Month: July 2018

UW-Whitewater Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Class

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced its 54th Hall of Fame Class.

Former student-athletes Megan (Kay) Bergholz ‘05, Randy Blasczyk ‘88, Megan (Koeller) Rojemann ’03, Matt Larsen ’98, Joe Shere ’02 and Chad Wurth ‘04 will be inducted. Former coach and longtime Warhawk supporter Irv Madsen will also be inducted as the Distinguished Service Award recipient.

All seven individuals will be recognized for their contributions to Warhawk athletics as part of the UW-Whitewater football team’s game against UW-River Falls on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. Inductees will be part of the Homecoming Parade, which begins at 10 a.m., and be honored at halftime of the football game and at the annual Hall of Fame banquet, which begins following the contest at 5:30 p.m. at the University Center’s Hamilton Room.

To purchase tickets for the game and/or Hall of Fame Banquet, visit the Hall of Fame Registration Web Page.

For more information regarding the banquet, contact Joyce Follis at 262-473-2360 or follisj@charter.net.

Megan (Kay) Bergholz competed for the UW-Whitewater volleyball team from 2000-03. The Dickeyville, Wis., native was a member of the 2002 national championship team and was selected first team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, all-region and honorable mention All-America in 2003 after leading the Warhawks to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Bergholz was also a part of three WIAC regular season and tournament championship teams (2000, 2001, 2002) and two national runner-up teams (2000, 2001). A middle blocker, Bergholz ranks among the top five in the program record book in career blocks (484) and career matches with 10 or more blocks (3), and is among the top 20 in career hitting percentage (.295), kills (962) and attacks (2,349). Bergholz graduated with a bachelor’s in elementary education.

Randy Blasczyk was a member of the UW-Whitewater men’s track and field program in 1985 and from 1987-88. During his standout career, he was a three-time All-American in the pole vault, finishing as national runner-up at the indoor meet in 1988, fourth at the outdoor meet in 1987 and sixth at the indoor championships in 1987. The three-year letter winner helped the Warhawks place seventh in the nation at the 1988 NCAA Indoor Championships and 17th at the 1987 indoor meet. A Green Bay, Wis., native, Blasczyk graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in production operations management.

Megan (Koeller) Rojemann was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and three-time first team All-WIAC honoree for the UW-Whitewater softball team from 2000-03. The outfielder/catcher helped the Warhawks claim the 2003 WIAC Tournament championship and reach the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and 2003. A two-time all-region selection, Koeller earned the 2003 WIAC Softball Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award for her accomplishments in athletics, academics and community engagement. The Potosi, Wis., native is the WIAC’s all-time leader in career doubles (60) and ranks among the league’s top 15 in career hits (206). Her career batting average of .368 ranks 11th in program history. Koeller graduated with a degree in elementary education.

Matt Larsen was a four-year standout for the men’s cross country and track and field programs from 1993-95 and in 1997. He was a two-time All-American and three-time national qualifier in cross country, helping the team place among the top 20 at the NCAA Championships three times during his career (1994, 1995, 1997). A three-time All-WIAC and All-Region runner, Larsen owns the No. 11 personal record time in the 8-kilometer race in program history (24:49) and holds the eighth-fastest Warhawk time on the UW-Whitewater course in the school record book (26:06). He was also the team’s Most Valuable Runner twice during his career. In track and field, Larsen was an outdoor All-American in the 5,000-meter run, placing third at the national championship meet in 1997. He was a WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll member in 1997-98. A Racine, Wis., native, Larsen graduated with a degree in special education.

Joe Shere was named all-conference and all-region three times as an infielder and pitcher during his four-year career with the UW-Whitewater baseball team from 1999-2002. The Janesville, Wis., native was also a part of back-to-back WIAC championship and NCAA Tournament teams in 2000 and 2001, earning the team’s Most Valuable Player award in 2000. A four-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and two-time WIAC Player of the Week selection, Shere ranks among the top 10 in program history in career doubles (40), stolen bases (51) and hits (187). He graduated with a bachelor’s in finance.

Chad Wurth was a two-time All-American as a kicker who also enjoyed a strong career as a running back for the Warhawk football team. During his career, which spanned from 2000-03, Wurth was selected All-WIAC four times, was named a WIAC Player of the Week five times and was a captain and the team’s Most Valuable Player as a senior in 2003. He currently ranks among the conference’s all-time top 15 in rushing attempts (967), points scored (366), rushing yards (4,301), field goals made (27) and field goals attempted (42). His 37 rushing touchdowns rank fourth in program history and his 61 made PATs rank 10th. Wurth rushed for 1,000 yards or more in three straight seasons, tied for the most by one player in program history. A Monona, Wis., native, Wurth graduated with a degree in history.

Irv Madsen has been an avid supporter of the UW-Whitewater athletic department and its teams for more than 50 years. During that time, he served as public address announcer at football games, becoming the main voice associated with attending a game at Perkins Stadium. Madsen was also public address announcer for the men’s and women’s basketball programs for more than 20 years, and was a member of the Quarterback Club (football) and Tip Off Club (men’s basketball) booster groups for more than 35 years. Madsen was previously inducted into the Warhawk Athletics Hall of Fame under the category of coach/administrator in 2004 after amassing a 264-106-2 record and leading UW-Whitewater to two conference championships and eight national tournament appearances in his 10 seasons as head softball coach (1982-86, 1994-98). His career winning percentage of .712 ranks 27th all time among NCAA Division III coaches with at least 10 years as a Division III head coach.

Studio 84 names Jessica Barden as Artist of the Month for July

Jessica Barden has been a student at Studio 84 for six years and has developed her talent for painting pet portraits. She is one of several students who is making her art into a business. Here is what Jessica had to say about her time at Studio 84, “It makes me feel good that I could have a job out in the community with the stuff I’m learning at the studio. Makes me feel really good that I could have my own business in art. I feel proud of myself and it makes me feel good that I have something going in my life. People love my artwork and it makes me happy, and jump for joy and makes me proud. I thank God that I know how to do this kind of work. I thank God Studio 84 has taught me these things.”

Over the years, the staff has noted, that Jessica is learning to deal with frustrations and how to use those frustrations as learning experiences not just with her art but in everyday life as well. Director, Deborah Blackwell, states that she’s also learning to operate the cash register to check people out and loves giving tours of the gallery and store.  Blackwell says, “her confidence in what she does is growing, she’s learned so much with painting that she is often seen helping others too.”

As part of the vocational training program in the arts, Jessica now has her own website, Facebook page, and email and has become quite proficient at using these programs.  As a natural process of using these programs, she is also improving her spelling and reading abilities. She works with Gateway Tech intern Stacy Whetlow with her reading skills by reading books together. You can visit Jessica’s website at jjbarden79.wixsite.com/artist.

Studio 84 in Whitewater is a non-profit art studio that provides experiences in the arts for the community. They specialize in the creative and vocational development of people with disabilities, including those with Autism, physical disabilities, cognitive limitations, and mental illness. The studio is open to all ages and all abilities.

For more information visit studio84inc.org or check us out on Facebook.

Harriet “Hazel” Christophersen, 85, of Whitewater passed away on July 3, 2018 at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.

Harriet was born in Whitewater to Harry and Anna (Rohloff) Hanson on October 11, 1932.

Harriet married Ronald Christophersen on September 26th, 1953. Harriet loved crocheting and was a “master” crocheter. She spent hundreds of hours crocheting afghans, blankets, and scrubbies. She loved watching sports. College Basketball was her favorite as well as watching the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers. She loved northern Wisconsin and for many years the family camped in northern Wisconsin and eventually, she and Ronald purchased a small mobile home in Woodruff. She enjoyed fishing and socializing with her “up north” friends. She spent many weekends taking her granddaughter Melissa up north and introducing Melissa to the beauty and serenity of “up north”. In the latter years, Melissa purchased a mobile home in the same trailer resort. As Harriet was unable to drive herself up north, Melissa returned the favor and took Harriet up north to her trailer where she and Ronald made so many memories.

Harriet also loved her trips to Gulf Shores Alabama. For many years, she and Ronald took family vacations to Gulf Shores. Many memories were made and in 2016 she was able to spend Thanksgiving in Gulf Shores.

Harriet enjoyed a long and loyal working career. Harriet started working at Whitewater Electronics in 1955 as a production supervisor and in 1981, the company obtained new ownership and became Universal Electronics. She was retained by the new ownership and worked as a production manager, shipping supervisor, and customer service representative. She retired in November 2016 completing a very prosperous 61-year working career for the same company.

She is survived by her son, Steve (Lynn) Christophersen and Grandchildren: Melissa (Brent) Zanzinger, Dustin Christophersen, Beth (Tom) Parsons, Andy (Kylie) Kirchner. Great Grandchildren, Isaiah and John Zanzinger, Lacey and Tessa Christophersen, Ryan, Luke & Max Parsons, and Elliot Kirchner. She survived by her sister Mary Mack; several nieces and nephews.

Harriet was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband Ronald; brother Donald and sister Margaret.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Fort Healthcare, Alden Estates, Jefferson EMT Service, Med Flight and UW-Madison Neurosurgery ICU doctors and nurses.

Visitation will be at Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m on Thursday, July 12th. Services will be at 1st English Lutheran Church in Whitewater at 11 a.m. Friday, July 13th with visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Fran Achen Photo Competition Reception on July 8

On Sunday, July 8, the Whitewater Arts Alliance will hold the reception for the 9th Annual Fran Achen Photo Competition at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main Street.

This year, more than 125 pieces from almost 40 different photographers will be on display. These entries are from young photographers who are just beginning to hone their skills to accomplished photographers from our area. The reception will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the music of Carl Cole and Co. Visitors may remember this incredible group from Savory Sounds and the 10th Anniversary Bash last fall.

During the reception, the WAA will be dedicating a mobile – that was recently assembled for the gallery – in memory of Jim Coburn for his support of the arts in the community. A contest to name the artwork will also be explained and opened for entries. Finally, awards for the Fran Achen Photo Competition will be announced, beginning at about 2:15 p.m.

This reception is free and open to the public.

Whitewater Lions Club host the participants of the Midwest Deafblind Transition Institute

On June 29th, the Whitewater Lions Club hosted the participants of the Midwest Deafblind Transition Institute at their clubhouse on Whitewater Lake. The Midwest Deafblind Transition Institute is an event for deafblind youths from the ages of 16 to 21 from 7 mid-western states.

The Students spent the weekend at UW-Whitewater and had a memorable outing on Whitewater Lake. Many of the students have never been to Wisconsin before and we gave them a day they would never forget water skiing, boat riding, and swimming. The perfect day at the lake came to a conclusion with our own private ski show! This event would not have been possible with the support of the local community and numerous volunteers.

A huge thank you goes out to Sue Center and the Minneiska Ski Team, Kurt Roskopf with the Disabled Division of the Wisconsin Waterski Federation, the Whitewater Lions Club, Lauderdale Aqua Skiers, Travis Lukens, and the Colsac Skiers Adaptive Ski School. Also, we would like to thank Studio 84, Nelson Bus Service and Black Sheep Catering for their services.

Whitewater resident receives WICPA accounting scholarship

Alexandria Cady, a Whitewater resident and University of Wisconsin–Whitewater student, received the 2018 LeRoy C. Schmidt 150-Hour Accounting Scholarship in the amount of $2,500, awarded by the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA) Educational Foundation Inc. Cady is a fifth-year accounting major at UW–Whitewater.

The scholarship, named after former WICPA Executive Director LeRoy C. Schmidt, CPA, helps fund the 150-hour education requirement to obtain a CPA license. Students must complete 150 hours of post-secondary education including an undergraduate degree plus additional hours or a master’s degree.

Nineteen students received scholarships. Recipients were selected by the Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee based on academic achievement, community service, personal statement and recommendation letters.

The WICPA is the premier professional organization for certified public accountants and other finance and business professionals in Wisconsin, with 7,300 members working in public accounting, industry, government, and education.

Free Summer Concert Series with City Market Vendors – Tuesday, July 3

The UWW 150th-anniversary celebration continues with a performance from King Solomon. Join us 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, on the Wyman Mall near the Andersen Library for spirited reggae music, lawn and kids games, and a beverage tent with regular and adult options. Enjoy more than 35 Whitewater City Market vendors from 4-7 p.m. with food trucks like Flying Cow Pizza, Smoked on Wheels BBQ, Yang’s Thai Food, and Lefty’s Two, and local products like cheese, honey, kombucha, seasonal produce, preserves, eggs, meat (chicken, beef, bison, pork, and lamb), handmade soap, coffee, chocolates, bread, pastries, jewelry, and plants. We hope to see you there!

For more details, visit uww.edu/150/concerts