University News

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.

Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology student part of COVID-19 response

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: Feb 04, 2021 | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Women in STEM

Ashley Pratt has had an educational experience many would say isn’t standard. After earning her bachelor's degree while working full-time, she is now earning her Master of Applied Biotechnology degree, while working for a company that has a significant role in the COVID-19 response.

Best Value Organizational Change Leadership

M.S. Organizational Change Leadership program ranked fourth nationally

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

The UW-Platteville Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership program is ranked as the fourth best value in the country, according to the 2021 BestValueCollege.org ratings.

Civil engineering scholarship established in memory of Dr. Tom Nelson

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Feb 04, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

Dr. Tom Nelson, emeritus professor of civil engineering, touched the lives of countless students during his nearly two decades at UW-Platteville. To honor Nelson, who passed away in April of 2020, his family created the Dr. Tom Nelson Civil Engineering Memorial Scholarship.

Research explores impacts of agricultural land changes on rural communities

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Feb 03, 2021 | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, Research

A team of UW-Platteville researchers is exploring how farmers and rural communities are affected by agricultural land changes and record-high dairy farm closings and their response to policy proposals intended to address the issues.

UW-Platteville engineering honored by national diversity recognition program

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Feb 02, 2021 | Featured in: Women in STEM, STEM

The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science is being celebrated for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) recently recognized the college with the Bronze Level Award for the ASEE Diversity Program – the highest-level award issued this cycle.

UW-Platteville accepting alumni award nominations

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Feb 01, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Press Release

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Alumni Awards Committee is now accepting nominations of candidates for 2021.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Karim Iskandar

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jan 29, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Applied Engineering Technology Management

Dr. Karim Iskandar, assistant professor of construction management in the department of industrial studies, always knew he would be involved in the field after watching his father work in the construction industry. He earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in civil engineering with an emphasis in construction management from UW-Madison and joined UW-Platteville in 2018.

After 22 years, alumna returns to excel in criminal justice program

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jan 28, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

“I had always wanted to go back to school, but it was always either life, distance or motivation that prevented me from taking those steps,” said alumna Sara Booth. However, in 2016, Booth made the leap and returned to UW-Platteville after 22 years to complete her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, ending her final semester with a 4.0.

Student success drives renewed UW-Platteville, Alliant Energy partnership

Written By: Alison Parkins and Lindsay Dietmeier | Published On: Jan 27, 2021 | Featured in: Corporate Relations, Women in STEM, STEM

A longtime supporter of UW-Platteville students, Alliant Energy recently furthered its commitment by pledging continued support to several College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science programs for 2021–22 and signing on as a premier corporate partner with UW-Platteville Intercollegiate Athletics.

Collaboration makes goal of healthcare career a reality

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jan 26, 2021 | Featured in: Biology, Women in STEM, STEM

Biology major Felicia Holmes has had a goal to become a physical therapist since the seventh grade, when she job-shadowed professionals in the field. She enrolled in the Pre-Physical Therapy program at UW-Platteville, and now in her junior year was already accepted into Clarke University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program for fall 2021.

Building on a strong foundation, UW-Platteville expands opportunities for Women in STEM

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jan 25, 2021 | Featured in: Women in STEM, STEM

UW-Platteville’s longstanding, nationally-recognized Women in Engineering, Mathematics and Science program recently expanded to become the Women in STEM program, allowing for a greater impact on women students across campus.

Project management alumnus reinvests in others’ education

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Jan 25, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Business

Dion Shaw is a strong believer in developing your mind – even as the UW-Platteville graduate fights a disease that’s attacking his. In 1991, Shaw was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but that didn’t stop him from living an active life and giving back to others.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Vettrivel Gnaneswaran

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jan 22, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Vettrivel Gnaneswaran is an assistant professor of industrial engineering, with research and teaching interests in biomechanics, statistics, quality control, supply chain, engineering management and engineering education.

Engineering alumna supports women In STEM

Written By: Megan Hinderman | Published On: Jan 21, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Women in STEM

Ever since she was a little girl, Meredith “Mere” Dentice Johnson knew she wanted to be an engineer. Johnson’s love of math and science eventually led her to UW-Platteville to pursue a degree in industrial engineering.

New Name, Same Mission for UW-Platteville Distance Education in 2021

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Jan 20, 2021 | Featured in: Online Education, Press Release

The change of the calendar will also mean some changes for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. As part of a larger restructuring taking place at the university, the Center for Distance Learning will now have a new name: Office of Professional Program Support.

Online M.S. Project Management program recognized as a top value

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Jan 15, 2021 | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

UW-Platteville's online Master of Science in Project Management program was ranked as a Top 25 Best Value Online Graduate Programs for 2021 by Value Colleges. The ranking is based on the cost of the program and student-to-faculty ratios.

Pioneer Spotlight: Alison Thompson

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: Jan 15, 2021 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Online Education

Alison Thompson, an instructional designer for the Office of Professional Program Support, began her career in higher education after starting at a local community college in the Chicago area. Here, Thompson began assisting faculty in course design and quickly found that instructional design allowed her to combine her interests in teaching, design, and technology to help create powerful learning experiences for students.

UW-Platteville reaches credit transfer agreement extensions with UCLA

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Jan 14, 2021 | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

UW-Platteville has reached credit transfer agreement extensions with the University of California-Los Angeles. The partnership extension ensures UCLA Extension students will continue to have the opportunity to join one of UW-Platteville’s highly-regarded online graduate-level programs.

Baraboo Sauk County and Richland campuses get new virtual campus tours

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt and John Christensen | Published On: Jan 13, 2021 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville and its branch campuses, Baraboo Sauk County and Richland, are now offering full virtual tours featuring interactive video elements, messages from faculty and students, and 360-degree photos of the institutions and their respective communities. The virtual campus tours were created through a collaboration between the UW-Platteville admission and marketing departments and EAB YouVisit.

UW-Platteville and its branch campuses launch full virtual tours

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Jan 11, 2021 | Featured in: Press Release

UW-Platteville and its branch campuses, Baraboo Sauk County and Richland, are now offering full virtual tours featuring interactive video elements, messages from faculty and students, and 360-degree photos of the institutions and their respective communities.

Engineering professor named KEEN community catalyst

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Jan 11, 2021 | Featured in: STEM

Dr. A.L. Ranen McLanahan, associate professor of mechanical engineering, was one of only 20 faculty across the nation to be selected by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) as a community catalyst.

UW-Platteville expands COVID-19 testing to community

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: Jan 02, 2021 | Featured in: Press Release

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention and the University of Wisconsin System, UW-Platteville is opening an additional COVID-19 testing site on the main campus as well as testing sites on the branch campuses, following a new surge testing initiative announced Wednesday afternoon by the UW System to support communities throughout Wisconsin now facing dramatic increases of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations related to the ongoing outbreak.

UW-Platteville waives electronic application fee for two years

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 18, 2020 | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, Press Release

UW-Platteville is waiving electronic application fees, effective immediately, following the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents’ recent approval to waive the fees at 10 of its 13 universities for the next two years.

UW-Platteville announces graduate-level credit for SHRM certificates

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: Dec 17, 2020 | Featured in: Alumni, Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announces it will now award graduate-level credits for certificates earned through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Collaboration helps senior recital become a reality

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 16, 2020 | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Taking the stage in a mask and performing in front of a sparse audience was likely not how senior Brittany Lasko pictured her last flute recital at UW-Platteville. However, the music education and music non-teaching major said she is grateful that through dedication and collaboration of faculty and staff, her senior recital still went on amid the pandemic.

Ariana Aranda at powerlifting competition

Aranda takes third place at national powerlifting competition, ties state record

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 15, 2020 | Featured in: Education

Ariana Aranda, a senior elementary education major at UW-Platteville, recently competed in the USA Power Lifting 2020 Collegiate Nationals competition, where she took third place in her weight class and tied a Wisconsin state record.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Joshua Anderson

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 10, 2020 | Featured in: Campus & Community, Education

Dr. Joshua Anderson, assistant professor of English, is bringing his experience in rural classrooms to the School of Education. Anderson joined UW-Platteville in 2016 and made the transition from the Department of Humanities to the School of Education this year.

From Peru to Platteville, Madueno Morales prepares to graduate

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 10, 2020 | Featured in: International, STEM

When Nuria Madueno Morales traveled from her hometown of Lima, Peru, to UW-Platteville in January 2019, she expected to be on campus only one semester as part of an international exchange program. Now, nearly two years later, she is preparing to graduate from UW-Platteville with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, after finding opportunities and support on campus that made it feel like home.

Mechanical engineering student awarded scholarships from UW System and Internship Draft Day

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 09, 2020 | Featured in: STEM

As mechanical engineering senior Rkia Talbi prepares for her final days at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, she is being recognized for her academic success and professional experience through two scholarships. Talbi was selected as the “Top Draft Pick” at the manufacturing career fair Internship Draft Day and named one of two recipients of the 2020 Alliant Energy Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Academic Achievement Award.

Ivanov’s new book explores impact of Reformation, Enlightenment in Russia

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 09, 2020 | Featured in: History

Dr. Andrey Ivanov, associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, recently published “A Spiritual Revolution: The Impact of Reformation and Enlightenment in Orthodox Russia.”

Second-year art student’s work selected for international exhibit

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 07, 2020 | Featured in: Arts & Culture

The artwork of Melanie Bisbach, a sophomore cross-disciplinary fine arts major from Dodgeville, Wisconsin, was recently selected to be part of an international online exhibit. Bisbach’s entry was one of just over 80 pieces selected from 797 worldwide entries for the BOUNDLESS exhibit, sponsored by Art Fluent.

New internship program offers unique student teaching experience

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 04, 2020 | Featured in: Education

The UW-Platteville School of Education is collaborating with Cuba City Elementary School to offer a new internship program that is not only providing four UW-Platteville students with an unmatched teaching experience, but also playing a vital role in helping the school limit the spread of COVID-19 and offer in-person learning.

Pioneer Spotlight: Samantha Birkicht

Written By: Jason Piddington | Published On: Dec 04, 2020 | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community

Samantha (Rogers) Birkicht is currently in her fourth year as head volleyball coach for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Students to showcase capstone projects at Senior Design Open House

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: Dec 03, 2020 | Featured in: STEM

UW-Platteville will host a virtual Senior Design Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 16, offering engineering students the opportunity to showcase their capstone projects to students, faculty, industry representatives and the general public.

Seven years of driftless oaks research project published

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: Dec 02, 2020 | Featured in: Environmental Sciences, Research

Thousands of hours of field work and undergraduate research, conducted by more than 75 UW-Platteville students spanning seven years, has come to fruition. Dr. Chris Underwood, associate professor of geography and department chair, Dr. Evan Larson, professor of geography, and alumna Sara Allen, a 2013 history and geography graduate, co-authored “The Driftless Oaks: A new network of tree-ring chronologies to improve regional perspectives of drought in the Upper Midwest, USA.”

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.