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UW-Whitewater honored nationally for deep-rooted community impact

At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, community connection goes beyond the words in a mission statement. From scientific exploration and business startups to the performing arts, the university is being recognized nationally for a culture of engagement that extends beyond campus borders.

UW-Whitewater is among an elite group of 277 colleges and universities in the United States to earn the Community Engagement Classification from the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

This prestigious designation — first awarded to the university in 2016 — honors campuses that are successfully revitalizing their civic missions by integrating student learning with regional needs.

“This classification affirms UW-Whitewater’s continued commitment to academic excellence through student success,” said Chancellor Corey A. King. “Our engagement with the greater campus community speaks directly to our approach with research and teaching to critically think and solve real-world problems. Whether it is in local schools, business offices, neighborhood parks or senior community centers, our students and faculty are actively working every day to make a difference. We are grateful for the efforts of the team that worked long and hard to ensure our Carnegie materials reflected the university’s ongoing efforts.”

The university’s application highlighted how its mission, leadership, and resources all work together to drive meaningful community engagement, especially in Walworth, Jefferson, and Rock counties.

UW-Whitewater’s Community Based Learning program and Learning Communities include community service within their course requirements, positioning students off campus to conduct research and work on special projects to develop civic responsibility. Winther Counseling Services offers free, confidential mental health support to the public from counselors-in-training, who are students pursuing an M.S. in counseling at the university.

The Fiscal and Economic Research Center and Cybersecurity Center for Business are housed in the university’s College of Business and Economics, Wisconsin’s largest business school. Both organizations — which are advised by faculty members and staffed by students — partner with local businesses and nonprofit organizations on impactful research, education, and outreach.

UW-Whitewater’s Department of Continuing Education oversees the Fairhaven Lecture Series and Cedar Crest Lecture Series, which are in-person presentations by university faculty and staff to community members in Whitewater and Janesville. 

For the last three years, UW-Whitewater has partnered with Special Olympics Wisconsin to host the State Summer Games, welcoming hundreds of athletes and their families from around the state for fun and opportunity through sports competition.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with UW-Whitewater, whose campus has become a welcoming home for our athletes as the host of our largest state games over the past three years,” said Chad Hershner, President & CEO of Special Olympics Wisconsin. “Their commitment to inclusion ensures that thousands of Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes, family members and friends, are welcomed with dignity, respect, and an unforgettable championship experience.”

UW-Whitewater recognizes this distinction as an honor and as a charge to continue to strengthen its community engagement. Additional activities for engagement are outlined in the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, including the successful implementation of Our Stories, Our Future: A Campaign for UW-Whitewater, the university’s largest single fundraising effort. 

The Classification for Community Engagement is valid until 2032. 

About UW-Whitewater

At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, we inspire, engage and transform lives. Founded in 1868, we serve more than 12,000 students and celebrate more than 108,000 alumni around the world. Our faculty and staff are devoted to student success on our Whitewater campus, our Rock County campus, and our vibrant online environment. We prepare innovative, resilient students with outstanding skills that make them strong candidates for 21st-century careers and community leadership. We embrace our priority mission to serve students with disabilities. Home to the Warhawk family, UW-Whitewater delivers a supportive, caring culture with an entrepreneurial spirit and championship drive.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by UW-Whitewater.

After spending the morning on Monday, January 12 completing some standardized testing, Whitewater High School students had the option to spend their afternoon volunteering in the building or throughout the community. Roughly 175 students signed up to volunteer their time. Destinations included the Community Space, Fairhaven, and all three elementary schools as well as the middle school. Students who remained on campus to volunteer did some deep cleaning, painting, and organizing of storage areas among other projects.

Walworth County and United Way of Walworth County Announce Seventh Round of Funding for Local Nonprofits and Veterans Organizations

Walworth County and the United Way of Walworth County (UWWC) have announced the seventh round of funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant-funding program. Since 2021, Walworth County and UWWC have distributed more than $713,000 to 47 local non-profit organizations through the program, providing local social service agencies with much-needed financial support.

For this round of funding, Walworth County has earmarked $161,900 for the United Way to distribute to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 501(c)19 Veterans service agencies. Eligible agencies can request between $1,000 and $9,000. Applications are due on January 31, 2026. The goal is to issue the awards in early March. If all dollars are awarded, this will be the final round of funding.

Applications are available at https://unitedwaywalworth.org/arpa-grant. Qualifying 501(c)(3) or 501(c)19 agencies interested in applying may also contact UWWC CEO Brian Holt for an application at (262) 374-4474.

“As we enter this seventh and likely final round of ARPA funding, we’re proud of the impact these grants have had in strengthening local nonprofits and Veterans organizations over the past several years,” says United Way of Walworth County CEO Brian Holt. “This program has provided critical resources to help agencies serve our community, and we encourage all eligible organizations to take advantage of this last opportunity to apply.”

A board of United Way of Walworth County committee members will select the grant recipients. Organizations with 501(c)3 and 501(c)19 tax-exempt status may apply. These organizations must also maintain their principal place of business in Walworth County, conduct business in Walworth County, and serve people within Walworth County.

This project is being supported in whole or in part by federal award number FAIN #SLFRP 2146 awarded to Walworth County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

UW-Stevens Point undergraduates honored for scholastic achievement

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,872 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the fall semester of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation.  High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74.

Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are sent to those who earned highest honors distinction.

Students who received honors include:

Whitewater, WI

 Wyatt Anderson, Honors
 Giovanni Anello, High Honors
 Grace Wood, Honors

City of Whitewater Conducts Business Retention & Expansion Visit with HEXPOL – Whitewater

The City of Whitewater Community Development Department recently completed a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) visit at HEXPOL’s Whitewater facility, continuing the City’s ongoing efforts to support local employers and strengthen the community’s economic base. Mason Becker, the City of Whitewater’s Community Development Director, and Karin Silvius, Executive Director of the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, met with Adrienne Weber, Human Resources Manager at HEXPOL’s Whitewater facility. The visit focused on workforce needs, operations, and the company’s long-term commitment to the Whitewater community.

HEXPOL currently employs approximately 40 people at its Whitewater location and is actively hiring for six positions. The facility operates two daily production shifts, along with a third shift dedicated to maintenance, and is a UFCW union facility. Most employees live in Whitewater or the surrounding area, reinforcing the company’s strong local roots. “BRE visits are an important way for the City to stay connected with our existing employers and understand how we can support their success,” said Mason Becker.

“HEXPOL is an international company that is a valued manufacturing employer in Whitewater, providing stable jobs and actively investing in its workforce.” Adrienne Weber emphasized the company’s focus on people and community. “Our goal is to be a preferred employer in the Whitewater area,” Weber said. “We’re proud that the majority of our employees come from the local community, and we continue to focus on creating a safe, respectful, and rewarding workplace. We are always looking for ways to
further partner with the city. ”

Karin Silvius noted the importance of companies like HEXPOL to the City’s economic health. “Employers who offer quality jobs and career opportunities are critical to Whitewater’s long-term vitality,” Silvius said. “HEXPOL’s continued hiring and investment demonstrate confidence in both their workforce and the community.”

About HEXPOL

HEXPOL is a global leader in polymer compounding and engineered rubber materials, serving customers in a wide range of industries including automotive, construction, industrial, and consumer products. Headquartered in Sweden, HEXPOL operates manufacturing facilities around the world, with a strong emphasis on quality, safety, innovation, and sustainability. The Whitewater facility plays an important role in the company’s North American operations.

The City of Whitewater’s Community Development Department, in conjunction with the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, will continue BRE visits throughout 2026, meeting with local businesses including manufacturers, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and other organizations to identify opportunities, address challenges, and support sustainable economic growth within the City of Whitewater.

Chamberlain University and SSM Health Open Enrollment for Wisconsin Aspiring Nurse Program Partnership offers tuition support and guaranteed employment pathway as Wisconsin faces sustained nursing shortage  Chamberlain University and SSM Health are offering a new pathway to nursing careers with tuition support and guaranteed jobs, as enrollment opens January 5, 2026, for the Chamberlain Aspiring Nurse Program in partnership with SSM Health. This partnership offers students a direct, employment-focused pathway by combining tuition support with immersive clinical experience at SSM Health facilities and the opportunity for employment upon graduation and passing the NCLEX exam. In return, students commit to joining SSM Health’s workforce.  Through the program, prospective students in Wisconsin earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree online from Chamberlain University. Wisconsin faces a significant gap between nursing workforce needs and available education opportunities, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s 2025 Health Care Workforce Report[1]. While the state’s registered nurse workforce grew 10% between 2020 and 2022, that growth couldn’t keep pace with demand. With tens of thousands of qualified applicants turned away from nursing schools nationwide each year, the Aspiring Nurse Program addresses this gap by creating accessible pathways for residents of Wisconsin and northern Illinois who live within 50 miles of an SSM Health facility. [Examples: SSM St. Mary’s Hospitals in Madison and Janesville] Program Details: Enrollment Opens: January 5, 2026 Program: Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through Chamberlain University Benefits: Tuition support, clinical training at SSM Health facilities, pathway to RN licensure and employment at SSM Health Commitment: Students agree to join SSM Health’s nursing workforce upon completion  “This program is more than a solution to the nursing shortage—it’s a bold reimagining of how we grow and support the next generation of nurses,” said Amy Wilson, DNP, Chief Nurse Executive for SSM Health. “By investing in education and clinical experience from day one, we’re not only preparing students for success, we’re strengthening the future of patient care across our communities.”  How to Apply: Prospective students can learn more about the program and enroll at chamberlain.edu/aspiring-nurse-program/wisconsin [1]  Wisconsin Hospital Association 2025 Health Care Workforce Report: https://www.wha.org/data-publications/reports/workforce/2025 About Chamberlain University Chamberlain University, an Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE) institution, educates, empowers, and emboldens a diverse community of healthcare professionals who seek to advance the health of people, families, communities, and nations. Chamberlain has the largest school of nursing in the U.S., with both on-campus and online degree programs. Chamberlain is comprised of the College of Nursing and the College of Health Professions, offering a variety of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs. Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Visit Chamberlain.edu for more information, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.   About SSM Health Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential.  With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 15,000 providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

KENOSHA, WI – Carthage College recognizes Alexander Clarksen from Whitewater for their academic achievement and being named to the Fall 2025 Dean’s List.

Dean’s List honors are accorded to Carthage students who achieve a minimum 3.5 grade-point average while carrying at least 12 letter-graded credits in a given semester.

About Carthage

Carthage College is breaking records with its largest enrollment ever. Founded in 1847, Carthage blends the best liberal arts traditions with innovative programs that shape careers, hands-on learning that fuels discovery, and faculty mentorship that drives student success – all on a stunning Lake Michigan campus in Kenosha, Wisconsin, midway between Chicago and Milwaukee.

Grow with us: www.carthage.edu

Rainbow Community Care is pleased to announce the successful completion of a year-long, intensive strategic planning endeavor designed to strengthen its organizational leadership and future planning capabilities. Funded by a $30,000 Capacity Building Grant from the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation (GWCHF), the initiative has positioned Rainbow to provide more sustainable, aligned, and effective care across the community for decades to come.

The program, known as the “Visionary Community Leaders Initiative: Steering Rainbow’s Future in Community Wellness,” was focused on shifting the organization from making reactive decisions to adopting a clear, proactive strategy. Senior leadership
spent the last year working with experts from InVantage Consulting to develop a new Strategic Vision & Execution Plan (SVEP)—a comprehensive, long-term roadmap guiding all operations, from care delivery to community partnerships.

For the patients and families of rural South-Central Wisconsin, this means Rainbow Community Care is now better equipped to handle the changing health care industry landscape. Key outcomes include:
 Clarity on Core Values: Rainbow refined its organizational values, creating a consistent cultural foundation for all staff, ensuring every interaction is aligned with the mission.
 Proactive Planning: The leadership team adopted a disciplined approach to goal setting, using new digital tools to track progress and hold departments accountable to the shared vision.
 Stronger Governance: The Board of Directors now uses a “governing dashboard,” providing them with clear, timely data for better oversight and support of the executive team.

“This grant gave us the structure and shared language we needed to operate with unity and clarity,” said Carol M. Brown, President & CEO of Rainbow Community Care. “It has empowered our leaders to lead with greater confidence and our Board to govern with sharper insight. We are moving forward with a clear, shared roadmap that ensures we can meet the growing needs of our community for years to come.”

The initiative’s success was confirmed in June 2025 with the Board of Directors’ formal approval of the new Strategic Vision & Execution Plan. Rainbow Community Care extends its sincere gratitude to the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation for its vital investment in the organization’s strategic planning capability. This framework will have a lasting impact on Rainbow’s ability to serve local patients and families live well throughout aging, illness, and loss.

ABOUT RAINBOW COMMUNITY CARE
Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care is a local, independent, and non-profit provider of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in rural South-Central Wisconsin as well as the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from Rainbow Community Care.

On Saturday, January 10, some of Whitewater High School’s HOSA-Future Health Professionals members participated in the “live zoom” of regional competition in an event area of their choice. Several of our HOSA students competed in December in Round 1 which consisted of an online test, and then on Saturday some of the events had a Round 2 that was required. Later on in January we will find out if any of our students advanced to the State HOSA competition that will be held in Wisconsin Dells in April. Good luck to all of our Whippet competitors. 

Competing on Saturday were Alexis Wildenberg and Charlotte Hajewski in CPR/First Aid; Cyrus Hudec, Mady Stevens, and Maddie Taylor in Biomedical Debate; Karlee Villegas-Korbel in Sports Medicine, and Alondra Verduzco in Sports Medicine.

The HOSA organization is new at Whitewater High School this fall and is intended for students pursuing a career in a health profession. HOSA students are advised by Ms. Lynn Weilbrenner.

Article and Photos Submitted by Lynn Weilbrenner
Whitewater High School HOSA Advisor
lweilbrenner@wwusd.org