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‘UW Oshkosh Today’ readers loved stories of student, alumni and faculty success in 2023

by | Dec 27, 2023 | Campus Life, Features

Thousands of words written in nearly 350 UW Oshkosh Today posts chronicled the news and feature stories of 2023 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. As the year winds down, enjoy a curated selection of some of the most popular posts from the past 12 months.

UWO volleyball made headlines throughout the fall as the team smashed records and enjoyed an amazing post-season run that Titans fans are still talking about. One person—perhaps more than anyone else—who found the experience both exhilarating and familiar was Katelyn Vara, now in her 11th season as an assistant coach following a four-year playing career with UWO volleyball.

Read why the season was so special to Vara

 

The importance of strong connections forged between faculty members and students took center stage in a feature about political science professor Tracy Slagter and a recent grad Elizabeth Ahnert ’19. The touching story also showcased UWO’s impact on the community.

Read how Slagter helped Ahnert find her passion—and her profession

 

 

 

Two features focused on how UWO is building for the future. Renovations to the Clow Academic Complex were detailed in a story announcing the ribbon-cutting and rededication in September.  Then in November, the launch of the new School of Informatics, which will focus on engaging students and regional organizations to better apply cutting-edge technology, made headlines across the region.

 

 

 

Quirky news is sure to grab attention like this tale of how Bill Gillard, an English professor on the Fox Cities campus, played a supporting role in the four-episode, true-crime  documentary about Ed Gein. Read more about how Gillard was involved in the series about the infamous Wisconsin killer.

 

More top stories garnered readers’ attention

Stellar students

  • Jackie Runge

    Spring commencement in May saw more than 1,300 graduates, each following their own special journey like Shelby Finnessey of Plover who had landed a nursing job six months ahead of graduation or Luc Valdez, of Tinley Park, Illinois, who earned a degree in finance, landed a job with U.S. Bank and capped his wrestling career with a trip to nationals. Meet more 2023 grads.

  • Move-in weekend for the fall semester always offers a rich opportunity to get a first glimpse at incoming students and their parents. Read how the entire campus community works to make students welcome.
  • A profile of a midyear graduate shared the impressive comeback journey of Jackie Runge, a Fond du Lac native who was determined to overcome a stroke to follow her educational dreams. Learn how she thrived despite the odds.

Alumni accolades

 

Comings and goings

  • John Koker

    In May, UWO bid farewell to Provost John Koker as he retired following 32 year of service and 64 commencement ceremonies. During his tenure, he earned the UW Oshkosh Distinguished Teaching Award, the UWO Rosebush Professor for Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Service Awad and the UW System Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award.  More recently, his alma mater St. Norbert College recognized him with a Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Education in 2014. Read more

  • New Provost Ed Martini arrived in early July ready to lead UWO’s colleges, faculty, instructional staff and academic programs.  Martini came to UWO from Western Michigan University, where he provided leadership, vision and daily management as vice provost for teaching and learning. Read more
  • At the end of July, Amber Evans started work as UWO’s new associate vice chancellor of Enrollment Management. She has extensive experience in enrollment management and admissions from universities and colleges in Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Minnesota. Read more

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