Foundation News

PLATTEVILLE- The IIW Engineering and Surveying Corporation and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation together have established the IIW Engineers & Surveyors Scholarship.

The scholarship is renewable for up to four years for a total of $2,000 per recipient. To be eligible to renew the scholarship, a recipient must remain in either the building construction management or civil engineering major program as well as maintain a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better.

"The UWP Foundation is grateful for IIW's support of these growing majors and the Tri-State Initiative," stated Holly Kaiser, director of development for the UWP Foundation. "We are excited to have this scholarship available to tri-state students interested in IIW Engineers and Surveyors, P.C., is located in Dubuque, Iowa, and provides civil, structural and architectural services. IIW works with many groups including, but not limited to, cities, governmental and county agencies, commercial organizations as well as owners of private property to provide creative and traditional design solutions.

"We wanted to help out deserving students financially and get more high school students excited about engineering," said Tim Tranel, vice president of IIW Engineers and Surveyors. "We know UWP prepares students very well to enter the engineering consulting world. The practical problem-solving approaches and real-world knowledge gained in the curriculum has been evident with UWP-educated employees."

IIW currently employees 12 UWP graduate engineers, four graduates from various construction technology programs and one graduate from the agriculture program.

IIW's chief executive officer, Mike Jansen, is active with the UWP Alumni Association and UWP Foundation Board of Directors. "Many UWP graduates know how to teach themselves, which is essential as they move through an ever-changing career," said Jansen. "The learning never stops and the UWP provides a solid foundation for intellectual curiosity to expand knowledge and accept challenges. Many of our staff, including myself, have a genuine obligation to UWP because of the opportunities it has provided for us, so we are proud to support UWP's mission as well with this scholarship."

For more information about the scholarship or to find out how to set up your own scholarship, contact Kaiser at (608) 342-1879 or kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE- University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumnus Mike Jacobson, Ph.D. in biochemistry, has established the Alice Keegan Memorial Scholarship for Riverdale High School. It was because of Keegan's inspiring and dedicated role as an educator that Jacobson chose to honor her in this way.

The scholarship recipient must be an incoming freshman who graduated from Riverdale High School in Muscoda with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent) and who has declared a major in chemistry. If there are no incoming freshmen from Riverdale with that major, the scholarship will be available to continuing students from Riverdale with chemistry majors. The scholarship will be opened to new freshmen and continuing students from Riverdale with either biology or education majors if there are still no eligible students found. The first scholarship will be awarded in spring 2010.

Keegan, a chemistry teacher at Riverdale during the 1950s and 1960s, greatly influenced Jacobson to pursue further education at UWP. He graduated with a degree in chemistry and later earned his Ph.D. from Kansas State University.

In establishing the scholarship Jacobson said, "A great teacher at the right time can make a lasting impact. Alice Keegan was a great teacher of chemistry."

After receiving his Ph.D., Jacobson went on to teach at many different universities across the nation. Heavily involved in research concerning niacin's role in human health, he helped found Niadyne Inc., a company dedicated to understanding niacin's function and use in clinical applications. He now lives with his wife Elaine in Tuscon, Ariz.

Jacobson is a strong supporter of UWP; the Alice Keegan Memorial Scholarship is the second scholarship he has established with the UWP Foundation. The first was in honor of his former UWP chemistry professor, Dwight Klaassen, Ph.D. in biochemistry.

"Dr. Jacobson's support of UWP is greatly appreciated. He has done a tremendous job showing appreciation for the people that influenced his life during his education," stated Holly Kaiser of the UWP Foundation, who worked with Jacobson to establish the scholarship. "I believe this scholarship will encourage more students from Riverdale High School to continue their education at UWP in the field of chemistry."

For more information about scholarship donations, contact Kaiser at (608) 342-1879 or kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE- University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumni Mike and Bernadette Routhieaux have established a new scholarship in honor of legendary coach Lester "Butch" Leitl.

The Coach Leitl Student Leadership Scholarship is available to any continuing student from Wisconsin, Illinois or Iowa with a minimum of 30 credits completed and a declared major within the School of Agriculture. Students applying for the scholarship must also demonstrate leadership abilities within a team setting inside or outside the classroom and be involved in extra-curricular activities like organizations, clubs or sports. Applicants must also display a strong work ethic as shown by part-time employment either on or off campus.

The scholarship will be awarded annually and will offset the cost of tuition. The scholarship amount is $1,000 per year.

"This is my way of saying thanks for his support," said Mike Routhieaux, class of 1965. "Coach Leitl will always have a special place in my heart. I do believe there are people who influence who you eventually become. Coach Leitl had a real personality," added Routhieaux, who played football for Leitl. "His players had a real love for him. He had a great, very subtle sense of humor and had such appreciation for a win. You could meet 100 guys and forget 99 of them but you could never, never forget him."

This is not the first time Leitl has been honored. In November 2008, the Pioneers' football field was dedicated and named after him. In addition to the field naming, a Leitl scholarship was established by several former players at the time of Leitl's retirement from the university. Routhieaux's annual scholarship will add to the more than 130 scholarships that have been awarded in Leitl's name.

"It was a pleasure to work with Mike to set up this scholarship to honor Coach Leitl, a person Mike feels truly influenced his life," said Holly Kaiser, director of development at the UW-Platteville Foundation. "A great part of my job is working with alumni who desire to honor a former coach, professor or classmate by establishing a scholarship or fund in their name."

For more information about scholarship donations, contact Kaiser at (608) 342-1879 or kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE - The Pioneer Gardens and Greenhouse at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville were created to provide a hands-on environment for UWP students and faculty to interact, teach and learn. Thanks to the generosity of Mansel (class of 1948) and Dottie Johns, longtime supporters and friends of UWP, the Pioneer Gardens will continue to grow.

On Friday, July 24, a dedication ceremony was held to honor Dottie and her support of the newly named Dottie Johns Pioneer Gardens. Dennis Cooley, assistant chancellor for University Advancement and executive director of the UWP Foundation, welcomed everyone and expressed the importance of the Pioneer Gardens. "Pioneer Gardens is literally a place where our campus comes to life. UWP has made it a tradition to have beautiful grounds, accented by the landscaping work of our maintenance and grounds staff."

Mike Compton, director of the UWP School of Agriculture and a professor of ornamental horticulture and plant biotechnology, explained the long-term goals of the Pioneer Gardens. According to Compton, the mission of the Pioneer Gardens and Greenhouse is education. He said under the support of Mansel and Dottie Johns and other gifts from loyal alumni and friends, the gardens will be able to impact not only the university but the surrounding community of Platteville, as well.

"Eventually, we would like the university and community to participate in self-guided tours of the gardens," said Compton. Compton added that another goal is to have the gardens act as an outdoor laboratory for landscape management students to communicate with community members about what plants grow best in the area.

Chancellor Emeritus David Markee expressed thanks to Dottie Johns for her support. "The Johnses are very good friends and important people to us and their support will impact our students and programs. In the next five to 10 years, this site will be impactful as it relates to activities and events on campus," Markee added.

Cooley gave a short tribute to Dottie. "We are honored by the generosity of Mansel and Dottie Johns, which led to today's ceremony when we dedicate this wonderful patch of earth as the Dottie Johns Pioneer Garden."

The ceremony was concluded with a few words from Dottie, overwhelmed by the beauty of the gardens and thankful for the honor. "It couldn't be any more beautiful," said Dottie.

For more information, contact Cooley at (608) 342-1309 or cooleyde@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation has initiated the Pioneer Farm Fence Sponsorship Project. The project will use the fence located adjacent to the walking path between the Cooper Living and Learning Center and the Agriculture Technology Center.

The project was started to recognize the outstanding contributions of the UWP community and give them the opportunity to sponsor Pioneer Farm. When the project is finished UWP Foundation will host a fence dedication to showcase everyone's name on his/her respective board or post.

Funds to support future enhancements to Pioneer Farm will be divided among the Dairy, Swine and Beef Center. There are 150 boards and 75 posts available for sponsorship. The cost to name a board is $500 and the cost to name a post is $250.

Four boards have already been sold to Livingston State Bank, Cuba City Feed Mill, LLC, and the others to UWP Alumni.

"The Pioneer Farm Fence Project is similar to that of the 'M' steps project which raised funds for the New Engineering building, but this reaches out to our Agriculture Alumni. This is a great way for people to have the opportunity to put their name on a little piece of UWP," said Bevan.

Questions about the project should be directed to Jaclyn Bevan, UWP Foundation development officer, at (608) 342-1846 or zimmermanj@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation had much to celebrate on Sunday, June 28 at the annual Donor Recognition Brunch. It was a time to recognize the past, present and future of UWP as alumni and friends gathered to honor supporters who have played a major role in funding the various scholarships, capital projects, development funds and other initiatives at UWP. Those present at the dinner were just a few of the more than 10,000 current donors who support UWP.

Guests were welcomed by Dennis Cooley, executive director of the UWP Foundation, who described this year as "One of the best years ever for the UWP Foundation," thanks to the support of UWP alumni and friends and the hard work of UWP's development officers. As Cooley introduced Chancellor David Markee to speak, he acknowledged that it was the chancellor's final address at the annual donor event.

Markee thanked those present at the brunch. "It is a great honor to have you here," Markee said. "I am pleased with the support and participation in projects that have allowed the university to grow and am excited about the leadership we have on campus."

The growth of the university is made possible in part by the strong enrollment numbers-1,600 new freshmen are coming to UWP this year, making the total number of students at UWP over 8,000. Markee explained the importance of the Tri-State Initiative to this growth and noted the development of new programs at UWP: MEMS/nanotechnology, forensic investigation, renewable energy systems, social and environmental justice and the Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement. The Confucius Institute, Engineering Hall, reconstruction of Williams Fieldhouse and the expansion of the Pioneer Farm have also furthered the growth of UWP, according to Markee. "Ottensman and Boebel halls are next on the project list," Markee added.

After Markee spoke, a student group from the Engineers without Borders program at UWP gave a presentation on the group's work in African villages near Ghana. They have been traveling to Africa every year since 2007, addressing infrastructure needs and teaching the villagers how to fix problem areas themselves. The group has donated 500 pounds of textbooks, medical supplies and soccer balls to the villages.

Four individuals were honored as distinguished service award recipients. This award is given to those who have significantly served UWP and its mission. Recipients of this award have enhanced UWP's reputation by substantially contributing time and/or gifts for its benefit or have influenced others to develop a similar relationship with the university. During the brunch, Roman and Joan Borkovec, Lloyd Linden and Linda Pauls Fleming were recognized with this honor.

The brunch was concluded with a comment from Cooley, "Every year we get stronger, Chancellor Markee always found ways and opportunities for UWP to grow."

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PLATTEVILLE - Ubersox Chrysler Inc. is helping the University of Wisconsin-Platteville continue and grow its Traveling Technology program through the donation of the use of a truck. Traveling Technology is designed to increase enrollment in the department of industrial studies manufacturing program and introduce high school students to the manufacturing industry.

"We felt it was a good thing to do. If we can help, why not help," said Mike Ubersox, owner of Ubersox Chrysler Inc. of Platteville.

Kyle Metzloff, professor of metal technology takes four students to high schools around the tri-state area for a one-day workshop as part of Traveling Technology. They bring an electric kiln and safety gear with them. During the workshop, students watch and participate in casting demonstrations. They also get information about the UWP industrial studies program and career opportunities in manufacturing. The truck will be used to tow the trailer that will carry the kiln and gear.

Over 100 students came to the first demonstration at Dodgeville High School in October 2008. "Kyle was extremely knowledgeable. I would absolutely recommend this program to other high schools. A lot of schools don't have anything like this to expose students to manufacturing and careers in manufacturing," said John Moran, technology education teacher at Dodgeville High School.

Before the truck use donation, Metzloff used his own vehicle. "We had no way of towing the trailer with our (UWP's) vehicles. We needed something with enough towing capacity that would fit all our students. I really appreciate the use of the truck," said Metzloff.

The Ubersox trucks that Metzloff can use are all crew cabs that seat six people with a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds.

Ubersox said that the donation also benefits his business by giving it recognition and building relations with UWP. "I feel fortunate to be in a college town. It was nice to give back. I hope some people at the college will work with us in the future," said Ubersox.

Anyone wanting more information about or to contribute to the Traveling Technology program may contact Metzloff at (608) 342-1142 or metzlofk@uwplatt.edu. Anyone wanting more information about the truck donation may contact Jackie Bevan, development officer for the UWP Foundation, at (608) 342-1864 or zimmermanj@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumnus Ron Meissen recently established the Ron Meissen Sustainability Fund to advance the understanding and teaching of sustainability throughout the university. Meissen graduated in 1971 from UW-Platteville with a degree in civil engineering. He went on to earn a Master of Science degree in civil engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana, an M.B.A. from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and a Ph.D. at UW-Madison in environmental science with a focus on sustainable development/industrial eco-efficiency and a Ph.D. minor in energy analysis and policy.

Meissen decided to create the fund because of the interest in sustainability and its possible evolution at UW-Platteville. He said the world is becoming more challenged because society is using limited resources at a rate which will be difficult to sustain and generating certain wastes, such as greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate change. Meissen desires the current generation to learn more about sustainability so future generations will be able to meet their needs and live healthy lives.

The fund states that UW-Platteville is to use the funds as deemed most appropriate for teaching and expanding sustainability throughout the university. His goal is to advance sustainability and renewable energy both at the university and within the curriculum, as appropriate his to alma mater, by providing resources, both intellectually and financially.

"This fund will give the Renewable Energy Council financial support for field trips and travel to conferences that they otherwise would not have due to recent budget restrictions. Ron's desire to enhance sustainability at UW-Platteville by sharing his knowledge and giving financial support is commendable," said Holly Kaiser, director of development at the UW-Platteville Foundation, who worked with Meissen to set up the fund.

"On behalf of the Renewable Energy Council members, I thank Mr. Meissen for his vision and support of our efforts on sustainability and renewable energy" said Mesut Muslu, chair of the Renewable Energy Council. Muslu stated that such support is critical for faculty to integrate sustainability issues in their courses and also be able to take students to conferences.

Meissen is employed at Baxter International Inc. and has held various positions over 30 years. For the last 10 years, he has worked on sustainability issues for the company. Meissen came to UW-Platteville several times in 2008 to meet with administrators, professors and students to discuss renewable energy, sustainability and emerging trends in sustainable development.

UWP developed a minor in renewable energy that was first offered in the fall 2008 semester. According to the renewable energy minor website, the renewable energy minor is a university-wide interdisciplinary program designed to enhance the knowledge of students with regard to renewable as well as traditional energy sources and their impacts on the environment and society.

For more information about the Ron Meissen Sustainability Fund contact Kaiser at (608) 342-1879 or kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE- At the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the Pioneer Investment Club gives UWP students a chance to further their financial knowledge through hands-on investment experience. The club allows the students to invest nearly $200,000 of UW-Platteville Foundation's money into stocks of their choice to gain a broad knowledge of the stock market and how it functions.

"The club is a great opportunity for students who are interested in investing and motivated to learn more about it," said John Hammermeister, UWP assistant professor of accounting and supervisor for the Pioneer Investment Club.

The club employs a hands-on technique for students to learn their way around the stock market. In order for the club to buy a stock, a member must choose and investigate a potential stock for purchase. He or she must then put together a presentation to give to the club, and the members take a majority vote to buy or reject. New members are allowed to pool their votes together to make one vote that counts in the official poll, but are not allowed to vote individually until they present a stock on their own.

"The club is great because it allows interested students to spend real money and interact with the stock market," said Drew DiVall, an UWP senior business finance and accounting major and vice-president of the Pioneer Investment Club. "It also lets us bounce ideas off each other and learn different strategies from each other, something we wouldn't be able to experience investigating the stock market on our own."

The Pioneer Investment Club invests funds entrusted to them by the UWP Foundation. The funds were entrusted to the club in late 2001, when the UWP Foundation Board made the decision to allow the students to manage a portion of the endowment in accordance with the Foundation Investment Guidelines. The original amount of the endowment was $150,000, but over the years, the number has grown to the $200,000 the club manages today. Club members are required to give annual presentations to the UWP Foundation Board in order for the board to receive feedback and monitor the process of the students' investments.

"The club provides an educational experience for the students and gives them real-life experience on managing and trading funds," said Kim Govier, UWP Foundation accounts receivable and scholarship coordinator. "The students are a step ahead because they already have actual experience managing funds when they leave school."

Members of the Pioneer Investment Club are also given opportunities to attend conferences to enhance their knowledge of investments. This March, five members of the club were given the opportunity to attend the Redefining Investment Strategy Education global student investment forum at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. The conference is a three-day forum where students, faculty and investment professionals meet in an interactive learning environment designed to educate participants about investing. During the forum, members of the Pioneer Investment Club listened to keynote presentations given by internationally renowned industry leaders and attended specialized workshops and career strategies forums.

"I really enjoyed the conference because I was a able to hear firsthand what Wall Street professionals and other prominent businesspeople had to say about the current state of the economy," said Megan Yager, a UWP junior accounting and business finance major and secretary for the UWP Pioneer Investment Club. "I was also able to attend breakout sessions of my choice and learn about things that I am really interested in."

Last spring, members of the club also attended the Chicago Board Options Exchange in Chicago, the official trading floor for trading options. The group attended an educational seminar about the mechanics of options, strategies and costs of options and how to buy and sell them of E-trade. Next, the group participated in a trading simulation on the CBOE floor with real options traders. They learned the hand signals and vocabulary that traders use and even bought and sold options with real options traders.

"The CBOE trip gave the club members the opportunity to see and feel what it is really like to trade derivatives by bartering with real traders," said DiVall. "Through the club, we aren't really exposed to options, and this seminar was a really great way for the members to gain experience in a part of investments that we don't really cover in the club."

"The Investment Club really benefits students because it makes them much more aware of the business world," said Yager, who has been involved in the club since she was a freshman. "I have learned a lot about investing and the economy, and I have used what I've learned in many of my classes."

The club meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 108 of Ullsvik Hall on the UWP campus. For more information about the Pioneer Investment Club, contact Hammermeister at (608) 342-1463 or hammermeistj@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE - Fred Jaeckle will be serving as the principal speaker for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's afternoon commencement ceremony on May 9. Jaeckle earned his degree at UW-Platteville in comprehensive business and economics in 1967. A graduate of Monona Grove High School, Jaeckle came to UWP because of its location and size. Undecided about his academic major, Jaeckle found his niche when he took a course in economics. He was active on campus, participating in the Phi Alpha Psi (currently known as Sigma Tau Gamma) fraternity.

Shortly after graduation, in 1973, Jaeckle went to work for Jaeckle Wholesale Inc., a company started in 1958 by his parents, Harvey and Hardy Jaeckle, as a plastic laminate distributor in southern Wisconsin. Celebrating 50 years of business in 2008, Jaeckle Wholesale currently serves clients in 10 states from five locations in the Midwest as a distributor of flooring and decorative surfaces. The long-term company goal is to be in business forever by continually redefining business practices and applying innovative means to meet the increasing demands and expectations of customers.

Jaeckle is the retired CEO of Jaeckle Wholesale. His sons, Jeff and Torrey, are third generational leaders in this family business. Jaeckle continues to support his sons in the business, providing advice and counsel on business development and relationship management. He serves as president of the Wisconsin Floor Covering Association, a trade organization, and has served on the WFCA board for 15 years. He is a past member of the board of the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors.

Jaeckle is an active Pioneer alumnus, serving as a volunteer on the UW-Platteville Foundation Board. He currently serves as board chair. In speaking of his service, Jaeckle notes that he has enjoyed working with others who have a similar interest and passion for UWP. Further, he indicated that it is truly gratifying to see first-hand how private gifts and grants benefit UWP's programs, facilities and students. He lives in Madison.

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PLATTEVILLE - Glenn Fritz, a 1940 graduate of the Wisconsin Institute of Technology, has funded an annual scholarship for incoming University of Wisconsin-Platteville students from the Fennimore School District.

In addition, Glenn funded the establishment of the Miners of the Class of 1940 Room in UWP's newly opened 108,500-square-foot Engineering Hall. The first classes were conducted in the building as the spring 2009 semester started.

"We love spending time with Glenn Fritz," said Assistant Chancellor of University Advancement, Dennis Cooley. "Glenn had a fantastic career and has stayed true to his roots. The best part about Glenn's philanthropy is that students, generations from now, will have a chance to learn about Glenn and his fellow classmates from the mining school."

Glenn's donation also will fund an annual scholarship for a Fennimore School District student attending Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore. That scholarship will be administered by the UWP Foundation.

"I donated to these scholarships because I wanted to help students from my hometown of Fennimore to have access to high-quality education," he said.

Mr. Fritz was president of his senior class at Fennimore High School, graduating in 1937. He earned his diploma from the Wisconsin Institute of Technology - what the mining school in Platteville was called at the time - in 1940. He and five of his classmates - Ralph Henry, John Orth, Stanley Bendorf, Ed Laffey and Ray Schaffer - accepted work in the Pittsburgh office of a company owned by Ralph E. Davis (former mining school president and namesake to UWP's stadium). This team worked on a project in West Virginia led by Platteville native Donald "Bud" Meyer, a graduate of the Wisconsin Mining School.

World War II interrupted Glenn's educational career. He served in the Army Air Corps for four and a half years and was stationed in India. On his honorable discharge, he returned to the classroom at the School of Mines in Rolla, Mo., and earned his bachelor's degree in June 1947. Many Wisconsin Institute of Technology graduates at the time completed requirements for their bachelor's degree at Rolla.

Glenn traveled west in 1947 and landed a position with the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. in Butte, Mont., in 1947. He worked there for two years before taking a job with the export division of Joy Manufacturing. He and his then new wife, Florence, set off for his new assignment in India.

Glenn met Florence, an Idaho Falls, Idaho, native, in Butte. She was working for the FBI office there.

The Fritzes lived in Calcutta, India, from 1949 through 1952. His sales territory included Indochina, Malaysia, Burma, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. They returned to the United States in 1952 so he could work in the firm's New York export office. In 1954, he was dispatched to Bogota, Colombia, with a sales territory that included Colombia, Ecuador and all of Central America. He and Florence relocated to Spokane, Wash., in 1964. Florence died in April 2001.

Glenn owned and operated Glenn H. Fritz Inc. for 30 years. The company was a distributor of accessories for rotary drilling for the mining, water well and exploration industries. Glenn has dedicated time, energy, and resources to the fraternal organization of Freemasons. He is a 62-year member of the Lodge.

Glenn has continued interacting with his fellow graduates of the mining program at Platteville. He was instrumental in bringing his classmates together for their 50th reunion in 1990. Additionally, he has retained a keen interest in his business. This past fall, at age 88, he attended Mine Expo International in Las Vegas.

For more information about Glenn Fritz's contributions to UWP, contact Kim Govier, scholarship coordinator, UWP Foundation, at (608) 342-1243 or carlk@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE - GROWMARK, an agricultural cooperative system, has a rich history with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. GROWMARK has continued to spread seeds of support to UWP over the years by providing scholarships and most recently, a renewable grant. The Glenn Webb Education Fund of the GROWMARK Foundation is awarding UWP $5,000 to use to enhance programs or projects that further students' development. GROWMARL is requesting UWP to allocate the funds to three areas: student activities, leadership development and agricultural program enhancement.

This fiscal year, the grant will be used to support the Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement. PACCE provides funding for UWP students to engage in community-based projects for academic credit - under the advisement of a faculty or staff member. GROWMARK felt as though PACCE's mission fit under the three requested areas of student activities, leadership development and agricultural program enhancement.

UWP was one of six core universities to receive such a grant, selected from approximately 20 others. John Holthaus, personnel specialist for GROWMARK, presented UWP with the renewable grant and highlighted GROWMARK's relationship with UWP. GROWMARK has a long history of attending the UWP Career Fair. Diana Trendt, interim director of the Career Center, said that Growmark has always been pleased with student candidates. According to Holthaus, approximately 150 GROWMARK employees are UWP graduates. The company will host five interns this summer and has been impressed with the work they have seen from the students. GROWMARK also appreciates the strong faculty support they have received throughout the interning process.

In addition to the renewable grant, GROWMARK has offered two $1,000 scholarships in the past for agriculture students. Holthaus announced that the company is increasing the number of scholarships to three. The scholarships are offered to agriculture students who have a least 80 credits completed with leadership and involvement in student activities.

For more information about UWP scholarships or GROWMARK's gift may contact Denee Hirsch, Director of Development, Major Gifts, UWP Foundation at (608) 342-1969 or hirsch@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE - Members of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville chapter of Engineers Without Borders will return to the same region in Ghana this summer to spend two weeks building a bridge that will allow children to reach a school and a community to access a rail station.

A group of nine students, one faculty member and one staff member traveled to Ghana in 2008 and completed a drainage project in Nsumia, Ghana, and a driveway at a school in Papase, Ghana, eliminating major erosion problems. The students also brought 500 pounds of math, science and English books that they donated to the school.

This year's trip will occur in August just before the fall semester starts, said Nick Confer, a senior majoring in engineering physics who is treasurer of the UWP Engineers Without Borders chapter. Confer is from Tomahawk.

The exact number of students and advisors who will travel to Africa this summer hasn't been determined. Confer said the group is looking into ways to expand the group beyond engineers to include students with other backgrounds who can contribute to the community development project. For instance, he said it would make sense to include education and agriculture majors.

"You don't need to be an engineer to be part of what we're doing," he said. "We're looking for people from other majors to get involved."

Even though the trip is months away, chapter members are involved with a number of projects that must be completed first.

For instance, there are numerous documentation requirements and a need to produce detailed plans of both the design and specifications of the bridge they plan to build - "just like any regular engineering project," Confer said.

Club members also are raising money. For instance, they are currently holding drawings for their 2009 calendar raffle fundraiser. They also are looking for other sources of funds to both pay for the materials needed to build the bridge along with travel expenses, which could pass $2,000 a person. Last year, the UWP Foundation helped find an anonymous donor who made a significant contribution toward travel expenses. Members of the group still will pay at least a portion of the trip's cost out of their own pockets, Confer said.

The planned footbridge will be built in Gidi, Ghana, the same general area about 20 miles north of the capital of Accra where last year's projects occurred. The bridge will be built over a river that becomes impassable during the rainy season so children from one community will be able to attend school across the river consistently.

The students won't be doing all of the work on the project. Last year, residents from throughout the area provided an overwhelming amount of labor to ensure that the job got done, he said.

For more information on UWP's Engineers Without Borders and the planned trip to Ghana, go to http://uwplatt.edu/org/ewbuwp/ or contact Confer at confern@uwplatt.edu.

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PLATTEVILLE- By 2011, the insurance industry will add over 11,000 new jobs according to the Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges. In response to these job opportunities, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is offering a new course, Special Issues in Business (Insurance Principles and Practice).

"The workforce (in insurance) is graying, particularly in this state. Forty percent of people in management positions will retire in the coming decade. We want to develop a pipeline of talented students and build an interest among college students and get them involved in insurance," said John Hammermeister, assistant professor of business and accounting and instructor of the course.

The course will cover the role of insurance in society, the benefits and problems of insurance, and consumer considerations. In addition, a series of guest speakers will discuss employment opportunities and present different perspectives on insurance issues.

Hammermeister stressed that insurance careers aren't only for business majors. The class is open to all majors because the insurance industry looks for people with varying talents.

David Fritz of TRICOR Inc. Insurance and Financial Services in Platteville helped Hammermeister start the course. Fritz is also on the UWP Business Advisory Board and the UWP Foundation Board. He has hired many UWP students as interns and has UWP graduates on his staff.

"The insurance industry is significantly broader in terms of employment opportunities than what most students understand. Careers in insurance range from insurance sales, underwriting, marketing, claims adjustments, occupational safety, finance and accounting, human resource management, construction and the list could continue ... The class will be a good thing for students to point to when interviewing with a prospective employer ... Wisconsin and our nation are blessed with several large insurance companies looking for talented individuals," stated Fritz.

Students may also be able to work toward a certification by taking the new course. The UWP Department of Business and Accounting is working with the UWP Department of Industrial Studies occupational safety program to create a certification program. The program would include a series of existing classes along with the new course.

"If students take a few classes in occupational safety, along with other insurance industry specializations, they will be a more marketable candidate when applying for internships or permanent positions," said Fritz.

Anyone wanting more information about the Special Issues in Business (Insurance Principles and Practice) course may contact Hammermeister at (608) 342-1463 or http://www.blogger.com/hammermeistj@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, phonathon, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation announces the establishment of the Mick and Rhonda Viney Student Involvement Scholarship. This is the second scholarship that has been started by the Vineys at UWP, the first being the Mick and Rhonda Viney Milton High School Scholarship at UW-Platteville.

Both Mick and Rhonda received their bachelor's and master's degrees from UWP, and have spent the majority of their careers at the university. During their tenure as students, the Vineys were involved in numerous extracurricular activities. Rhonda began her career in student housing as an undergraduate resident assistant and was involved in various clubs, organizations, committees and campus music ensembles. Mick also involved himself as a resident assistant and concert band member, as well as a participant in many intramural sports and organizations. Both Mick and Rhonda believe that student involvement in leadership positions enhances and supports the learning on campus. As educators in out-of-classroom situations, they have been significant mentors and teachers to many undergraduates.

The Mick and Rhonda Viney Student Involvement Scholarship will be made available to all continuing students with at least a sophomore standing. The student will need to submit a one-page document describing commitment to and involvement in addressing issues of sexism, racism, homophobia or ableism on the UWP campus. A FAFSA must be filed, and financial need will be determined by the federal need analysis formula.

Anyone wanting more details on the scholarships or interested in making a contribution may contact Holly Kaiser, director of Development at the UW-Platteville Foundation at (608) 342-1879 or kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is offering an opportunity for companies to recruit students and an opportunity for students to earn scholarship money and build their resume through the 5x5x5 "M" S.T.E.P. Mentoring Scholarships Training Education Placement program.

To be part of the program, companies award five $1,000 scholarships for five years to UWP students. Scholarships are preferred to be awarded to freshmen, but may be awarded to sophomores or juniors if they meet the criteria. Companies have the option of increasing the number of years, amount or number of students. They also set their own scholarship criteria.

So far, Hartung Brothers Inc., Alliant Energy, TriCore AEA in Racine, Sloan Implement, Ritchie Implement and American Transmission Co. are offering five scholarships for five years. The UWP Foundation is working with an additional 50 companies that have expressed interest in offering scholarships.

Scholarship recipients are named company scholars throughout their time at UWP. Companies have the option to mentor recipients. One way to meet and begin mentoring recipients is for companies to host a banquet at UWP.

The program can also work as a recruitment tool. "Companies may use their recruitment funds for this program instead of their scholarship funds," said Jaclyn Bevan, development coordinator at the UWP Foundation.

While receiving a 5x5x5 "M" S.T.E.P. scholarship does not guarantee employment with the company, businesses may encourage scholars to apply for internships and jobs. Many of the Hartung Brothers Inc. scholars will begin internships at the company this summer. According to Bevan, the scholars may do better because of the mentoring they received and the networking they did.

Students may apply for the 5x5x5 "M" S.T.E.P. scholarships through the Financial Aid office application on PeopleSoft. Companies interested in starting a scholarship or anyone wanting more information about the program, may contact Bevan at (608) 342-1864 or http://www.blogger.com/zimmermanj@uwplatt.edu or Denee Hirsch, director of development, major gifts of the UWP Foundation at (608) 342-1969 or http://www.blogger.com/hirschd@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation has announced the establishment of the G. Olin Gunderson Visual Art Scholarship. This marks UWP alumnus Jerry Gunderson's third scholarship in three years, along with the Gerald O. Gunderson Natural Sciences Scholarship and the Jerry Gunderson Scholarship for Appleton West High School.

The first scholarship that Gunderson established focused on the natural sciences, and it has been awarded several times since its establishment in 2005. As a high school and middle school science teacher in both De Pere and Middleton, Gunderson has shared his interest for the natural sciences by not just teaching, but by being a presenter at seminars, publishing papers, hosting graduate students while they were doing research, helping environmental groups and restoring native prairies. With the founding of the Gerald O. Gunderson Natural Sciences Scholarship, he became able to also consider himself a financial supporter of the advancement of science education.

As a 1960 graduate of Appleton High School, Gunderson decided that his second scholarship would simultaneously give back to his high school and UWP. All graduates of Appleton West High School, incoming freshmen or otherwise, are available to receive this scholarship, with preference given to those majoring in biology, reclamation, environment and conservation, soil and crop science, chemistry, mathematics or fine arts. The Jerry Gunderson Scholarship for Appleton West High School had its first recipient, Anthony Probst, in May 2008.

Gunderson taught math and science in Wisconsin for 30 years. Though his career was based mainly in the sciences, he enjoys the visual arts, and believes that art is a very important part in a healthy society.

The G. Olin Gunderson Visual Art Scholarship will be available to all UWP students who apply to the UWP Fine Arts Department scholarships through the UWP Financial Aid Office. Preference will be given to student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in art with an emphasis in art education, comprehensive art or graphic design. If no students are available, the scholarship will be opened to any student pursuing an art minor, and if no students are yet available, the scholarship will be open to any student pursuing a music major or minor.

Anyone wanting more details on the scholarships or interested in making a contribution may contact Holly Kaiser, director of Development at the UW-Platteville Foundation at (608) 342-1879 or kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - A new scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year will honor the memory of a University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumna and provide monies to a current UWP undergraduate interested in a medical career.

The Joyce Mueller Memorial Scholarship will go to a student pursuing studies in the medical field. Students hoping to pursue a career in pre-med, nursing, dentistry, medical technology or nano-technology applicable to medicine are encouraged to apply. The scholarship will provide approximately $500 per semester.

The scholarship is a gift from Jim Valaskey, director of facilities management at UWP, as tribute to his wife who passed away after a bout with cancer.

"Our goal is to help a local, tri-county student," said Valaskey, "to give them the opportunity to study in the medical field. I know it would be Joyce's goal too. Joyce was a true supporter of education. She loved teaching and sharing her wealth of information, both in educating her subordinates at work and in the university classroom. Joyce also had a passion for helping people through the medical field. She was a registered medical technologist and encouraged young people to pursue a career in the medical field."

A large part of the gift is made up of donations from Mueller's friends, family and colleagues.

"We asked that, in lieu of sending in flowers and cards," Valaskey said, "that people donate to the scholarship fund."

Mueller grew up on the family farm in Cuba City, one of six children raised by Ed and Mabel Mueller. She graduated from Cuba City High School and then attended UWP where she earned her Bachelor of Science in medical technology degree. She also completed a master's in business administration from the University of Dubuque.

Mueller put her skills to work as an administrative supervisor at Mercy Medical Center United Clinical Laboratories in Dubuque. She served as the secretary of the board and chairperson of the Health Services Credit Union, also in Dubuque, and as the secretary of the board and chairperson of the credit committee there.

In her spare time, Mueller participated in dressage competitions with her quarter horse, Tia, and she served as show secretary of the Wisconsin Foundation Quarter Horse Association. Mueller gave back to her alma mater by teaching classes as an adjunct professor of business administration at UWP.

The scholarship has three criteria: the recipient should have financial need, a good academic standing, and come from the Southwest Wisconsin area; students from Galena and Dubuque also qualify.

Mueller is survived by her husband and their three sons, Kurt, Eric and Corey.

Anyone interested in the scholarship or more information should contact Denee Hirsch, director of development, major gifts, at (608) 342-1969 or hirschd@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will award a $1,000 Ritchie Implement Inc. Agricultural Business Scholarship to an incoming freshman who plans to major in agricultural business or business.

The scholarship will be awarded over two years - the first $500 during the second semester of the student's first year and the second $500 during the second semester of sophomore year.

The Ritchie scholar must be: a graduate of Barneveld, Darlington or Iowa-Grant high schools; a declared major in agricultural business or business; and enrolled at UWP as a full-time student during the fall semester and finish that semester in good standing. Preference will be given to students with an agricultural background.

Ritchie Implement Inc. is Southwest Wisconsin's leading distributor of new and used farm equipment since 1961. The company has locations in Cobb, Darlington and Barneveld. For more information on the scholarship, contact Jaclyn Bevan, development officer with the UWP Foundation, at (608) 342-1864 or zimmermanj@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville formally recognized Hampel Corp.'s donation of 20 calf pen systems to the Pioneer Farm at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 8.

Lewis Anderson Jr., national sales manager for Calf-Tel, said his company, which is a division of Hampel Corp., was pleased to make the donation and be involved with the Pioneer Farm.

"This is what we like to see," Anderson said during brief remarks at the ceremony that also was attended by UWP Chancellor David Markee and several other UWP officials. "We like to be involved with students and the educational component."

Cory Weigel, manager of the dairy operation at Pioneer Farm, said the new calf pens were very easy to install and have been a positive addition.

With calves mooing in the background, Weigel said that the animals are healthier in their new, warmer accommodations in the old Dairy Center. They previously were in the greenhouse.

"They sure are doing a lot better in this facility," he said.

The new 4-by-6-foot pens allow for easy management and cleaning. When a calf is moved out, the bedding is removed and the plastic pens are cleaned with a spray washer.

Calf-Tel is located in Germantown, a Milwaukee suburb. The company was formed in 1976.

Pioneer Farm opened its new Dairy Center in 2006. It includes cutting-edge technology, including robotic milkers. The university's goal is to expand its dairy herd to a full capacity of 200 cows by the end of 2009. With the calves now in the old Dairy Center, the greenhouse that previously housed calves will be used as an open-housing area for calves from 2 to 6 months old.

The 430-acre Pioneer Farm - located just southeast of Platteville - includes corn, oats and alfalfa along with beef, dairy cows and swine. The farm also includes a classroom and the capability to provide distance education.

For more information about the calf pens, contact Jaclyn Bevan, development officer, UWP Foundation at (608) 342-1864 or zimmermanj@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Dr. John E. Busby, an alumnus and Madison dentist, will serve as principal speakers at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's 181st commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Doyle, Wisconsin's governor since 2003, will speak at the day's first ceremony at 9:30 a.m. It will acknowledge 82 students receiving master's degrees and 179 students receiving bachelor's degrees from the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture.

Busby, who earned his bachelor's degree in general science and chemistry from UWP in 1975, will speak at the day's second ceremony at 2 p.m. It will acknowledge 90 students receiving bachelor's degrees from the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science and 129 graduates of the College of Liberal Arts and Education.

A total of 480 students will earn degrees.

Prior to his election as governor, Doyle served as Wisconsin's attorney general from 1990 through 2002. He was Dane County's district attorney from 1977 to 1982 and had his own private law practice from 1982 to 1990.

Doyle was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Madison. He is one of four children of James E. Doyle Sr., who served as a federal district court judge, and Ruth Bachhuber Doyle, the first woman elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, following in the footsteps of her father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Doyle started his undergraduate education at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., and returned to Madison his senior year, earning his undergraduate degree from UW-Madison. Doyle and his wife, Jessica Laird Doyle, served in the Peace Corps, working as teachers in Tunisia from 1967 to 1969.

Doyle earned a law degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., in 1972. The Doyles then moved to the Navajo Indian reservation in Chinle, Ariz., where he worked as a lawyer and she worked as a teacher.

The Doyles live in the state's Executive Residence on the shore of Lake Mendota in Maple Bluff. They are the parents of two adult sons, Gus and Gabe.

The afternoon commencement speaker, Busby, is president and managing partner of Affiliated Dentists in Madison. He leads a team of six professionals and associated staff in a general and cosmetic dentistry practice with offices on the east and west sides of Madison.

Busby grew up in Platteville and graduated from Platteville High School. He is the son of Edward O. Busby, UWP dean of engineering emeritus, and Lois Busby.

During his years as a UWP student, he was active as a campus ambassador, with the Sigma Tau Epsilon fraternity and with the school ROTC program.

He was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1974 and graduated from the Marquette University School of Dentistry on the Army Health Professions Scholarship. He completed a five-year family practice residency at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Busby served in the Army from 1978 through 1983 and in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1974 to 1978 and from 1983 through 1997.

Busby established a dental practice in Madison in 1983 and also earned an MBA from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He is active in community and service organizations including the UWP Foundation Board of Directors and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation Board of Directors. He is a past member of the UWP Alumni Association Board.

Busby and his wife, Terry, have three adult daughters, Katherine, Laura and Jennifer.

Both commencement ceremonies will take place in the Williams Fieldhouse on the UWP campus. Tickets are not required, but seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Handicapped seating is available upon request at least one week prior to commencement.

For more information on the UWP commencement, contact Barbara Daus, UWP special assistant to the chancellor at (608) 342-1281 or daus@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The owners of Platteville Collision Center have established a scholarship that will help a graduating senior of Platteville High School attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Jeff and Angela Udelhofen own Platteville Collision Center, which recently relocated to 1280 E. Mineral St. The business previously was known as Hooks Auto Body. "We are pleased that we could provide a scholarship to a student from the community," Angela Udelhofen said. "We hope that the Community Scholarship Program will grow and that more students can have the opportunity to attend UWP."

Jeff Udelhofen is a graduate of Platteville High School.

The $500 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Platteville High School senior who has been accepted at UWP. The student must have a grade point average between 2.5 and 3.25.

The Platteville Collision Center Scholarship is part of UWP's growing Community Scholarship Program, which will award 367 scholarships to new freshmen for the 2009-10 school year.

The scholarships are targeted to graduates of specific high schools. The scholarships - which range from $100 to $500 each - are tied to high schools across Wisconsin as well as some schools in Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa.

For more information about the Platteville Collision Center Scholarship, contact Jaclyn Bevan of the UWP Foundation at (608) 342-1864 or zimmermanj@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announced the creation of a scholarship fund by TriCore AEA. The scholarship will be available to junior and senior UWP engineering students from Racine and the surrounding area.

TriCore AEA - an engineering firm based in Racine - is nationally recognized for its expertise in factory automation for the food, dairy, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. It is a privately owned company consisting of dozens of engineering professionals with over 350 years of combined experience in process control and data integration. Regarding the scholarship fund, Dave McCarthy, TriCore AEA president, said, "We currently employ a number of high quality graduates of UW-Platteville and are excited about the prospects of helping to send deserving local students to this fine engineering school."

The scholarship will award two $1,500 scholarships per year for five years. Eligible students must be of junior or senior status at UWP and maintain a GPA of 2.8 or better. The recipients will need to have declared a major in computer science, software engineering or electrical engineering, with a preference going towards those who have a controls emphasis. Students must come from a 30-mile radius around Racine.

Anyone with questions about the scholarship may contact Denee Hirsch, UW-Platteville Foundation, director of development, at (608) 342-1969 or hirschd@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - When the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's new engineering building opens next month, students will walk in the shadows of faculty members who nurtured the university into the force that it is today.

The two wings of the new engineering building will be named for two former engineering faculty members, Dale C. Dixon and Edward O. Busby, who both were popular with students and influential in guiding the department as it grew into a widely respected and multi-faceted engineering school.

Dixon, who died in 1999 at age 83, retired from UWP in 1980 after a 42-year teaching career. He taught in Platteville during the transition from Wisconsin Mining School to the Wisconsin Institute of Technology and the merger with UW-Platteville. He also coached many sports at the mining school.

Busby, who now lives in Madison with his wife, Lois, was dean of the College of Engineering from 1966 until his retirement in 1988. The Busbys have provided numerous scholarships to engineering students through the Edward O. and Lois E. Busby Endowed Scholarship.

The administrative wing of the $25.6 million, 108,500-square-foot building will be named for Busby, who shepherded the school's engineering programs through accreditation and expansion. The building's other wing - housing mainly classrooms, laboratories and student work spaces - will be named for Dixon, who frequently has been cited by mining school alumni and others as one of their favorite professors.

The ribbon-cutting for the new building will occur at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle will open the building and later speak at the first of UWP's two fall commencement ceremonies. Classes in electrical engineering, engineering physics and physics will begin in January in the new building, which also will house general engineering labs, the Nanotechnology Center for Collaborative Research and Development, workspace for student organizations and display cases to highlight student projects.

Busby said he is thrilled to be able to attend the opening of the new building.

"Obviously, I'm extremely proud of what's been accomplished at Platteville while I was dean and professor of civil engineering," he said, adding that Dixon, who played a role in hiring him at UWP, and Chancellor Bjarne Ullsvik, who "gave engineering the kind of support we needed to get accredited," also deserve a lot of recognition and credit.

Busby said that he was very proud to be at the department's helm as the civil engineering program received national accreditation in 1968, followed by the mining program in 1970. That provided the opportunity to establish other new programs, including mechanical engineering in 1974 and electrical engineering in 1982.

He said he is very happy to see how the engineering programs have blossomed over the past few decades, adding that he remembers when starting an electrical engineering program was a dream and that the school now has just awarded its 1,000th electrical engineering degree.

"The world is a better place to live because of Platteville engineering grads," he said.

Dixon received a mining degree in Platteville in 1936 and taught on campus for approximately three years before enlisting in the Navy and serving in the South Pacific during World War II. He participated in the battles for the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands, Palau and the Philippines. He returned to Platteville in December 1945 and resumed his teaching duties in the mining school. In addition, Dixon coached the mining school football team from 1952 to 1959 and also coached basketball, track and baseball.

Dixon is widely remembered by mining school alumni as a favorite professor. In a program printed for a 2006 reunion of graduates of the Wisconsin Mining School and the Wisconsin Institute of Technology, student after student listed Dixon as a "significant professor" in questionnaires completed for the book.

Dixon was referred to as "#1 Miner" in the headline of a story announcing his retirement in The Geode, UW-Platteville's engineering newsletter. His car also had the Wisconsin license plates carrying that title.

He clearly had a dry sense of humor. The retirement article included a quote on what he called the "large increase" in the number of women choosing mining as a major. "I think four years ago there were maybe one or two women in mining," he said. "Presently, there's about eight or nine."

Dixon's sons, Dale and Bill, both live in Tucson, Ariz. Bill Dixon said that he and his brother would like to attend the building dedication although they haven't yet finalized travel plans.

Bill Dixon said the naming is a well-deserved recognition of his father.

"He put 42 years of his life into the place," he said. "The attention might unnerve him a bit but I think he would be proud to have such an honor."

The decision to name the wings after Dixon and Busby was an easy one, said Dennis Cooley, assistant chancellor for University Advancement and executive director of the UWP Foundation.

"When we asked miners if it was appropriate to name a wing for Dale Dixon, who was greatly respected by the students he taught and mentored, the response was overwhelmingly positive," Cooley said. "And, when we wanted to name the administrative wing for Dean Busby, who led to the accreditation of many of our engineering programs and was outstanding in his development of the engineering faculty, we also received overwhelmingly positive support."

For more information on Busby, Dixon or the naming of the engineering building wings, contact Cooley at (608) 342-1309 or cooleyde@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has announced the establishment of the Dr. Peter Kang Memorial Scholarship Fund for Excellence in Public Service. Sunny, Susan and Kim Kang - the late Dr. Peter Kang's son, daughter and wife, respectively - started this scholarship in honor of the former UWP professor.

As a dedicated faculty member of UWP from 1969 to 1997, Kang served as a former chairperson and professor emeritus in political science. In 1991, he was the recipient of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society's Teacher of the Year award. Before coming to UW-Platteville, Kang received his M.A. in public administration from Seoul National University School of Law and his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Minnesota. A Fulbright Scholar, Kang taught at the International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan, the Yonsei University School of Law in Seoul, Korea and Harvard University, as well as other academic institutions. He received many grants for academic research and presented papers at professional conferences in North America, Asia and Europe. His writings in the areas of Japanese politics, comparative regional governmental systems and executive leadership have been widely published in professional journals and books.

Kang urged his students to build a better civil society through the use of their intellectual talents and higher education. Having lived in a land torn apart by war, Kang strove for peace, committing his life to helping raise ethical social leaders who are dedicated to public service.

Of establishing the scholarship in honor of his father, Sunny Kang said, "He believed that education is here to develop ethical social leaders, and he took pride in further education as a means for peace and not just getting a job. He understood the importance of civil leadership and the public servant."

The scholarship will be made available to UWP students in their junior or senior year with a declared major in the department of social sciences. Preference will be given to those in political science, international relations and history. The recipient must be in good academic standing with the university, and while financial need is preferred, it is not necessary. An essay with a 600 word minimum is required, covering the applicant's experience or commitment to excellence in public service. Along with the recommendation of an advisor or a faculty member testifying to the applicant's commitment to academic excellence, there must also be a recommendation that shows the applicant's commitment to excellence in public service and character. This scholarship is renewable, but must be reapplied for each year.

Anyone wanting more details on the scholarship or wanting to make a donation may contact Dennis Cooley, executive director of the UW-Platteville Foundation, at (608) 342-1309 or cooleyde@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is raising money to renovate the school's football complex after it names the field for Coach Lester "Butch" Leitl.

Leitl coached three sports over 41 years - from 1927 to 1968 - and retired from UWP in 1969. Leitl is known not only for his efforts as a coach but also as a mentor to student-athletes.

The dedication will occur prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff at the Pioneers' last football game of the season against UW-Whitewater on Nov. 15.

Thereafter, the field will be called Butch Leitl Field at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. UWP letter winners and others interested may attend the ceremony.

As part of the tribute, UWP plans to expand the stadium facilities to include a new locker room and multi-purpose area to better serve a growing number of athletes. The new facility will be used by the varsity football and soccer teams, club sports teams and during high school events.

Several of Leitl's former student-athletes say the honor is well-deserved.

"He was a special guy - one of the people in your life you never forget," said former football player Mike Routhieaux, '65. "I remember how much he respected his players and their decisions, even if he didn't agree with them."

Gil Lindloff, '48, a former football and baseball player, said he fondly remembers Leitl's great one-liners: "'Sleep nights' was a phrase I heard quite a bit."

Lindloff added that Leitl always showed great concern for his players. "He made sure we had a place to stay and looked after the ones that were away from home," he said. "He was helpful when we were looking for jobs during college and after we graduated. Many of his players' first jobs were because of his referrals."

Leitl lettered in football at UW-Oshkosh and then at UW-Madison where he held the school record for the long-distance place kick for many years. He is an inductee into the UWP Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. A decorated veteran of World War I, Leitl also is remembered for his emotional support of players leaving for World War II.

"Butch was a pretty tough cookie," said long-time friend and former UWP Assistant Chancellor Lloyd Linden. "He was full of fire and brimstone on the field but he was a really good fella to be around. He made sure his players were taken care of and felt like part of a family."

Leitl died in 1980. He is survived by a son, Jim, and a granddaughter. He also had one daughter, Mary, who is deceased.

The goal of the UWP Foundation is to raise $1 million for the naming and renovation project. Pledges and donations have been brisk. To date, more than $260,000 has been committed.

The project's funding will come from private gifts so construction cannot begin until a significant portion of the cost has been raised. Fundraising will continue through this year and most of 2009. Plans call for work to begin in summer 2010. Construction could occur sooner if funds are available earlier.

For more information on the naming, locker room project or dedication on Nov. 15, contact Holly Kaiser at the UW-Platteville Foundation at (608) 342-1879 or e-mail kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, phonathon, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has announced a memorial fund in honor of Jeff Moring, a UWP alumnus from the 1960s. In an effort to encourage more students from Forreston, Ill., to attend UWP, the Jeff Moring Memorial Scholarship is eligible to incoming UWP freshmen who have graduated from Forreston High School.

The scholarship, started by Moring's UWP classmates Tom Frisbie and Paul Swalve, rewards one student each May. In addition to the lead gifts from Frisbie and Swalve, many others from around the Forreston area and the rest of the country contributed to the fund, and over $2,000 was raised during the spring phonathon.

The award for the 2008-09 academic year was earned by Alyssa Vails from Baileyville. She is the first recipient of the scholarship.

Frisbie said, "Paul and I were beneficiaries of a college that was affordable and allowed us to play a sport we loved. We want to give back to an institution that gave us opportunities that others did not. Jeff was smarter and a better athlete than I and he would have excelled if cancer hadn't taken him down his second year at UWP. So it is only fitting that the scholarship be in his honor. Most people won't know or remember Jeff, but hopefully another student from Forreston will know and benefit as we did."

Swalve said, "I was two years older than Jeff - we were very good friends. I had attended Platteville for two years, and I encouraged Jeff to also attend Platteville and also play football at Platteville. Jeff was a great athlete and ambassador for Forreston and Platteville. He was a terrific young man. I also appreciate the education I received at Platteville. It enabled me to have a good career. Hopefully this scholarship will help others to reach their goals."

As Frisbie and Swalve were involved with sports during their tenure at UWP, they would like to see the scholarship benefit a student who participated in extra-curricular activities, particularly sports, while in high school.

"Jeff and I were like brothers. We played and fought together, we attended the same church, we were in the same grade, we attended the same school from kindergarten through college, we worked on the railroad together, we dated twin sisters, we played every sport together. He was quarterback, I was the center. He was the pitcher, I was the catcher," said Frisbie. "I was the first in my family to graduate from college, and UWP made that possible. I've had a good life and hopefully I've given back to the community and have passed on what others have given to me."

Anyone wanting more details on the scholarship or interested in making a contribution may contact Holly Kaiser, director of development, at the UW-Platteville Foundation at (608) 342-1879 or kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville now has two new criminal justice scholarships to award.

Scholarships named for Jean Fricke and Cecile Hoffman were announced during the Sept. 18 UWP Liberal Arts and Education Scholarship Awards Banquet.

Both a former soldier in the U.S. Army and a graduate of UW-Platteville, Fricke has started a scholarship to support and facilitate students who share her passion for criminal justice, education and the administration of truth. Though she is currently employed as a parole officer in Kenosha, her dealings with law started nearly 30 years ago. Upon completing her tour of active duty in 1978, Fricke went on to successfully earn a B.S. in criminal justice from UW-Platteville in 1982. Her enthusiasm for criminal justice has failed to wane, as she earned a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from UW-Platteville in 2007.

Hoffman, a former instructor of family consumer education at UW-Platteville, has honored her daughter, Linda, with an award bearing her name. Linda Hoffman graduated with academic honors from UW-Platteville in 1992 with a B.S. in criminal justice before receiving a degree in law from the University of Missouri in 1995. After serving as a prosecuting attorney in Franklin County, Mo., for several years, Linda returned to Wisconsin, where she is currently employed as an assistant district attorney in Portage (Columbia County).

In accordance with her daughter's passion for criminal justice, the Linda Hoffman Criminal Justice Scholarship encourages university students to pursue careers in law enforcement by providing financial support and professional recognition.

Both scholarships require a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and a declared major of criminal justice. The Jean S. Fricke Criminal Justice Scholarship is available to junior or senior students at UW-Platteville who submit a one-page essay that indicates their career goals, extra-curricular activities, past achievements, why they feel deserving of the award, and how they would benefit from the award. The Linda Hoffman Criminal Justice Scholarship will be available to students with a minimum of 30 credits, a career goal of serving in a law enforcement field, and evidence of active campus involvement and/or community service. Financial need may also be of concern.

The addition of these two scholarships doubles the number of criminal justice scholarships available to UW-Platteville students.

Anyone wanting more details on the scholarships may contact Liz Goodfellow, director of Development, Major Gifts at the UW-Platteville Foundation, at (608) 342-1031 or goodfellowe@uwplatt.edu.

Labels: foundation, fund, scholarship