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Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth recently announced that Associate Vice Chancellor Kenny Yarbrough will be leaving UW-Whitewater in January. Yarbrough has served as the inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Support Programs (EDIS) for the past four years. This week Lawrence University in Appleton announced that Yarbrough will soon be assuming a similar position there.
Chenoweth also announced that Vanessa Perez will lead the EDIS programs “for the foreseeable future,” while also indicating that Perez has been appointed as the permanent Assistant Vice Chancellor for the division.
Per the chancellor, “This fall the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was once again named a College of Distinction for Equity and Inclusion. This designation was only possible thanks to the genuine commitment of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community. Our work in this space is important and recognized, but we realize we have much more to do.”
The following quotes are from an article, “Next Level: After redshirt year, Whitewater High grad Emme Bullis breaks into Cal Poly’s Volleyball Starting lineup,” in The Gazette on December 15 by Tom Miller. Please click here to read the complete article, which is considerably longer. It appears that a subscription may not be required.
Next Level: After redshirt year, Whitewater High grad Emme Bullis breaks into Cal Poly’s volleyball starting lineup
“Emme Bullis’ parents were both teachers and coaches.
That partially explains the Whitewater High graduate’s success as a redshirt freshman [on] the Cal Poly volleyball team this season.
Bullis finished the season as the Mustangs leader in assists (1,105) and digs (26) and third in service aces with 18…..
Her first season in the Big West impressed her head coach Caroline Walters. “She’s a leader,” Walters told The Mustang News, the school’s publication. “She is consistently saying the right things and doing the right things.”
That is nothing new for people who watched Bullis star four years for the Whippets. A three-time Rock Valley Conference first-team selection and a first-team all-state pick her senior year, Bullis had a solid upbringing both in the classroom and on the volleyball court.
Her father, Kevin, was the UW-Whitewater head football coach from 2015 until the end of this past season when he announced his retirement.
Emme’s mother, Kathy, coached her throughout her high school career. Kathy retired after the 2021 season as the Whippets’ head coach.
Kevin and Kathy are in the process of moving to California. Kevin is pursuing a job in education, while Kathy already has been working in California….
They will have more opportunities to watch Emme play in her three remaining seasons.
She beat out a senior who was second in assists in the Big West last season for the starting setter job….
The drive and her competitiveness are illustrated by her success in the classroom, as well. A high honor roll student all four years at Whitewater High, Bullis is majoring in child development and wants to teach at the elementary school level when she graduates.
That is three volleyball seasons—and many more successes—away.”
The Whippet Girls’ Basketball Team took on Edgerton Thursday night, December 15, for a conference game at home.
We started the game with great intensity on defense, keeping the score within five with just over seven minutes left in the first half. Edgerton pulled away, outscoring us 24-3 as we struggled to connect on our shots from outside, ending the first half 13-39.
The second half matched the first in scoring as we continued to struggle to hit our shots.
Statistical leaders for the Whippets were Kindyl Kilar and Calli Grosinske with 7 points and 2 rebounds each. Zoe Kohl added 4 points.
The Whippets travel to Brodhead for another conference game Tuesday night, December 20.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Peter and Bob Mischka
| The Annual UW-Whitewater Ceramics Sale provides visitors with the opportunity to view and purchase handmade, one-of-a-kind ceramic vessels/pottery forms that have been created by a mix of emeritus and current faculty members, student alumni, and current students involved in the UW-Whitewater, Dept. of Art and Design’s Ceramics program. The nearest parking area to the main entrance of the Center of the Arts’ Crossman Gallery venue is Lot 1 of the UW-Whitewater campus. To avoid being issued a parking ticket/citation, a parking permit must be purchased. The UW-Whitewater Ceramics Organization’s members are not responsible for parking tickets/citations issued to visitors of the Ceramics Sale. A visitor day parking pass may be purchased here for $5. To purchase hourly parking Passport Pay by Space see the information here. There are several spaces with signage for this program in Lot 1 near the Center of the Arts entrance. Cost is $1.65 for an hour or $3.05 for two hours. Further information about parking at UW-W may be found here. If you’re willing to park at an off-campus, free, public parking spot that is fairly close to the Center of the Arts building, consider such parking areas located along South Prince Street, Florence Street, and/or North Lindsey Court. Note, too, that parking is free in most of UW-Whitewater’s Lot 1 parking stalls during the 5-7 p.m. segment of the Sale’s overall, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16th, open hours, and during the entirety of the Sale’s 9 a.m.-5 p.m. open hours on Saturday, Dec. 17th. Cash, personal check, debit, and credit cards are acceptable to purchase items at the 44th Annual UW-Whitewater Ceramics Sale. Handmade ceramic vessels/pottery serve as excellent winter holiday gifts for your friends, family members, and/or co-workers – we hope that you will visit the 44th Annual UW-Whitewater Ceramics Sale! |
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
Yesterday, December 15, was the busiest day for the U.S. Postal Service during the Christmas season, so what better image to present than Whitewater’s own post office building.
The building, completed in 1936 is a fine example of the streamlined Classical Revival style buildings constructed by the federal government during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Before moving to this new building, Whitewater’s post office was located on Main Street, for the longest time at 137 Main St. (1875-1920s), now part of Gus’s Pizza.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(4462PC, Whitewater Historical Society)
More than 1,800 Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes and coaches will gather at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to compete in the 2023 State Summer Games. The event is scheduled to take place June 8-10 and will include competitions in powerlifting, gymnastics, track and field, tennis, soccer and cornhole.
“We are honored to serve as the host site for Special Olympics Wisconsin, and we extend a warm Warhawk welcome to all of the athletes and their friends and family members who will be cheering them on,” said interim Chancellor John Chenoweth. “Hosting the games takes on a deeper meaning for UW-Whitewater, as we are a university with a core mission to help students of diverse abilities find success both academically and athletically. We look forward to supporting the competitions and witnessing the determination and sportsmanship of the athletes.”
“We are excited to bring our revamped Summer Games to Whitewater this summer,” Special Olympics Wisconsin President & CEO Chad Hershner said. “The university facilities will provide an awesome experience for our athletes as we continue to grow our organization for the next 50 years. We look forward to working with UW-Whitewater to create an incredible Games and long-lasting memories for all those involved.”
The 2023 State Summer Games will begin with an opening ceremony on Thursday, June 8. Competition will kick-off on Friday, June 9 and run through June 10. An evening dance will take place on Friday. UW-Whitewater’s Camps and Conferences will help provide a collegiate experience for the athletes with residence hall stays and meals on campus.
Additional information about other events and programs taking place during the games is forthcoming. Volunteers for the 2023 State Summer Games are needed and opportunities will come available on SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org. Or, contact volunteer@specialolympicswisconsin.org if you are interested.
At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater we inspire, engage and transform lives. Our higher education mission began more than 150 years ago — and we now serve more than 11,000 students at our Whitewater and Rock County campuses. Camps and Conferences is committed to offering summer camps, day clinics, competitions and virtual events that allow participants to work closely with our award-winning coaches, directors and staff.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please advise us as soon as possible. Requests are confidential. UW- Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Please contact Morgan Anderson at andersml@uww.edu or 262-472-1095 for further information.
Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is pleased to expand access to mental health services with the addition of a new psychiatric nurse practitioner. Beginning on Monday, January 9, 2023, Rebecca Beese, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC will see patients at the hospital’s Milton Clinic location, 831 Arthur Drive, Milton. The appointment line is now open, 608-868-3526. No referral is needed.
Dr. Beese provides excellent patient-centered care using a wide variety of integrated healing methods including medications, supplements, supportive therapy, psychoeducation, environmental modifications, mindfulness, yoga, and Reiki. She primarily works with patients who are experiencing the following conditions:
- ADHD
- Adjustment Disorders
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Trauma
With the ever-increasing need for mental health services, Dr. Beese says that she’s happy to offer her care locally. “When I’m caring for my patients, it’s always my priority to ensure that each individual feels seen, heard, and valued. I spend time not only treating chemical imbalances, but also closely evaluating my patients’ lifestyles, relationships, and environments, using a holistic mind-body-spirit approach. Together, we create a plan to help them live their best lives,” said Dr. Beese.
Edgerton Hospital CEO, Marc Augsburger, MBA, BSN, says that Dr. Beese will be answering a need that the community so desperately has. “The hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment tells us that mental health is a growing concern locally. It’s been our goal to directly address this need, and we are delighted to be adding Rebecca Beese as our new psychiatric nurse practitioner. Her expertise in mental health will surely benefit many,” said Augsburger.
Rebecca Beese, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She holds her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Minnesota, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin, and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Beese has 16 years of direct nursing experience at organizations including St. Mary’s Hospital and University of Colorado Hospital. She held the role of Clinical Instructor at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University Mankato, where she specifically focused on psych/mental health. For the past five years, Dr. Beese has been an Integrative Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at PrairieCare in Chaska, MN. In addition to her clinical experience, Dr. Beese is also a certified Yoga instructor and a Reiki Master. Her trained therapy dog, Finnigan, joins her at almost all patient appointments.
Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment with Rebecca Beese, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC should call 608-868-3526. For more information, please visit www.edgertonhospital.com.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Serena Wong from Pixabay.
Members and friends of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center were invited to a “Jolly Holiday Party” on December 9. They were promised a special visit from Santa, together with food, games and open swim for all to enjoy. Admission was free with a nonperishable food item donation. All collected food items were donated to the Community Space. Photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
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
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