Seeking success

If you dream it, you can do it.
 — Walt Disney

Success comes in many forms and can be defined in numerous ways as you’ll read in this innovative issue of Engage. But no matter how it is characterized, success truly is our focus in serving the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s alumni.

We constantly seek ways to help our 80,000-plus graduates living and working around the globe reach their personal and professional goals. We offer myriad services and benefits, such as free alumni email accounts, career services, travel programs and discounts at local, regional and national businesses.

We also are devoted to celebrating the successes of our alumni. Whether you strive to excel in your professional, community or personal life … or all three, we love to share your amazing stories.

October is our favorite time of year because that’s when we celebrate Homecoming and honor the successes of our top graduates through the UWO Alumni Association’s annual awards and recognition program. On pages 16–17, you’ll learn how UWO played a part in the achievements of our 2013 alumni award winners. We hope you’ll be inspired.

On another note, we’ve taken a new approach to our storytelling in this edition of Engage by recording an in-depth discussion about success with a cross-section of members of our UWO community. That session at the chancellor’s residence serves as the foundation for our cover feature and tons of bonus content for our online and new tablet version of Engage.

Take care,
Christine Gantner, Alumni Director

How do you define success?

“If you’re happy with the way you are and the way your life is, then I think that is successful.”
— Mao Vang, senior, elementary education

“I define success in the journey and not in the destination.”
— Susan Fochs, Sophomore, pre-business

“It doesn’t have to be something big but … accomplishing something, small things.”
— Edrose Heiny, Junior, psychology

“The key to success for me is to have challenges, good relationships and an overall good view of life.”
— Nathan Peplinski, ‘13, philosophy and chemistry

“When I set my goals, however close I come to reaching those goals is how I judge success. The ultimate success is reaching that goal, but I kind of go by steps. Each little step toward that goal is another little success, so the more obstacles I can overcome the greater the success becomes.”
— Tom Beschta, Senior, journalism

“I’m from Haiti, but I just came here to study. My dream before I came here was to come and study in the United States, so I worked to make this happen. Because I am here today, even though I am not graduated yet, I can call that a success for my life … because I have dreamed it before, and I worked to try to make it happen, and here
I am today.”
— Eliseo Lacossiere, junior, pre-business

“It is different for every person. Success needs to be within the context of an individual’s goals and what he or she wants to accomplish. It is rising to the top of your field and being respected by your colleagues for your work.”
— Melissa Bublitz, College of Business, assistant marketing professor

Read more about what Engage contributors had to say about success.

What is your greatest success?

“While I feel I have been very fortunate to have success in many areas of my life, I have to play the “Mom Card” and narrow down my greatest success to be my two little girls. I’ve never met two individuals with such warm hearts yet so spunky and strong. “ — Jamie Ceman ’00, Engage Managing Editor

“I have no degree – no academy award – no important title….but what I do have and what I think my greatest success is, is simply having a quiet reputation for honesty, servanthood, hard work and an anchor for my soul!” — Linda Cotton, Engage Contributor

“One memory I have of a grand success from elementary school sticks with me to this day. I was beyond thrilled to play the lead role in Charlotte’s Web. I adored scampering about the stage as that beautiful and wise spider: “The autumn days grow short and cold; / It’s Christmas time again. / Then snows of winter slowly melt. / The day grows short, / And then… / He turns the seasons around, / And so she changes… her gown: / Mother Earth… and Father Time. How very special are we… / For just a moment… to be… / Part of life’s… eternal… rhyme.” — Natalie Johnson, Engage Editor

“Raising five children.” — Shawn Hansen, Engage Web Developer

“Graduating with no student debt.” — Tim Holdsworth, Engage contribuitor

“I would have to say my greatest success would be maintaining decent grades in school while working two part-time jobs to help pay for school.” — Jacob Browning, UW Oshkosh student photographer, Engage Contributor

“At this stage of my life, my greatest success comes in the form of serving my community. I wasn’t born in Oshkosh, I wasn’t raised or schooled here. Yet, this community has given me so much—jobs, opportunities, my husband, some of the world’s greatest friends—and I can’t help but feel success in giving back to it. Giving of my time and talents by serving on a slew of committees and boards—the ones most near and dear to my heart include my roles with the Women’s Fund of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, Oshkosh United Way, Growing Oshkosh and the UW Oshkosh Women’s Center—is important to me. Community service—service you give without expectation—makes me feel successful. “ — Mandy Potts, Engage Content Editor

Comments from Engage Online

USP
I am excited to see the changes happening in the general education curriculum, and I really wish the University Studies Program had been there when I was starting at UWO … I took class from three of the professors cited in the article who developed the program. I can attest to their dedication to the success of students in all fields. Based on my knowledge of them and the article, I am confident that the development of this program was exhaustive, comprehensive and research-based. This stands in stark contrast with a traditional, anecdotal/experience-based approach often used to develop policy. This approach is a breath of fresh air and should be a model for policy-making of all types. —Katie Gruber ’10, Coloma

Alumni Profile: Sandi Van Sistine
Sandi is a remarkable woman who does so much for everyone without seeking the limelight. I am very proud of my Alpha Phi sister. — Marie Giese ‘68, Stevensville, Mich.

Student Profile: Jake White
Congratulations, Jake! Nice work, nice story. — Kenneth Liske, UWO associate professor of music education

Tweets
How cool! We got a mention and a feature pic in this year’s @UWOshkoshEngage magazine! Check it out! — @TheFVDJA

Our #Engage was in the mailbox today. That was fast! @MWgirl @UWOshkoshEngage — @PattiBryant

Thx for the article @UWOshkoshEngage You make me look good ; ) #partysober #youthspeaker — @JakeAveryWhite

If you could develop an undergraduate class, what topic would you focus on?

Matthew Kubis

“A class teaching conditioning that blends kinesiology and coaching would be interesting.”
— Matthew Kubis, Freshman, Athletic Training

Kapricia Davis

“I think I would want a cooking class because a lot of us don’t know how to cook. We just go and eat at Blackhawk too much.”

— Kapricia Davis, Freshman, Nursing

Kyle Kohl

“I would want a health class that teaches the science of attraction. It’s something that can be a whole class and no one teaches or knows anything about. I think it would be riveting.”
— Kyle Kohl, Senior, Radio-TV-Film

Marlena Ryan

“I think a class that teaches pop culture would be best. I really enjoy movies and would like to know more about them. I also like to look at magazines, and I enjoy memorizing quotes from movies.”
— Marlena Ryan, Freshman, Pre-Professional – Physical Therapy

Adam Schapekahm

“Something involving sports history would be something I would like. A lot of people like sports but don’t know how they started.”
— Adam Schapekahm, Sophomore, Business

Susan Cramer

“I would create a course on change and the future. In this class, we would discuss change, the future and our life/career plans. We all need to learn how to thrive in times of change.”
— Susan Cramer, Graduate Studies Dean

Learn how Engage staff members answered this question.

An unprecedented opportunity for alumni

The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others. — Ghandi

In recent years, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus has been undergoing a physical transformation, with the construction of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Sage Hall and Horizon Village and many other much-needed improvements to our infrastructure. Alumni returning to their alma mater have enjoyed watching the campus’ metamorphosis.

We are now experiencing another type of transformation … this time in the form of a major overhaul to our general education curriculum for first- and second-year students. Our new University Studies Program (USP) offers alumni a tremendous opportunity to make a significant impact on our success and the success of our students.

I invite you to read our cover story about how the USP is going to significantly enhance our undergraduate curriculum. I also strongly encourage you to consider volunteering to serve as an alumni mentor with the USP and to work side-by-side with our sophomore students in the community beginning in fall 2014. Alumni have never before had such an opportunity to make a direct impact on student success. You are needed, and your service will make a difference.

Also in this issue, we have dedicated a special section to our record-breaking 2012 Titans football season that captured the attention of alumni throughout the nation. In addition, we feature senior Jake White who is building a business related to providing sober parties for UWO students, and alumni Dani (Woerpel) Stolley and Sandi Van Sistine who are making an impact in their communities through their passion and creativity. I know you will be inspired by their stories.

Take care,
Christine Gantner, Alumni Director

Letters

Civility
Chris (Gantner), this Engage approach to civility in political and governmental interactions is both timely and well-conceived. Why am I not surprised? It is YOU and UWO. Best!
— Edward M. Penson, former UW Oshkosh chancellor

Comments from Engage Online

All-Greek Reunion
What wonderful memories. We have to get the word out there to all the Greeks about joining us the next time we do this. They missed a great time with “old” friends. Thank you to all the committee members, Chris Gantner and all her alumni crew and all our new young friends from the University who were there helping out every step of the way. You rocked!!! Especially, thank you to all those who attended this wonderful event.
— Sarah (Berens) Mathewson ’68, Oshkosh

The Greek Reunion was a terrific idea and lots of fun! Thanks to all who worked so hard to put it together. Loved seeing old friends!
— Mary Jo (Hanrahan) Urban ’71, Reedsville

Student Profile: Kevin Kropp
Kevin was a student of mine, so it comes as no surprise to me that he would be selected as the 2012 Volunteer of the Year or has done as much as he has in his time at UW Oshkosh. Congratulations, Kevin!
— Susan (Hoppe) Kirkham ’94, Appleton

Tweets
@UWOshkoshEngage UWO Model UN is the alumni feature! One of the most engaging experiences I had, great personal and skill development. #UWO
— @the_awesomeness

Follow Engage on Twitter.

The weekend full of events culminated with a big celebration in Reeve Memorial Union with plenty of reminiscing, dancing and good cheer. This year, the Greek community on campus is experiencing a period of growth with record recruitment numbers and approximately 350 students taking part in five sororities and six fraternities.

Searching for civility

“Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind.” — Henry James

As political advertising and discourse heats up across the state and nation this fall, it seems a most appropriate time for Engage to take an in-depth look into efforts to maintain civility on campus and in the greater community.

In this issue’s cover story, we hear from leaders of our campus civility initiative known as CivilityWorks and Oshkosh’s Civility Project as well as one of the nation’s foremost civility scientists. And, you’ll find that even the experts sometimes agree to disagree about what civility is and how to achieve it.

I am especially excited for our readers to learn about how our UWO Model United Nations alumni are “The Model of civic engagement, civility and success.” This long-standing, award-winning program led by professor Kenneth Grieb has inspired many graduates to become true leaders and active global citizens. Find out how our alumni have made an impact in Africa, in El Salvador and right here in Wisconsin.

In our own community of more than 80,000 UW Oshkosh alumni, plus our friends and supporters, we make a point of maintaining engaging and civilized interactions and relationships as we share our Titan pride in person and in all communications. We welcome you to add your “voice” to this diverse exchange of ideas on Twitter, our alumni Facebook page and Engage online.

We also heartily welcome you back to campus this fall for Homecoming 2012 and our first-ever All-Greek Reunion planned for Oct. 12-14. Learn more on page 7 and at uwosh.edu/homecoming

Take care,

Christine Gantner, Alumni Director