Daily Pioneer News

Pictured from left to right are Leeann Duwe, Kelly Jo Hadfield, Nathan Manwiller, James Ball, and Ann Neis

PLATTEVILLE- At the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, University Centers has transformed into Student Centers under the leadership of the newly appointed Student Centers director, James Ball. Student Centers now encompasses the Pioneer Student Center, Robert I. Velzy Commons in Ullsvik Hall, Cooper Living and Learning Center, Pioneer Involvement Center, Event Planning and Reservations, Technical and Event Services, and Conference Services. The transformation has been ongoing for the past year and continues to develop under the direction of the Division of Student Affairs.

Along with the change are new faces. Kelly Jo Hadfield was appointed interim coordinator of Conference Services and Event Planning. She ensures customers hosting a camp or conference on campus have a positive experience through the coordination of resources. This past summer Hadfield helped to coordinate one of the largest camps in history at the university, Wellspring Wisconsin; a fitness and weight loss camp for teens. Wellspring Camps has almost a dozen camps internationally and last fall chose UWP as the location for their Midwest camp. Other conferences and events she has helped to coordinate include the forensic science camp, UW System academic staff senate conference, Residence Hall Association Blood Drive, Black Student Union's Ebony Weekend and International Night. Under the Student Centers transition, Hadfield's newest role will include supervising the Cooper Living and Learning Center; a retreat center located at the university's farm, seven miles southeast of the main campus. Hadfield graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in child and family services and an emphasis in gerontology. She was previously a resident director at UWP for six years. For more information about hosting a conference or event on campus please visit the UWP Conference Services webpage at www.uwplatt.edu/confservices/.

Another new staff member is Ann Neis, who became reservations coordinator. She is responsible for event planning and reservations for the Pioneer Student Center, Center for the Arts, Velzy Commons, Harry and Laura Nohr Art Gallery and Glenview Commons programming spaces. Neis previously worked with the Department of Family Medicine at UW-Madison where she spent 18 years as a grants manager.

The third new face of Student Centers is Nathan Manwiller. He took on the role of technical and event services coordinator. He provides leadership in the areas of audiovisual, event set-up and large-scale events logistics. He also assists customers with the technical equipment needs for events, room set-up and supervises a staff of almost 30 students who assist with setting up and tearing down of events and who also serve as event managers ensuring the technical aspects of an event flow smoothly. Some of the larger scale events his office coordinates include concerts, performances in the Center for the Arts, commencement and Career Fair. Manwiller previously worked for technical and event services for the past two years as a student employee and then as a graduate assistant. He received his degree from UWP in music, instrumental performance and is working toward his master's in project management at the university.

The most recent change is the newly appointed Student Centers director. Ball was previously an assistant director of the Pioneer Student Center for the past seven years. He will supervise and lead the development of Student Centers and will continue managing the operations and services of the Pioneer Student Center until an assistant director is hired. Ball received his undergraduate degree in communication with an emphasis in broadcasting and minor in music from Pittsburg State University. He holds a graduate degree in educational administration, specializing in student affairs from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He previously worked at South Dakota State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a member of the Association of College Unions International, a nonprofit educational organization that brings together college union and student activities professionals from hundreds of schools in seven countries.

The Student Centers administrative office space is also being reorganized to better serve customers in the event planning process. The front desk area will become the space for the new administrative assistant who will assist the dean of students, Dining Services director and Student Centers director and will serve as the office receptionist. Event planning, conference services, and catering services will be moved to the forefront of the office entrance to offer customers a more convenient one-stop shop for their event needs. The Student Centers administrative office is located in the lower level of the Pioneer Student Center.

For more information about Student Centers please contact Ball at ballj@uwplatt.edu or visit the Pioneer Student Center webpage at www.uwplatt.edu/studentctr/.

Contact and written by: Leeann Duwe, marketing coordinator, Office of Student Centers, (608) 342-1351, lonsdorl@uwplatt.edu