University News

Recent grads set to make an impact in growing field of plant breeding and biotechnology

Garrett Larsen had a passion for plant biotechnology even before he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Thanks to the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program through BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute and Promega, he had his first real exposure to research before college, which validated his decision to pursue it professionally.

UW-Platteville team places third in national competition

The UW-Platteville TeamWorks team placed third out of 14 post-secondary schools in the Construction SkillsUSA national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.

UW-Platteville alumna reflects on student teaching opportunity in Bayfield

University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumna Jillian Meister wrapped up her final semester student teaching in Bayfield, Wisconsin, where she received the opportunity to implement culturally responsive teaching practices in her classroom.

Platteville Summer Arts Festival presents the musical ‘Once’

The Department of Performing and Visuals Arts and the Platteville Summer Arts Festival present the Tony-Award winning musical “Once" July 29, 30, Aug. 5, and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and July 31 and Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts on the UW-Platteville campus.

Zucker receives Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Dr. Jenna Zucker, assistant professor of psychology, is being honored with the UW-Platteville 2022 Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. The award recognizes a tenure-track faculty member who has made distinguished contributions to the mission of the university as an outstanding teacher.

Students from multiple programs collaborate on clandestine grave documentation research

Faculty from Forensic Investigation and Computer Science and Software Engineering are collaborating on clandestine grave documentation research.

Local artists to exhibit at Schwalbach Gallery

Sauk County artists Roberta Condon and Lorraine Ortner-Blake will be featured in the Schwalbach Gallery on the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County campus, starting Friday, July 1.

Savoy recognized with staff award for excellence

UW-Platteville will recognize Josh Savoy, Information Technology Services Help Desk supervisor, with the 2022 University Staff Award for Excellence.

Students have first opportunity to attend largest human resource conference

Nine students recently attended the 2022 annual Society for Human Resource Management Conference and Expo, the largest gathering of human resource professionals in the world. Dr. Sameer Ahmed made this opportunity possible for students – for the first time – by arranging with conference organizers the possibility for students to volunteer at the conference in exchange for admission. 

Selent selected as Wisconsin Teaching Fellow

Dr. Douglas Selent, assistant professor of computer science and software engineering, is bringing awareness to neurodiversity through his Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars (WTFS) Program Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project.

Sherman honored with Outstanding Woman of Color Award

Brittany Sherman, a multicultural advisor in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, is being honored with this year's UW-Platteville Outstanding Woman of Color Award.

Show your Pioneer pride, get free admission at Summerfest

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is taking part in Summerfest’s Show Your College Pride Day. Students attending Summerfest who arrive at the Mid Gate Promotions Booth between noon and 3 p.m. on Friday, July 8 wearing UW-Platteville branded gear, such as a shirt or hat, will receive a free admission ticket.

Muller honored with Outstanding Professional Academic Advisor Award 

Joanna Muller, an academic advisor in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Office of Professional Program Support, has earned the 2022 Outstanding Professional Academic Advisor Award for exemplifying the best qualities of academic staff advisors. 

Fencl honored with Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Matthew J. Fencl, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, is one of four recipients across the UW System receiving the 2022 James R. Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award.

Schulenburg receives Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Chris Schulenburg, professor of Spanish at UW-Platteville, is one of four recipients across the UW System receiving the 2022 Alliant Energy James R. Underkofler Teaching Excellence award.

Pioneers attend National Agri-Marketing Association student competition

The National Agri-Marketing Association Club traveled to Kansas City, Missouri to compete in the National Agri-Marketing Student Competition, where they presented their pitch for an agricultural product, FilaMilk, not yet on the market.

UW-Platteville graduate certificate programs offer digital badges to highlight professional skills

Students who take advantage of UW-Platteville's graduate-level certificate programs will now begin receiving a digital badge following the successful completion of the program.

Senior design team partners with USGS to combat aquatic nuisance species

A group of mechanical engineering students partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey to help combat the spread of invasive species by designing a ballast tank injection system.

Women in STEM K-12 outreach and programming receives $5,000 grant

UW-Platteville was recently awarded the Anderson Corporate Foundation Grant in the amount of $5,000 for Women in STEM K-12 outreach and programming.

Forensic investigation students attend nationwide conferences

A group of forensic investigation students had the opportunity to learn more about the field by attending two virtual conferences, the 74th Annual Scientific Conference hosted by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and Mayo Clinic’s 7th Annual Forensic Science Symposium.

Social sciences students recognized for successes

The Department of Social Sciences recently announced awards highlighting outstanding student work and accomplishments, including the Outstanding Political Science Graduate Award, special recognition certificates for political science graduates and Outstanding Social Sciences Paper awards.

UW-Platteville expands Engineering Partnership Program

UW-Platteville is expanding the reach of its engineering programs with a new partnership with University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Wausau.

School of Agriculture students present research posters at UW System Symposium

Two students from the School of Agriculture, Kimberly Van Donsel and Hannah Lemke, presented research posters at the University of Wisconsin System Symposium at UW-Whitewater last month. 

Forensic investigation students conduct outdoor fingerprints research

Timothy Juedes, lecturer of criminal justice and forensic investigation, and a group of his students are investigating the longevity of fingerprints. The research is in its initial phase and is being conducted at the Forensic Investigation Crime Scene House Outdoor Research Facility, where they are determining how long fingerprints can stay on surfaces outside and inside, while comparing results with climate data.

Robotics team wins world championship

The Robotics Club’s VEX U team at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville traveled to Dallas, Texas, on May 5 to compete in the VEX Robotics World Championship, where they won the VEX U College and University Competition.

Two from UW-Platteville honored with Aspiring Educators awards

At a recent Aspiring Educators of Wisconsin Conference, two representatives from UW-Platteville were honored with awards for their commitment to the organization. Kayla Murphy, recruitment and retention coordinator for the School of Education, received the Devoted Chapter Advisor Award. Nathan Murrin, a junior English education major from McHenry, Illinois, received the Dedicated Student Leader Award.

UW-Platteville celebrates 208th commencement, presenting the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022

UW-Platteville celebrated its 208th commencement, recognizing the class of 2022 and graduates of spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021. The two ceremonies took place on May 14 in the Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.

Spirit Lake Review publishes 2022 edition

Spirit Lake Review, the literary magazine produced at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, celebrated its 19th edition with a return to an in-person launch event.

UW-Platteville launches collaborative physician assistant program

After several years of planning, UW-Platteville's collaborative Master of Physician Assistant Studies program is officially open to applicants, with the first cohort scheduled to begin in summer 2023. The program will allow UW-Platteville students to earn a degree through UW-Madison’s nationally-recognized Master of Physician Assistant Studies program, while remaining on the UW-Platteville campus to complete the coursework.

Fireworks, M lighting to celebrate commencement

To celebrate a special UW-Platteville commencement, the lighting of the M and fireworks are planned for this Saturday, May 14 around 9:15 p.m. The university will celebrate the class of 2022 and graduates of spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021

Haasl publishes new book on computer simulation and genetics

Dr. Ryan Haasl, associate professor of biology, recently published “Nature in Silico: Population Genetic Simulation and its Evolutionary Interpretation Using C++ and R” with Springer Nature, a leading scientific publisher.

UW-Platteville to offer free PMI® memberships to students

Starting this May, UW-Platteville will participate in the Group Student Membership plan offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). This collaboration provides free PMI memberships for all degree-seeking students in the Master of Science in Project Management program, and all other non-MSPM students enrolled in PROJMGT-prefixed courses. 

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County Campus and Community choir to perform benefit concert May 10

The UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County Campus and Community Choir will give its first public performance since 2019, as a benefit concert for Ukrainian humanitarian relief at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Baraboo, on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m.  

UW-Platteville takes grand prize in CastExpo competition

The UW-Platteville cast in steel team won the grand prize at the Steel Founders' Society of America (SFSA) CastExpo 2022 Cast in Steel competition in Columbus, Ohio, on April 24.

UW-Platteville team qualifies for SkillsUSA national competition

The UW-Platteville TeamWorks team recently qualified for the Construction SkillsUSA national competition. Team members are Noelle Elfering, Brennan Sullivan, Jake Gathje and Henry James.

We Energies Foundation supports Women in STEM outreach and programming

The We Energies Foundation recently donated $5,000 to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Women in STEM program to support outreach and programming efforts. 

UW-Platteville’s nationally-recognized Women in STEM program offers many programs and events for young women and girls from fifth grade through college, in order to create a supportive community where women prosper at UW-Platteville and in their future.

School of Education alumni return to campus, share advice with future teachers

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, School of Education students have been learning from retired educators and helping to celebrate their careers.

Recent grad makes a splash in the Platteville community

When Baird Miller came to UW-Platteville, the Madison, Wisconsin native and former competitive swimmer described himself as feeling “like a fish out of water.” However, his love for swimming opened up new, unexpected connections for him on campus and in the greater Platteville community.

Alumnus, vice president of General Motors shares advice with students

UW-Platteville alumnus and Vice President of Electric Vehicle Excellence at General Motors Tim Herrick recently visited campus and shared advice with students from his 38 years with General Motors, many of which were spent in leadership roles. 

UW-Platteville places third in national soils contest, Nollen qualifies for Team USA

The Collegiate Soils Team competed in the 60th Soil Science Society of America National Collegiate Soils Contest April 18-23, where they took home third place overall. Isaac Nollen placed in the top four and was chosen to be part of a four-member team representing the United States at the International Soils Competition in Scotland in June.

Students take center stage as the annual One Act Festival returns

The Department of Performing and Visual Arts and Pioneer Players will conclude their theatre season with the return of the annual One Act Festival: An Evening of Short Plays, May 5-7.

Rehberg excels at Corteva Agriscience, UW-Platteville’s newest corporate sponsor

Growing up on a small dairy farm in Northeast Wisconsin, Liz Rehberg, a 2010 graduate, always knew she would be involved in agriculture. Now, in her eighth year with Pioneer, Corteva Agriscience’s flagship seed brand, she has found her own way to help farmers.

UW-Platteville to hold 208th commencement, celebrating the class of 2022 and graduates of 2020 and 2021

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will celebrate the class of 2022 and graduates of spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021 at the 208th commencement on Saturday, May 14. The College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture ceremony, which will include graduate programs and associate degree candidates, will take place at 10 a.m.

New athletic mentorship program to strengthen ties between athletics and academics

UW-Platteville announced a new program to strengthen the connection between athletics and academics. Launching this fall, the Athletic Mentor for the Pioneers (AMP) program will match faculty and academic staff mentors with athletic teams in order to enhance the experience of the 500-plus student-athletes on campus, as well as the greater university and Platteville community. 

Continuing Education Institute announces partnership with Association for Supply Chain Management

UW-Platteville Continuing Education Institute announces a new partnership with the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), a global leader in supply chain certification, in order to prepare learners to meet the ever-growing demand for well-trained and knowledgeable workers in the supply chain industry.

UW-Platteville reaffirms commitment to sustainability with Sesquicentennial Hall

UW-Platteville is continuing its commitment to sustainability with the construction of its newest engineering building, Sesquicentennial Hall. Set to open this fall, it will be the university’s first building to seek certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s internationally-recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Development rating system, known as LEED.

Construction management students place among the top in national competition

A team of six construction management students recently competed in the 2022 National Associated Builders and Contractors’ annual Construction Management Competition, where they placed fifth overall.

Interim provost, interim dean named

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Tammy Evetovich, who becomes the university’s interim chancellor on June 1, announced that Dr. Wayne Weber will replace her as the interim provost and vice chancellor when she assumes the chancellor role. Dr. Charles Steiner has been selected to serve as the interim dean of the College of BILSA.

UW-Platteville Bee Squad discusses importance of honeybees and native pollinators

The beekeeping season is underway, and the UW-Platteville Bee Squad is ready to observe honeybees and native pollinators across campus.

Trast honored with ASCE Outstanding Senior Civil Engineering Award

Eli Trast, a senior civil engineering major from Green Bay, Wisconsin, was recently honored with the 2022 Outstanding Senior Civil Engineering Student Award by the America Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Wisconsin Section.