Alumni Today Spring 2022

Alumni Today

SPRING 2022

Chancellor Shields’

LEGACY An investment in the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 1

4/4/22 9:02 AM

FEATURES

08

Chancellor Shields’ Legacy An investment in the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion

10

‘Always take the chance’

Uwineza’s journey from Rwanda to Platteville

12

Real-life CSI

Alumna uses science to fight crime

14

Alumni starter kit

One dozen ways to stay connected after you graduate

DEPARTMENTS

02 | Letter from

the Chancellor

04 | Orange & Blue Updates

06 | Distance Learning 20 | Landscape 22 | Unearthed:

From the Archives

24 | Alumni Profile 26 | Platteville Portrait 28 | Class Notes 29 | Connections 31 | In Memoriam 32 | Events

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 2

4/4/22 9:02 AM

Alumni Today SPRING 2022

UW-Platteville’s Mission We promote excellence by using a personal, hands-on approach to empower each student to become broader in perspective, intellectually more astute, ethically more responsible, and to contribute wisely as an accomplished professional and knowledgeable citizen in a diverse global community.

Vice Chancellor for University Relations/ Chief of Staff, External Relations Rose Smyrski smyrskir@uwplatt.edu Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Engagement Joshua Boots bootsj@uwplatt.edu Alumni Relations Manager Shelby Lang ’96 langs@uwplatt.edu Contributing Writers James Hibbard, Southwest Wisconsin Room Eric Herbst, Division of Professional Studies Director of Marketing and Communications Benjamin Jedd jeddb@uwplatt.edu Marketing and Communications Johanna Belken ’04 Andy McNeill ’02 Diana Blindert Alison Parkins Easton Green Katie Weigel Ashley McFadden Ruth Wendlandt ’06 Art Direction The ESC Plan | theescplan.com

Alumni Today is produced as a service of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Alumni Association.

Letters to the editor are welcome, as are suggestions for articles and Class Notes.

Call or write Development and Alumni Engagement, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 1 University Plaza, Stop 1, Platteville WI 53818-3099, 800.897.2586, alumni@uwplatt.edu. © 2022 University of Wisconsin-Platteville

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 1

4/4/22 9:02 AM

LETTER from the Chancellor

S

pring brings with it the theme of rebirth and renewal. As the seasons change, and we transition from a snow-covered winter landscape towards a brighter, greener future, I can’t help but make comparisons to various happenings in and around our campus.

As many of you know, this term will be my last serving as Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The past 12 years have been memorable and challenging in many ways, and I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve this institution.

As we move into the year together, one thing that will not change is our fundamental mission to offer students a high-quality and affordable educational experience—one that launches exceptional opportunities and careers, like those that you will read about in this issue.

This is what makes UW-Platteville “A Smart Investment.” I have always believed this to be true about the UW-Platteville institutional identity, but you don’t need to take my word for it. The numbers are clear—90% job placement, above average starting salary, commitment to affordability, and a student-centered approach all make UW-Platteville a viable choice for students of today and tomorrow.

It is my hope that, with your help, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville will continue to foster the type of institutional approach that will cultivate a brighter future for our students, staff, alumni, and communities, at large.

S

Th st w

“These past 12 years have been memorable and challenging in many ways, and I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve this institution.”

U

U U ed a lo in re

T

It is a Great Day to be a Pioneer!

W cr a

Sincerely,

G

S

E

Dennis J. Shields Chancellor, UW-Platteville

D

P

D

2

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 2

4/4/22 9:02 AM

SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE SUPPORTING A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s legacy as a college for hardworking individuals and their families remains as we continue our mission to ensure student success. More than one-third of our students are Pell Grant eligible, and many are the first in their families to attend college. Your gift of scholarships will continue this legacy by extending opportunity to those who have the drive and talent to accomplish the extraordinary.

UW-Platteville aims to secure philanthropic investment in the following scholarship programs: UNIVERSITY RETENTION SCHOLARSHIPS UW-Platteville is resolute in our mission to secure access to a world-class education, ensuring that students are given every opportunity to succeed in and out of the classroom. To further enhance our commitment to our students’ long-term success, we are offering three-year retention scholarships to incoming students who enter the university as freshmen. University-based retention scholarships can have a broad impact across campus.

COLLEGE BASED SCHOLARSHIPS UW-Platteville wants every student to have the resources they need to receive a world-class education. Through nationally ranked programs, our colleges provide the optimum academic experience to engage, inspire, and motivate.

You can support scholarships in a specific college to allow students the freedom to realize their dreams and make a real impact throughout society.

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE We invite you to partner with us as we prepare students to emerge as leaders who transform the world. You may contribute to an existing scholarship fund or create an endowed scholarship. An endowment is permanent and carefully invested to provide income for scholarships. The principal continues in perpetuity as a legacy for the future.

GIFT COMMITMENT Scholarship Endowed minimum

Current use (3.5%)

Endowment level

$875

$25,000

Desired endowment amount

$1,750

$50,000+

Pass through minimum

$1,000

$0

$2,000+

$0

Desired pass through

For questions, contact Stacia Stephenson, Director of Major Gifts, Development and Alumni Engagement, at 608.732.0629 or stephensons@uwplatt.edu.

UW-Platteville Foundation P.O. Box 254 | Platteville WI 53818 ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 3

3 4/4/22 9:02 AM

ORANGE & BLUE updates

Filling in the gaps

STANDOUT STUDENT Senior Spencer Butterfield is one of only two student-athletes nationwide handpicked to represent the United States at the International University Sports Federation World Forum in Costa Rica this spring. This biennial forum brings together students, officials, and other partners from more than 60 countries to engage in discussions on education, culture, and sport. Butterfield, originally from Shawnee, Kansas, is a member of the men’s soccer team and President of the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Like most states, Wisconsin has experienced a shortage of substitute teachers—an issue that has been around for years but reached critical levels during the pandemic. This spring, UW-Platteville initiated a plan to help address this shortage, offering students an opportunity to have an associate degree conferred, while in the process of earning their bachelor’s degree, in order to meet the state’s substitute eligibility requirements. Wisconsin requires substitute teachers to hold an associate degree or higher and complete an approved substitute training program. UW-Platteville’s School of Education offered the substitute training program to interested students this spring and covered the cost for the training. Students will have

their associate degree conferred in May so that they can start substitute teaching in the fall.

“We know our K-12 partners have been struggling to find substitute teachers for some time now,” said Dr. Jen Collins, Director of the School of Education.

“We can not only help them find someone to cover a classroom in a teacher’s absence, we can actually send them a future teacher, someone with an aligned skillset and a passion for this work. We owe our local K-12 partners a great deal; they are the application piece to our campus classroom theory. We could not develop and train our future educators without their assistance, so any opportunity we get to support our rural schools and communities, we jump at.”

From our labs to your kitchen Engineering students have had a hand in some of the new or redesigned appliances hitting the market and industry trade shows, thanks to a partnership between Spectrum Brands and the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science’s Senior Design program. The program pairs groups of engineering students with industry partners to solve real problems or create new products. Over

4

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 4

4/4/22 9:03 AM

PIONEER PRIDE 2021

INSPIRING PROGRAMS AWARD IN

STEM FROM

MAGAZINE

Pioneers Day of Giving breaks another record The 2021 Pioneers Day of Giving reached another new milestone, with a record number of people participating, including more students than ever before. The UW-Platteville Foundation received over 640 donations, totaling more than $143,000 from alumni, students, and friends. For the first time, the annual event spanned two days, from Oct. 14–15, allowing for 1,866 minutes to give in honor of the university’s founding year. Mark your calendar for this year’s Pioneers Day of Giving, to be held Oct. 6-7!

the past five years, Spectrum Brands has partnered with UW-Platteville on more than 25 projects, giving students the opportunity to work on a cold brew coffee maker, smart blender, griddle, hair dryer, hair straightener, and a pressure cooker, among others.

A 2019 project that tasked students with finding a solution to eliminate excessive steam

on the George Foreman grill resulted in the release of the new George Foreman Smokeless Grill series—which hit the consumer market in 2020.

UW-Platteville students also played a role in another recent Spectrum Brands product design—the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie 2-in-1 Handheld Steamer, which has been receiving outstanding trade feedback.

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. The award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the STEM fields.

In its recently released report, Payscale ranked UW-Platteville as the top public institution in the state for best value. Payscale studies the total four-year tuition, graduation rate, number of years to graduate, average loan amount, and 20-year return on investment.

UW-Platteville was named one of the 50 Top Online Colleges by CollegeValuesOnline.com, which ranked each university on a points system based on return on investment, tuition cost, scholarship opportunities, and accelerated program availability. UW-Platteville earned the fifth-highest score at 14 points, tying fellow in-state school, UW-Madison.

UW-Platteville’s Department of Campus Climate was recognized with the 2021 Ann Lydecker Educational Diversity Award from the State Council on Affirmative Action. The award honors institutions of higher learning for exceptional efforts in preparing people with marginalized identities, women, and persons with disabilities for employment in the state of Wisconsin.

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 5

5 4/4/22 9:03 AM

W

hile an undergraduate student at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Christopher Jefferson fell in love with the thought of working in the space launch industry. This simple idea would launch his academic and professional career to outstanding heights.

Eighteen years and three master’s degrees later, Jefferson now commands the launch operations division of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an agency within the National Intelligence Community based in Chantilly, Virginia.

As the position’s name suggests, Jefferson is in charge of all space launch operations and mission integration for the nation’s spy satellites. It’s a giant responsibility, made even more impressive by the fact that Jefferson—a Lieutenant Colonel—is the most junior officer in the agency’s history to become mission director for a multimillion-dollar national security space mission.

Jefferson made history on July 15, 2020. That was the day NRO Launch-129, a vitally important intelligence satellite, launched from Wallops Island, Virginia.

“Launch is a team sport, but being a mission director means you are ultimately responsible for ensuring that satellite reaches orbit,” said Jefferson. “The fact that the director of the NRO and the director of the Office of Space Launch trusted me with that responsibility is so humbling, but what makes it truly special for me is knowing that our satellites are saving American lives each day. That is what motivates me. My mission director plaque will always be my centerpiece because I know we made a real difference in the world.”

In addition to serving as mission director for NRO Launch-129, Jefferson also led all space launch operations for the remaining NRO launches. At the beginning of 2020, the NRO had the ambitious goal of launching nine satellites across multiple countries, a prospect that involved working with numerous industry partners and

6

Engineering alumnus reaches new heights as satellite mission director

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 6

4/4/22 9:03 AM

I received nothing but support from some of the kindest and most intellectually-driven individuals I’ve met. I just want to give a genuine thank you to the university for creating that environment.”

LT. COL. CHRISTOPHER JEFFERSON served as mission director for NRO Launch-129.

THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE Office successfully launched its first dedicated mission from NASA Wallpos Flight Facility, Virginia, on July 15, 2020.

(NASA/NRO)

five government agencies. The NRO and Jefferson had never attempted such a feat before, and as a result, the year 2020 was set to be the most difficult launch campaign they ever faced.

“We had no idea how we were going to get through such an aggressive manifest, and just when we thought things couldn’t get any more difficult, the pandemic struck,” Jefferson explained.

COVID-19 changed the guidelines for how Jefferson and his team could operate, but even when he was working seven days a week and utilizing only a third of his available staff, Jefferson kept plugging away.

“Standing down was just not an option,” said Jefferson. “It was painful, and our teams were exhausted, but our nation needed those satellites in orbit. I’m just honored to work with real American heroes every day. These people—contractors, government and military personnel—routinely miss birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries without complaint, because they know what we are doing protects those same liberties for every other American.”

In addition to keeping our country safe, Jefferson’s work paid off in other ways. The successful launches not only earned Jefferson recognition in his field, but also a nomination for UW-Platteville’s Outstanding Alumni award.

Graduating from UW-Platteville in 2008 with a Master of Science in Engineering, Jefferson believes a sound academic foundation led to his current professional success and is grateful for all the support he received along the way.

“While attending UW-Platteville, I received nothing but support from some of the kindest and most intellectually-driven individuals I’ve met,” said Jefferson. “I just want to give a genuine thank you to the university for creating that environment. I’m a firm believer that the environment you set is important for the success and growth of not just yourself, but also your team.”

Training and maintaining his current team is a top priority of Jefferson’s moving forward.

Aware that many millennials tend to jump around in their careers, the UW-Platteville alumnus is working to grow and retain the future engineers and managers within the industry he loves. It’s a task not without its difficulties, but Jefferson hopes a passion for the space field will spread to the next generation—just as he first caught it when he was younger.

“Space is our future,” Jefferson said. “The vastness of it alone has to convince you that we’ve barely scratched the surface. Because of that, I really want to encourage younger people to stick around and really learn this craft because I just think it’s immensely important.”

When not focusing on space, Jefferson’s children are his world. Despite his many successes, Jefferson says his proudest life accomplishments are his kids, and that his greatest reward is watching them grow up. It’s undoubtedly a sentiment shared by many across the nation, and one that’s made even more secure thanks to the tireless efforts of Jefferson and his team.

Eric Herbst ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 7

7 4/4/22 9:03 AM

Chancellor Shields’ legacy:

An investment in the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion When Chancellor Dennis J. Shields reflects on his journey to UW-Platteville, he often returns to a quote from the late Thurgood Marshall. The civil rights activist and former justice on the Supreme Court said:

“None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody —a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony, or a few nuns—bent down and helped us pick up our boots.”

(Photo: Library of Congress)

It is a sentiment he has seen from both sides— as a youth who benefited from the kindness of others to a professional who found a passion for being a champion for others in the same way.

“I was placed in an orphanage soon after birth and then channeled through a series of boys’ homes and foster care placements—not the most promising start in life,” said Chancellor Shields.

However, along the way, he met people who showed him genuine kindness and an authentic interest in his well-being and exposed him to Black excellence and educational opportunities.

“I am grateful to those people who stepped into spaces along the way to aid and support me through challenging times and to offer encouragement to the creation and pursuit of my aspirations,” said Chancellor Shields. “These people served as my guides, mentors, coaches, and family.”

Those are some of the people who inspired

8

Chancellor Shields, and his wife, Aundra, to be champions for others throughout their nearly 40-plus years in higher education. It is a legacy they hope to leave at UW-Platteville, even after they depart. Chancellor Shields was recently named the next president of the Southern University System and chancellor of Southern University and A&M College—a position he will begin in July. To continue their impact at UW-Platteville, the couple recently announced the creation of the Dennis J. and Aundra N. Shields Social Justice: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund.

“Throughout my and Aundra’s journey, championing others who have historically been impacted by inequitable access to choices and watching the ripples of those successes has been the most satisfying aspects of our careers,” said Chancellor Shields.

By providing the namesake and initial gifts to establish the Dennis J. and Aundra N. Shields Social Justice: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund, the couple hopes to make a wide and long-lasting impact on campus with ripples that will be felt in the surrounding communities. The key areas the fund will impact include diversifying faculty, improving relationships with racially diverse communities in the Midwest, and improving cultural competencies of the campus community.

“This fund will support efforts of the university to build on our current work as well as develop new efforts to support a legacy of disrupting systemic inequities and creating possibilities for individuals who are impacted by those inequities,” said Chancellor Shields. “This is the legacy I hope for at UW-Platteville, not my name on a building or plaque.”

Alison Parkins

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 8

4/4/22 9:03 AM

“This is the legacy I hope for at UW-Platteville, not my name on a building or plaque.”

—Chancellor Shields

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 9

9 4/4/22 9:03 AM

‘Always take the chance’ Uwineza’s journey from Rwanda to Platteville

I

t is 7,826 miles from Clémentine Uwineza’s hometown of Kigali, Rwanda to UW-Platteville—a travel distance of new experiences, languages, and cultural differences. Uwineza arrived on campus in September 2000, marking her first time in the United States. She grew up during the Rwandan genocide which caused her family to become refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

After three years of being refugees, her family returned to Rwanda where their home and possessions were destroyed. It was then she was encouraged by her family to head to America. She was introduced to UW-Platteville by her aunt, uncle, and cousin who were living in the community.

“I knew America from the movies,” said Uwineza. “The movies are always showing New York and Chicago. When we were driving from the airport, I asked my uncle why we were leaving the city. The Chicago skyrise was drifting in the back. And then we were driving into fields and fields. When we arrived at Platteville, I thought ‘this is the place?’ For me, I was supposed to be in the movies where everyone has apartments.

We arrived in Platteville, and there are no apartments. Everyone has houses. It’s not what you see in the movies living in Africa.”

As Uwineza became adjusted to her new living environment, she faced more obstacles, including a change in demographics, a language barrier—her native language is French, moving from a tropical climate to a state with seasons, and declaring a major. According to Uwineza, high school in Africa is six years and each student declares an area of study. Throughout high school, Uwineza focused on the areas of math and physics, but her goal was to work in broadcast news.

10

“When I came to UW-Platteville, I wanted to be a communications major,” she said. “We didn’t grow up with a TV until the 90s. When the TV would come on, it would be for three hours in the evening. Everyone would be quiet to hear what the news anchor was going to provide for that day.

I wanted to be that person.”

However, Uwineza quickly realized it was not the correct career path.

“My cousins also went to UW-Platteville,” she said. “Two of them studied engineering. My family told me I was good with math and physics and suggested I go into engineering.”

Uwineza became an industrial engineering major. As she embarked on her coursework, Uwineza was also becoming more proficient in English. She credits her professors and Dining Services co-workers with their patience.

“I got to have one-on-one experiences with my professors. I learned English as I went, but I still struggled. The professors were available. I went to their office hours so many times,” said Uwineza.

“One of my favorite memories from UW-Platteville is sitting down with the teachers and talking with them. I got to know them personally. I now go to different schools and mentor students.”

Throughout her collegiate journey, Uwineza was seeking asylum. She applied for asylum in 2001 and was granted it by the U.S. government nearly four years later. During the approval process, she could not leave the country.

“When you are seeking asylum in the United States, you have to show you are being persecuted in your country. We had the issues of genocide in Rwanda with the different ethnic groups. My parents were from different ethnic groups. We were considered mixed,” explained Uwineza. “As soon as I left for Platteville, my parents ended up being

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 10

4/4/22 9:03 AM

in prison. My parents were in prison the entire time I was in college; my dad died in prison in 2017. I’m thankful to God that my mom was able to be released many years later. She is now living in America.”

As Uwineza was dealing with these personal challenges, she continued her educational journey and graduated from UW-Platteville in 2005.

Following graduation, she was hired full time by John Deere. Uwineza attributes her opportunity with John Deere to the Women in STEM program.

“At UW-Platteville, it was all hands-on projects,” she said. “Through Women in STEM, we got to meet with companies, and one of the companies was John Deere. My capstone project was with John Deere. It was great. It’s how I got the connection.”

During her 15-year career with John Deere, Uwineza traveled the world, visiting 30 countries.

As Uwineza traveled for work, she was also pursuing her master’s degree online in project management from UW-Platteville. She earned her degree in 2013.

In 2020, Uwineza became the Associate Quality Director at Collins Aerospace in Chula Vista, California.

“I needed to do something different,” said Uwineza. “It’s been great working in aerospace industry. There are so many things I’m learning every day.”

Outside of her career at Collins Aerospace, Uwineza is the Founder and Operation Director of Tasukete Abandi Foundation. The foundation provides financial assistance to families in Rwanda and sustainability products.

“We find families we think need help. We provide school tuition fees for the full year,” said Uwineza. “In Africa, once students get back home, they have to help with the chores. By the time the students can do their homework, it’s dark already.

Now, we provide solar panels. Electricity is so expensive. The families can’t afford for their kids to go to school, and they can’t afford electricity.”

The Tasukete Abandi Foundation is expanding their outreach to India and the United States but highlighting resources in different areas.

“In India, I’m giving access to college kids to attend conferences. One of the things I love about the Society of Women Engineers conferences is you get a chance to interact and hear other women engineers speak about their career and experiences. It helps students to dream bigger,” said Uwineza. “In the U.S., it’s about supporting different charities and nonprofits. My favorite one is the American Red Cross. Staying at refugee camps for three years, the American Red Cross was always there for us.”

Uwineza, who became an American citizen in 2011, acknowledged how her parents taught her the importance of giving back. She is also grateful to her family in Wisconsin who would never let her give up.

“My parents would remind me God has a plan for you. You may not see it, but God has a plan.

Keep trusting it’s going to work out, it’s going to be okay,” said Uwineza. “So many days I wanted to quit. Then I was reminded God is there and my family. My aunt, uncle, and cousins were wonderful.”

As Uwineza reflects on her arrival in Southwest Wisconsin, she has nothing but fondness about her days as a Pioneer.

“UW-Platteville felt like a family,” she said.

“Always take the chance. You never know, you may surprise yourself.”

THE TASUKETE ABANDI Foundation provides financial assistance to families in Rwanda.

Clémentine Uwineza founded the organization and serves as its Operations Director.

Ruth Wendlandt ’06 ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 11

11 4/4/22 9:03 AM

Real-life

CSI ALUMNA USES SCIENCE TO FIGHT CRIME Like many, Emily Benike ’21 got hooked on the field of forensics from television shows. The rise of CSI-style shows in the past couple of decades has drawn a new generation to the profession with the allure of solving crimes. But Benike is quick to admit forensic investigation is nothing like the shows she watched growing up and says her love for the job now all comes down to the science.

“I really like the field, because I like the idea of playing a role in helping to bring justice to cases,” she said. “But, I also really like that it’s science, and science doesn’t lie. Science tells the facts.

People can misconstrue the facts, but I still get to bring the cold, hard facts to the case.”

Now, less than a year after graduating from UW-Platteville, she has the opportunity to do just that as a Crime Scene Specialist for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office in California.

San Bernardino County is the biggest county in the U.S. by area, covering more than 20,000 square miles that stretch from the greater Los Angeles area to the Nevada and Arizona borders. Its population sits over 2.1 million, which is more than eight times that of the county of Benike’s hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Benike’s CSI unit responds to homicides and lethal force encounters with police, as well as assists with processing crime scene evidence for other area law enforcement agencies. Crime scene specialists in the unit do both the scene work and laboratory analysis— something Benike said is unique to her agency

12

EMILY BENIKE ’21 is a Crime Scene Specialist for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office in California.

and was a big draw for her.

“I applied to a bunch of places all over the U.S., because forensics is a competitive field, and it’s hard to get your foot in the door,” said Benike.

“I threw out as many applications as I could, but I really had my eye on San Bernardino County, because usually you only do lab work or you only do scene work, and you get to do both here.”

The process for getting the job took five months, during which the agency winnowed down the candidates from more than 300 applicants. Benike started the application process in March with a written test, on which she scored in the top 13 of all applicants. She was then

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 12

4/4/22 9:03 AM

interviewed by a board and flew to California to undergo a polygraph test, physical, and blood draw. This was followed by an extensive background investigation that took several months.

Benike submitted a 100-plus page document that included information on all her past addresses, family and friends, and even names of former roommates—some of whom were contacted and interviewed by the agency.

“It was a lot of information gathering, and I talked to a lot of people for it that I didn’t think I’d be talking to again,” said Benike.

Nearly half a year later, in August, Benike received the offer and started her new job in late

scholarships and an on-campus job in the Alumni Foundation Call Center, allowed her to graduate debt-free and start her dream job.

“It was so exciting to jump right into the job that I wanted,” said Benike. “I’ve never even lived outside of Wisconsin before this. It’s a great experience, and after working here, I think I’ll be able to go almost anywhere. I think it will unlock a lot of opportunities.”

Benike attributes her success largely to the professors and hands-on experience at UW-Platteville.

“Getting the experience of working on crime scenes and fingerprinting at the Forensic Investigation Crime Scene House was huge. I was

October. To start, Benike is working in the laboratory, focusing on fingerprinting and DNA swabbing. Soon, she will join the on-call rotation for crime scene work, which means for one week at a time she is on-call for 24-hours a day, ready to respond to a crime scene at a moment’s notice.

Processing a crime scene usually takes an average of 12 hours, she said.

The scene work will include everything from evidence collection, photography, clandestine gravesite excavation, bloodstain pattern analysis, and gunshot trajectory analysis—skills Benike is already familiar with, thanks in large part to her experience in UW-Platteville’s Forensic Investigation program. With a Forensic Investigation Crime Scene House that is one of only a handful of its kind in the country, UW-Platteville’s Forensic Investigation program has earned a strong reputation and was the reason Benike chose to invest in UW-Platteville—a choice that’s already paying dividends. The low cost, combined with

actually doing things and not just reading about it,” said Benike, adding that this, along with the professors, is what enabled her to do well on her applicant test. “The professors at UW-Platteville definitely hit all the important information that I needed to know [for the test], and it’s hard to forget those things you learn in class when you’re actually getting to put it to work and have a lot of the hands-on experiences at the same time.”

Among the traits that Benike says a job like this requires that can’t be taught are integrity, attention to detail, the ability to handle high-stress situations, and of course, a love for the science behind it.

“You just have to have a love for putting the pieces together and everything forensics,” said Benike. “If you’re going to be sitting at a scene for 12 hours straight in the desert, you have to really love what you are doing.”

UW-Platteville is one of

49 universities nationwide to offer a Forensic Investigation degree.

Alison Parkins

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 13

13 4/4/22 9:03 AM

ALUMNI

S TA RT E R K I T Your link to UW-Platteville doesn’t end when you toss your cap at commencement.

Here are a dozen ways to stay connected after you graduate.

A

aron Athas ’10 loved his experience at UW-Platteville, but beyond staying in touch with a handful of fellow classmates and faculty members after he graduated, he hadn’t been particularly involved in the community.

So in 2018, when a professor he admired nominated him to be on the Alumni Board of Directors, he admits he was a little perplexed. “I actually didn’t even know what [the Board] was,” he said.

Still, he was intrigued. Not long after he joined the board, he was all in. “I realized that I had missed this [place],” he said. He was eager to make an impact within the Alumni Association, which supports students, keeps alumni connected, and nurtures meaningful connections between the two groups.

For many alumni, the Platteville experience was a formative period in their lives.

Alumni Manager Shelby Lang ’96 notes that many forged meaningful relationships with faculty mentors and friends,

while others met their spouses and partners. When students graduate, they can turn the page to a new chapter of their Platteville story. “Students benefit from the time, talent, and treasure of alumni,” she said. “And when students become alumni, they have the opportunity to give back their own time, talent, and treasure.”

Today, as Board President, Athas urges more alumni to consider getting involved with the university at any level.

It can be as simple as sending in a class note with a career or family update, or as meaningful as investing in a student by mentoring them or by supporting a scholarship. “When you started your journey at Platteville, you became a Pioneer, and you’re a Pioneer for life,” Athas said. “As an alum, how can you continue that journey for yourself?”

So whether the ink is still drying on your diploma or it’s been years since you’ve stepped on campus, there’s a place for you. Here are 12 ideas, with the exact steps you can use to get started today.

Get even more resources at the Alumni and Friends page at uwplatt.edu/alumni-friends.

14

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 14

4/4/22 9:03 AM

Join us for Homecoming.

Share your news.

If you’ve had a major life change or update—new job, big award, marriage, or a new baby—we want to hear about it! We share updates and images with the UW-Platteville community in the magazine and in our monthly email newsletter.

From a luncheon that attracts hundreds of alumni, to the Alumni Association Awards, to the big game itself, Homecoming is one of Alumni Association’s most-loved annual events.

A week of activities welcomes alumni back to campus and fuels delightful reconnections.

“You’re part of the ‘family’ for such a short time, but coming home, as we’ve gone off to our careers and lives, is important,” said Athas. “Homecoming can remind us of that time we had, and it’s a chance to find new kinship.” You can play a part by attending or volunteering.

Sign up for email updates on the Alumni and Friends page or send a message to alumni@uwplatt.edu to help as a volunteer.

Visit the Alumni and Friends page to submit your information.

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 15

15 4/4/22 9:03 AM

Offer your industry expertise.

Students are eager to soak up the hard-won career knowledge of alumni, said Lang. “The commitment can be just spending an hour speaking to a class once a year,” she said. You can also take an active role mentoring students oneon-one, reviewing resumes, or answering student questions about your work.

Email alumni@uwplatt.edu to find out the next steps.

Participate in the Career Fair.

Each semester, students gear up for the all-important Career Fair, where companies are on the lookout for top new talent.

It’s not just students who look forward to the event, said Lang.

“We have so many alums who come back for this. The ‘I’m an alum’ stickers that we give to people are the most sought-after thing,” she said with a laugh. “People love to wear them and they love to ask students about their classes and professors. Students love to know that [someone they’re talking to] has been in their shoes.”

Visit uwplatt.edu and search for “career fair” to learn more about getting involved.

16

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 16

4/4/22 9:03 AM

ALUMNI S TA RT E R K I T

Refer a future Pioneer.

As the competition for college students heats up, UW-Platteville depends on alumni to help prospective students become Pioneers. Many of the university’s most successful students were referred by alumni who saw the potential of a UW-Platteville spark in a neighbor, a relative, or friend of the family.

Send the prospective student a link to the university’s virtual tour or fill out a simple form. We’ll take it from there.

Want to be even more involved?

Bring the prospective student to campus. “We know that a much, much higher percentage of students apply if they’ve come to see campus,” said Lang.

Students can take a virtual tour at uwplatt.edu/ visit. Head to the Alumni and Friends page to refer a student directly.

Host a regional event.

Hikes in California, baseball games in Milwaukee, and happy hours in cities across the country—the alumni office offers an ambitious slate of regional alumni events, and you can add to it. “We’ll do the marketing, we’ll send you swag. We’ll help make it happen,” said Lang.

Email alumni@uwplatt.edu to learn about hosting an event in your area.

Nominate a fellow Pioneer for a Distinguished Alumni Award.

Every year, UW-Platteville recognizes the outstanding contributions of our alumni in their professions and beyond. Help us highlight worthy Pioneers by submitting a nomination or join us in celebrating their accomplishments at the recognition ceremony during Homecoming week.

Head to the nomination page at uwplatt.edu/ alumni-friends/awards.

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 17

17 4/4/22 9:03 AM

Participate in your college’s chapter.

Every college within the university, including the Center for Distance Learning, has its own chapter. These chapters host events, raise money for student scholarships and other initiatives, and offer networking and other opportunities.

For example, the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture (BILSA) Chapter has an annual golf outing that attracts dozens of alumni and faculty players, gives attendees the chance to chat with current students, and raises tens of thousands of dollars for student scholarships. Every chapter has unique offerings tailored to its alumni, and you can make a difference in your own chapter.

Learn more or apply at the Alumni and Friends page.

18

Join a board.

From Alumni Chapter Boards to the Alumni Association Board, those who have a deep interest in a specific area can help guide the direction it takes through boards. Lang notes that the pandemic has led many boards to run the quarterly meetings online, so members don’t necessarily need to live within driving distance of the university to make an impact—just a passion for the topic and a desire to help.

Learn more or apply at the Alumni and Friends page.

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 18

4/4/22 9:03 AM

ALUMNI S TA RT E R K I T

Financially support the causes that were important to you as a student.

Did you benefit from a scholarship? Get a lift right when you needed it through a specific initiative?

Now you can support the next generation of students in a similar way. “If you were food insecure when you came to campus, you can give back to Pioneer Provisions,” Lang said. “We also have a fund called ‘Pioneers Helping Pioneers’ to help keep students in school if their car breaks down and they can’t pay the bill, if they’re dealing with Covid-based issues, or many other things.”

Finding emotionally resonant ways to give, said Lang, is one of the most powerful ways to make a meaningful difference to students and to the university.

Learn more about giving opportunities at uwplatt.edu/give.

Let us know you want to help!

Not quite sure where to start? Just let us know you’re interested and we’ll contact you about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and other initiatives. We can’t wait to help you find the perfect fit for your skills and interests.

Get Pioneer gear.

Show your Pioneer spirit at any time by getting Pioneerthemed merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and even onesies for a future Pioneer.

Send us a note at alumni@uwplatt.edu.

If there is one message Lang hopes to get across, it is that alumni are among the school’s greatest resources—and you can be a part of this group of powerful changemakers, starting now.

“Together, as Pioneer Nation, we can do many great things,” she said. “We want you to come back to us with your passion. We will find a place for you to get involved, whether that’s 15 minutes, a few hours, or much more.”

Erin Peterson

https://sideline.bsnsports. com/schools/wisconsin/ platteville/university-ofwisconsin-platteville ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 19

19 4/4/22 9:03 AM

LANDSCAPE Alumni, students, and the Platteville community were excited to come together to celebrate last fall’s Homecoming in person, after celebrating virtually in 2020. Save the date for the 2022 Homecoming on Oct. 15!

20

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 20

4/4/22 9:03 AM

ALUMNI ALUMNI TODAY TODAY | SPRING | FALL 2022 2021

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 21

21 4/4/22 9:03 AM

UNEARTHED from the archives

The Road to the Distinguished Lecture Series

By James Hibbard, University Archivist

In her unmistakable voice,

SHIRLEY CHISHOLM SPOKE to a crowd of 1,500-plus at the Williams Fieldhouse during the first Distinguished Lecture Series event in 1989.

ANDY WARHOL DISAPPOINTED attendees by showing a film and speaking very little. Warhol is pictured here (at left) with his female associate and the avant-garde film director Paul Morrissey.

22

Shirley Chisholm spoke to a crowd of 1,500-plus at the Williams Fieldhouse on the morning of April 4, 1989. Her theme was “social change comes only after a common knowledge of who we are” is achieved. A social justice advocate, Chisholm had been the first African American woman elected to Congress, serving her New York district in the US Congress from 1969–83.

Chisholm had gained national attention when she ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. Referencing her presidential campaign in her speech, Chisholm noted that “I did not run for president to be cute. I wrote speeches for the politicians and knew what was going on.” At the conclusion of her speech, Chisholm received a standing ovation. As one person noted, Chisholm’s speech “not only informs, but inspires.” That is exactly what the Student Activities Board, the organizers of the event, had in mind.

Chisholm’s speech marked an important milestone in UW-Platteville’s history: it was the first annual Distinguished Lecture Series event. For decades, the university had occasionally hosted speakers, among them Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant in 1868, pastor and reformer Jenkin Lloyd Jones in 1906, and decorated World War II bomber pilot Captain Darrel Brady in 1948. Then in September 1959, Massachusetts Senator and future president John F.

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 22

4/4/22 9:03 AM

BOXER MUHAMMAD ALI was one of many well-known celebrities to speak at a Distinguished Lecture Series event.

“UNCLE JACK’S PODIUM” John F. Kennedy, then a Massachusetts Senator, spoke in the Old Main building in 1959. The lectern Kennedy used is on display in the Luce Museum in Ullsvik Hall.

Kennedy spoke on campus in the Old Main building. Kennedy’s speech marked a change in speaking events. Sponsored by the Young Democrats’ Club, its success inspired other groups to host campus speaking events, which would eventually lead to the annual Distinguished Lecture Series.

Continuing with the Kennedy speech model, in 1961 the English department began its “special program,” sponsoring speakers who focused on the industrial field and space exploration. Another series, the “Women’s Program Series,” was sponsored primarily by the Athenaeum and Kariatethes women’s student societies on campus, which invited speakers to address world economics. And in 1963, the college’s Concert, Lecture and Entertainment series hosted radio personality Paul Harvey’s speech.

In 1967, another significant step toward organizing formal speaking events occurred when the Student Activities Board created the Forum Series. The primary purpose of the Forum Series was to inform and engage students “of new developments in specialized areas of study.” From this time onward, most speakers and artists were sponsored by the Forum Series.

One of the first speakers of the Forum Series, Pierre Salinger, President Kennedy’s press secretary, spoke on

“The Kennedy Years and After” in February 1967. Later that same year, CBS news correspondent Roger Mudd spoke. The next year, 1968, the university hosted two wellknown speakers, defense attorney F. Lee Bailey and pop artist Andy Warhol. Unfortunately, Warhol’s event was a disappointment. Warhol showed a one-hour film clip and spoke very little. As the Exponent correspondent explained, Warhol did entertain, but “failed miserably” to “enlighten students” concerning art. Over the next two decades, several well-known celebrities and artists spoke on campus: everyone from boxer Muhammad Ali, women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem, and entertainer Dick Gregory to US Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, author Tom Wolfe, and civil rights activist Julian Bond.

The success of the Forum Series led to the Student Activities Board establishing the Distinguished Lecture Series in 1989. Since Shirley Chisholm’s speech, the Distinguished Lecture Series has continued providing nationally known speakers annually. Long-time White House correspondent Helen Thomas spoke in 2006; Robert Ballard, the person who led the expedition that discovered the Titanic in 1985, spoke in 2012; Consumer Advocate Ralph Nadar holds the distinction of speaking at both the Forum Series (1970) and the Distinguished Lecture Series (1990).

Finally, in the age of COVID-19, Dr. Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, spoke via Zoom in 2021.

One of the most poignant Distinguished Lecture Series moments came in 2010 when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke on environmental issues in the Williams Fieldhouse. For Kennedy’s speech, the university had provided him with the same podium President Kennedy used in 1959. As he began speaking, Kennedy, who was accustomed to speaking without a podium, said, “Excuse me a minute while I move Uncle Jack’s podium.”

“Uncle Jack’s podium,” which, incidentally, Chisholm also used, can be seen in the Luce Museum in Ullsvik Hall.

The Distinguished Lecture Series occurs every spring.

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 23

23 4/4/22 9:03 AM

ALUMNI PROFILE

Sigwarth turns her ‘year in the library’ into published children’s book As a young child growing up in Dubuque, Iowa, Lydia Sigwarth ’18 visited the Carnegie-Stout Public Library daily, developing a passion for reading and forming a lasting bond with the children’s librarian. Unbeknownst to Sigwarth, her family was facing a challenging situation of being homeless and moving in with loved ones. It was the reason behind her family’s frequent daylong stops at the library. Sigwarth describes that chapter of her life as the year in the library. She’s now sharing her story through her own children’s book titled, Dear Librarian.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” said Sigwarth. “It’s my life, it’s what happened, but the book is little Lydia and her story. It’s sending her out in the world.”

Spending hours at the library as a 5-to-6year-old girl was impactful for Sigwarth, who knew from that age she wanted to become a librarian—a dream that came true. Sigwarth is a Children’s Librarian at the Platteville Public Library.

Shaping that ambition was the kindness Sigwarth received from her children’s librarian, Mrs. Stephenson. Sigwarth said Dear Librarian highlights Stephenson’s compassion and empathy towards her family’s situation.

“This book is about Deb [Stephenson]. She wants to give me all the credit, but I want to give her all the credit. She’s been very supportive and excited for me,” said Sigwarth. “Empathy is the most powerful skill a person can have.

One of the best ways to gain empathy is to see the world and life through another perspective.

24

The most limiting element of human life is you can only live through your own eyes. The workaround for that is through stories, books, movies, and TV shows.”

Dear Librarian came to fruition after Sigwarth was featured on the public radio program and podcast This American Life in 2018. This American Life reaches millions of listeners each week on more than 500 public radio stations in the U.S. Sigwarth reached out to This American Life Reporter Stephanie Foo after Foo tweeted that she

LYDIA SIGWARTH, AUTHOR of the children’s book Dear Librarian.

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 24

4/4/22 9:03 AM

wanted to do an episode on libraries and asked listeners to send in ideas.

“In that moment, I strangely thought my story is it. This is worth telling,” she said. “I want to honor the librarian from my childhood.

I want to tell her story and tell people the difference she has made in my life, and tell people you never know the difference you’re making in someone’s life by being compassionate. To have it picked and then shared with millions of people was an even greater honor. I was thrilled.”

In the episode, Sigwarth and Foo walked the aisles of Carnegie-Stout Public Library and reminisced with Stephenson.

“When I reconnected with Mrs. Stephenson, my soul recognized her. I didn’t have a clear memory of her face. It had been 25 years. We both have changed a lot. If you listen to the episode, I was so comfortable with her,” said Sigwarth. “It was a particularly challenging part of my childhood. It worked out great because we had this support system. I found a safe place in our library. Our library was welcoming, open, and safe for us at that point. I was worried people would hear that and place blame somewhere. There isn’t any.”

In 2019, Sigwarth was contacted by an editor to write Dear Librarian and signed a publishing deal. Now, as readers of all ages take a glimpse into young Lydia’s life, the response has been overwhelming and full of emotion.

“It’s a fantastic feeling. It’s why you want to publish a book, it’s to touch people’s lives,” said Sigwarth. “I wanted to take a subject like homelessness, a topic some people find shameful or taboo and bring it out into the light. It happens. Not talking about it is what brings it shame.”

As Sigwarth empowers readers through Dear Librarian, she credits her professors with giving her the confidence to tell her story. Sigwarth, a non-traditional student, earned her degree in English literature. The consistent writing and editing throughout her courses prepared Sigwarth with the skillset needed to become an author.

“Going through paper edits after paper edits, that’s what being an author is. It’s editing the things you wrote first and cutting out the things you loved, but you have to let

Dear Librarian

By Lydia Sigwarth ’18 (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2021)

it go,” she said. “The biggest contribution to my experience at UW-Platteville for my career as an author was that I formed special friendships with Amanda Tucker and David Gillota. They were two professors that I took every class they gave.

They both were supportive of me. They told me, ‘you have a voice, you’re a good writer, and you need to tell your story.’ They both came to my book signing.”

Sigwarth’s education at UW-Platteville has influenced both her careers as a children’s librarian and author. Her favorite part of both is always the kids. Sigwarth is embarking on more story ideas in hopes of being published again, but for now she shares this message for readers of Dear Librarian.

“I hope people listen to the idea that libraries can be there for anybody at any point,” she said. “I hope adults take away you never know someone’s story and the best thing to do is be compassionate and kind. For kids, I hope they see that libraries are magic.”

Ruth Wendlandt ’06

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 25

25 4/4/22 9:03 AM

PLATTEVILLE PORTRAIT

AN IMPACT MADE ON GENERATIONS OF ALUMNI

26

G

rowing up on a small Wisconsin dairy farm, DOUG BUHLER ’79 had career plans when he left for college that included anything but agriculture.

“I spent my life getting up, milking cows, going to school, coming home, and milking cows,” said Buhler. “I wanted to get as far away from agriculture as possible.”

However, a chance meeting with Dr. Roger Higgs, during his second year at UW-Platteville, grew into a mentorship and ultimately a friendship that changed the trajectory of Buhler’s career.

Buhler began college as an engineering major, but after a year in the program, he decided it wasn’t for him. He spent some time exploring different classes before eventually wandering into the School of Agriculture where he met Higgs, who he credits with giving him a true understanding of the field of agriculture.

“Like so many farm kids, especially in past generations, I had no idea what agriculture really encompassed, and that’s where Roger really deserves credit,” said Buhler. “It isn’t just cows, sows, and plows. It’s an international business and encompasses everything from IT to business to policy to politics to cutting-edge science.

That’s where it all started to click for me.”

Buhler then joined the Soil and Crop Science Program, where Higgs became both his professor

THE 1979 CHAMPIONSHIP crops team: (front) Dr. Roger Higgs, Linda Rather, Tom Van Tassel, (back) Matt Sturmer and Doug Buhler.

and coach. Buhler was a member of the 1979 UW-Platteville Crops Team, which won its first national championship.

“At the time, I had no idea what graduate school was, and Roger was the first to suggest that I had the potential to go to graduate school,” said Buhler.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in soil and crop science with a chemistry minor, he went on to the University of Nebraska to earn his master’s and Ph.D. in

agronomy and weed science. He began his career at UW-Madison and later worked at the United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service before joining Michigan State University as professor and chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in 2000.

He twice served as interim dean of MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and is currently the Associate Vice President for Research

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 26

4/4/22 9:03 AM

For more information on supporting the Soil and Crop Science Scholarship Fund and other UW-Platteville scholarships, visit www.uwplatt.edu/give or contact foundation@uwplatt.edu.

DOUG BUHLER (ABOVE) credits his mentorship and friendship with Dr. Roger Higgs (right) for changing the trajectory of his career.

and Innovation at MSU. Buhler’s distinguished research career includes more than 400 published scientific articles and three books.

In 2014, he was honored with UW-Platteville’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

“I’ve spent my whole life post-Platteville at large universities—some of the biggest in the country—and I don’t think I would have made it if I went to one of those large institutions instead of UW-Platteville,” said Buhler. “So much is due to the fact that when I was wandering around, between majors, I happened to land there with Roger—and others, like Ken Killian—who gave me a place and a connection and showed me things I didn’t know existed.”

Buhler is one of about 12,000 students Higgs taught during his 37-year career at UW-Platteville, and their story

is emblematic of the many friendships and giving spirit of the Soil and Crop Science alumni community that Higgs has and continues to nourish. Higgs created the program in 1968 and was director of it from then until his retirement in 2003.

Although the program may be relatively small in numbers, generations of alumni continue to make a big impact giving back to the program, many of whom—like Buhler—are inspired by Higgs.

Buhler, and his wife, Jean, created the Doug and Jean Buhler Research Fund to support undergraduate research and other scholarly activities for students in UW-Platteville’s School of Agriculture.

“I believe there are students

at UW-Platteville right now who don’t have any idea about what research is,” said Buhler.

“We want to help create an environment where the faculty can do more research and give a few more students a taste of scientific inquiry. I know how important that was to me.”

Buhler also contributes to the Soil and Crop Science Scholarship Fund, which is an endowed scholarship fund that Higgs, along with others, established in 1989. As a testament to the camaraderie among soils and crop science alumni, and their loyalty to the program, the fund has raised nearly $67,000 since then—$40,000 of which was raised just in the past nearly two years, thanks to Higgs. In October of 2020, Higgs launched his own grassroots effort to raise $50,000 more for the scholarship, calling and emailing hundreds of alumni and friends himself. Just a little over a year later, he is less than $10,000 shy of that goal.

When asked what inspires the alumni to give back and remain close—many still gathering for reunions each year—Higgs attributes it to the experiences in the program like competing on the crops and soils teams.

“I call [the crops and soils teams] the honors program,” said Higgs. “We’ve had something like 300 people through the years on the soils team and over 200 on the crops team. A lot of friendships were developed and a lot of camaraderie came from there. We had a lot of quality individuals and a lot of loyalty to the school. People who just go to the classroom don’t develop those same loyalties.”

Buhler’s answer, however, is much more simple.

“It’s Roger,” he said.

Alison Parkins

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 27

27 4/4/22 9:03 AM

CLASS NOTES Floyd Sutton ’83 is a Key Account Manager at Zinpro Corporation in Freeport, Illinois.

Share your news!

Tell us about any updates in your professional or personal life—promotions, accomplishments, awards, moves, marriages, baby announcements, and more.

uwplatt.edu/shareyourstory

Dr. Robert Cropp ’63 is receiving the prestigious Babcock Award from the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. Cropp is a former faculty member at UW-Platteville. He served as professor of agricultural economics and dean of the College of Agriculture. The award recognizes the contributions of those in education or affiliate organizations partnering with cheesemakers in the pursuit of dairy industry innovation and excellence.

Jill (Harasha) Wadlund ’86 retired Joe Swanson ’83 is in his 38th

Myron Martin ’70 is retired and writes that he is enjoying traveling when it’s safe, hunting, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and spending time at the farm to relax. He and his wife, Lois, celebrated their 53rd anniversary on Dec. 30. They have two grandsons who have persuaded him to do some golfing.

year with Regal Ware Inc. He is the Senior Vice President of Operations. Swanson writes, “I greatly enjoy my work and the people I work with. Blessed with the opportunity to spend my career here. Thanks UW-Platteville for a solid education to get this journey started!”

Emeritus in the UW-Platteville History Department, wrote her second book The Langworthys of Dubuque: The Key City’s First Family. It was published on Nov. 15. Hellert writes, “The Langworthys were founders of Dubuque and a fascinating family with a history that encompassed Iowa, the Midwest, and the nation.”

the 2021–22 Hometown Hero Award from the Wisconsin State Assembly on Sept. 30. Sisson was recognized for his role in establishing the Milton Area Veterans Memorial.

Frank Friar ’69 and ’70 re-

Ty Aurand ’81 has retired af-

ceived the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s 2021 James A. Graham award for his outstanding service to agricultural producers in Wisconsin.

ter 20 years in maintenance at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center in Rockford, Illinois. Aurand is now living in Madison, Alabama, and enjoying his five grandchildren.

Steve Gehrmann ’91 recently self-published a new book entitled THE HAPPY ZONE. Gehrmann writes, “THE HAPPY ZONE is a combination of expert opinions, real life stories, anecdotes, and quotes from ordinary people.” The book is available online at Amazon and specialty stores.

community and small business advocate who contributed to the newly released small business guidebook written by Deluxe Corporations President and CEO Barry C. McCarthy, titled Small Business Revolution: How Owners and Entrepreneurs Can Succeed. Weavel owned Anna’s Pizza & Pasta in Winnebago, Illinois, for 24 years.

Mark Dalsing ’84 retired as chief of police from the Dubuque (Iowa) Police Department on Sept. 25, 2021, 32 years to the date after he was sworn in with the department. He served at all ranks and in all divisions. He was appointed chief of police in February 2010. Since retirement, Dalsing has transitioned into a new career. He was named the Affordable Housing Director for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, where he will oversee affordable housing opportunities in the 30-county service area.

Lori (Evenstad) Allendorf ’85

28

from Berkley Life Sciences LLC.

Brian Weavel ’92 is a local

Susan (Miller) Hellert ’71,

Dean Kallenbach ’79 retired after 35 years at Wisconsin Public Radio as the senior regional manager. Kallenbach was named the 2021 Distinguished Alumnus at UW-Eau Claire-Barron County, where he earned his Associate of Arts before transferring to UW-Platteville.

Kallenbach and his wife Sandy are keeping bees and chickens at their home in Eau Claire.

Wendell Sisson ’66 received

years at Darlington Community School District.

retired after 36 years of teaching. Allendorf taught in Seneca, Wisconsin; Big Rock, Illinois; and Hickory, North Carolina before returning to her hometown of Darlington, Wisconsin, to teach second grade the last 22

Tristan Lambert ’98 is a Professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Lambert’s graduate advisor, David MacMillan, won the 2021 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Lambert writes, “I was his first graduate student back in 1998 when he started his career at UC-Berkeley. I played a small role in the genesis of the idea for which he won the prize (organocatalysis), and so he mentioned me in his Nobel lecture.”

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 28

4/4/22 9:03 AM

CONNECTIONS Bradley Banfield ’98 is Presi-

Mark Kienbaum ’03 is the owner

dent of Buesing & Associates Inc. Banfield continued the work of past-president and UW-Platteville alumnus John Gantenbein when he was named President in January 2020. Buesing & Associates Inc. has offices in Dubuque, Iowa and Belleville, Wisconsin.

of Primrose School of Middleton.

Carrie (Neff) Pratt ’05 is an English Teacher at the Riverdale School District in Muscoda, Wisconsin.

Amanda (Lederer) Zopp ’05 is the Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

Lynn (Jetzer) Weinfurter ’98 is a Teacher at the Sheboygan (Wisconsin) Area School District.

Paul Huettl ’05 is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at the ShiveHattery Madison Design office.

Do you know a fellow alum who deserves thanks?

Give thanks for an alum who is a frontline worker— professionals in health care, schools, food service, and more. Tell us who you are thankful for, for working hard to keep the country running. Your note may appear in the next Alumni Today issue, the alumni e-newsletter, or the UW-Platteville Alumni Facebook page.

uwplatt.edu/shareyourstory

In the last issue of the Alumni Today, we asked you to share your story if you are part of a Pioneer legacy family. Here are some of your stories. View more on the UW-Platteville Alumni Facebook page.

Dave Nies ’68 writes, “I have five generations of graduates from UW-Platteville since 1908.

My grandmother Catherine McDermott went to Platteville Normal School in, I believe, the summer of 1908 for a six-week teacher training certificate, and then taught for several years at the Patterson Country School in rural Bloomington. She was paid $240 for eight months of teaching and had eight students, only six of them full time.

The rest of my family graduates are as follows: Catherine McDermott Nies (grandmother), 1908; Florentine Knautz Nies (mother), 1939; Delia Fischer Cooley (mother-in-law), 1942; David M. Nies (me), 1968; Marilyn Cooley Nies (wife), attended for three years before graduating from UW-Whitewater in 1970; Kenny Nies (son), 1991; Michele Schmitz Nies (daughter-in-law),

1995; Jeannie Nies (Porter) (daughter), 1993; Robert Porter (son-in-law), 1992; Paula Nies (daughter), 1995; Ellie Nies (Olson) (daughter), 1999; Aaron Olson (son-in-law), 1999; Kellie Check (granddaughter), 2020; and a grandson currently at UW-Platteville, Brady Olson. I also have five aunts and uncles who are also graduates: Lucille Knautz Pederson, 1948; James Knautz, 1947; Mae Nies Knautz, 1943; Phyllis Nies Bernhardt, 1943; and Bernadine Nies Stroede, 1952.”

Steve Haldiman ’10 writes, “My Grandmother attended the Normal School in Platteville to become a teacher and retired in 1983. My sister got her master’s in education from UW-Platteville in 2003. I received my bachelor’s in business in 2010 and master’s in project management in 2016.”

Here is an example from Crystal Taylor ’07, who writes in about her husband, Josh Taylor ’08.

“Josh is an Emergency Room Nurse at Upland Hills Health, Intermediate Tech for the Mineral Point Rescue Squad, and Deputy Coroner for Iowa County.

During this crazy COVID time, Josh remains positive and has a deep passion for wanting to help others no matter their situation. When he is not in the emergency room caring for our community, he is taking calls as an Intermediate EMT for the Mineral Point Rescue Squad.

Josh’s sons, Nash and Brody, get just as excited when the tones go off on the pager. Both typically run to the front door and watch him leave. You can see the pride and joy on their

face when their dad drives away with the lights on his truck rushing to the EMS garage.

He is currently studying Family Nurse Practitioner at Walden University. Despite a few COVID related setbacks, he plans to graduate in the spring of 2022.

Being a frontline employee has had its challenges during COVID, however his family and friends couldn’t be more proud of him as Josh continues to pursue his dream of providing care to others in his community while being a topnotch father, caring husband, supportive son, and dedicated nurse, while giving back to his community.”

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 29

29 4/4/22 9:03 AM

CLASS NOTES Holly (Kaiser) Clendenen ’06

Michelle (Mauerman) Peterson ’14 is an educator at McDuffie

is the Chief Student Services Officer at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Clendenen has worked at Southwest Tech since 2015, serving as executive director of Foundation and Real Estate Foundation and most recently as executive director of College Advancement.

County School System in Thomson, Georgia.

Nichole Kriz ’15 is an Engineer in Training at Davenport (Iowa) Public Works. She also passed her PE exam.

Caitlin (Kast) DesJarlais ’16

Mathew Landon ’07 graduated in May from Lake Shore Technical College with a pharmacy technician degree. He’s a member of the National Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa.

Justin Gehm ’07 is a Peace Officer in Grafton, Wisconsin.

Serena (Conway) Rudzinski ’08 is a Math Teacher at Whitewater (Wisconsin) Unified Schools. She married alumnus Ryan Rudzinski ’07, who is a Civil Engineer.

is the Payroll and Accounting Manager at MTILP in Madison, Wisconsin.

Ryan Munz ’06 and ’08 was recently named the Pioneers’ new Head Football Coach. A well-known name to Pioneer football, the Highland, Wisconsin native and former UW-Platteville football quarterback has served as the Pioneers’ interim head coach since November following the retirement of Mike Emendorfer. A 2012 WIAC Assistant Coach of the Year, Munz completed his 15th season as the Pioneers offensive coordinator and fifth season as associate head coach in 2021.

is the Continuous Improvement Analyst at Ortho Molecular Products Inc. in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Laucke is also the published author of the children’s book Arabian Horse and owner of two small businesses.

Manager at Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Jim Spehn ’09 is the head of

Sarah (Fahs) Ericson’s ’09 design project of the CTH HH (Vanderperren Way) Reconstruction in Brown County received a 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers Wisconsin Project Award Engineering Achievement Award in the category of construction cost less than $2 million. Ericson is a Project Manager at AECOM.

30

Product Development Lead at Semex Alliance in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Steve Haldiman ’16 is the Risk and Opportunities Manager at Fincantieri Marinette Marine.

Alyssa (Szydel) Grimsled ’17 is Michelle (Flatoff) Laucke ’10

Charley Hopp ’08 is the Program

Customer Acquisition at Everlance Inc. Spehn joined GoodRx Inc. in April 2013 as the sixth employee at the company and the first to focus on marketing.

He spent seven years in an executive position at GoodRx, leading the marketing team. In 2020, GoodRx went public with a market capitalization of $20 billion and now has nearly 500 employees across America.

Jacob Leum ’16 is the Jersey

Cathy Huttenhoff ’09 is a Program Manager at AVISTA a Belcan Company. Huttenhoff and Anthony Milliren ’05 welcomed their first child, Athena.

She joins her half-brother Oakley Milliren.

Hanah Diebold ’10 is the Director of Student Experience at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida.

a Therapist at CWM Counseling, LLC in Platteville. Her husband Cody ’17 is a fifth-grade science and social studies teacher.

Jonah Eickert ’17 is a Construction Engineer at Payne and Dolan in Greenville, Wisconsin.

Ryan Fields ’10 is an Assistant Team Lead at Wahl Clipper in Sterling, Illinois.

Meredith (Dentice) Johnson ’12 is a Senior Industrial Engineer at SPX Transformer Solutions in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Brian Fure ’13 is a Foreman at TelCom Construction.

Emily (O’Brien) Castle ’10 is the Enrollment Specialist at Waterford (Wisconsin) Union High School.

Bridget Klinkner Spraggon ’10 and her husband, John Spraggon ’11, started their own business, St. Joe’s Tree Service, LLC, in 2020. They also welcomed their sixth child.

Kyle Nethery ’14 is the Factory Manager and Distribution Manager at HNI Corporation in Muscatine, Iowa.

Michelle (Clough) Cahill ’14 is a Mortgage Underwriter at PNC Bank.

Zachary Thomas ’17 is an Operations Coordinator at Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. Thomas completed the 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October.

Dakota Stout ’19 is a Legal Advocate at Family Resources.

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 30

4/4/22 9:04 AM

IN MEMORIAM

1940s Chatfield “Chet, Bud” P. Kolar ’42, Green Bay, WI Lawrence “Larry” Cherrey ’49, Shullsburg, WI

1950s

Erika (Watral) Hahn ’20 is a Technical Support Chemist at New Age Chemical. She married Zachary Hahn ’19 in October 2021.

Paige Powell ’20 is enrolled in UW-Milwaukee’s Coordinated Master’s of Social Work and Master’s of Criminal Justice program. Powell writes, “Thanks to my hands-on education at UW-Platteville, I am able to bring more to the table during discussions. Proud to be an alumna!”

Rachel Eckmann ’20 is a Transfer Application and Evaluation Specialist at UW-Platteville.

Gary Wolfe ’20 is the Lean Process Engineer - MRI Installations at GE Healthcare.

Rose Warren ’20 is a Tax Associate at Baker Tilly US, LLP in Madison, Wisconsin. Warren is also a licensed CPA. Katherine McKinney ’21 is a Corrections Officer at Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department in Rockford, Illinois.

John Collen ’21 is the Owner and Senior Project Manager at Eptivis LLC.

Virgil A. Wills ’50, Cuba City, WI Walter B. Garyotis ’50, Tuscaloosa, AL Richard G. Moon ’53, Chicago, IL Charlene A. (Kelly) Bretl ’54, Baldwin, WI Robert A. Beinema ’55, Monroe, WI David E. Mason ’56, Spring Hill, Florida Jack E. Sherman ’57, Colorado Springs, CO Thomas H. Kerkenbush ’58, Evansville, WI Sharon R. (Holland) Kostuch ’58, Mineral Point, WI Carroll “Smiley” W. Halsted ’59, The Villages, FL Marilyn A. (Rowe) Damrau ’59, Tigerton, WI

1960s Harvey J. Wagner, ’60, Friendship, WI Gerald “Jerry” Waelti ’61, Delavan, WI Roger E. Hauser ’61, Platteville, WI Kathleen (Biddick) Hales ’61, Granton, WI Dennis H. Pauli ’62, Green Bay, WI James “Stab” Stabenaw ’62, Menomonee Falls, WI John D. Spates ’66, Delavan, WI Richard “Dick” P. Horan ’67, Madison, WI Kathleen “Kathy” M. Mullooly ’67, Green Bay, WI

Ginger Mae Collins ’75, Racine, WI Deborah Bouchette ’75, Hillsboro, OR

1980s Ellen L. Spahr ’81, Menomonee Falls, WI Charles M. Knox ’86, Platteville, WI Catherine A. (Curtis) Lichter ’87, Fox Lake, IL William “Bill” S. Tonn ’87, Westfield, WI

1990s Michael F. Grulke ’94, Oconomowoc, WI

2000s Rachel E. Bakken ’06, Prairie Du Chien, WI

2010s Macee M. Sullivan ’19, Fennimore, WI

Employees Professor Emeritus Charles M. Knox, Platteville, WI Steven R. Elmer, Monroe, WI Professor Emeritus Roger E. Hauser, Platteville, WI Donald H. “Don” Morshead, Jr., Platteville, WI Ivan L. Nodolf, Platteville, WI

1970s

Friends of the University

Sheldon Harvey Schall ’70, Waunakee, WI David C. Norman ’70, Madison, WI Betty J. (Fry) Wastlick ’70, Richland Center, WI Michael T. McEnerney ’70, Mililani, HI Joanna (Keefe) Trumbull ’71, Spring Park, MN Joyce E. Von Rueden ’71, Dodgeville, WI Polly A. (Nyman) Wright ’71, South Beloit, IL Carter J. Smith ’71, Madison, WI Michael D. Hollenbeck ’71, Cuba City, WI Carolyn (Thompson) Ensch ’72, Shullsburg, WI Robert “Bob” T. Garcia ’72, Waupun, WI Jack J. Mason ’73, Glen Haven, WI Frederick “Fritz” J. Buetow ’74, Monroe, WI

John “Jack” L. Stephenson, St. Helens, OR CORRECTION: In the Fall 2021 Alumni Today issue, there was a misspelling of friend of the university E. Robert Clare.

We regret the error.

Some alumni and friends inquire about making a memorial gift. If you would like to do so, please contact Josh Boots at bootsj@ uwplatt.edu or 608.342.3961.

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 31

31 4/4/22 9:04 AM

EVENTS

COMMENCEMENT

May 14 • Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium Spring 2020, August 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 graduates are invited to attend.

10 a.m. – The College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture and master’s degree candidates 2 p.m. – The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science and the College of Liberal Arts and Education www.uwplatt.edu/commencement

MARCHING PIONEERS TAILGATE

PIONEERS DAY OF GIVING

The UW-Platteville Marching Pioneers have accepted an invitation to perform the Star Spangled Banner at American Family Field when the Milwaukee Brewers host the New York Yankees. Join us for an alumni tailgate prior to the game.

Help us celebrate our annual Pioneers Day of Giving. The Day of Giving spans two days, allowing for 1,866 minutes to give, in honor of the university’s founding year.

Sept. 18 • Milwaukee

Oct. 6, 10 a.m.–Oct. 7, 5:06 p.m.

11 a.m. Tailgate 1 p.m. Game

32

UW-PLATTEVILLE

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 32

4/4/22 9:04 AM

HOMECOMING 2022 Oct. 14–15

www.uwplatt.edu/homecoming

Alumni Association Award Ceremony

Oct. 14 • 4:30 p.m. • Center for the Arts

Homecoming Parade

Oct. 15 • 10 a.m. • Main Street, Platteville

Alumni Association Luncheon Oct. 15 • 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Pioneers vs. River Falls Football Game To request disability accommodations, contact Shelby Lang, Alumni Relations Manager at langs@uwplatt.edu or 608.342.1181. Plans are subject to change, based on health and safety measures that may be in place at the time of the event.

Oct. 15 • 1 p.m. • Ralph E Davis Pioneer Stadium

Lighting of the M and Fireworks Oct. 15 • 9 p.m. • Platte Mound

ALUMNI TODAY | SPRING 2022

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 3

33 4/4/22 9:04 AM

1 University Plaza, Stop 1 | Platteville WI 53818-3099

Do you know a high school or transfer student with Pioneer potential?

1

ST

RANKED

RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN

IN WISCONSIN

SP22_AlumniToday.indd 4

20:1

STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO

$5 MILLION

IN SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Alumni, we need your help to recruit the next generation of Pioneers! Alumni are among our greatest ambassadors. As a graduate of UW-Platteville, you know best what the university has to offer and who would be a great fit for the Pioneer experience.

Visit www.uwplatt.edu/alumni-friends

4/4/22 9:04 AM