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(UW System Release) MADISON, Wis., Oct. 2— Chancellor Dwight Watson will be returning to lead the UW-Whitewater campus starting Monday, October 5.

UW System concluded a thorough investigation of certain allegations made against Chancellor Watson and found them to be without merit.

Regent President Andrew S. Petersen issued the following statement:

“I am glad this thorough investigation has concluded and that the allegations made against Chancellor Watson were found to be without merit. We look forward to the Chancellor’s return in leading UW-Whitewater on Monday.”

UPDATE Oct. 5: UW System investigative report

UPDATE Oct. 3: Chancellor Watson released the following statement on October 2.

Statement from Chancellor Watson

I am happy to announce that I will be resuming my role as Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Monday, October 5, 2020.  I want to thank my Cabinet for the tremendous work that they have done leading the institution in my absence.  Also, much appreciation to the campus and extended community for your outpouring of support during this time. I know this was a period of additional uncertainty in uncertain times.  I thank you for your patience, understanding, and your trust in the process.

I am returning from leave following the University of Wisconsin System’s investigation of certain allegations made against me.  I am pleased that the outcome of this extensive investigation concludes with the investigators’ findings that I was truthful during my hiring process with the University of Wisconsin and that there is no evidence of misconduct during my tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  I am also appreciative of the thoroughness of the investigation and the swiftness in which it was conducted.

The University of Wisconsin System has demonstrated that it takes any allegations regarding sexual misconduct seriously and will employ due diligence in investigating and resolving such complaints.  In this instance I went on administrative leave with pay while the General Counsel’s office investigated certain allegations including allegations previously investigated and disposed of as unfounded six years ago on a previous campus where I served.  As I expected, the allegations were investigated thoroughly by the University of Wisconsin System, with no findings of wrongdoing. 

I am ready to return to lead the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and to address the challenges ahead.  I remain vigilant in supporting our processes involving sexual violence and sexual harassment for the betterment of our students. My focus now is on leading as Chancellor, I do not intend to issue any further public statements on this matter.

UPDATE Oct. 3: Per other media reports, the allegation against the chancellor regarded claims of sexual misconduct at another university. Further information is available through the following links.

Gazette article: “Investigation clears Watson, who will return as UW-Whitewater chancellor” by Jonah Beleckis.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article: “UW-Whitewater Chancellor to resume role after investigation clears him of harrassment allegations”

Wisconsin State Journal article: “UW-Whitewater Chancellor returns after complaint found to be ‘without merit’ “

(UW-Whitewater submission) Many community members have asked how you can help UW-Whitewater students while they are in COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation.

Thanks to a leadership gift from Head Football Coach Kevin Bullis, the Warhawk QuaranTeam Fund has been established at the UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc., to collect donations to improve students’ quarantine experience.

We invite anyone to consider making a gift to the Warhawk QuaranTeam Fund today at www.uww.edu/foundation/quaranteam. Gifts of any size are appreciated and will collectively make an impact. This endeavor will also support campus group efforts to assist students in quarantine.

Let’s rally together to support Warhawks in need! Thank you for your generosity, and thank you for thinking of our Warhawks during these difficult times. 

Please contact Amy Oeding, director of alumni relations, at 262-472-7033 or oedinga@uww.edu for more information.

OSHKOSH, Wis. (October 2, 2020) – Following are summer graduates of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh–many who participated in the spring ceremony but become official when their degrees are complete.

Nearly 1,700 UW Oshkosh students graduated in May during the 146th Spring Commencement ceremony, held virtually for the first time. The new grads–including more than 1,200 with bachelor’s degrees, 220 master’s degree candidates, nearly 200 with associate degrees and 43 with doctoral degrees–join 100,000 others as UW Oshkosh alumni.

UW Oshkosh has campuses in Oshkosh, Fond du Lac and Menasha as well as online degree programs.

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, COLLEGE, DEGREE

Whitewater, WI

 Leah Comfort, College of Education and Human Services, Literacy
 Madalyn Fero, College of Education and Human Services, Human Services Leadership

(Whitewater Arts Alliance submission) Whitewater Arts Alliance members are invited to exhibit their art during the 2020 Member Show to be presented from Friday, November 7, 2020 to Sunday, December 13, 2020 at the Cultural Arts Center Gallery. WAA members may exhibit (for FREE) up to four original artworks. WAA does not charge commission on sales made during the Member Show.

The 2020 show will be a live in-gallery event together with an online virtual show featuring all artwork in the show. Artists may opt-out of having their artwork included in the virtual show or they may opt to display only in the virtual show.

In a change from previous years, entry forms must be submitted in advance and be received by the entry form deadline. This is necessary this year because check-in times may need to be assigned in order to comply with the 10-person building limit that is temporarily in place for the CAC. Please refer to the COVID-19 information page on the WAA website for more information. WAA will communicate directly with entrants if this should prove necessary.

Photographs of the artwork will be needed for the virtual show. Artists exhibiting in-gallery are encouraged to supply their own photographs for use in the virtual show. WAA will photograph the artwork displayed in the in-gallery show that does not have submitted photos. All photos submitted for the virtual show must be received no later than the drop-off/check-in date.

In addition, artists wishing to exhibit only in the virtual show may submit images of their art for inclusion as long as completed entry forms are received by the entry form due date and images are received no later than the drop-off/check-in date.

Those exhibiting in the show will be eligible in a random drawing for a FREE 2021 Whitewater Arts Alliance membership.

Quote from Jeff McDonald, chair of the 2020 Member Show and WAA Board Member: “Whitewater Arts Alliance is committed to safely presenting live events and to supplement them with online alternatives as best as possible as we all continue to deal with current challenges. The Member Show is always a favorite because it gives the community a chance to see the high quality and great variety of work being done by WAA members.”

KEY DATES

• Entry Forms Due: Wednesday, October 28.
• Drop-Off/Check-In: Sunday November 1 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., subject to possible assignment of drop-off times.
• Exhibition Dates: Friday, November 7 to Sunday, December 13 during gallery open hours.
• Viewers’ Choice Award Announcement: Sunday, December 13
• Pick-Up: Sunday, December 13 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

ENTRY FEE

• FREE FOR MEMBERS
• NO COMMISSION on sales
• Two of the benefits of membership in the Whitewater Arts Alliance are exhibiting for free in the Annual Member Show and selling any work displayed in the Annual Member Show with NO commission charge.

The entry form, terms and conditions, and other resources are available on the Whitewater Arts Alliance website (https://www.whitewaterarts.org/member-show-2020).

The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.

(Public library submission) The Irvin L.  Young Memorial Library is having a program on Monday, October 5^th at 6:00 p.m.  called “News, Fake News, and Spin: Deciding Who to Trust in an Age of Disinformation”

The program is available on Monday, October 5, 6:00 p.m. via Zoom, and is sponsored by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. Registration is required, so a Zoom link can be sent to participants before the program (register at www.whitewaterlibrary.org)

Deciding which media to trust can be confusing. At the height of the 2016 election, Americans actually clicked on fake news more often than on professional reporting. In this talk, Michael Edmonds will explain how to recognize bias, propaganda, fake news, and filter bubbles. He’ll show you how to analyze messages, evaluate arguments, assess evidence, and locate reliable sources – skills that are more important than ever in this election year.

(League of Women Voters submission) The League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area invites the public to attend a virtual presentation, “Is Past Prologue? Polling and Forecasting in the 2020 Election,” on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 6:30 PM. Join us in taking a closer look at the upcoming election, the polling process, and election forecasting with University of Wisconsin – Whitewater political science professor Dr. Eric Loepp.

Due to COVID-19, this event will be virtual. To attend live, please join the webinar by using the URL: http://bit.ly/ElectionProgramZoom. Passcode: 082754. Or, join us by telephone: Dial (312) 626-6799, Webinar ID: 958 8818 2881, Passcode: 082754. This event will be recorded and afterwards will be made available to the public.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!

(Coach Jennings submission) Last weekend, 9/26-9/27, a team made up of Whitewater 8 and 9 year olds traveled to Darien, Wisconsin for a 9U baseball tournament. For many of these players (and their coaches) this was their first taste of travel baseball. However, their inexperience did not stop them from taking home SECOND PLACE.

Members of the Whitewater Charge were: Benjamin Jennings, JJ Delazzer, Camden Kachel, Casey Mickelson, Blake and Hunter Robb, George Christon, Miles Morgan, Gage Kubicz, Brady Schilt, and Evan Jagodzinski.

(Ripon College submission) Whitewater-area students took part in Ripon College’s production of Spoon River. Performances took place on September 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th on the north lawn of Harwood Memorial Union. The following students participated:

Madeline Kuhl of Whitewater, Wisconsin
Lydia Wiley Deal of Whitewater, Wisconsin
Jacob Zuehlke of Whitewater, Wisconsin

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.