers, play games and just hang out.

A student holds up a Blue Devils T-shirt, looking surprised
Two students lounge in hammocks
Two students sit at a picnic table
Students playing beach volleyball outside of a dorm hall
Students playing spikeball on a lawn
Four students stand and pose together
Two students stand and pose together
Students gather on a lawn for get-to-know-you games

They check out campus happenings, like Nacho Average Bingo, Bob Ross painting sessions, crafting activities and movie nights on the big screen outside at the Memorial Student Center amphitheater. They get to know their new town at Meet Menomonie, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

Students playing bingo on a lawn
Students playing bingo on a lawn
Students playing bingo on a lawn
Students playing bingo on a lawn

The fun doesn’t stop after classes start. There is always something to do at Stout. A rainy day couldn’t stop the 40th anniversary of the Great Stout Cookout. Students, faculty and staff gather to enjoy food, music and community, marking the start of a successful school year.

Two students eating in a dining hall
Three students smile in a cafeteria

To learn more about ways to get involved throughout the year, your student can download the CONNECT app, read the daily Campus Life Today email and explore upcoming events.


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