Community Night: Undefeated UWO volleyball hosts UWSP on Tuesday
UW Oshkosh women’s volleyball team is off to a scorching 17-0 start to the season. Titans fans and the greater community are invited to see them in action for free this week.
Community partners celebrate renovations to Wilcox Head Start building
The community joined leaders from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and the Boys and Girls Club to mark completion of more than $2.3 million in renovations to the Wilcox Head Start site with a ribbon cutting and open house Sept. 22.
The renovations provide a safer and healthier environment and more classroom space for children and families at the site, which is co-located with BGC at 571 Monroe St., Oshkosh
The two organizations shared the cost of the project, with UWO Head Start obtaining approval to use an estimated $1.7 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA) funds.
“This is truly an outstanding partnership. I think it represents UW Oshkosh’s commitment to collaborate in the community and to advance education, even in the early years, helping students achieve their greatest potential,” UWO Chancellor Andy Leavitt said.
The collaboration with BGC allows for seamless coordination of services to children and families enrolled in both programs.
Head Start serves the Oshkosh area, which has high rates of eligible families. With a location close to where families live allows them easier access to their child’s educational setting for visiting, volunteering and participating in activities.
Head Start is a federally funded program for young children and their families. UW Oshkosh has received this federal grant for over 55 years.
100 fruit trees planted across UW Oshkosh campuses
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh welcomed the addition of 100 new fruit trees across its three campuses Monday as the result of a Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations project sponsored by the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corp. and Arbor Day Foundation. It was the culmination of work that began in 2019. About 100 Kimberly-Clark employees and members of the University community spent several hours planting trees along Pearl Avenue and at Congress Field on the Oshkosh campus. In all, 200 trees were gathered—50 for the Oshkosh campus, 25 for each access campus and 100 for those who volunteered to help plant the trees to take home.
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Fox Cities campus hosts Welcome Back Bash
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Fox Cities campus students, staff and faculty took some time to kick back Monday at the annual Welcome Back Bash that included free food, games, prizes, inflatables and caricature artists. The fun took place at the Fox Cities campus fieldhouse and was put on by UWO Fox Cities Student Life.
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Titans Day of Giving: Celebrate the black and gold while giving back
Sept. 12 is more than just the anniversary of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s first day of classes in 1871—it’s also the third annual Titans Day of Giving.
Titans Day of Giving is a 24-hour robust virtual fundraising campaign to encourage alumni, patrons and friends to donate to an area of the University they are passionate about.
The goal is not only to raise funds to support a variety of academic programs and campus initiatives, but also to remind alumni and friends the impact that UW Oshkosh has had on their lives. By being a part of Titans Day of Giving, you have the chance to share your memories and stories of yesterday, as well as support the leaders, researchers and champions of tomorrow.
▶︎ Support Titans Day of Giving now
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Environmental studies: Digging into soil at the AGM Nature Preserve
‘Go Mighty Titans’: UW Oshkosh Titans fight song
The Go Mighty Titans fight song that debuted in 2022 is by alumnus David Gillingham ’69 and MST ’77, an accomplished composer and retired music professor.
UWO Society for Human Resource Management student chapter earns Superior Merit Award
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has awarded a Superior Merit Award designation to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh SHRM student chapter for providing superior growth and development opportunities to its student members.
The SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award program encourages the development of more effective student chapters and distinguishes outstanding activities and projects. Chapters are recognized based on operations, chapter programming and professional development of members, support of the human resource profession and SHRM engagement.
SHRM is the world’s largest association dedicated to Human Resources Management with over 170,000 professional members and 55,000 student members.
Those interested in getting involved with UWO SHRM can contact co-presidents Emma Leib at leibe50@uwosh.edu and Abbie Reinert at reinea20@uwosh.edu, or faculty co-advisers Sarah DeArmond at dearmons@uwosh.edu and Sarah Villanueva at villanuevas@uwosh.edu.
UW Oshkosh to host free speech discussion Sept. 27
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Center for Civic and Community Engagement will host a panel discussion on free speech later this month titled Crisis of Engagement: Why We Need More Speech on Campus.
Michael Ford
Details: 6 p.m. Sept. 27 in the Reeve Memorial Union ballroom
Featuring: Michael Ford, associate public administration professor, will moderate the discussion. Panelists will be Zach Greenburg from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, UWO communication studies professor Tony Palmeri and UWO journalism professor Sara Steffes Hansen.
Background: Following the UW System survey about student views on freedom of speech, several trends came to light, including that 70% of students say they are not interested in talking about controversial topics and only 12% of students are interested in having their views challenged.
Using the survey results as a starting point, the panel will discuss how to move forward to encourage students to use their right to free speech, learn how to engage in difficult (and sometimes controversial) conversations appropriately and become more involved on campus and in their communities as a result.
Learn more: UW Oshkosh Center for Civic and Community Engagement
UW Oshkosh alumni class notes: September 2023
’74 Jim Booras (LS), of Oshkosh, painted a mural on the Sliced Pizza building in Scandinavia which reflects Scandanavian folklore and highlights the bridge across the Little Wolf River. Booras is a retired graphic artist and illustrator.
’86 Mark Kinderman
’76 Denise (Zanto) O’Neil (N), of Appleton, retired from nursing after a 42-year career as a medical/surgical RN. O’Neil enjoyed participating in Sinfonia through the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra in June.
’86 Mark Kinderman (LS), of Oshkosh, is the director of food safety/food defense at Galloway. Kinderman and his wife ’94 Kathleen (Tassoul) Kinderman (LS) have a daughter studying criminal justice student at UWO.
’89 Tony Klaubauf (MSE) of Denmark, is the interim superintendent for the Southern Door County School District. Klaubauf served for 11 years as the Denmark School District’s superintendent and retired in 2018.
’94 Amy Fricke-Weigel (LS), of Manitowoc, is the CEO of Fricke Printing Service Inc. Fricke-Weigel joined the Shady Lane Inc. board of directors and has been involved in the Manitowoc community for 30 years.
’94 Matt Smith (EHS) and ’99 (MSE), of Kaukauna, is the principal at Pulaski High School. Smith has been the director of secondary education in the Kaukauna Area School District for the past 10 years.
’99 Bridget (Andrews) DeMartino (EHS), of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, received the Illinois State Board of Education’s Those Who Excel Award of Maritorious Service Award as a Community Volunteer.
’99 Jessica (Ball) Miller (LS), of Menomonee Falls, celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband ’98 Jason Miller (LS). The Millers met at UW Oshkosh, where their son will study in fall.
’02 Stephan Wucherer (LS), of Waupaca, is the orchestra director for SPASH High School in Stevens Point. Wucherer is the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra director.
’99 Bridget (Andrews) DeMartino
’07 Luke Leitner (EHS), of Ripon, is the assistant director of financial aid and student employment manager at Ripon College. Leitner was nominated for the Ripon College President’s Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the campus and community.
’08 Mark Gutknecht (LS), of Beaver Dam, is the technology coordinator at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. Gutknecht has 27 years of experience in the information technology field, most recently as executive director for technology solutions and technical manager for web solutions at CESA 6 in Oshkosh.
’15 Dan Brosman (B) and ’21 (MBA), of Oshkosh, was honored with the 40 Under 40 Award by the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network for his efforts to launch the statewide Digital Marketing Clinic and his outreach efforts. Brosman is the director of the UW Oshkosh SBDC.
’15 Briana Hetherington-Swenson (EHS), of Tomah, is a homeless-resource navigator with Children’s Wisconsin in Black River Falls. Hetherington-Swenson is married with a 3-year-old daughter.
’16 Matthew Nielsen (LS), of Chicago, Illinois, is an actor and comedian who has performed standup in clubs all over the Midwest, including the Comedy Bar and Milwaukee Improv. Nielsen is a graduate of the conservatory at Second City.
’17 Alia Carroll (B), of Appleton, was honored with the 40 Under 40 Award by the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network for her exceptional commitment to assisting small businesses get the resources they need. Carroll is a financial consultant with the UW-Eau Claire SBDC.
’18 Jennifer Gauthier (MPA), of Shawano, is the director of the Sustainable Development Institute at the College of Menominee Nation. Gauthier is chairperson of the Menominee Language and Culture Commission and an inaugural board member of the Kaehkenawapahtaeq Charter School.
’19 Elizabeth (Turner) Ahnert and ’19 Nathan Ahnert
’18 Peter Kotarba (LS), of Rhinelander, is the director of the Edward U. Demmer Memorial Library in Three Lakes.
’19 Elizabeth (Turner) Ahnert (LS), of Appleton, and her husband ’19 Nathan Ahnert (LS), bought a home where they live with their two dogs. Elizabeth works for the Oshkosh Community Pantry and Nathan is employed by Navitus Health Solutions.
’21 Jelissa Burns (LS), of Oshkosh, is transitioning from finance reporting to food and drink reporting for the The Post-Crescent in Appleton. Burns formerly worked as a reporter for the Sheboygan Press.
’21 Steve Diehl (B), of Oshkosh, is a business banking representative with Bank First.
’22 Dayne Volz (LS), of Freedom, is an officer with the Ripon Police Department.
UW Oshkosh alumni obituaries: September 2023
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Alumni Relations Office has received the following death notices:
‘50s
John Zeinert (EHS) ’52, Neenah, July 23, 2023
‘60s
Sophia Evans (EHS) ’65, Appleton, Aug. 8, 2023
Kenneth Freitag (EHS) ’60, Wausau, July 15, 2023
Joseph Murray (LS) ’66, Appleton, Aug. 1, 2023
‘70s
Gerald “Arnie” Arnoldussen (B) ’74, Appleton, June 25, 2023
Sharon (Czecholinski) Chmielinski (EHS) ’73, Caledonia, June 29, 2023
David Morien (LS) ’74, New London, July 19, 2023
Diane Williams (LS) ’71, Eagle, Aug. 3, 2023
‘80s
Lynn (Neulreich) Coady (B) ’81, Sheboygan, Aug. 9, 2023
Mary Grundy (LS) ’83, Oshkosh, Aug. 5, 2023
‘10s
Michelle Peterson (N) ’12, Wausau, Nov. 22, 2022
🟨 ⬛️ 🟨
ABBREVIATION KEY
COLLEGES
• AAS — Associate of Arts and Science Degree
• B — Business
• EHS — Education and Human Services
• LLCE — Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement
• LS — Letters and Science
• N — Nursing
GRADUATE DEGREES
• DNP — Doctor of Nursing Practice
• EdD — Doctor of Education
• GMBA — Global Master of Business Administration
• MA — Master of Arts
• MBA— Master of Business Administration
• MPA — Master of Public Administration
• MS — Master of Science
• MSE — Master of Science in Education
• MSN — Master of Science in Nursing
• MST — Master of Science in Teaching
• MSW — Master of Social Work
If you know of a classmate, family member or other UW Oshkosh friend who has passed away, send an to email alumni@uwosh.edu or call the Alumni Relations Office at (877) UWO-ALUM or (920) 424-3449.
UW Oshkosh marks start of 2023-24 academic year with convocation
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh faculty and staff members joined Chancellor Andy Leavitt and Provost Ed Martini in Reeve Ballroom for the University’s annual convocation on Thursday, Aug. 31.
The Chancellor and Provost shared information on the year ahead as UWO ushered in the new academic year. If you missed convocation, the recording will be posted soon on the Opening Day website. The second event in our welcome of the new academic year, Opening Day Honors and Awards, will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, in Culver Family Welcome Center.
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UW Oshkosh Clow Academic Complex renovation provides modern center for teacher education
KFIZ, Sept. 25
UWO alumnus takes helm of Pulaski boys basketball
tchdailynews.com, Sept. 25
UWO associate professor describes how public reaches opinion on climate change
The Kansas City Star, Sept. 25
Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh unveils remodeled J. Wilcox Head Start building
NBC26, Sept. 22
Running on community building, donuts: Special Olympics WI teams up with police in UWO event
NBC26, Sept. 22