Lynn Binnie

UW-Whitewater announces Dean’s List

WHITEWATER, WI (12/29/2022)– The following students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean’s List for the 2022 fall semester.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Lucas Ackman

Whitewater, WI 53190: Asobo Afah

Whitewater, WI 53190: Salaar Akbar

Whitewater, WI 53190: Gavin Allamian

Whitewater, Wis. 53190: Anyam Afah

Whitewater, WI 53190: Mariana Aranda

Whitewater, WI 53190: Marijke Arreola

Whitewater, WI 53190: David Ascherl

Whitewater, WI 53190: Elbee-Fae Ascherl

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jocelin Beecroft

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jace Bezzo

Whitewater, WI 53190: Michaela Boose

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kenna Breckon

Whitewater, WI 53190: Alondra Buboltz

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jake Burford

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kacie Carollo

Whitewater, WI 53190: Michael Coates

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ivan Cortez

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kianna Doerr

Whitewater, WI 53190: Gia Donofrio

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brian Duncan

Whitewater, WI 53190: Larissa Eaker

Whitewater, WI 53190: Holland Engele

Whitewater, WI 53190: Joshua Esparza

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sophia Fenger

Whitewater, WI 53190: Devin Fitzer

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jaciel Flores

Whitewater, WI 53190: Griffin Gerber

Whitewater, WI 53190: Christopher Gomez

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brock Grosinske

Whitewater, WI 53190: Madison Hawkins

Whitewater, WI 53190: Margaret Helbig

Whitewater, WI 53190: Emma Hendricks

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jake Hintz

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cameron Huntley

Whitewater, WI 53190: Madisyn Johnson

Whitewater, WI 53190: Emma Jordan

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cally Julson

Whitewater, WI 53190: Talba Kabore

Whitewater, WI 53190: Danielle Klais

Whitewater, WI 53190: Dylan Kleinschmidt

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ben Kloskey

Whitewater, WI 53190: Felicity Knabenbauer

Whitewater, WI 53190: Callie Knoll

Whitewater, WI 53190: James Koehler

Whitewater, WI 53190: Taylor Koehler

Whitewater, WI 53190: Josh Krystosek

Whitewater, WI 53190: Natalie LaBreche

Whitewater, WI 53190: Anthony LaPoint

Whitewater, WI 53190: Will Lawton

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jackie Lin

Whitewater, WI 53190: Lauren Lincoln

Whitewater, WI 53190: Parker Louden

Whitewater, WI 53190: Meg McGinley

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brent Meier

Whitewater, WI 53190: Rachel Mickelson

Whitewater, WI 53190: Katlyn Miller

Whitewater, WI 53190: Morgan Miller

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ben Nelson

Whitewater, WI 53190: Meaghan O’Hara

Whitewater, WI 53190: Matthew Oates

Whitewater, WI 53190: Zachary Paneitz

Whitewater, WI 53190: Maci Parrish

Whitewater, WI 53190: Hayden Radloff

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jason Raether

Whitewater, WI 53190: Charlie Reddemann

Whitewater, WI 53190: Melanie Reyes

Whitewater, WI 53190: Connor Rohde

Whitewater, WI 53190: Julia Russ

Whitewater, WI 53190: Reid Ruth

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jacob Sadler

Whitewater, WI 53190: Evan Schepp

Whitewater, WI 53190: Lukas Schreiber

Whitewater, WI 53190: Evan Shaw

Whitewater, WI 53190: Zelin Shen

Whitewater, WI 53190: Caleb Slater

Whitewater, WI 53190: Shelby Starrett

Whitewater, WI 53190: Lili Templeman

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brooks Tiedeman

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ashley Vorndran

Whitewater, WI 53190: Zach Wagner

Whitewater, WI 53190: Abigail Weeden

Whitewater, WI 53190: LuAnnabelle Wieseman

Whitewater, WI 53190: Donovan Winn

Whitewater, WI 53190: Luke Wolfe

Whitewater, WI 53190: Catherine Yang

Whitewater, WI 53190: Conner Young

Whitewater, WI 53190: Marissa Zaehringer

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jon Zheng

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brianna Zimdars

Whitewater, WI 53190: Andrea Zimmermann

Whitewater, WI 53190: Mark Zimmermann

Whitewater, WI 53190: Elizabeth Zinda

These students have demonstrated their academic abilities by receiving a grade point average of 3.4 or above in a single semester.

“Making the Dean’s List is a tremendous honor for our students. It is a recognition of their hard work and commitment to success,” said Robin Fox, who serves as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Congratulations to all of our students! We are proud of you and hope to see your names on the list again.”

The Registrar’s Office reports 3,430 students were selected for the Dean’s List for the spring semester. About 11,000 students are currently enrolled at the university’s Whitewater and Rock County campuses.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: New Year Greeting

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday from the Whitewater Historical Society.

The Whitewater Historical Society wishes everyone a Happy New Year! This image is from the society’s collection of “penny” post cards popular during the first two decades of the 20th century.

On the back of this card, the sender wishes a Happy New Year to Mrs. Phil Stuby of Milwaukee. While most of our vintage post cards were sent from or to Whitewater residents, many people collected these cards and we have received them in donations. This card is postmarked December 31, 1909 in Milwaukee.

Join us next week for more local images from the Whitewater Historical Society!

(post card in manuscript collections of the Whitewater Historical Society)

Municipal Building Business Hours Have Changed – Closing at 4:30 p.m.

The Municipal Building business hours have been updated to 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The building will continue to be open for scheduled evening meetings. The police department is always available through the after-hours call button in the Whitewater Street vestibule.

Editor’s note: This announcement was on the city Facebook page. The photo on the homepage is by Lynn Binnie.

Moving Forward: Grief & Ambiguous Loss Associated with Dementia Caregiving

Moving Forward:

Grief and Ambiguous Loss Associated with Dementia Caregiving

The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Rock County is offering the 16-week educational support group on Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. beginning on January 16th and running through May 3rd. This is a hybrid group being offered in-person at the UWW Community Engagement Center in Whitewater and online. There is no cost to attend.

Who is this group for? The group is for anyone who is caring or has cared for someone with dementia. Caring for someone with dementia entails a constant series of losses and not just losses related to death. The first 30 minutes of each session will cover a variety of grief, loss and bereavement topics followed by about 60 minutes of conventional support group discussion.

To register, please contact Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615 or karen.tennyson@co.rock.wi.us.

Young Students Congratulate Graduating Student Teachers on Their Mortarboards

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Among the photos that Tom Ganser submitted to the Banner from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater commencement ceremony on December 17 were those above that depicted special mortarboards worn by two graduates. Kelli Danielski, Assistant Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies, told the Banner that, “It’s fairly common practice for our students…who are graduating with teacher licensure to have the students in their student teaching placement classroom sign or help decorate their caps.”

By the way, those caps that are worn by undergraduates in both the United States and the United Kingdom are often referred to as mortarboards. The name comes from their resemblance to the square tray bricklayers use when applying mortar. The shape of the cap is also believed to signify a book, chosen in recognition of scholarly achievements. These caps are thought to have been created as far back as the 15th century. American graduates in law, medicine and philosophy typically still wear rounded caps.

Registration Open for ATV Safety Education Courses

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Knudson is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer two ATV
Safety Education Courses this winter. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, is required to
complete an ATV Safety Education Course to legally operate an all-terrain vehicle in places open
to the public within the State of Wisconsin. It is recommended that participants be at least 12
years of age or turn 12 shortly following completion of the class.
ATV Safety Education Courses:

Class #1

Mandatory Registration: January 3, at 6 p.m. @ Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Class: January 14, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. @ Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center

Class #2

Mandatory Registration: January 24, at 6 p.m. @ Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Class: February 11, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. @ Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center


Registration is now open for Class #1. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat.
Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the online enrollment form, the
submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with information on the mandatory in-person
registration meeting. Registration for Class #2 will open the week of January 9, 2023.

Enroll at: https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/atv-education
A class fee of $10 per student will be collected at the in-person registration meeting. The
student and a parent or legal guardian if the student is underage must attend the mandatory
registration meeting in order for the student to take the course. Students will receive course
materials at the in-person registration meeting.

The reservation form requires the student’s Wisconsin DNR customer ID number. To obtain a DNR customer ID number, call the Wisconsin DNR Hotline at 1-888-936-7463 (daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.). For more information on DNR customer ID numbers, visit GETTING A WISCONSIN DNR CUSTOMER ID NUMBER.

Please direct any questions to Deputy Terry Borgwardt at terry.borgwardt@co.rock.wi.us.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Ronald Plett from Pixabay.

DNR: Public Asked to Report Observations of Mudpuppies

A mudpuppy (Source: DNR)

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking the public to report observations of mudpuppies this winter season.

Mudpuppies are the only fully aquatic salamander in Wisconsin and are found in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes year-round. Their elusive behavior makes them difficult to survey, but the DNR says that mudpuppies are a common by-catch for ice-fishers.

The DNR asks ice-fishers who catch mudpuppies to take a picture, gently remove the fishing hook and release it into the water. Ice-fishers should carefully handle mudpuppies, as they have sensitive skin.

Data collected from mudpuppy sightings can help the DNR determine the distribution and range of the species. DNR Conservation Biologist Lena Carlson says observations from the public are valuable, as they help determine how well mudpuppies are doing in Wisconsin.

“This information will show us where we will need to direct future management efforts to help declining populations,” Carlson said.

Mudpuppy populations are declining, and they are listed as a species of special concern in Minnesota and are threatened in Iowa and Illinois. Mudpuppy populations in Wisconsin have not been studied extensively, according to DNR said.

Mudpuppy observations and photos can be submitted to DNRherptiles@wisconsin.gov.

Obituary: Robert “Bob” LeRoy Douglas, 87, of Janesville

Robert “Bob” LeRoy Douglas, age 87, of Janesville, WI, passed away on December 24, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Bob was born on October 15, 1935, in Whitewater, WI, the oldest son of LeRoy and Mary (Swan) Douglas. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Wilken, on April 13, 1957, and they raised their family in Janesville, WI. Bob is survived by son, David and wife Pamela of Concord, MA (and their children Madison, Cameron and wife Annika, and Halley); and son, Peter and wife Stephanie of Barrington, IL (and their children, Charlie and Drew); and brothers, James and wife Pat Douglas, Richard and wife Betty Douglas; sister, Dorothy Hughes; and many extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Douglas.

Bob was an engineer, artist, scholar, and dedicated family man. Bob earned his B.S from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, both degrees in Physics. He served in the US Army in Huntsville, AL and helped develop the Redstone rocket which put the first American in space. Bob worked for many years in Janesville at Parker Pen and Gilman Engineering, where he served as President.  Later, he worked at Litton Industries and Advanced Assembly Automation in Dayton, OH.

Bob was an avid reader and enjoyed tinkering with mathematical problems. Following Virginia’s interest in President Lincoln, she and Bob became amateur Lincoln scholars and members of the national Lincoln Forum. They traveled widely in the US and abroad. Bob was also an accomplished watercolor artist; family and friends looked forward to his annual Christmas card.

Bob and Virginia cherished spending time with their children and grandchildren in their lake house in Three Lakes, WI. They were dedicated fans of Badger basketball and football.  Bob was deeply involved in the Janesville community, serving on several local boards, including Cedar Crest, and was a member of the Blackhawk Golden Kiwanis. He was strong in his faith and active in the Cargill United Methodist Church.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at CARGILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH; with visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1800 E. Racine St., Janesville, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cargill United Methodist Church or Gifts men’s shelter.  A private burial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater, WI. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com.