UW-Stout Polytechnic is more than a university. It changed the course of Poul David “Dave” Rasmussen's life. For Dave, the years after graduating high school did not go as planned. Hoping to earn a scholarship as a Division I football player, he enrolled at another college but struggled academically, ultimately leaving without completing a degree.
Dave then entered the ironwork construction industry, but after two years, he was laid off and found himself at a crossroads. "I was not doing well in late 1979," Dave says.
Looking for a new direction, Dave remembered a high school drafting teacher who had spoken highly of UW-Stout Polytechnic, where he had earned his degree. After researching the university, Dave made the decision to return to school, enrolling with the goal of becoming a high school industrial education teacher.
What he found at UW-Stout Polytechnic would shape his future in ways he never expected. A class called Communications and Information Technology introduced Dave to the emerging world of computer technology. The course and experiences that followed demonstrated UW-Stout Polytehnic’s applied and innovative learning that defines one piece of the Polytechnic Advantage. Inspired by faculty who encouraged students to explore new ideas, Dave purchased an Apple IIe computer and began teaching himself programming.
"I wrote code, published a computer program, and sold it before graduating," he says.
That passion for technology opened doors throughout Dave's career. With encouragement from faculty members who recognized his potential, he secured an interview with Allen-Bradley, now Rockwell Automation, where he began teaching programmable controllers and industrial computing systems. The experience launched a career that blended technology, training and leadership, leading to roles with Mercury Marine and ultimately International Paper, where he built a 33-year career.
Some of the most valuable lessons Dave learned at UW-Stout Polytechnic extended beyond technical knowledge. Through speech courses, class presentations, group projects and teaching experiences, he developed the confidence to communicate effectively, collaborate with others and lead teams toward a common goal. These experiences taught him how to present ideas clearly, build strong professional relationships and adapt his message to different audiences, skills that proved invaluable throughout his career as a trainer, mentor and leader. Together with the technical courses, these experiences exemplify the Polytechnic Advantage, combining career-focused preparation with the personal growth, leadership and collaboration skills needed to thrive in work and life.
Today, Dave enjoys retirement, spending time with his family and volunteering in his community. His passion for learning remains as strong as ever. Recently, he embraced artificial intelligence to create and market a successful Route 66 travel app, proving that the curiosity sparked at UW-Stout Polytechnic continues to fuel new adventures more than four decades later.
When asked about his proudest moment at the university, Dave doesn't point to a degree or a career milestone. Instead, he reflects on a remarkable full-circle experience. After being inspired by the faculty member of his introductory technology course, Dave was later asked to teach that same class while still an undergraduate student.
"I was, and remain, grateful for that experience and that the faculty had the confidence in me to teach their introductory course to fellow students," he says.
Dave also remembers the spirit of curiosity and experimentation that continues to characterize UW-Stout Polytechnic. Students and faculty were constantly exploring new ideas and preparing for a changing world. That same forward-looking mindset is one of the reasons Dave remains excited about UW-Stout Polytechnic today.
Those experiences continue to shape Dave's connection to the university. As a first-generation college student from a working-class community, he understands firsthand the challenges many students face in pursuing a degree. Financial aid, student loans and campus employment made it possible for him to complete his education and ultimately change the course of his life.
Today, Dave's philanthropic support helps ensure current students have access to those same opportunities. Philanthropy helps remove barriers to a UW-Stout Polytechnic education while providing the support students need to succeed. It advances academic innovation, strengthens learning environments and enriches campus experiences that foster engagement, belonging and personal growth. Together, these investments strengthen the Polytechnic Advantage, preparing graduates to thrive in their careers, communities and lives.
"Both my career and my personal successes would not be what they are today if not for what Stout has done for me," Dave says. "That compels me to pay it forward."
Dave knows that his own path might have looked very different without access to financial aid, campus employment, and the support he received as a student. He believes today's students deserve the same opportunities. Philanthropic support helps remove barriers, allowing students to focus on learning, gaining hands-on experience, and building the skills needed for lifelong success.
Dave is especially excited about the university's name, UW-Stout Polytechnic, which more clearly reflects its distinctive applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration and career-focused education.
"Every business today wants graduates who can hit the ground running," Dave says. "Stout continues to deliver on that promise."
Dave's journey illustrates the enduring impact of a UW-Stout Polytechnic education. The opportunities he found at UW-Stout Polytechnic launched a career he never imagined and instilled a lifelong commitment to learning, leadership, and service. Today, through his philanthropic support, he is helping create those same opportunities for future generations.
Like Dave, alumni and friends support UW-Stout Polytechnic because they understand how a single opportunity, a mentor's encouragement, or a chance to learn by doing can change the course of a life. Their generosity ensures students can discover their own paths to success and become the next generation of innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers.
Your gift to UW-Stout Polytechnic provides opportunities for members of our #StoutProud community by removing financial barriers to a UW-Stout Polytechnic 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.
