University News

UW-Platteville will receive EDA-funded technical assistance from Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc.

Written By: Aidan Calvelli, Rural Innovation Initiative | Published On: Jan 10, 2020 | Featured in: Press Release, Business

Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. announced that the University of Wisconsin-Platteville has been chosen in a highly competitive process to participate in the 2020 Rural Innovation Initiative, a technical assistance program supporting rural communities working to create digital economy jobs with an innovation hub strategy.

Brogley one of 200 chosen worldwide by Google for global meetup

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Jan 10, 2020 | Featured in: Education

Jessica Brogley, instructor in UW-Platteville's School of Education, was one of 200 people chosen worldwide by Google to attend “Google Local Guides Connect Live 2019,” a global meetup for some of the world’s best contributors to Google Maps, held Nov. 12-15 in San Jose, California, and at the Google campus in Sunnyvale, California.

College of LAE recognizes excellence at award reception

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Jan 10, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

UW-Platteville's College of Liberal Arts and Education recently recognized several faculty and staff members at its 2019 Award Recognition Reception held in the Nohr Gallery, Ullsvik Hall.

Pioneer Spotlight: Mary Bartling

Written By: Garrison Ledbury | Published On: Jan 10, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Business

Mary Bartling came to UW-Platteville in the fall of 2016 as an assistant professor in supply chain management. She brings to the business program an assortment of work experience, including time at Harley Davidson Motor Company, MillerCoors, General Electric and Bon-Ton Stores that benefits her students. However, teaching called more to Bartling as she continued to work in her field and eventually led her to UW-Platteville.

Gordon pens book on Faulkner’s ties to LGBTQ literature and culture

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Jan 07, 2020 | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Dr. Pip Gordon, associate professor of English and Gay Studies coordinator at UW-Platteville, explores Nobel Prize-winning novelist William Faulkner’s ties to LGBTQ literature and culture in his recently-published book, “Gay Faulkner: Uncovering a Homosexual Presence in Yoknapatawpha and Beyond.”

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Yi Tong

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Jan 03, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Dr. Yi Tong is a lecturer of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. His special interests include questions of methodology, philosophy of language and ethics. He is also interested in philosophy of law, an area where many important aspects of modern social political life and issues such as individual freedom, responsibility and luck intersect.

Pictured left to right are Deb Putnam, Murphy Bleymeyer, Raiven Breseman, Clay Spooner, Sydney Williams and Valerie Gill, MSW, LISW

Students volunteer time and talents at Ruby’s Pantry

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Dec 23, 2019 | Featured in: Psychology, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

This fall, four UW-Platteville students had an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by volunteering their time and talents at Platteville’s Ruby’s Pantry, a nonprofit, faith-based organization in Platteville that provides food for Southwest Wisconsin and surrounding communities.

UW-Platteville student receives U.S. citizenship

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 23, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community

It’s a day University of Wisconsin-Platteville senior Pachia Vang will never forget: Oct. 24, 2019 in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, raising her right hand and taking the oath of becoming an American citizen.

Professional Studies to expand programming in Spanish

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 23, 2019 | Featured in: Child Care, Press Release

University of Wisconsin-Platteville Division of Professional Studies is in the design phase of expanding programs to be offered in Spanish. Currently, professional studies has five child care credential programs being offered in both English and Spanish.

Students recognized for academic excellence, inducted into national honor society

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 20, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community

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

Collins invited by state superintendent to serve on rural advisory council

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Dec 20, 2019 | Featured in: Education

Dr. Jen Collins, director of the UW-Platteville School of Education, was recently invited by Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Stanford Taylor to serve on the Advisory Council on Rural Schools, Libraries, and Communities. The permanent appointment will begin in April 2020.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Lucie Kadjo

Written By: Garrison Ledbury | Published On: Dec 20, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Agriculture

Dr. Lucie Kadjo came to UW-Platteville in 2016. As an assistant professor of agribusiness in the School of Agriculture, Kadjo has spent the last four years promoting the importance of learning throughout an individual’s life – not just during a person’s time as an undergraduate or graduate student.

Evan Larson, Tom Wilding, Kalina Hildebrandt

Larson, former students co-author article in international journal

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Dec 20, 2019 | Featured in: Environmental Sciences

Dr. Evan Larson, associate professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, two former students and three other colleagues recently co-authored an article about their tree-ring research, “Faces in the Wilderness: a New Network of Crossdated Culturally-Modified Red Pine in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Northern Minnesota, USA.”

Joanne Wilson leads the way in STEM

Written By: Jane Halpern | Published On: Dec 18, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

This coming spring, Dr. Joanne Wilson will retire from her role as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Characteristically, however, she will mark the occasion by holding the door open for a new group of women eager to make their way in STEM. The WiSTEM Scholars and Leadership program, a new initiative at the university, will welcome its pilot cohort of students in the fall of 2020. In honor of Wilson, the first cohort will be named the D. Joanne Wilson WiSTEM Scholarship and Leadership Cohort.

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County campus

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County announces new Launch scholarships

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: Dec 18, 2019 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

As part of the expanding offerings at its branch campuses, and in partnership with the Friends of the Campus in Baraboo, UW-Platteville announced new Launch scholarships for UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County students studying in both Food and Agriculture, and Business Administration. New Associate of Science degrees in both areas were started on UW-Platteville’s branch campuses in the fall of 2019.

Students give back with second annual Holiday Toy Hack

Written By: Alison Parkins; Video by Easton Green | Published On: Dec 18, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

UW-Platteville students recently took part in the second annual Holiday Toy Hack. During the event, students from across campus joined together in Engineering Hall and made adaptations to toys so that they can be used by children with special needs.

UW-Platteville celebrates 203rd commencement

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 14, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville presented more than 700 candidates in the school’s 203rd commencement. Students crossed the stage at Williams Fieldhouse to receive their diplomas and hoods during the three ceremonies held on Dec. 14.

Pioneer Spotlight: Mesut Muslu

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 13, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Mesut Muslu is a professor and interim chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at UW-Platteville. He is also a professor of sustainability and renewable energy systems.

Psychology students lead forgiveness program for inmates

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Dec 12, 2019 | Featured in: Psychology, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

This fall, three UW-Platteville psychology students led a 12-week forgiveness discussion group for inmates at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution, a medium security state prison.

Students create virtual art using Google Tilt Brush

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Dec 12, 2019 | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Eight students recently had an opportunity to draw and paint in three-dimensional space using the Vive Virtual Reality System and Google Tilt Brush software in the university’s Virtual Reality Room, located in Karrmann Library.

Strobl honored with American Society of Criminology award

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Dec 12, 2019 | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

Dr. Staci Strobl, associate professor of criminal justice at UW-Platteville, and two colleagues recently received the American Society of Criminology Division of White-Collar and Corporate Crime’s 2019 Outstanding Article Award at the organization’s annual meeting in San Francisco, California.

Board of Regents approves new UW-Platteville programs

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: Dec 09, 2019 | Featured in: Press Release

To offer a wider array of programs to its students, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville added three new offerings. The two undergraduate degrees and one graduate program were approved by the UW System Board of Regents Friday during its meeting at UW-Whitewater.

UW-Platteville Engineering Partnerships expands opportunities

Written By: Kristine Zaballos, UW-Whitewater | Published On: Dec 06, 2019 | Featured in: Press Release, STEM

An agreement, signed on Thursday, Dec. 5, will offer UW-Platteville Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering to more students in the region through UW-Platteville Engineering Partnerships, and makes UW-Whitewater at Rock County an official UW-PEP Site.

Gift to the Wright Center to enhance experience for non-traditional, veteran students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 06, 2019 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community, Veterans

A recent $143,000 gift from the family of Robert “Bob” and James Wright will enhance opportunities offered at UW-Platteville's Wright Center for Non-Traditional and Veteran Students.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Nancy Turner

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Dec 06, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, History

Dr. Nancy Turner has been a professor of history at UW-Platteville since fall 1996. She teaches the first half of an introductory course in world civilizations as well as upper-level courses in medieval and renaissance Europe and the histories of European women, the modern Middle East, the British Isles and western science.

An eye-opening experience: undergraduate research at UW-Platteville

Written By: Jane Halpern | Published On: Dec 02, 2019 | Featured in: STEM, Research

UW-Platteville undergraduates have the opportunity to assist in research almost from the moment they arrive, building key skills and gaining real-world experience which helps them stand apart from the crowd.

Pioneer Spotlight: Jodi Halverson

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 02, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Jodi Halverson is a UW-Platteville alumna and lead teacher at the UW-Platteville Children’s Center.

UW-Platteville to celebrate 203rd commencement

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 02, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will mark its 203rd commencement on Saturday, Dec. 14. The three ceremonies will take place inside Williams Fieldhouse.

UW-Platteville Crops Team places second in nationals

Written By: Roger Higgs | Published On: Nov 26, 2019 | Featured in: Agriculture

The UW-Platteville Crops Team recently placed second in both the Kansas City (86th annual) and Chicago (91st annual) Collegiate Crops Contests.

Grant supports opening of Dairy Pilot Plant, student-run business

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 26, 2019 | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture

Ice cream will soon be the next product made and sold by students on the UW-Platteville campus. A recent grant from the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America will support the opening of UW-Platteville’s Dairy Pilot Plant and the creation of a student-run ice cream production business.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Holly Attenborough

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 22, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

A chance meeting with a high school math teacher led Dr. Holly Attenborough to pursue the field of mathematics. She joined UW-Platteville in 2013 as assistant professor of mathematics, and has already earned several recognitions, including the 2018 UW-Platteville Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence and the 2017 UW System Wisconsin Teaching Fellow Award.

Education majors engage preschoolers with theme-based dioramas

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 21, 2019 | Featured in: Education

Thirty UW-Platteville teacher candidates recently implemented an effective teaching strategy by creating theme-based dioramas and sharing them with Pre-K children enrolled in the university’s Children Center.

UW-Platteville and Madison College formalize three agreements

Written By: Bill Bessette, Madison College | Published On: Nov 21, 2019 | Featured in: Biology, Press Release, STEM

In a move that will benefit students from both institutions, Madison College and UW-Platteville signed three partnership agreements today that will provide clear pathways and transfer opportunities in the areas of engineering, biotechnology and veterinary technician.

Pioneers help students with visual impairments experience Ropes and Challenge course

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 21, 2019 | Featured in: Education

In the seventh year of collaboration between the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and UW-Platteville, Health and Human Performance students recently had an opportunity to lead students from WCBVI through the university’s Ropes and Challenge course in Williams Fieldhouse.

Granger overcomes critical health issue, prepares for teaching career

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 20, 2019 | Featured in: Education

Elissa (Bahr) Granger is a senior middle level education major with a minor in natural science. This December, the Platteville native will be one step closer to making her dream come true when she walks across the stage at commencement, accepts her diploma and begins applying for teaching positions in Platteville and the surrounding area.

UW-Platteville exhibit on African American history to open at Grant County History Museum

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 18, 2019 | Featured in: History

On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Grant County History Museum will unveil a window exhibit on African American history that six UW-Platteville students and a faculty member helped research and build.

Screening of award-winning documentary to explore themes of innovation, inclusivity

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 18, 2019 | Featured in: Agriculture, Education

UW-Platteville will present a screening of the award-winning documentary “Hearts of Glass,” followed by a discussion with the film director and producer, Jennifer Tennican, on Thursday, Dec. 5. The free event is open to the public and will be held in Room 103, Doudna Hall from 4-6 p.m.

Bernice King is 2020 Distinguished Lecturer

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: Nov 18, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community

UPDATE: Due to safety and health concerns around COVID-19, this event has been cancelled as a precautionary measure. Dr. Bernice A. King, the executive director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (the King Center) is the 2020 University of Wisconsin-Platteville Distinguished Lecturer.

Milwaukee native makes transition from player to coach, recruiter

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: Nov 15, 2019 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

Donovan Nathaniel, team captain of the 2018 Pioneer football team and winner of the prestigious George Chryst Award his senior year, made the transition from student-athlete to assistant football coach for the Pioneers.

Education students offer unique Family STEM Night

Written By: Jodean Grunow, Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 15, 2019 | Featured in: Education, STEM

In a unique, collaborative effort, 34 UW-Platteville education students teamed with numerous staff members from Highland (Wisconsin) Elementary School to offer Highland Family STEM Night for more than 100 students and their families at the elementary school.

Mulroy-Bowden honored with distinguished service award

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 14, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Press Release

Linda Mulroy-Bowden, executive director of student life and development at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, recently received the prestigious William B. Sweet Distinguished Service Award from the Upper Midwest Region-Association of College and University Housing Officers. The award is the organization’s highest honor.

Midwest Culturally Inclusive Conference to return to UW-Platteville in February

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 12, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Press Release

The Midwest Culturally Inclusive Conference will return to UW-Platteville Feb. 27-28, 2020. The conference offers an opportunity for participants to strengthen their capacity to understand, support and elevate their identities and the identities of others. The conference was held consecutively from 2011-2014, drawing, at times, nearly 1,000 attendees from across the Midwest.

UW-Platteville Horrific Crime Scene Revisited exhibit offers mystery, intrigue

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 12, 2019 | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

UW-Platteville students, faculty and staff and Platteville community members helped solve a simulated crime at the ninth annual Horrific Crime Scene Revisited event held recently at Rountree Gallery in Platteville.

UW-Platteville hosts 47th annual High School Mathematics Contest

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 12, 2019 | Featured in: Press Release

The Department of Mathematics hosted its 47th annual High School Mathematics Contest on Nov. 6. Nearly 800 students from 33 high schools in the tri-state area competed.

Division of Professional Studies to host divisional open house

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Nov 11, 2019 | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Division of Professional Studies will host an open house and block party showcasing its many offerings to the public.

Alumna’s business to be featured in Etsy holiday ad

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 11, 2019 | Featured in: Alumni, Arts & Culture

UW-Platteville alumna Beth (Martin) Digman, recently received some very exciting news: her pottery business, Prairie Hills Pottery, will be featured in this year’s Etsy holiday advertising campaign.

Criminal justice students gain critical skills during drill with area SWAT team

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 11, 2019 | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

Nineteen criminal justice students recently gained critical skills in tactical response and hostage negotiations during a “barricaded subjects, armed and with hostages” scenario drill conducted by the Grant/Iowa County Crisis Resolution Team, the county’s special weapons and tactics law enforcement unit.

Riviere honored for advancing diversity work at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: Nov 08, 2019 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, Press Release

Gabe Riviere, information specialist in the Office of Student Services at University of Wisconsin-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, has received the UW System’s Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Todd Stradford

Written By: Laurie Hamer | Published On: Nov 08, 2019 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Environmental Sciences

Dr. Todd Stradford is an associate professor of geography at UW-Platteville and teaches courses in human geography, weather and climate and Asia.

UW-Platteville students develop smart classroom in Neal Wilkins

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Nov 07, 2019 | Featured in: STEM

With a click of a button, UW-Platteville Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. Xiaoguang Ma and his team of students are transforming a local elementary school classroom into a smart classroom with the latest wireless technologies.