Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville was recognized by the American Red Cross in a small presentation put on by Frank Moullet, a UWP student, on May 7. Moullet coordinated the recognition ceremony with the help of the Badger-Hawkeye Region of the Red Cross.

"Being a student and a volunteer for the Red Cross, I had a chance to see how great this relationship [between UWP and the Red Cross] is, and as the 30th birthday of UWP blood drives approached, it just felt appropriate to recognize those who make the blood drives possible," Moullet said.

Moullet, a board member of the Badger-Hawkeye Region of the Red Cross and a former coordinator of two UWP blood drives, began the presentation by sharing the history and previous accomplishments of the UWP blood drive, which was started in 1978 by Mary Epson. Next, Tony Procaccio, the CEO of the Badger-Hawkeye Region of the Red Cross, spoke of his appreciation of the efforts of organizations like UWP that help the Red Cross obtain the blood donations needed to supply 3,000 hospitals across the country with blood.

"We couldn't do that alone," said Procaccio. "It is organizations like this university that allow this to happen. Today we are faced with almost a crisis. When we see a program like this, it is encouraging."

Moullet then recognized the efforts of a number of individuals and organizations on campus, presenting each with a plaque or certificate.

The first individual recognized was Chancellor David Markee, who, Moullet related, has been a strong supporter of the UWP blood drives during his time as chancellor. Carol Sue Butts, provost and vice chancellor, accepted the award on his behalf. Rhonda Viney, director of housing; James A. Ball, Pioneer Student Center; and Andrea Thede, a residence hall director, were also recognized. Emily Niebuhr, Residence Hall Association president and the blood drive coordinator for the 2007-08 academic year, received a certificate and accepted plaques on behalf of RHA and the National Residence Hall Honorary. Matthew Mikulecky, the co-coordinator for this year's blood drive, was unable to attend the ceremony.

As an unscheduled part of the ceremony, Max Oleson, a member of the board of directors for the Badger-Hawkeye chapter of the Red Cross and Army Reserve Ambassador for Wisconsin, presented Moullet with a coin "Presented by the U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador for Excellence," as the coin reads, for his dedication to the Red Cross. Oleson referred to this as "a process known as coining."

"The blood drives have helped so many of our service persons across the world. This is just a huge donation, and Frank has been instrumental in its success," said Oleson.

"It was an amazing surprise and an extreme honor to be recognized not only by Max but by the great men and women of the U.S. Army," said Moullet.

Anyone wanting more information about the recognition ceremony may contact Moullet at moulletf@uwplatt.edu. For more information about next year's blood drive, contact Niebuhr at (608) 342-1844 or niebuhre@uwplatt.edu. Individuals interested in learning more about giving blood may contact the Red Cross or make an appointment to give blood by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visiting givebloodgivelife.org.

Contact: Frank Moullet, moulletf@uwplatt.edu Written by: Megan Mowry, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, mowryme@uwplatt.edu