University of Wisconsin Oshkosh faculty and staff were welcomed and recognized for their accomplishments and contributions at the annual Opening Day Convocation Sept. 8.
The recipients for awards awarded during the Opening Day Convocation are as follows:
Endowed Professorship
Endowed professorships are awarded to faculty members who demonstrate outstanding research and engagement in community service. Funded by local sponsors, the awards support research projects and professional development for a four-year term.
Stephen Kercher — Professor, History
Stephen Kercher grew up in the Midwest and became interested in history while studying abroad in 1987. Today, he teaches modern U.S. history and chairs the history department at UW Oshkosh. In 2003, he co-founded the Northeast Wisconsin Teachers Academy for the Study of American History, a continuing education program for regional K-12 teachers, which received more than $1.7 million in grant funds. He is the author of Revel With a Cause: Liberal Satire in Postwar America (University of Chicago Press, 2006), numerous journal articles and reviews, and nearly three dozen conference presentations and public lectures. He directed the Black Thursday Oral History Project and co-curated the traveling historical exhibition Black Thursday Remembered: Race, Politics, and Campus Unrest in Northeast Wisconsin During the Late 1960s. In 2014, he curated Take Cover, Neenah!: Backyard Family Fallout Shelters in Cold War America, a historical exhibition that won awards from the American Association for State and Local History and Wisconsin Historical Society. He has received six grant awards for various public history initiatives, including Eyewitnesses, Combatants and America’s Newest Veterans: The Iraq War in Retrospect, a historical symposium he organized in partnership with the Military Veterans Museum. A strong supporter of undergraduate research on campus, he serves on the board of the Oshkosh Student Scholarly Research and Creative Activities Program, advises the new Undergraduate Research Experiences and Creative Activities Club and serves as an elected councilor from the Arts and Humanities Division of the Council for Undergraduate Research.
Kercher is the recipient of the Edward H. Rudoy Endowed Professorship.
Kercher received a bachelor of science degree in economics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s degree in history and a doctoral degree in history and American studies from Indiana University at Bloomington.
Suzanne Marnocha — Professor/Assistant Dean, Nursing
Suzanne Marnocha has filled a variety of roles throughout her lifetime—registered nurse, professor, wife, mother, grandmother, motorcycle rider, horse owner, chicken and honey bee raiser, gardener and sustainability enthusiast. She began her career as a bedside registered nurse, and continued working as a nurse even during her time at UW Oshkosh, for a total of 38 years in the Intensive Care Unit. In 1994, she began working at UW Oshkosh as an assistant professor and said she has always had a passion for nursing and teaching. Marnocha has worked in the College of Nursing at UW Oshkosh for 21 years teaching nursing students as a professor (assistant, associate and full), assistant dean, pre-licensure program director and researcher. Dr. Marnocha said, “I come from a long line of teachers and I love nursing so much, so what better way to ensure the future of nursing than to teach nurses.” Marnocha loves studying and learning because things change on a daily basis, which is why she said working in the UW Oshkosh College of Nursing is a perfect fit for her.
Marnocha is the recipient of the Jeff Curler Endowed Professor of Health Sciences.
Marnocha earned a bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from the University of Evansville Indiana, and a Ph. D. in nursing from UW-Milwaukee.
Robert Stelzer — Professor, Biology
Robert Stelzer says students have played an integral role in his success as a researcher. He enjoys teaching and says one of the most rewarding parts of his job is watching students grow intellectually and become successful after graduation—four of his lab alumni are earning their Ph.Ds. Stelzer joined the biology department in fall 2001, and currently serves as aquatic ecology professor. His research has been supported by almost $600,000 in funding. He has published 21 papers in peer-reviewed journals and one book chapter, and authored or co-authored 47 presentations. Most of his projects have involved undergraduate and graduate students as lead or co-authors and he has supervised six students who have completed their master’s degrees. Stelzer’s commitment to the University extends to the UW Oshkosh as a whole—he is currently chair of the executive committee of the biology department and has served on its personnel committee since 2007 and as the graduate coordinator since 2010. He represented the College of Letters and Science as graduate marshal at the 2013 and 2014 commencement ceremonies and has been an active member on the graduate council since 2011. Off campus Stelzer maintains his dedication to his field. He served as president of the Wisconsin Section of the American Water Resources Association and held many leadership positions in the Society for Freshwater Science, an international society of aquatic scientists. Stelzer has provided peer-reviews for more than 70 manuscripts and proposals since 2001 and has served on a National Science Foundation panel.
Stelzer is the recipient of the 2015 TRISS Endowed Professorship.
Stelzer earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Rockhurst College, a master’s degree in Zoology from Michigan State University and a doctorate in Ecology from the University of Notre Dame.
Rosebush Professorship
The John McNaughton Rosebush Professorship recognizes UW Oshkosh faculty members for teaching, professional achievement and public service. Nominees are considered in a selection process by a panel representing all University governance groups.
Eric Hiatt — Professor, Geology
Eric Hiatt is an accomplished scholar and award-winning teacher. He is on sabbatical this year and is currently working in Brazil on a Fulbright Fellowship. He was also recently awarded visiting professor fellowships at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and at Acadia University in Canada. Hiatt is an internationally recognized researcher, and has published dozens of research papers—many with student co-authors—all in major international peer-reviewed scientific journals. He has been invited to teach many professional short courses, and has advised government officials in Australia and South America on natural resources issues. Hiatt uses innovative teaching methods and people from all over the world download his lecture podcasts. He teaches field-based courses in Bermuda and the Florida Keys that deal with modern environments, oceanography, geology and environmental impacts. Hiatt is an adjunct professor at both Queen’s and Acadia universities in Canada, and has an outstanding record of service to the community, the University, and national and international academic communities.
Hiatt earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Colorado, and was a post-doctoral fellow and professor at Queen’s University.
Edward M. Penson Distinguished Teaching Award
Edward M. Penson Distinguished Teaching Award recipients are selected based on their teaching excellence, service, professional commitment and scholarly growth. A committee of faculty, students and staff determines who will receive the honor.
Lee McCann — Professor, Psychology
Lee McCann is a fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. During his career at UW Oshkosh, McCann has served as the associate vice chancellor, four terms as president of the UW Oshkosh Faculty Senate, and as chairperson of the psychology department. He currently serves as the University’s Faculty Ombudsman. McCann has written or co-authored five books, 20 book chapters, and published 40 articles, many with students as coauthors. These publications include two of the 10 most cited articles in the 39-year history of the journal Teaching of Psychology. He has also given numerous invited talks and workshops at regional, national, and international meetings and conferences. While at the University, McCann was previously named a Rosebush Professor, a Rudoy Endowed Professor and a Sniffen Faculty Governance Service Award recipient.
McCann earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in experimental psychology from Iowa State University.
James Paulson — Professor, Chemistry
For more than three decades, James Paulson has been leading students through chemistry and biochemistry courses at UW Oshkosh. Paulson’s research focuses mainly on the biochemistry, structure and dynamics of vertebrate chromosomes, and the
biochemistry and regulation of mitosis. He teaches courses in
biochemistry, organic chemistry and occasionally physical chemistry and general chemistry. New ideas and discoveries excite him, and he enjoys seeing that same level of excitement in his students. “It’s that moment when the lightbulb goes on or the pieces fall together,” he said. “When the student has gained a new understanding that leads to intellectual growth or has accomplished something that builds their confidence.” Paulson conducted six years of post-doctoral research at Princeton, the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England, and the University of Michigan. Paulson received the UW Oshkosh F. John Barlow Endowed Professorship from 2011 to 2015 and was named Distinguished Professor of Chemistry in 2008. He has published the textbook for his chemistry class as well as 40 articles and reviews, including 10 that were co-authored by students. Paulson has taken three sabbaticals in England, Switzerland and Scotland. He collaborates with scientists in Scotland, Australia and the Sultanate of Oman. His interests include evolution and the origin of life and he will be doing a sabbatical in the coming year in that area under sponsorship of Professor Elliott Sober of the UW-Madison Philosophy Department.
Paulson received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a doctorate in biochemical sciences from Princeton University.
Stephanie Rolain-Jacobs — Senior Lecturer, Communication Studies
A quote by Jimi Hendrix sums up Stephanie Rolain-Jacobs philosophy: “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” Rolain-Jacobs said she is constantly looking for new ways to engage students in the classroom. She believes it is important students are taught how to connect with public audiences as well as how to relate with each other interpersonally and that social media and texting aren’t always the most effective ways to communicate. During the past 15 years, Rolain-Jacobs has enjoyed collaborating with her colleagues on campus and throughout the Midwest. Rolain-Jacobs has delivered presentations in effective listening to university staff and has also collaborated with her communication studies colleagues to organize the annual Communications 111 Speech Festival, which is held at the end of every fall semester. She represented the communication department in the development of the University Studies Program and has participated in presenting numerous panel presentations for both the Central States Communication Association and the National Communication Association. Recently she, along with two colleagues, received a grant to investigate how practice groups affect communication apprehension and speech grades in the introduction to public speaking course. Rolain-Jacobs lives in Darboy with her husband, Jamie, and two daughters, Lauren and Olivia.
Rolain-Jacobs earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UW-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in communication from the UW-Stevens Point.
Sniffen Faculty Governance Service Award
The Barbara G. Sniffen Faculty Governance Service Award recognizes faculty members who have exceptional University service records.
Stephen Bentivenga — Professor, Biology
Serving on committees and governance bodies has given Stephen Bentivenga a deep appreciation of the University community. Bentivenga began his career with UW Oshkosh in 1996 and has a resume of service to prove it. Early on, he designed the department’s first Web page and took on the task of serving as the department liaison for the 56,000-square-foot Halsey renovation. Since then, he has served on every standing committee, ad-hoc committee and informal group within his department as well as numerous search and screen committees. Bentivenga’s commitment to the University also includes being elected to both the Faculty Senate and the Senate’s Executive Committee, as well as mentoring campus faculty. He served on the graduate council and several task forces/advisory groups related to graduate education and actively mentors graduate students by serving on their thesis committees. He is most proud of his service on the Academic Policies Committee which he has participated on for the last four years and served as chair last year.
Bentivenga earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Illinois Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in biological sciences from Illinois State University and a doctoral degree in plant pathology from Kansas State University.
Outstanding Service Award
UW Oshkosh has many nonteaching faculty and academic staff members whose contributions enhance the University’s overall academic environment and support our educational goals. The Outstanding Service Award recognizes excellence of service that touches each member of the University community.
Barbara Beuscher — Development Director, College of Letters and Science
Barbara Beuscher, a proud UW Oshkosh alumna, has dedicated her career to fundraising for higher education. In 2003, she joined UW Oshkosh as an advancement officer for the College of Letters and Science. While in this position, she developed and implemented all aspects of a comprehensive fundraising plan to support operations, priorities and new initiatives. In 2007, Beuscher returned to UW Oshkosh as the director of development for the College of Letters and Science. She has extensive experience working with major gifts and manages a substantial portfolio of major donor prospects. Under Beuscher’s leadership in managing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan, the College of Letters and Science has seen an increase in donations by three-fold. Beuscher is a founding member and key point person for Musica Viva!, a concert-based event serving as a fundraiser for general music scholarships. She has served on numerous campus search and screen committees, as well as various community endeavors including the Northeast Wisconsin American Red Cross board of directors and Oshkosh Area United Way. She has also acted as the Benevon Program Chair for Badgerland Chapter of Youth for Christ where she led a team of board, staff and volunteers to implement the Benevon Fundraising model.
Beuscher earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UW Oshkosh.
Nancy Harrison — Student Support Services Director, Campus Center for Equity and Diversity
Nancy Harrison found her career passion when she became affiliated with the US Department of Education TRIO programs 25 years ago. She has been with UW Oshkosh for nine years. A great deal of her time on campus is spent conducting administrative tasks to assure Student Support Services (SSS) remains at UW Oshkosh. She wrote grant applications for two SSS programs for the 2015-20 grant cycle; one to continue the present traditional SSS program and a second to serve students focusing on STEM and Health Sciences degrees/majors. Both grants were recently funded, generating a total of $3,025,000 over the five-year grant cycle. She assures the SSS program is integrated into the campus community by working with campus departments and serving on campus committees, and advocating for first-generation and limited-income students. The most fulfilling part of Harrison’s position is watching her SSS students transform into independent, confident, career-focused young adults. In addition to her duties with SSS, she served as director of First Year Scholars/Future Young Professionals the past three years.
Harrison earned a bachelor’s degree in education from UW-Stout and a master’s degree in educational psychology–counseling from UW-Milwaukee.
Lisa Szromba — Assistant Director of Academic Advising, Undergraduate Advising Resource Center
Lisa Szromba has been at UW Oshkosh for eight years, supervising a team of five advisers and working with more than 300 students with majors in the College of Letters and Science. “I love working on a college campus where I am intellectually challenged on a daily basis and where life-long learning is valued,” she said. Szromba said she enjoys working with the other professionals in her office and she is dedicated to helping students find their purpose and passion in higher education. “For me that means tailoring my work to each student’s individual needs and strengths,” she said. “Most importantly, I am rewarded by the achievements of the students with whom I work and the gratitude they share for the work I do to assist them in meeting their goals.” Szromba has participated in conferences and training related to her position; served on numerous search and screen committees, the COLS Diversity Committee, and the Inclusive Excellence Council. Additionally, she was elected to the Senate for Academic Staff, where she held the position of president in the last academic year.
Szromba earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from College of St. Benedict in Minnesota and a master’s degree in community counseling from Loyola University in Chicago.
Outstanding Performance Award
The University’s Outstanding Performance Award recognizes exemplary members of the University staff whose activities, accomplishments and service are most deserving of acknowledgement.
Claire Armstrong — University Specialist, Radio-TV-Film
Working in a media-focused program is right up Claire Armstrong’s alley. She couldn’t be happier working among talented and creative students, faculty and staff in the radio-tv-film department. Armstrong joined UW Oshkosh in 2006 and worked in the cashier’s office and Learning in Retirement before joining the RTF department seven years ago. Since then, she has streamlined department policies and procedures, improved communication, strengthened on-and off-campus connections, and built lasting relationships with students and alumni. Since 2009, she has acted as the RTF alumni liaison and is responsible for the annual Pro Perspectives: A Dialogue with Media Insiders event as well as the Alumni Hallway of Fame that features posters detailing the work of alumni. In 2014, she organized the RTF 50th anniversary Alumni Reunion that included 158 alumni and guests. She is dedicated to working with students and supporting their goals—evident by her efforts to plan the annual spring banquet, act in student film and television projects, promote and organize film screenings on and off campus, and supply food to hungry students. In her spare time, Armstrong volunteers at her children’s schools and church. She resides in Oshkosh with her husband, Jeff, and their two children, Emma, 13, and Max, 16.
Ricky Johnson — IS Technical Support Specialist, Information Technology
Ricky Johnson’s career in the information technology office began when he was a student at UW Oshkosh in 2004. For three years, he worked in IT as a student; he accepted a fulltime position in 2007. He started on the help desk, then moved to a student technology internship before becoming a fulltime member of the IT team. “I’ve always wanted to teach others how to use computers along with computer troubleshooting and repair, which is why I pursued secondary education,” Johnson said. “But when a fulltime position became available here at UWO, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to teach computers and technology to faculty, staff and students every day.” Johnson said he enjoys resolving complicated issues and discovering new, easier ways for staff and students to use IT services more effectively. Getting out on campus allows him to build new relationships with staff. “It still amazes me how simple small talk and a little professionalism can lead to a lifetime friendship,” he said. Johnson has worked to improve and standardize student training programs. He also administers the Pharos Print Management service for student printing in coordination with HP Managed Print Services to help optimize printing across campus.
Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in math education from UW Oshkosh.
Shawna Keuther — Manager, Human Resources
Shawna Kuether joined UW Oshkosh four years ago. She serves as human resources manager. Her work includes overhauling policies and procedures to streamline them and create efficiencies for the University. She said she enjoys collaborating with faculty and staff to address challenging personnel issues. Kuether serves as administrative liaison to the University Staff governance group and has been collaborating with them on the development of new personnel policies and procedures. She also has taken the lead on a number of human resources projects, including implementing a new applicant tracking system and electronic workflows. In April 2015, Kuether received the UW Oshkosh STAR award and she graduated with honors from the MPA program in May 2015.
Kuether earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in public administration from UW Oshkosh.
Susan Robl — Dean’s Assistant, College of Nursing
Susan Robl has spent the majority of her 24 years at UW Oshkosh in the College of Nursing. She currently serves as assistant to the dean and is known as the “go to” person for her vast knowledge regarding processes, procedures and history of the college. She has held many positions within the college—front desk receptionist, typist, program assistant in student services, undergraduate program assistant, graduate program assistant, and now dean’s assistant. “I enjoy seeing a project through from beginning to end and the knowledge that I have done the best job possible in accomplishing that goal,” Robl said. “I enjoy challenges and embrace the use of technology to improve upon streamlining processes. I thrive on the challenge of learning the whole picture and working on ways to make the job more efficient.” Robl said she also enjoys working with students, faculty and staff and considers them her second family. She has engaged with professionals throughout the Fox Valley on behalf of CON to streamline student clinical placements for the Fox Valley Healthcare Alliance. This task alone has saved CON staff time while tracking student’s immunization records and background checks. Other projects include developing online admission processes, automating admission interview sign up, and implementing a paperless version of the acceptance letter. Most recently, Robl created a tracking system that organizes multiple clinical contracts that are required for student placements. She has also worked in the College of Business and the College of Letters and Science at UW Oshkosh.
Inclusive Excellence Award
The purpose of the Inclusive Excellence Award is to emphasize the critical role that inclusivity plays on this campus. This award recognizes faculty or staff members who promote equity, inclusion and diversity on campus.
Michael Flanagan — Math Skills Specialist, Division of Academic Support of Inclusive Excellence.
Mike Flanagan has been helping UW Oshkosh students achieve success since 1987. He joined UW Oshkosh that year as a math tutor in Project Success. After earning a masterÕs degree, Flanagan became a math specialist at UW Oshkosh. His job is to help students gain confidence in their math skills. FlanaganÕs greatest joy comes when a student moves from a history of discouraging experiences in math to that first good grade on an exam. He said over the years many students have stopped by his office to thank him for his help in math. Flanagan reaches out to those who may have been marginalized by their cultural, age, educational or socio-economic status in an attempt to help them feel that they are active members of the campus community. Flanagan also teaches math in PreCollege Programs to students who may be on the fence about post-secondary education, giving them encouragement to view college as an attainable goal and to consider pursuing a degree.
Flanagan earned a bachelor’ss degree in psychology from UW Oshkosh and master’ss degree in counseling from UW-Green Bay.