News & Events

After the completion of a national search, Chancellor Corey King is pleased to announce the selection of Katie Kuznacic as the vice chancellor for university relations and president of the UW-Whitewater Foundation. Kuznacic has worked at UW-Whitewater since 2010 in philanthropy and alumni engagement, most recently serving as the interim vice chancellor for university relations since October 2021.

“I am excited about Katie’s leadership for our university relations and foundation spaces,” said King. “She exudes a love and passion for the university. Her experience will serve as a strong framework for us as we launch a strategic plan focused on student success and advancing the university’s regional impact.”

An alumna of UW-Whitewater, Kuznacic worked in the Wisconsin state legislature and marketing management before joining the university in 2010 as a director of development. In 2020, she was elevated to the position of executive director of philanthropy and alumni engagement, leading the university’s efforts in major gifts, annual giving, and alumni relations.

“Katie is a dedicated, trusted and accomplished leader,” said Sandy Dunst, interim president and vice chair of the UW-Whitewater Foundation. “Katie is driven by seeing the power of transforming student lives through our collaborative work with alumni and university partners. The Foundation Board offers its full support to Katie as vice chancellor and president of the foundation in service to UW-Whitewater, her alma mater.”

Chancellor King would like to thank everyone who provided feedback during the interview process as well as the members of the search and screen committee for their work. John Chenoweth, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, chaired the 11-person search committee. King also extends his appreciation to Dunst for outstanding leadership as interim president of the UW-Whitewater Foundation.

Kuznacic will begin her new role immediately.

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Editor’s note: The above announcement was published at UW-W on May 10. The bio shown below is from the UW-W website.

It didn’t take Katie Kuznacic long to fall for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus. When she was a high school student, she toured the university, met with a professor and immediately envisioned her future.

“I could see this was a place where I wouldn’t just be a number, or another student,” she said. “This was a place where I wanted to be.” Kuznacic, who grew up in Baldwin, a small town in St. Croix County, cherishes her time as a Warhawk. She obtained a speech and public relations degree and today she enjoys using her skills to help people who also have a strong connection with campus. “A really special part of this job is developing relationships with people who have that shared UW-Whitewater experience,” she said. “Whether they went to school here, taught here or have a friend or a family member who has a connection here, I think it’s just really special to be part of that, and to help these people achieve their philanthropic goals.”

Kuznacic loves hearing stories about campus from alumni. “Whether it’s someone who was here in the 1960s or someone who just graduated, there’s this common thread, of UW-Whitewater being this very special small-town university where people have close relationships with their professors and have these fond memories that I don’t think every university can replicate,” she said. “It’s special to me because I feel like I have those same memories too.” Kuznacic lives in Janesville with her husband Eric.

You’re Invited!
Starin Park Purple Martin House Dedication
Saturday, May 13, 2 p.m.

The Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission invites the public to attend the dedication of a new Purple Martin house located in the Arboretum at Starin Park on Saturday, May 13 at 2 p.m. behind the Senior Center. This Martin house is the third Purple Martin habitat that Urban Forestry has been able to put in place thanks to the city of Whitewater and donations from individuals throughout our community. The other two Martin houses, located in Minneiska Park and Clay Street Nature Preserve, have successfully fledged Martins every year since they were installed. Martins enjoy showing their aerial acrobatics and serenading an audience and are not put off by human visitors!

Purple Martins are beneficial insectivores that depend upon man-made housing. After migrating 4,000 miles from the Amazon, they lay only one clutch of eggs each year. They face severe competition from invasive house sparrows and starlings so these structures have to be managed until the Martins become established in each house. Through the efforts of Bill Chandler, member of Urban Forestry, our first two Martin houses have become very well established and are enjoyed by many people as well as the Martins! We look forward to providing this at the Arboretum at Starin Park as well.

Whitewater has earned the designations of both Bird City and Tree City. Please join volunteer members of the Urban Forestry Commission as well as city staff and others on Saturday, May 13 at 2 p.m. at Starin Park for the dedication of the 3rd Purple Martin house.

Three Whitewater High School Computer Science Students were honored at the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awards Ceremony at the Milwaukee School of Engineering on Sunday, May 7. Senior Jazmin Cederberg was honored as a Wisconsin State Winner, while Freshman Ace Hudec and Senior Dayna Carlson were honored with Wisconsin Honorable Mentions.

The three-hour formal program included guest speakers from industry, Q & A with a panel including college students currently studying computer science related majors, and a motivational speech from the National Director of the Aspirations program. 153 students from across the state of Wisconsin were honored as either winners, honorable mention, or rising stars.

A major focus of the program is to provide access to scholarships, internships, and connections with IT professionals for female and non-binary students who are pursuing their interests in computer science.

All three honorees have studied computer science at WHS and have been involved with the FIRST Robotics Competition Team Ferradermis as programmers. Both Jazmin and Dayna intend to continue their study of computer science at UW schools next fall.

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

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #197 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, as a mark of respect for the firefighters of Wisconsin who have given their lives in the line of duty. “Every day in communities throughout our state, Wisconsin firefighters bravely put their lives on the line to protect the health and safety of others,” said Gov. Evers. “Honoring those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty is a responsibility we share as a state and nation, and I am proud to recognize these fallen heroes and share our deepest condolences with their families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones on these occasions throughout the year.” Executive Order #197 orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but beginning in 2023, was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation.  In Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) still designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and designates the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. To that end, Executive Order #197 also orders the flags be lowered on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week.

You won’t want to miss our League’s BIGGEST membership event of the year, our
Annual Meeting! It will be held in person on Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to Noon in
Fairhaven Senior Services’ Fellowship Hall, 435 W Starin Rd, Whitewater. A delicious
light brunch will be provided.

The League board encourages all League members and interested members of the
public to attend this important social and business gathering. Please join us as we
review and celebrate our work in the past year, look forward to the new one, and
conduct the business of the League, which includes voting on a slate of Board of
Directors and Officers, a proposed budget, and local programming focus for FY
2023-24.

As a member of our League, your vote on these significant actions counts – but only if
you appear in person. We want to hear from ALL of our members and get to know you
better! Please learn how your membership and volunteer work in our organization has
influenced our democracy! Materials for the Annual Meeting can be found on our
website.

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, like us on Facebook
and follow us on Instagram @lwvwhitewater.