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Faculty Profiles

Gail Panske, art

Gail Panske Gail is an artist of integrity and striking originality with a distinguished record of national and international exhibitions and residencies. She is a consummate teacher, the leader of our printmaking area and a tireless organizer of local artistic events. Gail is someone who, through her attentiveness to and concern for her colleagues both within and beyond her home department, holds our campus together.

For many years, she has played a lead role in galvanizing our local art community, while continuing to develop as an artist and achieve growing professional success.

Stephanie Spehar, anthropology

Spehar

Since joining the anthropology program in 2007, Dr. Stephanie Spehar has brought exciting new perspectives and possibilities for students. Before coming to UW Oshkosh, she worked with zoos (Los Angeles, New York) and conservation organizations (Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society) and in a variety of other settings.

Dr. Spehar’s research focuses on primates — monkeys and apes. She travels the world — including such places as Ecuador, Costa Rica and Borneo — to better understand their behavior and ecology. Engaging and enthusiastic, she shares her experiences with colleagues and students alike. If you want to hear a story of scientific adventure, read on.

Robert Stelzer, biology

Robert Stelzer

UW Oshkosh's biologists and microbiologists are an accomplished group. A few years ago, they were recognized with the UW System Award for Excellence in Teaching, which is no mean feat. The award is a testament to their dedication to both teaching and research because they so frequently involve students in the latter activity.

One of the faculty most active in teaching students by engaging them in a research program is Bob Stelzer. Bob is a caring mentor to his students and an avid fisherman. His passion for knowing more about biology is driven by his connection to the real world through fishing and other outdoor activities, and that’s exactly the kind of biologist who can make a positive difference for our students and for Wisconsin.

Suzanne Marnocha, nursing

Suzanne Marnocha

A respected nurse researcher who regularly presents and publishes her work, Dr. Marnocha directs Wisconsin’s largest Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing. She is also an advanced cardiac life support instructor who teaches classes for nurses and physicians in the clinical area. In addition, she maintains her authenticity with students by working a part-time clinical practice as a certified registered nurse in an intensive care unit. Dr. Marnocha is a valued role model at UW Oshkosh and a recognized leader in the nursing profession.

Nadia Kaltcheva, physics/astronomy

Nadia Kalcheva

Dr. Kaltcheva’s scholarly work in astronomy has taken her around the world to professional positions in Bulgaria, Chile, Denmark, Germany, India, Scotland and South Africa. She shares her love of science through teaching and has directed 10 student conference presentations in the past two years alone.

Many students in my classes have worked with Dr. Kaltcheva. They speak very highly of their experiences completing research projects with her. It is encouraging to see fellow faculty making a difference in the professional lives of our students.

Leigh Ann Mrotek, kinesiology

Lee Ann Mrotek

Since her arrival on campus in 2005, Dr. Mrotek has been diligent in her efforts to improve the Kinesiology department at UW Oshkosh. She organized the department’s admissions process, added efficiency and structure to kinesiology student advising and led the effort to establish a new major. She currently serves as director of the Kinesiology program.

On a personal level, Leigh Ann seems to have a way of bringing out the best in all of us. She epitomizes the term “team player.” As a former college athlete and an avid exerciser, Leigh Ann has credibility with our kinesiology students, many of whom have extensive athletic backgrounds. Her healthy lifestyle, work ethic and professional successes set an excellent example.

Marianne Johnson, economics

Marianne Johnson

Marianne exemplifies what a professor should be: someone who cares deeply about students and does excellent and enlightening research in her field and who is willing to do her share to make this public asset, the state university, work.

Despite still being relatively new to the University, Marianne’s excellence has been acknowledged by the awarding of an Oshkosh Truck Corporation endowed professorship. In these tough budgetary times, I worry that it is our best professors like Marianne who will be most likely to leave Oshkosh for a higher-paying job.

Ron Rindo, English

Ron Rindo

A sensitive and evocative fiction writer, Ron has won the Wisconsin Arts Board Creative Writing Fellowship twice. His published short stories uncover the drama in domestic life, and despite his many responsibilities as a colleague, father and husband, Ron always finds time to write. UW Oshkosh is fortunate to have Ron Rindo helping to foster a supportive and collegial environment in a growing institution.

Merlaine Angwall, theatre

Merlaine Angwall

Merlaine, a native of Wisconsin, is a gregarious and charming woman, always available to her students and forever bantering with them.

She brings to her work as a director an unusual comic vitality, and she finds moments of humor and glee in even the most moribund of plays. UW Oshkosh is fortunate indeed to have a person of Merlaine’s exceptional gifts. And her students are the glad recipients of those gifts.

B.S. Sridhar, business administration

B.S. Sridhar

How does one describe Dr. Sridhar? An exceptional teacher? An eloquent speaker? A great community organizer? Or a reservoir of boundless knowledge in fields as varied as strategic planning, literature, Indian classical music and social/political issues?

All these apply equally well. But what he does in his “spare” time gives a better picture: volunteering himself and organizing others to serve lunch at the Salvation Army; raising money for charitable causes; packing medical supplies for developing countries; organizing concerts by world-renowned musicians from India; directing, acting and singing in plays; conducting or emceeing wedding receptions; or cooking dinner for his numerous friends and relatives.

Chad Cotti, economics

Chad Cotti

Last fall, one of the nation’s top experts on the impact of smoking bans — an expert who was quoted in the Economist, the Atlantic Monthly and even Wikipedia — left balmy South Carolina to start a teaching job here in snowy Oshkosh, Wis. What was he, nuts? No, just returning to his roots.

Chad Cotti got his undergraduate degree at UW Oshkosh, and when a faculty position in the economics department opened up … well, here he is.

Jennifer Szydlik, mathematics

Jennifer Szydlik

Jennifer Earles Szydlik is a tireless supporter of elementary school teacher preparation at UW Oshkosh. She unifies her belief that anyone can learn to love mathematics with her scholarship in mathematics education.

Thanks to Jen’s devotion to teaching, our exemplary math courses for future elementary school math teachers offer deep mathematical content using activities-based instruction that includes technology and history. Her past work also includes supporting the improvement of instruction for new mathematics faculty throughout Wisconsin by planning and coordinating meetings and workshops on issues related to college teaching.

Bill Wacholtz, chemistry

Bill Wacholtz

Originally from Montana, Bill Wacholtz received his Ph.D. in chemistry at Tulane University in 1987. In 1989, the chemistry department was looking for an inorganic chemist with a strong physics background who was interested in research and teaching. He applied and was offered the position out of approximately 70 candidates.