News

The following students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean’s List for the 2025 fall semester.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Michelle Abarca

Whitewater, WI 53190: Salaar Akbar

Whitewater, WI 53190: Lilith Ashmore

Whitewater, WI 53190: Grace Baker

Whitewater, WI 53190: Thomas Barton

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jace Bezzo

Whitewater, WI 53190: Landen Bley

Whitewater, WI 53190: Michaela Boose

Whitewater, WI 53190: Briana Brandt

Whitewater, WI 53190: Alyssa Brazouski

Whitewater, WI 53190: Liam Brown

Whitewater, WI 53190: Canyon Caputo

Whitewater, WI 53190: Lucas Castro-Huempfner

Whitewater, WI 53190: Joseph Ciesla

Whitewater, WI 53190: Christopher Cortes

Whitewater, WI 53190: Makenna D’Amico

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cypress Dempsey

Whitewater, WI 53190: Alejandra Diaz-Gallegos

Whitewater, WI 53190: Justice Durham

Whitewater, WI 53190: Charlie Eckert

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ashton Ford

Whitewater, WI 53190: Andrea Gentry

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ashton Gillespie

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sirena Gomez

Whitewater, WI 53190: Matthew Gumenyuk

Whitewater, WI 53190: Blake Haggerty

Whitewater, WI 53190: Stephanie Hensel

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jake Hintz

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brooklyn Hoey

Whitewater, WI 53190: Omarian Hughes

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cameron Huntley

Whitewater, WI 53190: Bryce Joel

Whitewater, WI 53190: Misynn Jones

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ryan Jordan

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ayo Kaeding

Whitewater, WI 53190: Devin Kelly

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kassie Knueppel

Whitewater, WI 53190: Taylor Koehler

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cali Kopecky

Whitewater, WI 53190: Andrea Kuhl

Whitewater, WI 53190: Anna Lamendola

Whitewater, WI 53190: Allison Lavin

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brianna Lawson

Whitewater, WI 53190: Hunter Lochner

Whitewater, WI 53190: Payton Lowe

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cayden Maag

Whitewater, WI 53190: Connor Macy

Whitewater, WI 53190: Megan Manthey

Whitewater, WI 53190: Isai Mata

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jordan Meinen

Whitewater, WI 53190: Daniela Melero

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jordan Miller

Whitewater, WI 53190: Morgan Miller

Whitewater, WI 53190: Adrian Mora

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sam Morton

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kylee Mueller

Whitewater, WI 53190: Olivia Nanni

Whitewater, WI 53190: Rori Nikole

Whitewater, WI 53190: Emily O’Donnell

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brittany Ogden

Whitewater, WI 53190: Joey Ophime

Whitewater, WI 53190: Layla Owens

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jonah Panning

Whitewater, WI 53190: Emilie Parranto

Whitewater, WI 53190: Johan Perez

Whitewater, WI 53190: Charlotte Pham

Whitewater, WI 53190: Tj Piper

Whitewater, WI 53190: Hugo Portales

Whitewater, WI 53190: Mel Prince

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kyle Puchalski

Whitewater, WI 53190: Zoheb Rakhangi

Whitewater, WI 53190: Colin Reynolds

Whitewater, WI 53190: Renee Rittmeyer

Whitewater, WI 53190: Yovanni Rojas-Reyes

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cody Rupke

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jake Satterfield

Whitewater, WI 53190: Whitney Scherr

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sabrina Schmidt

Whitewater, WI 53190: Tyler Schneider

Whitewater, WI 53190: Marcus Seaver

Whitewater, WI 53190: Holly Shannon

Whitewater, WI 53190: Connor Sharlow

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jazmin Soto

Whitewater, WI 53190: Andrew Swartz

Whitewater, WI 53190: C.J. Tomomitsu

Whitewater, WI 53190: Tristin Trevino

Whitewater, WI 53190: Dejaney Valles

Whitewater, WI 53190: Dakota Veium

Whitewater, WI 53190: Tania Verduzco

Whitewater, WI 53190: Emma Wade

Whitewater, WI 53190: Molly Wade

Whitewater, WI 53190: Miranda Ward

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ryan Westerman

Whitewater, WI 53190: Hayleigh Williams

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kaitee Witke

Whitewater, WI 53190: Nick Yellick

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cameron Zehr

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kelsy Zingsheim

These students have demonstrated their academic abilities by receiving a grade point average of 3.4 or above in a single semester.

“We are incredibly proud of the students who earned a place on the Dean’s List,” said Robin Fox, UW-Whitewater’s interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This distinction reflects exceptional academic achievement and the dedication our students bring to their studies every day. Their success strengthens our university, and we celebrate all they have accomplished.”

The university’s Registrar’s Office reports 4,107 students were selected for the Dean’s List for the fall semester. More than 12,000 students are currently enrolled at the university’s Whitewater and Rock County campuses.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by UW-Whitewater. It is evident that many of these students who were recognized on the Dean’s List are not long-term Whitewater residents. Students are listed by the community that they have indicated as being their residence.

Alexander Clarksen participated in the 151st Christmas Festival at Carthage College in the magnificent A. F. Siebert Chapel in Kenosha, Wis. Clarksen, from Whitewater, is a member of Carthage Choir and Lincoln Singers.

The Carthage Christmas Festival is one of the largest and most beloved events on campus, bringing together over 3,500 people throughout the festival weekend. The Christmas Festival artistic staff includes Professors Margaret Burk as Artistic Director and Matthew Hougland as Production Director.

Wind Orchestra conducted by James Ripley

Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by E. Edward Kawakami

Vox Ignis, Carthage Choir, and Lincoln Chamber Singers conducted by Margaret Burk

Voces Aquae and Carthage Treble Choir conducted by Polly Amborn

Accompanists: Melissa Cardamone and Gregory Berg

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

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Carthage College.

John’s Disposal will be closed on:
Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25, 2025 – Collection will be delayed by one day.
New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026 – Collection will be delayed by one day.

Residents may contact John’s Disposal directly by calling (262) 473-4700 or by emailing
office@johnsdisposal.com. You may also view their website at https://www.johnsdisposal.com.

Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
262-473-0139
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov
For other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.

Current Whitewater Common Councilmember for Aldermanic District 4 and Council President Pro-Tem Brian Schanen formally submitted papers to run for re-election in the upcoming April 7th election, and has released the following statement.

During my first term I have focused on listening first and foremost. I have had many conversations across the community about issues large and small, good and bad. Open communication, and pragmatic decision making, is at the center of my approach as a council member, and it will continue. Serving the community is an honor, and one of the best parts is the listening and learning that the position requires.

I have focused on economic development of all types including progress in the industrial park, including identifying challenges to industrial development, creation of the house rehabilitation program, and supporting owner occupied housing.  I also support recent, budget-aware initiatives from the Parks and Recreation Department that have expanded programming for residents of all ages—outdoors, indoors, and at the Whitewater Aquatic Center.

As a council, we have prioritized ensuring that our city’s emergency and safety services have the resources they need, while being fiscally responsible. Council worked to cover the addition of a detective and an additional firefighter by restructuring budgets, and not including those two positions in the referendum.

Over the past two years, I have worked to increase transparency throughout city operations. Examples include reducing the use of closed sessions and presenting a new template for improving how the city communicates the financial details and reasoning behind Tax Increment conversations. This effort ensures that both the council and residents have clear, complete information when making critical decisions.

Strong partnerships between the city, school district and university are vital to Whitewater’s success. This past summer, I worked with fellow council members, the school board, the Whitewater Police Department, and the Superintendent on the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. Since implementing the agreement in late July, communication between the district and city government has improved significantly, leading to greater transparency, better feedback, and stronger collaboration.

If re-elected, I will first and foremost continue listening, learning, and reviewing topics from all angles. I will continue to work to build strong partnerships, and enforce ethical, transparent governance. Additionally, I will be working to find ways to balance budgets without putting additional strain on our residents. With many residents on fixed incomes, in low income situations and other challenges, it is past due we take a hard look at spending. I have already begun these conversations, and they are already producing productive conversations and ideas.

In the months ahead, I look forward to knocking on doors, and talking to residents. Continuing to listen for ideas, concerns, and celebrations for moving our city forward.

Brian was elected to council in 2023, and has served on numerous boards including Planning & Architectural Review, Finance, Alcohol Licensing, and the Community Development Authority. Brian and his wife Heather live on the west side of Whitewater. They are involved in a number of community organizations including the Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis and the Whitewater GroCo. They are avid supporters of local businesses.

The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater’s Beta Gamma chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 Fall Conference hosted by Kent State University, earning top finishes across every major competition category. Months of preparation, teamwork, and leadership paid off as UW-Whitewater students showcased exceptional professionalism and competitive excellence.

Interview Competition
The Interview Competition is designed to help students strengthen real-world interviewing skills by practicing with live judges, receiving feedback, and engaging directly with potential employers. Out of 60 total competitors, and with only 12 advancing to the on-site finals, UW-Whitewater PSE demonstrated remarkable depth and preparation:
● 2nd Place: Jonah Panning
● Finalists: Lillian Fager and Noah Verhasselt

Speakers Competition
The Speakers Competition highlights the top public speaking talent within Pi Sigma Epsilon. It recognizes students who excel in self-presentation and verbal communication by delivering prepared speeches in a competitive setting. Among 40 entries, only four finalists were selected:
● Winner: Bailey Quinn
● Finalists: Lillian Fager and Noah Verhasselt
(Three of the four finalists represented UW-Whitewater.)

Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon
This competition was founded in 1992 to help students build lifelong professional communication and selling skills while connecting them with top employers. The competition is held at both PSE Fall Conferences and the National Convention, featuring a 12-minute video-based role-play that simulates real business scenarios. With 125 competitors in this year’s event, the competition named 12 finalists and 12 honorable mentions. UW-Whitewater, with 24 competitors, delivered one of the strongest performances of the entire conference:
● 1st Place: Bailey Quinn
● 3rd Place: Noah Verhasselt
● Finalists: Kyle Bowman, Alyssa Eggert, Alexander Ferguson, and Devin Shircel
(Half of all finalists were from UW-Whitewater—more than any other chapter.)
● Honorable Mentions: Lillian Fager, Abby Keeny, Victoria Slama, and Jared Tews
(UW-Whitewater also earned more Honorable Mentions than any other chapter.)

Marketing Challenge
Congratulations to Ava Hennig and Jack Payant, whose cross-chapter team took 1st place among 10 total teams in the conference-wide Marketing Challenge.

A Round of Applause
Chapter faculty advisor Rob Boostrom, Professor of Marketing at UW-Whitewater, expressed deep pride in the chapter’s accomplishments and the commitment demonstrated by every student competitor. “I’m extremely excited about what all of these students have accomplished,” Dr. Boostrom shared. “To the parents and relatives,
please know that your student is doing exceptional work.” Boostrom also extended thanks to Dennis Kopf and Karen Whalen for their support throughout the event, and to student Emily Wiitanen for ensuring the chapter captured and celebrated each achievement.

About UW-Whitewater PSE
UW-Whitewater’s Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) chapter is a co-ed professional fraternity dedicated to marketing, sales, and management. Guided by the motto “Runs like a business, feels like a family,” PSE provides members with high-impact professional development, experiential learning opportunities, and an active community focused on building lifelong relationships.

About UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) is Wisconsin’s largest business college. It is home to the #1 ranked online, single school Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the State and is the only college in Wisconsin that offers an AACSB-accredited Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degree program. CoBE is in the top 2% of the world’s business schools having earned both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation. For more information on the College of Business and Economics, visit www.uww.edu/cobe or email

Editor’s note:
This press release was provided by Gracie Weston, Communications Specialist, UW-Whitewater College of Business & Economics.

All are welcome for our Christmas Eve services on Wednesday, December 24 at 4, 7 and 10 p.m.

First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater

UW-Whitewater Veterans Day event took place on November 11, 2025. Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser.

Wreaths Across America Ceremony in LaGrange

On Saturday, December 20th, a crowd of one hundred gathered at Heart Prairie Cemetery in LaGrange to participate in the postponed national Wreaths Across America (WAA) event. The purpose of this gathering was to honor the fallen veterans who are buried in the cemetery.

Those in attendance paid tribute by placing 42 wreaths on the gravesites of veterans who had served the United States from the War of 1812 through the Vietnam conflict. Each wreath symbolized respect and remembrance for the sacrifices made by these individuals.

The ceremony was organized and conducted by Peggy Schutt, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Samuel Phoenix Chapter. Collaborating with Jim Holden, the sexton of the cemetery, they established a high benchmark for the event. During the ceremony, Schutt read a statement provided by WAA, affirming the event’s mission: to remember the nation’s fallen heroes, honor their service, and educate future generations about the value of freedom.

Wreaths were placed in honor of each branch of military service, as well as a special wreath dedicated to those who are missing in action or prisoners of war (MIA/POWS). The ceremony featured remarks from Senator Steve Nass of LaGrange, Representative Brienne Brown of Whitewater, and John Scholz, the Walworth County Veterans Service Officer. Their words highlighted the significance of the event and the enduring gratitude owed to the veterans.

To conclude the opening ceremony, the Whitewater American Legion Post 173 provided a gun salute and played TAPS, offering a solemn tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for the country.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Pat Blackmer.

Nearly 30 students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earned grants to conduct undergraduate research during the 2025-26 academic year.

The following students from your coverage area conducted research this fall:

Whitewater, WI 53190: Aiden Murray, whose major at UW-Whitewater is Physical Education.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Holly Shannon, whose major at UW-Whitewater is Environmental Science.

Academic Year (AY) Grants are awarded to a student or a small group of students of sophomore status or higher leading a research project endorsed by a UW-Whitewater faculty or staff member. Individual recipients of Academic Year Grants can receive up to $750, and groups can receive up to $1,500.

Funds through the grants support research supplies, travel, and publication costs. Students supported by Academic Year Grants must present at either the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) or at the Universities of Wisconsin Symposium. (Costs associated with attending those events are covered by UW-Whitewater’s Undergraduate Research, Innovative, and Creative Activities (URICA) program.)

Students who conduct undergraduate research at UW-Whitewater are paired with faculty or staff mentors to conduct research. While working 1:1 with faculty and staff mentors to assist with research, students develop critical soft skills – including communication, critical thinking, and problem solving – that employers seek in job candidates.

To learn more about Academic Year Grants and undergraduate research at UW-Whitewater, visit uww.edu/urp.

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