News & Events

The Whitewater Unified School District has launched a strategic planning process to gather community input and establish priorities that will guide the district over the next three to five years.

The process began with a community survey that invited feedback from students, families, staff, and community members. Building on that initial outreach, the district will host a series of in-person focus groups later this month to further engage the community and gather more detailed input.

Community members are invited to attend one of the following engagement sessions:

Tuesday, February 24
● 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. – Community Engagement Session, Whitewater Public Library
● 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Parent Engagement Session, Whitewater High School LMC

Wednesday, February 25
● 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Parent Engagement Session, Cravath Lakefront Community Center
● 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. – Community Engagement Session, Whitewater High School Auditorium

Feedback gathered through the survey and engagement sessions will be used to identify key priorities and help guide district decision-making in the years ahead.

“This strategic planning process is about listening to our community and learning from the experiences of those we serve,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “The input we receive will help shape a shared vision for the future and ensure our priorities reflect what matters most to our school community.”

For updates on the strategic planning process, please visit www.wwusd.org.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs (WFWC) is thrilled to present its third annual Bassett House Spring Concert Series, which promises is to be as lovely an experience as ever. The first concert of this season’s series will be a highly anticipated performance by the Rock River Woodwind Quintet on Sunday, March 15, 2026. This special children’s program will include the beloved “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev and a piece based on Winnie the Pooh. So please bring your little ones to this recital, which is sure to delight audiences of all ages. The second concert will feature the talented students of Rachel Wood’s Voice Studio on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Come hear classic repertoire and Broadway favorites! For our third concert, we are pleased to offer our first all-piano recital, so piano lovers, take note! This concert will feature the exceptional students of Diana Shapiro’s Piano Studio on Sunday, May 13, 2026. All concerts will be held at 1:00 PM at the Bassett House, 708 W. Main Street, Whitewater. Adult ticket prices are $30 per concert or $75 for the series. Student tickets (over 13 years old) are $15 per concert, and child tickets (13 and under) are $10 per concert. Please make checks out to the WFWC and mail them to Linda Robinson at 957 W. Highland Street/Whitewater, WI 53190. Alternatively, you may pay via Paypal to the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs. In either case, please make sure we have your name and address, and please indicate the number of tickets you want and for which concerts, and the number of adults, students, and/or children attending. Space is limited, so buy your tickets soon. All proceeds will go to the Bassett House Preservation Fund, which the WFWC will use to ensure the preservation of the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s oldest historic homes. For more information, visit our website at bassetthousewww.org or contact Linda Robinson at linrob73@gmail.com

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs.

The Department of Art and Design in the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater invites the public to an artist talk with Fei Jun, the 2026 Schuh Visiting Artist. The talk takes place in the atrium of the Greenhill Center of the Arts on Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m., followed by an hors d’oeuvres reception and celebration of the program’s 10th anniversary beginning at 7 p.m. The Crossman Gallery will be open during this time to provide an opportunity for everyone to view an exhibition of the artist’s work. Fei Jun is a world-renowned digital and installation artist on the cutting edge of utilizing artificial intelligence in the creation of original artwork. His research focuses on hybrid spaces constructed through the interplay between virtual and physical environments. He is currently a professor in the Art and Technology program at the School of Design, Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China, serving as the academic program leader and doctoral supervisor. He is also the Secretary-General of the Digital Art Committee, China Artists Association, and the founder and Chief Creative Director of a collective focusing on ART+TECH, as well as the co-curator of the Beijing Media Art Biennale. With a multifaceted identity as an artist, designer, and educator, he engages in the research, education, and practice of art and technology. Through hands-on practice, he has achieved a high level of expertise and produced substantial accomplishments. His work has been recognized with numerous prestigious domestic and international awards, including the“BBART AWARDS 2023 Art and Technology Innovation Award” by Harper’s Bazaar Art, the Second Annual Artist Nomination Award by Guangdong Museum of Art, the ART POWER 100 Nomination Award (2019), the German iF Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, German Design Award Special Mention, and the Asia Most Influential Design Award. His artistic and design works have been exhibited in museums, galleries, and art festivals both in China and abroad, and he has led the design and development of numerous mobile applications and interactive spatial installations for institutions such as the Palace Museum, Audi China Research Institute, and Fashion Publishing Group. Fei’s exhibition “Hybrid Intelligence” will be on view at the Crossman Gallery from February 23 to March 19, 2026. The exhibition will include work created by Fei along with art made by UW-Whitewater Art and Design students in a studio workshop led by Fei and Professor Xiaohong Zhang.  The exhibition and Fei’s visit are funded by the Annette and Dale Schuh Visiting Artist Endowment. The endowment was established in 2015 in honor of Annette’s transformative experience as an undergraduate art student at UW-Whitewater interacting with notable visiting artists.  It is with this remarkable donor intent that artists of prominence and significant stature will visit UW-Whitewater on an annual basis. Please join the Department of Art and Design for these free and public events on March 5: Artist Talk: 6 -7 p.m. in the Center of the Arts atrium Exhibition Reception and 10th Anniversary Celebration: 7 – 8:30 p.m. in the Crossman Gallery The Greenhill Center of the Arts atrium and the Crossman Gallery are located at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. The Crossman Gallery is always free and all are welcome. Gallery hours during scheduled exhibitions are Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Annette and Dale Schuh Visiting Artist Endowment supports an annual visit of a visual artist of a significant stature to UW-Whitewater. It offers a transformative visual arts experience to students in the Department of Art and Design. The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers rigorous programs in music, theatre, dance, and the visual arts; internships; pre-professional opportunities in journalism, advertising, and applied communication; and innovative interdisciplinary studies. Visit the College of Arts and Communication website for more information.   Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the College of Arts and Communication at UW-W. Parking: A permit is required to park in University lots during events that take place Monday – Thursday. The closest lots are Lots 1 and 2. Permits may be purchased at the kiosk at the Visitors’ Center on Starin Road. To purchase a permit online, visit uww.aimsparking.com. For further information click here.

Monday, February 16 is a federal holiday; consequently, there will be no mail delivery. Some banks will also be closed.

From Wikipedia:

Presidents’ Day, officially Washington’s Birthday at the federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. It is often celebrated to honor all those who served as presidents of the United States and, since 1879, has been the federal holiday honoring Founding Father George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and was the first U.S. president.^[1]

The day is an official state holiday in most states, with names including Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day, President’s Day, Presidents Day, and Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthday.^[2] The various states use 15 different names. Depending upon the specific law, the state holiday may officially celebrate Washington alone, Washington and Abraham Lincoln, or some other combination of U.S. presidents (such as Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who was born in April).^[2]

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 (N.S.). Washington’s Birthday was celebrated on this date from 1879 until 1970. To give federal employees a three-day weekend, in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February.^[3] The day soon became known as Presidents(‘) Day^[4] (the presence and placement of the apostrophe varies) and provides an occasion to remember all the U.S. presidents, to honor Abraham Lincoln‘s and Washington’s birthdays together, or any single president of choice.^[2]

As many states and cities followed suit, some states that had been celebrating Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 combined the two into Presidents Day. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, preserved the Union, abolished slavery, bolstered the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.

Photo (provided): Joe Scanlin (’12) shown holding a piece of his patented smart flooring system that captures every footstep, every movement, every pattern invisibly, anonymously, continuously.

Celebrating Innovation Day (2/16): From Warhawk to Global Industry Innovator: UW-Whitewater Alumnus Joe Scanlin’s smart building company acquired by global manufacturing leader

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) is celebrating a milestone achievement as alumnus Joe Scanlin (2012), founder and CEO of Scanalytics, announces his company’s acquisition by East West Manufacturing, a global technology manufacturing leader backed by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation with over 25 years of operations spanning seven countries.

Scanlin’s journey from Warhawk student entrepreneur to industry innovator exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit cultivated in the business school. Scanlin, a 2012 CoBE graduate, earned a prestigious Launchpad Scholar Award as an undergraduate management major in 2011; a competitive Launchpad grant is given to elite students selected through a rigorous process similar to that of a seed-stage accelerator and based on academic performance and potential for success in developing a successful startup.

Scanlin’s company, Scanalytics, pioneered smart flooring technology that transforms buildings into intelligent systems capable of real-time occupancy tracking, space optimization, and enhanced safety. The company’s innovative hardware and software solutions enable building owners to capture actionable insights that improve energy efficiency, optimize operations, and create safer environments across commercial and residential settings.

“Joe’s success represents everything we strive to achieve at CoBE,” said Dean Dr. Paul Ambrose. “We don’t just educate business students in the classroom; we empower innovators to transform industries. Joe took an idea, nurtured it through our Launchpad program with the support of our world-class faculty, and built a company that’s literally changing how the world thinks about buildings. That’s the power of combining entrepreneurial vision with the resources and mentorship available at Wisconsin’s largest business school. This acquisition validates not only Joe’s brilliance, but also the ecosystem of innovation we’ve built at CoBE.”

The acquisition underscores the growing recognition of smart building technology as essential infrastructure for the AI-driven future. As Scanlin noted in announcing the deal, “buildings represent the largest, most expensive computers we never instrumented and Scanalytics’ technology creates the measurement layer that makes physical spaces legible to software and AI systems.”

“Watching Joe’s journey has been extraordinary,” said Dr. Choton Basu, Professor of Information Technology and Supply Chain Management. “What made Joe stand out from day one was his ability to see possibilities others missed. The Launchpad Scholar program provided him with the initial support to explore his vision, and it was his determination, strategic thinking, and willingness to tackle complex problems that ultimately turned that vision into reality. This acquisition is a testament to the caliber of entrepreneurs we attract and develop at CoBE. When students have bold ideas, we encourage them; mentor them and connect them with the resources and networks they need to succeed.”

“What sets CoBE apart is that we’re not just teaching from textbooks; we’re actively engaged in providing immersive experiences that shape the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs” said William Dougan, Professor of Management. “As Joe’s Launchpad mentor, I observed firsthand how he thrived in our culture of hands-on faculty engagement. The spirit of the Launchpad program is to accelerate the successful careers of student entrepreneurs and Joe has shown what’s possible when talented students meet faculty who are genuinely and actively committed to their success.”

CoBE’s Launchpad program continues to serve as a catalyst for student entrepreneurs, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses. The program reflects CoBE’s commitment to experiential learning and real-world impact by connecting students with faculty advisors, industry experts, and potential investors who can accelerate their ventures.

As Wisconsin’s largest accredited business school, CoBE serves over 5,000 students and holds elite AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting: a distinction achieved by only 1% of institutions worldwide. The college’s commitment to innovation extends beyond the classroom, with faculty actively engaged in research, entrepreneurship, and industry partnerships that create opportunities for students to learn by doing.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Scanalytics will retain its brand and operate as a product division of East West Manufacturing, combining its proprietary smart flooring technology with East West’s global manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution capabilities to scale production and reach new markets worldwide.

For more information about the College of Business and Economics or the Launchpad program, visit uww.edu/cobe or uww.edu/cobe/knowledge-centers/launch-pad, or email cobe@uww.edu.

About Joe Scanlin and Scanalytics

Joe Scanlin is a 2012 graduate of UW-Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics and the founder and CEO of Scanalytics. He was awarded a CoBE Launchpad Scholar grant in 2011. Scanalytics develops smart flooring technology that transforms physical spaces into intelligent systems capable of real-time data collection and analysis. Learn more at www.scanalyticsinc.com.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics.

2-13-26 – Pair of swans hanging on Cravath with the geese.

 

Also another.

2-8-26 – Steve Watson writes, “It’s my understanding that crows are very intelligent and fun-loving birds. On my walkabout I spied this in the fresh snow. I didn’t see what made this, but there was a murder of crows around. I’m calling it a crow angel.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for the ongoing generous sharing of his beautiful photos.

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