This Week’s City Meetings


Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Library Building Project
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Join Zoom Meeting
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City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Lakes dredging update; Resolution Providing for the sale of $5,195,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2022A; Request for approval of Development Agreement with Bower’s House LLC (Greg Aprahamian) for redevelopment of building known as the White Elephant building, SE
corner of Main and Second Streets
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us in person, or via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
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Passcode: 394331
Or Telephone:
Dial: 1 929 205 6099
Webinar ID: 835 7476 1734
Passcode: 394331

U.S. News names UW-Whitewater online programs among the best

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

While online education is no longer new, universities that deliver on engagement, excellence and affordability stand out now, more than ever. According to the latest rankings of Best Online Programs from U.S. News & World Report, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s online degree programs are among the best in the state and nation for 2022.

The UW-Whitewater online MBA was ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin among single-institution programs, 17th among Best Online Programs for Veterans and 24th in the nation overall. With an array of business master’s programs, the university was nationally ranked 64th for Best Online Master’s in Business Programs – Excluding MBA. Additionally, UW-Whitewater’s online business bachelor’s was No. 1 in Wisconsin and 30th in the nation, while the overall online bachelor’s offering was ranked 44th in the nation.

“We are pleased to be once again named among the best online programs in the U.S.,” said Paul Ambrose, interim dean of the College of Business and Economics. “It reflects our efforts to deliver an exceptional education to distance learners while remaining one of the best values in the region.”

“Having delivered a fully online MBA since 1998, the college paved the way for an ever-growing portfolio of online programs in the university,” said Linda Yu, interim associate dean of the College of Business and Economics. “And with the college’s AACSB accreditation, which drives continuous improvement, a high caliber framework was established from the start.”

The online MBA program has ranked highly year after year and is one of the best values among programs in the top 10 percent. This reputation for quality and affordability — along with flexibility and opportunities for customization — helped the program become the largest Milwaukee-area MBA program in 2021.

The college also has a growing portfolio of specialized business master’s programs, which can be ideal for professionals looking to change careers or position themselves for advancement. The newest offering is the online Master of Science in Marketing — a 30-credit program designed to help meet the demand for marketing professionals who can thrive in a dynamic digital ecosystem.

Meeting the needs of adult learners who have some or no college credit is an aspiration across the university. There are now 15 unique online bachelor’s programs that serve working adults through 100 percent online delivery and an asynchronous format. Among the newest online bachelor’s degrees are a BBA in accounting, BA/BS in communication – corporate and health communication, BS in human performance,  and a BBA in supply chain management.

“These programs help meet the demand for professionals with four-year degrees and provide a path for students who must balance work and family responsibilities, or for whom distance is a barrier,” said Ambrose.

Whether students enroll in a bachelor’s, master’s, or graduate certificate program, they can expect rich learning experiences, readily accessible support services, and opportunities to build connections with faculty and peers. With a dedicated veterans benefits coordinator managing veterans services, UW-Whitewater also has an outstanding reputation for assisting with military education benefits.

U.S. News rankings are highly regarded as a benchmark of excellence in online education, measuring student engagement and success, faculty credentials, university services and technology, reputation within the academic community and admissions criteria, among other factors. Schools included in the veterans ranking are evaluated on making distance education affordable and accessible to veterans and active-duty service members.

For more information on the breadth of UW-Whitewater online programs, visit uww.edu/online.

For more information on the U.S. News & World Report ranking, visit www.usnews.com/online.

Che-Mystery! Mad Science Workshop for Teens at Library

Teens are invited to eliminate the mystery in chemistry! Is it a chemical or physical change? You decide as you explore one of the most exciting and fundamental sciences! Watch as sand floats on top of water and take home your very own crystal garden! For middle and high school students. Presented by Mad Science Milwaukee in the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Community Room on Tuesday, February 15th at 6:00 p.m. Registration is required! Please register to participate at whitewaterlibrary.org by February 7th!

Rollie & Nancy Cooper’s Grandson is Competing for Team USA Cross Country Ski Team in the Winter Olympics

Nancy Cooper, Gus Schumacher, Rollie Cooper (L-R) (Photos courtesy of Amy Schumacher)

By Ellen Long and Amy Schumacher

Rollie and Nancy Cooper’s 21-year old Alaskan grandson Gus Schumacher will be competing in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing as a member of Team USA Cross Country Ski Team.

Gus was born in Madison and moved to Alaska as an infant as his parents started work in Anchorage. Dad, Greg, (from Platteville, WI) was stationed at Elmendorf AFB as an orthopedic surgeon, and mom, Amy, joined the AK Native medical center as a pediatrician.

Gus started enjoying outdoor sports at a young age on the trails and mountains of his hometown, and joined the community based Junior Nordic program, finding fun with friends and an endless trial system in town.
When his dad volunteered as a team doctor for the U.S. cross country ski team, Gus enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Europe and watch World Cup racing and loved it! He loved it enough to spend long hours training with the Alaska Winter Stars club team. He has continued with this same club and coach, Jan Buron, since age 8 years.

After multiple high school ski and running championships and US junior/senior national podiums, Gus moved on to the world stage. He qualified for his first world junior team in 2018, then anchored the U.S. men to their first-ever medal in the 4x5km relay that year. In 2019, he anchored the relay to its first-ever American world junior gold medal and finished just off the podium in two other distance races. In 2020, just before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Schumacher became the first American skier to win an individual junior world title (10k classic) and helped the U.S. men defend their relay title.

Last season, in his first full year competing in the World Cup, Schumacher finished in the points in almost every race he entered, with a career-high eighth place in a 15k classic race. And he finished 18th overall in last season’s Tour de Ski (the best-ever U.S. men’s result).

Gus has two younger siblings, Rudy (U of Utah) and Heidi (9th grade, Service HS). He is a civil engineering major at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

It’s common for high schools in Alaska to field a “Nordic” ski team. Eight of the 14 members of the US Winter Olympic 2022 men’s and women’s teams were born and raised, or trained in Alaska. Gus is excited to share this experience with friends.

“I really have to stop and give myself some credit because it’s a lifelong dream coming to fruition, but at the same time my goals keep coming and just making the team isn’t the end of the road. I wanna race fast! But overall I’m very excited for the opportunity to represent the U.S. on the highest level in my sport.”

2022 Olympic Winter Games Cross Country Schedule runs from Sat., Feb. 5 – Sat., Feb. 19.

Gus plans to race in the 30km skiathlon, 15km classic, 4 x 10 relay, and 50km freestyle mass start.
Follow him at
gusschumacher.com
https://www.instagram.com/gus.schumacher
https://www.facebook.com/people/Gus-Schumacher/100015070396868/

The Winter Olympics will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Gus Schumacher, first senior national championship sprint gold. 2020
Nancy Cooper, Bill Cooper, Amy Schumacher, Rollie Cooper, Gus Schumacher, Heidi Schumacher, Quinn Cooper (L-R)
Gus Schumacher
Training at pre Olympic camp
Livino, Italy
Image shared by Everett Long

Whitewater Resident Named to Fall 2021 Dean’s List at Hofstra University

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by Hofstra University.

Christian Zaballos of Whitewater, WI, excelled during the Fall 2021 semester, achieving a GPA of at least 3.5 to earn a spot on the Dean’s List at Hofstra University.

Hofstra University is a nationally ranked and recognized private university in Hempstead, N.Y. that is the only school to ever host three consecutive presidential debates (2008, 2012 and 2016). Our campus is a leafy oasis just a quick train ride away from New York City and all its cultural, recreational and professional opportunities. We offer small classes and personal attention, with the resources, technology and facilities of a large university. Students can choose from more than 165 undergraduate program options and 175 graduate program options in the liberal arts and sciences, education, health professions and human services, the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs, the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Frank G. Zarb School of Business, the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Hofstra University is a dynamic community of 11,000 students from around the world who are dedicated to civic engagement, academic excellence and becoming leaders in their communities and their careers.

Crossman Gallery Opens 2022 Spring Season with Student Juried Exhibition

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, College of Arts and Communication, Department of Art and Design, Crossman Gallery

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is pleased to announce the Student Juried Exhibition organized by Professor Teresa Faris, on display at the Crossman Gallery February 1, 2022 through February 25, 2022. The opening reception will be held on Tuesday, February 1 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Masks are required for anyone entering a campus building. For the most current safety guidelines, please visit the Warhawks are Back webpage at uww.edu/warhawks-are-back. The Crossman Gallery is located at 950 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190 in the Greenhill Center of the Arts. 

Crossman Gallery director Michael Flanagan adjusts lighting in April, 2018 for an exhibit of prints and graphic works by Leon Pescheret. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

This exhibit features works submitted by student artists from the Department of Art and Design. Mediums include but are not limited to author jewelry, metals, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, books, graphic design, digital media and photography. 

UW-Whitewater Department of Art and Design welcomes juror Roberto Torres Mata, a first generation artist located in Madison, Wisconsin. He explores the complexities of migration from human and animal movements by using metaphors that further understand the issues of migration at the border. Torres Mata graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his Master’s degree and Masters of Fine Arts in Printmaking; he earned his Bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Western Illinois University of Macomb Illinois. He has exhibited his work nationally and internationally and has been published by Capital Times, OnWisconsin, ToneMadison, and Artdaily. He has exhibited work at the Figge Art Museum, at the Quad Cities, Illinois, and Zhou B Art Center at Chicago, Illinois. Roberto is a current recipient of the Education Graduate Research Scholars fellow and a recent recipient of the Chazen Prize. 

“In my practice, I examine both human and animal migration as metaphors for one another. Migration—the ability to move freely in search of our fullest and best selves—is a fundamental right. My work raises awareness of the dire need to protect both migrants and the animal species that depend on migratory routes for survival. Through my work, I direct attention to these complex issues within the scope of displacement. To destigmatize migration, I take a multimedia approach realized through the metaphors as symbols and icons to identify historical precedent. The work embodies an emotional sense of realities of human displacement as well as the routes animals depend on for long-distance movement for survival. We are navigators; together we take paths to find solidarity with the promise for a better life. In our journey I believe we can help shape the dialogue around migration while removing barriers of division and promoting compassion and humanity.”

Works will be selected for prize gifts and awards, and award winners will be featured in a “Best of Show” exhibit in Roberta’s Gallery at the University Center. The Department of Art and Design would like to thank the donors for their generous contributions towards prizes and gifts for award winners. A special thank you to Otto Frei, Nasco and to Blick Art Materials.

Kiwanis Helps Provide Shoes and Winter Clothes for Whitewater Children

Editor’s Note: This information was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club donated $1,250 to the Whitewater Unified School District to purchase shoes and winter clothing for children in need.

Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club President Patrick Taylor said, “Shoes and winter clothes are a basic necessity, and our club is so happy to be able to provide them for children in need in our school district. Helping children in Whitewater is central to our mission.”

Patrick Taylor is pictured here with Mary Geraghty of the Whitewater Unified School District.

Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club is made up of dedicated volunteers who help children in the Whitewater community and the world, all with funds raised going directly to projects helping improve the lives of children in the community and the world. Each year, the club distributes approximately $20,000, with over half going to the Whitewater Unified School District, including shoes and scholarships. Kiwanis helped to build the Flowing Well Shelter, the shelter and playground, including the soon-to-be-installed accessible equipment, at Starin Park and Treyton’s Field of Dreams, the WHS football field lights and press box, as well as adopting a highway to clean up. In addition, the group donates to the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Family Partnership Fund, the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, Camp Wawbeek, and more. More information can be found on the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Facebook page. If you are interested in joining the club, helping the children and having fun at the same time, contact us!

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.

All Jefferson County Snowmobile Trails Opened on Thursday

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Jefferson County. Future announcements this season regarding Jefferson County snowmobile trails will appear in the Sports section of the Banner.

All Jefferson County Snowmobile Trails will open at 8:00 am on Thursday, January 27, 2022.

This includes all County Trails – both north and south.

Some trails may be closed due to open water.
Plowed fields may be rough.
Please ride safely.

Please stay on the marked trails and obey all signage.

Please call the Snowmobile Alliance 24-hour Hotline at 920-699-SNOW (7669) daily for current information. Snowmobile trails in adjoining counties may be closed. Trail users should check with each county to determine trail status.

Event Canceled – Missoula Children’s Theatre Residency at Young Auditorium


Editor’s note: The following information was received from the Young Auditorium.

Originally scheduled for the week of Monday, January 31st – Saturday,
February 5th, Young Auditorium regrets to inform you that the upcoming residency by
Missoula Children’s Theatre has been cancelled.

While alternate dates for another MCT residency have been discussed, Young Auditorium cannot
guarantee a rescheduled event in 2022. We are currently in the process of issuing full refunds for all
those who pre-purchased tickets for the final performance. Please be patient as checks for the total
purchase amount may take up to 10-weeks to arrive.

Young Auditorium apologizes for the inconvenience and looks forward to a time when we can safely
welcome Missoula Children’s Theatre back for another amazing residency…complete with a full
complement of local children to round out the cast.