News

UW-Oshkosh Fall 2024 Dean’s List, Honor Roll released

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh officials have released the names of students who qualified for the Dean’s List and Honor Roll in fall 2024 across its Oshkosh and Fox Cities campuses.

The term grade-point average (GPA) requirement for University Honor Roll is 3.3; the term GPA requirement for Dean’s List is 3.75, out of a possible 4.0.

To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or non-reported grades at the time the process is run.

Whitewater, WI

 Martin Gonzalez, Honor Roll
 Jayden Hawkins, Honor Roll
 Allison Martens, Honor Roll

United Way of Walworth County Announces Opening of ARPA “Aid to Nonprofits” Round 6 Grant Applications

United Way of Walworth County would like to announce the opening of applications for the ARPA “Aid to Nonprofits” Round 6, effective at 12:00 p.m. Central Time on January 25th, 2025. The application period will close on February 28th, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time.

This grant funding is available to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and 501(c)(19) veterans’ organizations in Walworth County. Organizations may apply for assistance of up to $9,000 to support their operations and initiatives.

To apply, please visit our website at unitedwaywalworth.org, navigate to the “More” section, and click on “ARPA Grant” for further details and to complete your application.

I am excited to continue supporting the vital work of nonprofits and veterans’ organizations in our community through this funding opportunity,

Brian Holt, Executive Director of United Way of Walworth County.

We encourage eligible organizations to apply before the deadline to ensure they have the chance to benefit from this much-needed assistance.

For any questions or additional information, please contact United Way of Walworth County. Email: director@unitedwaywalworth.org
Phone: 2623744474

Whitewater Housing Crunch: Expert Discussions Coming Soon!

Whitewater is facing a critical housing shortage, and we’re bringing in top experts to discuss the challenges and solutions. Tune in to these upcoming meetings to learn how housing impacts our economy, workforce, and future growth.

February 20 – Common Council Meeting @ 6:30 PM

Derek D’Auria, Executive Director of Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA)

Topic: How housing availability affects business development and workforce retention in Whitewater and Walworth County.

March 4 – Common Council Meeting @ 6:30 PM

Professor Kurt Paulsen, UW-Madison (Expert in housing policy, land use, and municipal finance)

Topic: Statewide housing trends and what they mean for Whitewater.

Why does this matter?

Single-family rentals: Nearly nonexistent

50%+ of renters are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing

Watch our new housing video and learn more about what’s being done to address Whitewater’s housing crisis. https://youtu.be/Znzd_eeJwWI?si=2vMKufp3dWX-uYuY

Let’s have a fact-based conversation about housing solutions that work for our community! Join us at these meetings or watch live online.

Editor’s note: The following is excerpted from an article that was published on the UW-Whitewater website. This Banner article highlights the recognition of Glenn C. Hayes. Another Banner article will feature Katie Kuznacic’s recognition.

Written by Chris Lindeke | Photos by Craig Schreiner, Finn Hartnett

Two members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater family — each known for their passion, energy and commitment — earned spots on the BizTimes Media 2025 Notable Leaders in Higher Education list.

Glenn “Doc” Hayes, a champion of music and cornerstone of the university’s College of Arts and Communication, and Katie Kuznacic, a campus leader and productive fundraiser, were recognized by the publication as leaders in higher education in Southeastern Wisconsin.

“Doc and Katie are great representatives of our university. They are passionate and caring leaders, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition,” Chancellor Corey King said. “They embody what we describe as Warhawk Bold in their spaces, and have each demonstrated their positive impact well beyond campus.”

Hayes “one of the best on campus”

Hayes, director of bands and professor of music, is in his 38th year as a member of the Warhawk family. He has conducted performances at some of the world’s most famous venues while evolving UW-Whitewater into one of Wisconsin’s leaders in music education.

Under his direction the Symphonic Wind Ensemble became the first university band from the state to perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2013 and, one year later, at the Symphony Center for the 2014 Chicago International Music Festival. The group performed again at Carnegie Hall in 2020 and will return to the world-famous venue for a performance this spring.

The Warhawk Marching Band, also directed by Hayes, has performed 12 times at Lambeau Field — most recently in 2023 [a 13-minute video of that performance day may be viewed at the link] — and three times during the Milwaukee Brewers’ Opening Day ceremonies.

“I am so honored to receive the BizTimes Notable Leaders in Higher Education honor,” Hayes said. “There are so many phenomenal people on our campus! I cannot adequately express my gratitude in representing the university in this way. I’m so blessed to receive truly extraordinary support from our administration, my colleagues and the phenomenal students that I have the joy of assisting on their journey. UW-Whitewater is a remarkable family! I am eternally thankful that my path led me here.”

Hayes’ impact reaches well beyond campus. He has been involved with nearly a dozen state and national organizations, presenting at more than 20 national and international conferences and guest conducting on four continents. He has earned numerous university, state and national awards, including induction into the Wisconsin School Music Association Marching Band Hall of Fame and the Signature Sinfonian National Award from Phi Mu Alpha for character, leadership, scholarship, and a career of achievement in advancing music. He is a recipient of the university’s Dr. Elmer G. Redford ’59 Faculty Service Award (2012) and the Outstanding LGBTQ+ Ally Award (2022).

Under Hayes’ leadership, UW-Whitewater has hosted the Wisconsin High School Marching Band Championships for each of the last 32 years and has coached thousands of youth through its high school band camp, which has been in existence for more than 50 years.

Hayes has mentored hundreds of Warhawks during his time on campus, including students, faculty and staff who’ve launched and/or enhanced careers in music education and other industries.

“’Doc’ is more than worthy of this recognition — quite simply, he’s one of the best on campus,” said Michael Dugan, dean of the College of Arts and Communication. “He is a leader on our campus and a respected global figure in the musical community. It is a joy to work with him each day as we move the Department of Music and the College forward.”

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Emy Islas has been chosen by the faculty at Whitewater High School to attend the Wisconsin Leadership Seminar at Carroll University in Waukesha June 13-15, 2025!  

Emy will participate in team-building activities, hear motivational speakers, and participate in small group discussions designed to develop additional leadership skills in sophomores across the state of Wisconsin.  Congratulations, Emy!

Article Submitted by Pam Sonmor-Wintz
Whitewater High School Counselor
psonmorwintz@wwusd.org

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire extends congratulations to the students named to the fall 2024 dean’s list. Their academic performance has been outstanding, and we recognize these students with pride.

Congratulations, Blugolds!

Dean’s list eligibility requirements:

At the end of each semester, each of UW-Eau Claires four colleges recognizes excellence in scholastic achievement by publishing the dean’s list.

To be eligible, a student must:

– Be in good academic standing.

– Have a minimum semester GPA of 3.70.

– Have completed at least 12 credits during the semester, with no incompletes, no courses below the 100 level, no repeats and no Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory registrations (except in degree credit-bearing courses that are offered only on the S/U grading system in which a grade of S has been earned).

Students from your area who were named to the Dean’s List are:

Whitewater, WI

 Quincy Boudreau, College of Arts and Sciences
 Alex Meyer, College of Business

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) will be hosting its annual meeting where the GWC elects its Board of Directors and adopts the new budget. After the GWC annual meeting, the GWC will be hosting this year’s civic event, where the public is welcome to attend, featuring the Superintendent of the School District, Dr. Caroline-Pate-Hefty, City Manager John Weidl and Police Chief Dan Meyer presenting their agency’s respective referendums for the April Ballot.

This event will take place on Thursday, February 13th at 5:00 p.m. at the banquet hall at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI 53190. 

Historically, after the annual GWC meeting, the GWC invites the community to attend a civic event. Each year the GWC has a speaker from either the state or federal government. This year the GWC members asked the school district and the city to discuss their referendums for the April ballot. The GWC members thought it would be beneficial to share both the city and the school district plans with the community. The agenda will start with a social hour beginning at 5:00 p.m.; there will be hors d’oeuvres and sodas for everyone to enjoy. School District Superintendent Dr. Caroline-Pate-Hefty and a School Board member will present from approximately 5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., and following the presentation there will be questions from the public until about 7:15 p.m. The second presentation will be by City Manager John Weidl and Police Chief Dan Meyer, beginning at 7:15 p.m., or earlier if we are ahead of schedule with questions starting at approximately 8:00 p.m. We ask the public to write their questions on a question card. The questions from the community will be presented by a moderator provided by the Greater Whitewater Committee.

Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty has been the WUSD Superintendent since July 2020. Previously, Caroline served as executive director of student services in Maywood, Melrose Park, and Broadview Public Schools in Cook County, IL for more than eight years. Pate-Hefty brings experience in supporting campus security, special education, discipline, climate/culture, and district-wide social and emotional learning models. Caroline holds a Doctor of Education degree from National Louis University, a Master of Arts degree from Concordia University, and a Bachelor of Education degree from UW-Whitewater.

City Manager John Weidl is a public-sector leader, economic development expert, and military combat veteran with 14+ years of experience developing teams of 150+ throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. He is also a decorated United States Air Force (USAF) Combat Veteran with tours of duty in Europe and the Middle East, including joint combat service with the United States Army. John’s role on the team typically involves balancing long-term and short-term expectations, developing and implementing growth strategy, managing the competing interests of stakeholders, delegating authority wisely, forging a culture of empowerment, and developing future leaders from within the organization. As the city manager John successfully converted a part-time, paid-on-call fire and EMS service into a full-time paramedic-certified department, in addition to implementing programs and projects that bring affordable housing and economic development to the community, over the last 18 months. 

Police Chief Dan Meyer graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. He completed the police academy class at MATC in 2010, at which time he landed his first law enforcement job as a Whitewater patrol officer. Meyer rose through the ranks as a detective, detective sergeant, detective lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief. Meyer earned an M.S. in Public Administration, with a criminology and criminal justice specialization from University of Nebraska – Omaha in 2019.   He assumed the position of interim police chief in December 2021 and was hired as police chief in August 2022. 

“We are happy the city and school district were available to present their cases of their respective referendums for the April ballot,” said GWC President Jeffery Knight.

 For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

 About the GWC

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

     

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Loras College has announced the names of students who achieved Dean’s List status for the 2024 fall semester. A student must earn a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours to be recognized.

-Whitewater, WI

 Mayte Navejas