News & Events

Wisconsin Makers in Whitewater is offering a course on Autodesk’s Fusion 360, a software program for 3-D modeling.

The two-hour class will take place on four consecutive Thursdays, starting on Oct. 26, at the makerspace, located at 200 E. Clay St. Hours are 7 to 9 p.m.

Instructing the class will be Nick Stratton, owner of Hotends.com in Whitewater. The company makes innovative J-Head hotends, the portion of the 3-D printer that extrudes the filament. 

Hotends.com customers range from end-users running their own 3-D printers at home to companies like Lockheed Martin and Made In Space, which has the 3-D printer on the International Space Station.

The class is limited to 10 students. Cost is $40, with payment on the first night. To register, contact Al Jewer at (630) 430-9498 or lafcat@lafcat.com.

Fusion 360 is an integrated Cloud computer-aided design (CAD) software that also provides computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE) and printed circuit board (PCB) solutions. It is user-friendly and provides internet training materials for beginners.

Each class participant will need to bring either a Windows or Mac laptop, onto which Fusion 360 will be installed. Free licenses for members and participants will be available.

At the first class Oct. 26, Stratton will assist participants in downloading and installing Fusion 360 and obtaining their licenses. There also will be an introduction to Fusion 360 and its capabilities.

Week 2 will focus on basic 3-D design concepts. Participants will begin designing a simple project with the intent to 3-D print it. This will include an introduction to downloading existing designs to be able to modify them.

In Week 3, students will continue designing their 3-D printable project with an introduction to more advanced techniques. They will be shown how to overcome various issues in 3-D printed models such as supports, overhangs, etc.

Week 4 will focus on finalizing designs for 3-D printing and creating output files to print on Wisconsin Makers’ Taz-6 and Formlabs 3-D printers.

It is anticipated that a future course will be offered to address issues and techniques for creating designs on Wisconsin Makers’ CNC router. 

Wisconsin Makers is a nonprofit regional makerspace (community workshop) offering an affordable, collaborative and educational environment that inspires people of all ages to become innovators by unlocking their skills through continual experimentation and training. Work areas/equipment include: 3-D printing, laser engraving, machining, welding/fabrication, electronics, blacksmithing, woodworking, ceramics/pottery, jewelry making, arts/crafts, quilting/fabric arts, matting/framing and more.

For more information about the makerspace or memberships, visit Wisconsin Makers’ Facebook page at @wisconsinmakers or call President Al Jewer at (630) 430-9498.

Jake Hintz, from Whitewater, WI, who is studying Marketing, has been named a resident assistant (RA) at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the 2023-24 academic year.

RAs are part-time student staff members who live in the residence halls with students, serve as a resource and positive role model, and help build a sense of community by hosting floor events.

RAs at UW-Whitewater reinforce the university’s mission to provide a welcoming, safe and inclusive place where students, faculty and staff champion one another.

“Resident Assistants are dynamic individuals selected based on potential as a leader, ability to connect with students and having an attitude that is positive and caring,” said Maria Glorioso, assistant director for student engagement. “RAs plan fun and engaging events, serve as a resource to others and interact intentionally with each student they encounter. They are instrumental in making the halls home for every student.”

Prospective RAs must have experience living on campus for two semesters and have a minimum GPA of 2.25. They go through group interviews with peers and housing staff members, and an individual interview before being offered the position.

A total of 129 RAs serve 14 residence halls on the UW-Whitewater campus.

To learn more about UWW’s Resident Assistant program, visit https://www.uww.edu/housing/staff/resident-assistants.

Editor’s note: On October 17, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman announced impending changes at three of the “branch campuses” (two-year colleges). The complete text of that announcement is provided under the following statement that was made by UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey A. King.

Earlier today, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman announced that two branch campuses — UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and UW Oshkosh, Fond du Lac campus— will end in-person instruction by June 2024. Another campus, UW-Platteville Richland, which had previously suspended in-person classes, will close.

These actions are the result of ongoing enrollment declines at many of the branch campuses in Wisconsin and the changing landscape of higher education. Our thoughts are with our colleagues and students across the state as they navigate the changes to come.

I recognize this news will be met with questions and concerns as it relates to our work and mission at UW-Whitewater, which includes UW-Whitewater at Rock County.

Let me be crystal clear: the Rock County campus will remain open. We are investing in our branch campus. The future of URock is bright. And we are committed to providing transformational educational experiences in the Rock County region.

In the last year alone, we’ve achieved multiple successes:

• We are invigorated by the positive enrollment trends at our Rock County campus. This fall, enrollment increased nearly 18 percent, the first year-to-year growth since 2018.
• In May, the first graduates of our Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences program crossed the stage at spring commencement. This is a flexible degree completion pathway for people who hold an applied associate degree from a technical college.
• This September, students in the first cohort in our collaborative nursing degree program started their classes. It’s part of our commitment to the region to respond to the critical need for healthcare workers in southern Wisconsin.
• We reaffirmed our collaborative engineering degree, offering multiple emphases for students interested in this in-demand field.
• Students at UW-Whitewater at Rock County are now able to participate in competitive athletics as they move along their educational journey. In February, the National Junior College Athletic Association accepted the campus as its newest member. Rock County intends to field teams starting in the 2024-25 academic year. The women’s volleyball team has launched early and is already competing.

We know that President Rothman has directed those universities with branch campuses that will remain open to engage with stakeholders to drive growth and to evolve. As an institution with “collaboration” as a core value, UW-Whitewater is already immersed in this work. 

Earlier this year, we submitted an analysis of the Rock County campus to the Universities of Wisconsin leadership that outlines a bright future of innovative programs, regional engagement, and workforce development. We’ve met with leaders of the Rock County Administration, the Rock County Board and Janesville School District. Several cabinet members and I have also been on the ground regularly in both Janesville and Beloit, seeing the immense potential for collaboration in this exciting Wisconsin county.

UW-Whitewater at Rock County is, and will continue to be, an integral part of the region, providing flexible pathways to degrees for students at the beginning of their college career as well as working professionals with years of experience. We look forward to seeing this campus continue to grow and strengthen our relationship with Rock County and the region.

Corey A. King, Ed.D
Chancellor

Richland campus to close, two others end in-person instruction, under directive from President Rothman

MADISON, Wis. – Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman announced today his decision to end in-person instruction at two additional branch campuses and to close one branch campus. Rothman also directed chancellors overseeing the remaining two-year campuses to work with local officials to determine the best uses for facilities to meet student and community needs.

The two campuses at which in-person instruction will end are UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and UW Oshkosh, Fond du Lac campus; the goal date is June 2024. UW-Platteville Richland will be closed. The decision follows Rothman’s earlier directive to chancellors to explore the long-term viability of the branch campuses.

“It’s time for us to realign our branch campuses to current market realities and prepare for the future. The status quo is not sustainable,” Rothman said. “This decision is a response to an evolving student marketplace. Offering students an educational experience they deserve while working with local leaders to ensure it meets their expectations is key to our long-term success.”

Rothman recently informed chancellors of his decision.

The actions would leave 10 remaining branch campuses located in Barron County, Baraboo, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marshfield, Menasha (Fox Cities), Rock County, Sheboygan, Waukesha, and Wausau.

Rothman charged the chancellors overseeing the 10 campuses to discuss future options with local county governments that own the buildings in which classes are offered.

“We want to work with the counties to determine the best way for our universities to serve their communities,” Rothman said. “This reassessment is designed to ensure facilities are used in ways that meet community needs and provide long-term stability.”

He said those conversations will involve utilizing the existing campuses or other possible locations in a range of ways, including offering four-year and graduate degree options, upskilling and reskilling opportunities for the existing workforce, expanding dual enrollment, or opening ‘navigation centers’ for high school and nontraditional students seeking guidance on their university journey. Rothman said retaining the remaining branch campuses is an option that will be determined by community needs and the ability of the Universities of Wisconsin to meet those needs.

Choices made by the vast majority of traditional and nontraditional students are driving the decision, Rothman said, not cost savings.

“We are seeing freshman enrollment rising at most of our four-year campuses while enrollment at the two-year campuses has been falling at a rapid rate for years,” Rothman said. “Moreover, online enrollment has been trending up as well. The market is telling us that increasingly students are pursuing a degree at our four-year campuses or online.”

Rothman added that the student experience is waning on some branch campuses because of the decline in enrollment. Existing students attending the campuses where in-person learning will be no longer available will be offered enrollment options at other universities.

Rothman told chancellors to embark on the negotiations promptly with the goal of cementing a clear pathway by early spring 2024.

“I, Greg Majkrzak, am excited to announce my intention to run for the Whitewater City Council at-large position in the upcoming April election. I care deeply about our community and want to contribute to making it an even better place for all residents.

During my previous tenure as Alderperson for District 5, I worked diligently to serve my constituents by crafting and modifying ordinances to enhance Whitewater’s quality of life. Through collaborative efforts with city leadership, staff, legal counsel, and law enforcement, I spearheaded the successful passage of an ordinance permitting the use of golf carts and UTVs within city limits. As a member of the Finance Committee, I exercised fiscal responsibility by holding the council accountable to the established budget and seeking explanations for any budgetary deviations. In council meetings, I made it a priority to recognize and allow time for public comment so that all perspectives could be heard. My record demonstrates a commitment to transparency, fiscal prudence, public service, and policymaking that benefits all Whitewater residents.

In observing recent council meetings and trends, I believe there are opportunities for improvement in how the council collaborates, communicates, and conducts city business in a transparent manner.

If elected, my top priorities for the council will be:

Empowering the City Manager to effectively lead operations by focusing the council’s efforts on high-level governance through policymaking, rather than day-to-day administrative decision-making.
Working collaboratively with stakeholders to advance tangible, achievable solutions to Whitewater’s housing needs, including affordable housing and a diverse mix of housing options.
Promoting transparency, consistency, efficiency, and clarity in council and committee meetings through adherence to best practices for public deliberation and decision-making.

When you see my name, Greg Majkrzak, on the ballot next spring, please vote for me.”

This is a huge estate sale! The entire house will be available this weekend.  Six bedrooms, an office, a sunroom, three family rooms, two car garage, laundry room, work room, two bathrooms, and storage area!!

N7545 Esker Ct 
Whitewater, WI 53190

Thurs., Oct. 19 – 10-4, 
Fri. & Sat., Oct. 20 & 21  9-4 both days

See pictures at http://shestatesales.com/sales. 

The month of October has long been the month of the year women are reminded to screen for breast cancer. Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce multiple walk-in mammogram screening clinic opportunities not only in October but throughout the year:

• “Screening Saturday” will take place on October 21st from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Beauty and The Bean coffee camper will be onsite. You will receive a same-day voucher for a free beverage with your mammogram.
• “Walk-in Wednesdays” will take place the first Wednesday of every month from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  
  The walk-in clinics will be held at Fort HealthCare Radiology located on the first floor of Fort Memorial Hospital, 611 Sherman Avenue East in Fort Atkinson. No appointment or provider referral is required. Patients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis. You won’t need to be an existing FHC patient. Please bring your current insurance cards with you. Screening vouchers will be available to those without coverage.
  
  Eligibility Requirements:
• Be 40 years of age or older
• Not have had a mammogram, breast biopsy or breast surgery in the past year
• Not have had breast cancer in the last 2 years
• Not have breast implants
• Not have any current breast problems or concerns