News & Events

(UW-W press release) The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will celebrate this week as a total of 1,552 undergraduate and graduate students will be earning degrees at commencement.

This year’s ceremony will be held in a hybrid format, allowing graduates an opportunity to cross the stage in cap and gown and receive their degrees in person, and providing the speeches, music and other traditional elements in a virtual format.

On Friday, May 14, students will be recorded crossing the stage at either Young Auditorium or Kachel Fieldhouse in cap and gown as their names are read. Then, on Saturday, May 15, the entire recorded ceremony — including students crossing the stage — will be shared online on the commencement website at 1 p.m., allowing graduates to watch it with their friends and family members. The video will also be available for viewing at a later time.

This year’s commencement speaker is Sarahí Monterrey, an English learner/Bilingual teacher at Waukesha South High School who earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from UW-Whitewater, in 2002 and 2003, respectively. In 2018-19 she was named Wisconsin’s High School Teacher of the Year and selected as Wisconsin’s 2019 representative to the National Teacher of the Year Program, the first Latina in the state to earn this honor. In 2020, the UW-Whitewater Office of Alumni Relations selected Monterrey as the university’s Distinguished Alumna for Professional Achievement in recognition of her extensive career developing bilingual curricula and advocating for dual-language programs.

The student speaker is Annmarie Lavorata, a communication major from Crystal Lake, Illinois, whose passion for her major led to numerous hands-on opportunities at UW-Whitewater. Despite struggling with speech challenges and dyslexia, Lavorata excelled at broadcasting, among 12 Warhawks who took home honors at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association 2020 Student Awards for Excellence. And when ESPN came to Perkins Stadium for the 2019 NCAA Division III semi-final championship football game, Lavorata and her UWW-TV peers worked alongside industry professionals for the live broadcast.

The ceremony will recognize 169 undergraduates from the College of Arts and Communication, 513 from the College of Business and Economics, 178 from the College of Education and Professional Studies, 94 from the College of Integrated Studies, 392 from the College of Letters and Sciences, and 200 from the School of Graduate Studies. An additional 6 students are receiving an undergraduate degree not specific to any college. 

The graduating class of 2021 includes 12 international students, 99 military veterans or service members, and 122 nontraditional students, defined as adult students 25 years of age or older. In addition, 150 graduating students used the services of the university’s Center for Students with Disabilities. 

An estimated 225 graduating students are participating in the university’s Warhawks Rising campaign, which celebrates milestones submitted by graduating students, including job offers, graduate school acceptances and shoutouts to faculty or staff members whose support was critical to their academic success.

The commencement video production is coordinated by UWW-TV, the university television station.  

For more information: https://www.uww.edu/commencement

(From timeanddate.com) The origins of Mother’s Day are attributed to different people. Many believe that two women, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis were important in establishing the tradition of Mother’s Day in the United States. Other sources say that Juliet Calhoun Blakely initiated Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the late 1800s. Her sons paid tribute to her each year and urged others to honor their mothers.

Around 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for Mother’s Day to be celebrated each year to encourage pacifism and disarmament amongst women. It continued to be held in Boston for about ten years under her sponsorship, but died out after that.

In 1907, Anna Jarvis held a private Mother’s Day celebration in memory of her mother, Ann Jarvis, in Grafton, West Virginia. Ann Jarvis had organized “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to improve health and cleanliness in the area where she lived. Anna Jarvis launched a quest for Mother’s Day to be more widely recognized. Her campaign was later financially supported by John Wanamaker, a clothing merchant from Philadelphia.

In 1908, she was instrumental in arranging a service in the Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, which was attended by 407 children and their mothers. The church has now become the International Mother’s Day Shrine. It is a tribute to all mothers and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

The image on the home page, “Happy Mothers Day ~ Fuzzy Flwrs” by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon, is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

“The Land” (Drama) – Tuesday, May 11, 1 p.m., Rated PG, -131 hour, 29 minutes (2021)

An urban, middle-aged woman who has fled city life to live off the grid in a tiny cabin on the side of a mountain in Wyoming, knows nothing about getting by without electricity, running water, indoor plumbing or finding something to eat every day. Alone, isolated, and struggling to cope, a kindly stranger comes by and offers to to help her. Fearing and wanting nothing to do with him, she learns that her survival in the wilderness may depend on the kindliness of a stranger. Starring and directed by Robin Wright (AARP Movies for Grownups Best Actress nominee; and Demian Bichir (Winner: AARP Movies for Grownups Best Supporting Actor).

There is a capacity limit, and COVID-19 precautions, including facial mask, are required. Please register in advance online, by email (dweberpal@whitewater-wi.gov), or phone (473-0535).

Article Submitted by Jim McCulloch
Whitewater High School Drama Director
jmcculloch@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Tom Ganser

The Whitewater High School Drama department will be excited to present their Spring Musical, “Summer Shorts,” on May 21, at 7 p.m., and May 22-23, at 2 p.m., at the new Cravath Lakefront Amphitheater.  

Live music, singing and dancing is what “Summer Shorts” is all about. We have assembled a patchwork of whimsical and touching stories, skits, and songs from beloved movies and Broadway shows about friendship, family, and summer fun! Just what we all need right about now. Laugh ‘til you cry, or cry ‘til you laugh. Either way, “Summer Shorts” has something for every member of the family to enjoy.  What better way to celebrate the return of live entertainment than outdoors under the stars.

The show is directed by Jim McCulloch, musical direction by Elizabeth Elliott, technical support by Kat Dunham and Tony Hansen. The talented ensemble includes: Maggie Jay, Ella Willman, Lauren Rollette, Marco Wence, Madison Strickler, Josh Kirley, Skylar Staebler, Chloe Prince, Ben McCulloch, Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman, Carter Waelchli, Anderson Waelchli, Haley Street, Ilana Lothes, Ayden Clark, Alex Sullivan, and Payton Bunger. Stage crew members are: Alejandra Diaz-Gallegos, Emerson Dunham, Claire Tourdot, Sammie VanDaele, Lucas Scherer, Lucy Troxel, Emma Weigel, Cole Schlicher, Kayla Mikos, Abby Olsen, Gwen Yeager, and Keith Cameron. Band members include: keyboard Liz Elliott; drums, Tim Hummel; and bass, Caleigh Judd.

Public performances will be given at the Cravath Lake Amphitheater on May 21- 23. Admission to the events is free, but reservations are required. Patrons must reserve a private “pod” to attend this event. Pods are 8′ x 8′ square outlines painted on the grass. Each pod can seat up to 8 guests, and pods are spaced apart to help maintain social distancing. Blankets, lawn chairs, non-alcoholic beverages, and picnics are encouraged. There are 2 points of entry to the performance space where guests can check in upon arrival. Ushers will then take them to their pods. Pods open 1 hour prior to any performance.  Admission is free; however, donations will be gladly accepted. All proceeds will go to the Anne and Lane Kuske Drama Scholarship fund. This annual scholarship is awarded to a WHS graduate who is pursuing a degree in theatre.

For reservations please call the WHS box office at 262-472-8178, or email: jmcculloch@wwusd.org for more information.  Shows will be moved indoors in case of bad weather.