After growing up in rural Sabula, Iowa, Nicole Ruchotzke attended UW-Platteville, earning a degree in biology. From there, she went on to earn her master’s in public health at Concordia University before returning to her alma mater in 2017, where she joined the Office of Professional Program Support as an advisor.  

Dr. Yanwei Wu is an associate professor in Computer Science and Software Engineering at UW-Platteville, and one of the faculty who will be teaching in the new Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity program this fall.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Continuing Education Institute has risen to the challenge by implementing new ways students can further their education. The latest result of this determination comes in the form of a new certificate program: Foundations of Project Management Practice.

Growing up in Platteville, Tyler Vargo knows firsthand the beauty and diversity of Southwest Wisconsin, but like many rural areas, the region is significantly underrepresented on digital mapping platforms, like Google Maps. Through a project sponsored by the Undergraduate Research and Scholarly and Creative Activity program, Vargo is setting out to change this one location at a time.

In the fall of 2019, Megan Bunyer began exploring potential research topics, guided by particular interests she had in emotion, memory and sense of control. When the pandemic hit last spring, it presented Bunyer with the opportunity to explore these interests in a much more timely and novel project, as she set out to examine the relationship between knowledge surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak and emotion and sense of control. 

UW-Platteville, in partnership with the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, has selected Jeremiah “Maia” Donohue as the inaugural leader of the new Innovation Driving Entrepreneurship Accelerator Hub, known as the IDEA Hub.  

As families continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the UW-Platteville Physical Education Homeschool Program is providing virtual instruction to area children and school districts.

Nearly 150 tri-state area residents listened to a panel of experts at UW-Platteville discuss the latest information regarding the coronavirus and vaccines on March 11. A recording of the virtual panel is available for viewing.

After opening a family childcare program, Michelle DeVoe eventually went back to college, in the midst of other challenges, to earn her Child Care Administrator Credential from UW-Platteville so that she could stay current with the learning standards of young children.

Freshman Eliot Driessen, an electrical engineering major, is embarking on his first year of undergraduate research. After being awarded the Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Scholarship, Driessen has been assisting Dr. Hal Evensen, professor of engineering physics with his research in the nano lab. 

Becky Digman, a 2011 alumna of UW-Platteville who earned her degree in business administration, returned to her alma mater in 2018 as a financial specialist in the Cashier’s Office. She currently works in the Financial Aid Office as the scholarship coordinator and financial aid counselor.

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

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

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

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

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

In honor of alumnus John Boldt’s recent retirement, his wife, Barbara, and family made a donation to the UW-Platteville Foundation to name the John I. Boldt Study Space in Sesquicentennial Hall.

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

Forty-two years after its first correspondence course was introduced and administered via postal mail, UW-Platteville's distance education programs surpassed 3,000 graduates.

When twin brothers Mark and Jon Hirsch walked across the UW-Platteville graduation stage in 1986, they had an experience like few others as their mother, Ardith Stark, graduated with them at the age of 45. As a single mother, with two children still at home, Ardith graduated with honors. It is this legacy that Jon and Mark hope to honor with the creation of the Ardith Stark (Hirsch) Memorial Scholarship, which will help other non-traditional students have the same opportunity. 

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

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Rita Davenport’s career in education spans over 30 years and has taken her to colleges and universities throughout the region, including working at and earning her master’s degree in counseling education from UW-Platteville in 1993.

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alumnus Paul Hemmer examines the show business era of the 20th century in his new book, titled Entertaining Dubuque: The Untold Story (1900-1999). Hemmer graduated in 1966 with a degree in instrumental and vocal music and has spent his career in the fields of broadcasting and live music.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.