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Universities of Wisconsin honor achievements of LGBTQ+ advocates and their allies through 2024 awards
13 honorees of 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People
The Universities of Wisconsin have announced the 13 honorees of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People, an annual honor given to LGBTQ+ people or their allies who have helped to create a safer and more inclusive climate for LGBTQ+ people. The award celebrates the memory and legacy of Dr. Paula B. Poorman, a highly regarded faculty member at UW-Whitewater dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
This year marks the 16th anniversary of the founding of the Dr. P.B. Poorman Award. The recipients of the award were honored on December 4, 2024, in Madison during a ceremony hosted by the Universities of Wisconsin. The awards ceremony and reception was held in conjunction with the Universities of Wisconsin presentation of the Outstanding Women of Color in Education Awards.
“Honorees are helping build a better experience for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “This award recognizes their achievements in creating a safer and inclusive climate at our universities.”
The honorees of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People are:
- Dr. Rae Langes (UW-Eau Claire) Assistant Professor of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Dr. William Dirienzo (UW-Green Bay) Chair of Physics, Associate Professor
- Dr. Víctor Macías-González (UW-La Crosse) Professor of History and Advocate, Author
- Dr. Scott Seyforth (UW-Madison) Assistant Director of Residence Life for University Housing
- Nathan Sheppard (UW-Milwaukee) Clinical Case Manager for Student Health and Wellness Center
- Carmen Hetzel (UW-Oshkosh) Program Advisor for Student Organization and Leadership Programs
- Ren Griffith (UW-Parkside) Undergraduate Student, Genders and Sexualities Advocacy Center Advocate
- Isabelle Emerson (UW-Platteville) Undergraduate Student, Vice President of The Alliance
- Dr. Michelle Parkinson (UW-River Falls) Professor of English Literature and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Trescha Kay (UW-Stevens Point) Speech Language Pathologist, Clinical Assistant Professor
- Fred Jomo Brown (UW-Stout) LGBTQIA+ Program Manager
- Melinda Yingling (UW-Superior) Housing Coordinator, Free Mom Hugs Area Coordinator
- Dr. Ellie Schemenauer (UW-Whitewater) Associate Professor and Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies Department
Each UW university was invited to select one individual to receive the award, which highlights each recipient’s contributions to advocacy, activism, or scholarship that enhances the experiences of, and improves the climate for, LGBTQ+ people.
Jeffrey is a Whitewater native, born in 1976, and an accomplished singer/songwriter. Per Wikipedia, Foucault lives in New England with his wife, fellow musician and songwriter Kris Delmhorst.[2]He has upcoming shows in the Midwest, including a show at the Stoughton Opera House on Thursday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Admission is $30; streaming is available for $20. The following night he appears at Cactus Club in Milwaukee. It is a standing room only, age 18+ venue. Advance tickets are $20, day of show $25. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and the show begins at 10.
The following is from the Stoughton Opera House website:
NEW YORK TIMES: “Immaculately tailored… Sometimes his songs run right up to the edge of the grandiose and hold still, and that’s when he’s best… Close to perfection”
DON HENLEY: “Jeffrey Foucault… clocks modern culture about as good as I’ve ever heard anybody clock it”
THE NEW YORKER:
“Jeffrey Foucault sings stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest”
In two decades on the road Jeffrey Foucault has become one of the most distinctive voices in American music, refining a sound instantly recognizable for its simplicity and emotional power. With a string of critically acclaimed studio albums– “Stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest” (The New Yorker), “Beat-up troubadour folk whittled to dolorous perfection” (Uncut), “Songwriting Brilliance,” (Irish Times)– he’s built a brick-and-mortar international touring career and a devoted following, one that includes luminaries like Van Dyke Parks, Greil Marcus, and Don Henley. In September of 2024 Jeffrey Foucault will release The Universal Fire (Fluff & Gravy, 9/6/24), his first album of entirely new material since 2018.
A series of high-voltage performances cut live in one room, the album is both a working wake– Foucault lost his best friend and drummer Billy Conway, to cancer in 2021– and a meditation on the nature of beauty, artifact, and loss. Augmenting Foucault’s all-star band with members of Calexico and Bon Iver (drummer John Convertino and producer/saxophonist Mike Lewis) THE UNIVERSAL FIRE sets Conway’s death against the massive 2008 fire at the Universal Studios lot in California that destroyed the master recordings of some of our bedrock American music, to interrogate ideas about mortality, legacy, meaning, and calling.
TICKETS: $30 [Streaming access is also available for $20.]
This December and January, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland is making it easier than ever for girls and families to join the Girl Scout Movement. For a limited time, families can sign up youth in grades kindergarten through 12th grade for Girl Scouts at a special rate of just $5—unlocking a world of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
Girl Scouts offers unmatched experiences for girls to discover their passions, build life skills, and make new friends. From outdoor adventures to STEM activities, community service projects, and creative expression, Girl Scouts equips girls with the tools they need to lead with courage, confidence, and character.
“There’s no better time to join Girl Scouts,” said Lisa Smith, CEO of Badgerland Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts builds confident, resilient leaders who shape the future. Through unmatched opportunities in STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and life skills, Girl Scouts empowers girls to break barriers, embrace challenges, and create lasting change in their communities and beyond. It’s not just a program – it’s an experience that transforms lives and equips them to lead with courage, confidence, and character. This $5 membership is a wonderful way to start their journey!”
This special membership promotion runs December through January 31 and is open to all new youth members. With troop opportunities throughout the community, Girl Scouts is ready to welcome new members and help them kick off their year with confidence, friendship, and adventure.
Top 5 Reasons to Join Girl Scouts Now:
- Participate in the famous Cookie Program starting this February and build skills like confidence and goal-setting.
- Gain early registration access to amazing summer camps packed with unforgettable outdoor experiences.
- Explore passions and develop skills through STEM activities, creative projects, and community service opportunities.
- Build true friendships in a welcoming and supportive environment.
- Be accepted for who you are and discover your strengths in a space that celebrates individuality.
To learn more or to sign up for joining Girl Scouts:
www.gsbadgerland.org or call 800.236.2710
#
We Are Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland
Badgerland serves 23 counties through south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges— whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Kateřina Hartlová from Pixabay.
Are you considering a change for your farm or ag business? Or maybe you have an issue that needs to be addressed to improve your business and you are not sure how to get started on that planning. Navigating Your Ag Business: From Stress to Success is a new UW-Madison Division of Extension online course that will provide you strategies to answer these three questions:
- Where are you now?
- Where do you want to be?
- How do you get there?
Navigating Your Ag Business: From Stress to Success combines online self-paced learning activities with live online group meetings, fostering a supportive peer community while collaborating with facilitators. The course starts on January 1, 2025, with the first live Zoom meeting scheduled for January 28, 2025, from 6:00 – 7:30 PM Central Time. The self-paced learning continues through April with opportunities for group and personalized meetings with facilitators throughout the remainder of the course. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Prioritize their current unique stressors
- Select which financial camp they are in
- Develop a vision and goals for their farm and family
- Design an action plan to address their identified stressor and reach their vision and goals
Space is limited for this session that starts in January. Multiple farm members are encouraged to participate and attend the live sessions. It would be helpful for participants to register by December 13, 2024, so that materials can be mailed to them prior to January 1. However, we will accept registrations until the class is full. [In the future the course will cost $150, but support from a grant is covering the cost this time.] To learn more about the course and to register go to go.wisc.edu/NYAB Direct any questions to Joy Kirkpatrick, Farm Management Outreach Specialist, joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu 608.263.3485.
This program is a partnership between UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Farm Management Program and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection’s Farm Center. The development of this program was supported by USDA/NIFA under award numbers 2020-70028-32728 and 2024-70028-43552.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by UW Division of Extension. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay.
Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our first 2025 ATV Safety Education Course on January 7, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and January 11, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, 200 East U.S. Highway 14, Janesville, WI 53545. Students must attend both sessions to
graduate.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, is required to complete an ATV Safety Education Course to legally operate an ATV or UTV in areas open to the public within Wisconsin. Students should be at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly after the class.
ATV Safety Education Course
Session 1: January 7, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office
Session 2: January 11, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office
Registration is now open. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat.
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/atv-education
Class size is limited to 30 students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information.
The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Rock County Sheriff’s Department.
Editor’s Note: The following interview was done by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL).
Most Americans have parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who were immigrants, and Cesar Mendoza is no different. He is a second-generation immigrant. His mother came to the United States from Guanajuato, Mexico before he was born and later became a United States Citizen under the Amnesty program.
Born in the U.S., Cesar has always been a United States citizen and grew up in Whitewater, where he attended every school except Lakeview. He remembers great experiences growing up and appreciates Whitewater’s diversity. Cesar opened a thriving business in 2015 called Underground Cutz that provides barbershop haircuts.
Cutting hair is his passion and his avocation. He went to UW-Whitewater for a while, but ended up cutting hair for so many students that he decided to open his own business after attending barber school. After cutting hair out of the basement of his step-dad’s furniture store, Leon Furniture, for three years, he finally had so many customers that he was able to open his shop right next to his step-dad’s shop. The landlord of his building offered to renovate and let him pay it back in installments.
Cesar has always liked Whitewater, and though he wanted to remain living here, he found his perfect home in Milton where he and his wife live with their four children.
Most of his barbershop clients come from outside of Whitewater or are university students. He said, “Getting people from Whitewater to support businesses in Whitewater is tough.”
In fact, he says he has a few Hispanic clients but most are not. He thinks it is because of his branding – the name of his business is in English. While some people assume he speaks Spanish because he looks Hispanic, others assume that, because the name of his business is in English, he does not speak Spanish.
In fact, he does speak both English and Spanish fluently. His mother, who learned English at work once she moved here, would tell her children she could not understand them (even though she could) if they spoke English because she wanted them to learn to speak Spanish fluently.
He takes his family to Guanajuato, Mexico regularly so that his children, ages 9, 4, 2 and 11 months, can understand more about his family’s culture. He says that the culture in Mexico is very different than in America. People in his mother’s hometown are very family-oriented and friendly to everyone.
Even though he regularly visits Mexico, the U.S. is his home. He loves the United States for its diversity. “The U.S. is everyone’s country – that’s what makes it so different from other countries.”
He feels strongly that Immigrants add value to the community and economy. He says, “Whitewater would be nothing without immigrants because everyone in Whitewater probably has an immigrant background.”
Undergrown Cutz, on 153 W. Main Street, Suite A, is open for walk-ins Thursday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Whitewater Unified School Board Survey and Budget Work Session – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda: Review Community Referendum Survey; Purpose, Process, and Implementation
Whitewater High School Library
435 South Elizabeth Street
City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for an Auto Repair Shop to
be located at 265 S. Wisconsin Street, and Discussion and possible approval of a Specific Implementation Plan and Conditional Use for Alcohol by the Drink for a Wedding Venue to be located at 328 W Main Street
(Hamilton House), Whitewater, WI 53190 for Mark and Karen Barbar. Tax Parcel #/OT
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/911157061
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 911-157-061
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install
City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding the closure of Starin Road between Prairie
Street and Warhawk Drive to vehicular traffic.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88217346962?pwd=bCTW0icn4KHCK3OY4Zota4HFslxs9Q.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 882 1734 6962
Passcode:
830873
UW-Whitewater Career Services is collecting professional attire for our Warhawk Success Closet, a free resource for students to use for interviews and work wear. We are accepting donations of gently-used professional clothes, specifically suit jackets & blazers, dress pants, dress shoes, ties, belts, and dress shirts/blouses. Please consider cleaning out your closet to help the Warhawk community! Our drive runs through December 13th, although donations can be made any time of year. Visit https://tinyurl.com/WarhawksDonateUWW to learn how to donate.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Ribhav Agrawal from Pixabay,
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
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