University News

UW-Platteville students develop smart classroom in Neal Wilkins

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

With a click of a button, UW-Platteville Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. Xiaoguang Ma and his team of students are transforming a local elementary school classroom into a smart classroom with the latest wireless technologies.


Pioneer Pledge promises to cover tuition and fees for eligible freshmen

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Press Release

UW-Platteville recently announced its Pioneer Pledge program, which will guarantee that the cost of undergraduate, on-campus tuition and fees will be covered for new freshmen who are Pell Grant-eligible Wisconsin residents.


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Pamela Tas explores bio renewable resources

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Pamela Tas is an assistant professor of sustainability and renewable energy systems and the SRES program coordinator. She teaches classes related to the utilization of plant-based hydrocarbons as a more sustainable means to societies’ energy use.


UW-Platteville students, faculty present research on chattel slavery in Wisconsin

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: History

Two students and a faculty member recently presented their research on chattel slavery in Wisconsin at the 13th annual Local History and Historic Preservation Conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.


UW-Platteville helps lead statewide advancements in Internet of Things technology

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

While the Internet of Things continues to expand at a rapid rate, Dr. Molly Gribb, dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, is leading efforts to position UW-Platteville at the forefront of this cutting-edge field. Gribb was recently appointed as a founding board member of the Wisconsin IoT Council, a professional membership-driven organization that promotes Wisconsin and the Midwest as the epicenter for IoT and drives technological advancement in the region.


Pioneers showcase leadership with “Plarn” at California conference

Written By: Garrison Ledbury | Published On: | Featured in: Business & Leadership

Four University of Wisconsin-Platteville students recently presented “Plarn,” or “Plastic Yarn,” at the National Society of Leadership and Success’ annual conference at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.


Crops team wins Upper Midwest Regional

Written By: Roger Higgs | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture & Dairy

The UW-Platteville Crops Team won the Upper Midwest Regional contest on Oct. 26. Host UW-Platteville placed first over University of Minnesota-Crookston (second), South Dakota State (third) and UW-Madison (fourth).


Civil and Environmental Engineering programs receive GPS equipment

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering received eight new pieces of GPS equipment from Seiler Instrument, a value of $175,000. Seiler Instrument is lending the programs four resource grade GPS units and four survey grade units for the 2019-20 academic year.


Jiang explores innovative bridge safety research

Written By: Jane Halpern | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

Dr. Hanwan Jiang, assistant professor of civil engineering at UW-Platteville, is using an innovative idea to research bridge safety that uses ultrasound to detect the early-stage damage in a non-destructive way.


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Jeff Huebschman inspires understanding of Southwest Wisconsin’s ecology and biology

Written By: Garrison Ledbury | Published On: | Featured in: Biology, Campus & Community

Dr. Jeff Huebschman joined UW-Platteville in the fall of 2003. A Nebraska native, Huebschman has always enjoyed being out in nature. This love for the outdoors would soon turn into a career as he began to consider his natural surroundings on a deeper level.


Forum to examine Einstein’s, Dee’s universal ‘theories of everything’

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: History

On Thursday, Nov. 7, the College of Liberal Arts and Education will host a faculty forum, “Einstein’s ‘Theory of Everything’ in Elizabethan England: John Dee’s Hieroglyphic Monad” in Room 136 Doudna Hall from 5-6:30 p.m.


UW-Platteville alumna pursues graduate degrees, creates scholarship program for black women

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Psychology

UW-Platteville alumna Sakara Wages is concurrently working toward the completion of a Master of Social Work (Sept. 2017-May 2020) and a Ph.D. in social welfare (Sept. 2017-May 2022) at UW-Madison.


Work with the KEEN Network fosters entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science is building its relationship with KEEN – a nationwide network of engineering institutions dedicated to advancing engineering education – and the collaboration brings many benefits to students and faculty, according to Dr. Jessica Fick, associate professor of mechanical engineering.


Caden Stindt stands out as two-time Rocket League champion

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community

Despite recently starting his Junior year, Caden Stindt is already making a name for himself at UW-Platteville – but it isn’t in the usual academic, athletic or artistic circles one might expect. Instead, Stindt’s rising fame is due to his remarkable achievement of being crowned a Rocket League® tournament champion – not once, but twice in a row.


Ericksons’ major gift to support future Pioneers

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

Higher education has been a significant part of Jon and Dr. Tori Erickson’s lives, and their recently announced planned gift to support UW-Platteville scholarships will help ensure it is also a part of the lives of future generations of Pioneers. Their estate gift is among the largest bequests the university has ever received. The Ericksons were honored during the Homecoming celebration this past weekend.


Distance Education Alumni board sponsors Virtual 5K

Written By: Cheryl Lange | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Distance Education Alumni Board puts a unique spin on a 5K with their Virtual Distance Dash 5K Run/Walk and Anti-5K.


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Leigh Monhardt

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Education

Dr. Leigh Monhardt, associate professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, joined the university in 2007 and teaches all of the elementary and secondary science methods courses offered by the university’s School of Education, including two STEM-integrated science courses.


Pioneers place first in American Marketing Association competition

Written By: Garrison Ledbury | Published On: | Featured in: Business & Leadership

Two UW-Platteville business students placed first in the annual American Marketing Association regional conference, hosted by UW-Whitewater.


Collegiate Soils Team takes top honors at recent competition

Written By: Dr. Chris Baxter | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture & Dairy

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Collegiate Soils Team competed in the 63rd annual Region 3 Collegiate Soils Contest Oct. 9–12. The event was held in Portage County, Wisconsin, and was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.


Talk on area surface water quality to be held at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, STEM

Professor Stephen Swallen, of UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, will be joined by Serge Koenig, of the Sauk County Department of Conservation, Planning, and Zoning to discuss their ongoing study of surface water quality in Sauk County at the campus library on Friday, Oct. 18 at 12:30 p.m.


Celik’s research aims to make solar technology more sustainable

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

In recent years, the United States has witnessed a boom in solar energy use, as trends toward sustainable living grow. But how environmentally-friendly is solar technology when it reaches the end of its life cycle? That is the question Dr. Ilke Celik, assistant professor of sustainability and renewable energy systems, and a team of researchers are hoping to address.


Come to the lab and see what’s on the slab at the Pioneer Players’ production of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’

Written By: Madison Harbour | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

The Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will begin their 2019-20 season with the cult classic musical, “The Rocky Horror Show.”


Pioneer Spotlight: Katharine Caywood

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community

Katherine Caywood is the digital marketing manager at UW-Platteville, a newly created position in the Marketing department. Caywood ’10 is an alumna of UW-Platteville and credits her degree in fine arts with leading her to the marketing field.


Pioneer Day of Giving generates over $121,000 for student support

Written By: Megan Hinderman | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community

Thanks to the generous donations of hundreds of alumni, faculty and staff, and other friends of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the UW-Platteville Foundation raised over $121,000 with its annual Day of Giving.


Strobl joins international team, shares policy ideas with UK Parliament

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Law & Justice

Dr. Staci Strobl, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has been asked to join an international team of scholars convened by the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-sectarianization project, based at the Richardson Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Lancaster in Lancashire, England.


UW Dairy Innovation Hub seeks solutions to challenges facing Wisconsin dairy industry

Written By: UW System | Published On: | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture & Dairy

From improving human nutrition to assuring clean water to growing the farm economy while caring for animals, the Dairy Innovation Hub will harness the intellectual and creative power of three University of Wisconsin institutions to address the most complex challenges facing the state’s dairy industry.


Alumnus credits restorative justice experience for career success

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Law & Justice

There are moments in life when a decision to explore something new turns out to be life-changing, both personally and professionally.


UW-Platteville hosts Wellness Day for 190 elementary students

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Education

Eleven physical education students recently planned, implemented and continued a 10-year tradition, Wellness Day, for 190 first- and second-grade students from Platteville School District at the university’s Bo-Ryan Court.


UW-Platteville awarded Dubuque Racing Association grant

Written By: Mike Gau | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

The UW-Platteville Division of Professional Studies was recently awarded a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association. Funds will help upgrade video conference equipment to outfit a conference room that is frequently used for meetings held among on-campus and remote participants.


Pioneers place high in dairy judging competitions

Written By: Garrison Ledbury | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture & Dairy

Students of the UW-Platteville Dairy Judging Team excelled in three recent competitions.


Pioneer Spotlight: Timothy Juedes

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Law & Justice

Tim Juedes, a lecturer of criminal justice, is a UW-Platteville alumnus and has taught forensic investigation courses at the university since spring 2015. His specialties are fingerprint analysis and criminalistics.


Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lecture to feature Paulette Jordan of Coeur d’Alene Nation

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: History

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Department of History will host its fifth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lecture on Monday, Oct. 14 in the Nohr Gallery, Ullsvik Hall, UW-Platteville, from 6-7:30 p.m.


School of Business students study abroad in Germany

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: International, Business & Leadership

This summer, Les Hollingsworth, director of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Business, led a short-term faculty-led study abroad program to Hochschule Rhein Main in Wiesbaden, Germany.


Idea of turning common weeds into aviation fuel takes flight

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

The next big idea in green energy may stem from a common Midwestern weed called pennycress, and faculty and students at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are contributing to this cutting-edge research.


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Hao Chen connects marketing with the modern media age

Written By: Garrison Ledbury | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Business & Leadership

Dr. Hao Chen is celebrating his 10th year at UW-Platteville. Chen found his love of media and advertising at malls in his childhood when living in China. Visiting stores with his parents exposed him to the colorful and eye-catching world of visual marketing, and later, the influence of digital media in relation to business.


Forum to examine how satire in horror films exposes systemic societal issues

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

On Thursday, Oct. 3, the College of Liberal Arts and Education will host a faculty forum, “Satire in Horror Films,” in Room 136 Doudna Hall from 5-6:30 p.m.


Lifelong learning and professional success go hand-in-hand for Project Management graduate

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: | Featured in: Business & Leadership

It’s no secret that Shawn Belling is a professional in his prime.


UW-Platteville leads public institutions for best value

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

UW-Platteville is the top public institution in the state for best value, according to the 2019 SmartAsset ratings.


UW-Platteville students make a big hit at Miller Park

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture & Dairy

As Brewers fans make their way into Miller Park to watch their favorite player run out onto the field, they’ll notice the work created by three UW-Platteville students who interned with the Milwaukee Brewers ground crew. Together they experienced what it takes to uphold one of the best stadiums in major league baseball.


Pioneers honored with UW System award

Written By: Garrison Ledbury | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release, STEM

Two alumni and one student earned the esteemed Alliant Energy Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Academic Achievement Award. Dan Gnadt, Julian Rodriguez and Luis Balleno Jr. will be honored for their academic achievements and university involvement at UW-Madison on Friday, Oct. 25.


College of Liberal Arts and Education honors scholarship recipients

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

On Thursday, Sept. 19, the College of Liberal Arts and Education recognized student scholarship recipients at a reception held in the Nohr Gallery. The College of LAE awarded 79 scholarships to 73 students.


Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Jodi Prosise

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Jodi Prosise recently joined UW-Platteville as the new chair of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. She brings with her a longtime passion and interest in the idea of empowerment through technology, or, improving the lives of individuals with disabilities – specifically in low-income areas – through designing and building assistive technology.


Workforce training at UW-Platteville contributes to high-tech manufacturing in Wisconsin

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Industrial Studies

In a commitment to providing students with the most relevant hands-on education and advancing the workforce in the state of Wisconsin, Dr. Bandara Gamini, Automation and Electronics program coordinator in the Department of Industrial Studies, recently visited GE Healthcare in Madison, Wisconsin, to further the university-industry relationship.


UW-Platteville to hold rededication ceremony for Rachel, enslaved African American

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: History, Research

On Friday, Oct. 4, at 9 a.m., faculty, staff, students and community members will hold a special rededication ceremony for Rachel, an enslaved African American, at Hillside Cemetery in Platteville.


Xiao and students research solutions for more durable concrete

Written By: Jane Halpern | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

UW-Platteville Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Danny Xiao is interested in all the ways concrete fails. His research focuses on making one of the most important building materials on Earth even better. This summer, Xiao worked on a Wisconsin DOT-funded study to discover the most effective combination of penetrating sealant, application method and application time.


Author Jerry Apps to speak on the history of agriculture in Wisconsin

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

“When I started researching and interviewing a bunch of folks, I discovered there was a lot people didn’t know about agriculture in Wisconsin,” said Jerry Apps, the storyteller and author who chronicles the social history of farming, and the role it plays in rural communities throughout Wisconsin. He’ll be speaking about his writing, and his decades studying rural Wisconsin at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 in the R.G.


Early childhood community to gather in Platteville

Written By: Tammy Bradley | Published On: | Featured in: Child Care, Press Release

Early childhood education professionals from across Wisconsin and the region will gather at the 2019 Early Childhood Seminar on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Markee Pioneer Student Center.


Wu and Drazkowski receive best paper award at ASEE Conference

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

This summer, UW-Platteville senior Anna Drazkowski traveled to Tampa, Florida, with Dr. Yan Wu, associate professor of engineering physics to attend the American Society for Engineering Education Conference to present their research. Their work, “Standard Based Grading in Introductory Physics Laboratory Courses” earned the best paper award in the Division of Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies.


Isbister co-authors book chapter on connection between healing, vegetal world

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Dr. Dong Isbister, associate professor of women’s and gender studies, and two co-authors recently wrote a chapter in the book “Chinese Environmental Humanities: Practices of Environing at the Margins,” published by Palgrave Macmillan in August.


Ivanov wins Harvard University fellowship

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: | Featured in: History

This summer, Dr. Andrey V. Ivanov, assistant professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, was one of the recipients of the esteemed Houghton Library Visiting Fellowship at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.