Comments from Engage online

Jean Nelson remembered
I was a student at UWO in 1972, when I did work-study at Pollock Alumni House. Prior to working, I was encouraged to meet Jean Nelson, the alumni house director. Jean was very welcoming and gave me a tour … Jean was a joy to work for and her sense of humor, her glamour and sophistication and her vast knowledge of UWO history made it great fun to be a work-study student at Pollock. She was a great mentor.
—Victoria (Winarski) Bolz ’74, Appleton

Award winners’ video
It is such a great feeling to return to UW Oshkosh. The many changes have enhanced our image around the country, and Oshkosh truly is a quality University and one which I am proud to be a part of.
—Tom Oleson ’63, Dunedin, Fla.

Nutcracker project
Love the idea, and cannot wait to see the fruits of your labor of pride. Go Stacey, and Go Titans!
—Mickey (Janik) Hammett ’81, Oshkosh

Old school
The new issue of Engage is great! I especially enjoyed the material about the College of Education and Human Services’ history. Being an old campus school graduate (1945), as well as old alumnus of UWO and professor (1964–1992), I have always enjoyed reminding folks that I spent more time there than anyone else.
—Claud Thompson ’54, Oshkosh

‘… it is the courage to continue 
that counts’

We have explored some pretty deep and weighty themes and their connections to University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in past editions of Engage: environmentalism, entrepreneurialism and even altruism.

In this issue, we found the courage to tackle “courage.”

Courage has always been a fundamental component of effective teaching and learning. But in the last two years at UW Oshkosh, courage has taken on even greater importance. Inside and outside the classroom, our faculty, staff and students have challenged themselves to do more with less amid dramatic declines in state revenue. The surge of courage has been a point of distinction and source of pride here. It fuels academic program innovation and physical growth on campus.

No question, bravery is a virtue. But, as you’ll see in this issue of Engage, courage is different. Courage is more about determination and perseverance despite the conditions.

Our cover story outlines the array of courageous initiatives at UW Oshkosh, from catalytic community collaborations to the elegant reengineering of the core academic experience here.

Contributor Allison Reineck ’10, profiles the inspirational work of a young alumnus who helped launch a Wisconsin volunteer organization, giving physically and developmentally disabled people the opportunity to compete in life-changing athletic events.

We’ll share the incredibly courageous story of an alumna who, born to a nomadic family in Mongolia, overcame cultural obstacles and a horrific accident to earn a degree and reunite her family.

Winston Churchill, a man who knew a thing or two about courage, said it best when he observed: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Take care,

Christine Gantner, Alumni Director

What is one of the best examples of courage you’ve witnessed in your life?

“When I was in New York, outside the city, and there was a terrible fire happening. A regular guy off the street just rushed in and saved three or four people. It was an awesome moment that really humbled me.”
—Thomas Pech, freshman, English

“I had an aunt who had cancer and she fought and was strong through the whole thing.”
—Erika Moczynski, sophomore, Spanish and 2D studio art

“When I found out I had a daughter coming. I did everything I could to make sure I was ready for her.”
— Richard Williams, senior, human services

“Going up to a new freshman who doesn’t know anything about campus and showing them the ropes.”
—Lue Yang, sophomore, business

“I work at a nursing home, and the nurses overall are courageous for what they do.”
—Nicole Pleshek, sophomore, nursing

“When I learn these students’ stories—that they are here and getting 3-point-whatevers while they are raising children—to take it on and be so driven, I think that’s the most courageous thing on campus that I see.”
—Micki Benz, College of Business, program assistant

Who is your favorite teacher of all time?

“My favorite teacher is from college. She is my favorite because most of the time you get to the end of a class and you don’t even know your neighbor. But in her class, we came together and within two weeks we really knew each other.”
— Mushe Subulwa, Oshkosh

“Probably my sixth-grade teacher. He was the crazy, old guy with the white hair who would sing the belly-button song in the middle of class to get our attention. He was fun.”
— Jessica Meulemans, Senior, Elementary Education/ESL

“I’m going to say Mrs. Bruski from Oshkosh West High School. She would give me candy everyday when I went into her classroom.”
— Anthony Rios, Freshman, Engineering

“My favorite teacher was Laura Jean Baker, and she taught creative writing.
I liked her because she would do a lot of group work.”
— Claire Weigandt, Senior, Criminal Justice

“My favorite teacher of all time was Father Wilson during college. I had him for western civilization, and he kind of opened my mind to asking questions and thinking about things differently.”
— Patrick Wilkinson, Director of Polk Library

Read more Over Coffee from the Engage team.

Who is your favorite teacher of all time?

“Ms. Bina, my high school world literature teacher. She was sweet and kooky, and even made Siddhartha interesting.”
—Jamie Ceman

“I am really impressed with my daughter’s second-grade teacher who actually drove to each student’s house a week before school started to hand deliver a welcome letter. She included a photo of herself in second grade with an explanation of how she dreamed of being a teacher during her childhood and how much she looked forward to teaching us in the coming year. The entire year was filled with wonderful surprises, too. A truly passionate teacher!”
—Christine Gantner

“My favorite teacher was Ms. Barbara Boelter, one of my fifth-grade teachers. She was tough and had high expectations, but also had a great sense of humor. She was probably the first teacher who helped me see that I was far more capable than I ever thought I was and was a great supporter throughout middle school, high school, college and even up until today – and fifth grade was longer ago than either of us cares to admit…”
—Tim Holdsworth

“I have two: My mother and my father who, respectively, served as my sixth-grade language arts and reading and seventh- and eighth-grade civics and American history teachers. Not only did they provide their small-town public school students with an enriching, relevant education, but they also treated me — their son — no different than the rest of my classmates. I am grateful to both of them for wisdom, their fairness and their 35 years of service to a rural Wisconsin school district.”
—Alex Hummel

“I had Mrs. Klessig for fifth grade at Pigeon River Elementary School in Sheboygan. I remember her as a pretty tough and challenging teacher, but we did inspiring and creative projects. I still have my hand-sewn Marco Polo puppet saved in the attic from her social studies unit on explorers.”
—Natalie Johnson

“Ms. Steinhagen, my elementary school art teacher, is my favorite teacher. She had so much enthusiasm and showed how much she enjoyed making art. I remember there was a paper mache giraffe in her room that the fifth graders repainted with a different theme each year.”
—Donna Mleziva

“If I had to choose, my favorite teacher was Ms. Brenda Ness, a young history teacher at Waukesha North High School in the late 1980s. She was bright, energetic, and as the kids say today, totally crush-worthy.  When she was in high school, Ms. Ness had been a foreign exchange student to South Africa during what would have been some of the worst of times there. Talking to her about her experiences in Johannesburg set me off on a lifelong interest in the history, cultures and politics of Southern Africa. After I returned from graduate school at the University of Cape Town in 1995, I tracked Ms. Ness down and brought her a gift of a ballot from the country’s first democratic election.”
—Joshua Ranger

“I had many great teachers throughout my life, but one who really stands out is Mr. Jon Vollendorf, my high school literature teacher and JV basketball coach. He is a dedicated educator, leader and mentor to both students and athletes.”
—Allison Reineck

“My high school English teacher, Mr. Zindler, was among my favorites. I had Mr. Zindler for all four years of high school English and somewhere along the way he told me he thought I should pursue writing as a career. And well, here I am.”
—Amanda Wimmer

Letters
Nicely done. Reads well on the couch on Saturday morning.
— Tom Grogan, Chancellor’s Office, Strategic Planning

I enjoyed reading Jaime Hunt’s altruism article in the fall/winter issue of Engage, but would suggest that there’s a tendency to perceive altruism too narrowly. Too often, it’s thought of as involving just helpful one-on-one actions. Why not think of it as also encompassing behaviors with a more societal orientation? Behaviors such as running for political office (with good intentions!), researching global warming, writing about social movements, etc.? It seems to me that to cling to an individualistic notion of altruism, is to pretend that it’s 2011 B.C. — or to be an academic!
— Alton C. Thompson, ’62, Ph. D., Greendale

Comments from Engage Online
I work for the WIA Youth program with CCDET at UWO. I think what you (Eric Salzwedel ‘11) are doing in your volunteer efforts is wonderful. Helping the homeless person was something that takes someone very special. Most people avoid them and turn their backs, instead of giving them a chance.

Also, the Muscular Dystrophy Bowl-A-Thon is awesome. I have a family member who was diagnosed with a slow, progressive form of MD, and the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation has been wonderful in helping out by providing accommodations in the household and many tips to make things easier. What you’re doing makes a big difference in improving the lives of others. Thank you for making a difference.
— Jackie Foth ‘97, Center for Career Development and Employability Training, Employment Specialist

Celebrating our Normal School history

Welcome to our special issue of Engage in commemoration of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s 140th year. As UWO’s alumni director, I am very proud of our University’s history as Wisconsin’s leading teacher-training institution and the first such school in the nation to have a kindergarten.

I also am humbled to serve the thousands of UW Oshkosh alumni who dedicate their lives to educating young people as teachers across the nation and the globe.

In this issue, Joshua Ranger, our University archivist, writes about key aspects of our strong educational tradition and makes interesting comparisons to our modern-day programs and faculty. Meanwhile, news editor Alex Hummel explores the future of teacher education in Wisconsin and beyond.

In honor of our 140th anniversary, the Alumni Office is offering alumni, along with the entire campus community of faculty, staff and students, the opportunity to participate in our “This We Believe at UW Oshkosh” essay project. Look for details on page 25 about how you can share your daily life philosophy by participating in this yearlong project.

Finally, this issue is a fitting tribute to the memory of former UW Oshkosh alumni director Jean (Goodwin) Nelson ’49, whose dedication to UW Oshkosh’s graduates has inspired our institution to carry on her legacy of service to our more than 80,000 alumni worldwide.

Take care,

Christine Gantner, Alumni Director

Altruism in action

As the alumni director for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, I am pleased to have the chance to share with you this latest issue of Engage, which explores the meaning and state of altruism in today’s world. It is heartening for me to know that notions such as “pay it forward” and “random acts of kindness” continue to thrive in our society.

Indeed, UW Oshkosh’s own mission highlights the sharing of our intellectual and specialized capabilities with individuals, organizations and communities throughout the region and beyond in a way that is responsive to the needs of the people we serve.

As the state’s third-largest university, UWO is meeting the challenge to increase the number of better-prepared graduates and, thus, enhancing the quality of life for the entire region.

In October, we had the pleasure to honor nine of our top alumni for their professional and civic achievements. It was striking to note how they all are impacting their communities, the nation and the world.

I invite you to read about one of our distinguished award recipients, Thomas Oleson ’63, who is featured in an alumni profile.  Since retiring from a career in vocational rehabilitation, Oleson has built and led an organization of volunteers who help the poorest children of Central and South America.

During these uncertain times, I hope you are as inspired as I am by the following quote from Oleson: “There are a lot of like-minded people who have hearts that want to give.”

Take care,
Christine Gantner, Alumni Director

How do you define altruism? What is the state of altruism in today’s world?

“It’s helping people who need help for their sake and not yourself. At Work Camp over the summer, we go to different locations in the U.S. to help communities in need.”
— Danielle Cawley, Senior, Communication

“Altruism is helping somebody who doesn’t get the attention or have the help. There is not enough of it. There are people who go the extra mile every day, and there are people who rarely do that.”
— Mandy Burmeister, Junior, Nursing

“I’ve volunteered to be a chaperone for lock-ins at church and given rides. Nowadays, people are very self-centered, but I think volunteerism making a comeback. I see people doing good things.”
— Peter Lee, Senior, Art Education

“It’s somebody doing something out of the blue to help someone out. An act of altruism I’ve been a part of was helping somebody find their dog.”
— Sara Smith, Senior, Marketing

“It’s charity out of the goodness of your heart. Obviously, people still give, but there’s not a lot of incentive for people to do it.”
— Mike Thomas, Sophomore, Chemistry

“It’s good people doing good things for no reason. I think today we’re so caught up with other things. I think it’s a very materialistic world. We do things to benefit ourselves.”
— Kia Yang, Senior, Fine Arts