The Whitewater Wrestling Team concluded their season this weekend with five competing on the Kohl Center floor in Madison. The format of the tournament was different this season with each competitor being guaranteed two matches over the weekend.
The team wrestled well throughout the weekend, but unfortunately three of them were unable to come off victorious even though they had given it their all on the mat. All of the losses the students took ended up being to opponents that placed in the top six and made podium on Saturday night.
Jarvis Porcaro
Jasen Porras, Traysen Thomason, and Marianna Kubicz each competed on Thursday night and Friday morning but had some tough challenges in front of them, coming up short.
Connor Friend started off the tournament with a very strong opponent who was a great rider on top. This was a tough loss, as all are in the state tournament, and he had to regroup and come back on Friday morning to stay in the medal hunt. Connor saw an opponent from Belmont/Platteville, whom he had lost to 4 weeks ago. Connor wrestled a great match coming out on top 4–1. This placed him in the consolation semifinals on Saturday morning. Connor had an opponent that was very good at defense, which made it difficult to get to his offense, which he is very good at. In the end, Connor fell just short of reaching his goal of being on the podium.
Jarvis Porcaro had a very good tournament. He started the tournament on Thursday evening with a nice technical fall victory in the opening round setting him up for a quarter final match against a state runner up from Richland Center. Jarvis wrestled an outstanding match, coming out with 10-8 victory, putting him into the state semifinals on Friday night. In this match, Jarvis wrestled against the number 1 seed in the tournament and came out very strong with an early takedown. Entering the 3rd period, Jarvis was down 7-5, but that was as close as it got. Jarvis ended up dropping the match, which was very disappointing to him as he self-analyzed his match right away and knew his errors in the 3rd period. He stayed positive with himself, which has been a huge battle for him to overcome since last season. This season, Jarvis was able to stay in the mental mindset, even during tough times. On Saturday morning, Jarvis came back to compete in the 3rd place match but lost the match, thus finishing in 4th place in the state. Jarvis had set his goals after last season to be in the state finals, and although he came up short of that goal, he was upbeat with his weekend and knows this is just one chapter of his life of wrestling. He will move forward working toward collegiate goals.
The weekend saw the close of some stellar high school careers from Jarvis, Jasen, Connor, and Traysen. They will be missed by the program, and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
Article and Photo Submitted by John Schimming Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach jschimming@wwusd.org
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host the first and second rounds of the 2025 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament Friday and Saturday, March 7-8. The tournament will be held in Kachel Gym in the Williams Center.
The first game of the Whitewater Regional will feature Colorado College (23-3) and UW-La Crosse (16-11). Tipoff is slated for 4:30 PM CT.
The Warhawks (22-6) will take on Principia (17-11) in game two that is set for a 7 PM tip.
The winners will advance to face each other at 7 PM on Saturday.
A livestream for all games in the Whitewater Regional will be available on ncaa.com.
Ticket information will be announced Tuesday. A full preview will be available later this week.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Whitewater. Principia is in Elsah, IL.
Wisconsin is well represented among the 64 teams in the bracket, with six teams, five of which are part of Universities of WI: La Crosse, Oshkosh, Stout, Superior, and Whitewater. The sixth team is Wisconsin Lutheran.
Twenty-six members of Ferradermis, the Whitewater High School FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6574, traveled to Duluth, Minnesota from February 26 through March 2 to compete in the Lake Superior Regional with 54 teams from North Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, and came away as Event Winners, Double DECC-er Playoff Winners, Team Sustainability Award Winners, and the Woodie Flowers Award Finalist for the event!
Members of Ferradermis had a highly successful weekend in Duluth at the Lake Superior Regional
The team’s 108-pound robot Chief of the Reef was led onto the field by Driver Andrew O’Toole, Operator Erison Dreksler, Human Player Jayden Kehrer, Technician Nina Heim, and Drive Coach Mark Zimmermann. This year’s game Reefscape is ocean-themed and requires the robot to remove large green playground balls (algae) from the “reef” and add pieces of PVC pipe (coral) in its place. Teams also can score by placing algae in the “barge” and doing a deep or shallow climb onto their “cage.” Throughout the weekend, one of the team’s tri-captains Emerson Dunham assisted the drive team with match strategy while Game Strategy Subteam Lead Rae Breisath and Head Scouts Andrew Zimmermann and Cyrus Hudec oversaw the collection of data in the stands. Ferradermis was part of a four-team scouting alliance organized by Team 6421 the WarriorBots from Muskego High School. Other teams helping us scout were Team 6381 Red Raider Robotics from Sheboygan North and Team 1714 MORE Robotics from St. Thomas More High School in Milwaukee. These same four teams plan to work together over spring break when all four will again be competing with and against each other at the Phantom Lakes Regional at Mukwonago High School. A large percentage of the team members took multiple hour-long scouting shifts over the weekend including Zoe Olson, Letty Trautman, Georgia Esch, Toby Kapfer, Preston Miller, Carson Miller, and Virginia Nelson.
Throughout the competition, Programming Subteam Lead Ace Hudec and Safety Captain Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman were key members of the pit crew, working on the robot between matches and keeping the pit clean and safe. Team members overseeing media roles included Cooper Housel who wore the team’s media badge for field-side access and Margaret Brown who filmed each match from the stands and provided footage for the drive team to analyze after each match. Videos were also used by Emilie Bruns each night to update the highlight reel playing on a screen in the pit.
The Impact Presentation Team of Maddison LaHaie, Chacha Binagi, and Sam Raupp donned their Hawaiian gear and used their creative surfboard displays to communicate with a team of judges about the things the team does in the community and across the state to raise awareness of STEM and help young people develop an interest and skills in science and technology. In addition to the specific judging session for Impact, teams of judges visit the pit throughout the event to talk with students. As a result of these conversations, Ferradermis was presented with the Team Sustainability Award sponsored by Dow. This award recognized the team’s efforts to sustain the team through long-term planning with the endowed fund being built at the Whitewater Community Foundation as well as help the environment through initiatives such as Project Preserve to recycle 3D printer filament waste for other teams.
Students are able to engage in many other activities during a robotics event, and several took the opportunity to be part of the team choir which performed the National Anthem on the Northern Lights field during Friday morning’s opening ceremonies and on the Lake Superior Field during Saturday morning’s opening ceremonies. Team members participating in the choir who rehearsed starting on Thursday afternoon were Nina Heim, Vivian Harris, Colby Long, Sam Raupp, Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, Cyrus Hudec, Maddison LaHaie, Chacha Binagi, and Andrew Zimmermann.
Students had worked in advance of the event to develop a new iron-worker mascot costume for the team. (The team’s name Ferradermis translates to iron skin in Latin.) Students representing the team in the costumes were Asher Downs and Emilie Bruns.
Team mentors who traveled with the team took on many roles throughout the event. The team would like to thank Kat Dunham, Jake Raupp, Jacob Korf, and Quinn McKenzie for their help in the pit and the stands. A special thanks goes to mentor Tim O’Toole who pulled the team’s donated trailer from I-90 Enterprises to and from Duluth with the robot and pit supplies. The team would also like to give a shout-out to bus driver extraordinaire Bruce Parker from Nelson’s Bus who not only got us to and from the event safely but came to watch matches and cheer on the team. It was also great to see so many parents in the stands and so many community members cheering us on from home via the livestream. The team was especially excited to receive a video from Mrs. Wojtkunski’s class at Lincoln Elementary and to hear that the event was being streamed in many of the large group spaces at the high school on Friday.
The Woodie Flowers Award is presented to one mentor at each regional based on an essay students submit in advance. Team Advisor Laura Masbruch was named the 2025 Lake Superior Regional Woodie Flowers Award Finalist. The award is meant to celebrate mentors who, “lead, inspire, and empower their teams with integrity and Gracious Professionalism, embodying the values that Professor Woodie Flowers championed.” Woodie Flowers was an MIT professor who co-founded FIRST in 1989 with Dean Kamen. Woodie believed in, “competition for the sake not of destroying one another, but for the sake of bettering and improving both competitors as a result of the competition.” Woodie passed away a few years ago, but his spirit lives on through the gracious professionalism teams are asked to exhibit not only at events, but year-round. Woodie was a bit of a folk hero at events and would carry sharpies so students could sign his classic denim shirt. In his memory, Woodie Flowers Finalists are presented with a denim shirt signed by participants at that event. Masbruch now qualifies for the award at the FIRST Championships to be held in Houston in April.
During each trip, the team tries to incorporate an educational experience outside of robotics as well as some team bonding opportunities. In Duluth, this took the form of a visit to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, a team dinner at Sammy’s Pizza, and bowling at Superior Lanes on Saturday evening after the event ended. On Friday evening, the team also had dinner together at the hotel followed by a presentation from the Impact Team and a strategy meeting to plan for the next day’s alliance selections.
Regional events consist of two phases – the qualification round and the elimination round. During qualifications on Friday and Saturday, Ferradermis played 9 matches with randomly assigned alliances, coming away with a 6-3 record. More importantly, the team accumulated an average of 3.33 ranking points over those 9 matches. An alliance of 3 robots can earn up to 6 ranking points in each match – 3 for a win, 1 for performance in the 15-second autonomous period as the beginning of a match, 1 for filling their reef with a specific amount of coral, and 1 for their climbs on the cages during the endgame. Ranking points are used to rank all teams, and Ferradermis concluded qualifications with a rank of 13 out of 54 teams. Chief of the Reef had demonstrated it was a solid scorer of coral, a master of the deep climb, and a very good defensive bot during qualifications.
At the end of qualifications, alliance selections are held for the elimination round. This begins with the #1 ranked team selecting their choice of teammates and continues until 8 full alliances of 3 robots each are formed. Ferradermis was honored to be invited to play on the #2 seeded playoff alliance led by Team 2847 The MegaHertz from Fairmont, Minnesota. The third member of our alliance was Team 6147 the Tonkabots from Mound, Minnesota. The alliance played very well together with Driver Andrew O’Toole putting on a defensive showcase that slowed down the opposing alliance while our two teammates continued to score. Playoffs are a double-elimination bracket, and the Ferradermis alliance lost their match in round four before coming back to win the best of 3 finals in 2 straight matches.
Under a new system put in place by FIRST for this season, this win does not automatically qualify the team for a trip to the Championships in Houston. However, Ferradermis is ranked highly in the world based on points earned this weekend and could potentially receive a bid to attend Championships as early as March 12.
The Winning Alliance
The Lake Superior Regional is hosted in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (the DECC) simultaneously with the Northern Lights Regional. The second regional hosted an additional 55 high school robotics teams from those same states but also Florida, Iowa, and South Dakota. After both regionals concluded, the winning alliances from the two events played off against each other for the “Double DECC-er” title. The Ferradermis alliance took on an alliance of Team 111 Wildstang from Arlington Heights, Illinois, Team 5253 Bigfork Backwoods Bots from Bigfork, Minnesota, and Team 2240 Brute Force from Denver, Colorado. In a tightly contested match, the Ferradermis alliance prevailed 153-145, claiming the Double DECC-er in what will likely be Ferradermis’ last trip to Duluth. Wisconsin is changing its competition model next year to an in-state system similar to high school athletics where a State Champion will be crowned. In June 2025, Wisconsin will host a test-run of the state championship format, inviting the top teams in the state (based on points earned during the season) to compete. With their point performance in Duluth, Ferradermis will likely earn a spot at that competition.
Thanks to Bruce Parker for this Celebratory Team Photo
After a fantastic weekend with a 12-4 record, Ferradermis looks forward to two more regional events that are a little more local. The team will be at the Phantom Lakes Regional hosted at Mukwonago High School from March 27-29 and the Wisconsin Regional at State Fair Park in West Allis from April 3-6. These events are free and open to the public with the final two days of each event featuring matches that provide great fun family entertainment. Members of the school district’s FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge Teams will be visiting the Milwaukee event during the practice day on April 4, and we invite the community to join us on the weekend as well.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor lmasbruch@wwusd.org
LWV Whitewater Area Fundraiser at Culver’s March 4
The League of Women Voters (LWV) of the Whitewater Area will participate in Share Night, Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Culver’s, 1414 W Main Street, Whitewater. LWV members will deliver food orders to cars and tables, and assist with keeping the restaurant area clean. Culver’s will donate 10% of the sales made during that time to the organization. LWV will also staff a booth at the event to share information about voter registration and the April 1, 2025 election. Funds raised will support the LWV’s educational outreach efforts, and the events will provide an opportunity for the LWV to reach a wider audience.
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.
Updated 3/3/25 @ 8:45 a.m. – Public Arts Commission agenda revised to delete closed session that was inadvertently included. Updated 3/3/25 @ 9:50 a.m. – To add Water Tower Committee on Wednesday and to correct Landmarks Commission meeting to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday instead of 6:00 p.m.
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m. Agenda includes Use of the Affordable Housing Policy Update from Kurt Paulsen. Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St. *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82572427438?pwd=rLbyUoBoRhsFFxbcE2rVPTJ5JFsPQb.1 Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US Webinar ID: 825 7242 7438 Passcode: 767507
City of Whitewater Starin Park Water Tower Committee – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m. Agenda Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/223044829 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 223-044-829 United States: +1 (646) 749-3122 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install
City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion of plans for Landmarks Commission and America 250 in Whitewater. Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/428225613 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 428-225-613 United States: +1 (224) 501-3412 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install
City of Whitewater Public Arts Commission – Thursday @ 5:00 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding plans for the Art Innovation Celebration. VIRTUAL ONLY Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/161162701 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 161-162-701 United States: +1 (571) 317-3122 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install
BettyLee Roberta Behrens Pangburn, 91, of Whitewater, WI passed away gracefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025, in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her incredibly attractive (yet humble) children and grandchildren.
Betty was born the youngest and shortest of six children on April 24, 1933, in Litchfield, Michigan, the daughter of George and Leora (Clemens) Behrens. A force of nature with an iron will from birth, Betty fought tirelessly to regain her eyesight after a rude bout of scarlet fever threatened to leave her blind at a young age. With unwavering determination, reinforced by her mother, she spent countless hours at the Upjohn’s School For The Blind, where her strong-will served her for the first time. Defying the odds, she regained her sight, allowing her to lead an independent and unencumbered life. Betty spent her formative years in the Kalamazoo area of Michigan, graduating from the Central High School of Kalamazoo. It was here her majorette skills dazzled crowds and set her apart from her nearly 2000 classmates. At 20 years old, Betty married the dashing and dapper, Warren Earl Pangburn on November 7, 1953. Warren was a tall and gentle man, the perfect counterpart to Betty’s fiery nature and small stature. Their relationship was one for the ages! Together nearly 63 years, until Warren’s passing in 2016, they were soulmates, lovers, best friends, and devoted parents to their four children; Kristie, Joseph, Thomas, and Kenneth. Over the course of their life together, Betty and Warren shared a seemingly endless supply of love, regularly opening their door to anyone who needed a warm bed, good meal, or comforting hug. For over a half-century, their house was regularly filled with a chaotic symphony of love, laughter, and Patsy Cline. Besides each other, Betty and Warren’s one true love was dancing and, Lord, they were good at it! On more than one occasion, they wiped the proverbial (dance) floor with young couples unable to keep up. When they weren’t shutting down the dance floor, they enjoyed spoiling their pets, growing oversized vegetables in their garden, fishin-n-fryin’ bluegill, and creating unconventional artwork. It’s rumored they caused quite a stir in the Wisconsin art scene with the creation of their passion project, Oh My Gourd!
Betty and Warren managed the famed Road-Star Inn in La Crosse, WI for over 15 years; this was more than their job, it was their home and an anchor for their family. The Road-Star played host to some of the pair’s favorite memories: summers spent blocked into weeks when the grandkids came to visit, countless Christmases when the Inn was invaded by their kids, their kids’ partners, grandkids and an overwhelming number of dogs, plus an interesting couple of Halloweens in the ‘90s when pumpkin-carving became a big thing. Always looking to give back, Betty and Warren were goodwill ambassadors for the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce and later volunteered to care for the gardens and decorate the common areas when they lived at Mulberry Glen. Brilliant and strong-willed, Betty gave 100% to every job she had, but none more than her role as a devoted wife and mother, taking excellent care of her children, other people’s children, and later her grandbabies. Betty was an inventive and talented cook and baker, making certain to keep her family, or anyone in need of a good meal, well fed and happy. She was a pathologically giving and generous person, an obscenely impressive feat for someone who grew up the youngest of six during the Great Depression. Proud of her heritage, she wore her strong German will as a badge of honor, but was also kind, loving, and always up for a good laugh or conspiratorial chat. Betty will be remembered for her stern yet generous nature, the sound advice and wisdom she shared with her family, friends, and neighbors (occasionally against their will.) After 8+ years, Betty returned to Warren’s side at 10:16 pm on a snowy Saturday, leaving behind enough memories and stories to last numerous lifetimes.
Desperately missing her are her children: Kristie Lennon of Milwaukee, WI, Joseph (Kim) Pangburn of Palmyra, WI, Thomas (Tamara) Pangburn of Mesa, AZ, and Kenneth (Bridgitt Noel) Pangburn of Apple Valley, MN and foster daughter Mary (Rusty) Rodeheaver Aide; her grandchildren, Eileen (Shad Garcia) Seeger of Milwaukee, WI, Jazmin Lennon of Eau Claire, WI, Aubree (Quinn Lemmers) Lennon of Brooklyn, NY, D.J. Pangburn of Madison, WI, Kody (Felipe Saint-Martin) Pangburn of Madison, WI, Sterling (Desirae) Pangburn of Winston, OR, Leora (Callie) Schneider of Gresham, OR, Anna (Blake) Calmes of Brandon, MS, and Walton Pangburn of Mesa, AZ; and her great-grandchildren, Lennon, Chaplin, Denver, and Yarrow. Betty is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and other relatives & friends.
Welcoming her home with open arms are her parents, her parents-in-law, her loving husband, Warren (with all the pets they had along the way), and her siblings, Marjorie, Donald, Mick, Darlene, and Jerri.
A Celebration of Betty’s life will be held in La Crosse WI, the place she and Warren always said they were happiest. In lieu of sending flowers, as she’d absolutely hate to waste them, please consider planting something small (like her!) in her memory.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence, please visit gibsonfuneral.com
Raymond D. Speakman Jr., 91, of Whitewater passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025 with hospice care.
Ray was born on December 11, 1933 in Illinois to Raymond D. Sr. and Esther Speakman.
Ray is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally Sue Speakman; daughter, Stacy Long of North Carolina, and grandson, Evan Long; son, Jason (Sally Jo) Speakman, and granddaughters, Piper and Tegan Speakman.
He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. Ray had a very special place in his heart for the family dog, Toby, who made sure Ray got his exercise every day.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Esther Speakman; sister, Barbara Cummings; and son-in-law, Peter Long.
At Ray’s request, no formal services are scheduled.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Rainbow Hospice and Our House in Whitewater for their exceptional care for Ray.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
Oshkosh, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team took down #10 UW-Oshkosh 64-61 on their home court to hoist the WIAC Tournament trophy and claim the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The tournament title is the fourth in program history for UW-Whitewater. The Warhawks will find out what lies ahead in their 23rd – and ninth consecutive – NCAA Tournament appearance during the Selection Show set for 1:30 PM Monday. Fans can watch the selection show live on ncaa.com. The first round is scheduled for Friday, March 7.
After the two regular season meetings between these two squads featured a combined three overtimes – UWO winning both – basketball fans knew Saturday’s matchup was going to be a great game, and it certainly was.
UW-Whitewater got off to a quick start, scoring the first five points of the contest bolstered by a Katie Hildebrandt three-pointer. The Warhawk advantage would hit five three more times in the period including on the final bucket of the quarter – a jumper by Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) that made it 18-13.
The gap swelled to double digits in the second quarter with the Warhawks enjoying a 13-point, 38-25, lead at the intermission.
Although the margin dipped into single digits twice in the third, UWW pushed it back to double figures by the end of the quarter to hold a 51-41 lead going into the final quarter.
The Titans whittled away at the gap until pulling withing one, 58-57 with less than two to go. Hildebrandt knocked down a layup with 54 seconds to go to push the lead back to three, 60-57.
Mia Gillis (Mundelein, Ill./Carmel Catholic) pulled down the defensive board on a missed layin for UWO and the Warhawks immediately called timeout. The inbounds went to Carollo and the senior hit one of two to make it a two possession game, 61-57, with 21 seconds left.
UWO scored quickly and fouled quickly to send Carollo back to the line with just seven seconds taken off from the previous set of free throws. Carollo missed the first but hit the second to make it 62-59 with 14 seconds on the clock.
The Titans put up a three-pointer that caromed off the rim and was nearly hauled in by Carollo but an Oshkosh player was able to gain possession and kick it back out for another deep shot. The shot was good, but to the dismay of the home crowd, the officials signaled for two, not three. The referees went to the replay computer to take a second look and came back with the same result – the shooter’s foot was on the line and the Warhawks maintained the lead, 62-61, with five seconds remaining.
The final play for UWW was an inbounds to Carollo, a foul and a pair of free throws for the senior guard to make it 64-61 with just two ticks of the clock left.
Oshkosh had an opportunity at the buzzer, but the floater inside the arc was no good as UWW gathered at center court in celebration.
Carollo picked up her 10th double-double of the season to tie the career record for career double-doubles with 28. She posted 20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and a block in 37 minutes played.
Hildebrandt added 18 points and 6 boards while Gillis dropped in 12 points and hauled in 5 rebounds.
Prior to the start of the game, Carollo was named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete for Women’s Basketball. A complete release on this accomplishment will be announced next week.
BLOOMINGTON, IL – Brooke Mason, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, was named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2024-25 academic year at Illinois Wesleyan University. Mason is a first-year majoring in Music Theatre.
Mason was among 827 students from 31 states and 28 countries named to the fall 2024 Dean’s List.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a GPA of 3.50 or better during the semester, based on 4.0 for straight As.
Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan is a nationally recognized, highly selective liberal arts university. The University is exclusively undergraduate and enrolls approximately 1,700 students from across the nation and around the globe. Illinois Wesleyan prides itself on producing graduates who are well-rounded, broadly educated individuals with a spirit of inquiry who can successfully adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing, complex world.
Fort Memorial Hospital Recognized as a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health
Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, recently announced it has been named as a 2025 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. This annual Top 100 award program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®. In Wisconsin, only four rural hospitals have been awarded this esteemed distinction.
“We are honored to be recognized as one of the 2025 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the country, as well as one of only four in the state,” said James Nelson, CFO and Senior Vice President, Finance & Strategic Development, of Fort HealthCare. “Our employees exemplify our mission, vision, and values to deliver the highest quality of care possible—close to home—and are dedicated to serving our patients and our greater community.”
“The Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals award program elevates the very best performers and helps create a roadmap for those seeking to improve financial and operational performance while continuing to care for the communities they serve,” said Michael Topchik, Executive Director, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “This is our 10th year recognizing the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with this year’s winners.”
The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is utilized nationwide by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
About Fort HealthCare Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. Please visit FortHealthCare.com for more information.
