News

New doctoral graduates to be recognized at UW-Whitewater winter commencement

(UW-Whitewater submission) Eight graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Doctorate of Business Administration program will be named at the Dec. 19 virtual commencement ceremony celebrating all May, August and December graduates of the Class of 2020. These new terminal degree-holders will join the 37 others who have completed the program since 2014.

The individuals are Linda Bartelt, Suanne Barthol, Amy Fairfield, Ronald Pegram, Alecia Reinhardt, Derek Rowland, Dawn Shearrow, and Yi Xu. They include business consultants, corporate executives and university professors.

“While we cannot celebrate in person, we extend our congratulations as the graduates take the next steps in their careers,” said John Chenoweth, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “Their success helps characterize the quality of the program and the faculty supporting it.”

“Students from four cohorts have now graduated,” added K. Praveen Parboteeah, professor of management and DBA program director. “We can showcase a strong collection of theses and dissertation defenses, as well as the quality academic articles our alumni produce or their advancement as business leaders.”

The UW-Whitewater DBA was designed as an applied, practitioner-orientated degree program. Students are taught to use a theoretical lens when framing their area of study and use academic-level research and analysis to solve real-world problems.

DBA candidates have embraced this framework and flourished. They are conducting research that is leading to dissertations with immediate impact.

Linda Bartelt, who is launching Mobius Learning Academy, a new STEM-based after-school and summer camp experience in Bentonville, Arkansas, shared some of the challenges and rewards of the program.

“One of my goals for my DBA journey was to build on my professional experiences working with college interns,” Bartelt shared. “It was a challenging endeavor to develop qualitative and quantitative research based on business management theories, and provide findings on the significant, positive impact of college interns on work teams. The good news is that businesses do benefit from intern talent.”

Ronald Pegram, a vice president and general manager at Federal Sign Corporation in Chicago, conducted his research on factors that can affect the success of minority entrepreneurs. He also spoke about the impact of his DBA experience.

“Since my dissertation defense, I’ve been approached by several industry groups to discuss my research, and that is very fulfilling,” said Pegram. “I hope to bridge to full-time academia one day, and these opportunities to prepare and discuss applied research will be critical for reaching that goal.”

“My first article will likely appear in print in March 2021 in a well-respected industry journal, and I am working on several articles for academic journals,” Pegram added. “I’m hopeful that I may get a chance to present in one or more academic conferences in 2021.”

Suanne Barthol, a first-generation college student who is currently an assistant professor of business at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, shared her motivation for completing the DBA.

“Many people considered me nuts as I took out student loans to start a new career later in life, while many of my friends are winding down their careers,” she said. “However, the transition to teaching is my retirement plan. As I reflected on all of my corporate roles, I had incorporated some teaching, coaching, or training in each one. But, little did I know that the program’s research side would also be a natural fit for my never-ending questions of ‘why?’”

Barthol responded to the differences between the Ph.D. and the DBA.

“The focus on solving practical problems means that the DBA is different from a Ph.D. However, when we start talking theory, constructs, and results, as students at UW-Whitewater, we have been classically trained to hold our own in any of these types of discussions in our area of specialty. And for that, I am most thankful.”

Parboteeah says he is immensely proud of the DBA graduates’ success.

“I am always delighted to hear from our alums with a new article or award, and to find out where their skills and talents are taking them,” he said. “Their achievements are truly impressive.”

The UW-Whitewater Doctorate of Business Administration is a 60-credit program that allows professionals to maintain their full-time careers and complete their degree in three years. As the largest AACSB-accredited business school in the region, the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics offers excellent facilities, as well as highly-qualified and credentialed faculty working on a wide range of projects and internationally-recognized research.

For questions about the UW-Whitewater DBA program, contact K. Praveen Parboteeah, DBA program director, at 262-472-3971 or dba@uww.edu.

MSOE announces Dean’s List and Honors List; Whitewater student receives academic honors

(MSOE submission) The following student(s) received academic honors from Milwaukee School of Engineering for the 2020 Fall Quarter:

Gwynne Sahyun, Honors List, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Undergraduate students who have earned at least 30 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher (out of 4.0) are on the Dean’s List. Students who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.”

Undergraduate students on the Honors List have earned a GPA of at least 3.20 (out of 4.0) for this quarter and are not on the Dean’s List.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,700 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.

This photo of Gwynne Sahyun was taken when she was a Whitewater High School student involved in Ferradermis

 

Welcome back to #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society!

(Whitewater Historical Society submission) In November 1946, the Whitewater Register featured a promotion following the Uglow family of Heart Prairie on their Saturday Shopping Tour of Stores in the Business District.”

Let’s check out some of the stores that Ellis and Dorothy, along with their children, Charlotte, Thane, and Bonnie, visited on their trip into town!

In the photo below, Ellis, Charlotte, and Dorothy watch as Bonnie tries out a new tricycle at Ledman’s Western Auto store, located at 88 West Main Street. Western Auto stores were all-purpose hardware and household goods stores that specialized especially in toys during the holiday season.

Over the years, Whitewater was home to many different Western Auto franchise locations:

1940-1941: Roy Crouch opens the first Western Auto Store.

1941-1942: Elmer Lubbers takes over from Crouch, yet ends up selling “everything but the store cat” by late 1942.

1945-1947: Hal Ledman opens up a new Western Auto store, pictured here.

1947-1948: Bill Swendsen buys out Ledman, but goes out of business himself just over a year later.

1955-1960: Eddie O’Donnell opens a new store in the space formerly home to Burns Electrical.

1960-1963: O’Donnell and Tony Willegal sell out to Tom and Ruth Burns in early 1960, however, the business only lasted a couple years beyond that as the space was transformed into a pool hall in 1963.

1969-1974: Jack Forrest opens a new Western Auto Store at 125 West Whitewater Street, closing down in late 1974. On Christmas Eve 1974, a fire raged through the building for several hours. Arson was suspected, but the culprit was never caught.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!

Making Democracy Work Award – League of Women Voters honors city poll workers

Lisa Dawsey Smith, Vice President of the local league, presents the award to Chief Election Inspector Joyce Follis and City Clerk Michele Smith

League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area Honors City Poll Workers

(LWV-Whitewater Area press release) The League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area is delighted to announce that the 2020 Making Democracy Work Award honors City Poll Workers for their work administering three election cycles during an unprecedented pandemic. In the face of potential health risks to themselves, poll workers in the April, August and November elections helped make democracy work in the City of Whitewater by ensuring that each election was appropriately executed, accessible and as safe as possible. 

During long hours on Election Day, these dedicated poll workers guided voters through the voting process and maintained a safe poll environment by social distancing, wearing face masks and frequently disinfecting all surfaces. We are grateful to each of them for stepping up so all eligible voting citizens in our community could safely participate in democracy during a challenging time.

Whitewater City Clerk, Michele Smith (2012 Making Democracy Work Award recipient), and Whitewater Chief Election Inspector, Joyce Follis, graciously accepted this award on behalf of all City Poll Workers.

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. The League’s annual Making Democracy Work Award was established in 2010 for the purpose of honoring the civic work of individuals or groups that make our community a safer and fairer place in which to live. Visit our website at lwvwhitewater.org and like us on Facebook!

Statement from UW-W Chancellor Dwight C. Watson on the Faculty Senate press release

Statement from UW-Whitewater Chancellor Dwight C. Watson

“As we look at potential changes to our university budget and curricular offerings, shared governance is a vital part of the process. In fact, shared governance is one of our university’s core values — that we make decisions based on strategy, evidence, and transparent, collegial dialogue and we hold one another accountable.”

“Of course, we have been and will continue to work with faculty members and the Faculty Senate on these important matters. As chancellor, it is ultimately my responsibility to make the final decisions that will impact the long-term future of UW-Whitewater.”

“I would not consciously do anything that would harm the growth potential of this university or would have adverse effects on the community or region. Decisions are viewed through multiple lenses, and the impacts of those decisions are thoroughly considered to ensure that UW-Whitewater — and the community — remain strong and vibrant.”

Banner note: This article in The Gazette includes additional comments by Chancellor Watson.

Local residents graduating from UW-Milwaukee

(UWM press release) – The following individuals from your area are among the 2,050 prospective candidates for degree attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee virtual commencement exercises Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Milwaukee.

UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students.


Whitewater, WI

 Sophie Dern, College of General Studies, Associate of Arts and Sciences
 Abigail King, College of Nursing, Bachelor of Science

Seniors in the Park Film: “Love Actually” – Tues. Dec. 22

Film Title: Love Actually. Copyright: © 2003 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

“Love Actually”(Romance/Comedy/Holiday) – Tuesday, December 22, 1 p.m. only; Rated R (Sex/Language)2 hours, 15 minutes (2003) – Back by Popular Demand, our favorite holiday “rom/com”! Romance and relationships in an all-star ensemble comedy that tells ten separate but intertwining love stories from London to Milwaukee (yes, that is correct), leading up to a spirited climax on Christmas Eve. We’ll all be singing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” made even more popular by this film! Starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, and Bill Nighy.

There is a capacity limit, and COVID-19 precautions, including facial mask, are required. Please register in advance online, by email (dweberpal@whitewater-wi.gov), or phone (473-0535).

Common Council Extends COVID-19 Emergency Declaration and Facial Coverings Ordinance

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
December 16, 2020

A Whitewater citywide ordinance requiring face coverings in all interior public and business spaces that had originally been set to expire at the end of the year has been extended through March 31, 2021 by Common Council action at the body’s last meeting of 2020. It was one of three actions related to COVID. The other actions include an extension of a citywide COVID-19 Emergency Declaration and a decision to continue holding city meetings “virtually” as opposed to allowing for in person participation.

The actions took place with little debate compared to the initial July Common Council discussion of the ordinance that lasted over three hours and featured a dozen public participants and petitions that supporters claimed were signed by over 1000 residents and petitions from opponents that reportedly had over 200 signatures.

Discussion at the July 21 Common Council meeting referenced the fact that, at the time, an analysis of just the Walworth County portions of the City of Whitewater reported 70 active cases in the roughly 4-month period between March and early July. That compares with recently released state data that indicates 74 new active Whitewater COVID-19 cases in the most recent week. Fourteen of last week’s 74 City of Whitewater COVID-19 cases were attributed to UW-W students and staff according to the state’s most recent data.

COVID-19, a flu like virus that has reached worldwide proportions, is reported to have been at least partially responsible for over 300,000 American deaths so far. Hundreds of thousands of others have been treated in intensive care units (ICUs) across the country. The long-term effects of the virus have yet to be documented. A Whitewater Common Council briefing paper on the COVID-19 situation quotes the WI Department of Health Services (DHS) indicating that 87.8% of statewide ICU beds were in use as of the morning of December 11.

The City of Whitewater COVID-19 Ordinance requiring face coverings was one of the first in the State of Wisconsin. It states that “… wearing a mask is one of the most effective ways to reduce person to person transmission of COVID-19.” The ordinance goes on to state that masks “…when combined with other preventative measures, including physical distancing and proper hygiene practices, is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.” It was extended Tuesday night after waiving a generally required “second reading” because the Common Council will not meet again until after the first of the year.

The Emergency Declaration, which was originally issued in March and ratified by Common Council resolution in June is a viewed as a potential requirement for current and future financial assistance. It can be rescinded at any time. The decision to hold all City of Whitewater public meetings virtually began in April.

UW-W Faculty Senate Responds to Chancellor’s Plan for Layoffs and Program Closures

(UW-W Faculty Senate press release) At its Dec. 15 meeting, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee rescinded a compromise plan to collect budget information from academic programs in response to statements made by Chancellor Dwight Watson asserting he would not permit the faculty to make curricular decisions based on that information. Chancellor Watson stated at a previous Faculty Senate meeting on Dec. 8 that he would instead receive the Senate’s work and make decisions himself about what programs would be offered going forward.

In August 2020, Chancellor Watson began a “Program Optimization” process in which up to 40 percent of UW-Whitewater’s programs would be identified for possible reduction or elimination by May 2021. The timeline called for this process to take place during a pandemic, and with an Interim Provost who is leaving the role in June 2021. This process was met with immediate opposition from the faculty, based on the rationale that the entire Program Optimization plan is a short-sighted response to budget shortfalls caused by recent enrollment declines exacerbated by COVID-19. The faculty contends that such drastic decisions should not be made so quickly and during such an unprecedented year.

If Chancellor Watson goes forward with Program Optimization on his own, the resulting cuts would permanently eliminate some programs (meaning fewer major and minor choices for students and limited course offerings), which would likely accelerate the decline in enrollment. This plan would also result in employee layoffs, which would harm the city of Whitewater and surrounding areas.

The Faculty Senate opposes any hasty decisions that would have long-term and widespread impacts, instead opting for sacrifices that can get UW-Whitewater through this difficult time while protecting its ability to be successful for decades to come. Furthermore, the return to stability is already on the horizon: COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available; applications for Fall 2021 are up, and universities will be in high demand as workers seek new skills in response to the changes caused by a year of remote business. If UW-Whitewater plans to remain as successful in the next ten years as it has been in the previous 20, closing programs and laying off instructors is not the way forward.

The Faculty Senate will meet Tuesday Feb. 2 from 2-5 p.m. to discuss institutional direction. Interim UW System President Tommy Thompson has been invited to attend this meeting, which will be streamed via Facebook Live. For more information, contact: Faculty Senate Chair Tracy Hawkins at facsenate@uww.edu or 262-472-1975.

Pauquette Center for Psychological Services welcomed to Innovation Center


(City of Whitewater press release) Whitewater is excited to welcome an organization that will bring psychological services, family and mental health counseling, and addictions treatment to the community.

The Pauquette Center for Psychological Services offers a range of state-licensed mental health services to meet every need, including psychotherapy, AODA Treatment/Services, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, group therapy, and more. Pauquette is currently providing telehealth services, including groups during the pandemic to offer safe treatment to those in need.

The company signed a 7-year long-term lease commitment to work out of the Whitewater University Innovation Center, Suite #221 starting January 2021. The Innovation Center will offer ample meeting and office space surrounded by a serene, peaceful environment with abundant nature and nearby walking paths which will benefit employees and clients.

As the cornerstone facility to the 130-acre technology park, the 38,000 square-foot Whitewater University Innovation Center operates primarily as a mixed-use business incubator strategically built with support from the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Community Development Authority and the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. With the support of their partners, the Whitewater University Innovation Center’s Mission is to create and foster durable businesses and jobs through a close alignment of UW-Whitewater’s research and
educational competencies and the resources of the City of Whitewater. The Technology Park serves as afoundation for a diversified and robust regional economy through the attraction of new residents, utilization of UW-Whitewater faculty, staff and student expertise and the retention of alumni talent.

”We are very pleased that Pauquette Center has chosen the Innovation Center to expand their business operations and look forward to supporting them as they grow their company in Whitewater,” said Mark Johnson, Whitewater University Innovation Center Executive Director.

Pauquette is currently located in Richland Center, Reedsburg, Baraboo, Columbus, Prairie du Sac, Portage and Madison. The decision to open an eighth facility in Whitewater made sense to help a growing need in the rural area of Walworth, Rock and Jefferson counties.

“Our decision to move to Whitewater was an easy one as our organization actually has fairly strong ties to this community,” said Lesley Chapin, Pauquette Vice President and Executive Director. “Our President, Thomas Hayes, along with our Director of Business Operations, Peter Schuster, both graduated from UW-Whitewater in different areas of study. Also, I was born and raised in Fort Atkinson and my family still resides there. This community invested in my education throughout my undergraduate and graduate programs of study so
bringing my education full circle and bringing services to Whitewater is very meaningful.”

COVID-19 has presented the needs for services in communities around the world, services Pauquette will be available to offer to Whitewater. “The timing for this clinic could not be better,” said Chapin. “I am well aware of the impact COVID has had on our communities and I am so thrilled to be able to bring some much-needed service back to an area that has invested so much in me over the years.”

Pauquette plans to collaborate with the UW-Whitewater two masters program, social work and counseling education, to provide services to create internships for students.

“We look forward to building a strong relationship with Pauquette Center,” said Sarah Hessenauer, Professor and Chair for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. “Finding clinical internships in the Whitewater area can be difficult for the programs, so having this opportunity for interdisciplinary teamwork to address mental health
concerns will benefit both the UW-Whitewater masters students and the community.”

“Whitewater is the next perfect location to not only help those with a need, but also a great opportunity to partner with the university while working with students in this field,” said Chapin.

The Community Development Authority is proactive in its search of businesses who want to call Whitewater their home. Whitewater is a rural, vibrant community. People come for jobs and stay for the lifestyle.

“Creating internship opportunities for students while they are attending school in Whitewater is an asset which may lead to potentially keeping them in the Whitewater area to work and live is a success for everyone,” said Cathy Anderson, Economic Director for the City of Whitewater.

If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, contact Pauquette at 262-473-0670 or visit their website https://pauquette.com/ to learn more.

Pauquette Center for Psychological Services
Whitewater University Technology Park
1221 Innovation Dr. Suite #221
Whitewater, WI 53190