Among the class of more than 950 undergraduate students who crossed the commencement stage at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s most recent ceremony, four College of Arts and Human Sciences students were recognized by faculty and staff as inspiring graduates whose stories represent what it is to be Stout Proud.
The graduates shared their university experiences, setbacks and successes in UW-Stout’s Inspiring Graduate Q&A series:
- Khendra Thompson, B.F.A. interior design, River Falls
- Jewel Fredrickson, B.F.A. industrial and product design, Boyd
- Bria Moore, B.S. psychology, Wisconsin Rapids
- Shannon Peskie, B.F.A. interior design, Marshfield
Fully 99% of recent UW-Stout graduates were either employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, as stated in the annual First Destination Report. Among them, Thompson and Fredrickson were hired before graduation; and Moore and Peskie are going on to pursue their master’s degrees.
Inspiring Graduate: Khendra Thompson, interior design
Thompson said her UW-Stout education helped her think more deeply and holistically about her B.F.A. in interior design. That vision, she explained, encompasses both the built environment – where humans spend most of their time – as well as the earth itself.
This focus on functional, healthy design led UW-Stout faculty to encourage Thompson and several other students to study and become WELL Accredited Professionals, which signifies they have advanced knowledge of health and well-being in the built environment.
“We are stewards of people and the earth and have the responsibility to care for the people who occupy the built environment and the earth on which it rests – and we get to do this through design,” she said.
As part of her coursework, Thompson entered – and won – the Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition, which drew 1,600 competitors from the United States and Canada. “I got the opportunity to fly out to Steelcase headquarters to present my project to Steelcase and leading professionals in the industry from around the nation,” she said. “It was an incredible experience.”
And before graduation, she was hired by Minneapolis-based ESG Architecture and Design – a job she says that comes as a result of connections created at UW-Stout.
Inspiring Graduate: Jewel Fredrickson, industrial and product design
Before crossing the commencement stage for a second time at UW-Stout, Fredrickson was hired prior to graduation as an asset specialist at WB Manufacturing, in Thorp.
She had earned her B.S. art education in 2020 and was teaching art at Thorp High School, when she decided to return for her bachelor’s in industrial and product design.
“I knew what to expect coming back. My previous experience gave me professors that I knew cared about me and wanted to see me succeed. I got the same experience in the industrial design program. The professors push you to create your best work and classes are set up for real world experience, whether it is classroom exercises or sponsored projects for industry companies,” Fredrickson said.
“The number one goal I have is to design products that make a positive impact on people’s lives through the products they use,” she added.
Moore came to UW-Stout because she was drawn in by the polytechnic, hands-on learning opportunities, and her parents’ neighbor is an alum who helped introduce her to the university.
Moore, a first-generation student and McNair Scholar, has a passion for mental health and social justice. She was selected to present at the 2025 Research in the Rotunda, discussing her research on Elderly Americans: Maintaining Independence and Well-Being with legislators, state leaders, UW alumni and supporters. She also presented at UW-Stout’s annual Research Day on May 6 before graduating with her bachelor’s in psychology.
She will soon travel to Finland for a two-week study abroad trip to study the prison system there. She will then move to Madison to continue her education, pursuing a master’s in clinical rehabilitation at UW-Madison.
“I hope to use my knowledge gained during my time at Stout and what I will learn at Madison to pursue social change for those whose voices are silenced. To do this, I would like to work on a mental health council within the judicial system to advise judges on the best course of treatment for those inmates who struggle with mental health concerns,” Moore said.
Inspiring Graduate: Shannon Peskie, interior design
When Peskie was looking into interior design degree programs, she found that UW-Stout was a CIDA accredited school and a polytechnic university. “I knew that learning at Stout was exactly what I was looking for,” she said.
Peskie, an Honors College student who completed a year-long design internship at Continua Interiors, in Plymouth, Minnesota, has been accepted at the University of Minnesota for architecture and is also interviewing for interior design positions with companies outside of Minneapolis.
“The hands-on learning here at Stout has prepared me. Through my projects, I have learned different software and soft skills and was encouraged to push my designs to be the best they can be,” she said.
“UW-Stout has given me all the technical and soft skills needed to be successful when entering the field. I have been able to be as creative as possible and always found a way to make something new and exciting,” she added.
ABOVE PHOTOS:
Khendra Thompson earned her B.F.A. in interior design from UW-Stout on May 10.
Jewel Fredrickson earned her B.F.A. in industrial and product design from UW-Stout on May 10.
Bria Moore earned his B.S. psychology from UW-Stout on May 10.
Shannon Peskie earned her B.F.A. in interior design from UW-Stout on May 10.
