University News

Celik’s research aims to make solar technology more sustainable

In recent years, the United States has witnessed a boom in solar energy use, as trends toward sustainable living grow. But how environmentally-friendly is solar technology when it reaches the end of its life cycle? That is the question Dr. Ilke Celik, assistant professor of sustainability and renewable energy systems, and a team of researchers are hoping to address.

Come to the lab and see what’s on the slab at the Pioneer Players’ production of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’

The Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will begin their 2019-20 season with the cult classic musical, “The Rocky Horror Show.”

Pioneer Day of Giving generates over $121,000 for student support

Thanks to the generous donations of hundreds of alumni, faculty and staff, and other friends of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the UW-Platteville Foundation raised over $121,000 with its annual Day of Giving.

Strobl joins international team, shares policy ideas with UK Parliament

Dr. Staci Strobl, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has been asked to join an international team of scholars convened by the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-sectarianization project, based at the Richardson Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Lancaster in Lancashire, England.

UW Dairy Innovation Hub seeks solutions to challenges facing Wisconsin dairy industry

From improving human nutrition to assuring clean water to growing the farm economy while caring for animals, the Dairy Innovation Hub will harness the intellectual and creative power of three University of Wisconsin institutions to address the most complex challenges facing the state’s dairy industry.

Alumnus credits restorative justice experience for career success

There are moments in life when a decision to explore something new turns out to be life-changing, both personally and professionally.

UW-Platteville hosts Wellness Day for 190 elementary students

Eleven physical education students recently planned, implemented and continued a 10-year tradition, Wellness Day, for 190 first- and second-grade students from Platteville School District at the university’s Bo-Ryan Court.

UW-Platteville awarded Dubuque Racing Association grant

The UW-Platteville Division of Professional Studies was recently awarded a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association. Funds will help upgrade video conference equipment to outfit a conference room that is frequently used for meetings held among on-campus and remote participants.

Pioneers place high in dairy judging competitions

Students of the UW-Platteville Dairy Judging Team excelled in three recent competitions.

Pioneer Spotlight: Timothy Juedes

Tim Juedes, a lecturer of criminal justice, is a UW-Platteville alumnus and has taught forensic investigation courses at the university since spring 2015. His specialties are fingerprint analysis and criminalistics.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lecture to feature Paulette Jordan of Coeur d’Alene Nation

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Department of History will host its fifth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lecture on Monday, Oct. 14 in the Nohr Gallery, Ullsvik Hall, UW-Platteville, from 6-7:30 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The purpose of the lecture series – begun by Dr. Eugene Tesdahl, assistant professor of history at UW-Platteville, in 2015 – is to welcome more Indigenous voices to the institution.

School of Business students study abroad in Germany

This summer, Les Hollingsworth, director of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Business, led a short-term faculty-led study abroad program to Hochschule Rhein Main in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Idea of turning common weeds into aviation fuel takes flight

The next big idea in green energy may stem from a common Midwestern weed called pennycress, and faculty and students at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are contributing to this cutting-edge research.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Hao Chen connects marketing with the modern media age

Dr. Hao Chen is celebrating his 10th year at UW-Platteville. Chen found his love of media and advertising at malls in his childhood when living in China. Visiting stores with his parents exposed him to the colorful and eye-catching world of visual marketing, and later, the influence of digital media in relation to business.

Forum to examine how satire in horror films exposes systemic societal issues

On Thursday, Oct. 3, the College of Liberal Arts and Education will host a faculty forum, “Satire in Horror Films,” in Room 136 Doudna Hall from 5-6:30 p.m.

Lifelong learning and professional success go hand-in-hand for Project Management graduate

It’s no secret that Shawn Belling is a professional in his prime.

UW-Platteville leads public institutions for best value

UW-Platteville is the top public institution in the state for best value, according to the 2019 SmartAsset ratings.

UW-Platteville students make a big hit at Miller Park

As Brewers fans make their way into Miller Park to watch their favorite player run out onto the field, they’ll notice the work created by three UW-Platteville students who interned with the Milwaukee Brewers ground crew. Together they experienced what it takes to uphold one of the best stadiums in major league baseball.

Pioneers honored with UW System award

Two alumni and one student earned the esteemed Alliant Energy Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Academic Achievement Award. Dan Gnadt, Julian Rodriguez and Luis Balleno Jr. will be honored for their academic achievements and university involvement at UW-Madison on Friday, Oct. 25.

College of Liberal Arts and Education honors scholarship recipients

On Thursday, Sept. 19, the College of Liberal Arts and Education recognized student scholarship recipients at a reception held in the Nohr Gallery. The College of LAE awarded 79 scholarships to 73 students.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Jodi Prosise

Dr. Jodi Prosise recently joined UW-Platteville as the new chair of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. She brings with her a longtime passion and interest in the idea of empowerment through technology, or, improving the lives of individuals with disabilities – specifically in low-income areas – through designing and building assistive technology.

Workforce training at UW-Platteville contributes to high-tech manufacturing in Wisconsin

In a commitment to providing students with the most relevant hands-on education and advancing the workforce in the state of Wisconsin, Dr. Bandara Gamini, Automation and Electronics program coordinator in the Department of Industrial Studies, recently visited GE Healthcare in Madison, Wisconsin, to further the university-industry relationship.

UW-Platteville to hold rededication ceremony for Rachel, enslaved African American

On Friday, Oct. 4, at 9 a.m., faculty, staff, students and community members will hold a special rededication ceremony for Rachel, an enslaved African American, at Hillside Cemetery in Platteville.

Xiao and students research solutions for more durable concrete

UW-Platteville Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Danny Xiao is interested in all the ways concrete fails. His research focuses on making one of the most important building materials on Earth even better. This summer, Xiao worked on a Wisconsin DOT-funded study to discover the most effective combination of penetrating sealant, application method and application time.

Author Jerry Apps to speak on the history of agriculture in Wisconsin

“When I started researching and interviewing a bunch of folks, I discovered there was a lot people didn’t know about agriculture in Wisconsin,” said Jerry Apps, the storyteller and author who chronicles the social history of farming, and the role it plays in rural communities throughout Wisconsin. He’ll be speaking about his writing, and his decades studying rural Wisconsin at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 in the R.G.

Early childhood community to gather in Platteville

Early childhood education professionals from across Wisconsin and the region will gather at the 2019 Early Childhood Seminar on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Markee Pioneer Student Center.

Wu and Drazkowski receive best paper award at ASEE Conference

This summer, UW-Platteville senior Anna Drazkowski traveled to Tampa, Florida, with Dr. Yan Wu, associate professor of engineering physics to attend the American Society for Engineering Education Conference to present their research. Their work, “Standard Based Grading in Introductory Physics Laboratory Courses” earned the best paper award in the Division of Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies.

Isbister co-authors book chapter on connection between healing, vegetal world

Dr. Dong Isbister, associate professor of women’s and gender studies, and two co-authors recently wrote a chapter in the book “Chinese Environmental Humanities: Practices of Environing at the Margins,” published by Palgrave Macmillan in August.

Ivanov wins Harvard University fellowship

This summer, Dr. Andrey V. Ivanov, assistant professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, was one of the recipients of the esteemed Houghton Library Visiting Fellowship at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony set for new hydroponics student-managed business

Beginning this year, students will have access to fresh lettuce, grown on campus year-round through a new hydroponics student-managed business. Located in Glenview Commons, the 1,500-square-foot hydroponics space, built and operated solely by students, will supply nearly all lettuce used by UW-Platteville Dining Services.

Pioneer Spotlight: Dr. Ben Krings brings expertise in sports nutrition, strength training and conditioning

Interacting with students and giving them an opportunity to develop as young professionals in the field of exercise science is what inspires and motivates Dr. Ben Krings, assistant professor of health and human performance, each day. Krings teaches courses in physiology of exercise, nutrition, strength and conditioning and fitness evaluation and prescription; he is also a certified strength and conditioning coach.

UW-Platteville officials to accompany Gov. Evers to Japan

University of Wisconsin-Platteville Chancellor Dennis J. Shields and Vice Chancellor for University Relations/Chief of Staff Rose Smyrski will accompany Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on his first-ever international trade mission to Japan.

Chancellor Shields and Smyrski will be the only representatives of a UW System school among the 17 delegates on the historic trip, which takes place Sept. 6-14.

Pioneer Spotlight: Cathy Riedl-Farrey leads Financial Services

Every day is different for Cathy Riedl-Farrey, who is the director of Financial Services at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, depending on the requests coming in from campus or university leaders. “A day never goes by where I don’t use Excel. I’m constantly in Excel with using numbers and working on numbers,” she said.

Chancellor Shields delivers convocation address

University of Wisconsin-Platteville Chancellor Dennis J. Shields shared his intentions for the upcoming year at the annual all-campus convocation held on Thursday.

Cultural exchange program brings visiting scholars to campus

UW-Platteville hosted five scholars from the South-Central University for Nationalities in Wuhan, China, as part of a cultural exchange program. The six-month program, which wraps up this week, provides the scholars an opportunity to participate in intensive language study, observe UW-Platteville classes and engage in cultural activities.

Master’s in Project Management online degree program recognized

The online Master of Science in Project Management at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville has been ranked in the 25 Best Affordable Master’s in Project Management Online Degrees 2019 by Affordable Schools.

Pugh receives Innovations in Technology award

Dr. Raymond Pugh is one of two UW-Platteville faculty members to receive the Teaching and Technology Center’s 2019 Innovations in Technology for Teaching and Learning Award, providing him funds to purchase a new 3D printer.

Pioneer Spotlight: Paul Erickson leads communications at UW-Platteville

Paul Erickson has more than 30 years of experience working in the communications industry. Since 1996, he’s been a part of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, first working as the sports information director and now as the director of Communications and public information officer.

Performing Arts Series announces new season

UW-Platteville announced the 2019-20 Performing Arts Series lineup. The new season will connect with people of all ages ranging from vocal, jazz, comedy, Broadway, instrumental, chamber, one-man show and dance.

Tucker selected for 2019 Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Amanda Tucker, associate professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, was named one of three recipients across the UW System of the 2019 Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award.

Pioneer Spotlight: Lisa Naderman, two-time alumna, brings expertise to campus

Lisa Naderman has seen almost all sides of UW-Platteville, having earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, coaching, teaching, and working as an admission advisor for both on-campus and online students. Her husband and her two daughters are establishing even more roots in Southwest Wisconsin, building a new home in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Chattopadhyay receives innovations in tech award

Dr. Soma Chattopadhyay, University of Wisconsin-Platteville associate professor of chemistry, is introducing her proposal, integrating computational chemistry into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum with the web-based interface program WebMO.

Date set for nature-based early learning forum

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announced today that early learning educators and childcare operators from around the state will come together on Saturday, Oct. 26 for a day of learning provided by the “Wonder Guides” of the Wisconsin Nature Action Collaborative for Children.

Melin receives Wisconsin Teaching Fellow award

Assistant Professor of mechanical engineering Dr. Scott Melin was selected to the 2019-20 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars program.

Pioneer Spotlight: Ian Dreger leads Event Services

Ian Dreger, interim director of event services, came to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2013 as a resident director in the Department of Residence Life. After interning and working at a number of colleges and universities, Dreger immediately felt at home at UW-Platteville.

$250,000 swine education fund gift will enhance student experience

Dr. Charles Heidenreich first left his mark on UW-Platteville when he joined the university in 1966 to teach and help grow Pioneer Farm. Now, more than half a century later, his impact on the university’s agriculture programs is continuing to grow thanks to a $250,000 endowed gift.

Celebrating Rachel: Students in summer history course research African American history

Dr. Eugene Tesdahl, assistant professor of history at UW-Platteville, and a small group of students in his summer history course, The History of Wisconsin, recently helped repair and restore Rachel's headstone (an enslaved African American) at Hillside Cemetery in Platteville, as part of an ongoing research project.

Sargent honored with Woman of the Year Award

Kim Sargent has been supporting women students in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for about eight years. She is now being honored with the university’s 2019 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. 

Pioneer Spotlight: Diana Blindert provides value and service to campus

As Pioneer Printing and Postal Services supervisor, Diana Blindert takes pride in providing valuable services to campus, helping others do their jobs more efficiently.

Kappa Delta Pi chapter honored for educational excellence

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Kappa Delta Pi Iota Rho Chapter was one of the honored recipients of the 2018-19 Membership Chapter Program Award, presented by Kappa Delta Pi.