Students recently engaged in a Bridging the Divide event at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Bridging the Divide – sponsored by the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership – is a program that brings students of different ideological backgrounds together for small group conversations about current political issues. Rather than reaching a consensus, the goal is simply to increase engagement and understanding between people with different opinions.

Amanda Dent, a senior history major from Baraboo, Wisconsin, leads the program at UW-Platteville. She facilitated the event in Introduction to Politics classes, taught by Nancy Hammermeister, lecturer of political science.

Students in HHP 3390: Lifetime and Outdoor Activities traded the classroom for kayaks last week as they wrapped up their paddle sports unit with scenic trips to Coconut Cove and the Grant River. Sunshine and teamwork set the tone as students practiced essential kayaking techniques and led each other through drills, games and group paddles. 

More than just fun on the water, this course for health and human performance majors and those studying physical education, prepares students to teach and lead a variety of lifetime and outdoor activities. From planning to peer instruction, students gain hands-on experience they can take into their future careers. 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville received the exclusive honor of being named an Engineering College of Distinction. The award underscores the school’s dedication to providing a dynamic, experience-based undergraduate education for future engineers. 

Colleges of Distinction, an organization that emphasizes the importance of engaging educational practices, commended UW-Platteville for backing its engineering program with a well-rounded liberal arts curriculum and close student-faculty interaction. 

In a bold investment in the future of construction, Milwaukee Tool donated more than $70,000 worth of professional-grade tools, equipment and safety gear to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Construction Management program. The donation reinforces a shared commitment to hands-on learning, innovation and workforce readiness.

“At UW-Platteville, we take immense pride in providing students with a hands-on education that prepares them not just to enter the workforce, but to excel in it,” said UW-Platteville Chancellor Tammy Evetovich. “Partners like Milwaukee Tool make this possible. This marks the first partnership in our program to outfit our lab with tools — an exciting milestone that will benefit students for years to come.”

The Show Pig Team at UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm ended the 2025 showing season on an exceptionally high note at the historic National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota, this September. Pioneer Farm has exhibited pigs regionally and nationally for over a decade with great success; however, this year proved to be the most successful yet.

At the Wisconsin State Fair, the home-raised boar, Ripper, was named Reserve Champion Berkshire Boar, and Pioneer Farm was recognized as Premier Exhibitor of the Berkshire breed. At the Iowa State Fair, the team exhibited the Champion Tamworth Gilt, along with several class winners in the Berkshire breed.

After six solo moves across state lines, artists Kobe Elixson and Zoё Couvillion decided it was time to pause and make their next move together. Now residing in Dubuque, Iowa—nearly a thousand miles north of their home in Texas—these printmakers plan to make their mark in the Midwest. After navigating the chaos of making a big move, these artists are taking a moment to reflect on their past and present lives and to break in their new studio space. These efforts culminated in their first duo-exhibition in this region, “Residual and Steadfast,” at the Nohr Gallery beginning this September. 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville continues its upward trajectory, earning recognition in multiple categories in the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings. The university made impressive gains across several key categories, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence, accessibility and service to veterans. 

Highlights of the 2026 rankings include: 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is gearing up for the 101st Homecoming, taking place Sept. 28–Oct. 4, 2025, with this year’s theme celebrating all things Pioneer! The following are just some of the events to rope in students, alumni and the community to celebrate this festive time of year for the university.

Community events:

Dust off your boots as the festivities begin on Sunday, Sept. 28, with a student volleyball tournament at 3 p.m. in Williams Fieldhouse, where the first homecoming points will be awarded. The competition continues when the Pioneer Men’s Soccer faces off against Wartburg at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, followed by the Pioneer Women’s Soccer taking on Dubuque at 7:30 p.m. Both matches will be at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. On Thursday, Oct. 2, join our students as the excitement builds with Yell Night and the coronation of Homecoming Royalty at 7 p.m. in Bo Ryan Court. 

Student events:

Colleges of Distinction has honored the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for its strong undergraduate degrees in business. Thanks to a well-rounded curriculum with hands-on experiences and a liberal arts foundation, its business students are prepared to enter the workforce with strong leadership skills and the ability to succeed in an ever-evolving society.

“We are grateful to have the UW-Platteville School of Business recognized for this honor,” notes Dr. Les Hollingsworth, director of the School of Business. “The faculty and staff are committed to providing a top-tier business education and supporting the next generation of business leaders. We deeply appreciate recognition of that energy, hard work, and passion.”

Thursday, October 9 | 6–8 p.m. | Boebel Hall Room 104

Enjoy an evening with Moira Villiard, a multidisciplinary artist whose vibrant work uplifts underrepresented stories and fosters healing through public art across the Great Lakes. She grew up on the Fond du Lac Reservation and is a Fond du Lac direct descendant. Villiard blends murals, animation, illustration and community exhibitions and engagement to explore the intersections of history, identity and resilience. 

“We are very excited to welcome Moira (Miri) Villiard as the eleventh annual UW-Platteville Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lecturer,” said Dr. Eugene Tesdahl, associate professor of history at UW-Platteville. “Villiard is the first artist to give this prestigious lecture at our institution; she will illustrate connections between Native American culture and art in this public event.”

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Helios Program is redefining what a first-year experience can be. Since 2022, Helios has become a cornerstone of academic and community life on campus. Participants engage in a mix of classroom and co-curricular activities, including cultural programs, lectures, social events, project-based learning and independent research. It offers students deeper learning through the humanities and transformative experiences that promote connection, creativity and purpose. And the program is doing it one fort at a time.  

The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin has committed to investing more than $4.2 million in funding for the current biennium (FY26 and FY27) to support water education and water research programs that will bolster Wisconsin’s water workforce for years to come. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is taking part in a project that aligns with that mission by giving its students a transformative experience in the classroom and the field. 

The 19 new projects involve faculty, staff and students from all 13 Universities of Wisconsin as well as dozens of partners from industry, government, local communities, tribal nations, nonprofits and K-12 education. They will increase research and training opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students and will address Wisconsin’s biggest water challenges, including PFAS and phosphorus pollution. 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has earned special attention for its School of Education. Recognizing its stellar curriculum and outcomes for education majors, Colleges of Distinction granted this award as a stamp of approval for the impactful ways that students are prepared to lead their own classrooms after graduation. UW-Platteville’s title as an Education College of Distinction is a testament to the quality of its hands-on approach to learning, leading and succeeding.

Already acknowledged as a College of Distinction for its impactful approach to education, UW-Platteville receives specialized recognition in Education.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announced its preliminary fall 2025 enrollment estimates, which includes 1,451 students in the new freshman class — a 10% increase over last year’s freshman class — making this the largest freshman class in six years.

“This increase is a strong sign of momentum and the collective efforts of our entire university community,” said Chancellor Tammy Evetovich. “Just as important, our steady overall enrollment is a testament to the strong student retention we continue to see, thanks to the outstanding support systems on campus and the genuine care our faculty and staff show for every student.”

The total estimated enrollment at UW-Platteville for the 2025-26 academic year is 6,406.

Dr. Evan Larson, professor of environmental sciences and society at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is the lead author of a significant publication in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,” one of the world’s leading scientific journals. His Indigenous and non-Indigenous co-authors (Nisogaabokwe Melonee Montano, Emily Lockling, Ashla Ojibway, Mocha Reynolds, Valerie Ross Zhaawendaagozikwe, Lane Johnson, Kurt Kipfmueller, Michael J. Dockry, Vern Northrup, Jeff Savage and Robin Wall Kimmerer) include undergraduate students from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, elders from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, tribal leaders from Red Cliff, and two members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, including the preeminent author Robin Kimmerer. 

September is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months yet for Helios, The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s College of Liberal Arts and Education’s signature humanities initiative. With creativity, community-building and even post-apocalyptic fort-building on the agenda, students are diving into a month-long celebration inspired by “Station Eleven,” the award-winning novel and HBO miniseries. 

At the heart of the excitement is a special campus visit from acclaimed author Emily St. John Mandel, set to speak on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Velzy Commons. Her visit is the culminating event in a series of immersive experiences that includes a fort-building project on campus, a community read discussion and a film screening at the Avalon Cinema. 

University of Wisconsin-Platteville Chancellor Dr. Tammy Evetovich kicked off the 2025-2026 academic year at the annual faculty and staff convocation on Aug. 26.  

“I want to thank all of you for what you do every single day for the students that we serve on this campus,” said Chancellor Evetovich. “At UW-Platteville, we remain committed to making education accessible, affordable and deeply relevant—because young people still dream big, and that inspires us all.” 

Chancellor Evetovich outlined four goals to set the tone for a bold and purposeful year ahead:  

Every year during Convocation, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville highlights the excellence of its faculty and staff through UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards. These honors recognize those who exemplify dedication in their work. This year, we’re going beyond titles and achievements, bringing forward the personal stories of those who shape our campus and community.  

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will recognize Dr. Dong Isbister as the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Carol Sue Butts Award. The honor recognizes employees and students who make a difference in the lives of women in the campus community. 

For those who don’t know, what is your official title and what kind of work do you do for UW-Platteville and the Department of Social Services?

WiSys has named University of Wisconsin-Platteville Professor of Electrical Engineering Dr. Nader Safari-Shad as a 2025 Carl E. Gulbrandsen Innovator of the Year. The award is bestowed annually and presented during the WiSys SPARK Symposium.

“Receiving the WiSys Innovator of the Year recognition is not only a great honor but also a catalyst for our research. It brings greater visibility to our research, opens doors to new collaborations, and provides validation that hopefully leads to further innovation,” Safari-Shad said.

WiSys has named University of Wisconsin-Platteville alum and inventor Isaac Lange as a Carl E. Gulbrandsen Innovator of the Year. The award is bestowed annually and presented during the WiSys SPARK Symposium.

"Receiving Innovator of the Year from WiSys felt gratifying, knowing all my hard work and discipline has paid off, while also giving me the motivation to keep pushing forward. Accomplishing this milestone in the adolescence of my company will help connect me to pathways I never knew were possible and I am very grateful for WiSys to have chosen me for this award," Lange said.

A new, eco-friendly partnership is taking shape on campus, as 20 head of sheep have been brought in to graze beneath and around the university’s solar array. This natural approach to vegetation management is being implemented over approximately seven acres. The sheep will help control grass and plant growth through the end of the growing season, which is expected to be when the grass goes dormant this fall.

For a group of high school students from across Wisconsin, summer break meant stepping into the shoes of real scientists: micropipettes, reagents, test tubes and all. Last month, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville hosted an immersive Plant Biotechnology Boot Camp, a weeklong residential program designed to ignite curiosity and inspire future careers in science.

Funded by a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER grant awarded to Dr. Muthu Venkateshwaran, professor of crop physiology and molecular biology in the School of Agriculture, the camp offered hands-on experiences in plant biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology, tissue culture, microbiology and plant pathology. Students didn’t just learn about the science, they did science. 

Every year during Convocation, UW-Platteville celebrates the excellence of its faculty and staff through awards from both UW-Platteville and the Universities of Wisconsin. These honors recognize individuals who exemplify dedication in their work. This year, we’re going beyond titles and achievements to share the personal stories of those who shape our campus and community.

Dr. Avinash Paruchuri has been selected as a Wisconsin Teaching Fellow. The Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars (WTFS) program offers UW faculty and teaching academic staff a unique opportunity to collaborate with other exceptional teachers from across the Universities of Wisconsin and from various disciplines. 

For those who don’t know, what is your title and what do you do within the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering?

In a time when students and families are seeking greater transparency around the cost of higher education, Colleges of Distinction is proud to name the University of Wisconsin-Platteville a 2025-2026 Affordable College of Distinction. This national recognition highlights institutions that offer a high-quality education that delivers exceptional value for today’s students. 

Colleges of Distinction awards this honor based not on sticker price alone, but on a thorough evaluation of each school’s commitment to affordability and return on investment. UW-Platteville stood out among its national peers for successfully combining low net costs with strong student outcomes.

Ethan Squires was a busy mechanical engineering major and computer science minor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, holding down a campus job and routinely taking over eighteen credits a semester. He was also a gifted pianist and trombone player who performed in multiple ensembles, composed and arranged music and played for guest artists. Ethan was a familiar fixture in Doudna Hall.

“Ethan was always smiling, always saying hello in the hallway with so much warmth,” said Ethan’s piano instructor, Dr. Kaju Lee.

In the spring of 2024, while completing his co-op with Kohler Power Systems in Sheboygan and preparing the Khachaturian Piano Concerto for the fall concerto competition on campus, Ethan died suddenly of complications from type 1 diabetes.

At Convocation each year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville honors faculty and staff with UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, recognizing their excellence and dedication. In this year’s articles about the recipients, we are spotlighting their journeys, passions and the paths that brought them here. 

Dr. Leonida Ljumanovic, professor of mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has been honored with the Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. The purpose of the award is to recognize a tenure track faculty member who has made distinguished contributions to the mission of UW-Platteville as an outstanding teacher. 

Q: What is your title and how long have you been with UW-Platteville?

My title is professor, and I have been with UW-Platteville for 17 years.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is proud to announce its recognition as a 2025–2026 College of Distinction, a prestigious honor that highlights its unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional undergraduate education. The award reflects UW-Platteville’s dedication to hands-on learning, strong student-faculty relationships, an active campus community and outstanding student outcomes. 

At convocation each year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville honors faculty and staff with UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, recognizing their excellence and dedication. In this year’s articles about the recipients, we are spotlighting their journeys, passions and the paths that brought them here. 

Dr. Kara Candito, a professor of English in the Department of Humanities, was selected to receive the Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award. The award recognizes outstanding faculty at UW-Platteville who teach effectively, teach the value of diversity, teach the ability to argue sensitive issues with competence and civility, create opportunities for students to engage in high-impact practices and teach the importance of a liberal arts education.

One University of Wisconsin-Platteville student is spending her summer opening young minds to a world far beyond their own—one filled with empathy, culture and connection. Fatema alzahra Sahak, a senior psychology major, is making a lasting impact on children. Originally from Afghanistan and now living in Platteville, Sahak is currently interning at St. Mark Youth Enrichment in Dubuque, Iowa. It's an opportunity that brings her one step closer to her goal of attending graduate school in school psychology. Her approach to teaching is connecting with students on a level they can understand and more importantly, enjoy. 

“Children learn very differently from adults, as they benefit most from active engagement and hands-on experiences, unlike adults who can often learn through quiet reading and imagination,” explained Sahak.

Each year at Convocation, The University of Wisconsin-Platteville celebrates outstanding faculty and staff through a series of prestigious awards. These honors recognize exceptional contributions in teaching, service, leadership and engagement. This year, we're taking a more personal approach—spotlighting the individuals behind the accolades and the stories that drive their impact. 

UW-Platteville has awarded Michael Lambert, lecturer in the Humanities Department, with the Academic Staff Award for Excellence. This award is presented to an instructional or non-instructional academic staff member with a minimum of 12 consecutive months of employment at UW-Platteville who has provided essential services to the university while demonstrating excellence of performance, personal interaction, initiative and creativity.  

Reilly Klippel, a 2025 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, earned third place at the WiSys Quick Pitch State Final held during the Spark Symposium in Madison on July 25, 2025. Her project focused on how well college students can identify intimate partner violence in queer relationships compared to heterosexual relationships.

WiSys Quick Pitch is a statewide competition that challenges students from across the Universities of Wisconsin to present the societal impact of their research in just three minutes. Contestants aim to communicate complex ideas to a general audience and are judged on their clarity, relevance and delivery. 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation and Alumni Association is proud to announce it raised $8.7 million in philanthropic support during the 2025 fiscal year, continuing a strong tradition of generosity and impact. The Foundation received 8,700 individual gifts—an increase of nearly 500 from the previous year—demonstrating the growing engagement and collective support of the UW-Platteville community. 

 Dr. Tammy Evetovich, chancellor of UW-Platteville, acknowledged and thanked donors for their steadfast commitment to the university and its students. 

“I am deeply grateful for the alumni and friends who continue to invest in our mission; it speaks volumes about the confidence they have in our university’s future,” said Chancellor Evetovich. “This support makes it possible for us to deliver on our promise of affordability, excellence and student success, and do so in ways that truly set UW-Platteville apart.”  

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently awarded six faculty research fellowships to increase dairy-related research capacity through the Dairy Innovation Hub initiative. Known as the Dairy Industry Impact Innovation Faculty Fellowships, or “DI3 Faculty Fellowships,” the selected faculty members will tackle research projects in the Hub’s four priority areas: stewarding land and water resources; enriching human health and nutrition; ensuring animal health and welfare and growing farm business and communities. 

Funded through a $7.8 million per year investment by the state of Wisconsin, the Hub harnesses research and development at UW-Platteville, UW-Madison and UW-River Falls campuses to keep Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy community at the global forefront in producing nutritious dairy foods in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner. Since its launch in 2019, the Hub has funded more than 230 projects across the three campuses. 

Where else can you find research projects in theater lighting design, improving alfalfa with seed priming and the preservation of decades-old artifacts from the Isle of Man all under one roof? At the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Summer Undergraduate Scholars Program (SUSP), that kind of academic diversity is exactly what’s celebrated. Now in its eighth consecutive summer, the program welcomed 10 students for an intensive eight-week research experience.  

"It feels surreal. Only 10 people are selected for this scholarship, and I’m truly honored to be one of them,” exclaimed senior Ashten Wilson, a history major with an art history minor from Princeton, Illinois. “Being part of such a prestigious summer graduate scholarship program will hopefully help me stand out when I apply to graduate school for museum studies.” 

The Department of Performing and Visuals Arts and the Platteville Summer Arts Festival present the musical “The Clockmaker’s Daughter,” an original musical by British composers Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn. First performed in London in 2015, this original musical fairytale takes us to Spindlewood, a small Irish town, on the evening of the annual Turning of the Key midnight ceremony—a ritual attempt to “wake up” the statue of a young woman in the town square. The production runs July 25, 26 and August 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., and July 27 and August 3 at 2 p.m. in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. This production is recommended for general audiences. 

Every year during Convocation, The University of Wisconsin-Platteville highlights the excellence of its faculty and staff through UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards. These honors recognize those who exemplify dedication in their work. This year, we’re going beyond titles and achievements, bringing forward the personal stories of those who shape our campus and community.  

Gretchen Bockenhauer, program coordinator and assistant professor of Construction Management and Construction Safety Management has received the Outstanding Faculty/Instructional Academic Staff Academic Advisor Award. The award recognizes those who excel in advising students. 

What you do for the university and how have you helped grow the program?

At Convocation each year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville honors faculty and staff with UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, recognizing their excellence and dedication. In this year’s articles about the recipients, we are spotlighting their journeys, passions and the paths that brought them here. 

 UW-Platteville has awarded Nadia Sifri, professional academic advisor in UW-Platteville’s Department of Biology, with the Outstanding Professional Advising Award. This award recognizes staff members who provide essential services to the university while demonstrating excellence of performance, personal interaction and initiative and creativity. 

Q: What is your official title and what kind of work do you do for the university? I understand you've worn many hats at UW-Platteville! 

At Convocation each year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville honors faculty and staff with UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, recognizing their excellence and dedication. In this year’s articles about the recipients, we are spotlighting their journeys, passions and the paths that brought them here. 

Dr. Dale Murray, professor of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, was selected as one of the recipients of the 2025 Alliant Energy James R. Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Awards. This award is funded by an endowment from the Alliant Energy Foundation, Inc. to recognize and reward extraordinary undergraduate teachers at Universities of Wisconsin schools within Alliant Energy’s service area.

Every year during Convocation, UW-Platteville highlights the excellence of its faculty and staff through UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards. These honors recognize those who exemplify dedication in their work. This year, we’re going beyond titles and achievements, bringing forward the personal stories of those who shape our campus and community.  

Thomas Pitcher, senior lecturer with the Department of Humanities, has been selected as a Wisconsin Teaching Fellow. The Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars (WTFS) program offers UW faculty and teaching academic staff a unique opportunity to collaborate with other exceptional teachers from across the Universities of Wisconsin and from various disciplines. 

Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration (DSWR) leaders and researchers delved into the challenges and opportunities of the broad data-driven project during a panel discussion May 14 in Madison. 

Dennis Busch, senior scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm, was featured in the main-stage discussion at the Dairy Symposium, an academic-focused event held by the Dairy Innovation Hub, which is a state-funded effort to support Wisconsin’s dairy community in part by advancing science at the state’s three universities with agriculture programs: UW-Platteville, UW-Madison and UW-River Falls. 

At Convocation each year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville honors faculty and staff with UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, recognizing their excellence and dedication. In this year’s articles about the recipients, we are spotlighting their journeys, passions and the paths that brought them here. 

UW-Platteville has awarded Travis Schute, grounds lead for the Facilities Management Department, with the University Staff Award for Excellence. This award recognizes staff members who provide essential services to the university while demonstrating excellence of performance, personal interaction and initiative and creativity. 

Q: For those who don’t know, what does the grounds lead for the Facilities Management Department involve? 

Jeanne Robinson has worked for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for longer than most current faculty or staff members. Born and raised in the community with her seven brothers and sisters, she still gathers regularly with her mother and sisters, who all continue to call Platteville home. Her professional life has been just as grounded in the city, having worked on campus since 1984 in a variety of student-centered roles. Robinson serves as the School Certifying Official for veterans’ benefits at the university’s Wright Center for Non-Traditional and Veteran Students. It’s a role she’s proud to call her own.

“I like my job,” said Robinson. “It’s that simple. When I read the emails people have sent me through the years, thanking me for helping them with their benefits, it keeps me coming back.” 

Each year at Convocation, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville recognizes recipients of UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, highlighting the excellence and dedication within the university community. These awards honor faculty and staff who have made exceptional contributions through teaching, service, leadership and engagement. This year, we’re shifting focus – instead of just highlighting their achievements and what they do for the university, we’ll be sharing the personal stories behind the people who make such a difference. 

UW-Platteville has awarded Sara Koeller, administrative assistant for the Department of Humanities, with the University Staff Award for Excellence. The award recognizes staff members who provide essential services to the university while demonstrating excellence of performance, personal interaction and initiative and creativity.

At Convocation each year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville honors faculty and staff with UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, recognizing their excellence and dedication. In this year’s articles about the recipients, we are spotlighting their journeys, passions and the paths that brought them here. 

Dr. Chris Frayer, professor of mathematics at the UW-Platteville, was selected as one of the recipients of the 2025 Alliant Energy James R. Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Awards. This award is funded by an endowment from the Alliant Energy Foundation, Inc. to recognize and reward extraordinary undergraduate teachers at Universities of Wisconsin schools within Alliant Energy’s service area.

Q: How long have you been a mathematics professor at UW-Platteville?

Each year at Convocation, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville recognizes recipients of UW-Platteville and Universities of Wisconsin awards, highlighting the excellence and dedication within the university community. These awards honor faculty and staff who have made exceptional contributions through teaching, service, leadership and engagement. This year, we’re shifting focus—instead of just highlighting their achievements and what they do for the university, we’ll be sharing the personal stories behind the people who make such a difference.  

UW-Platteville has awarded Dr. James Berglund, assistant professor of geology, with the Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. The award recognizes a tenure-track faculty member who has made distinguished contributions to the mission of the university as an outstanding teacher. 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville celebrated more than 900 graduates during its 214th commencement, held May 17. Three ceremonies were held on Bo Ryan Court, inside Williams Fieldhouse, where Chancellor Tammy Evetovich congratulated the graduates on their milestone and offered them advice on their next chapter.

“This is not the end of your learning journey; in fact, it is just beginning,” she said. “I hope you nurture the curiosity and desire for knowledge that brought you here in the first place. Let that spirit of lifelong learning guide you.”

Each graduating senior follows a unique path that ultimately leads to the stage to receive their diploma. For many, that path takes the familiar route of four years spent on campus. While every student’s college experience is shaped by dedication and effort, Jeff LaSee’s story is exceptional—not because of where he earned his degree, but because of the heart, grit and meaning behind his journey.

“I was an art kid with long, purple hair in a really small town,” reflects LaSee. “There wasn’t a lot of opportunity there for me.”

Students put their engineering skills to the test in a flavorful way. The scent of freshly made waffles filled the air—not from a food truck, but from a solar-powered cooking station at Sesquicentennial Hall designed and built by students. The demonstration was part of a culminating event for Wind and Solar System Design (ENERGY 4330), a senior-level technical elective offered to Sustainable and Renewable Energy Systems (SRES) majors and minors, as well as mechanical engineering students at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Dr. Krista Hardyman, professor of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences in the School of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, was selected to receive an Honorary American FFA Degree. The award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.

The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists.

Hardyman will receive the award during the 2025 Wisconsin FFA Convention on Wednesday, June 11, in Madison, Wisconsin. All recipients will receive a plaque and medal, and their names will be permanently recorded as recipients of the highest FFA honor.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is proud to announce the launch of a new power and energy systems emphasis within its Master of Science in Engineering program. This cutting-edge emphasis is designed to prepare graduate engineers for leadership roles in the rapidly evolving fields of power generation, distribution and advanced electrical systems control. 

Engineered to meet the demands of today’s energy sector, the power and energy systems emphasis offers a rigorous curriculum that blends theoretical foundations with practical, hands-on experience using industry-standard tools and technologies. Students will explore essential concepts including power flow, fault analysis, voltage regulation and microgrid management, as well as the implementation of smart grid technologies and advanced control systems.