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Obituary: Lee Alton Langbecker of Richmond, 77

Lee Alton Langbecker, 77, Town of Richmond, passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at his home.

Lee was born on November 23, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI to Walter and Lucy (Arquette) Langbecker.  He graduated from Fort Atkinson, WI.  Lee served his country in the United States Navy from 1961-1967.  He married Linda Wilkins in January, 1973.   She preceded him in death on November, 15, 1999.  Lee was employed as a master printer for over 25 years.  He enjoyed fishing and gardening.

He is survived by his children: Gary Langbecker, Milton, Kathryn (Jerrod) Howe, Janesville, Tracie (Timothy) Cluver, Fort Atkinson; grandchildren: Taylor Langbecker, Donald Kaat, Kristoff Cluver, r, Timothy Cluver Jr, Meredyth Cluver; great-grandchildren: Noah and Lucas Howe, Donald Kaat II, Syleste Stuher, Isaac Cluver; brothers: Wayne Langbecker, MO, Gary (Paulette) Langbecker, MS.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and brother, Jack Langbecker.

Funeral Services with military honors will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190.    Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.  Online condolences may be made by visiting www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.  Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

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Elizabeth Watson Named UW-W Dean of Students

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Artanya Wesley announced on June 3 the appointment of Elizabeth Watson as the next dean of students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“Dr. Watson brings a great combination of leadership skills, knowledge and experience, as well a passion for enhancing the educational outcomes for students,” Wesley said. “She has a demonstrated commitment to collaborating with university and community stakeholders to ensure students are positioned to thrive within campus life. She works tirelessly at local, state and national levels advocating for students’ success and accessibility in higher education. I look forward to the continued efforts and work Dr. Watson will engage in with the Dean of Students Office staff and the campus and local community. I am delighted to welcome her to this new role.”

Since July of 2019, Watson has served in two critical leadership roles on campus. As interim dean of students, she is responsible for strategic planning, supervision and implementation of student conduct, community standards, student retention programming and safety. As interim assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, she provides senior level administrative leadership, strategic planning, vision and direct supervision of the Dean of Students Office, Student Involvement and Leadership, Career Services, University Health, Counseling and Wellness Services, Children’s Center, and Center for Inclusive Transition Education and Employment.

Watson will assume the role of dean of students on July 1.

“The opportunity to serve students, the campus community and the larger community of Whitewater is truly a privilege. Serving as the dean of students allows me to transition the leadership and experiences I have had within the Division of Student Affairs to all students and stakeholders,” Watson said. “My commitment to social justice and equity aligns with UW-Whitewater’s values and I look forward to being an active partner across the university to support student success, safety and lifelong learning.”

After serving as director of disability services and ADA coordinator at Edgewood College in Madison, Watson came to UW-Whitewater in 2006 and served as director of the Center for Students with Disabilities for nearly 13 years. A prolific grant writer, Watson has secured about $7 million in awards during the past five years for university and community programming targeted toward improving the student experience at UW-Whitewater and quality of life for individuals with disabilities in the state of Wisconsin, from health services to technology to employment assistance. A licensed professional counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor, she earned a B.A. and M.Ed. from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I would like to express my appreciation to Terry Tumbarello for his leadership of the search as well as Erica Johnson and Katrisa Hillard for support throughout the process,” Wesley said. “Also, I would like to extend my gratitude to each search committee member for their time and commitment to the process.”

Source: UW-W Announcements

Local Students Receive Academic Honors: Ripon College and Troy University

RIPON, WI (06/07/2021)– Ripon College has announced its Dean’s List for the Spring 2021 semester, recognizing academic excellence. To qualify for the Dean’s List at Ripon College, students must achieve a 3.40 grade point average or higher on a 4.00 scale and complete at least 12 credits of regular letter-graded work.

Clarice Bergman of Whitewater, Wisconsin, is majoring in English and Politics and Government with a minor in Communication

Lydia Wiley Deal of Whitewater, Wisconsin, is majoring in Music and Physics

Jacob Zuehlke of Whitewater, Wisconsin, is majoring in Music and Business Management

Ripon College, founded in 1851, is Wisconsin’s best-value private college and a national leader in liberal arts education, devoted to ensuring every student realizes their unique potential. Ninety-six percent of alumni are employed, in graduate school or student-teaching within six months. In recognition of its academic excellence, the college was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1953, placing it among a select group of the nation’s top colleges. Ripon has the highest earning graduates in Wisconsin, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Ripon ranks first in Wisconsin and third in the Midwest on Washington Monthly’s list of “Best Bang for the Buck” colleges. The College has the highest minority graduation rate in the nation. Ripon is consistently recognized as a “Best Value” and “Best 383 College” by The Princeton Review and a Top Tier National Liberal Arts College by U.S. News & World Report. For more information about Ripon College, visit ripon.edu.

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TROY, AL (05/27/2021)– Abby Grosinske of Whitewater, WI, has been named to the Provost’s List at Troy University for the Spring Semester/Term 4 of the 2020/2021 academic year.

The Provost’s List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who have a grade point average of at least 3.65.

About Troy University

Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.

Seniors Expressing Gratitude for 2021 Scholarships

Senior scholarship recipients participated in a Thank You Card Writing Workshop at Whitewater High School on June 2!  Seniors expressed sincere gratitude for the scholarships they won in the WHS Local & Area Scholarship Competition and wish to thank each of their sponsors with a heartfelt thank you.  A great time was had by all!

  • Nikole Pelot (L) Cora Linos (R)
  • David Cushman
  • Wesley Abramson
  • Mariana Cano
  • Lydia Bols
  • Julianna Verduzco
  • Abigail Weeden
  • Trenton Zahn

Source: Pamela Sonmor-Wintz, School Counselor (M-Z)

Jennie Jochims is a Hometown Hero

(Whitewater Unites Lives submission) Jennie Jochims is a WUL Hometown Hero for baking goods and helping with a rummage sale in order to support the City of Whitewater Police Department – K9 TILLA’S NEXT RIDE.

Jennie Jochims is a Hometown Hero

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 

Applicants Sought for Common Council District 2 Open Seat

The Councilmember Seat for Aldermanic District 2 (Wards 7 & 8) is currently vacant, and the Common Council of the City of Whitewater is seeking Applications for Appointment from individuals who reside in Aldermanic District 2 (Wards 7 & 8), and who are willing to serve on the Common Council. Council meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Occasionally there are additional meetings. Each Common Council member also serves as a representative to various Boards or Commissions. There is a monthly salary of $300.

The Common Council will review Applications from applicants, and will consider appointment of an applicant to the position at their July 20, 2021 council meeting. The application is available at this link. The appointment will be until the third Tuesday, April, 2022, at which time the councilmember elected at the April, 2022 election will take office. For those unsure of their Aldermanic District, please contact the City Clerk at 473-0102.

An application must be submitted to City Clerk Michele Smith, P.O. Box 178, Whitewater, WI 53190 by 4:30 p.m. on July 14, 2021. The Clerk can be reached by e-mail at: msmith@whitewater-wi.gov or by telephone at 262-473-0102.

Michele Smith, City Clerk

Time for a Plant Swap at the Whitewater Public Library on June 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Whitewater Public Library submission) The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library invites all to attend Plant Swap! This outdoor drop-in program on the Library’s patio will take place Wednesday, June 9th from 10 a.m to 2:00 p.m.

From the library: “Calling all plant lovers! Do you want to re-home some of your houseplants? Do you have too many cuttings or babies from your current plants? Bring them to the Library and meet other houseplant lovers! Don’t have any plants? Stop by and choose a new plant for your home. All are welcome. Be sure to check out some houseplant books from the library while you are here!”

Participants are encouraged to drop off plants for the Swap in the weeks leading up to this program. For more info contact Torrie Thomas 262-473-0530.

Fire Dept. Called to Single Pickup Crash with Four Injuries on Friday Evening

(Whitewater Fire Dept. Facebook page) At approximately 9:10 p.m. on Friday June 4th, the Whitewater Fire Dept was dispatched to a car vs tree on Millis Rd. First arriving units found a F250 upright against a tree, with four patients all self extricated having various injuries. LaGrange Fire was requested for an ambulance along with Janesville Fire Dept for a paramedic unit. Four patients were taken to various hospitals, with two being taken to Mercy Hospital in Janesville due to the extent of their injuries. Status of the patients is unknown at this time. Crews were on scene for approximately an hour.

Baseball Claims Second Victory Over Clinton

Article Submitted by Michael Hookstead
Whitewater High School Head Baseball Coach
mhookstead@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob and Peter Mischka

Marc Jones

The Whippet Baseball Team picked up another win against Clinton on Thursday, June 3, by a score of 7-4. The game was close the whole way, but the team put up two insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to take a 7-3 lead. The Cougars scored one run in the 7th inning before Mason DePorter ended the game by throwing out a runner trying to steal second. 

Marc Jones was the starting pitcher, and Jacob Heritage came in to record the last two outs. 

The team is playing their best baseball at the right time of year. The Whippets will be back in action on Friday, June 4, when they host Edgerton at 4:45.

Sunday’s WHS Grads Listed, Including Five Valedictorians and One Salutatorian

Congratulations to the 2021 Whitewater High School graduates:

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

Processional …………………………………………………………………………..Pomp and Circumstance
Edward Elgar arr. Claire Grundman
Combined WHS Bands ~ Mr. Samuel Averill, Conductor
The National Anthem……………………………………….Star Spangled Banner, arr. Larry Minton
Music Masters Ensemble, Mrs. Karen Tordera, Director
Welcome ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Kacie Carollo
Senior Class Leaders
Graduate Address………………………………………………………………………………………….Cora Linos
Commencement Address ………………………………………………………………………. Mr. Mark Maas
Introduction by Catherine Skindingsrude
Musical Selection ……………………………………….. What a Wonderful World, arr. Mark Brymer
Music Masters Ensemble, Mrs. Karen Tordera, Director
Certification of the Class of 2021 ……………………………………………….. Mr. Michael Lovenberg
WHS Principal
Announcement of Graduates ……………………………………………………………. Mr. Gregg Stewart
Presentation of Diplomas ……………………………………. Mr. Michael Lovenberg, WHS Principal
Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent
Mr. Casey Judd, WUSD School Board President
Closing Remarks………………………………………………………………. Jenna Caldwell & Jake Martin
Senior Class Leaders
Switching of the tassel …………………………………………………………………….Elizabeth Katzman
& Class of 2021 Class Leaders
Recessional ………………………………………..American Hymn, Michael Keller, arr. Dr. Don Deal
Combined WHS Bands ~ Mr. Samuel Averill, Conductor

Source: Whitewater High School