Currently Viewing: Summer 2009

Kudos

Recent statewide, regional and national professional appointments and honors received by UW Colleges and UW-Extension employees, campuses, units and divisions.

People

Rebecca Abler, assistant professor, biological sciences, UW-Manitowoc, and Kitrina Carlson, associate professor, biology, UW-Stout, are the first-ever winners of a UW Regents Diversity Award in the team category. They received the award for "Portals of Discovery: Increasing Opportunities in STEM Through Collaborative Research." The initiative aims to increase the number of women and people of color in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

Four new members have been elected to the eight-member UW-Extension Academic Staff Council for two-year terms:

• Representing General Education Administration, Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Extension Conference Centers: Allisanne Apple, senior information processing consultant, DEED
• Representing Broadcasting and Media Innovations: Lynne Blinkenberg, director of community outreach, WHA-TV
• Representing Cooperative Extension: Ja'Tawn Campbell-Pinson, teacher coordinator, Racine/Kenosha Nutrition Education Program, Family Living Program
• Representing Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning: Tom Culviner, senior editor

Mary Brintnall-Peterson, specialist in aging, Family Living Program, Cooperative Extension, was recognized at the 2009 Extension Human Sciences Network Conference in New Orleans for her work over the course of her career in instructing and supporting family caregivers. The conference was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Services.

Brian Bull, assistant news director, Wisconsin Public Radio, is the producer for two radio programs included in the "We Shall Remain" The Radio Project, a collaboration by Native Public Radio and WGBH public television in Boston. This series of short radio programs bridges the historical segments presented in PBS's nationally broadcast American Experience "We Shall Remain" television series and presents the Native American world as it is today.

Imelda Delchambre, nutrition educator, Family Living Program, Cooperative Extension, has been recognized as one of 17 Outstanding Women of Color in Education by the UW System. Delchambre was honored for her contributions to the Hispanic communities in Door and Kewaunee counties.

Robyn French, university services assistant, UW-Fond du Lac, and Tamara Lavender, university services associate, UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, are both recipients of a UW Colleges Outstanding Classified Staff Member in Student Services Award. French coordinates the admission application process on her campus in addition to serving as a financial-aid resource person, supervising the student work-study team and coordinating advisor appointments. Lavender's duties include admission review, registration, record keeping, office management, marketing, and recruitment and orientation.

Caroline Geary, associate dean and associate professor of chemistry, UW-Manitowoc, has been honored with a UW Colleges Outstanding External Contributor in Student Services Award. In part through her efforts, UW-Manitowoc has increased the percentage of students retained. She has also introduced and supported a variety of student-based initiatives, including the promotion of a certified nursing proposal, translators for Hmong students, and the connection to campus courses with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Jan Gerlach, associate director of student services, UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, is this year's recipient of the Nora McGuire Outstanding Academic Staff Member in Student Services Award. Gerlach, who has worked at the campus for 28 years, is the primary recruiter for UW-Baraboo/Sauk County at high schools and in nearby communities.

Teresa Gonya, associate professor, biological sciences, UW-Fox Valley, and an interdisciplinary team are the recipients of a UW System Office of Professional & Instructional Development Conference Development Grant for their proposal "Cultural Challenges to Scientific Inquiry: Bridging the Gap Between Understanding Science and Cultural Beliefs."

A documentary film created by Merrin Guice, instructor, music, UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, will be broadcast throughout the state on Wisconsin Public Television. Check the Wisconsin Public Television schedule throughout the year for multiple broadcasts of "Make Them Hear You: An Investigative Look into the Sound Traditions on American University Campuses."

UW-Marathon County faculty members Holly Hassel, associate professor, English; Joanne Giordano, lecturer, English; Christina McCaslin, lecturer, English; and Deb Timoney, writing specialist, TRIO (a federal program that supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds), are the recipients of a UW System Office of Professional & Instructional Development Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Grant for their proposal "Reaching At-Risk Students: A UW System Workshop and Online Resource."

Two Cooperative Extension specialists were honored by the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association at its annual conference in Hayward. Jim Held, based in Lake Mills, and Sarah Kaatz, based in Stevens Point, both received Aquaculture Education awards for their contributions to the state's aquaculture industry. Held was recognized for helping to educate the state's fish farmers about pond management and environmental sustainability. Kaatz was honored for making aquaculture-related information more accessible to fish farmers.

Jerry Hembd, director, Northern Center for Economic Development, is the recipient of a 2009 National Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor conferred by the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals. Hembd, who is a faculty member for the Community Center for Economic Development, UW-Extension, and at UW-Superior, received the award for achievements over the course of his career in community development.

Julie Janiak-Fenton, director, TRIO Program, UW Colleges, and Diane Pillard, CEO/dean, UW-Rock County, are the recipients of a UW System Office of Academic Diversity & Development 2008-09 Closing the Achievement Gap Grant for their proposal "The Dream Team."

Sarada Prasad, professor, business, UW-Washington County, has been named one of 17 Outstanding Women of Color by the UW System. Prasad was recognized for her numerous contributions to UW Colleges as a scholar, teacher and advisor to students and as an informal mentor to women students returning to continue their education. As the UW Colleges nominee, Prasad represents the 13 two-year campuses across the state.

Linda Reinhardt, associate professor, psychology, UW-Rock County, has been honored with a Rock County YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for her leadership on the campus and in the community. Reinhardt is known for her commitment to inspiring young people to continue their education.

Stephanie Sutton, AmeriCorps* VISTA member, Cooperative Extension, Waukesha County, is a recipient of a 2009 Governor's Service Award. Sutton received the award for developing a volunteer system for two low-income neighborhood after-school programs and a diversion program for first-time juvenile offenders.

Aharon Zorea, assistant professor, history, UW-Richland, was recently recognized by UW System with a 2009 Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award. He is one of four teachers chosen for 2009 from eligible faculty at UW campuses within Alliant Energy's service area: UW-Madison, UW-Platteville and UW Colleges campuses at Baraboo, Fond du Lac, Richland Center, Rock County and Sheboygan. The Underkofler Award comes with a $3,500 prize funded by an endowment from Alliant Energy.

Campus/Division/Unit

4-H Youth Development, a program of UW-Extension's Cooperative Extension, has received $191,000 from the Kern Family Foundation of Waukesha to extend and expand the 4-H Gateway Academies in 2010 and 2011. The summer weeklong day-camp academies provide hands-on opportunities for middle schoolers to explore science, technology, engineering and math. In summer 2009, more than 400 students in 22 counties participated in 25 camps.

UW-Baraboo/Sauk County has received a Shared Savings Award from Alliant Energy Co. in recognition of significant achievement in energy efficiency and conservation.

UW Colleges has received a $98,305 UW System Supporting the Growth Agenda Action Steps Grant for its "KnowHow2Go Statewide" proposal that encourages secondary students to prepare for going to college. UW-Marinette also received a grant for $42,560 for its "College Counts" proposal that focuses on recruiting underserved and underrepresented middle and high school students.

The National Fish Habitat Board, composed of the nation's leading authorities on aquatic conservation, has bestowed a 2009 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Fish Habitat Action Plan Outreach and Education Award on the UW-Extension Lake Leader Institute. The institute, which a program of Cooperative Extension Community and Natural Resource Economic Development, trains community members how to manage and protect local lakes.

The UW-Rock County Student Services Team is the recipient of the UW Colleges Outstanding Team in Student Services Award for contributing to the campus's 18% increase in enrollment and for providing compassionate support for returning adult students, many who have lost their jobs due to the economic downturn. Team members are:

• Steve Ullrick, assistant campus dean for student services (no longer with UW-Rock County)
• Karen Greenler, senior student services coordinator
• Susana Hernandez, Project AHEAD coordinator
• Connie Hutchinson, registrar
• Morgan Jaimes, program assistant
• Sara Juarez-Koch, advisor
• Marylee Kishel, adult student advisor
• Linda Osbourne, advisor
• Carey Wilson, office manager

The UW-Sheboygan is the recipient of the Wisconsin Library Association's 2009 Library of the Year Award. Since its inception in 1955, the award has been presented to public libraries, school libraries, public library systems or universities. This is the first time the award has been received by a UW Colleges library and only the ninth time that an institution of higher education has been recognized. The library team is comprised of Jeff Ellair, university library director; Amy Mussel, academic librarian; and Karen McArdle, senior library services assistant, all UW-Sheboygan.

The UW-Waukesha has been recognized as a 2008 Outstanding Community Partner by the city of Waukesha's Business Improvement District. The award acknowledges the work of Kathleen Bubinas, associate professor, anthropology, UW-Waukesha, and Jane Crisler, associate professor, history, UW-Waukesha, on a study that outlines the effects of farmers' markets on local economies in Wisconsin. Bubinas and Crisler intend to continue their study in 2009 and beyond.

The UW-Whitewater Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has received a federal grant from the Small Business Administration for the development of a SBA Portable Assistance Project in Rock County. The project will provide training to small businesses to help them not only stay in business during tough economic times, but also grow their businesses and hire new employees. Emerging entrepreneurs will also be eligible to participate in training supported by the grant.

For the fourth biennial election cycle in a row, Wisconsin Public Television has received the University of Southern California Annenberg Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism. Wisconsin Public Television previously won the prestigious national award in 2007, 2005 and 2003.

Wisconsin Public Television is the recipient of six Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism Competition Awards (formerly known as the Milwaukee Press Club awards). WPT received first and second place in the Best Documentary or News Special category as well as first place in the Best Feature or Lifestyle Story or Series and Best Video Journalism categories. A second-place award was received in the Best Public Affairs Reporting category.

Wisconsin Public Television has received a My Source Community Impact Award for Engagement from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The awards were created by CPB "to give well-deserved recognition to stations for their commitment and responsiveness to their communities, providing innovative services—on-air, online and in-person—that have measurable results." WPT's award is for two projects: "Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Green Bay" and for the WisconsinVote.org Web site.

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network has been awarded a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to assist businesses that incurred losses due to the spring 2008 floods. The grant will help expand the number and geographic locations of business counselors in the regions that were most seriously affected by the flooding. Temporary offices will be set up in Fond du Lac, Rock and Sauk counties; additional counseling will be offered in other counties as well.

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