The University of Wisconsin-Platteville marching band, the Marching Pioneers, will be performing at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Oct. 20 when the Green Bay Packers play the Houston Texans. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.

This is a rare opportunity for band members, whose numbers are estimated to be between 170-180 this season, according to Matt Gregg, director of bands at UW-Platteville. “Each year, I try to take the band on a trip to perform outside of Platteville,” said Gregg. “On any trip, it is a priority to promote UW-Platteville and the Marching Pioneers by getting them in front of as many people as possible.”

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently awarded five 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-Madison, UW-Platteville and UW-River Falls campuses to keep Wisconsin’s $45.6 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.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will recognize Helen Ramthun, who is pursuing her Master of Science in Supply Chain Management at UW-Platteville, as the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Woman of Color Award. The Outstanding Woman of Color Award recognizes women of color who have shown passion for their work, outstanding university and community service and dedication to creating an inclusive and respectful environment.

Ramthun, who was born in Kenya, earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Macalester College, in Minnesota, as a college exchange student. She served in the US military and was honorably discharged as an Airman in the US Navy in 2001. She has worked for the State of Wisconsin and nonprofit organizations serving the public and people of Wisconsin since 2009, with her current role as a museum clerk for the Wisconsin Historical Society.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will recognize Brian Loeffelholz, inventory control supervisor with facilities management, with the 2024 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.

In his position, Loeffelholz is responsible for the security, safety and organization of all warehousing locations under facilities management control. This includes maintaining a real time inventory of goods warehoused using the campus’ computerized maintenance management system. Loeffelholz says he hopes to make the physical plant run smoothly with the right item in hand and that being named a recipient of the award makes him feel like the job he does is seen and appreciated.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will recognize Elizabeth Tremelling, academic advisor in Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, as one of two recipients of the 2024 Dr. Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award, which recognizes employees and students who identify as a woman and make a difference in the lives of others in the campus community.

“Beth has demonstrated dedication and uses her voice to promote, empower and support women at UW-Platteville as well as students, especially young women preparing for careers in a field well-known to be adversarial to women,” said Dr. Will LeSuer, chair and associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, who nominated Tremelling.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture faculty Dr. Joe Sanford, Dr. Chris Baxter and David Heimerdinger have been awarded a substantial grant from the CHS Foundation to advance the university's precision agriculture initiatives. The grant will specifically support the enhancement of the precision agriculture course curriculum and the potential development of a precision agriculture certificate program within the university's offerings.

Precision agriculture utilizes cutting-edge technology to optimize crop production efficiency and sustainability, making it a crucial area of study for the next generation of agricultural professionals. With the support of an $80,000 grant from CHS Foundation, the School of Agriculture team will integrate state-of-the-art tools and techniques into the coursework. This initiative will provide students with hands-on experience and prepare them for careers in modern agriculture.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will recognize Justin Daugherty, animal care manager at Pioneer Farm, with the 2024 Academic Staff Award for Excellence.

“Receiving the Academic Staff Award is such an honor,” said Daugherty. “To be nominated by your peers for doing a job you love is amazing.”

The award recognizes staff members who provide essential services to the university while demonstrating excellence of performance, personal interaction, initiative and creativity.

Continuing their ongoing partnership, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Madison College have formalized a new articulation agreement to streamline the transfer process for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in data science. Effective July 1, 2024, this agreement underscores both institutions’ commitment to academic collaboration and student success.

Qualified Madison College students completing an Associate of Science degree will now have guaranteed admission into UW-Platteville's Bachelor of Science in data science program, provided they meet UW-Platteville's minimum admission requirements. Key provisions include completion of prerequisite courses such as Basic Statistics and Computer Science at Madison College before enrolling at UW-Platteville.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will recognize Laura Franklin, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, as one of two recipients of the 2024 Dr. Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award, which recognizes employees and students who identify as a woman and make a difference in the lives of others in the campus community.

“I am honored and humbled to be a recipient of the Dr. Carol Sue Butts Woman of the Year Award,” said Franklin. “A long line of tremendous women come before me in receiving this award, and I am honored to stand amongst them.”

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation announces the merger of its Alumni Association board and Foundation board, effective July 2024, forming the unified UW-Platteville Foundation and Alumni Association, Inc. This decision underscores a renewed commitment to alumni engagement and university support, marking a significant milestone in strategic planning and collaboration. 

"The consolidation of our boards will create a stronger, unified voice in advocating for UW-Platteville's interests and priorities," stated Dr. Tammy Evetovich, chancellor of UW-Platteville. "This integration will play a crucial role in nurturing relationships with university stakeholders, attracting potential donors and championing initiatives that benefit the entire UW-Platteville community." 

The Department of Performing and Visuals Arts and the Platteville Summer Arts Festival present the musical “Into the Woods.” Featuring the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, this musical is deemed one of Sondheim’s most popular works. With a successful debut and run in 1986 in San Diego, California, the production premiered on Broadway the following year where it won three major Tony Awards. Featuring everyone’s favorite fairy tale characters, Sondheim and Lapine's second collaboration tells the whimsical story of dreams, sacrifice and a journey of paths intertwined by chance exploring the true cost of granted wishes. "Into the Woods" brings an entirely new meaning to storytelling and this enchanting story is one for audiences of all ages to enjoy. The production runs July 26, 27, Aug. 2, and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 and Aug. 4 at 2 p.m.

When Dr. Xiaoguang Ma, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, set out to teach a new computer engineering course this year, he knew he wanted a way to connect theory with real-life application in order to deliver the hands-on education that the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is known for. What resulted is a collaboration with a global software manufacturer that is opening the door to enhanced student learning and new student-led research opportunities.

As students traverse the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, each arrives with a unique story and background all their own. Many come seeking skills and experiences to launch them into a world beyond the university. Yet there are students who, simply by their presence, impart profound lessons themselves. This is the story known to teachers and colleagues alike of 21-year-old Kyle Quinn. 

“A phrase I live by is ‘Defy the odds, do what you can do, not what others say you cannot,’” said Quinn. 

Dr. Lynnette Dornak, associate professor of environmental science and society at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has been selected for the 2024-2025 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program. She is one of two UW-Platteville faculty members selected for the Universities of Wisconsin program this year.

Dornak, who started her teaching journey as a graduate teaching assistant at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2000, has taught a variety of biology, natural science and geospatial courses. She has been with UW-Platteville since the fall of 2014.

Enrolling in the Applied Engineering Technology Management program at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville offers students a unique pathway to a dynamic and impactful career across three key disciplines: engineering technology management, construction management and technology and engineering education. Formerly known as the Department of Industrial Studies, it equips students with specialized knowledge and practical skills highly sought after in today’s job market.

"Our Bachelor of Science programs in applied engineering technology effectively bridge the gap between a two-year technology degree and a full engineering degree," said Dr. Wayne Weber, dean of the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture. "These programs emphasize hands-on experiential learning in our state-of-the-art labs, covering robotics, control systems, automation, metals and more. Students also gain industry experience through required internships with our many industry partners."

Dr. Lucie Kadjo, associate professor of agribusiness in the School of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has been selected for the 2024-2025 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program. She is one of two UW-Platteville faculty members selected for the Universities of Wisconsin program this year.

Kadjo joined UW-Platteville in January 2016. She is the agribusiness program coordinator, advisor of the National Agri-Marketing Association club and teaches Marketing Management, Quantitative Methods, Introduction to Agribusiness, Consumer and Producer Cooperatives and Agricultural Marketing. Her research interests include marketing of agricultural products and demand and price analysis.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation proudly announces another historic achievement in philanthropy, raising more than $9.3 million during the 2024 fiscal year. This marks the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking donations. The remarkable milestone reflects a significant increase over last year's total of $8.7 million and $2 million more than two years ago.

Dr. Tammy Evetovich, Chancellor of UW-Platteville, expressed gratitude for the continued generosity and commitment of donors. “I am deeply grateful for every individual who made this milestone possible," said Chancellor Evetovich. "Achieving a fifth consecutive year of record-breaking fundraising is truly a reflection of the pride people have in this university. Together, we are laying the foundation for continued excellence and preparing for the future, today.”

Biology students at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville stepped into chest waders and took to the water to conduct fish sampling. Fish sampling provides a straightforward method to assess fish populations or communities, particularly in their habitats. It’s part of a broader collaboration with Trout Unlimited, a national nonprofit organization that focuses on conserving, protecting and restoring America’s coldwater fisheries and watersheds.

The research is led by UW-Platteville Biology Professor Dr. Kristopher Wright, who has been conducting long-term monitoring at 42 sites for the local chapter of Trout Unlimited. He describes streams as the barometer of the local environment, calling them the lifeblood of the surrounding ecosystem.

Dr. Eugene Tesdahl, associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is being recognized with the 2024 Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award. Created by Provost Emeritus Dr. Mittie Nimocks Den Herder, the Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award honors and 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.

Nimocks Den Herder served as provost of UW-Platteville when Tesdahl began his career at UW-Platteville in 2014. He said her legacy continues to enhance the institution, and he is deeply humbled to be recognized with the Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award. Tesdahl’s colleagues agree that he is leaving his own mark at UW-Platteville.

Dr. Mohammad Rabbani, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is being presented with the 2024 Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. Rabbani, who has been teaching at UW-Platteville since 2013, has made lasting contributions to UW-Platteville’s chemistry department.

Based on his earlier teaching experiences using traditional lecturing techniques and flipped classroom techniques, Rabbani recently developed a semi-flipped classroom technique, which effectively engages chemistry students in in-classroom and outside-classroom activities. He also developed simulation experiments that cover all General Chemistry II lab sections on both of UW-Platteville’s campuses.

Rabbani says engaging students is a key challenge in effective teaching. He enjoys the “aha” moment when he realizes students are motivated and engaged in study materials and hopes students take away hands-on experience, motivation and confidence from his classes.

Dr. David Krugler, professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, was selected as one of the recipients of the 2024 Alliant Energy James R. Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Awards. The 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.

Krugler said that being named a recipient of this award is the honor of a career. Flattered and honored to receive the award, he said he is lucky to work alongside many talented and accomplished colleagues who have inspired him to be the best teacher he can be. Among those colleagues are even former students, like Winifred Redfearn.

In a recent show of its continued support of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Construction Management and Construction Safety Management programs, Miron Construction Co., Inc. donated a mini-excavator – giving UW-Platteville students greater access to hands-on experience in the programs.

This donation is the latest milestone in a longstanding partnership between UW-Platteville and the Neenah, Wisconsin-based company. Miron Construction plays an essential role on UW-Platteville’s Construction Management and Construction Safety Management Advisory Board and provides internships to UW-Platteville students. More than 30 UW-Platteville alumni are currently employed at Miron Construction.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Collegiate Crops Team recently competed in the National Association of College Teachers in Agriculture crops contest April 17-20, hosted by the University of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho.  Eighty-three students from 14 universities participated in the event. The UW-Platteville team took ninth place overall in the NACTA Judging Conference.

UW-Platteville team members included Mandi Downing, a senior from Monroe, Wisconsin; Reece Franke, a senior from Yuba, Wisconsin; Anna Hagemann, a junior from Monroe Center, Illinois; Anna Koehler, a sophomore from Jefferson, Wisconsin; Jack Lichte, a junior from Baraboo, Wisconsin; April Molitor, a senior from Reedsburg, Wisconsin; and Leah Phillips, a sophomore from Maribel, Wisconsin.

The Cybersecurity Club at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville participated in the picoCTF 2024 competition, where its team placed 17th out of 539 undergraduate schools.

“I am proud of our team's achievement and believe it reflects positively on our institution's commitment to excellence in cybersecurity education,” said Dr. Bassam Zahran, assistant professor of computer science and software engineering and club advisor. “This success underscores the value of our Cybersecurity program and the caliber of our students.”

UW-Platteville students who participated in the event included Matt Betanski, Brady Coenen, Tyler Freeman, Parker Stork and Riley Basaran.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announces a new transfer agreement with the University of California-Los Angeles Extension. Students who complete the Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering certificate with UCLA Extension can automatically transfer 12 credits to UW-Platteville’s online Master of Science in Engineering program. In addition, UW-Platteville is adding an aerospace manufacturing engineering emphasis to its online master’s program.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville celebrated its 212th commencement on May 11, recognizing 970 spring and summer degree candidates in three separate ceremonies.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you,” said UW-Platteville Chancellor Tammy Evetovich, who presided over the three ceremonies. “Today marks a significant milestone in your journey, and it is no doubt the culmination of a lot of hard work, dedication and determination.”

The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science recognized over 300 candidates, including 19 graduate degree candidates. The College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture honored more than 350 candidates, including more than 50 graduate degree candidates. The College of Liberal Arts and Education recognized more than 260 undergraduate and graduate degree candidates, as well as 44 associate degree candidates.

The National Agri-Marketing Association Club at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture recently traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to compete in the National Agri-Marketing Association Student Competition. There, students presented their marketing plan for an agricultural product, EasyEatz, not yet on the market. EasyEatz is dehydrated beef turned into flakes to facilitate the consumption of beef for elderly people. The students competed against 25 universities from around the country and Canada.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Collegiate Soils Team recently competed in two national contests, where students describe and scientifically classify soils and landforms using tools and techniques employed by professional soil scientists. Students are scored based on agreement of their descriptions and classifications with that of professional soil scientists.

On April 11, Dr. Andrey V. Ivanov, associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, delivered the annual Endowed McGaffey Lecture on the UW-Milwaukee campus. The lecture was endowed by Jere D. McGaffey, J.D., Hon.LL.D., eminent Milwaukee attorney and partner emeritus at Foley & Lardner, to bring a speaker to campus once a year, focusing on that year’s most suitable topic in political history.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Performing and Visual Arts will present its annual "Project RunAway: Wearable Art in Motion” on Tuesday, May 7, showcasing work by students enrolled in Sarah Strange's Advanced Costume Construction class and Scott Steder's 3D Design. The event, which features a runway show, is free and open to the public, and will take place in the Center for the Arts, Studio Theatre. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. 

"Our students have worked tirelessly over the last few weeks,” said Steder. “Creating pieces based on the elements and principles of design while holding true to a specific concept. It has been remarkable to watch these students manipulate material to achieve a desired outcome."  

The Aspiring Educators at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville hosted its second annual Teacher Panel in Doudna Hall on April 30. The student organization hosted 15 educational professionals from the surrounding school districts, including Platteville, Richland Center, Cuba City, Benton and Dodgeville. Guided by questions crafted by the Aspiring Educators, the local educators shared their experiences teaching in rural areas. Themes included how to build relationships with students and families, how to deliver content in exciting ways, and how to navigate the transition from student teaching to having one’s own class. 

The teachers consistently shared the importance of “showing up for kids.” Whether it is attending a band concert, coaching or taking students on a field trip, all the local educators echoed the need to get involved. After the panel, the Aspiring Educators hosted a reception for UW-Platteville students and local educators. 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will hold its 212th commencement on Saturday, May 11. Chancellor Tammy Evetovich will preside over the three commencement ceremonies, which will be held on Bo Ryan Court, inside Williams Fieldhouse.

The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and recognize just over 300 candidates. Tammy Salmon-Stephens, alumna and director of the College of EMS Student Success Programs, will deliver the commencement address. Jacob Keller, a mechanical engineering major from Monticello, Minnesota, is the senior speaker. Dr. Qiong Li, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry, is the ceremony’s marshal. Ethan Chyla, Makenna Halvensleben and Colin Fick will be recognized as the college’s valedictorians.

Thousands of dedicated middle and high school student musicians from across the state are preparing for the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festivals. UW-Platteville will host this event on Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. It will be open to the public and free of charge. 

“The WSMA State Music Festival is an enriching experience for all participants, both performers and their supporters,” said Matt Gregg, Festival Manager for UW-Platteville. “It is also an opportunity for our music program to showcase our facilities and emphasize how much we value and support the efforts of our school music colleagues, their students and their families.”

The final month of the academic year is a busy time for students in all disciplines across campus, but for the senior Visual Arts students, to say they are “working hard” this time of year is an understatement. Before this semester is over, these students will exhibit original artwork in Nohr Gallery and at multiple locations across campus and within the Platteville community.

Designed to create shared intellectual experiences for first year students, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s groundbreaking Helios Program has succeeded in generating impressive community and academic enrichment in only two years.

Nine University of Wisconsin-Platteville business students in the Entrepreneurship Field Experience class had the opportunity to attend the South by Southwest Conference and Festival last month in Austin, Texas. SXSW is one of the world’s most influential conferences for digital creatives and entrepreneurs to discover innovations, imagine new opportunities and network with other professionals while celebrating the confluence of tech, film, music, culture and more. It offered students opportunities to hear firsthand from and network with industry professionals and entrepreneurs.

In addition to attending conference sessions and the expo hall, students also visited corporate offices and co-working spaces and had meetings with various startup CEOs and business leaders, all of whom were people Maia Donohue, director of the IDEA Hub, worked with during his time in Austin.

University of Wisconsin-Platteville junior Olivia Adams was recently named a recipient of the 2024 Barry Goldwater Scholarship. She is the first UW-Platteville student to be honored with this prestigious award and one of only 438 students nationwide to receive the 2024 scholarship.

“I was shocked to find out that I was a recipient of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship,” said Adams, an animal science major with a pre-veterinary emphasis from Cassville, Wisconsin. “I am honored to be awarded such a competitive, prestigious scholarship and would like to thank those that supported me throughout the process.”

The Steel Bridge Team at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently competed in the Western Great Lakes Student Steel Bridge 2024 Regional Competition, which was held in Chicago, Illinois, where they took home multiple awards and are advancing to the national competition.

The team competed against 14 other teams and placed second overall, first in the categories of stiffness and structural efficiency and third in cost estimation.

Faculty, staff, students and family gathered on April 11 to honor Dr. Scott Ringgenberg, former professor and chair of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Health and Human Performance Department, with the formal naming and dedication of the Dr. Scott Ringgenberg Ropes Course. Ringgenberg began his career at UW-Platteville in 2000. He passed away in 2022, following a long battle with cancer. 

“Scott was always known for being the adventure education guy,” said Tim Swenson, assistant professor of health and human performance. “When he came to UW-Platteville, adventure education was a new area of physical education, becoming more popular, and he was the driving force behind getting the high ropes course put in Williams Fieldhouse.”

Dr. Mohammad Rabbani, associate professor in the chemistry department at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is helping to train Platteville middle school students in order for them to get practical lab experience for Crime Busters, a Science Olympiad STEM event.

“It is very important to support the Platteville school system and promote STEM education,” said Rabbani. “When students build their skills and confidence in the STEM field, they can see themselves as future leaders in science and technology.”

Thanks to the collaboration between the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's College of Liberal Arts and Education and the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, students have the opportunity to study Chinese.

Offered this spring, Elementary Chinese includes the study of the Chinese pronunciation system, initials and finals, writing structures, basic patterns of Chinese grammar, and application of foundational words, phrases, and sentences in daily communication and interpersonal interactions. Students will develop basic Chinese language skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and comprehension. Students also explore the culture of China and its 5,000 years of history.

Faculty in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Construction Safety Management program have been working on a partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the last two years to provide construction safety training for WisDOT staff in all regional offices – Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Rhinelander, Superior, Waukesha and Wisconsin Rapids.

Gretchen Bockenhauer, program coordinator and assistant professor of construction management, said UW-Platteville’s Construction Safety Management program is unique in that it is one of the few across the country that focuses on construction safety. She said that industry partners and alumni recommended the WisDOT partner with UW-Platteville because the university has so many resources.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville celebrated the investiture of Chancellor Tammy Evetovich on April 4, welcoming more than 400 faculty, staff, students, distinguished guests, alumni and community members to Bo Ryan Court in the Williams Fieldhouse.

In her investiture address, Chancellor Evetovich remarked on her upbringing on her family’s farm in rural Nebraska.

“It is unreal for me to think of where I started and where I am now and all the twists and turns that got me to this point,” she said. “I am a first-generation student. While my parents did not push me to go to college, they certainly let me know that it was possible. I know firsthand the value of education, and I know that it has impacted my life and it will impact the lives of my family for generations to come. For that reason, I am committed to ensuring that all of those who want to go to college and to graduate can do so.”

Terrence Ingram’s lifelong passion for nature propelled him through a celebrated career in conservationism that spanned more than 60 years. Now, his recent estate gift to the UW-Platteville Foundation will ensure opportunities for the next generation of students to continue his work in this field.

Ingram graduated from UW-Platteville in 1961. While his degrees were in physics and mathematics, he never let go of his passion for environmentalism, particularly studying birds. Ingram says, as a high schooler, he spent every Sunday afternoon in the timber looking for birds.

“I took a course in ornithology at Platteville, even though the professor didn’t think I should because I didn’t have a biology background,” said Ingram. “But, by the time the class was over, I was taking half the class on fieldtrips, while the professor took the other half.”

Dr. Les Hollingsworth, director of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Business, was invited to be a guest lecturer at Darmstadt University of Applied Science in Germany, where he taught an international sales and marketing course during winterim.

Students from the United States, Brazil, Georgia, Indonesia and Korea came together for several weeks to engage in both corporate and cultural excursions with the class. This included visiting the regional distribution center for Stihl and going to the Frankfurt area to learn and experience German culture.

During Hollingsworth’s course, students were put into teams to complete projects and presentations with students from other countries to build cross-cultural competence.

Maria Aguilar is the bilingual registry commissioner for the Wisconsin Registry. In her role as the commissioner, she is responsible for reviewing the work of students hoping to receive a Wisconsin Child Care and Education Credential. At each credential commission, students from across Wisconsin present their work through a live presentation and portfolio of work.  Maria’s job is to evaluate the students’ work and ensure that every student has mastered the strict criteria of competencies required to effectively care for and educate Wisconsin’s youth. The registry commissioner is an important and prestigious position in the Wisconsin childcare field.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Education hosted its second annual Rurally Responsive Education Conference, “The Rural Brain Gain and Promise for Rural Communities,” on March 27. Made possible by a grant from the Tommy G. Thompson Center for Public Leadership at UW-Madison, the event included the Rural School Job Fair, which had representatives from eight rural school districts. The conference and job fair welcomed approximately 100 participants – including current faculty, staff and students; regional education partners; alumni; and community members – to explore current issues and needs related to education in rural communities.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will present the hit comedy “The Addams Family: A New Musical.” With a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, the show is based on “The Addams Family” characters created by Charles Adams. Performances are Friday, April 5, Saturday, April 6, Thursday, April 11, Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 7 and Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. There also will be a special matinee at 11 a.m. on April 10. All performances will be held in the Brodbeck Concert Hall at the Center for the Arts on the UW-Platteville campus.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s newest building, Sesquicentennial Hall, has received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, re-confirming UW-Platteville’s continuing commitment to sustainability. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system worldwide and provides a framework for healthy, efficient and cost-saving green buildings. Sesquicentennial Hall is the first Universities of Wisconsin building dedicated to engineering to achieve a LEED Gold certification.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announces that Dr. Travis Nelson will serve as the interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education. He will begin the position on May 6.

Nelson joined UW-Platteville in 2010. He is a professor of political science and has served in the role of associate dean for the College of LAE since 2022. His previous roles at UW-Platteville include chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences and director of General Education. Nelson earned a Ph.D. and Master of Arts in political science from UW-Madison and bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Olaf College.

“I am excited to welcome Dr. Nelson into this role,” said Chancellor Tammy Evetovich. “His energy and enthusiasm combined with his extensive experience and commitment to the College of LAE, and UW-Platteville as a whole, will undoubtedly make him a dynamic, effective leader.”