Following is a Q&A with one of the 749 students who received a diploma Dec. 16 at UW-Stout.
Name: Jared Allen
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minn.
Major: Business administration; emphasis in sales and marketing
Awards, Honors: 2017 Samuel E. Wood Medallion Award, 2017 Campbell Trophy semifinalist, 2017 football team captain, two-time Stout Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president, two-time Stout Student Association senator of athletics, 2017 Burger King/Warren Bowlus Academic Achievement Award, vice chair of Stout Sustainability Council, eight-time Chancellor’s Award recipient, six-time Four Star Recognition Award recipient, four-time WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll selection.
Why did you choose UW-Stout? Because of its impeccable job placement rate, and the university gave me the opportunity to compete in the most competitive Division 3 football conference (WIAC) in the country.
What are the biggest obstacles you faced in earning your degree? It was not being able to see my family as often as I would have liked. I love spending time with family. It is one of my favorite activities to do, and their support helped me through all my successes while I have been a student at UW-Stout.
What stands out among your college experiences? My greatest college experience was being a part of the football team that beat UW-Eau Claire 55-7 and getting to keep the War On I-94 trophy at UW-Stout this past season. This experience was special because it was the most points UW-Stout has ever scored against Eau Claire since the teams first played in 1912.
What's next? I will be moving back to Maple Grove after graduation with plans to travel Europe over the course of January 2018 and then proceed to make a decision on where I would like to begin my professional career.
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