Daily Pioneer News

MADISON, Wis. - Dennis Shields, Acting Vice President for Student Affairs at the City College of New York - City University of New York, has been recommended as the next Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

UW System President Kevin P. Reilly and a special committee of the UW System Board of Regents announced their recommendation today. Following action by the full board on April 9, Shields will step into his new leadership role on July 1.

Prior to joining the City College of New York in 2009, Shields served as Dean and Professor of Law at the Phoenix School of Law, which was established in 2005. He led that school to provisional approval by the American Bar Association. He previously directed admissions and financial aid at the Duke University School of Law for seven years, and has served in leadership roles with several national organizations affiliated with legal education.

Shields held several senior positions at the University of Michigan Law School and the University of Iowa. He received his undergraduate degree in business administration from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. He earned his J.D. from the University of Iowa in 1982.

"The Regents and I were very impressed with Mr. Shields as an experienced educational leader who understands what it takes to help students succeed in college," said Reilly. "With extensive experience in student affairs, admissions, and financial aid, he comes to Wisconsin with the right tools to help us boost college access. He has proven himself as a chief executive, and he has an impressive record of success at two of the nation's most prestigious law schools. I am confident that he will be a great addition to our cadre of UW System campus leaders and, as a Midwesterner, a great fit for UW-Platteville."

"When I visited UW-Platteville, I was struck by the great sense of collaboration among the faculty, staff, and students, and how they engaged one another," Shields said. "I was at once impressed by the pride people have in their institution and the humility with which they approach their work. They are comfortable with who they are, but they still aspire to be the best."

"My new faculty and staff colleagues at UW-Platteville demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching, and it's clear to me that students are the focal point for their work," Shields added. "Building upon the campus' strong reputation in agriculture, engineering, liberal arts, and other high-quality academic programs, UW-Platteville can appeal to prospective students from all over the world. I will work very hard to carry that message, extend that reach, and leverage the school's great reputation." Shields is a native of Johnston, Iowa. He is married to Aundra N. Shields, and they have three sons.

"Through this process, we were fortunate to meet such an excellent group of talented leaders," said Professor D. Joanne Wilson of UW-Platteville's General Engineering department, chair of the campus search and screen committee. "As we met with Mr. Shields, he made a very strong, very favorable impression on everyone. We were expecting a New York lawyer, and we discovered a very sincere, straightforward person. Immediately, we felt like he and Aundra were part of the family."

"At UW-Platteville, we have a large population of first-generation students," added Wilson. "Dennis is someone who can connect with those students. He's been where they are and he hasn't forgotten his roots. He has a distinguished legal and academic career, yet he was genuinely excited about visiting the Pioneer Farm."

Shields was one of four finalists identified by Wilson's committee following a national search. Other finalists included Michael Harris from Kettering University, Susan Koch from Northern Michigan University, and Geri Hockfield Malandra, an independent consultant who formerly worked with the American Council on Education.

"Mr. Shields has a unique background that will serve him well in this new role. He grew up in the region, so he understands the culture, the history, and the important role that universities must play in creating a better future for our citizens," said Regent Tom Loftus, chair of the Board of Regents special committee that interviewed all of the finalists. "Based on the feedback we received, he made a very favorable impression during his visit to the campus, so I know that he'll be welcomed with open arms."

Others serving on the special committee included Regent Mike Falbo, Regent Kevin Opgenorth (a UW-Platteville student), and Regent Betty Womack.

If confirmed by the full board, Shields will succeed former UW-Platteville Provost Carol Sue Butts, who is now serving as Interim Chancellor. Chancellor Emeritus David Markee, a UW- Platteville alumnus, retired in August 2009 after leading the campus for 13 years.

As one of 11 comprehensive universities within the UW System, UW?Platteville enrolls more than 7,500 students. Leading about 700 faculty, academic staff, and classified staff members, the UW-Platteville chancellor is responsible for an annual budget exceeding $100 million.

Media Contacts:

David F. Giroux (608) 262-4464

Barbara Daus (608) 342-1282

PLATTEVILLE - Amy Dessner, a 2002 University of Wisconsin-Platteville civil engineering alumna, was one of 16 engineers nominated by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers to be a member of the 2010 New Faces of Engineering.

Dessner was recognized for her leadership during a rare rain event in southeastern Minnesota in August 2007 that destroyed communities and caused widespread erosion. She used her engineering expertise to direct stabilization for the massive landslides that were threatening homes and businesses.

"To have my work recognized, but also be among such a diverse and talented group of young engineers is an honor," Dessner said. "Reading through the profiles, it's easy to see that engineers touch people's lives in so many ways."

Dessner works on an engineering staff of eight for the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service and focuses on the 11 counties in southeast Minnesota, providing assistance on projects that reduce erosion or improve water quality. She visits potential sites to determine if a project is feasible and eligible for the federal cost share program.

Once a project receives funding, she directs a field survey and collects hydrologic, soil and land use data, begins design and draft plans, and then oversees construction.

Dessner said, "I take the project from start to finish - I see this as an advantage because observing how things are built provides insight as to how they should be designed. Surveying my own projects keeps me in touch with the latest equipment and software, and gives me intimate knowledge of the site."

Dessner is currently working on a manure storage basin for a dairy farmer, compost facility plans for a hog farmer and rehabilitation of two dams that were built about 40 years ago by the NRCS.

"I am so grateful for my education and experience at UWP," said Dessner. "The professors I had in the civil and environmental engineering department sincerely cared about my success and always had time to lend a helping hand to me and my peers - whether it was a question on homework, class schedules or big decisions like a career choice. My continued contact with the university and the lifelong friendships I established provided a network of support that I can rely on to this day."

Dessner has been a member of ASABE since 2006 and was also recognized for her work in the book "Changing Our World - True Stories of Women Engineers."

She and her husband, Eric, who is an electrical lineman, live on a hobby farm east of Rochester, Minn. They have two sons: Jacob, who is 5, and Brady, who is 1.

Contact: Amy Dessner, alumna, amy.dessner@gmail.com Written by: Barbara Weinbrenner, UWP Office of Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, weinbreb@uwplatt.edu

PLATTEVILLE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville student Kevin Opgenorth has been selected as University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County's commencement speaker for their May 22 ceremony.

As part of his efforts as a student representative on the UW System Board of Regents, Opgenorth visited UW-BSC in the fall and was very well received by the campus and community. Each regent is assigned to a UW campus as a "regent buddy" or representative and Opgenorth was assigned to UW-BSC. On the Board of Regents, Opgenorth also serves on committees for capital planning and budget, student discipline and other student appeals, academic staff excellence awards, diversity awards and the UWP chancellor search.

At UWP, Opgenorth is majoring in business administration and economics with plans to graduate in May. He returned to UWP after serving for three years in the United States Army, including a one-year deployment in Iraq. He is active on campus as a member of Student Senate, an officer in the Society for Advancement of Management and part of the ad hoc committee on inclement weather policy.

According to Matt Jurvelin, UW-BSC's assistant dean for student services, the commencement speaker selection process began with a committee reviewing a list of recommendations from the community, faculty, staff and students of UW-BSC. The committee narrowed it down to about 12 individuals and ultimately selected Opgenorth. "It was fantastic having him here on campus in the fall," said Jurvelin. "We were very pleased when he accepted the invitation to serve as our commencement speaker in May."

Thomas Pleger, campus executive officer and dean at UW-BSC, is looking forward to welcoming Opgenorth back to campus. "We have regents visit the UW-BSC campus regularly and when Regent Opgenorth came to visit this fall he was very well received by faculty, staff and students. We were extremely impressed with his background and feel that he represents the interests of the UW System students well. We are honored to have him as our commencement speaker and look forward to welcoming him back on campus," Pleger said.

"I am honored that UW-BSC has asked me to be their graduation speaker. I am very excited to share this special experience with the graduates and their families," said Opgenorth.

For more information, contact Opgenorth at opgenorthk@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Kevin Opgenorth, student representative, UW-Extension Board of Regents, opgenorthk@uwplatt.edu Written by: Anne Killian, UWP Office of Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, killiana@uwplatt.edu

PLATTEVILLE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville senior, Evelyn Gray, has written and published a novel while here at UWP. In 2008, Gray began looking for ways to get her novel, "Magickal Pains: Alex's Story", out into the world.

According to Gray, "I went online looking for publishers and I found PublishAmerica. I submitted the first three chapters and they asked for the finished book to be delivered a month later. I hadn't finished the book yet, so needless to say I spent the next month writing constantly." Gray wrote 10 pages a day, often at Steve's Pizza, and finished the book with the help of friends and family, such as Nicole Eggebeen from the UWP Writing Center. "She was a big help encouraging me to finish," said Gray.

The book is young-adult fiction and tells the story of a young boy who wakes up with powers. "Magick, mischief and mayhem-that is what Alexander Adams finds," reads the description of the book. "A fitting portrayal for this exciting book," said Rachel Johnson, a senior English major.

Gray has always been interested in writing. "I learned so much about myself as a writer and professors like Stormy Stipe, Kathleen Tigerman, Kory Wein, Peter Hadorn and J. Keith Hale taught me so much about writing. I thought it was time to do it for myself," said Gray.

When asked for any tips for future writers, Gray said, "If you aren't given an editor, get one. It will make the book so much greater and it makes things easier on the author. Having the book finished when you submit it is also a great idea."

Gray is working on the next book in the series and is also working on a retelling of the frog prince, an adult fiction novel called "Blood Prince."

For questions about the book or coming books, contact Gray at graye@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Evelyn Gray, student, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, graye@uwplatt.edu Written by: Rachel Johnson, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, johnsonrac@uwplatt.edu

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will be holding a Haiti relief concert on Wednesday March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Harry and Laura Nohr Art Gallery located in Ullsvik Hall on the UWP campus. The concert will cost $2 for UWP students with a current ID and $5 for faculty and the general public.

The concert will consist of Caribbean music by the UWP Panjammers steel drum band and original world jazz by Neck N Neck. The UWP Panjammmers steel drum band is a band created in a class at UWP and Neck N Neck is Joe Caploe's professional ensemble touring in support of their new CD "All In."

Caploe, UWP associate music professor, said, "The reason people should attend is to support the ongoing efforts in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake and to enjoy great live music in a style that is rarely presented at UWP."

For more information, contact Caploe at (608) 342-1018 or caploe@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Joe Caploe, associate professor, UWP Department of Performing and Visual Arts, (608) 342-1018, caploe@uwplatt.edu Written by: Suzi Morath, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, moraths@uwplatt.edu