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Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Whitewater.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will celebrate the achievements of its graduates on Saturday, May 13, and Tuesday, May 16, as proud families and friends gather for the 2023 spring commencement ceremonies on the Whitewater and Rock County campuses.

On the university’s Whitewater campus, a total of 1,404 May and August graduates will cross the stage on May 13 to receive their degrees. The morning ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m., recognizes 613 undergraduate and 136 graduate students from the College of Arts and Communication, the College of Business and Economics and the School of Graduate Studies. 

The afternoon ceremony begins at 3 p.m. and recognizes 504 undergraduate students and 144 graduate students from the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Integrated Studies, the College of Letters and Sciences, and the School of Graduate Studies. An additional seven degrees are not specific to any college. The ceremonies, which last approximately two hours each, will be held in the Kachel Fieldhouse at the Williams Center. 

Included in the graduates crossing the stage on May 13 will be 98 students who are veterans, 9 international students and 180 nontraditional undergraduate students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 167 self-identified students with disabilities will receive degrees. Eight graduates of the university’s LIFE Program, which provides a complete college experience for young adults between the ages of 18-25 who have an intellectual disability, will cross the stage during the afternoon program — including four who are earning an advanced certificate. 

The commencement speaker for both ceremonies on the Whitewater campus is Mike Domitrz. Domitrz, who earned a BBA in business in 1993, is a world-renowned speaker and the founder of Center for Respect, an organization with a mission to prevent sexual assaults and encourage safe dating.

The student speaker for the morning ceremony is Hollyn Peterson. Peterson, who is earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a painting emphasis, is a three-time cancer survivor who has overcome life-threatening obstacles in her formative years and is now flourishing as a young adult with big dreams. 

The student speaker for the afternoon ceremony is Davin Stravroplos. Stavroplos, who is earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and served as student body president, will share his inspiring story of how taking steps outside of his comfort zone have led to his personal and professional pursuits.

The commencement ceremonies on the Whitewater campus will be broadcast live online by UWW-TV, the university television station.

Rock County campus

The graduation ceremony for more than 95 College of Integrated Studies students at UW-Whitewater at Rock County will be held on Tuesday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Wells Cultural Center. The commencement speaker is Robin Fox, an experienced administrator and respected scholar who is associate provost for academic affairs at UW-Whitewater. The student speaker is Natalie Shortreed, a liberal arts major from Janesville who is continuing her studies in environmental sciences on the Whitewater campus. During the ceremony, the Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented to John Ramsdell, who used the closure of Lear Seating in Janesville to pursue his twin passions of science and education. After earning an associate degree at the Rock County campus in 2010,  he graduated summa cum laude from the Whitewater campus in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Education in general education and a general science minor. Today, he is a science and English teacher at Marshall Middle School. The Excellence in Teaching Awards and the faculty and staff who are retiring will also be announced at the ceremony. 

For more information about UW-Whitewater’s commencement ceremonies: uww.edu/commencement

It’s that time of year again, when Seniors in the Park becomes Whitewater’s “art house.” What is an art house? A cinema that shows films that are high quality, but may not be popular or successful, such as foreign films or ones made by small film companies. In addition to our regular films on the second, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays during May through September, we will be screening an art film on the middle Wednesday of those months at 1 p.m.

“80 for Brady”

Tuesday, May 9, 1 p.m.

(Comedy/Drama/Sports) Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 38 minutes (2023)

A group of friends make it their life long mission to go to the Super Bowl and meet NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Fun and adventures ensue! Starring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Rita Moreno, Guy Fieri, and Tom Brady!

Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL.)

Lisa Huempfner is a WUL Hometown Hero, and has been nominated by two of her students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for “her kindness and being a true good Samaritan for the city, advocating for the better of all” and for “her kindness and support when a family member passed.”

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Greater Whitewater Committee.

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Young Auditorium Director, Jay Craggs, as guest speaker at its May monthly meeting. Craggs will be discussing his future goals for UW-Whitewater’s Young Auditorium. 

“I am very excited about the reopening of Young Auditorium this fall. The season events are coming together nicely and will be shared publicly this June in our 23-24 season reveal.” said Craggs. “Our whole team is energized and eager to reconnect with friends and supporters both old and new – and to see this incredible arts venue back in action!”

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 11th at 7 a.m. at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St, Whitewater, WI. The public is welcome to attend this meeting to hear more about one of Whitewater’s finest venues. If interested in attending, RSVP is required. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Monday, May 8th. 

“We are happy to see the Young Auditorium is starting to move forward,” said GWC President Jeff Knight. “The auditorium is one of Whitewater’s biggest attractions, and we look forward to hearing about its future.” 

Jay Craggs has been Young Auditorium Director since December of 2022. He has served UW-Whitewater for more than 25 years in various roles including assistant director for facilities at the University Center, technical director for Young Auditorium, and as a music and communication instructor. Craggs received his master’s degree in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management from Columbia College, and his bachelors in music education from UW-Whitewater, and studied guitar and composition with guitarist Jack Grassel and bassist Richard Davis.

Additionally, Craggs has an extensive musical background. As a guitarist and composer, Jay has performed for many audiences across America. He has shared the stage, opened for, or recorded with many jazz, rock, and entertainment notables. His remarkable career offers great opportunities for the University to grow the Young Auditorium. To learn more about Craggs visit: https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/music/stringmain/jay-craggs-bio. 

About the GWC The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to working with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. Its goals are to advance the economic, educational, and social policies required to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

Editor’s note: The following proclamation was made by the president on May 7.

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on May 6, 2023, in Allen, Texas, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, May 11, 2023. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

Whitewater man sentenced; 8 years prison for July 2020 crime

Per fox6newsnow.com,

WHITEWATER, Wis. – A Walworth County judge sentenced Christopher Czerpak on Wednesday, May 3 to eight years in prison and an additional eight years of extended supervision in connection with a July 2020 incident in Whitewater. 

Czerpak pleaded guilty in December to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal damage to property, and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Three other charges against Czerpak were dismissed and read into the court record for the purposes of sentencing. 

Case details

Walworth County sheriff’s officials said on July 20, 2020, Whitewater police were attempting to locate Czerpak, who allegedly made statements to his estranged wife about killing her and himself with a gun.

Early Monday, around 4 a.m., the wife called 911 to report a man had broken into her apartment. While she hid in the basement, the man left — unsuccessful in locating her. Police investigated and found fresh damage from a break-in at the apartment, along with a live round of ammunition at the scene, sheriff’s officials said. The search continued for the then-32-year-old.

Around 5:30 a.m., deputies and police spotted a man, identified as Czerpak, matching the description of the apartment burglar, and attempted to speak with him. However, sheriff’s officials said he ran and “at one point, pointed a handgun at law enforcement officers.” Deputies then shot him “in an attempt to stop the imminent deadly threat.” Sheriff’s officials said a loaded handgun was found in his possession.

Czerpak was immediately treated at the scene and taken to a trauma center.

Editor’s note: Article and photo from fox6newsnow.com

Have you marked your calendar?
The #StampOutHunger food drive is just around the corner!
The need for food assistance is still more important than ever! Help your local community food pantries by leaving donations of non perishable food items in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 13th! Your letter carrier will do the rest! It’s that easy!

Lauren Hayes has been elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) by the Honours Committee. Associateship is awarded to alumni of the Academy who have distinguished themselves in the music profession and made a significant contribution in their particular field. Lauren will receive this honor from Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Governing Body, at a ceremony in the Duke’s Hall at the Royal Academy of Music in London on
May 9. In addition to being a 2018 Tanglewood Fellow, Lauren has distinguished herself by performances with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony’s Music NOW series, Burnt Sugar: The Arkestra Chamber, performing with a variety of orchestras in the United States and in Europe and has performed in all three venues at Carnegie Hall.