Alumni

Project management alumnus reinvests in others’ education

Authored on: Jan 01, 2021, Written by: Eric Herbst

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Dion Shaw is a strong believer in developing your mind – even as the UW-Platteville graduate fights a disease that’s attacking his. In 1991, Shaw was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but that didn’t stop him from living an active life and giving back to others.

Engineering alumna supports women In STEM

Authored on: Jan 01, 2021, Written by: Megan Hinderman

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Ever since she was a little girl, Meredith “Mere” Dentice Johnson knew she wanted to be an engineer. Johnson’s love of math and science eventually led her to UW-Platteville to pursue a degree in industrial engineering.

Online M.S. Project Management program recognized as a top value

Authored on: Jan 01, 2021, Written by: Stephen Kelley

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UW-Platteville's online Master of Science in Project Management program was ranked as a Top 25 Best Value Online Graduate Programs for 2021 by Value Colleges. The ranking is based on the cost of the program and student-to-faculty ratios.

Chancellor Shields to meet with alumni through virtual ‘Fireside Chats’

Authored on: Jan 01, 2021, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is hosting a new series titled Fireside Chats with Chancellor Dennis J. Shields where alumni from across the country can connect with the campus community. Throughout the next few months, Zoom events will be taking place in multiple states starting with Florida and Arizona on Friday, Jan. 29.

UW-Platteville announces graduate-level credit for SHRM certificates

Authored on: Dec 12, 2020, Written by: Stephen Kelley

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The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announces it will now award graduate-level credits for certificates earned through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Enhance Your Career with Professional Pathway Certificates from the Continuing Education Institute

Authored on: Dec 12, 2020, Written by: Eric Herbst

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The Continuing Education Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is proud to offer additional opportunities for professional growth with their Professional Pathway Certificate programs.

Pioneer Spotlight: Samantha Birkicht

Authored on: Dec 12, 2020, Written by: Jason Piddington

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Samantha (Rogers) Birkicht is currently in her fourth year as head volleyball coach for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Alumnus to conclude Engineering Seminar Series

Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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Alumnus Lavern Nall, a 1972 civil engineering graduate, will present at the final virtual event of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science Engineering Seminar Series on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Nall, who is the president of Strass Maguire and Associates, will discuss the topic of Protection of Buildings from the Construction of Milwaukee’s “Deep Tunnel.”

Engineering alumni create the Beth and Gary Goldberg Scholarship

Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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The Goldbergs credit their education at UW-Platteville with giving them the foundation to succeed. To help assist current Pioneers on their collegiate journey, the couple have established the Beth and Gary Goldberg Scholarship.

UW-Platteville alumni invited to participate in national survey

Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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UW-Platteville has partnered with the Career Leadership Collective, a higher education solutions group, to conduct a national online survey to collect career pathway data from alumni.

Criminal Justice Instructor Chris Polzer wins 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award

Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Cheryl Lange

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Two-time UW-Platteville graduate and Criminal Justice Instructor Chris Polzer was named one of the university’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni. Recipients of the honor, which is presented by the Alumni Association, are chosen for their contributions to and recognition in their professions and communities, and continued engagement with the university.

Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Weigel

Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Megan Hinderman

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Throughout his career, Ryan Weigel has felt the influence of UW-Platteville. From the time he graduated as an animal science major, to his own role as an educator today, Weigel acknowledges the friends, family and mentors that have helped him along the way.

2020 Distance Education Scholarship winners announced

Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Cheryl Lange

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The Center for Distance Learning is proud to announce the 2020 winners of the Dawn Drake Excellence in Distance Education Scholarship, Gary Apperson Memorial Scholarship, and Ruth Miller Challenge Scholarship. The scholarships, which are awarded each year to students enrolled in distance education programs, were created to provide additional financial support for UW-Platteville students.

Student achieves international recognition in martial arts


Authored on: Nov 11, 2020, Written by: Marie Whisenant, Coordinator, Confucius Institute

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After taking advantage of some of the classes offered through the UW-Platteville Confucius Institute, John Schaeffer recently participated – and placed – in two different international video competitions for Ba Duan Jin, a popular traditional Chinese mind-body exercise.

Alumna to present at the EMS Engineering Seminar Series

Authored on: Oct 10, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science is hosting its third virtual event in the Engineering Seminar Series on Tuesday, Nov. 10, featuring alumna Lauren Ray, a 2001 civil engineering graduate, and Marc Ruden, both of IIW, P.C.

Pioneers Day of Giving raises more than $141,500 for student success

Authored on: Oct 10, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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UW-Platteville alumni and friends celebrated Pioneers Day of Giving by raising $141,514 on Oct. 9. The university surpassed its goal with more than 290 donors.

Family legacy honored with renaming of Busby Hall of Engineering

Authored on: Sep 09, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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For more than 50 years, the Busby family has helped transform and enrich UW-Platteville and the greater Platteville community. To honor their family legacy, UW-Platteville will rename Engineering Hall to the Busby Hall of Engineering.

Engineering alumni and professor launch Skillzboard, LLC

Authored on: Sep 09, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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It’s an idea that has evolved since 2019 when four engineering students and Dr. Gokul “Gopal” Gopalakrishnan, associate professor of engineering physics, discussed their passion for rock climbing and developed the first prototype of Skillzboard. Today, Gopal and his former students are now partners and have started their own company.

Recent alumni publish academic work, credit summer research program

Authored on: Sep 09, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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Two recent UW-Platteville alumni, Kathryn Bartels and Dominique Kornely, have had their research work accepted for publication in academic journals. Both alumni are former participants of UW-Platteville’s Summer Undergraduate Scholars Program and credit the program for their success.

UW-Platteville to celebrate Pioneers Day of Giving

Authored on: Sep 09, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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UW-Platteville will celebrate 154 years since becoming an institution on Friday, Oct. 9. In honor of Founder’s Day, alumni and friends are invited to participate in the annual Pioneers Day of Giving. The all-day event raises funds to support student success.

LRT Family Scholarship connects Minnesota students to UW-Platteville

Authored on: Sep 09, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

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The message to never give up is one that alumnus Greg Loek ’80 and his wife Kathy Rice share through their endowed Loek-Rice-Titus Family Engineering, Mathematics, and Science Scholarship. The renewable four-year scholarship is targeted to UW-Platteville students from Minnesota who have declared a major in the College of EMS. Both Loek and Rice, who have spent their careers as engineers, want to give students an opportunity to further their education.

Teresa’s Team carries on a giving legacy

Authored on: Aug 08, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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Remembered as an “individual more concerned with making a difference than making a fortune,” Teresa Kirkeeng-Kincaid ‘80 was a leader in the engineering field, respected as much for her care and compassion as for her expertise and drive. It is this legacy that her family hopes to see carry on through others with the Teresa Kirkeeng-Kincaid Memorial Scholarship for Women in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Nancy Ware’s giving legacy lives on

Authored on: Aug 08, 2020, Written by: Paul Erickson

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Nancy Ware was one of the most visible citizens in Platteville, whether at sporting competitions, at the swimming pool or taking her dog out for a walk. It was only fitting that in her will, she ensured her impact would live on in the city for years to come.

The story behind the scholarship: James Bade

Authored on: Jul 07, 2020, Written by: Jane Halpern

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When freshmen arrive at UW-Platteville every year, many of them notice the names attached to their financial aid statements. These loyal alumni of UW-Platteville have shown their commitment to the future of the school by funding scholarships for students much like themselves, just starting out on their careers. One of these generous Pioneers is James Bade, a Wisconsin native whose long career with Shell took him far from his hometown, state, and even country.

Foundation breaks $4 million in donations for first time

Authored on: Jul 07, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

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The UW-Platteville Foundation is celebrating a new milestone, as it recently announced record fundraising for the 2020 fiscal year, which ended on June 30. UW-Platteville alumni, friends and corporate partners donated more than $4 million for the first time ever, exceeding the previous year’s total by $1 million.