University News

The Platteville Summer Arts Festival presents the musical “Bright Star”

Written By: Ann Dillon Farrelly, Performing and Visual Arts | Published On: Jul 20, 2021 | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Live theatre returns to the Center for the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville when the Department of Performing and Visuals Arts and the Platteville Summer Arts Festival presents the musical “Bright Star.” Inspired by the true story of the Iron Mountain Baby, this musical by comedian and actor Steve Martin and musician Edie Brickell features a Tony-nominated blue grass score. The production runs July 30, 31, Aug.

Computer Science + X degree program opens new opportunities for students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 20, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

Responding to the increasing demand for computing skills in the workforce — in both technical and non-technical professions alike — the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is rolling out a new Computer Science + X degree program, giving students more flexibility to pursue majors they are passionate about while acquiring in-demand computer skills.

Larson co-authors Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness publication, highlighting fire regimes and social justice issues

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 20, 2021 | Featured in: Environmental Sciences, STEM, Research

Dr. Evan Larson, professor of geography, and his collaborators have been paddling the lakes of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for the past 15 years to conduct a sprawling research project, the results of which have been recently published in the journal Ecosphere.

Dairy Innovation Hub funds second round of research grants

Written By: Maria Woldt, Dairy Innovation Hub | Published On: Jul 16, 2021 | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture, STEM, Research

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

Kadjo honored with outstanding advisor award

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 15, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Dr. Lucie Kadjo, assistant professor and coordinator of the Agribusiness Program at UW-Platteville, says that working with students is her passion. She is being recognized for this work as the recipient of the 2021 UW-Platteville Outstanding Faculty/Instructional Academic Staff Academic Advisor Award.

Dr. Kristina Navarro, assistant chancellor and director of Athletics and Recreation

UW-Platteville announces graduate program in sport administration

Written By: Dr. Kristina Navarro | Published On: Jul 13, 2021 | Featured in: Master’s Degree Programs, Health and Human Performance, Press Release

Dr. Tammy Evetovich, provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Kristina Navarro, assistant chancellor and director of Athletics and Recreation, announced today the launch of a Master of Science in Sport Administration on the UW-Platteville main campus. The graduate program is built to provide students with the comprehensive leadership skills needed for careers in professional, collegiate, nonprofit, amateur, and recreational sport with a specific new focus on the global influence of sports.

Attenborough honored with Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 12, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Dr. Holly Attenborough, associate professor of mathematics, was selected as one of four recipients across the UW System of the 2021 Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award. The award, funded by an endowment from the Alliant Energy Foundation Inc., recognizes extraordinary undergraduate teachers at UW System universities within Alliant Energy’s service area.

Kerr selected as outstanding professional academic advisor

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 12, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Kathleen Kerr, academic advisor and coach at UW-Platteville, is being recognized with the 2021 Outstanding Professional Academic Advisor Award. Kerr who mostly works with freshman and sophomore students calls it an honor to build relationships and help students successfully transition into college.

Wetzel receives Dr. Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 09, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Valerie Wetzel, who retired in February as assistant director of the Markee Pioneer Student Center, is one of two recipients to receive the 2021 Dr. Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award.

Newest 3+1 program benefits students pursuing veterinary school

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 08, 2021 | Featured in: Agriculture, STEM

Caitlin Warren had a plan to become a veterinarian from a young age, and now having just completed her junior year at UW-Platteville, she is enrolling in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at UW-Madison this fall, thanks to a new articulation program created by UW-Platteville.

Schaal honored with Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 07, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Elizabeth Schaal, executive assistant for the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor, calls it humbling to be receiving the Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award. Named for the provost emeritus and former interim chancellor who served at UW-Platteville from 1998 until 2010, the award recognizes female employees and students who make a difference in the lives of women.

Pictured left to right are Marissa (Droessler) Hoffmann and Marah Odgers.

UW-Platteville alumna creates The Midwest Girl brand

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 07, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Business

Never forget where you come from is the ongoing theme running through The Midwest Girl, a Dubuque, Iowa T-shirt brand founded by University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumna Marissa (Droessler) Hoffmann and her sister Marah Odgers.

Lancelle selected as Wisconsin Teaching Fellow, explores new teaching method

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jul 06, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Chelsea Lancelle, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is one of four UW-Platteville faculty members selected for the 2021-22 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program.

Ostergaard selected as Wisconsin Teaching Fellow

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jul 01, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Humanities

Assistant Professor of art Dr. Tyler Ostergaard is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the 2021-22 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program which supports outstanding educators from across the UW System in pursuing teaching and learning questions emerging from the classroom.

Master's degree candidates inducted into S.A.L.U.T.E. Veterans National Honor Society

Written By: Cheryl Lange | Published On: Jun 29, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Veterans

Three University of Wisconsin-Platteville student veterans will complete their college careers with more than a diploma. In addition to earning their master’s degrees this spring and summer, they will also graduate as members of the S.A.L.U.T.E. Veterans National Honor Society.

Roy selected as Wisconsin Teaching Scholar

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 28, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Dr. Bidhan Roy, an associate professor of mechanical engineering was selected as a UW System Teaching Scholar, and his research has been extended to the 2021-22 academic calendar due to the pandemic.

Doyle-Morin recognized for teaching and student engagement with Faculty Appreciation Award

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 24, 2021 | Featured in: Biology, Campus & Community

Dr. Becky Doyle-Morin, professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is being honored with the 2021 Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award.

UW-Platteville, UW-Madison continue preparations for launch of physician assistant partnership

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 23, 2021 | Featured in: Biology, STEM

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is several steps closer to the launch of a new partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Physician Assistant Program.

O’Brien selected to display paintings at DuMA Biennial Exhibit

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 22, 2021 | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Daniel O’Brien, University of Wisconsin-Platteville lecturer of art, will have three of his paintings on display at the Dubuque Museum of Art (DuMA) Biennial Exhibit running from Saturday, June 26-Oct. 31.

UW-Platteville to offer two new graduate-level online certificates this fall

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Jun 22, 2021 | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

UW-Platteville, in partnership with UW Extended Campus, will offer two new online certificates starting in September 2021. The graduate-level, semester-based certificates in Applied Bioinformatics and Senior Living and Services Leadership were intentionally designed to align with industry needs and high-growth occupations.

UW-Platteville TESOL student develops ESL course for area business

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 22, 2021 | Featured in: Humanities

One local company is partnering with UW-Platteville to help bridge the communication gap between their English and non-English speaking employees. Allisa Cardella is the training and development generalist at Lactalis American Group, Inc. and completed her Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate in May from UW-Platteville.

Polebitski receives Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 20, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Austin Polebitski, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UW-Platteville, is being honored with the 2021 Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Robotic milkers bring new opportunities for research, outreach and education

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 18, 2021 | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture

UW-Platteville's Pioneer Farm is now home to two new state-of-the-art robotic milkers, enabling more opportunities for research and engagement across campus and the tri-state region.

Lancelle honored with Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 16, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Chelsea Lancelle, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is this year’s recipient of the UW-Platteville Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. The award recognizes a tenure-track faculty member who has made distinguished contributions to the mission of UW-Platteville as an outstanding teacher.

Pictured left to right are Julie Soja and Stephanie Young.

UW-Platteville receives Kimberly-Clark donation, benefiting several campus programs

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 16, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Corporate Relations

UW-Platteville received a donation on Friday from Kimberly-Clark totaling more than 280 boxes of diapers and period products, benefiting several campus and community programs. The donation will be distributed to The Red Basket Project at UW-Platteville, Pioneer Provisions, the Children’s Center, and partners of the Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, Inc.

UW-Platteville Richland receives funding from We Energies Foundation to support expanding outreach to underserved communities

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: Jun 16, 2021 | Featured in: Corporate Relations

UW-Platteville Richland will be expanding three of its new Professional Pathways programs, thanks to a new grant from the We Energies Foundation. The $5,000 grant, all targeted for the UW-Platteville Richland’s service area, will fund outreach efforts for programs for area high school students, particularly in traditionally underserved communities working toward enrolling in college.

UW-Platteville team ranks among top in national steel bridge competition

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 15, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

A group of UW-Platteville students ranked among the top teams, nationwide, in the recent Student Steel Bridge Competition, sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction. Twenty-five teams competed in this year’s event. The UW-Platteville team ranked eighth overall and achieved a second-place ranking in the efficiency category and third place in the lightness category.

Engineering company partners with UW-Platteville to create Husco Scholars Program

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 15, 2021 | Featured in: Corporate Relations, STEM

Husco International, a manufacturing and engineering company in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is giving UW-Platteville mechanical engineering students the opportunity to work full-time while pursuing their education. It is part of the Husco Scholars Program, through which the company will pay 100% tuition assistance for students earning degrees through UW-Platteville Engineering Partnerships.

UW-Platteville Online named a top Tech Savvy university

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Jun 09, 2021 | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

UW-Platteville's reputation as a destination for online learning has been bolstered again. The school has been recognized as one of the top five Technology Savvy Online Schools in 2021 by Online Schools Center.

UW-Platteville announces Pioneering Forward Athletic Fund to enhance student-athlete experience

Written By: Michael Salm | Published On: Jun 07, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

UW-Platteville announces the launch of the Pioneering Forward Athletic Fund. This innovative fundraising initiative will enhance both the experience of donors and all 550 Pioneer student-athletes.

$1,000 scholarship guarantee to all Baraboo Sauk County new first-year students

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: Jun 04, 2021 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

Every incoming full-time freshman student is now guaranteed a $1,000 scholarship at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, thanks to the Friends of the Campus, the organization that has long raised and dispersed scholarship funds for the Baraboo Sauk County campus students.

Pictured left to right are Mark Miner and Dakota Bockenhauer.

UW-Platteville Industrial Studies collaborates with local schools on innovative safety protocol

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 03, 2021 | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management

With 31 years of experience in the safety profession, Mark Miner, who is currently the program safety coordinator in UW-Platteville's Industrial Studies Department, is always looking for new ideas to incorporate into the program’s curriculum. During National Safety Week, he found inspiration just down the road from UW-Platteville in the Potosi (Wisconsin) School District.

School of Education to offer new loan repayment assistance program

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 01, 2021 | Featured in: Education

The UW-Platteville School of Education recently announced plans to offer a loan repayment assistance program (LRAP) to incoming new freshmen elementary-middle level education majors starting in fall 2021.

Yang receives Outstanding Woman of Color Award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jun 01, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

Angela Yang, the TRIO student support services advisor and SUCCEED coordinator, is being honored with the 2021 University of Wisconsin-Platteville Outstanding Woman of Color Award.

Scholarship established in memory of Dylan LaMere

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jun 01, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation announced the establishment of a new scholarship fund in memory of Dylan LaMere, a UW-Platteville senior who passed away in April.

MS Project Management grad takes career to outer space

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: May 27, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs

It's fair to say Scott Upton's head has always been in the clouds – or rather – above them. A passion for aerospace was sparked as a youth and has driven his career and educational journey. He received a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Minnesota before earning a Master of Science in Project Management degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He currently works for Blue Origin, a company Upton said is "paving the road to space."

Alumni, faculty and student research project pays tribute to Vietnam veterans

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: May 27, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community, History

Through a collaborative effort that has spanned more than a year, a couple of alumni – with the help of faculty, staff and students across campus – have been researching and identifying UW-Platteville alumni or students who were killed in action during the Vietnam War, with the hopes of memorializing the veterans on campus.

Weekly vaccination clinic set

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: May 27, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

The Grant County Health Department will hold free COVID-19 public vaccination clinics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville main campus every Thursday, from 10 a.m. until noon, on first floor Royce Hall, beginning June 3.

UW-Platteville construction management program

UW-Platteville designated as official OSHA training center

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: May 27, 2021 | Featured in: Corporate Relations, Applied Engineering Technology Management

UW-Platteville was recently designated as an official Mid-America OSHA Education Center training site, making it one of the only universities with a construction management program to be designated as such.

Learning more about UW-Platteville’s Organizational Change Leadership program and its Safety Risk Control emphasis

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: May 20, 2021 | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Business

The Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership is a relatively new degree program offered at the UW-Platteville, but its curriculum addresses a growing trend to prepare future leaders amidst rapidly changing business environments. UW-Platteville offers four emphasis areas to help students reach their individual career goals. Of particular note is the Safety Risk Control emphasis, introduced in 2018, which focuses on producing safety and risk control measures for businesses and their teams.

Compeer Financial grants $10,000 to UW-Platteville Dairy Pilot Plant at Pioneer Farm

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: May 13, 2021 | Featured in: Dairy Innovation Hub, Agriculture, STEM

UW-Platteville is one step closer to launching the new Dairy Pilot Plant, thanks to a recent $10,000 grant from Compeer Financial. The proposed plant, which will be located at Pioneer Farm, will provide research and education on dairy food product development while also giving students an opportunity to learn about rural economic development, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Senior design team revitalizes Cuba City’s Presidential Plaza, project recognized by WEDC

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: May 12, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

In January of 2020, four UW-Platteville engineering students partnered with the City of Cuba City to enhance the Presidential Plaza. This spring, the City of Cuba City received the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Main Street Program Award for its downtown innovation.

Support from the Growmark Foundation enhances hands-on learning for students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: May 12, 2021 | Featured in: Agriculture

Dr. Krista Hardyman, associate professor of animal science, was awarded $1,500 from the Glenn Webb Education Fund/The Growmark Foundation, which assisted in delivering a quality experience to students who completed coursework virtually this year.

Partnership with Wisconsin Technical Colleges helps industrial studies students find success

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: May 10, 2021 | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management

Through a memorandum of understanding between UW-Platteville and Wisconsin Technical Colleges, students pursuing industrial studies can transfer their credits from an approved associate's degree program to UW-Platteville and significantly streamline their time to graduation.

Parker selected to AASCU Emerging Leadership Program

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: May 07, 2021 | Featured in: Press Release

Dr. Philip Parker, associate dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, is one of 35 higher education professionals from around the nation selected for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ 2021 Emerging Leaders Program.

Chancellor Shields speaking at Earth Day Event

UW-Platteville commits to achieving ‘zero waste’ by 2035

Written By: Alison Parkins and Joshua Chamberland | Published On: May 06, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Environmental Sciences

During the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s recent Earth Day celebration, Chancellor Dennis J. Shields furthered the university’s commitment to being a leader in sustainability by pledging to become a zero waste campus by 2035.

Dr. Xiaoguang Ma, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.

Electrical engineering students conduct broadband internet technology survey

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: May 06, 2021 | Featured in: STEM, Research

This past year, COVID-19 has brought many challenges for Wisconsinites, with one of the biggest struggles being internet access and network performances. To examine the issues, two electrical engineering students, Troy Januchowski and Jacob Hanacek, spent two semesters conducting an independent study with Dr. Xiaoguang Ma, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.

UW-Platteville to host virtual celebration for May graduates

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: May 05, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community

UW-Platteville will honor the May 2021 graduates with a virtual celebration on Friday, May 14. A commencement recognition video, including the principal and senior speakers, will be posted at 9 a.m.

The Presto Foundation continues commitment to UW-Platteville engineering students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: May 05, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

The Presto Foundation recently furthered its commitment to UW-Platteville engineers with its renewal of funding for the Presto Engineering Scholarship. Established in 2012, the scholarship awards mechanical, industrial and electrical engineering students $13,200 each year.

Mechanical engineering students work on ice cream dispenser for Pioneer Sweets

Students to showcase capstone engineering projects at Senior Design Open House

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: May 04, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

Innovation and creativity will be on full display as engineering students showcase their capstone projects to students, faculty and industry representatives at the spring Senior Design Open House on Wednesday, May 19.