University News

Dr. Afzal Upal

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Afzal Upal

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

Dr. Afzal Upal joined UW-Platteville in July as the chair of the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department. He has more than 20 years of experience in the computing field, with an expertise in artificial intelligence and cognitive science. Upal has held several technical and leadership positions in the computer science and software engineering industry and government, however his love for education brought him back to academia.

Baraboo campus

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County to offer free COVID-19 testing to area residents

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

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County will offer free COVID-19 testing to area residents, ages five years and older, on Wednesdays from Nov. 18 through Jan. 20. Testing is free, and participants do not need to be students or employees of the university.

Chris Polzer

Criminal Justice Instructor Chris Polzer wins 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award

Written By: Cheryl Lange | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

Two-time UW-Platteville graduate and Criminal Justice Instructor Chris Polzer was named one of the university’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni. Recipients of the honor, which is presented by the Alumni Association, are chosen for their contributions to and recognition in their professions and communities, and continued engagement with the university.

Junior and environmental engineering major Victoria Chanez runs a viscometer test as part of a rheology research project with the Dairy Innovation Hub.

Researchers look for a taste of success

Written By: Megan Hinderman | Published On: | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture, STEM, Research

Wisconsin is known worldwide for its dairy products, and ice cream is an almost universal favorite. Yet what we love about it can often be hard to describe. Now, mechanical engineering professors Dr. Thomas Zolper and Dr. Bidhan Roy are looking at the science behind one of the world’s most popular treats as part of their research for the UW-Platteville Dairy Innovation Hub.

Ryan Weigel and his family with their prize winning cow, Altitude, which Weigel and partners purchased at the Pioneer Dairy Club Classic in 2000.

Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Weigel

Written By: Megan Hinderman | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture

Throughout his career, Ryan Weigel has felt the influence of UW-Platteville. From the time he graduated as an animal science major, to his own role as an educator today, Weigel acknowledges the friends, family and mentors that have helped him along the way.

Susan Hansen

UW-Platteville continues to be a pioneer in distance education

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs

UW-Platteville is known as the Pioneers, but the moniker is much more than a nickname. The university has been a pioneer and industry leader in distance education since 1978, when it began offering degrees through its print-based program.

Anna Klimesh

Student creates peer-led mental health awareness program

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

Thanks to an internship at UW-Platteville's University Counseling Services, Anna Klimesh had the opportunity to make a potentially big impact on both current and future students at the university. This summer, Klimesh was tasked with creating and publicizing Peers Promoting Mental Health – a student-led support program that aims to increase student engagement in mental health promotion, education and awareness on campus.

Angela Yang

Pioneer Spotlight: Angela Yang

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

Growing up as the oldest of seven, Angela Yang was the first in her family to earn a college degree. Yang, an alumna of UW-Platteville, now hopes to inspire students throughout their collegiate journey. As a TRIO Student Support Services advisor and SUCCEED coordinator, she works with incoming UW-Platteville students and assists them with accessing campus resources.

Mock Trial team members

Pioneer Mock Trial Team earns top witness award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

The UW-Platteville Mock Trial Team participated in its first invitational tournament of the season and received a top witness award. “Testing the Waters” tournament took place virtually from Oct.16-18 and featured 12 colleges from across the country.

Jon Hutson, as Kate, and Isabelle Sander, as Petruchio, in "The Taming of the Shrew."

Pioneers Players return with some socially-distant Shakespeare

Written By: Maddie Harbour, fine arts-theatre major | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

UW-Platteville's Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will kick off their 2020-2021 season with William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”

Clint Nemitz

Pioneer Spotlight: Clint Nemitz

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

As the lead admissions specialist for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Center for Distance Learning, Clint Nemitz works with his team to connect prospective students with their desired academic programs.

Kaley Mumma during her 2019 internship growing tomatoes on roof of Glenview Commons.

Mumma presents research marking 19th amendment anniversary

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture, Arts & Culture

Kaley Mumma, a senior from Byron, Illinois, was selected to present at the 2020 Red River Women’s Studies Conference, hosted by North Dakota State University last week. The conference’s theme, “Imperfect History,” marked the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment.

Students doing classwork outside

The department of geography launches new environmental science and conservation program

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Environmental Sciences

The Department of Geography is now offering a new undergraduate degree, environmental science and conservation. The program launched this fall with more than a dozen students declaring the major.

Lauren Ray

Alumna to present at the EMS Engineering Seminar Series

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

The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science is hosting its third virtual event in the Engineering Seminar Series on Tuesday, Nov. 10, featuring alumna Lauren Ray, a 2001 civil engineering graduate, and Marc Ruden, both of IIW, P.C.

Dr. Hynek Boril

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Hynek Boril

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

Since joining UW-Platteville in 2015, Dr. Hynek Boril, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, has been instrumental in providing students with unique research opportunities on campus, particularly through his creation of the Pioneer Speech Signal Processing Laboratory.

Drew Francis and Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

Newly-renovated automation lab features world-class technology

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management, STEM

Last week, the Department of Industrial Studies hosted an open house to celebrate the newly-renovated electronics and industrial controls systems laboratory. Located in Russell Hall, the lab is one of two automation labs that underwent a $1.5 million renovation to offer students the opportunity to use world-class technology and give them an edge in the workforce.

UW-Platteville campus

New agreement between UW-Platteville and Carroll University to strengthen engineering workforce

Written By: Carroll University | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

A new agreement between UW-Platteville and Carroll University will allow Carroll students to earn Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering without ever leaving southeast Wisconsin. Carroll students will complete UW-Platteville engineering courses in an online format through UW-Platteville Engineering Partnerships.

Dr. Kristina Fields

Fields honored with UW System award for teaching excellence

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

Dr. Kristina Fields, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was named one of four recipients across the UW System of the 2020 Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award.

Dalton and UW-Platteville logos

UW-Platteville Continuing Education Launches Certified Financial Planning Certificate Program

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

The UW-Platteville Continuing Education Institute is pleased to announce a new partnership that will give students the ability to advance their careers by acquiring the knowledge and requirements needed to sit for the CFP® Certification Exam. Starting in October, Continuing Education Institute will begin offering Dalton Education’s CFP® Certification preparation curriculum.

Jacob Horan participates in the Health and Human Performance program’s partnership with Wisconsin Center for Blind and Visually Impaired, to teach adapted physical education activities (2017).

New health and human performance minors offer opportunities across campus curriculums

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Health and Human Performance

The UW-Platteville Health and Human Performance program recently rolled out three new minors that can be paired with majors across the university to increase the marketability of graduates. Beginning this fall, students can enroll in a health promotion, coaching or sports management minor.

fall campus

New apprenticeship program offers students unique opportunity

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Corporate Relations, Business

The School of Business recently announced a new partnership with Foster MSP. The collaboration will offer students a unique apprenticeship opportunity, providing them with a valuable, rare skillset to give them an edge in a growing field.

Pioneers Day of Giving

Pioneers Day of Giving raises more than $141,500 for student success

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

UW-Platteville alumni and friends celebrated Pioneers Day of Giving by raising $141,514 on Oct. 9. The university surpassed its goal with more than 290 donors.

Proud Rural Teacher graphic

Grant will help share Driftless area teachers’ stories nationwide

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

The School of Education recently received a grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC), a national nonprofit committed to strengthening the bonds between schools and communities. The grant is part of RSC's I am a Rural Teacher campaign, a national advocacy effort that is supported by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Hal Evensen

Evensen honored with first Dale Dixon Professor of Engineering Award

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

Dr. Hal Evensen, UW-Platteville professor of engineering physics, is the recipient of the inaugural Dale Dixon Professor of Engineering Award. The award was established by Dr. Dale Dixon, a former engineering department chair in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, to celebrate engineering faculty excellence.

Dr. Heather White, associate professor in the UW–Madison Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences and faculty director of the Hub

Dairy Innovation Hub releases first annual report

Written By: Maria Woldt, Dairy Innovation Hub program manager | Published On: | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture

The Dairy Innovation Hub has released its first annual report that reflects progress and activities from initial funding approval by the Wisconsin Legislature in early October 2019 through June 2020.

Heather Burkholder

Pioneer Spotlight: Heather Burkholder

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community

Heather Burkholder grew up in Platteville and began working at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2007 in the Admission and Student Affairs office before moving over to Athletics in 2010, where she is coordinator for internal operations.

School of Business student delivering presentation

School of Business launches six new undergraduate degrees

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

The School of Business has realigned its programs to ensure that students are ready for the changing needs in business and industry, with the launch of six new undergraduate degree programs and an ongoing commitment to providing a cutting-edge education – from its teaching philosophy to leveraging the latest online resources.

Dr. Phillip Gordon

Gordon publishes additional work after release of his book on Faulkner

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

In recent months, Dr. Phillip Gordon, associate professor of English and Gay Studies coordinator at UW-Platteville, has received continued recognition for his book, “Gay Faulkner: Uncovering a Homosexual Presence in Yoknapatawpha and Beyond,” including a newly published essay, an upcoming article and delivery of a keynote speech at a United Kingdom conference.

spring campus

UW-Platteville expands cannabis-related offerings to include agriculture and horticulture certificate

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

Based on overwhelming interest, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Continuing Education Institute is pleased to announce the expansion of its cannabis-related certificates to include an Agriculture and Horticulture Certificate program.

Jenna Zucker

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Jenna Zucker

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

Dr. Jenna Zucker joined the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Psychology in 2019 and teaches courses focused on development.

Sara Ditchman with artwork in gallery

Fine arts major presents ‘Pandemic’ sculpture in exhibition

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

The sculpture is titled “Pandemic” and for University of Wisconsin-Platteville fine arts major Sara Ditchman, it’s a reflection of the uncertainty of COVID-19. Ditchman was selected to present her piece at the Water Street Studios 11th Anniversary Show: Create-in-Place in Batavia, Illinois.

Edward and Lois Busby

Family legacy honored with renaming of Busby Hall of Engineering

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

For more than 50 years, the Busby family has helped transform and enrich UW-Platteville and the greater Platteville community. To honor their family legacy, UW-Platteville will rename Engineering Hall to the Busby Hall of Engineering.

Outdoor class

UW-Platteville Foundation covers application fees for prospective students

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

The UW-Platteville Foundation is giving future Pioneers the opportunity to submit their college application at no cost until Saturday, Oct. 31.

WiSys 2019 Innovation Showcase first place winners

Engineering alumni and professor launch Skillzboard, LLC

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

It’s an idea that has evolved since 2019 when four engineering students and Dr. Gokul “Gopal” Gopalakrishnan, associate professor of engineering physics, discussed their passion for rock climbing and developed the first prototype of Skillzboard. Today, Gopal and his former students are now partners and have started their own company.

Dominique Kornely conducting research at UW-Platteville in 2018.

Recent alumni publish academic work, credit summer research program

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, History, Psychology, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, Research

Two recent UW-Platteville alumni, Kathryn Bartels and Dominique Kornely, have had their research work accepted for publication in academic journals. Both alumni are former participants of UW-Platteville’s Summer Undergraduate Scholars Program and credit the program for their success.

Demi Vetesnik

Pioneer Spotlight: Demi Vetesnik

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Continuing Education Institute

After growing up in Canada, Demi Vetesnik, program manager for the UW-Platteville Continuing Education Institute, made the jump to the United States for college when a soccer scholarship led her to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 2019, she joined the CEI team at UW-Platteville Richland Center. As part of her responsibilities, Vetesnik provides quality programming for the community she now lives in.

Pioneers Day of Giving

UW-Platteville to celebrate Pioneers Day of Giving

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

UW-Platteville will celebrate 154 years since becoming an institution on Friday, Oct. 9. In honor of Founder’s Day, alumni and friends are invited to participate in the annual Pioneers Day of Giving. The all-day event raises funds to support student success.

Nicole Ruckhotzke

UW-Platteville Online Advisor Earns Award for Excellence

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Online Education

Nicole Ruchotzke may be one of the newest advisors to join the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Center for Distance Operations, but she’s already left her mark. This week, Ruchotzke will officially be awarded the Advising Profession Impact Award by the Wisconsin Academic Advising Association.

aerial view of downtown Platteville and campus

Highly-competitive federal grant to bring $1.1 million new investment to region

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

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC) have been selected as co-applicants to receive a highly competitive grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration that will bring nearly $1.1 million of new investment to the region.

Dr. Carolyn Keller

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Carolyn Keller

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

Dr. Carolyn Keller joined UW-Platteville in 2018 as the director of Academic Assessment. While she still oversees the area of Academic Assessment, Keller is now interim assistant provost. Her background is in the field of sociology – a discipline that she still teaches every chance she can.

Dr. Ann Farrelly teaches classes in the theatre.

The show must go on: Performing and Visual Arts finds creative solutions to welcome students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Creativity is nothing new to faculty in the Department of Performing and Visual Arts. But, the COVID-19 pandemic put their creativity to a new test this summer, as they planned for how to safely instruct students in theatre, music and art — areas that normally involve hands-on learning.

George Krueger

Krueger develops podcast to support small business marketing

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

School of Business Associate Professor George Krueger is giving his students and local entrepreneurs an insight on how to enhance marketing strategies for small businesses through his podcast titled, “The UWP Professor George’s Podcast.” Krueger combines his academic research along with his experience in developing marketing campaigns for both small businesses and Fortune 100 companies to deliver different themed episodes.

Book cover

Isbister publishes anthology of work from Chinese women writers

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Dr. Dong Isbister, University of Wisconsin-Platteville associate professor of women and gender studies, recently published an anthology she co-edited titled “Chinese Women Writers on the Environment: A Multi-ethnic Anthology of Fiction and Nonfiction.”

COVID-19 testing site

Free COVID-19 testing site on campus, Sept. 16-17

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

The Grant County Health Department is offering a free community COVID-19 drive-through and walk-through testing site on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus.

Dr. Harold Evensen in Internet of Things Lab

Responding to industry needs, UW-Platteville rolls out Internet of Things curricula

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

The growing interconnectedness of smart devices – known as the “internet of things” – is changing the way the manufacturing industry operates and the products it produces, and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is continuing to lead the charge of ensuring that the next generation workforce is prepared for these changes.

Lerner and Drees

Two advisors honored with statewide awards

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

Dr. Anne-Marie Lerner, assistant department chair and associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Karen Brenner Drees, academic advisor and coach, are both being recognized by the Wisconsin Academic Advising Association for excellence in advising.

School of Education Graduate

School of Education faculty explore place-based education

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

When UW-Platteville's School of Education was presented with the opportunity to re-envision its core framework, Dr. Jennifer Collins, director, said they started with a question: “whom are the people and where are the places we serve?” The answer, she said, was overwhelmingly rural communities. The School of Education began looking toward the future with a focus on place-based education and building a teaching workforce responsive to the needs of their local, rural communities.

Hannah Exner

Exner finds new opportunities, skills with virtual internship

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

When Hannah Exner accepted a summer internship offer last September, she expected to spend the summer of 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, working for Thermo King – a Trane Technologies brand. But when the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold last spring, Exner began to worry about the possibility of her internship being canceled. Thanks to longstanding relationships with UW-Platteville, many industry partners like Trane Technologies, made it a priority to honor these internship commitments, finding creative solutions to provide meaningful experiences.

Bench installation

Student volunteers help bring learning outside

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

As UW-Platteville welcomes students back to campus this week, faculty and staff are rethinking concepts of traditional learning space and bringing classrooms outside. Earlier this week, a group of 30 student volunteers built and installed 50 wooden benches, over a two-day period, to create a series of outdoor class spaces in time for the first day of the semester.

Gretchen Bockenhauer

Pioneer Spotlight: Gretchen Bockenhauer

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Applied Engineering Technology Management

Gretchen Bockenhauer grew up in the field of construction, learning from her family’s business. But it was her experience as a student at UW-Platteville that cemented her interest in the field. Now, as lecturer and co-program coordinator for UW-Platteville’s Building Construction Management program, she enjoys sharing her experience with students and helping them find their own passion in the construction management field.