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Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
Written by Kristine Zaballos | Photos by Craig Schreiner and Kyle Winter
For the ninth consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been named among the Colleges of Distinction, a national honor that recognizes campuses for exceptional teaching and dedication to student success. UW-Whitewater is one of just five public universities in the state to receive this distinction.
For the second year in a row, UW-Whitewater has been awarded the international badge, and is the only public university other than UW-Madison in the state to earn this distinction. To be recognized, UW-Whitewater must be seen as a university that goes above and beyond to support international students, demonstrating their dedication to helping students from around the world not only adjust — but truly thrive.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for the educational experience international students are having at UW-Whitewater. Small classes, approachable professors, welcoming community — these are just some of the things that allow international students to experience the best of what UWW and the US have to offer,” said John McGuigan, director of the Center for Global Education. “And just as our Warhawks can learn and grow through studying overseas, they benefit as well from working side-by-side with students from around the world. International students bring such a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the classroom and campus. They add real vitality to the campus and local community.”
UW-Whitewater is also the only university among the Universities of Wisconsin to earn a badge in military support, recognizing an institution’s efforts to support and cultivate the skills that military students bring to the classroom while helping them achieve their personal and professional goals. Among the resources and support services recognized by the badge are the university’s Veterans, Military Service and Family Members Lounge, two full-time veterans support staff members, an active Chancellor’s Committee on Veterans and Military Student Success and a dedicated website of resources for students.
The international and military support badges round out existing badges that highlight UW-Whitewater’s excellence in business, education, equity and inclusion and as a public institution in Wisconsin. And it continues to be the only college in the Universities of Wisconsin to earn the career development badge and one of just two universities in the state to be awarded the affordability badge.
To be named a College of Distinction, UW-Whitewater demonstrates continued excellence in undergraduate education in such factors as student engagement, teaching excellence, outcomes-based learning, and community involvement. This evaluation process differs from those of popular college rankings publications, whose formulas grade institutions based on factors like faculty salaries, endowment size, and peer opinion.
The Colleges of Distinction selection process consists of a review of each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and other criteria. Schools are accepted on the basis that they adhere to the four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, successful outcomes and vibrant community.
Distinction 1: Engaged students
Distinction 2: Great teaching
Distinction 3: Vibrant communities
Distinction 4: Successful outcomes
Editor’s note: For additional information regarding the persons depicted in the photos above, please click here.
The Young Performing Arts Center at UW-W is expected to announce its ’25-26 season soon, but the first show already sold out, resulting in the addition of an additional performance. Wisconsin native comedian Charlie Berens is returning, “with brand new material” in a show called Working it All Out, on Friday, September 12. The 7:00 p.m. show sold out long ago, but as of noon on July 30, 233 tickets are still available on the website for the 9:30 p.m. show. Seats are priced at $45-50. The ticket office is closed until late August, but in case of questions a message may be left for the staff at (262) 472-2222.
Editor’s note: The following is from the Young website.
CHARLIE BERENS is a comedian, New York Times Best Selling Author, Emmy-winning journalist, musician and creator of the Manitowoc Minute. The Wisconsin native has been featured on Comedy Central, Fox, CBS, Funny or Die, TBS, Variety, MTV News and more. He creates weekly content for his various social platforms and has amassed over 7.5 million followers.
Charlie began his career working for MTV News’ Choose or Lose. After that he worked in front and behind the camera for emerging YouTube news channels. In 2012, Tribune Media tapped Charlie to host the comedic news show Nightcap. In 2013 he won an Emmy for “The Cost of Water” while reporting for KDAF.
In 2017, Charlie began hosting his weekly comedic online news show, the Manitowoc Minute. Since then, Charlie’s been creating Midwest-focused sketch comedy videos on his social media platforms. He’s also traveled the country with three sold out stand-up comedy tours.
In 2020, Charlie paired up with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades alum Adam Greul to release the music/comedy album, Unthawed. The album, which is a mixture of bluegrass, country and Charlie’s comedy, hit #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart and #6 on the Bluegrass Comedy chart.
Charlie’s first book, The Midwest Survival Guide, was released in November of 2021 by William Morrow/Harper Collins and immediately became a New York Times Best Seller! Charlie is currently on his third stand-up tour in support of the book’s release. His Midwest Survival Guide Tour sold over 150,000 tickets!
Charlie hosts the Cripescast podcast where he interviews musicians, artists, comedians, creators and more to talk about their story and connections to the Midwest. Guests have included Jeff Foxworthy, Nate Bargatze and Roy Wood, Jr.
Studio 84 is pleased to announce that Second Saturdays are back! Every second Saturday of the month Studio 84 will open its doors to the community with a new and exciting artistic adventure. We are extremely grateful to the Geneva Lake Women’s Association for their grant, making Second Saturdays possible again.
Second Saturdays provides the opportunity to drop in, hang out and participate in a fun artistic activity as a family, group or individual at no cost. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide any assistance needed and at the end you’ll be able to take your new art piece home with you!
Studio 84 is a non-profit art studio, gallery and store located at 121 W. Center St. in downtown Whitewater. Our mission is to provide fully accessible opportunities in the arts to enrich people’s lives. Our regular weekday programming provides individual guidance and instruction to people of all ages and abilities for a cost. We are privileged to be able to provide this free opportunity to create art together as a community thanks to the generosity of the Geneva Lake Women’s Association.
An adult must accompany kids under the age of twelve. Anyone with special needs may also be required to have a guardian or caregiver present depending on their needs.
You can learn more about Studio 84 at our webstite www.studio84inc.org , Facebook @ Studio84, Inc. or Instagram @ studio84inc
Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
“The Greatest Beer Run Ever”
Friday, August 1, 1 p.m.
(Adventure/War Drama/True Story)
Rated R(language); 2 hours, 6 minutes (2022).
Join us Friday afternoon, August 1 at 1 pm to celebrate International Beer Day worldwide!
An anonymous donor will provide the PBR and pretzels!! This is a true story of a friend who delivers beer to his buddies in combat during the Vietnam War. Yes, it really did happen!! Stars Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, and Bill Murray.
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes out of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/
Editor’s note: Updated on 7/29/25 @ 3:40 p.m. to revise and add on to the paragraph below, per the submitter.
Whitewater’s 2025 4th of July Festival was all about celebrating the freedom our families, friends and community enjoy All Year Round. Congratulations to this year’s parade winners and a massive thank you to Whitewater Lions Club, First Citizens State Bank and the Friends of the Fourth donors for putting on a spectacular parade!!! A huge shout out to Lisa Dawsey Smith for her hard work and excellent organizational skills for making the 4th of July weekend a success!
Editor’s note: The homepage photo of Whippets Football is courtesy of Tom Ganser. Article submitted courtesy of Donna Segraves.
UW-Whitewater Foundation announces new Board Directors to help lead $50 million minimum campaign
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of seven distinguished alumni to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2025. From healthcare to high-tech, these seven Warhawk alumni leaders bring a remarkable depth of experience — more than 210 years in total — to their roles supporting the university and UW-Whitewater Foundation.
The new directors will serve as champions of the foundation’s historic comprehensive campaign, which is aimed at raising a minimum of $50 million to support student scholarships, faculty excellence, and capital improvements, including critical renovations to Winther Hall, home of UW-Whitewater’s College of Education and Professional Studies.
“Our new directors embody the leadership, passion, and Warhawk spirit we need to guide the UW-Whitewater Foundation through our most ambitious campaign in history,” said Katie Kuznacic, vice chancellor for university relations and president of the UW-Whitewater Foundation. “Each of them brings exceptional professional experience and a deep personal commitment to our mission. Together, we are charting a bold path to transform lives through education.”
The incoming directors include:
- Steven Brown ’90 – Vice president of culture + engagement, talent acquisition, and early talent at Molson Coors Beverage Company
- Mark Gmach ’83 – Retired Northwestern Mutual executive and co-director of financial planning at UW-Whitewater
- Andrew Hoeft ’15 – Entrepreneur and founder of Pinpoint Software, recent executive turned consultant for Upshop
- Scott Richardson ’97 – Managing partner at Atlas Wealth Advisers
- Lindsay Scheidell ’04 – Founder of Hadley Public Relations and senior advisor in strategic community relations
- Gayle Stettler ’74 – Former educator and business leader in construction and property management
- Mike Warmuth ’85 – Former executive vice president at Abbott Laboratories and global healthcare strategist
“As we invest in our future, we proudly lean into the strength of our alumni – leaders who have answered the call to be Warhawk Bold. Their leadership and service as Foundation Board members speak volumes about their continued commitment to UW-Whitewater’s mission and core values. Together, they join the entire university community in advancing student success. We are honored to welcome them to this pivotal role,” said Chancellor Corey A. King.
A new chair will lead the directors in 2025-26. Sally Bean, who served as vice chair for the last two years, began a two-year term as foundation board chair on July 1. Bean, who has served on the board since 2013, earned a BBA in management from UW-Whitewater in 1981 and an MBA in 1986. She retired in 2016 from Ecolab following a successful career in supply chain management.
The “Our Stories. Our Future.” campaign publicly launched June 12 and is focused on transforming student access, enhancing academic excellence, and revitalizing campus infrastructure to meet 21st-century needs.
For more information about the UW-Whitewater Foundation or to get involved in the campaign, visit uww.edu/campaign.
About UW-Whitewater
At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, we inspire, engage and transform lives. Founded in 1868, we serve more than 11,500 students and celebrate more than 100,000 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.
About the UW-Whitewater Foundation
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation serves with professionalism and integrity to benefit the university and its alumni, students, faculty, and staff. The Foundation team drives long-term university support through strategic engagement and impactful giving, supporting UW-Whitewater’s transformative programs that facilitate student success. Using a collaborative, results-driven approach, the Foundation works closely with donors, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to fulfill aspirations and legacy for the good of the university. Learn more at uww.edu/foundation.
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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