Alumni | UW-Platteville News

The story behind the scholarship: James Bade

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

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

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.

Pioneer Spotlight: Jeff Gard

Authored on: Jul 07, 2020, Written by: Jason Piddington

Jeff Gard just finished his 11th season as head basketball coach of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Being in athletics was always Jeff’s dream and goal as a young man growing up in Cobb, Wisconsin. He was surrounded by coaches who helped mentor and guide him along the way, and coaching was his opportunity to stay in athletics.

The Bill and Jean Sanders Scholarship: A Way Of Sharing

Authored on: Jun 06, 2020, Written by: Jane Halpern

If you are a mathematics major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, then odds are that some aspect of your life has been touched by either Bill or Jean Sanders. The pair taught at the university for a combined total of 56 years, and their shared love of mathematics helped inspire multiple generations of Platteville students to pursue careers in STEM. When the couple retired in 2000, they decided they weren’t done being Pioneers. By funding two scholarships, one for new freshmen and one for continuing mathematics students, the couple have ensured an ongoing impact on today’s Pioneers.

Alumni transcribe Apollo 11 history

Authored on: May 05, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

Two recent UW-Platteville graduates are pursuing their Ph.Ds. at the University of Texas at Dallas and contributing to a variety of projects that are significant to both the past and future.

Matching gift supports Pioneers Helping Pioneers fund

Authored on: May 05, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

Joshua Boots, assistant vice chancellor of development and alumni engagement, announced today that the UW-Platteville Foundation has received a $15,000 matching gift donation from an anonymous couple. This gift will match donations made to UW-Platteville’s $100,000 initiative in support of the Pioneers Helping Pioneers fund.

Alumnus finds success in innovation at UW-Platteville, now supports others

Authored on: May 05, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

Recent graduate Caleb Dykema is taking the experiences in innovation he found at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and inspiring others to achieve the same through his new podcast, Just the Bulb.

Teal draws on UW-Platteville education, experiences to help others during COVID-19 crisis

Authored on: May 05, 2020, Written by: Laurie Hamer

During the COVID-19 crisis, University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumni who provide critical services and resources to those in need have risen to the challenge by adapting and innovating new ways of staying connected with their clients in ways that meet safer-at-home guidelines. To do so, they often draw upon their education and experiences at UW-Platteville.

Paying it Forward: The Huff Family Scholarship Fund

Authored on: May 05, 2020, Written by: Jane Halpern

When you ask Bill Huff what motivated him to give back to UW-Platteville, he likes to answer the question with a story. “As a veteran discharged in 1955, I was aware that education was a license for a better life,” Huff said. Founded in 2003, the Foundation allows Huff to give back in profound ways to a wide range of projects and causes.

Pioneer Spotlight: Joshua Boots

Authored on: Apr 04, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

Joshua Boots joined UW-Platteville as the assistant vice chancellor for Development and Alumni Engagement last November. He works with alumni and friends of UW-Platteville to connect them with the university and find ways they can make a difference.

Timmerman credits UW-Platteville for personal, professional success

Authored on: Apr 04, 2020, Written by: Laurie Hamer

When University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumnus Brett Timmerman first arrived at the university in August 2001, he was excited about beginning his college career. Despite his excitement, however, he also had some apprehension, but he proceeded into uncertainty, never imagining that someday, he would become a successful realtor and political fundraiser.

Pioneers answer the call for help

Authored on: Apr 04, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many UW-Platteville students are finding themselves facing mounting financial challenges. But in a show of Pioneer spirit, many alumni, friends, faculty and staff have already stepped in to help. Created in 2019, the Pioneers Helping Pioneers fund provides emergency financial support to students with unexpected expenses, outside of tuition. When a call for assistance went out to alumni, friends, faculty and staff last week, more than $5,500 was raised for the fund in only a few days, with donations continuing to come in.

Alumnus invests in the future of engineering students through scholarship

Authored on: Mar 03, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

“The older you get the more you appreciate the opportunities you had at the university because you begin to see how fortunate you are to have attended UW-Platteville,” said Robert Bates ’70. Bates credits his educational experience at Wisconsin State University-Platteville in helping him create his civil engineering firm, Bates Engineering Inc., located in Denver, Colorado. Now, he’s making a long-term commitment to his alma mater through the endowed Bates Engineering Inc. scholarship.

Redfearn credits family, UW-Platteville for igniting passion for history

Authored on: Feb 02, 2020, Written by: Laurie Hamer

From the time she was about nine years old, UW-Platteville alumna Winifred (Winnie) Redfearn knew that she wanted to be a history professor. Over the years, her love of history grew, and she realized that, more than anything, she wanted to open a window to the past and share the stories of those whose voices had never been heard.

Something That You Love Doing: The David Murphy and Virginia Bowar Scholarship

Authored on: Feb 02, 2020, Written by: Jane Halpern

When you ask Dave Murphy to describe the goals of the UW-Platteville scholarship that bears his name, the recently-retired president of MSA Professional Services is typically modest. “I really hope that I made it easier on the students’ parents, on the families who are supporting them,” he said. “And I hope it makes a difference to the students.”

Strand Associates’ impactful gift to support College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science students

Authored on: Feb 02, 2020, Written by: Alison Parkins

A longtime partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Strand Associates was recently reaffirmed with a $200,000 commitment from the engineering firm, located in Madison, Wisconsin.

Alumna gives back through scholarship

Authored on: Jan 01, 2020, Written by: Ruth Wendlandt

Following graduation from UW-Platteville, Jill Furman '03 earned her master’s degree in electrical engineering from UW-Madison and with her first pay check out of graduate school she created the Jill Pamperin and Miles Hill “Lab Rat” Scholarship, in honor of her classmate at UW-Platteville, Miles Hill.

Gift to the Wright Center to enhance experience for non-traditional, veteran students

Authored on: Dec 12, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

A recent $143,000 gift from the family of Robert “Bob” and James Wright will enhance opportunities offered at UW-Platteville's Wright Center for Non-Traditional and Veteran Students.

Connecting students to their rural community

Authored on: Nov 11, 2019, Written by: Ashley McFadden

As the oldest of four siblings, alumna Sydney Groen ’17 has in many ways always been a teacher.

Milwaukee native makes transition from player to coach, recruiter

Authored on: Nov 11, 2019, Written by: Jason Piddington

Donovan Nathaniel, team captain of the 2018 Pioneer football team and winner of the prestigious George Chryst Award his senior year, made the transition from student-athlete to assistant football coach for the Pioneers.

Alumna’s business to be featured in Etsy holiday ad

Authored on: Nov 11, 2019, Written by: Laurie Hamer

UW-Platteville alumna Beth (Martin) Digman, recently received some very exciting news: her pottery business, Prairie Hills Pottery, will be featured in this year’s Etsy holiday advertising campaign.

Internship at Grant County Drug Treatment Court while student at UW-Platteville

UW-Platteville alumna pursues graduate degrees, creates scholarship program for black women

Authored on: Oct 10, 2019, Written by: Laurie Hamer

UW-Platteville alumna Sakara Wages is concurrently working toward the completion of a Master of Social Work (Sept. 2017-May 2020) and a Ph.D. in social welfare (Sept. 2017-May 2022) at UW-Madison.

Ericksons’ major gift to support future Pioneers

Authored on: Oct 10, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

Higher education has been a significant part of Jon and Dr. Tori Erickson’s lives, and their recently announced planned gift to support UW-Platteville scholarships will help ensure it is also a part of the lives of future generations of Pioneers. Their estate gift is among the largest bequests the university has ever received. The Ericksons were honored during the Homecoming celebration this past weekend.

Alumnus credits restorative justice experience for career success

Authored on: Oct 10, 2019, Written by: Laurie Hamer

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

UW-Platteville to honor alumni at Homecoming

Authored on: Oct 10, 2019, Written by: Alison Parkins

UW-Platteville will honor its 2019 Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Award recipients at the University Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 18 at 4:30 p.m. in Nohr Gallery, Ullsvik Hall. The ceremony is part of the university’s annual Homecoming celebration weekend.

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