News

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #202 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., May 27, 2023, in honor of Navy Seaman Second Class David Joseph Riley, who lost his life in the attack on Pearl Harbor and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial. “The attack on Pearl Harbor changed the trajectory of World War II and our state and country, taking the lives of more than 50 Wisconsinites, including Navy Seaman Second Class Riley,” said Gov. Evers. “We are grateful for the effort to ensure that Navy Seaman Second Class Riley’s remains were returned so he can be laid to rest in Wisconsin. On behalf of his home state, we honor him for his service and sacrifice to this nation and the values we hold dear.” On Dec. 7, 1941, Navy Seaman Second Class David Joseph Riley of Juda, assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The remains of the deceased crew from the USS Oklahoma were first interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries and, after attempts at identification in 1947, were reinterred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency began exhuming remains from the USS Oklahoma for analysis and identification, and in 2021, Seaman Second Class Riley’s remains were positively identified. Seaman Second Class Riley was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, the American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.  Navy Seaman Second Class David Joseph Riley will be buried with full military honors in Juda on Sat., May 27, 2023. Executive Order #202 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Sat., May 27, 2023, and is available here.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Here is a great patriotic photo for the Memorial Day weekend. It is from a war bond drive parade held in Whitewater for World War I in 1918. The Whitewater Historical Society wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3445P Whitewater Historical Society)

The following students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean’s List for the 2023 spring semester.

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Lucas Ackman

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Asobo Afah

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Salaar Akbar

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jake Antonneau

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Mariana Aranda

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Marijke Arreola

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Elbee-Fae Ascherl

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jocelin Beecroft

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Joshua Bezzo

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Gracia Boley

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Damien Brandt

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Kenna Breckon

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Alondra Buboltz

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Kacie Carollo

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Teaghan Carter

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Ariana Christianson

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Ivan Cortez

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Kianna Doerr

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Gia Donofrio

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Holland Engele

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Devin Fitzer

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jaciel Flores

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Griffin Gerber

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Seth Gildemeister

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Reagan Godek

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Christopher Gomez

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Brock Grosinske

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Margaret Helbig

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jake Hintz

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Cameron Huntley

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Marc Jones

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Emma Jordan

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Cally Julson

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Sarah Keller

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Ben Kloskey

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Felicity Knabenbauer

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Callie Knoll

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jackie Lin

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Joey Maffiola

– 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: Isabella Miscevich

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Aiden Murray

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Mary Myers

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Miriam Navejas

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Ben Nelson

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Raquel Ortiz

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Yasmin Palomec-Garcia

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Maci Parrish

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Miguel Penaloza

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Montana Petersen

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jordan Peterson

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Kyle Puchalski

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Hayden Radloff

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Charlie Reddemann

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Kaylie Rickgauer

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Alyssa Riley

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Connor Rohde

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Miranda Rubenzer

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jacob Sadler

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Evan Schepp

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Savannah Schmieder

– 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: Ryan Vedner

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jon Villarreal

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Ashley Vorndran

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Carter Waelchli

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Zach Wagner

– Whitewater, WI 53190: LuAnnabelle Wieseman

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Catherine Yang

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Conner Young

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Marissa Zaehringer

– Whitewater, WI 53190: Jon Zheng

– 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.

“Dean’s List honorees have shown an outstanding dedication to their academic pursuits – from their work in the classroom to notable projects in our research laboratories and out in the field,” said John Chenoweth, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These hardworking students can take pride in the fact that they are living the Warhawk values of learning and academic excellence. They are deserving of our congratulations.”

The Registrar’s Office reports 3,148 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.

Editor’s note: The above list was provided by UW-Whitewater.

The Whitewater Police Department is investigating a felony retail theft incident that occurred on Friday, May 12, 2023 at approximately 10:30 p.m. We are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the male and female individuals in the above photos. If you recognize either of these individuals, please contact the Whitewater Police Department at (262)473-0555 #4 or share an anonymous tip at www.P3Tips.com and reference case no. 23-004725. Thank you in advance!

Editor’s note: The above announcement appears on the Whitewater Police Department Facebook page.

Starting Monday, May 22, Schwager Road will be closed from Warhawk Drive to Koshkonong Drive.  The closure will last from May 22 through Sept. 1. Please note:

• There will be no access to Lot 22 during the closure. [See map below for numbered parking lots.] Access to Lot 24 will be allowed at the Warhawk Drive/Schwager Intersection only. This intersection will be under construction, so proceed slowly.  
• No pedestrian traffic will be allowed in the work zone, and pedestrians should not try to cross Schwager Drive to access the athletic fields at any location other than the Warhawk/Schwager intersection. This may greatly limit access to disc golf.  
• Access to lot 11 will be off Warhawk Drive.  

Signs and barricades for the detour route have been posted. 

Update 5/26 @ 9:15 p.m.: A reader provided this additional information: Drivers should be alerted that although there is no signage at Tratt Street, Schwager Drive is closed from the point of the left turn the other side of the hill.  Also, walkers and bicyclists also might like to know before heading there, that the pass-through gate to the trail next to Miller Stadium is locked.

Editor’s note: The above information was posted on the UW-W announcements page.

 Are you ready to polka? The public is invited to a “Music & Magic Friendzy” with Pint Size Polkas, who will be sharing the happiest music on Earth plus magic and comedy fun for all ages to enjoy. 

Mike Schneider just five years old when he heard polka music for the first time. The performer was America’s Polka King, Frankie Yankovic, and needless to say it was love at first sound. Mike and his traditional polka band have been entertaining audiences throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio since 1996. Since that time, they have been nominated for 21 polka awards from five separate organizations.

The event will be held at the Irvin L Young Memorial Library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater on Tuesday, May 30 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. There is no cost or registration to attend.

You may contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-
458-2782.

3 Day Sale this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

Garage Sale on May 26, 27, and 28, 8:00 to 4:00, at 345 S. Summit St. in Whitewater.  Lots of books, cookbooks, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, and over 300 vinyl records!  Most of these items are 50 cents or $1.  Other items:  Canon & Ricoh cameras, Malibu Pilates bench with DVDs, BOSU trainer with DVD, platform step with risers, grill, craft supplies, piano music, household, and miscellaneous.  Come & check out this clean, organized sale!

The Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) held its reception on Friday, May 12 that announced its State and Honorable Mention award winners. Artists in the non-professional Wisconsin-only show were judged by
award-winning multi-faceted artist Larry Schultz to receive either an Honorable Mention award or a State Award. Honorable mention awards are given to artists who exemplified talents deserving of recognition while State award winners are invited to take their artwork to Madison, WI for the State Exhibition and Conference with the
Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA). This year, state winners will display their artwork at the Pyle Center in Madison during the conference which is scheduled for September 22-23, 2023.

To learn more about the State Exhibition and Conference:
https://wiscartists.wildapricot.org/State-Conference

Artists were judged on the following criteria to earn an award: originality, expression, content, composition, design, color, and technique. Honorable Mention winners had at least one area of the aforementioned criteria that needed improvement while State award winners held excellence in all the criteria.

Whitewater WRAP Honorable Mention Award winners are:
● Silvia Cavagnero’s “Amnesia” (Madison, WI)
● Megan Forsythe’s “Blue Hair and Pronouns” (Stoughton, WI)
● Jeff Mann’s “Brandy and Tiny” (Wales, WI)
● Laura Strehlow’s “Autumn Leaves” (Cambridge, WI)

Whitewater WRAP State Award winners are:
● Mary Bughman’s “Fall Thought” (Whitewater, WI)
● Judith Buzzell’s “Wolf #5” (Delavan, WI)
● Sue Herring’s “Carver’s Rock Reflections” (Milton, WI)
● Roy Schmidt’s “Pink” (Waterford, WI)

All artwork will be on display in the gallery through May 28, Thursdays thru Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center–402 W. Main St. The show is also viewable online on the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) webpage:
https://www.whitewaterarts.org/wrap-2023.

After the completion of a national search, Provost John Chenoweth is pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Dugan has been appointed to serve as the Dean of the College of Arts and Communication effective July 1, 2023.

As a distinguished teaching scholar and musician, Dr. Dugan has served the college as Associate Professor and Professor as well as Chair of the Department of Music.  Dr. Dugan served the college most recently as Interim Associate Dean.

Dr. Dugan earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts and Masters of Music Degree from the University of Minnesota.

Provost Chenoweth would like to thank everyone who provided feedback during the interview process as well as the members of the Search and Screen Committee, chaired by Dean Paul Ambrose, for their extensive work on this search.

Provost Chenoweth would also like to thank Robert Mertens, MFA, for his service in the role of Interim Dean.  Mr. Mertens will resume his role as Associate Dean of the College. 

Please join Provost Chenoweth in welcoming Dr. Dugan to his new position!

Editor’s note: The above announcement was posted at UW-Whitewater on May 23.