Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2026
News & Events
To add an event, click here to go to the Community Calendar. Then, click on Submit Event.
Helpful Links
Search our Archives
To search our archives, enter a search term in the search box, then press enter to search.
The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and the BCSP Foundation proudly announce the annual awarding of scholarships to deserving students enrolled in collegiate programs aligned with the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation. These scholarships, known as Qualified Academic Program (QAP) Scholarships, support students pursuing degrees in the Safety, Health, and Environmental fields at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate levels. QAPs undergo rigorous evaluation by BCSP, ensuring alignment with the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) examination blueprint. Graduates of QAPs are eligible to pursue the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) credential, a vital step towards obtaining the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification. Notably, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health program holds dual accreditation from both QAP and ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), underscoring its commitment to excellence in safety education.
This year, two students from UW-Whitewater have won the BCSP QAP Scholarship! Christopher Gomez and James Groehler were 2 out of 40 students nationwide selected for this honor. Safety professor Alvaro Taveira (Ph.D., CSP, CPE) was delighted to hear this news and optimistic for their future. He said, “I am very proud of Chris and James for winning this prestigious scholarship. I have enjoyed working with them in class and know their work ethic and passion for the profession. These jobs are in high demand, and our program has an excellent placement rate, so I see a bright future ahead.”
The UW-Whitewater Occupational Environmental Safety and Health Department is housed in the College of Business and Economics (CoBE). Based on data from 2021, graduates from this program have a 97% job placement rate within six months post-graduation and a median starting salary of $70,000.
Christopher Gomez is extremely grateful for his education at UW-Whitewater and the opportunities CoBE and OESH have granted him. “One of my favorite resources is career services. I am learning to be a good interviewer, how to “sell myself,” and how to write a stellar resume. This has helped me become more confident in my professional abilities. The quality of my education in this program is unmatched. I particularly enjoy going into the field and being out in the safety world, experiencing things and learning hands-on.”
Professor Taveira has been part of the UW-Whitewater OESH faculty for almost 25 years. During this time, he has seen many program graduates enjoy bright careers. He attributes much of this success to the internship opportunities available to the safety students. “CoBE allows students to find internships during their time, even multiple for some, to give the students real-world experience and to help them narrow down the industry they like the most before committing to a full-time position.”
This holds true for scholarship winner James Groehler. He said, “My post-graduate plan is to continue working as a Site Safety Manager for Blattner Energy. Getting to travel across the United States and manage safety for our renewable energy construction projects has been a goal of mine since my first internship in renewable energy in the summer of my sophomore year.”
Congratulations to Christopher and James on the BCSP QAP Scholarship! We can’t wait to see you continue to shine in your future endeavors!
Read more about the scholarship and recipients here.
More about the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE):
Wisconsin’s largest business college, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics, is home to the #1 ranked online Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the State of single schools and is the only college in Wisconsin that offers an AACSB-accredited Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degree program. The Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health offers a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety (both face-to-face and online), a Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health (100% online), and an MBA with an emphasis in environmental safety and health. These programs are also ABET-accredited and recognized as Qualified Academic Programs by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). CoBE is in the top 2% of the world’s business schools, earning both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation. For more information on the College of Business and Economics, visit uww.edu/cobe or email cobe@uww.edu.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area.
The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold a training session on voter registration education and assistance on Saturday, March 2, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., in the Starin Park Senior Center in Whitewater, 504 West Starin Road. The training is open to League members and anyone in the general public interested in helping staff League voter registration assistance and information tables during the 2024 election cycle. You do not have to be a League member to help us with this important civic work!
The League’s former voter services chair, Julia Ross, who has years of voter registration experience, will provide the training and a brief introduction to Badger Books, which are electronic poll books to be used for the first time in Whitewater in the Spring Election on April 2nd.
If you have never assisted others with voter registration information or would just like to brush up on your skills, please attend! League voter service activities are fun and rewarding experiences. This year, the League will also have a presence in local high schools.
________________________________
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. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Roberta’s Art Gallery.
EXHIBIT BASED ON BLACK EXCELLENCE, CULTURE, AND NOSTALGIA TO BE DISPLAYED AT ROBERTA’S ART GALLERY
Celebrate Black History Month at Roberta’s Art Gallery with “Embodiment of Ebony: A Fusion of Art & Expression,” by UW-Whitewater’s Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) student organization. This exhibit, expressing Black nostalgia and important art influences in music, hair, art, and literature, opens Feb. 15 and will be on display until March 20.
LIT is a Black and Brown-led independent nonprofit organization that aims to strengthen young minds by developing independent leadership skills to address social, racial, and economic justice. LIT engages in values-based issues, leadership development, public policy advocacy, electoral organizing, and direct action. Their exhibit, “Embodiment of Ebony: A Fusion of Art & Expression,” is a comprehensive exploration of a curated selection of influential Black artists, musicians, poets, and writers whose profound contributions have significantly shaped Black and mainstream culture. “We hope that each visitor can fully immerse themselves in this enriching and thought-provoking experience and marvel at the diverse facets of Black culture presented before them,” says LIT President Honey Cawthorn. “We want viewers to understand the strength of the African American community.” Beyond art, “Embodiment of Ebony: A Fusion of Art & Expression” will also feature a special presentation on Black hair experiences, incorporating a dedicated Black hair salon.
The reception will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. where UW-Whitewater alumnus DeLon Blanks and current UW-Whitewater student and Barber Lee Barnes Jr. will join the audience in a panel discussion and Q&A surrounding Black culture and experience. The open house will begin at 7 p.m. and will include samples of Black inspired soul food.
Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center at 190 Hamilton Green Way, Whitewater, Wis. The gallery collaborates with campus departments, student organizations, and community artists in coordinating and sponsoring exhibits. Roberta’s Art Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Roberta’s Art Gallery is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
At Roberta’s Art Gallery, we pride ourselves in providing free and open exhibits to the public, and attending certain events can earn students class credit. If you are interested in being featured in the gallery, please contact us for a proposal request. Reach us at ucart@uww.edu or 262-472-3193. Visit our website for any questions or inquiries, and follow our Instagram @uww_rag.
###
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team fell to UW-Stout 69-59 in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinal Wednesday evening in Kachel Gym.
Box Score
The Warhawks (22-4) will await a possible at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. The DIII selection show is slated for Monday at 1:30 p.m. on ncaa.com.
UW-Whitewater struggled offensively shooting under 30-percent while the Blue Devils made over 41-percent from the floor. Despite falling into an 18-9 deficit after the first quarter, the Warhawks battled their way back into the game in the third quarter.
Trailing by nine entering the third quarter, Lunden Alexander drew a foul and knocked down a pair of free throws to cut the margin to seven, 34-27. After a free throw for UWS, Renee Rittmeyer hit one of her four three-pointers on the night to pull UWW to within five. Aleah Grundahl jumped a passing lane for a steal a minute later and cruised in for a layup to cut the lead to three, 35-32, with just over seven to go in the quarter.
Rittmeyer responded to another Blue Devil jumper by drilling a three off a Kacie Carollo pass to narrow the gap to two, 37-35 with 6:12 on the clock. From that point, UW-Stout went on a 7-0 run to push the lead back to nine. Carollo and Rittmeyer drained back-to-back three’s a minute later and the lead was back down to three, 44-41, with 1:27 remaining. The teams traded buckets to round out the quarter with UWS taking a 46-43 advantage into the fourth.
The Warhawks weren’t able to pull any closer than three the rest of the way as the Blue Devils sealed the game from the free throw line.
Katie Hildebrandt led UWW with 17 points, adding a pair of blocks and a steal in the game. Rittmeyer ended with 15 bolstered by 4-8 from downtown adding six rebounds in the contest. Carollo tallied another double-double, her third straight, with 10 points and 12 boards. She dished out a team-high four assists in the game.
Everyone is welcome to celebrate at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as Corey A. King is sworn in as the institution’s 18th chancellor.
The inauguration, which is free to attend and open to the public, is Friday, Feb. 23. The festivities begin with a ceremony at 2 p.m. in Young Auditorium, followed by a reception at 3 p.m. in the University Center. A livestream will also be provided; the link may be found here on Friday.
The ceremony will feature music performances from three of the university’s ensembles, and guest speakers from the Universities of Wisconsin, the city of Whitewater, and more.
“The inauguration is meant to be a celebration of the entire Warhawk family. Everyone — students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and friends of the university — is invited to share in this historic event,” King said. “To say I’m honored to lead UW-Whitewater is an understatement. We transform lives here. And we are boldly moving forward in that mission. We’re committed to student success, academic excellence and access to higher education, as well as our role as an economic engine for the region.”
While the inauguration is a ceremonial tradition, King officially began his role as chancellor on March 1, 2023. Over the last year, UW-Whitewater has achieved enrollment increases at both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses, and welcomed a record number of visitors for camps and other events. The university was recognized nationally as a College of Distinction for a seventh consecutive year.
A celebrated leader with three decades of higher education experience, King has held leadership roles in student affairs, student services, and enrollment management.
Before joining UW-Whitewater, he served as vice chancellor for inclusivity and student affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Prior, he was vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Florida Atlantic University and led the Council for Student Affairs of the State University System of Florida. King also held leadership positions at East Carolina University, Wheeling Jesuit University, and the University of Florida.
King earned a bachelor’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a master’s degree in higher education administration/student affairs from Florida State University. He earned a doctorate in educational administration and leadership from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
For more information, visit uww.edu/inauguration.
Landmark Trek has started the new year with a new episode covering the White Memorial Library. This also coincides with the new interior face-lift that the Arts Alliance has done inside the Gallery. Delve into the history, and then discover the present interior improvements to one of Whitewater’s treasured landmarks. Watch the new segment at this link.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Continuing Education.
For the first time in program history, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team will host Mega Camp, designed for high school athletes seeking elite-level coaching and certified testing results. Athletes will have the unique opportunity to showcase their talent in front of college coaches from the University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota, University of North Dakota, South Dakota State University, and many others.
“My staff and I are excited to combine our rich football tradition and great facilities to offer a tremendous opportunity for student-athletes,” Warhawk football coach Jace Rindahl said. “Athletes will be able to gain exposure to some of the best scholarship football programs in the country.”
Warhawk Football Mega Camp is scheduled for Thursday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to noon, and will be held at the Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex. The emphasis for the camp will be on improving each athlete’s football skill set. This padded event is limited to the first 400 registrants. [Clinic Fee: $85 -The event fee includes instruction, a t-shirt, and insurance. Additionally, if a participant registers for the camp by Thursday, May 23, 2024, they are guaranteed a t-shirt in their preferred size.]
Warhawk football is “Powered by Tradition” with six national championships and 39 conference titles. Student athletes are an important part of this winning tradition. Additional Warhawk Football summer programs include Youth Camp on June 16, Perimeter Camp on June 19, Lineman Camp on June 23, and Passing Jamborees throughout July.
About Warhawk Camps
Since 1973, Continuing Education Services has hosted summer camps and clinics on the Whitewater and Rock County campuses. In 2023, more than 6,700 people experienced summer programming, breaking past participation records. Athletic, academic, arts, and enrichment programs are offered every summer for lifelong learners of all ages, in state-of-the-art facilities, with inclusivity, belonging, and safety as core priorities.
The Whitewater High School Forensics Team had a great showing at Tuesday night’s Sub District competition hosted by Fort Atkinson High School. This is part of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association (WISDAA) State Series.
Five students will advance to the District Tournament at Stoughton High School in late March:
Makayla Bazeley (11) – Prose Reading
Carley Boudreau (11) – Informative/Demonstration Speech
Emilia Houwers (12) – Expository Speech
Marina Linos (12) – Informative/Demonstration Speech
Lauren Rollette (12) – Solo Serious Acting
Brand new team member Grace Coleman (10) deserves honorable mention for her Solo Serious Acting performance.
Up next for Whitewater Forensics is the Speech Bowl hosted by UW-Whitewater on Saturday, March 9th.
Article and Photo Submitted by Elizabeth Miller
Whitewater High School Forensics Coach
emiller@wwusd.org
Obituaries
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
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
Other Recent Posts
Click on the title to view the post. To open the post in a new tab, press Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) while clicking on the title.
