News & Events

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

In recent years “Just-In-Time” Delivery has become a popular inventory management approach for many types of businesses from manufacturers to retailers. The approach is designed to increase efficiency while reducing waste, and to cut warehousing and financing costs.

Walmart may have taken the approach a little too far, or perhaps it’s just due to an unexpectedly large pre-Thanksgiving rush, but as of a little past 8 p.m. on Monday, November 21 the store had no plastic “grocery” bags. If a customer hasn’t brought their own bags, they have a choice of purchasing a reusable bag or putting their purchases back loose into the cart for delivery to their vehicle, assuming they aren’t on foot.

Walmart staff indicate that they expect a new shipment of bags sometime on Tuesday; meanwhile, B.Y.O.B.

Forty-five computer programming teams representing 14 Wisconsin and Illinois high schools gathered in Diercks Hall at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) on Friday, November 18, for the annual Opportunity Conference Computer Competition. Competing schools included Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, Arrowhead, Greendale, University School of Milwaukee, Homestead, Grafton, Brookfield East, Janesville Parker, Janesville Craig, Menomonee Falls, Whitefish Bay, Prairie Ridge, and Whitewater.

Students worked in groups of up to four using only two computers per group to tackle nine problems of varying difficulty including three 10-point problems, three 20-point problems, and three 40-point problems, during 2.5 hours of intense competition. Groups could choose to use either Python or Java.

Whitewater was represented by two groups made up of current and former AP Computer Science students and 3 groups of students just getting started with coding in the Computer Programming I course. Programming in Java were Jazmin Cederberg, Daniel Portwine, Brooke Bazeley, Dayna Carlson, and Drew Swartz. Programming in Python were Zoe Olson, Arson Webster-Barczak, Atreyu Blahnik, Chacha Binagi, Ace Hudec, Rae Breisath, Ethan Barels, Chris Cortes, Adalynn Frye, and Ash Kutal.

A group from Greendale High School placed first, eventually solving 5 of the 9 problems correctly and earning 78 of the possible 210 points. Greendale was the only group to solve any of the 40-point problems correctly.

While awaiting the awards ceremony, students learned about machine learning and artificial intelligence projects taking place at MSOE using their on site super-computer named Rosie.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Computer Science Teacher and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

Interim Provost Robin Fox has announced three finalists for the position of Dean of the College of Business and Economics at UW-Whitewater. All are invited to attend the open forums listed below. 

FINALISTS

Dr. Robert Beatty
On Campus Monday, November 21, 2022
Open Forum:  1:00-2:00 p.m., Timmerman Auditorium

Dr. Timothy O’Keefe
On Campus Monday, November 28, 2022
Open Forum:  1:00-2:00 p.m., Timmerman Auditorium

Dr. Paul Ambrose
On Campus, Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Open Forum:  1:00-2:00 p.m., Timmerman Auditorium

Shown below are brief biographies that are provided at the following link. https://www.uww.edu/dean-cobe-search Curriculum vitaes and additional information are also available at that link.

Bob Beatty

Bob Beatty is a dedicated educator committed to student achievement and success. He is an unwavering champion for students from any background seeking to earn a college degree that will enable them to achieve their personal and professional goals. Bob has proudly served in leadership positions throughout his career. He held management positions for the United States Air Force, Hess Oil Company, and the Kellogg Company before pursuing his dream of becoming an educator. His passion for educational innovation, scholarly excellence, and impactful community engagement inspired him to assume leadership positions at Whitworth University, Rowan University, Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of Texas at Tyler, and Mount Mercy University. Bob is an accomplished scholar, and his research in e-commerce, information systems strategy, cybersecurity, and data analytics has been presented at national and international systems conferences, and is published in leading academic and business journals, publications, and books. Bob is an enthusiastic supporter of his students both in and out of the classroom, a tireless advocate for faculty and staff, and an avid promoter of his local community.

Editor’s note: This article and this article from The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, make reference to Dr. Beatty’s tenure at Mount Mercy University.

Timothy P. O’Keefe

Dr. Timothy P. O’Keefe served five years as the Dean of the College of Business and Economics at Longwood University in Farmville, VA. Prior to joining Longwood University, he served as Executive Director and Chair of the School of Entrepreneurship, MBA Director, and Chair of the Department of Information Systems and Business Communication, all at the University of North Dakota. Dr. O’Keefe earned a Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis at the University of Arkansas where he was an AACSB National Doctoral Fellow, an MBA from Moorhead State University, and a BA and AA from Mayville State University.

Paul Ambrose

Paul Ambrose holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialization in Information Systems, an MBA with dual specialization in Marketing and Information Systems, and an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked in industry in India, in marketing and consumer banking, and was a small business owner in Hong Kong before entering academia. He is an experienced administrator who has held positions of progressively higher responsibility in higher education over the last 12 years, which include Program Coordinator, Department Chair, Business Outreach Center Co-Director, and Associate Dean, and is currently the Interim Dean of the College of Business and Economics, and a Professor of Information Technology, at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Under his leadership as Associate Dean, graduate business programs saw a headcount growth of more than 70% over a span of six years.

The City of Whitewater Police & Fire Commission approved the promotion of Jake Hintz to Lieutenant on November 16. Jake has served the community as a sworn officer since 2012 in a variety of positions including Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Detective, and now as a Lieutenant.

The Whitewater Community Foundation (WCF) invites you to join us by investing in Whitewater. The Foundation’s mission is “to enhance the quality of life in our community through educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.” Our success depends on the generosity of people like you.

A gift from you by December 31, 2022 can provide necessary funding for scholarships and for Community Action Grants awarded twice a year. In the past, grants have supported programs such as the Rock River Free Clinic, the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, First English Lutheran Church Book Buddies Program, the Arboretum at Starin Park, and many other organizations that do good works for the benefit of all who live here.

To do your part in helping our community, send your check made payable to Whitewater Community Foundation to P.O. Box 428, Whitewater, WI 53190, or you may donate online at www.whitewatercommunityfoundation.org by clicking the “Donate” button. You can donate to our General Fund or, if you prefer, you may choose a designation for your gift by selecting a specific focus area you are passionate about.

The Whitewater Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, and you will receive an acknowledgement of your gift to use for tax purposes. For more information, contact info@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org. Thank you for considering the Whitewater Community Foundation as a part of your charitable giving for 2022.

Board of Trustees Meeting Irvin L. Young Memorial Library – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
This will be an in-person/virtual hybrid meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86244329323?pwd=KzVBWVp1NERjcUdtb3B3b1c5RGo4dz09
Meeting ID: 862 4432 9323
Passcode: guht6San
or dial
1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 862 4432 9323
Passcode: 07053256

City of Whitewater Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes ride share program update and application for 2023 service
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
City Manager’s Conference Room – 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be a blended meeting (both in person and virtual options). To join from your
computer, tablet or smartphone, please use the below link:
https://meet.goto.com/782662949
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (669) 224-3412
Access Code: 782-662-949

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff on Anniversary of 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., Nov. 21, 2022, in recognition of the first anniversary of the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy and in remembrance of and respect for the six people who were murdered in the attack: Tamara Durand, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81; Jane Kulich, 52; Leanna Owen, 71; Virginia Sorenson, 79; and Jackson Sparks, 8.  “As Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the senseless, violent attack at the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade, Kathy and I are thinking of the entire Waukesha community, the six people whose lives were mercilessly taken, and all of the loved ones, friends, first responders, and neighbors for whom this anniversary will be especially difficult and traumatic,” said Gov. Evers. “As we remember this tragic event, we also reflect on the first responders, community leaders, and neighbors who ran toward danger to help, every person who responded in the days and months that followed with kindness, empathy, and compassion, and the extraordinary faith, strength, and resilience the Waukesha community has shown over the last year.”  “Our community has been and will be defined by our unity in support of those who lost loved ones, support of those who endured physical injuries, and support of those who suffered emotional trauma,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow and Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly in a joint statement. “We begin another chapter in our journey as a community in providing support for those who need healing and finding peace.”  Executive Order #177 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Mon., Nov. 21, 2022, and is available here.