University News

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.

UW-Platteville offers specialty visit days to connect students with similar backgrounds

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: Mar 11, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

This spring, in an effort to build a more inclusive visit program and connect students with similar interests and backgrounds, the UW-Platteville Welcome Center is offering a variety of different specialty visit opportunities.

Discover by doing: UW-Platteville’s hands-on approach boosts student success

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 11, 2021 | Featured in: Research

Dating back to its origins as the state’s first teacher preparation institute and the Wisconsin Mining Trade School, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville has long been known for its tradition of providing a hands-on education that extends beyond the classroom.

Undergrads team up to unravel the molecular basis of plant-microbe symbioses

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 10, 2021 | Featured in: Agriculture, STEM, Research

Often reserved for upperclass students at many universities, research has been a part of Kaylee Finseth’s college experience since nearly the time she first stepped foot on campus at UW-Platteville. Now a junior, Finseth has been engaged in several research projects involving plant-microbe symbioses for the past three years.

Panel of professors, health care professionals to discuss COVID-19

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 08, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community, Press Release, STEM

UW-Platteville will host a panel of experts to discuss the latest information regarding the coronavirus and vaccine. The event – COVID-19: Vaccines, Variants and Community Health – will take place virtually on Thursday, March 11, from 5–6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Criminal justice major researches treatment court

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Mar 08, 2021 | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, Research

“When you are doing research every single thing matters,” said Jacob Wehler, a University of Wisconsin-Platteville criminal justice major. “If you don’t pay attention to all the little details, you could be missing a whole plethora of conclusions or details that could sway your results.”

Ivanov publishes research from Rome, Vatican archives in Harvard journal

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Mar 04, 2021 | Featured in: History

Dr. Andrey Ivanov, associate professor of history at UW-Platteville, recently published “Escape from Rome: Teofan Prokopovych and Ukrainian Orthodox Ties to the Eternal City.” The scholarly article appeared in the latest volume of the Harvard Ukrainian Stu

M.S. Project Management online program named nation’s best value

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Mar 04, 2021 | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

UW-Platteville's Master’s of Science in Project Management is recognized as the best value in the country in 2021, according to BestValueCollege.org.

Pioneer Spotlight: Caitlyn Chiaverotti

Written By: Justice Hendrick | Published On: Mar 01, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Since graduating from UW-Platteville in 2017, Caitlyn Chiaverotti, interim education abroad specialist, has worked as an assistant within the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Never having been abroad herself until she was a student at UW-Platteville, she said she feels most accomplished now when she is helping other students fulfill their study abroad dream.

M.S. Engineering student part of Daytona 500 winning team

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Feb 25, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

The win in NASCAR's biggest race came down to a few key seconds for lead engineer Chris Yerges and his team at Front Row Motorsports. But behind each of these winning seconds were countless hours of precise preparation and planning days before the rubber ever met the pavement. The work was certainly worth it for the UW-Platteville Master of Science in Engineering student, as driver Michael McDowell finished first at the Daytona 500.

UW-Platteville launches project management certificate to meet growing business demand

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Feb 23, 2021 | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

The UW-Platteville Continuing Education Institute announces the launch of a new certificate program: Foundations of Project Management Practice.

Pioneer Provisions moves to new location, expands offerings

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: Feb 22, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Pioneer Provisions, the free pantry on campus for students experiencing food insecurity, has opened its new location within Glenview Commons. The pantry is now located in the northeast entrance of Glenview Commons. The new location provides more space, has new equipment and offers a selection of school supplies, household items and clothing from the new Pioneer Restore “Free-Store” for students.

Engineering Seminar Series to host topic on cybersecurity

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Feb 19, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science is inviting students, faculty and the public to its Engineering Seminar Series. The virtual events are free and will highlight four engineering projects and insights from experts in the field. The first seminar will feature Dr. Bassam Zahran's presentation, "Solarwinds Attack: Is this the New Cold War?"

Engineering alumnus reaches new heights as satellite mission director

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Feb 19, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Business

While an undergraduate student at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Christopher Jefferson fell in love with the thought of working in the space launch industry. This simple idea would launch his academic and professional career to outstanding heights.

A love of dairy brings families together

Written By: Megan Hinderman | Published On: Feb 15, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture

Alumni TJ and Katie Roth are partners in Banner Ridge Farms LLC, and witness, firsthand, the benefits the new Dairy Innovation Hub is bringing to the region.

Pioneer Spotlight: Michael Martin

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: Feb 12, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Michael Martin is in his sixth season at UW-Platteville. He is an assistant athletic trainer and coordinator for strength and conditioning of olympic sports.

Existing solar array on Engineering Hall

UW-Platteville to build largest state-owned solar array

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Feb 12, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Environmental Sciences, Press Release

UW-Platteville received state approval Thursday to construct a 2.4 megawatt solar array in Memorial Park. This will be the largest solar array owned by a Wisconsin state agency and will make the university the sixth-highest on-site producer of renewable energy among higher education institutions in the nation, setting UW-Platteville apart as a leader in its commitment to renewable energy.

Continuing Education class facilitates senior socialization during pandemic

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Feb 11, 2021 | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

In response to data showing that loneliness has doubled for older adults in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, UW-Platteville's Continuing Education Institute saw an opportunity to help people socialize safely using Zoom and created the Conversations over Coffee classes.

Chancellor Shields provides color commentary for unforgettable Pioneer basketball season

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: Feb 10, 2021 | Featured in: Press Release

Last week marked the return of basketball, and while fans aren’t able to attend sporting events, they will see a familiar face during the livestream, as Chancellor Dennis J. Shields takes to the announcer’s booth as the color commentator for all of the men’s and women’s basketball home games.