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UW-Waukesha students (l to r) Carly Malison, Kimberly Hamilton and Michael Hopkins are joined by Chancellor David Wilson in reading key scenes from the play "March On Milwaukee: A Memoir of the Open Housing Protests" at the May 27 UW Colleges Colloquium.
Photo by Carrie Hoppe, UW-Sheboygan
UW Colleges Colloquium sparks inspiration
Approximately 140 UW Colleges and UW-Extension faculty and staff members, students and administrators gathered on the UW-Sheboygan campus on May 27 for the 2008 UW Colleges Colloquium.
Sharing the secrets of inspiration
This annual professional development event allows participants to listen to stimulating presentations and engage in lively discussion. The theme for the 2008 Colloquium was "Inspiration." Colloquium Planning Committee co-chair Mark Klemp, assistant professor, chemistry, UW-Marinette, explains why the theme was chosen. "One thing that is undeniable to me is the dedication found in all the wonderful people we work with across all of our campuses and extension offices. Choosing the theme of 'Inspiration' seemed quite fitting to allow us to share all of the secrets of how we get inspired and how we inspire others."
A powerful example of inspiration
The highlight of the day was the reading by Chancellor David Wilson and five UW-Waukesha students of key scenes from UW-Waukesha professor of English Margaret (Peggy) Rozga's play "March On Milwaukee: A Memoir of the Open Housing Protests." The play dramatizes a pivotal series of events in the 1960's civil rights movement in Wisconsin.
After viewing the play at UW-Waukesha in spring 2007, Mario Hall, a community development specialist for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, was inspired to twice produce the play in Milwaukee.
"Sharing the fair housing protest marches story builds community ... and sharing history is especially important to our students," he explains.
He used the play as a springboard for sharing an important part of Wisconsin history with students at the Young Leaders Academy, a charter school at the Northside (Milwaukee) YMCA. He also arranged for the students to meet civil rights activists from that period and view film footage of the marches.
The audience was enthusiastic about seeing an important chapter of civil rights history brought vividly to life by Chancellor Wilson and the UW-Waukesha students. In their written evaluations of the plenary session, colloquium participants indicated that they found the plenary session "very moving and educational" and "very inspirational."
Presentations and displays provide inspiration too
In addition, 43 UW Colleges faculty, staff and administrators; nine UW Colleges students; and 16 UW-Extension faculty and staff made presentations. Some of the topics included:
- inspired leadership and inspired advising
- methods for inspiring student writing
- team teaching global issues
- collaborative scholarship in the sciences
- expanding students' roles inside and outside the classroom
Exhibits introduced participants to UW Colleges programs on service learning, undergraduate research and the first-year experience. Additional displays featured programs of Wisconsin Public Television, Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Services and artwork by UW-Sheboygan students.
Information applies to professional and personal life
Reflecting on the day, Planning Committee co-chair Jennifer Flatt, associate professor, foreign languages and English, says, "This year's colloquium reminded me of one of the reasons I love working in this institution. Although my colleagues work in different fields, with different age groups, and on widely varying projects, I learn so much from them that is directly applicable to my work and my life."
Colloquium Planning Committee members
In addition to co-chairs Flatt and Klemp, Planning Committee members included Renee Gralewicz, associate professor, anthropology and sociology, UW-Barron County; Wava Haney, professional development coordinator, UW Colleges; Ann Keim, special assistant to the provosts, UW Colleges and UW-Extension; Letha Kelsey, lecturer, art, UW-Baraboo/Sauk County; Ellyn Lem, assistant professor, English, UW-Waukesha; Martin Rudd, associate dean and associate professor, chemistry, UW-Fox Valley; and Sarah Rudolf, professor, communications and theatre arts, UW-Marathon County.
By Wava Haney, professional development coordinator, UW Colleges