University News

O’Connor receives PMI® Eric Jenett Award for Excellence

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Distance Education, Graduate Studies, Press Release, Business & Leadership

UW-Platteville announces another milestone achievement for one of its distinguished alumni. Dr. Michael O’Connor, a 2006 graduate of the Master of Science in Project Management program, was recently recognized as a winner of the 2021 Project Management Institute’s Eric Jenett Project Management Excellence Award.


Pioneer Pledge extended to neighboring states, promises to cover tuition and fees for eligible students

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

UW-Platteville recently extended its Pioneer Pledge program to students in Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota, guaranteeing that the cost of undergraduate, on-campus tuition and fees will be covered for any Pell-eligible, new freshmen attending the Platteville campus.


Natarajan presented with two awards from the American Society for Engineering Management

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

Dr. Gana Natarajan, assistant professor of industrial and mechanical engineering, is being honored with two awards from the American Society for Engineering Management. Natarajan will receive the 2021 ASEM William Daughton World Headquarters Service Award and Fellow Award at the virtual International Annual Conference held Oct. 27-30.


UW-Platteville awarded Cornerstone: Learning for Living planning grant, developing integrated liberal arts certificate

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, Humanities

Dr. Amanda Tucker and Dr. Katie Kalish were awarded a planning grant from the Teagle Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities to develop an integrated liberal arts certificate.


Industry experts volunteer time to teach students, help save historic tree on campus

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

When a champion tree on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus was damaged in a storm last summer, faculty teamed up with an industry partner to turn the chance to save it into a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for students. 


UW-Platteville to contribute to $10 million #DiverseCornBelt project

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

Dr. Pete Lammers, associate professor in the School of Agriculture, is contributing to a $10 million project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and led by Purdue University, to make Midwestern agriculture more resilient by diversifying farms, marketing and the agricultural landscape.


Two advisors honored with state-wide advising awards

Written By: Kristie Reynolds | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Press Release

Dr. Lucie Kadjo, assistant professor and coordinator of the Agribusiness Program, and Kathleen Kerr, academic advisor and coach, were recently recognized by the Wisconsin Academic Advising Association for excellence in advising.


UW-Platteville wins Region 3 Soils Contest, Strobel takes top individual honors

Written By: Dr. Chris Baxter | Published On: | Featured in: Agriculture & Dairy

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Collegiate Soils Team took first place in the 64th annual Region 3 Collegiate Soils Contest, held Oct. 5-8. The event was held in McLean and Tazewell counties in Illinois and was hosted by Illinois State University. Participating in the event were 38 students from four universities: UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, Purdue University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  


Civil engineering faculty elected ASCE Wisconsin Section president-elect

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

Dr. Danny Xiao, associate professor of civil engineering, was recently elected as president-elect of the American Society of Civil Engineers Wisconsin Section.


New grant to advance entrepreneurial mindset in UW-Platteville engineers

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

UW-Platteville was recently awarded a $290,000 grant to further its work in the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network and take the next step in advancing entrepreneurial-minded learning for engineers. The grant is being used to initiate a faculty development program to advance the entrepreneurial mindset in curricula over the next two years.


‘Game On’: UW-Platteville to welcome back in-person Homecoming celebrations

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

UW-Platteville will celebrate Homecoming week from Oct. 17-23. After celebrating Homecoming virtually last year, in-person celebrations will return this year, with the 2021 theme “Game On.”


UW-Platteville instructor attends seminar as keynote speaker

Written By: Eric Herbst | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Distance Education, Graduate Studies, Business & Leadership

Shawn Belling, project management instructor, regularly shares his expertise with organizations, including his most recent engagement at the PMI© Michigan Chapter’s Professional Development Day, which he attended as the keynote speaker. 


UW-Platteville celebrates construction of Sesquicentennial Hall

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

Members of the UW-Platteville community, partners, and local leaders gathered on Oct. 6 to celebrate the construction of the forthcoming Sesquicentennial Hall – UW-Platteville’s newest state-of-the-art engineering building.


Solar releases second edition of book on police, community relations

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Law & Justice

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Patrick Solar recently published the second edition of his book, “Police Community Relations: A Conflict Management Approach.” 


Pioneers Day of Giving funds communication boards, impacts multiple communities

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

When the COVID-19 pandemic prevented education students from completing their practicum hours in local elementary schools last fall, Dr. Rea Kirk, a professor of special education at UW-Platteville, suggested students go out into the community to make a difference. With the help of funding from Pioneers Day of Giving, two students implemented communication boards for playgrounds in four counties.


Live theatre returns with the Pioneer Players production of Sam Shepard’s 'A Lie of the Mind'

Written By: Ann Farrelly | Published On: | Featured in: Arts & Culture

Live theatre performances return to the Center for the Arts as the Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players open their 2021-2022 season with the classic Sam Shepard play, “A Lie of the Mind.”


REC major brings diverse job opportunities, alumni reflect on program and industry experiences

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Alumni, Environment, Agriculture & Dairy

Reclamation, environment and conservation (REC) is a growing field continuing to bring professional opportunities to UW-Platteville students. The REC program is led by Dr. Christopher Baxter, Professor of soil and crop science in the School of Agriculture, who said there is great demand for employment.


Artist to discuss her work and career in Campus and Community Culture series

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

Martha Glowacki, an artist and curator, will speak at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County on Monday, Oct. 11, as part of the Campus and Community Culture series of public talks. 


UW-Platteville to host sixth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lecture

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, History

UW-Platteville will host its sixth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lecture, “Hocąk: Language is Our Culture,” presented by Andrew W. Thundercloud. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Nohr Gallery, Ullsvik Hall and is open to the public. 


IDEA Hub Accelerator launch to feature local startups

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Corporate Relations, Press Release, Business & Leadership

UW-Platteville, in partnership with the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, will host the grand opening of the new IDEA Hub Accelerator on Monday, Oct. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The IDEA Hub 3D Launch is open to the public to attend virtually or in person at the Platteville Incubator.


MidWestOne makes pledge to complete hands-on construction classroom

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

MidWestOne Bank Foundation has pledged $5,000 over two years toward the completion of a hands-on student construction classroom in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Construction Safety Lab.


Panel to discuss Critical Race Theory

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

UW-Platteville will host “What is Critical Race Theory?” – a panel discussion followed by a Q&A session – on Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 6-8 p.m. in Velzy Commons, Ullsvik Hall. The event is free and open to the public.


Young honored with Rising Star Award

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Press Release

Corey Young, advisor in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, is being named a Rising Star by the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. Young is one of only 12 recipients from the tri-state area to be recognized.


Zolper awarded Thompson Center funding to pursue infrastructure research

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: STEM, Research

Dr. Thomas Zolper has been awarded a faculty research grant from the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership for his project titled, “The Wisconsin Strategy: Independent Infrastructure.”  Zolper is examining how to enhance the resilience of Wisconsin energy and information infrastructure against natural and man-made failures to reduce public emergencies. 


Construction management student leaves his mark on campus through internship projects

Written By: Ruth Wendlandt | Published On: | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management

As the fall semester gets underway, students are once again filling the hallways of the newly renovated Boebel Hall, but for one student, touring the floors has an extra special meaning. Since May of 2020, UW-Platteville senior Matt Babich, who is double majoring in construction management and construction safety management, has been interning for Miron Construction, the company responsible for the Boebel Hall remodel and the building of Sesquicentennial Hall – two projects Babich has been heavily involved in.


UW-Platteville to support rural entrepreneurs with new prototyping services

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

Already known as a hub for creativity and innovation in the tri-state region, UW-Platteville will soon be offering additional services to budding entrepreneurs throughout the region with the launch of Pioneer Prototyping Services.


Fall Engineering Seminar Series announced

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

UW-Platteville College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, in conjunction with UW-Platteville Corporate Relations, is bringing real-world engineering projects to students, faculty and the friends of the university, through the fall 2021 EMS Engineering Seminar Series.


Furthering commitment to accessibility, UW-Platteville waives enrollment deposit fee

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

UW-Platteville is furthering its commitment to providing an accessible education, with its recent announcement that it will waive the $100 enrollment deposit fee, effective immediately. This follows last year’s waiving of the electronic application fees.   


WiSys names Obielodan ‘Innovation Champion’

Written By: WiSys | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

Dr. John Obielodan’s work as a researcher, educator and inventor, as well as helping other inventors develop prototypes, make him a 2021 WiSys Innovation Champion.


Levenstein named WiSys Innovator of the Year

Written By: WiSys | Published On: | Featured in: Biology, STEM

Dr. Mark Levenstein, an active inventor and champion of student research opportunities at UW-Platteville, has been named a 2021 Carl. E Gulbrandsen WiSys Innovator of the Year.


Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates re-opening of renovated Boebel Hall

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

More than one hundred members of the UW-Platteville and greater Platteville communities celebrated the official re-opening of Boebel Hall at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 27.


Renewed articulation agreements ease transfer 
for students from NICC to UW-Platteville

Written By: Alison Parkins, UW-Platteville and Doug Ropa, NICC | Published On: | Featured in: Applied Engineering Technology Management, Press Release, Business & Leadership

Officials from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Northeast Iowa Community College met on Friday, Aug. 27, to sign articulation agreements that will streamline transfer opportunities for students.


Chancellor Shields delivers convocation address

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

UW-Platteville Chancellor Dennis J. Shields delivered the annual faculty and staff convocation on Thursday, where he reflected on the past year while sharing his outlook for the upcoming academic year. 


M.S. Integrated Supply Chain Management program honored for quality and affordability

Written By: Stephen Kelley | Published On: | Featured in: Distance Education, Graduate Studies, Press Release

UW-Platteville's Master's of Science in Integrated Supply Chain Management program has a reputation of providing students with the skills to succeed in a constantly evolving market. Now, the highly-respected degree program is recognized as one of the most affordable in the nation by GreatBusinessSchools.org.


UW-Platteville and Edgewood College enhance partnership

Written By: Edgewood College Communications | Published On: | Featured in: STEM

Edgewood College announces a new, enhanced partnership with the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Now, students located anywhere in the state of Wisconsin can earn the UW-Platteville degree through a unique hybrid delivery of face-to-face and online courses, along with hands-on lab experiences.


UW-Platteville receives 
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release, Women in STEM, STEM

UW-Platteville’s Women in STEM program received the 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.


UW-Platteville Foundation sets donation record

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

For the second consecutive year, the UW-Platteville Foundation is celebrating record fundraising, thanks to the generous contributions from UW-Platteville alumni, friends and corporate partners.


UW-Platteville Tuition Advantage Program offers discounts in Iowa, Illinois

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Press Release

UW-Platteville's Tuition Advantage Program offers a discount on out-of-state tuition for eligible new freshmen and transfer students from Illinois and Iowa, making UW-Platteville tuition comparable to, or lower than, the resident cost of attendance at a public university in those states. 


Staff honored for commitment to international students

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

Three current and former staff members at UW-Platteville are being honored with the 2021 Excellence in International Advising Award for their significant positive impact on the international student population at the university.


Wunderlin receives LTE Staff Award for Excellence

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

Christine Wunderlin is being honored with the 2021 Limited Term Employee Staff Award for Excellence. The award recognizes a staff member who has provided essential services to the university while demonstrating excellence of performance, personal interaction, and initiative and creativity. 


Hampton receives Innovations in Teaching with Technology Award

Written By: Teaching and Technology Center | Published On: | Featured in: Campus & Community

Dr. James Hampton, associate professor and program coordinator in the School of Agriculture is the recipient of this year’s Innovations in Teaching with Technology Award.


Partnership in Prototyping Center helps bring ideas to life

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

New inventions poised to make an impact in a variety of fields are getting their start on the UW-Platteville campus, being designed, prototyped and tested by faculty and students. Thanks to a partnership between WiSys and Dr. John Obielodan, associate professor of mechanical engineering, half a dozen inventions have gone from idea to reality over the past two years.


Ivanov selected as Wisconsin Teaching Fellow, researches virtual education travel

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

Dr. Andrey Ivanov, associate professor of history, was selected for the 2021-22 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program. His project, “Live from the Red Square! Virtual Education Travel in History Classroom” explores how the application of hybrid-virtual approaches to experiential field trip teaching will affect the student learning outcome of international awareness.


Yang awarded patent for micro-grid energy management system

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

WiSys, the technology transfer arm of the 11 UW System regional comprehensive campuses, was recently awarded a U.S. patent for an invention disclosed by Dr. Fang Yang, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. Yang, and her co-inventor Zhao Li, of LY Grid Innovation, created a software-based micro-grid energy management system with proactive and comprehensive control.


Legislative internship creates new opportunities, connections

Written By: Alison Parkins | Published On: | Featured in: Political Science, Social Sciences

Mitchell Cotter, a junior political science major, is spending his summer gaining firsthand experience working with the Wisconsin State Legislature. Cotter is interning with Rep. Jodi Emerson, where he is contributing research related to current and future legislative proposals.


Brogley honored with Academic Staff Award of Excellence

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

Jessica Brogley, a senior lecturer in the School of Education, was selected to receive UW-Platteville’s 2021 Academic Staff Award for Excellence.


Mitch honored with award of excellence

Written By: John Christensen | Published On: | Featured in: Baraboo Sauk County, Campus & Community

Patti Mitch, IT support specialist for the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County branch campus, is receiving this year’s UW-Platteville University Staff Award of Excellence.


School of Education partners with Camp Pecatonica

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

This summer, 10 School of Education students were selected to work for the Pecatonica Area School District. Since June, UW-Platteville students have been receiving hands-on learning experiences at Camp Pec, a summer school program for grades 4K-5th grade.


UW-Platteville prepares to welcome students back to campus, operate at full face-to-face capacity

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

Chancellor Dennis J. Shields announced that UW-Platteville is welcoming students, faculty and staff back in full face-to-face capacities, on all three campuses, for the 2021-22 academic year.


Continuing Education Institute announces Customer Service Certificate

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

This fall, workers and students will have the opportunity to earn a Customer Service Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Continuing Education Institute. The program was designed to address a growing need in the tourism and hospitality industry and local chambers of commerce.