News

Nearly 900 students graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at winter commencement, held Dec. 13, 2025, at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.

The following students from our coverage area earned degrees from the UW-Whitewater at winter commencement:

Whitewater, WI 53190: Salaar Akbar graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Biology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Garrett Allamian graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Samantha Beecroft graduated with the following degree: Sociology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Nicole Butry graduated with the following degree: Art – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Montserrat Cuevas graduated with the following degree: Spanish – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Makenna D’Amico graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Biology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jaciel Flores graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Dawson France graduated with the following degree: Music – BM

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sirena Gomez graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Early Child Care and Education – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Elyse Hansen graduated with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Stephanie Hensel graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Accounting – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Aidan Impola graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Criminology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Misynn Jones graduated with the following degree: Art – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Caleb Karlson graduated with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Andrea Kuhl graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Biology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Aubrie Malette graduated with the following degree: Associate of Arts and Science – AAS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Elvia Meza Klosinski graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Bradley Morris graduated with the following degree: Music – BM

Whitewater, WI 53190: Aiden Murray graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jonah Panning graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Dante Poe graduated with the following degree: Cybersecurity – MS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Pureless Powell graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jake Satterfield graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jazmin Soto graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Anna VanWormer graduated with the following degree: Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brianna Zimdars graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Students crossed the stage to receive their degrees at the ceremony, held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.

The 888-member graduating class included nine international students, 69 military veterans and 154 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 77 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.

A total of 61 students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, earned a job promotion, were accepted to graduate school, or started their own business before commencement.

Editor’s note: It is likely that a number of these graduates did not reside in Whitewater prior to enrollment in the university. UW-W lists graduates as residing in the city that is shown in their registration.

Sixteen members of Ferradermis chose to participate in the team’s 4^th annual trip to Madison for Robotics Advocacy Day at the State Capitol on Thursday, February 12.

Over 300 middle school and high school robotics students and their mentors from across the state gathered at Monona Terrace to begin their day with lessons on state government and how to advocate with legislators. As both a parent of robotics team members and a state legislator, Representative Brienne Brown addressed the large group and encouraged students to embrace the opportunity to make a difference.

Wisconsin offers a robotics league participation grant as one way to promote STEM education, and each year, teams descend on the capitol to discuss the importance of continuing and potentially increasing this funding. This year’s ask was for our representatives to consider lowering the age group for the grant to include elementary school teams; currently the grant is only open to teams with students in grades 6-12.

After a morning of speakers and meeting rehearsals, teams moved to the capitol building. Throughout the day, robot demonstrations took place in the rotunda.

Ferradermis members were able to schedule meetings with seven different legislators and/or their staffers over the course of the afternoon. In order to cover the full schedule of meetings, the students split into two and sometimes three groups. Within each group, students divided up their talking points with one student taking on the role of facilitator. At times, Ferradermis joined together with other teams who shared the same legislator.

Ferradermis’ first meeting of the day was with Senator Melissa Ratcliff, a joint meeting with Ferradermis and FTC Team 10100 Phoenix Force from Verona.

Next up was a meeting with Representative Brienne Brown who is very familiar with FIRST already, but the team spent some time talking about the changes coming to FIRST Lego League and the need to extend the Robotics League Participation Grant to the lower grades.

The team then met with staff from Representative Ann Roe’s office in conjunction with FTC 21355 Turtle TEK from Beloit. The Assembly was in session throughout the day, so many of the meetings were with staffers instead of the representatives themselves if the timing did not work out.

Part of the team was then able to meet with staffer Katherine Morgan for Representative Joan Fitzgerald.

Next on the Ferradermis Advocacy Day agenda was a meeting with a staffer for Senator Mark Spreitzer. The Whitewater team was again able to team up with students from Turtle TEK for this meeting.

Thank you to staffer Cameron O’Connell from Representative Tyler August’s office for taking the time to learn about FIRST Robotics.

The final Ferradermis meeting on Advocacy Day was with staff from Senator Steve Nass’ office.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

The Whitewater Unified School District will present its annual State of the District update on Thursday, February 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Whitewater Public Library.

Superintendent Samuel Karns will provide an overview of district priorities, student achievement, financial stewardship, and ongoing efforts to support student learning and wellbeing. The presentation is part of the State of Our City and Schools event hosted by the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area.

“This event is an important opportunity to share the progress we are making across our schools and to highlight the accomplishments of our students and staff,” Karns said. “We are committed to continuous improvement and working in partnership with our families and community members to ensure every student has the support they need to succeed.”

In addition to the district’s update, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chancellor Dr. Corey A. King and Whitewater City Manager John Weidl will present a comprehensive look at the state of education, local government, and higher education in the Whitewater community.

The event is open to the public, and community members do not need to be members of the League of Women Voters to attend.

For more information about the State of Our City and Schools event, community members may contact Mary Beth Byrne of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area at wisconsinwoods@gmail.com.

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.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

Apologies that we’re tardy in posting John’s 2026 schedules for the city and all of the nearby towns. It’s the first item under the “Helpful Links” section of The Whitewater Banner.

Our thanks to former Banner volunteer Lisa Dawsey Smith for taking care of this from her new home in North Carolina, and also to two readers who prompted us to get this done.

The Whitewater Unified School District has launched a strategic planning process to gather community input and establish priorities that will guide the district over the next three to five years.

The process began with a community survey that invited feedback from students, families, staff, and community members. Building on that initial outreach, the district will host a series of in-person focus groups later this month to further engage the community and gather more detailed input.

Community members are invited to attend one of the following engagement sessions:

Tuesday, February 24
● 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. – Community Engagement Session, Whitewater Public Library
● 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Parent Engagement Session, Whitewater High School LMC

Wednesday, February 25
● 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Parent Engagement Session, Cravath Lakefront Community Center
● 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. – Community Engagement Session, Whitewater High School Auditorium

Feedback gathered through the survey and engagement sessions will be used to identify key priorities and help guide district decision-making in the years ahead.

“This strategic planning process is about listening to our community and learning from the experiences of those we serve,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “The input we receive will help shape a shared vision for the future and ensure our priorities reflect what matters most to our school community.”

For updates on the strategic planning process, please visit www.wwusd.org.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs (WFWC) is thrilled to present its third annual Bassett House Spring Concert Series, which promises is to be as lovely an experience as ever. The first concert of this season’s series will be a highly anticipated performance by the Rock River Woodwind Quintet on Sunday, March 15, 2026. This special children’s program will include the beloved “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev and a piece based on Winnie the Pooh. So please bring your little ones to this recital, which is sure to delight audiences of all ages. The second concert will feature the talented students of Rachel Wood’s Voice Studio on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Come hear classic repertoire and Broadway favorites! For our third concert, we are pleased to offer our first all-piano recital, so piano lovers, take note! This concert will feature the exceptional students of Diana Shapiro’s Piano Studio on Sunday, May 13, 2026. All concerts will be held at 1:00 PM at the Bassett House, 708 W. Main Street, Whitewater. Adult ticket prices are $30 per concert or $75 for the series. Student tickets (over 13 years old) are $15 per concert, and child tickets (13 and under) are $10 per concert. Please make checks out to the WFWC and mail them to Linda Robinson at 957 W. Highland Street/Whitewater, WI 53190. Alternatively, you may pay via Paypal to the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs. In either case, please make sure we have your name and address, and please indicate the number of tickets you want and for which concerts, and the number of adults, students, and/or children attending. Space is limited, so buy your tickets soon. All proceeds will go to the Bassett House Preservation Fund, which the WFWC will use to ensure the preservation of the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s oldest historic homes. For more information, visit our website at bassetthousewww.org or contact Linda Robinson at linrob73@gmail.com

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs.

The Department of Art and Design in the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater invites the public to an artist talk with Fei Jun, the 2026 Schuh Visiting Artist. The talk takes place in the atrium of the Greenhill Center of the Arts on Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m., followed by an hors d’oeuvres reception and celebration of the program’s 10th anniversary beginning at 7 p.m. The Crossman Gallery will be open during this time to provide an opportunity for everyone to view an exhibition of the artist’s work. Fei Jun is a world-renowned digital and installation artist on the cutting edge of utilizing artificial intelligence in the creation of original artwork. His research focuses on hybrid spaces constructed through the interplay between virtual and physical environments. He is currently a professor in the Art and Technology program at the School of Design, Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China, serving as the academic program leader and doctoral supervisor. He is also the Secretary-General of the Digital Art Committee, China Artists Association, and the founder and Chief Creative Director of a collective focusing on ART+TECH, as well as the co-curator of the Beijing Media Art Biennale. With a multifaceted identity as an artist, designer, and educator, he engages in the research, education, and practice of art and technology. Through hands-on practice, he has achieved a high level of expertise and produced substantial accomplishments. His work has been recognized with numerous prestigious domestic and international awards, including the“BBART AWARDS 2023 Art and Technology Innovation Award” by Harper’s Bazaar Art, the Second Annual Artist Nomination Award by Guangdong Museum of Art, the ART POWER 100 Nomination Award (2019), the German iF Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, German Design Award Special Mention, and the Asia Most Influential Design Award. His artistic and design works have been exhibited in museums, galleries, and art festivals both in China and abroad, and he has led the design and development of numerous mobile applications and interactive spatial installations for institutions such as the Palace Museum, Audi China Research Institute, and Fashion Publishing Group. Fei’s exhibition “Hybrid Intelligence” will be on view at the Crossman Gallery from February 23 to March 19, 2026. The exhibition will include work created by Fei along with art made by UW-Whitewater Art and Design students in a studio workshop led by Fei and Professor Xiaohong Zhang.  The exhibition and Fei’s visit are funded by the Annette and Dale Schuh Visiting Artist Endowment. The endowment was established in 2015 in honor of Annette’s transformative experience as an undergraduate art student at UW-Whitewater interacting with notable visiting artists.  It is with this remarkable donor intent that artists of prominence and significant stature will visit UW-Whitewater on an annual basis. Please join the Department of Art and Design for these free and public events on March 5: Artist Talk: 6 -7 p.m. in the Center of the Arts atrium Exhibition Reception and 10th Anniversary Celebration: 7 – 8:30 p.m. in the Crossman Gallery The Greenhill Center of the Arts atrium and the Crossman Gallery are located at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. The Crossman Gallery is always free and all are welcome. Gallery hours during scheduled exhibitions are Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Annette and Dale Schuh Visiting Artist Endowment supports an annual visit of a visual artist of a significant stature to UW-Whitewater. It offers a transformative visual arts experience to students in the Department of Art and Design. The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers rigorous programs in music, theatre, dance, and the visual arts; internships; pre-professional opportunities in journalism, advertising, and applied communication; and innovative interdisciplinary studies. Visit the College of Arts and Communication website for more information.   Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the College of Arts and Communication at UW-W. Parking: A permit is required to park in University lots during events that take place Monday – Thursday. The closest lots are Lots 1 and 2. Permits may be purchased at the kiosk at the Visitors’ Center on Starin Road. To purchase a permit online, visit uww.aimsparking.com. For further information click here.

Monday, February 16 is a federal holiday; consequently, there will be no mail delivery. Some banks will also be closed.

From Wikipedia:

Presidents’ Day, officially Washington’s Birthday at the federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. It is often celebrated to honor all those who served as presidents of the United States and, since 1879, has been the federal holiday honoring Founding Father George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and was the first U.S. president.^[1]

The day is an official state holiday in most states, with names including Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day, President’s Day, Presidents Day, and Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthday.^[2] The various states use 15 different names. Depending upon the specific law, the state holiday may officially celebrate Washington alone, Washington and Abraham Lincoln, or some other combination of U.S. presidents (such as Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who was born in April).^[2]

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 (N.S.). Washington’s Birthday was celebrated on this date from 1879 until 1970. To give federal employees a three-day weekend, in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February.^[3] The day soon became known as Presidents(‘) Day^[4] (the presence and placement of the apostrophe varies) and provides an occasion to remember all the U.S. presidents, to honor Abraham Lincoln‘s and Washington’s birthdays together, or any single president of choice.^[2]

As many states and cities followed suit, some states that had been celebrating Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 combined the two into Presidents Day. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, preserved the Union, abolished slavery, bolstered the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.

Photo (provided): Joe Scanlin (’12) shown holding a piece of his patented smart flooring system that captures every footstep, every movement, every pattern invisibly, anonymously, continuously.

Celebrating Innovation Day (2/16): From Warhawk to Global Industry Innovator: UW-Whitewater Alumnus Joe Scanlin’s smart building company acquired by global manufacturing leader

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) is celebrating a milestone achievement as alumnus Joe Scanlin (2012), founder and CEO of Scanalytics, announces his company’s acquisition by East West Manufacturing, a global technology manufacturing leader backed by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation with over 25 years of operations spanning seven countries.

Scanlin’s journey from Warhawk student entrepreneur to industry innovator exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit cultivated in the business school. Scanlin, a 2012 CoBE graduate, earned a prestigious Launchpad Scholar Award as an undergraduate management major in 2011; a competitive Launchpad grant is given to elite students selected through a rigorous process similar to that of a seed-stage accelerator and based on academic performance and potential for success in developing a successful startup.

Scanlin’s company, Scanalytics, pioneered smart flooring technology that transforms buildings into intelligent systems capable of real-time occupancy tracking, space optimization, and enhanced safety. The company’s innovative hardware and software solutions enable building owners to capture actionable insights that improve energy efficiency, optimize operations, and create safer environments across commercial and residential settings.

“Joe’s success represents everything we strive to achieve at CoBE,” said Dean Dr. Paul Ambrose. “We don’t just educate business students in the classroom; we empower innovators to transform industries. Joe took an idea, nurtured it through our Launchpad program with the support of our world-class faculty, and built a company that’s literally changing how the world thinks about buildings. That’s the power of combining entrepreneurial vision with the resources and mentorship available at Wisconsin’s largest business school. This acquisition validates not only Joe’s brilliance, but also the ecosystem of innovation we’ve built at CoBE.”

The acquisition underscores the growing recognition of smart building technology as essential infrastructure for the AI-driven future. As Scanlin noted in announcing the deal, “buildings represent the largest, most expensive computers we never instrumented and Scanalytics’ technology creates the measurement layer that makes physical spaces legible to software and AI systems.”

“Watching Joe’s journey has been extraordinary,” said Dr. Choton Basu, Professor of Information Technology and Supply Chain Management. “What made Joe stand out from day one was his ability to see possibilities others missed. The Launchpad Scholar program provided him with the initial support to explore his vision, and it was his determination, strategic thinking, and willingness to tackle complex problems that ultimately turned that vision into reality. This acquisition is a testament to the caliber of entrepreneurs we attract and develop at CoBE. When students have bold ideas, we encourage them; mentor them and connect them with the resources and networks they need to succeed.”

“What sets CoBE apart is that we’re not just teaching from textbooks; we’re actively engaged in providing immersive experiences that shape the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs” said William Dougan, Professor of Management. “As Joe’s Launchpad mentor, I observed firsthand how he thrived in our culture of hands-on faculty engagement. The spirit of the Launchpad program is to accelerate the successful careers of student entrepreneurs and Joe has shown what’s possible when talented students meet faculty who are genuinely and actively committed to their success.”

CoBE’s Launchpad program continues to serve as a catalyst for student entrepreneurs, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses. The program reflects CoBE’s commitment to experiential learning and real-world impact by connecting students with faculty advisors, industry experts, and potential investors who can accelerate their ventures.

As Wisconsin’s largest accredited business school, CoBE serves over 5,000 students and holds elite AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting: a distinction achieved by only 1% of institutions worldwide. The college’s commitment to innovation extends beyond the classroom, with faculty actively engaged in research, entrepreneurship, and industry partnerships that create opportunities for students to learn by doing.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Scanalytics will retain its brand and operate as a product division of East West Manufacturing, combining its proprietary smart flooring technology with East West’s global manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution capabilities to scale production and reach new markets worldwide.

For more information about the College of Business and Economics or the Launchpad program, visit uww.edu/cobe or uww.edu/cobe/knowledge-centers/launch-pad, or email cobe@uww.edu.

About Joe Scanlin and Scanalytics

Joe Scanlin is a 2012 graduate of UW-Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics and the founder and CEO of Scanalytics. He was awarded a CoBE Launchpad Scholar grant in 2011. Scanalytics develops smart flooring technology that transforms physical spaces into intelligent systems capable of real-time data collection and analysis. Learn more at www.scanalyticsinc.com.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics.