University News

Pioneer Spotlight: Gretchen Bockenhauer

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Sep 04, 2020 | 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.

Criminal Justice program recognized as one of the country's best online master's degrees

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Sep 03, 2020 | Featured in: Online Education, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville's reputation as a leader in distance education has been cemented again, as Online School Report recognizes the criminal justice program as one of the Best Online Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice in the country.

UW-Platteville first in state to offer cannabis-related certificates

Written By: UW-Platteville Communications | Published On: Sep 03, 2020 | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Continuing Education Institute has announced three certificate programs related to one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation: cannabis. The certificates are offered in partnership with Green Flower, a national leader in cannabis education.

Student wearing face mask at Welcome Weekend

Lands’ End donates facemasks for UW-Platteville’s Welcome Weekend

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Sep 02, 2020 | Featured in: Corporate Relations, Business

As hundreds of Pioneers participated in Welcome Weekend at UW-Platteville, one area business is helping to keep students safe as they embark on the fall semester. Lands’ End headquartered in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, partnered with the university to donate more than 1,000 face coverings to help protect against COVID-19.

Forum series to foster discussions on race and inequity

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Sep 01, 2020 | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, Education

As the fall semester gets underway, the College of Liberal Arts and Education is offering a number of opportunities outside of the classroom for students, and the wider community, to engage in discussions about race and inequality, as well as the contribution of African American voices to the liberal arts and education fields, through two concurrent forum series.

Safety first: Students take top place in national competition

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Aug 31, 2020 | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management

A team of five University of Wisconsin-Platteville construction management students took first place in the area of safety and second place overall, among 26 teams, at the recent 2020 National Associated Builders and Contractors’ annual Construction Management Competition.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Sharon Klavins

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Aug 28, 2020 | Featured in: Biology, Campus & Community

After growing up in south Florida and spending summers at her grandparents' North Carolina farm, Dr. Sharon Klavins, professor of biology, was drawn to the natural world. Her passion led her to the field of paleobotany, where her specialty is plant structure and evolution. She began her career teaching high school. Klavins then earned her doctorate degree in plant biology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She started at UW-Platteville in 2005.

Nancy Ware’s giving legacy lives on

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: Aug 26, 2020 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

Nancy Ware was one of the most visible citizens in Platteville, whether at sporting competitions, at the swimming pool or taking her dog out for a walk. It was only fitting that in her will, she ensured her impact would live on in the city for years to come.

Drees honored with award for outstanding advising

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Aug 21, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Karen Brenner Drees, an academic advisor and coach, is the recipient of UW-Platteville's 2020 Outstanding Professional Advising Award. The award is presented annually to academic staff whose primary responsibility is advising.

UW-Platteville announces new partnership; offers nine new courses to California childhood educators

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Aug 20, 2020 | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Online Education, Education

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announces a new partnership with the California Curriculum Alignment Project (CAP). The partnership recognizes that UW-Platteville’s curriculum meets the high standards of the CAP, allowing California’s early childhood educators to take advantage of UW-Platteville’s innovative and engaging online courses.

EMS shop supervisors produce plexiglass barriers

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Aug 19, 2020 | Featured in: Press Release, STEM

College of EMS shop supervisors are producing self-supporting plexiglass barriers to help protect the campus community against COVID-19. The shop supervisors are teaming up with the Facilities Management department in creating the two-foot by two-foot countertop items with an etched university logo and a slot to pass papers through.

Gnaneswaran to introduce transformative teaching technology to campus

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Aug 17, 2020 | Featured in: STEM

As the recipient of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s 2019-20 Innovations in Technology for Teaching and Learning Award, Dr. Vettrivel Gnaneswaran, assistant professor of industrial engineering, will use the award funds to implement new learning glass technology on campus.

Pioneer Spotlight: Jason Schulte

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: Aug 14, 2020 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

Jason Schulte works in the Student Services office at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, where he serves as athletic director and student life and activities director, as well as an academic advisor to students.

UW-Platteville awarded more than $3 million to help students succeed

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Aug 13, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is the recipient of two federal Student Support Services grants, totaling more than $3.4 million over the next five years. The grants are critical for UW-Platteville’s TRIO Student Support Services to carry out its mission of supporting and retaining underserved populations.

Livingston to be honored with Academic Staff Award for Excellence

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Aug 12, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Victoria Livingston, executive director of Enrollment and Student Success, has been selected to receive the University of Wisconsin-Platteville 2020 Academic Staff Award for Excellence.

Fall Engineering Seminar Series announced

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Aug 12, 2020 | Featured in: STEM

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science is bringing real-world engineering projects to students, faculty and the public, through the fall 2020 EMS Engineering Seminar Series.

UW-Platteville hosts STEMStart Summer Institute

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Aug 11, 2020 | Featured in: Education, STEM

Area high school teachers from across Wisconsin met virtually with engineering professors from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science for the STEMStart Summer Institute. STEMStart is an early college credit program for engineering.

Student takes top prize in state research competition

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Aug 10, 2020 | Featured in: Agriculture, STEM, Research

Joseph Creanza, a junior soil and crop science major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, scored first place at the recent 2020 Student Research and Innovation Showcase for his project, “Plant Essential Oils as Natural and Safe Pesticides for the Control of Soybean White Mold Disease.”

UW-Platteville partners with College Pads to provide an off-campus housing marketplace

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Aug 07, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is partnering with Rent College Pads, an off-campus marketplace and search engine for students navigating their housing options. The UW-Platteville Off-Campus Marketplace helps students with rental resources, including connecting with landlords, off-campus pricing, finding roommates and subleasing options.

Pioneer Spotlight: Tom Antczak

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: Aug 07, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Tom Antczak is in his 29th year as head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women’s and men’s cross-country programs, making him the longest tenured coach in the athletic department. In the past 20 years, Antczak has seen the men’s program have great success, qualifying for the NCAA III national meet eight times, having three individual champions and a program best fourth-place team finish in 2010.

High ranking reaffirms university’s commitment to sustainability

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Aug 03, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Reaffirming the institution’s long-term commitment to sustainability, UW-Platteville recently earned a silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Douglas Selent

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 31, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Douglas Selent, assistant professor of computer science and software engineering, joined the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2018. He also serves as the software engineering program coordinator. His interests include bringing active learning into his classroom through different activities and gamification.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Brandon Fetterly

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: Jul 24, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Dr. Brandon Fetterly is dean of the UW-Platteville Richland campus. As dean, he leads the operation of the campus, from academics and student affairs, budget and administration, and management of facilities and other operations; to external relations with alumni, the campus’ Foundation, local government, and other stakeholders.

Lerner receives Outstanding Faculty/Instructional Academic Staff Academic Advisor Award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 21, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Dr. Anne-Marie Lerner, University of Wisconsin-Platteville assistant department chair and professor of mechanical engineering, calls advising her students one of the most gratifying parts of working in higher education. Lerner is being honored with the 2020 Outstanding Faculty/Instructional Academic Staff Academic Advisor Award.

Gurira recognized with Outstanding Woman of Color Award

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 20, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Josephine Gurira, reference services librarian at the UW-Platteville’s Karrmann Library, is being honored with the university’s 2020 Outstanding Woman of Color Award.

High-performance computing server opens new research possibilities

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 16, 2020 | Featured in: STEM, Research

Big data and artificial intelligence are increasingly ubiquitous in society, with an estimate of more than 2.5 million terabytes of data generated worldwide every day. Analyzing this data can help answer fundamental research questions, and thanks to a recent collaboration with IBM and OpenPOWER Foundation, spearheaded by Dr. Arghya Das, UW-Platteville is now home to a high-performance computing server to assist in this effort.

State-funded Dairy Innovation Hub hires first faculty members

Written By: Maria Woldt, Dairy Innovation Hub program manager | Published On: Jul 15, 2020 | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture

Ryan Pralle and Joseph Sanford have been hired as faculty members by the UW-Platteville School of Agriculture, representing the first tenure-track faculty positions funded by the Dairy Innovation Hub.

Ivanov presents his research in Moscow

Written By: Andrey Ivanov | Published On: Jul 15, 2020 | Featured in: History

Dr. Andrey Ivanov, assistant professor of history, recently presented his research on the topic of “David and Goliaths: Wartime Sermons in Russia 1700-1815” in a seminar organized by Moscow's German Historical Institute.

Montgomery honored with Woman of the Year Award

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 15, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Agriculture

Dr. Tera Montgomery, professor of dairy and animal science at UW-Platteville, was selected for the 2020 Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award.

Halfmann honored with Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 14, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Psychology

Dr. Kameko Halfmann, assistant professor of psychology, is this year’s recipient of the Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Foundation breaks $4 million in donations for first time

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 13, 2020 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

The UW-Platteville Foundation is celebrating a new milestone, as it recently announced record fundraising for the 2020 fiscal year, which ended on June 30. UW-Platteville alumni, friends and corporate partners donated more than $4 million for the first time ever, exceeding the previous year’s total by $1 million.

Udelhofen receives University Staff Award for Excellence

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 13, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Amy Udelhofen, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville academic department associate for Performing and Visual Arts is receiving the 2020 University Staff Award for Excellence.

McLanahan receives Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 10, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Aric Ranen McLanahan, University of Wisconsin-Platteville assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, was selected for the Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. The purpose of the award is to recognize a tenure-track faculty member who has made distinguished contributions to the mission of UW-Platteville as an outstanding teacher.

Pioneer Spotlight: Jeff Gard

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: Jul 10, 2020 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

Jeff Gard just finished his 11th season as head basketball coach of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Being in athletics was always Jeff’s dream and goal as a young man growing up in Cobb, Wisconsin. He was surrounded by coaches who helped mentor and guide him along the way, and coaching was his opportunity to stay in athletics.

Partnership in nationwide engineering network to bring new opportunities

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 08, 2020 | Featured in: STEM

Building on its tradition of offering active, hands-on and problem-based learning, the UW-Platteville College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science recently affirmed its place as a leader in engineering education with its acceptance as a partner in the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN).

Pioneer Farm cow takes grand champion at district show

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 07, 2020 | Featured in: Agriculture

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Farm took home the top honor of grand champion for its four-year-old cow Wiscit Defiant Maya at the Wisconsin District 3 Show in Lancaster, Wisconsin, on June 19. Registered dairy producers from Grant, Lafayette, Iowa, Richland and Crawford counties participated in the competition, which featured 187 cows.

UW-Platteville leads public institutions for value

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: Jul 01, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is the top public institution in the state for best value, according to the 2020 Payscale ratings.

Pioneer Restore announces launch of new online sales platform

Written By: Joshua Chamberland and Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 30, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The Pioneer Restore at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville announces the launch of its new online storefront. The sleek, easy-to-use website is designed to make unwanted university-owned items available to the community at affordable prices.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Yan Shi

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 26, 2020 | Featured in: STEM

Dr. Yan Shi, associate professor of computer science and software engineering joined the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2011. Besides teaching, she is researching several topics related to data mining in social networks.

Grant to help empower young women in computer science field

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 24, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Donna Gavin, a senior lecturer in computer science and software engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and founder of Platteville’s Girls Who Code Club, recently received a grant of more than $1,500 from the Platteville Community Fund, which will help support new opportunities for both the middle and high school-aged girls in the club and their college mentors.

Faculty, student respond to the call for innovative solutions during pandemic

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 24, 2020 | Featured in: STEM, Research

The creative concepts of five University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty and one student were recently selected by WiSys in the organization’s Innovation Challenge: COVID-19.

Gordon to give two presentations on recently published book to mark Pride Month

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 22, 2020 | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Dr. Phillip Gordon is scheduled to give two online presentations in the coming weeks to discuss his recently published book “Gay Faulkner: Uncovering a Homosexual Presence and Beyond” (December 2019, University Press of Mississippi).

Pioneer Spotlight: Nancy Hammermeister

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Jun 19, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Ever since Nancy Hammermeister began teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville about 10 years ago, she always encouraged her students to be curious and to ask questions. She is a lecturer of political science and mainly teaches introduction level, general education courses in American government.

Grant leads to new research for glove design

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 18, 2020 | Featured in: STEM, Research

Dr. Vettrivel Gnaneswaran, assistant professor of industrial engineering, was recently awarded a Research Infrastructure Program grant by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium for his research exploring the use of gloves and their effect on performing tasks – the results of which could potentially influence glove redesign in manufacturing, aerospace and healthcare industries, helping people select gloves to maximize safety and productivity.

UW-Platteville students organize Black Lives Matter protest

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 16, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Black Lives Matter is the message two University of Wisconsin-Platteville activists are spreading in Southwest Wisconsin in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. On June 7, Alvin Watts and Alexandria Lara organized a peaceful protest at City Park in Platteville to bring awareness to systemic racism and police brutality.

Faculty fellowships funded by state-sponsored Dairy Innovation Hub

Written By: Maria Woldt, Dairy Innovation Hub program manager | Published On: Jun 15, 2020 | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture, Research

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently awarded seven faculty research fellowships to help increase dairy-related research capacity through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative.

UW-Platteville celebrates national Pride Month

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 15, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is organizing virtual events throughout June, national Pride Month, to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Kevin Bernhardt

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 12, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Agriculture

As a professor of agribusiness at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a UW-Extension farm management specialist, Dr. Kevin Bernhardt helps make an impact on both the current and future generations of the local agriculture industry.

Future teachers use technology to provide critical support to more than 100 students during COVID-19 crisis

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Jun 11, 2020 | Featured in: Education

During the COVID-19 crisis, more than 70 UW-Platteville education majors took on the challenge of providing more than 100 homebound K-12 students in 11 school districts in Southwest Wisconsin with online tutoring support to ensure they continued gaining knowledge in a wide variety of subject areas.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Scott Melin

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 08, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

University of Wisconsin-Platteville Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Scott Melin joined UW-Platteville in 2017 and encourages his students to take away these important concepts: a lifelong learning approach, growth mindset and professional skills.