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Students adapt to online learning, credit professors with transition

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 02, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community

To assist with hybrid and online learning, the Teaching and Technology Center created professional development opportunities to help instructors develop familiarity with tools that facilitate blended learning. More than 90% of UW-Platteville instructors took advantage of these opportunities over the summer, and UW-Platteville students are now crediting their professors with helping them adjust to new learning modes.

Confucius Institute to celebrate 2021 Chinese New Year

Written By: Marie Whisenant, Coordinator, Confucius Institute | Published On: Dec 01, 2020 | Featured in: Continuing Education Institute, Press Release

The Confucius Institute at UW-Platteville welcomes all to a free virtual Chinese New Year Celebration on Feb. 6, 2021, at 1 p.m.

Alumnus to conclude Engineering Seminar Series

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Nov 25, 2020 | Featured in: Alumni, STEM

Alumnus Lavern Nall, a 1972 civil engineering graduate, will present at the final virtual event of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science Engineering Seminar Series on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Nall, who is the president of Strass Maguire and Associates, will discuss the topic of Protection of Buildings from the Construction of Milwaukee’s “Deep Tunnel.”

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Asad Azemi

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Nov 20, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

This summer, Dr. Asad Azemi joined UW-Platteville as the department chair and professor of electrical and computer engineering. Prior to his move to the Midwest, Azemi was an associate professor of engineering at Penn State. His research interests are in the areas of estimation and signal processing with agriculture and health science applications.

Business faculty publish and present across several areas of expertise

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 19, 2020 | Featured in: Business

Several faculty members in the UW-Platteville School of Business are capping off the year with recent publications and major conference presentations, demonstrating their breadth of expertise in a variety of areas.

Students share ideas for eco-friendly concrete in competition

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

The UW-Platteville chapter of the American Concrete Institute recently participated in the 2020 Concrete Solutions Competition, where students competed against 18 teams representing six countries. Held virtually, the competition tasked teams with conceptualizing and demonstrating a use of concrete that could positively impact the world.

Engineering alumni create the Beth and Gary Goldberg Scholarship

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Nov 17, 2020 | Featured in: Alumni, STEM

The Goldbergs credit their education at UW-Platteville with giving them the foundation to succeed. To help assist current Pioneers on their collegiate journey, the couple have established the Beth and Gary Goldberg Scholarship.

UW-Platteville alumni invited to participate in national survey

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Nov 16, 2020 | Featured in: Alumni, Press Release

UW-Platteville has partnered with the Career Leadership Collective, a higher education solutions group, to conduct a national online survey to collect career pathway data from alumni.

Dornak publishes research on land use, bird conservation efforts

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 13, 2020 | Featured in: Environmental Sciences, Research

Amid a decades-long trend of declining bird populations in North America, setting land aside for preservation has long been a primary approach to protect biodiversity. Dr. Lynnette Dornak, associate professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, researched the effectiveness of this method, and her work, “Assessing the Efficacy of Protected and Multiple-Use Lands for Bird Conservation in the U.S.,” was recently published by the scientific journal, PLOS ONE.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Afzal Upal

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 13, 2020 | 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.

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

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: Nov 13, 2020 | 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.

Criminal Justice Instructor Chris Polzer wins 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award

Written By: Cheryl Lange | Published On: Nov 11, 2020 | 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: Nov 10, 2020 | 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: Nov 10, 2020 | 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.

UW-Platteville continues to be a pioneer in distance education

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Nov 09, 2020 | 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.

Student creates peer-led mental health awareness program

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Nov 09, 2020 | 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.

Pioneer Spotlight: Angela Yang

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Nov 06, 2020 | 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.

Pioneer Mock Trial Team earns top witness award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Nov 03, 2020 | 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: Nov 03, 2020 | 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.”

Pioneer Spotlight: Clint Nemitz

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Oct 30, 2020 | 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: Oct 29, 2020 | 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.

The department of geography launches new environmental science and conservation program

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Oct 27, 2020 | 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.

Alumna to present at the EMS Engineering Seminar Series

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Oct 26, 2020 | 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.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Hynek Boril

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Oct 23, 2020 | 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: Oct 23, 2020 | 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.

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

Written By: Carroll University | Published On: Oct 23, 2020 | 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.

Fields honored with UW System award for teaching excellence

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Oct 22, 2020 | 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.

UW-Platteville Continuing Education Launches Certified Financial Planning Certificate Program

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Oct 20, 2020 | 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: Oct 19, 2020 | 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.

New apprenticeship program offers students unique opportunity

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Oct 15, 2020 | 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 raises more than $141,500 for student success

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Oct 14, 2020 | 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.

Grant will help share Driftless area teachers’ stories nationwide

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Oct 14, 2020 | 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.

Evensen honored with first Dale Dixon Professor of Engineering Award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Oct 13, 2020 | 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: Oct 12, 2020 | 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.

Pioneer Spotlight: Heather Burkholder

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: Oct 09, 2020 | 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: Oct 08, 2020 | 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.

Gordon publishes additional work after release of his book on Faulkner

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Oct 07, 2020 | 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.

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

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Oct 05, 2020 | 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.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Jenna Zucker

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Oct 02, 2020 | 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.

Fine arts major presents ‘Pandemic’ sculpture in exhibition

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Oct 01, 2020 | 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.

Family legacy honored with renaming of Busby Hall of Engineering

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Sep 30, 2020 | 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.

UW-Platteville Foundation covers application fees for prospective students

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Sep 30, 2020 | 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: Sep 28, 2020 | 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: Sep 28, 2020 | 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.

Pioneer Spotlight: Demi Vetesnik

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Sep 24, 2020 | 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.

UW-Platteville to celebrate Pioneers Day of Giving

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Sep 23, 2020 | 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.

UW-Platteville Online Advisor Earns Award for Excellence

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Sep 22, 2020 | 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: Sep 21, 2020 | 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.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Carolyn Keller

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Sep 18, 2020 | 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: Sep 17, 2020 | 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.