University News

Compeer Financial grants $10,000 to UW-Platteville Dairy Pilot Plant at Pioneer Farm

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: May 13, 2021 | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture, STEM

UW-Platteville is one step closer to launching the new Dairy Pilot Plant, thanks to a recent $10,000 grant from Compeer Financial. The proposed plant, which will be located at Pioneer Farm, will provide research and education on dairy food product development while also giving students an opportunity to learn about rural economic development, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Senior design team revitalizes Cuba City’s Presidential Plaza, project recognized by WEDC

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: May 12, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

In January of 2020, four UW-Platteville engineering students partnered with the City of Cuba City to enhance the Presidential Plaza. This spring, the City of Cuba City received the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Main Street Program Award for its downtown innovation.

Support from the Growmark Foundation enhances hands-on learning for students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: May 12, 2021 | Featured in: Agriculture

Dr. Krista Hardyman, associate professor of animal science, was awarded $1,500 from the Glenn Webb Education Fund/The Growmark Foundation, which assisted in delivering a quality experience to students who completed coursework virtually this year.

Partnership with Wisconsin Technical Colleges helps industrial studies students find success

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: May 10, 2021 | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management

Through a memorandum of understanding between UW-Platteville and Wisconsin Technical Colleges, students pursuing industrial studies can transfer their credits from an approved associate's degree program to UW-Platteville and significantly streamline their time to graduation.

Parker selected to AASCU Emerging Leadership Program

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: May 07, 2021 | Featured in: Press Release

Dr. Philip Parker, associate dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, is one of 35 higher education professionals from around the nation selected for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ 2021 Emerging Leaders Program.

Chancellor Shields speaking at Earth Day Event

UW-Platteville commits to achieving ‘zero waste’ by 2035

Written By: Alison Parkins and Joshua Chamberland | Published On: May 06, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Environmental Sciences

During the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s recent Earth Day celebration, Chancellor Dennis J. Shields furthered the university’s commitment to being a leader in sustainability by pledging to become a zero waste campus by 2035.

Dr. Xiaoguang Ma, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.

Electrical engineering students conduct broadband internet technology survey

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: May 06, 2021 | Featured in: STEM, Research

This past year, COVID-19 has brought many challenges for Wisconsinites, with one of the biggest struggles being internet access and network performances. To examine the issues, two electrical engineering students, Troy Januchowski and Jacob Hanacek, spent two semesters conducting an independent study with Dr. Xiaoguang Ma, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.

UW-Platteville to host virtual celebration for May graduates

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: May 05, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

UW-Platteville will honor the May 2021 graduates with a virtual celebration on Friday, May 14. A commencement recognition video, including the principal and senior speakers, will be posted at 9 a.m.

The Presto Foundation continues commitment to UW-Platteville engineering students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: May 05, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

The Presto Foundation recently furthered its commitment to UW-Platteville engineers with its renewal of funding for the Presto Engineering Scholarship. Established in 2012, the scholarship awards mechanical, industrial and electrical engineering students $13,200 each year.

Mechanical engineering students work on ice cream dispenser for Pioneer Sweets

Students to showcase capstone engineering projects at Senior Design Open House

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: May 04, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

Innovation and creativity will be on full display as engineering students showcase their capstone projects to students, faculty and industry representatives at the spring Senior Design Open House on Wednesday, May 19.

Parker to be acting dean of College of EMS

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: May 04, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

UW-Platteville announces that Dr. Philip Parker will become the acting dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, effective June 15, 2021. Dr. Molly Gribb, who has been the dean since 2015, is retiring from the university.

Attenborough honored with statewide distinguished teaching award

Written By: Dr. Benjamin V.C. Collins, Wisconsin Section of the Mathematical Association of America | Published On: Apr 30, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Holly Attenborough, associate professor of mathematics at UW-Platteville, was recently honored with the 2021 Distinguished Teaching Award from the Wisconsin Section of the Mathematical Association of America.

Pioneer Spotlight: L. Joseph Barnes

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Apr 30, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Business

For more than a decade, L. Joseph Barnes, assistant professor in the School of Business, has brought his business experience inside the classroom where he teaches courses in finance and accounting.

Horst researches use of drones in STEM education, presents at conference

Written By: Justice Hendrick | Published On: Apr 29, 2021 | Featured in: STEM, Research

Justine Horst, a senior electrical engineering major from Hartford, Wisconsin, recently had a paper published for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Integrated STEM Education Conference. Horst’s paper, “STEM Code Using Drones,” is based off of her undergraduate research and describes a methodology of STEM education that would utilize programmable drones.

Alumna credits UW-Platteville experience for engineering career

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Apr 27, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Corporate Relations, STEM

University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumna Morgan Hartman, a 2018 industrial engineering graduate, credits her experience as a student-athlete with giving her the tools to become a marketing engineer for centrifugal water-cooled chillers at Trane Technologies in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

It’s a ‘how-to’ summer for Continuing Education Institute youth programs

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Apr 27, 2021 | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

This summer, elementary through high school students will have the opportunity to learn by doing, as the UW-Platteville Continuing Education Institute announces its How-To Summer Series youth programming.

Platt-Gibson selected to lead community outreach for branch campuses

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: Apr 26, 2021 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

Melanie Platt-Gibson has been named community outreach director for the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County and the UW-Platteville Richland branch campuses, where she will connect the campuses with opportunities in support of programming and student recruitment.

Making a Case for College series continues

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Apr 22, 2021 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

The Making a Case for College series continues with two panels over the next two weeks. The idea for the program was born out of the desire to connect directly with students and show them the education, career, and life benefits of attending a UW-Platteville campus.

UW-Platteville offers opportunity to sponsor engraved pavers

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Apr 20, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

With construction of Sesquicentennial Hall underway, the UW-Platteville Foundation is offering alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff and corporate partners the opportunity to be a visible part of its engineering legacy by sponsoring an engraved paver along the walkways and patios surrounding Sesquicentennial Hall and Busby Hall – formerly Engineering Hall

Travis Clary working on vaccine clinic on campus

Students intern at local health departments, assist in COVID-19 response

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Apr 19, 2021 | Featured in: Biology, STEM

A group of students interning at local health departments are not only gaining a valuable experience in the health care field, but also making an impact in local communities’ response against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students recognized for academic excellence, inducted into national honor society

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Apr 19, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Forty-four students were recently inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, an honor society that recognizes academic achievement of top students in all majors.

UW-Platteville helps launch Koenig’s career in renewable energy

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Apr 15, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Women in STEM, STEM

It has been less than a year since Katie Koenig graduated from UW-Platteville, and her career is already reaching new heights – from job sites in Washington and New Mexico to the occasional top of a wind turbine.

UW-Platteville to host virtual Earth Day event

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: Apr 14, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

In honor of Earth Day, UW-Platteville will be hosting a virtual event, Pioneers Protecting the Planet and Transforming Campus, from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. Faculty and staff who are actively engaged in environmental programs on and off-campus will discuss the active sustainability programs on campus as well as building renovations at Boebel Hall and Sesquicentennial Hall.

Samantha Lopez leads the Building Leaders Through the Prioritization of Self workshop.

New student workshop explores connection between mental health and leadership

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Apr 12, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

More than a dozen students recently completed the new five-week workshop, “Building Leaders Through the Prioritization of Self,” hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Created in response to the specific needs of underrepresented minority students at UW-Platteville, the workshop takes a unique approach to leadership development as it explores the interconnected nature of self-care, mental health and leadership.

Making a Case for College panel discussions announced

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Apr 09, 2021 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

UW-Platteville will host three panels that will connect prospective students with academic experts, business and community leaders, and alumni. During the discussions, the experts will explain how the new and ongoing education pathways at UW-Platteville and its branch campuses in Richland and Baraboo Sauk County continue to set students up for personal, educational and professional success.

UW-Platteville launches Supply Chain Management certificate program

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Apr 09, 2021 | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Continuing Education Institute announces the launch of its new Supply Chain Management certificate program.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Bob Demaree

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Apr 09, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Arts & Culture

Growing up, Dr. Bob Demaree, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville was surrounded by music. In 1992, he joined UW-Platteville.

Panel of industry leaders to address diversity in engineering and construction

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Apr 06, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will host Pathway to Progress: A Panel Discussion on the importance of Diversity in the Engineering, Construction, and Safety Industries on Wednesday, April 14, from 5:15-6:45 p.m. The virtual event is free and open to the public.

Engineering physics student conducts undergraduate research, presents at Student Showcase

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Apr 05, 2021 | Featured in: STEM, Research

As Trevor Wavrunek, a senior engineering physics major, prepares for graduation this May, he credits his experience as an undergraduate researcher with helping him with his next academic goal. He has spent the past three years researching the topic of an alternative to solvent-based microfabrication with Dr. Gokul Gopalakrishnan, associate professor of engineering physics

UW-Platteville students virtually teach physical education to students with disabilities

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: Apr 05, 2021 | Featured in: Health and Human Performance, Education

For years, students in Dr. Timothy Swenson’s Practicum in Adapted Physical Education class have had the opportunity to teach students with disabilities within a physical education setting. Students continued that experience this year, but with the added challenge – and opportunity for creativity – that was presented by virtual learning.

Dylan Notsch researches the effects of anti-icing on concrete.

Engineering student conducts research on concrete durability

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Mar 31, 2021 | Featured in: STEM, Research

With near-record cold stretches and snow accumulation this winter, de-icing of Wisconsin roads and highways is a common sight, but a research project at UW-Platteville is studying the long-term impacts of these treatments on concrete durability.

Ward wins state-wide civil engineering award

Written By: Justice Hendrick | Published On: Mar 31, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

Jesse Ward, a senior, civil engineering major, was recently honored by the Wisconsin Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers with the Outstanding Senior Civil Engineering Student Award. The recognition is awarded annually to one senior-level civil engineering student who has made significant contributions both to the organization, their own academic career and the career of their fellow students.

Founder of Khan Academy to discuss revolutionizing learning at annual Distinguished Lecture

Written By: Justice Hendrick | Published On: Mar 31, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

UW-Platteville will host Dr. Salman Khan as the latest speaker in its Distinguished Lecturer series. The event is open to UW-Platteville students, faculty and staff, and will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, April 14, from 10-11 a.m.

Dr. Hal Evensen, professor of engineering physics

UW-Platteville engineering professors’ inventions awarded U.S. patents

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Mar 30, 2021 | Featured in: STEM, Research

WiSys was recently awarded U.S. patents for inventions disclosed by two College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science faculty at UW-Platteville. Dr. Hal Evensen, professor of engineering physics created the “Planar Field Emission Transistor.” Dr. Thomas Zolper, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and his team invented the “Variable Volume Flow Injection Nozzle.”

Schulenburg publishes in forthcoming literature journal

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 30, 2021 | Featured in: Humanities

The work of Dr. Chris Schulenburg, professor of Spanish, will be published in the forthcoming issue of the journal, Studies in the 20th & 21st Century Literature. His article, "Inés del alma mía or How to Retrain the Chronicle," uses Chilean novelist Isabel Allende's book "Inés del alma mía" to create a new model for the Latin American chronicle.

Faculty spotlight: Dr. Songqing Yue

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Mar 30, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

Dr. Songqing (Joshua) Yue is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at UW-Platteville. This fall, Yue will be teaching courses in the new undergraduate cybersecurity program.

Organizational Change Leadership Best Value

M.S. Organizational Change Leadership program earns another top value recognition

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Mar 29, 2021 | Featured in: Online Education, Press Release

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership program is once again recognized as one of the best and affordable master's degree programs in the nation, according to the 2021 BestValueCollege.org ratings.

Pioneer Spotlight: Triston King

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: Mar 26, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Triston King is the associate director in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at UW-Platteville. The Milwaukee native earned his undergraduate degree in communication with a minor in women and gender studies from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and his master’s degree in student affairs of higher education from Marquette University.

Alumna pursues master’s abroad, amid pandemic

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: Mar 25, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, History

Elizabeth Larrison always loved hearing and telling stories. When she was quite young, she realized that history was essentially the telling of others’ stories, and her interests in the subject continued to grow throughout her education. She is currently studying history in Ireland in a yearlong master’s program at the National University of Ireland-Galway.

Art student awarded undergraduate research scholarship, developing porcelain recipe

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Mar 22, 2021 | Featured in: Arts & Culture, Research

Melanie Bisbach, a cross-disciplinary fine arts major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is turning her passion into an undergraduate research project titled, “Understanding Porcelains and Ceramic Materials.” Bisbach, a sophomore from Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is developing her own porcelain recipes.

Pioneer Spotlight: Nicole Ruchotzke

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Mar 19, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Online Education

After growing up in rural Sabula, Iowa, Nicole Ruchotzke attended UW-Platteville, earning a degree in biology. From there, she went on to earn her master’s in public health at Concordia University before returning to her alma mater in 2017, where she joined the Office of Professional Program Support as an advisor.

Faculty Profile: Dr. Yanwei Wu

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: Mar 18, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

Dr. Yanwei Wu is an associate professor in Computer Science and Software Engineering at UW-Platteville, and one of the faculty who will be teaching in the new Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity program this fall.

Project Management alumnus returns to teach new Continuing Education credential program

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Mar 18, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Continuing Education Institute, Business

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Continuing Education Institute has risen to the challenge by implementing new ways students can further their education. The latest result of this determination comes in the form of a new certificate program: Foundations of Project Management Practice.

Research project brings Southwest Wisconsin into the classroom

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 18, 2021 | Featured in: Education, Research

Growing up in Platteville, Tyler Vargo knows firsthand the beauty and diversity of Southwest Wisconsin, but like many rural areas, the region is significantly underrepresented on digital mapping platforms, like Google Maps. Through a project sponsored by the Undergraduate Research and Scholarly and Creative Activity program, Vargo is setting out to change this one location at a time.

Research explores relationship between COVID-19 knowledge and emotions, sense of control

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 17, 2021 | Featured in: Psychology, STEM, Research

In the fall of 2019, Megan Bunyer began exploring potential research topics, guided by particular interests she had in emotion, memory and sense of control. When the pandemic hit last spring, it presented Bunyer with the opportunity to explore these interests in a much more timely and novel project, as she set out to examine the relationship between knowledge surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak and emotion and sense of control.

Donohue selected to lead the new IDEA Hub

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 16, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

UW-Platteville, in partnership with the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, has selected Jeremiah “Maia” Donohue as the inaugural leader of the new Innovation Driving Entrepreneurship Accelerator Hub, known as the IDEA Hub.

Homeschool program provides virtual instruction opportunities for UW-Platteville students

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Mar 16, 2021 | Featured in: Health and Human Performance, Education

As families continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the UW-Platteville Physical Education Homeschool Program is providing virtual instruction to area children and school districts.

Experts share COVID-19 information at virtual panel event

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 12, 2021 | Featured in: Press Release

Nearly 150 tri-state area residents listened to a panel of experts at UW-Platteville discuss the latest information regarding the coronavirus and vaccines on March 11. A recording of the virtual panel is available for viewing.

First-year engineering student assists with carbon nanotube research

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Mar 12, 2021 | Featured in: STEM, Research

Freshman Eliot Driessen, an electrical engineering major, is embarking on his first year of undergraduate research. After being awarded the Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Scholarship, Driessen has been assisting Dr. Hal Evensen, professor of engineering physics with his research in the nano lab.

Pioneer Spotlight: Becky Digman

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Mar 12, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Becky Digman, a 2011 alumna of UW-Platteville who earned her degree in business administration, returned to her alma mater in 2018 as a financial specialist in the Cashier’s Office. She currently works in the Financial Aid Office as the scholarship coordinator and financial aid counselor.