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Daniel Portwine named to MSOE Dean’s List for Fall Semester 2025.
Daniel Portwine, from Whitewater, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Dean’s List for the 2025 Fall Semester. Portwine is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
MSOE encourages excellence in academic achievement and, as a result, publishes the Dean’s List and Honors List each fall and spring semester. Students taking undergraduate courses who have earned at least 12 credits in residence at MSOE, are in good academic standing, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher are on the Dean’s List. Students on that list who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.” Students with a term GPA of 3.20 or higher, who are not on the Dean’s List, are on the Honors List.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 3,000 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, business, nursing, mathematics, user experience, and construction management. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.
“While it is pleasant to renew acquaintance with numbers such as ‘All That Jazz’ and ‘Razzle Dazzle,’ everything is exactly as I remember it from 1997.”
– The Guardian
“Fosse’s world along with the glamour and crime of 1924 are brought to life through a defiant and thrilling world of dance.”
– The Edinburgh Reporter
CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. No wonder CHICAGO has been honored with 6 Tony Awards®, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, and thousands of standing ovations. As we celebrate our 29th anniversary —you’ve got to come see why the name on everyone’s lips is still… CHICAGO.
With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history — and it still shows no sign of ever slowing down!
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.
It’s no surprise that CHICAGO has wowed audiences from Mexico City to Moscow, from Sao Paulo to South Africa. And now it’s coming to your town!
Whether you’re looking for your first Broadway musical, whether you’ve seen the Academy Award®-winning film and want to experience the show live on stage or whether you’ve seen it before and want to recapture the magic, CHICAGO always delivers!
CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.
In the whirlwind of Chicago’s Jazz Age, two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses—vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart—become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy.
Broadway’s longest-running hit, CHICAGO, delivers sizzling songs, dazzling dance, all that jazz—join the razzle dazzle and get your tickets today!
[The above is from chicagoontour.com.]
The brief promotional video may be viewed here.
At the Young Performing Arts Center – Wednesday, February 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
The Young Performing Arts Center is located at 930 W. Main Street, Whitewater. Parking is free. Turn north on Prince Street from Main Street. The parking lots will be on the right side. The second lot, #2, generally has the most convenient parking to the venue.
Tickets are available online here for $25-85, tax and fees included. Most of the prime seats on the main floor have been sold; however, most of the seats in the balcony are still available. The balcony is accessible by elevator.
Tickets may also be purchased at the Ticket Services Box Office in the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street. The phone number is 262-472-2222. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door for an additional $3 service charge.
The Whitewater Unified School District is launching a strategic planning process to gather community input and set priorities that will guide the district over the next three to five years.
The process will begin with a brief community survey, open from January 9 through January 30, inviting input from students, families, staff, and community members. Feedback collected through the survey will help inform the district’s strategic direction and ensure future planning reflects the needs and priorities of the broader school community. The survey is available at https://dgsurveys.com/r/Whitewater2026.
Input from the survey will guide the work of a Strategic Planning Workgroup, which will meet several times throughout the process to help shape the district’s vision, core values, and strategic priorities. Additional opportunities for engagement will include focus groups and community engagement sessions designed to gather deeper insight and encourage broad participation.
“We are committed to hearing directly from our students, staff, families, and community as we plan for the future,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “This process will help us build on our district’s strengths, address areas for growth, and make sure our strategic priorities reflect the voices of those we serve.”
A guiding theme of the strategic planning is “All Means All,” a commitment to ensuring every student is seen, heard, and supported. The district aims to create an accessible process that reflects the full diversity of the school community and engages participants across all backgrounds and experiences.
Updates and additional information about the strategic planning process will be shared throughout the coming months. For more information, visit www.wwusd.org.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Andreas Breitling from Pixabay.
Marc DeVries
Marc DeVries Honored as a 2026 BizTimes Media Notable CFO
Jefferson County Finance Director Marc DeVries has been named to the 2026 BizTimes Media Notable CFO list. DeVries is one of nine chief financial officers from southeastern Wisconsin to receive the honor, which recognizes finance professionals who demonstrate excellence within the field, effect change within their organization or industry and give back through civic or community service.
“As Finance Director for our county, Marc oversees an annual budget with more than 6,000 accounts and provides excellent leadership for our committee,” said Dick Jones, Jefferson County Supervisor and Chair of the Jefferson County Finance Committee. “Marc ensures that our actions and decisions are in agreement with the county’s financial goals, and he keeps us apprised of future trends that may impact our work.”
DeVries, who has 31 years of financial experience, joined Jefferson County in 2017. In addition to preparing and managing a budget that impacts nearly 700 employees and 85,000 residents, he led a priority-based initiative to align county spending with community priorities and completed a risk-based reserve study to inform implementation of a proactive approach to potential financial risks.
“On behalf of all our employees and everyone who works with him, I am thrilled that Marc has received this award,” said County Administrator Michael Luckey. “He has consistently stewarded our finances to provide a high quality of life for our communities. Under Marc’s fiscal leadership, we are well-positioned to excel at delivering the services our residents need and deserve from their tax dollars.”
To read the full BizTimes profile of Marc DeVries: https://biztimes.com/notable-cfos-marc-devries/
For more about Jefferson County: jeffersoncountywi.gov
W-Eau Claire fall dean’s list announced
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of the Blugolds who have earned a place on the Dean’s List. Their commitment to excellence exemplifies the highest standards of scholarship at UW-Eau Claire. Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment!
Eligibility Requirements
At the end of each semester, each of UW-Eau Claire’s four colleges recognize excellence in scholastic achievement by publishing the Dean’s List. To be eligible, a student must: – be in good academic standing. – have a minimum semester GPA of 3.70. – have completed at least 12 credits during the semester, with no incompletes, no courses below the 100 level, no repeats, and no Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory registrations (except in degree credit-bearing courses that are offered only on the S/U grading system in which a grade of S has been earned).
The student from your area who was named to the Dean’s List is:
Whitewater, WI
Alex Meyer, College of Business
Big Foot beat Whitewater 53-41 in a RVC girls’ basketball crossover game on Tuesday, January 27. Big Foot jumped out to an early 14-2 lead before Whitewater went on a 12-6 run to cut the lead to six towards the end of the first half. Whitewater was able to pull within eight with a few minutes remaining but was not able to get it any closer. Emery Kachel led Whitewater with 23 points while Leah Paulsen led Big Foot with 29.
Whitewater plays at Turner on Friday, January 30.
Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org
Cover for Issue One of “Either/Or”
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will hold an official release party for “Either/Or,” a new national literary journal, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Roberta’s Gallery on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center.
Produced by faculty and undergraduate students in the university’s Department of Literature, Writing, and Film, the release marks a new chapter for the region’s arts scene by including internationally acclaimed novelists.
While many national journals are housed at the graduate level, “Either/Or” places the editorial, design, and production process in the hands of UW-Whitewater undergraduates. Under the vision and mentorship of UW-Whitewater faculty members Nicholas Gulig, a former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, and Barrett Swanson, an acclaimed essayist, the students involved in “Either/Or” compiled a powerhouse roster of contributors. Lauren Groff, National Book Award finalist, Sheila Heti, acclaimed novelist and Guggenheim Fellow, Claire Vaye Watkins, Story Prize winner, and Becca Rothfeld, non-fiction critic for The Washington Post, are among those featured.
The release party offers the local community a first look at a journal that bridges the gap between UW-Whitewater undergraduate students and the highest tiers of the contemporary literary world.
The release party is open and free to the public. Appetizers and light refreshments will be served. Registration is not required, but it is encouraged at this link. “Either/Or” is available for purchase at www.eitherormagazine.com.
The Department of Literature, Writing, and Film at UW-Whitewater offers a robust Creative Writing program alongside majors in Literature, English Education, Professional Writing and Publishing, and Film Studies.
On Monday, January 26, WHS students were selected and performed with the Rock Valley Conference Honors Band. These students were selected because of their hard work and dedication to music at WHS. They spent all day working with renowned conductor and educator Carrie Backman and performed a concert in the evening! Congratulations to these exceptional students!
Article and Photos Courtesy of Sam Averill
Whitewater High School Band Director
saverill@wwusd.org
Obituaries
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
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!
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