University News

UW-Platteville to celebrate grand opening of state-of-the-art engineering building

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Press Release, STEM

UW-Platteville will celebrate the grand opening of its newest engineering building, Sesquicentennial Hall, on Thursday, Sept. 1. The $55 million building will adjoin Busby Hall of Engineering to create a 200,000-square-foot state-of-the-art complex that supports interdisciplinary engineering and computer science. 


UW System President Jay Rothman announces Wisconsin Tuition Promise with UW-La Crosse and UW-Platteville

Written By: UW System | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman today announced the creation of the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, a new initiative starting in fall 2023 to ensure underserved Wisconsin students can attend any UW System university without paying tuition or fees. 


Owusu-Ababio honored for impact on students and across globe

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

In his 30-plus years of teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Dr. Samuel Owusu-Ababio, professor of civil engineering, has had a transformational impact on the education of countless students.


Prosise named ELATES Fellow in national leadership program

Written By: Provided by ELATE | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

Dr. Jodi Prosise has been selected for the Class of 2022-2023 of Drexel University’s Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering and Science (ELATES) program – a national leadership development program designed to promote women in academic STEM fields, and faculty allies of all genders, into institutional leadership roles.


UW-Platteville engineering education helps Ricks’ aviation career take off

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, STEM

Andrew Ricks has always had a passion for aviation. He began taking flying lessons as a freshman in high school and earned his pilot’s license when he turned 17. But, his engineering education at UW-Platteville is what gave him the opportunity to turn his hobby into a career designing and creating airplane parts.


Faculty, student researchers to create microgrid cybersecurity testbed

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

A group of faculty and student researchers are working to contribute solutions to the increasing threat of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. With the help of the UW System Ignite Grant Program and several industry partners, including ABB Inc., UW-Platteville will soon be home to a smart microgrid cybersecurity testbed.


UW-Platteville Foundation celebrates record year in fundraising

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Press Release

For the third consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation achieved a record year in donations. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, friends and corporate partners, more than $7.4 million was raised during the 2022 fiscal year, which ended June 30.


Restructured industrial and systems engineering major set to bring new growth to program, respond to industry needs

Written By: Heidi Rhinehart | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

Beginning this fall, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s industrial engineering major will be renamed to industrial and systems engineering – a change that is driven by a growing demand for systems engineering.  


Zolper honored for creating opportunities for engineering students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

Ask a student of Dr. Thomas Zolper about their research, and the answers will be quite varied. Some have worked side-by-side with scientists from the USGS to combat invasive aquatic species. Others are helping to examine the resilience of the Wisconsin energy and information infrastructure against natural or man-made failures. And a few are getting a taste of a different kind of research, as they attempt to scientifically measure what makes people like ice cream. 


Students collaborate with athletics on hydration research, present nationally

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Health and Human Performance, Research

Two seniors in the Department of Health and Human Performance recently presented at the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s annual conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.


Grad finds passion, career success with UW-Platteville MSISCM program

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Business

Some career paths are easily navigated – with a clear, straight road ahead. However, for recent Master of Science in Integrated Supply Chain Management graduate Kristy Knautz, her career path included a sharp right turn.


Recent grads set to make an impact in growing field of plant breeding and biotechnology

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture

Garrett Larsen had a passion for plant biotechnology even before he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Thanks to the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program through BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute and Promega, he had his first real exposure to research before college, which validated his decision to pursue it professionally.


UW-Platteville team places third in national competition

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management

The UW-Platteville TeamWorks team placed third out of 14 post-secondary schools in the Construction SkillsUSA national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.


UW-Platteville alumna reflects on student teaching opportunity in Bayfield

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Education

University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumna Jillian Meister wrapped up her final semester student teaching in Bayfield, Wisconsin, where she received the opportunity to implement culturally responsive teaching practices in her classroom.


Platteville Summer Arts Festival presents the musical ‘Once’

Written By: Ann Dillon Farrelly | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Arts & Culture

The Department of Performing and Visuals Arts and the Platteville Summer Arts Festival present the Tony-Award winning musical “Once" July 29, 30, Aug. 5, and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and July 31 and Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts on the UW-Platteville campus.


Zucker receives Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Psychology

Dr. Jenna Zucker, assistant professor of psychology, is being honored with the UW-Platteville 2022 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.


Students from multiple programs collaborate on clandestine grave documentation research

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, STEM, Research

Faculty from Forensic Investigation and Computer Science and Software Engineering are collaborating on clandestine grave documentation research.


Local artists to exhibit at Schwalbach Gallery

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

Sauk County artists Roberta Condon and Lorraine Ortner-Blake will be featured in the Schwalbach Gallery on the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County campus, starting Friday, July 1.


Savoy recognized with staff award for excellence

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community

UW-Platteville will recognize Josh Savoy, Information Technology Services Help Desk supervisor, with the 2022 University Staff Award for Excellence.


Students have first opportunity to attend largest human resource conference

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Business

Nine students recently attended the 2022 annual Society for Human Resource Management Conference and Expo, the largest gathering of human resource professionals in the world. Dr. Sameer Ahmed made this opportunity possible for students – for the first time – by arranging with conference organizers the possibility for students to volunteer at the conference in exchange for admission. 


Selent selected as Wisconsin Teaching Fellow

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, STEM

Dr. Douglas Selent, assistant professor of computer science and software engineering, is bringing awareness to neurodiversity through his Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars (WTFS) Program Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project.


Sherman honored with Outstanding Woman of Color Award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

Brittany Sherman, a multicultural advisor in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, is being honored with this year's UW-Platteville Outstanding Woman of Color Award.


Show your Pioneer pride, get free admission at Summerfest

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Press Release

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is taking part in Summerfest’s Show Your College Pride Day. Students attending Summerfest who arrive at the Mid Gate Promotions Booth between noon and 3 p.m. on Friday, July 8 wearing UW-Platteville branded gear, such as a shirt or hat, will receive a free admission ticket.


Muller honored with Outstanding Professional Academic Advisor Award 

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

Joanna Muller, an academic advisor in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Office of Professional Program Support, has earned the 2022 Outstanding Professional Academic Advisor Award for exemplifying the best qualities of academic staff advisors. 


Fencl honored with Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, Press Release

Dr. Matthew J. Fencl, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, is one of four recipients across the UW System receiving the 2022 James R. Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award.


Schulenburg receives Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Humanities, Press Release

Dr. Chris Schulenburg, professor of Spanish at UW-Platteville, is one of four recipients across the UW System receiving the 2022 Alliant Energy James R. Underkofler Teaching Excellence award.


Pioneers attend National Agri-Marketing Association student competition

Written By: Kim Van Donsel, School of Agriculture | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture

The National Agri-Marketing Association Club traveled to Kansas City, Missouri to compete in the National Agri-Marketing Student Competition, where they presented their pitch for an agricultural product, FilaMilk, not yet on the market.


UW-Platteville graduate certificate programs offer digital badges to highlight professional skills

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

Students who take advantage of UW-Platteville's graduate-level certificate programs will now begin receiving a digital badge following the successful completion of the program.


Senior design team partners with USGS to combat aquatic nuisance species

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

A group of mechanical engineering students partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey to help combat the spread of invasive species by designing a ballast tank injection system.


Women in STEM K-12 outreach and programming receives $5,000 grant

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Corporate Relations, STEM

UW-Platteville was recently awarded the Anderson Corporate Foundation Grant in the amount of $5,000 for Women in STEM K-12 outreach and programming.


Forensic investigation students attend nationwide conferences

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

A group of forensic investigation students had the opportunity to learn more about the field by attending two virtual conferences, the 74th Annual Scientific Conference hosted by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and Mayo Clinic’s 7th Annual Forensic Science Symposium.


Social sciences students recognized for successes

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Political Science, Social Sciences, Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

The Department of Social Sciences recently announced awards highlighting outstanding student work and accomplishments, including the Outstanding Political Science Graduate Award, special recognition certificates for political science graduates and Outstanding Social Sciences Paper awards.


UW-Platteville expands Engineering Partnership Program

Written By: Heidi Rhinehart | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

UW-Platteville is expanding the reach of its engineering programs with a new partnership with University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Wausau.


School of Agriculture students present research posters at UW System Symposium

Written By: Dr. Kishore Joseph | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture, Research

Two students from the School of Agriculture, Kimberly Van Donsel and Hannah Lemke, presented research posters at the University of Wisconsin System Symposium at UW-Whitewater last month. 


Forensic investigation students conduct outdoor fingerprints research

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation

Timothy Juedes, lecturer of criminal justice and forensic investigation, and a group of his students are investigating the longevity of fingerprints. The research is in its initial phase and is being conducted at the Forensic Investigation Crime Scene House Outdoor Research Facility, where they are determining how long fingerprints can stay on surfaces outside and inside, while comparing results with climate data.


Robotics team wins world championship

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

The Robotics Club’s VEX U team at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville traveled to Dallas, Texas, on May 5 to compete in the VEX Robotics World Championship, where they won the VEX U College and University Competition.


Two from UW-Platteville honored with Aspiring Educators awards

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Education

At a recent Aspiring Educators of Wisconsin Conference, two representatives from UW-Platteville were honored with awards for their commitment to the organization. Kayla Murphy, recruitment and retention coordinator for the School of Education, received the Devoted Chapter Advisor Award. Nathan Murrin, a junior English education major from McHenry, Illinois, received the Dedicated Student Leader Award.


UW-Platteville celebrates 208th commencement, presenting the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community, Press Release

UW-Platteville celebrated its 208th commencement, recognizing the class of 2022 and graduates of spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021. The two ceremonies took place on May 14 in the Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.


Spirit Lake Review publishes 2022 edition

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

Spirit Lake Review, the literary magazine produced at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, celebrated its 19th edition with a return to an in-person launch event.


UW-Platteville launches collaborative physician assistant program

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Biology, Health Care, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release, STEM

After several years of planning, UW-Platteville's collaborative Master of Physician Assistant Studies program is officially open to applicants, with the first cohort scheduled to begin in summer 2023. The program will allow UW-Platteville students to earn a degree through UW-Madison’s nationally-recognized Master of Physician Assistant Studies program, while remaining on the UW-Platteville campus to complete the coursework.


Fireworks, M lighting to celebrate commencement

Written By: Paul Erickson | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Baraboo Sauk County, Campus & Community

To celebrate a special UW-Platteville commencement, the lighting of the M and fireworks are planned for this Saturday, May 14 around 9:15 p.m. The university will celebrate the class of 2022 and graduates of spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021


Haasl publishes new book on computer simulation and genetics

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Biology

Dr. Ryan Haasl, associate professor of biology, recently published “Nature in Silico: Population Genetic Simulation and its Evolutionary Interpretation Using C++ and R” with Springer Nature, a leading scientific publisher.


UW-Platteville to offer free PMI® memberships to students

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: | Featured in: Online Education, Master’s Degree Programs, Press Release

Starting this May, UW-Platteville will participate in the Group Student Membership plan offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). This collaboration provides free PMI memberships for all degree-seeking students in the Master of Science in Project Management program, and all other non-MSPM students enrolled in PROJMGT-prefixed courses. 


UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County Campus and Community choir to perform benefit concert May 10

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County

The UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County Campus and Community Choir will give its first public performance since 2019, as a benefit concert for Ukrainian humanitarian relief at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Baraboo, on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m.  


UW-Platteville takes grand prize in CastExpo competition

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management

The UW-Platteville cast in steel team won the grand prize at the Steel Founders' Society of America (SFSA) CastExpo 2022 Cast in Steel competition in Columbus, Ohio, on April 24.


UW-Platteville team qualifies for SkillsUSA national competition

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management

The UW-Platteville TeamWorks team recently qualified for the Construction SkillsUSA national competition. Team members are Noelle Elfering, Brennan Sullivan, Jake Gathje and Henry James.


We Energies Foundation supports Women in STEM outreach and programming

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Corporate Relations, Women in STEM, STEM

The We Energies Foundation recently donated $5,000 to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Women in STEM program to support outreach and programming efforts. 

UW-Platteville’s nationally-recognized Women in STEM program offers many programs and events for young women and girls from fifth grade through college, in order to create a supportive community where women prosper at UW-Platteville and in their future.


School of Education alumni return to campus, share advice with future teachers

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Education

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, School of Education students have been learning from retired educators and helping to celebrate their careers.


Recent grad makes a splash in the Platteville community

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Campus & Community, Psychology

When Baird Miller came to UW-Platteville, the Madison, Wisconsin native and former competitive swimmer described himself as feeling “like a fish out of water.” However, his love for swimming opened up new, unexpected connections for him on campus and in the greater Platteville community.


Alumnus, vice president of General Motors shares advice with students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Applied Engineering Technology Management

UW-Platteville alumnus and Vice President of Electric Vehicle Excellence at General Motors Tim Herrick recently visited campus and shared advice with students from his 38 years with General Motors, many of which were spent in leadership roles.