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Winter commencement set for Dec. 21

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will celebrate the achievements of its graduates at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, as proud families and friends gather for the 2019 winter commencement ceremony.

More than 757 students will cross the stage to receive their degrees. The ceremony, which is approximately two hours long, will be held at Kachel Fieldhouse.

This year’s commencement speaker is Rex Hanger, a professor in the Department of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science. Hanger is adamant about immersing his students in out-of-the-classroom experiences, with the guiding principle of “The best geologists are the ones who have seen the most rocks.” In 2018, UW-Whitewater awarded Hanger its highest academic accolade: the W.P. Roseman Excellence in Teaching Award. And in 2019 the UW System Board of Regents named him as one of two 2019 Regents Teaching Excellence individual award recipients.

The student speaker is Mikayla Frick. A native of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Frick has sought to deepen her understanding of diversity in human resource management by engaging in undergraduate research and completing internships at the Wisconsin Department of Justice and at American Family Mutual Insurance in Madison. At the latter, her efforts to create programs and initiatives to support diversity — from company values to hiring practices to employee culture — resulted in the company creating a full-time position for her. Frick will be graduating with a BBA in human resource management.

The ceremony will recognize 82 undergraduates from the College of Arts and Communication, 226 from the College of Business and Economics, 149 from the College of Education and Professional Studies and 198 from the College of Letters and Sciences. Of the 647 undergraduate degrees awarded, 13 were completed online. The School of Graduate Studies will award 110 degrees, including 100 master’s degrees and 10 doctorates.

The graduating class includes 13 international students, 51 military veterans and 147 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 57 self-identified students with disabilities will receive degrees.

A total of 87 graduating students, including Frick, participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, were accepted to graduate school or started their own business before commencement.

Commencement will be broadcast live online by UWW-TV, the university television station.  

For more information: https://www.uww.edu/commencement

Contact:

Bonnie Miller

whitewatercommunityfoundation.org  

262-458-4088

The Whitewater Community Foundation has published their 2018 – 2019 Annual Report. In this report, they highlight all of their accomplishments throughout the community within the year! 

Some of the highlights include:

Community Action Grants: Twice a year, the Whitewater Community Foundation offers Community Action Grants for projects that our community and board of directors believe worthwhile and beneficial to various segments of the population. 14 different grants were given out with a total amount of $14,630. 

Community Outreach: In April 2019, the foundation held their 3rd Annual Civic Summit at The Community Space. More than 30 people joined from multiple organizations throughout the community. 

Scholarships: Each year the foundation awards two post-secondary scholarships to seniors graduating from Whitewater High School, the Whitewater Community Foundation Scholarship and the Whitewater Community Foundation Founder’s Scholarship. They also administer 20 individual restricted funds to graduating seniors from Whitewater High School each year.

Financials: The foundation’s income, how they spend their resources, unrestricted funds and restricted funds are all broken down throughout the year.

You can view the full 2018 – 2019 Annual Report online at the link below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1waFJQOkjSqp0YFALcZ55hWRi7HjZ1Nj3/view?usp=sharing 

About WCF: The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “Enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures” through scholarships and community action grants. To donate and support the continuation of the Whitewater Banner, or a variety of other community projects, simply send a check made out to Whitewater Community Foundation to P.O. Box 428, Whitewater, WI, 53190, or donate online at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org by hitting the “Donate” button on top of the contact page. For tax purposes, the Whitewater Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Corporation. 

MADISON, WI – While the League of Women Voters explores legal strategies concerning Friday’s court order to immediately purge 234,000 voters from the rolls, it is important for voters to know they can check their voter registration in advance of when they go to vote on Election Day to ensure this action does not impact their registration and plan to vote. 

Voters can be proactive by checking their voter information on Wisconsin’s online voter registration website, myvote.wi.gov, or by contacting their municipal clerk. Any voter who received the Wisconsin Elections Commission letter that they may have moved will have a notice on their record on the My Voter Info page asking them to confirm their address. If voters have moved since registering to vote, they will need to re-register at their current address. The League is available to help anyone who may need assistance navigating the registration process. Contact the League online lwvwi.org, by email or phone, lwvwisconsin@lwvwi.org or 608-256-0827. 

Additionally, the recent litigation highlights how important it is that Wisconsin has Election Day Registration where voters can register and vote on Election Day. Yet, even with Election Day Registration, the League advises voters to double-check their registration status and make any necessary updates in advance of the 2020 elections. Wisconsin residents can register to vote online at myvote.wi.gov. 

The League will continue to assist voters so they are informed and confident to go to the polls in 2020. 

Link to example “mover” letter 

Link to info about the mailing from the WEC 

Screenshot of myvote instructions if your account received a “mover” letter 

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The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is a nonpartisan political organization that advocates for informed and active participation in government. There are 20 local Leagues in Wisconsin. More information at lwvwi.org. 

The following local students are among the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater scholarship recipients receiving financial awards for the 2019-20 academic year.

Whitewater, WI — Kendra Ames, who is studying communication sciences and disorders, won the following scholarships: College Excellence – Education and Professional Studies; Chancellor Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Alexander Babiasz, who is studying marketing, won the following scholarship: Jon M. Pyzyk Memorial Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Abigail Callahan, who is studying social work, won the following scholarship: Chancellor Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Emily Crown, who is studying journalism, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Montserrat Cuevas, who is studying international business, won the following scholarships: DLK Scholarship; John Tincher Scholarship; College of Business and Economics Scholarship; Chancellor Scholars; King Chavez Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Hannah Delaney, who is studying business, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Austin Draper, who is studying biology, won the following scholarship: Cummings Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Grace Ejnik, who is studying mathematics, won the following scholarships: DLK Scholarship; Chancellor Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Elizabeth Farrey, who is studying history, won the following scholarships: General Scholarship; Donald Graham; Donald Graham History Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Arturo Franco, who is studying accounting, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Jacob Frey, who is studying accounting, won the following scholarship: Sikich, LLP

Whitewater, WI — Jessica Gardner, who is studying history, won the following scholarships: Donald Graham History; Joseph Pease

Whitewater, WI — Demeka Goldsmith, who is studying information technology, won the following scholarship: Chancellor Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Bayly Grosskopf, who is studying school psychology, won the following scholarship: Barbara Ann Hersko Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Kaitlyn Guzman, who is studying communication, won the following scholarship: Disney Ambassadors Education Payment

Whitewater, WI — Elizabeth Hall, who is studying accounting, won the following scholarships: Edann; Zoe E. Connor Memorial Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Taylor Hammerstad, who is studying elementary education, won the following scholarship: Alice and Floyd Quinney

Whitewater, WI — Kaden Hausinger, who is studying information technology, won the following scholarship: Alliant Energy Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Douglas Henderson, who is studying with an undeclared major, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Kelsey Herold, who is studying general management, won the following scholarships: Donald and Rose Petersen Scholarship; James R. and Zoe E. Connor; Chancellor Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Noah Hill, who is studying accounting, won the following scholarship: Transfer Excellence Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Jacob Hollenbeck, who is studying accounting, won the following scholarship: Accounting – Wipfli

Whitewater, WI — Lorynn Hollingshead, who is studying elementary education, won the following scholarship: Zoe E. Connor Memorial Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Alec Holt, who is studying information technology, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Abigail Hummel, who is studying music, won the following scholarships: McMonagle Studio Scholarship; McMonagle Studio Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Dakota Isbell, who is studying with an undeclared major, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Cally Julson, who is studying history, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Ali Ketterhagen, who is studying with an undeclared major, won the following scholarships: Chancellor Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Sam Kiernan, who is studying elementary education, won the following scholarships: DLK Scholarship; Irene Krueger

Whitewater, WI — Anthony Klahn, who is studying accounting, won the following scholarship: General Merit

Whitewater, WI — Natalie LaBreche, who is studying English, won the following scholarships: DLK Scholarship; College of Letters and Sciences Power Endowed; Chancellor Scholars; James R. and Zoe E. Connor

Whitewater, WI — Benjamin Lamberty, who is studying English, won the following scholarship: George and Pauli Nikolay Family Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Kayla Lara, who is studying music, won the following scholarship: Gala Concert Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — William Lawton, who is studying business, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Jonathan Lotti, who is studying theatre, won the following scholarship: Jim Butchart Memorial Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Tyler Marinkovic, who is studying computer science, won the following scholarship: Chancellor Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Brendan McCluskey, who is studying accounting, won the following scholarships: DLK Scholarship; Maury Greene Business

Whitewater, WI — Dylan McCool, who is studying English, won the following scholarships: Chancellor Scholars; Corinne E. Forster Endowment

Whitewater, WI — Elizabeth Miller, who is studying music, won the following scholarships: Gala Concert Scholarship; R.L. Jennings Scholarship in Voice

Whitewater, WI — Albert Ngabo, who is studying liberal arts, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Alexander Ostermann, who is studying marketing, won the following scholarship: Chancellor Warhawk Ambassador

Whitewater, WI — Jessica Pluemer, who is studying marketing, won the following scholarship: General Merit

Whitewater, WI — Daniela Porras, who is studying art education, won the following scholarships: College of Arts and Communication; Laura Ferris; Mark Palmer Gray Jr.; Dahle Family Quasi Endowment – College of Arts and Communication

Whitewater, WI — Jesse Radaj, who is studying with an undeclared major, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Alyssa Riley, who is studying psychology, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Noel Schmitz, who is studying biology, won the following scholarship: Joseph and Madeline Chopp

Whitewater, WI — Lukas Schreiber, who is studying finance, won the following scholarships: Warhawk Exceptional Academics; Chancellor Scholars

Whitewater, WI — Emma Sellnow, who is studying liberal arts, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Casey Skindingsrude, who is studying integrated science – business, won the following scholarships: Integrated Science and Business Scholarship; Chancellor Scholars; James R. and Zoe E. Connor

Whitewater, WI — Olimpia Soto, who is studying accounting, won the following scholarship: Fred Duncombe Accounting Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Lindsi Starrett, who is studying music, won the following scholarships: Annie Vander Linden Scholarship; Gala Concert Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Autumn Tracy, who is studying English, won the following scholarship: General Merit

Whitewater, WI — Whitney Treder, who is studying general management, won the following scholarship: Albert Barty

Whitewater, WI — Grace Wood, who is studying with an undeclared major, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Catherine Yang, who is studying with an undeclared major, won the following scholarship: DLK Scholarship

Whitewater, WI — Komi Yenkey, who is studying computer science, won the following scholarships: W.F. Johnston Computer Sciences Scholarship; Outstanding Junior Award – College of Letters and Sciences

Whitewater, WI — Jonathan Zheng, who is studying biology, won the following scholarships: DLK Scholarship; Kachel Family Science; Zoe E. Connor Memorial Scholarship

“Our scholarship winners represent the very best in academic, co-curricular and service excellence across all of our colleges and departments,” said Greg Rutzen, interim president of the UW-Whitewater Foundation. “We’re grateful to the many people and organizations – past and present – who have generously donated funds to make these awards a reality. Some of these scholarships were endowed more than 80 years ago, leaving a lasting legacy that has contributed to the success of generations of Warhawks.”

The Whitewater Community Foundation has announced the retirement of two board members from the Whitewater Community Foundation Board, Mark Dorn and David Yochum.

Mark has served on the Whitewater Community Foundation board as the At-Large Director for 5 years. Mark was also the chair of Community Action Grants as well as served on the Marketing + PR Committee. Mark stated, “I joined the WCF to be able to give back to Whitewater with time and treasure: positive action for a progressive community.”

David has served on the Whitewater Community Foundation board as the Secretary and At-Large Director for 5 years.  David also served on the Whitewater Banner, Marketing + PR, and Policies + Procedures Committee. David stated, “I joined the WCF Board of Directors as a long commitment to making Whitewater a vital community in which to live.  The Foundation has long been a source of support for students through the scholarships that are offered out of the generosity of our citizens.  The expansion of Community Action Grants enables the innovative ideas of our community members to become a reality.  The coordination of the Whitewater Banner shares news of our town and its citizens. A community thrives on the generosity of its citizens. I am a member because the WCF is an ideal avenue to channel that philanthropic energy into meaningful programs that form the cohesive center of our vital community. While individual efforts are laudable, when we combine our resources we can accomplish so much more.”

Current President, Danielle Frawley, stated, “We have been honored to have David and Mark on the board during the last five years of significant transformation within the Foundation. In the last five years, the Foundation has evolved to include Community Action Grants and greater community awareness. This could not have been done without their contributions.”

The foundation is seeking applications for board positions. For information please call Bonnie Miller at 262-458-4088 or click here for a contact form: https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/contact/

About WCF: The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “Enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures” through scholarships and community action grants. To donate and support the continuation of the Whitewater Banner, simply send a check made out to Whitewater Community Foundation to P.O. Box 428, Whitewater, WI, 53190, or donate online at http://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org by hitting the “Donate” button on top of the contact page. . For tax purposes, the Whitewater Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Corporation. 

St John’s Masonic Lodge #57 Whitewater/Palmyra presented the Palmyra and Whitewater Food Pantries with a combined 100 cases of Lakeside Foods canned vegetables on December 11^th. 

Numerous individual lodge members and First Citizens State Bank provided the funding to purchase the over one ton of food.

The lodge appreciates the contribution of funds (and storage space) provided by First Citizens State Bank, and Lakeside Foods for the ability to purchase the large quantity of canned goods to donate to the local food pantries.

        The easy way this year to load at Lakeside Foods in Belgium, WI

        Lee Cushman in the middle of unloading at Whitewater Food Pantry