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J. J. Keller funds UWO research to improve sexual harassment prevention training

J. J. Keller & Associates recently donated $40,000 to help fund UW Oshkosh research on the effectiveness of sexual harassment prevention training.

In Photo

Midyear Commencement Ceremony Photos

Nearly 900 undergraduates, more than 140 master’s degree candidates and three Doctor of Education candidates received diplomas at the Midyear Commencement Ceremony on December 14, 2019.

UW Oshkosh students study hard for finals

Our Titans are a studious bunch! We found these students studying for exams and making finishing touches to papers and projects during the last few days of the fall semester.

Holidays Around The World

UW Oshkosh students from various organizations perform during Holidays Around the World in Reeve Memorial Union.

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In Video

Feast your eyes on UWO’s fall semester

Thanksgiving break means the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s 2019 fall semester is winding down. Take a look back at all the great moments–starting with move-in–students, faculty, staff and alumni enjoyed on our beautiful campus in past three months.

UWO education major researches activist athletes in children’s literature

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh secondary education major Morgan Hach, of Highland, is assembling a review of children’s books that tell the stories of activist athletes in the United States.

She wants her research to help teachers write lesson plans that resonate with students who play or watch sports. “Curriculum that students can connect to in that way is really helpful for them to be engaged in what they’re learning,” she said.

Hach said many believe that activism in the sports world is a recent phenomenon, but her research suggests another story.

“Before Colin Kaepernick was kneeling for the National Anthem, there were people like Tommy Smith at the 1968 Olympics doing a Black Power fist for the racial injustice that was happening in the United States at the time, and Billie Jean King was promoting women’s rights through sports,” she said.

The UW Oshkosh senior’s research was supported by funds granted by the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity. “It’s been amazing just having the opportunity to do this, and it’s something I know I’m gonna use in the future,” she said.

UWO runners hit the road for cross country national championships

The 2019 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships are slated for this Saturday (Nov. 23) in Louisville, Kentucky, and three University of Wisconsin Oshkosh runners will be there.

Junior Cody Chadwick, of the Titan men’s cross country team, and senior Ashton Keene and junior Hannah Lohrenz, of the women’s cross country team, each earned an individual at-large berth into the national championships.

For Chadwick, this will be his second appearance at the men’s national championship, having also earned a bid in 2018. Chadwick’s 11th place finish at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional, hosted by UWO on Nov. 16, helped him earn his second-straight individual berth.

“I had probably the best race of my life at regionals this past weekend,” Chadwick said. “I snagged a spot individually, which is pretty cool.”

With a little more experience under his belt, Chadwick is going into this year’s nationals with a different mindset.

“This is my second time, and I now have a little more experience,” Chadwick said. “Last year I was maybe just too happy about being at nationals. So this year I am focusing on racing well. I am going in with a little bit more competitive mindset.”

For Keene, this is her first time racing at nationals as an individuals. As a freshman in 2016, she helped the Titans to a fourth place team finish at the National Championship, ironically also held in Louisville, Kentucky.

“I am really excited and its very gratifying that all my work has paid off,” Keene said. “I couldn’t think of a better way to end my cross country career than to go to nationals.”

It is the first appearance at the national championship for Lohrenz, who wasn’t expecting to earn an individual berth.

“I wasn’t really expecting it, but I am really excited and I think it is really cool to go with the other two that made it,” Lohrenz said. “It will be a good experience.”

Chadwick, Keene and Lohrenz will hit the road to Kentucky with Titan head men’s and women’s cross country coach Eamon McKenna Thursday and will have a practice run on the course at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park Friday, before the big race kicks off on Saturday.

The men’s 8,000-meter race begins at 9:45 a.m. CT, and the women’s 6,000-meter race is set for 10:45 a.m. CT.

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Briefs

UWO Learning in Retirement expands offerings to the Fox Cities campus

Jan 24, 2020

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Learning in Retirement (LIR) is expanding to the Fox Valley area, with over 20 programs to be offered at the UWO Fox Cities campus during the spring 2020 semester.

Affiliated with the UW Oshkosh Division of Online and Continuing Education, LIR is a self-directed, membership-based association of people 55 and older that has offered learning opportunities to its members in Oshkosh since 1997. Today, there are at least 50 programs offered in the Oshkosh area alone.

Members have the ability to choose topics or subjects; take the lead in organizing classes, discussion groups or tours; and participate in peer teaching and learning. LIR provides all the fun of learning without homework, tests or grades.

“Learning in Retirement has allowed me to continue my pursuit of lifelong learning with high-quality educational programs, stimulating discussions and informative trips and tours to area and Wisconsin cultural, business, industry and nature sites,” said Mary Bayorgeon, long-time member and past president. “I have also met new people and made new friendships that I treasure. My life in retirement has been much richer because of my membership in LIR.”

Registration for the LIR programs is now open to the public. For more information, please visit uwosh.edu/lir, call 920-424-0876 or email lir@uwosh.edu.

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UWO alumnus bringing Houdini magic Friday night in visit from NYC

Jan 22, 2020

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumnus Rajon Lynch, aka RJ the Magician, is returning to Oshkosh as he joins two Midwestern magicians for Magic at the Time–a comedy magic show taking place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Time Community Theater, 445 N. Main St.

Tickets start at $15 for the show recommended for ages 12 and up.

Lynch will be joined by two young magicians: Caleb Hyatt, of Milwaukee, who is a working magician at the SafeHouse and the youngest professional magician in Wisconsin; and Noah Sonie, a touring magician from Minnesota who performs at colleges and corporate parties around the U.S. and produces The Magic Underground.

While a student in 2017, Lynch began a popular dinner-show program, Now Serving Magic, which was held at Time Community Theater, at Houdini’s Escape Gastropub and at the History Museum at the Castle.

Lynch graduated from UW Oshkosh in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. In September 2019, he was hired as director of the Houdini Museum of New York.

Lynch, who resides in New York City, has been featured in the New York Times, AM New York, ABC and NBC New York.

More info and tickets

Campus community encouraged to get influenza vaccine as cases rise in Wisconsin

Jan 16, 2020

As students return to campus for spring semester in less than three weeks, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Student Health Center staff remind the campus community about the importance of getting the influenza vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting widespread cases of influenza in 45 states with a high level of activity in Wisconsin.

Influenza B has been the most prominent influenza virus this season and is included in both the trivalent and quadrivalent vaccine that are currently available.

The Student Health Center, located on the first floor of Radford Hall, still has some influenza vaccine available for a nominal fee of $15.

The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene reports influenza, adenovirus and norovirus are infections that are currently on the rise this season.

Influenza has been identified in multiple healthcare systems in Oshkosh. As a surveillance site, the UWO health center has had a few positive tests for adenovirus, which is a major cause of the “common cold” but also can cause many symptoms similar to influenza.

Students who come down with any of these viruses can sometimes miss a week or more of classes, which can cause them to fall behind in their studies.

“Adenovirus and norovirus are two viruses that can last for extended periods on fomites, such as door knobs and other surfaces,” said UWO senior physician Shawn Ekstrom. “They also are not managed with alcohol-based hand cleansers or cleaning products. Washing hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds; keeping hands from mouth, nose and eyes; and using bleach-based cleaning products are needed.”

Students are encouraged to take the time to clean common surfaces when they return to their residence halls or apartments.

Adenovirus and influenza can cause complications that lead to hospitalization and even death, Ekstrom added. The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 9.7 million flu illnesses, 87,000 hospitalizations and 4,800 deaths from flu.

Norovirus can cause dehydration and hospitalization.

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Student Affairs executive assistant earns January STAR Award

Jan 2, 2020

Lesa Kuberski, who works as an executive assistant for the Office of Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, has been named the recipient of the January 2020 STAR Award.

She was nominated by Art Munin, associate vice chancellor and dean of students.

The nomination follows:

“Lesa has consistently gone above and beyond her role during the time I have served as acting vice chancellor. As one aspect to her stellar service, when Dr. Green departed for her interim appointment at UW-Whitewater in January 2019, it placed a great strain and responsibility on her role. She was tasked with managing all the associated staff transitions throughout the Division of Student Affairs. Lesa managed all facets of this complicated process while also tackling the vacancies in the front desk position in Student Affairs and the AVC for enrollment management. Every time a ball was almost dropped, Lesa was there to make the save and ensure that Student Affairs continued to move forward in a positive direction.

“A second notable aspect to Lesa’s work has been her coordination of the administrative process for the assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management search. This work has occurred throughout the spring semester/summer and coincides with all of the aforementioned work transitions that Lesa has managed. Honestly, I felt really awful about asking her to take on this role for the search. However, this search is so very important that I did not want to trust it to anyone else. As always, Lesa rose to the challenge and coordinated all aspects of this search impeccably. Lesa is a diligent staff member and leader that is well-deserving of recognition at UW Oshkosh. Any success that Student Affairs experienced since all the transitions that occurred in January 2019 were only possible because of her.”

UWO College of Nursing recognized for student volunteer work

Dec 16, 2019

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College of Nursing (CON) was recently presented with a $1,500 donation from the Community First Fox Cities Marathon presented by Miron Construction in recognition of the nursing student volunteers who assisted at the 2019 event in September.

Tara Perre, the credit union’s vice president of communications, and Steve Radich, a member of the marathon board of directors, met with CON Dean Judy Westphal to recognize the skilled student volunteers and their generous contributions. The donated money will be used for nursing scholarships to directly benefit the students.

Westphal consistently advocates the need for students to be active volunteers in their community. The nursing student organizations at UW Oshkosh provide ample opportunities for students to give back.

For the past three years, CON students have volunteered at the Community First Fox Cities Marathon where they assist with the triage units located at the end of the race.

The main focus of the units is to ensure finish line safety. Runners commonly experience rushes of adrenaline throughout a marathon, and after the race is finished, bodies can react in unpredictable ways.

The student volunteers assess the physical needs of each runner and also develop practical soft skills while gaining real-world experience. The volunteers use their medical knowledge in a fast-paced environment while cheering the runners on.

Plans are underway for the successful partnership to continue, the 2020 marathon is set to take place on Sunday, Sept. 20 on the UWO Fox Cities campus.

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In the News

UWO Learning in Retirement expands offerings to the Fox Cities campus

Jan 24, 2020

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Learning in Retirement (LIR) is expanding to the Fox Valley area, with over 20 programs to be offered at the UWO Fox Cities campus during the spring 2020 semester.

Registration for the LIR programs is now open to the public. For more information, please visit uwosh.edu/lir, call 920-424-0876 or email lir@uwosh.edu.

Learn More: