College of Letters and Science

The College of Letters and Science (COLS) remains fully committed to the liberal arts, while simultaneously pursuing new ways of engaging the wider community and providing research and other learning opportunities for our students. As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the college offers courses in 35 different majors. The college provides the courses that fulfill the general education requirements for all students at UW Oshkosh.

The following list highlights many college-wide accomplishments during 2009-2010. While this list is both lengthy and impressive, it is not meant to be comprehensive.

Community

The High School Art Exhibition and Awards Day, hosted by the Department of Art, featured more than 170 works by high school students from more than 35 schools. Student art was exhibited in the Priebe Gallery for three weeks, and 19 students were presented awards for their efforts.

The Department of Art’s Priebe and Annex Galleries featured a variety of multimedia art exhibits throughout the academic year.

Art professor Mary Hoefferle initiated Arts as Community Service, a project that engaged students in volunteerism at an area elementary school. Her students created art installations for the school’s “Read Across America Week.”

The Department of Music hosted the annual Wisconsin State Music Association Solo and Ensemble Festival. Through the work and leadership of professors Kenneth Liske and Rob McWilliams and piano technician John Imobersteg, the event provided important support for secondary school music education programs in the area.

The calendar of events for the Department of Music included numerous faculty, staff and student recitals, ensembles, choral concerts and symphony orchestra performances. The Chamber Arts series included an array of talented guest musicians.

The Department of Theatre produced six productions attended by more than 6,000 people. A special matinee of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was offered for area high school students. More than 400 students and their teachers attended.

The African American Studies Program annual lecture series featured two nationally renowned scholars who spoke on topics involving U.S. folklore and history and African American and gender studies.

The African American Studies Program sponsored a four-part film series for the campuswide celebration of Black History Month.
The Department of Communication provided its initial offering of the Inside Out Program at Taycheedah Correctional Institution. Carmen Heider taught Gender and Discourse concurrently to 10 female incarcerated students and 10 students from UW Oshkosh. This was the first time this national program, based at Temple University, was offered in the state of Wisconsin.

The Department of Communication’s Radio-TV-Program provided an open house of its facilities and an industry panel comprised of six alumni who are professionals in the field.

The Radio-TV-Film Program participated in the campus event, “Express Yourself,” by hosting parents and students from Franklin High School’s television production program. “Express Yourself,” a daylong program offered by the Admissions Office, provides interactive opportunities for prospective students who are interested in the expressive arts.

The Radio-TV-Film Program’s Titan TV and the National Broadcasting Society produced its Eighth-Annual A-T Telethon.

The Radio-TV-Film Program’s radio station, WRST, engaged in various campus and community collaborations and partnerships to expand its programming and services, including synchronized remote interviews for Wisconsin Public Radio and Radio Deutschland; the first-ever Spanish language program, La Mezcla (The Mix); a pilot program entitled “Suffragette City,” focused on gender issues and hosted by students from the Women’s Studies program; and daytime programming of locally hosted jazz.

In addition to its regular sports programming, WRST aired it first high school baseball game.

WRST produced and aired a promo on behalf of the Center for Scholarly Teaching to highlight a visit by USA Today staffers who were on campus to discuss the integration of the newspaper with teaching.

The Radio-TV-Film Program’s International Film Series offered an array of foreign films for campus and local community audiences, including guest speaker introductions by members of related departments from across the College of Letters and Science.

The University Debate Team, coached by staff members of the Department of Communication, hosted the first Titan Debate Institute, a two-week collaborative learning opportunity for high school students.

The Department of English sponsored visits by three well-known authors, including the celebrated Canadian novelist, Thomas King.

A Department of English professor led students on a successful service-learning trip to Nicaragua during fall Interim.

The Department of Journalism hosted the annual spring conference of the Northeastern Wisconsin Scholastic Press Association (NEWSPA), drawing about 500 high school students and journalism advisers to campus. Local and state media professionals, along with educators, gave presentations in about 45 sessions over the course of the conference.

Faculty from the Departments of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography, History and Political Science collaborated on a series of events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The events included a panel discussion, presentation, Dean’s Symposium, a photo and original documents display, and a screening of the film The Tunnel. Two of the participating professors shared personal recollections of growing up on opposite sides of the Berlin Wall.

Professors in the Department of Biology and Microbiology, in collaboration with their students, have continued their critical research on water quality in Wisconsin beach areas, along Lakes Michigan and Superior, as well as several inland lakes.

Professors in the Department of Biology and Microbiology provided expertise on their various scientific disciplines to campus and local news organizations.

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer program, funded by a National Science Foundation grant, provided research opportunities and stipends to academically qualified but economically underprivileged students interested in biology, microbiology, chemistry and computer science. This 10-week program was the result of collaborative efforts from faculty members in the Departments of Biology and Microbiology, Chemistry, and Computer Science.

The Medical Technology Program expanded its relationships with medical institutions across the state and the Midwest. Students from the program complete their clinical training at these partnering facilities.

Faculty members from the Environmental Studies Program and the dDepartments of Religious Studies and Anthropology, Geology and English planned the celebration of Earth Week on campus. Various activities included speakers, an interactive art display, films, music and tree plantings, all open to the community and to area students.

The Environmental Studies Program continued to be a major leader in the development of sustainability on campus, including sustainability in its curriculum. Two ES student groups, Community Gardens Oshkosh and the Student Environmental Action Coalition, continued their work with the local community.

Faculty, staff and students from across the college organized and participated in the week-long Earth Charter Summit, providing panels and various events for students, faculty and members of the community.

Faculty members from the Department of Geology shared their expertise by serving on geologic advisory boards, including: the Wisconsin Examining Board of Geologists, Hydrologists and Soil Scientists, the United States Antarctic Geological Drilling Steering Committee, and the Hydrology Division of the North-Central Section of the Geological Society of America.

Two geology professors were featured speakers for the UW Oshkosh Research to Reception series. They shared their research as it applies to solving modern environmental problems and understanding ancient earth history.

Members of the Department of Physics and Astronomy offered workshops and participated in science events designed for elementary and middle school children in the Fox Valley. College Days for Kids and the Science Olympiad were two such events. Faculty members also shared their expertise through public talks in the community.

The Department of Geography and Urban Planning continued its collaboration with several regional public and private agencies regarding economic growth in northeastern Wisconsin and school district boundaries.

Faculty members from the Department of History presented lectures on their areas of expertise to various local organizations and schools. Topics included civil rights in the north, Italy’s antiquities, and the rebirth of art in Italy.

Karl Nollenberger from the Department of Public Affairs partnered with the city of Oshkosh to survey residents about services and budget issues. His students helped to facilitate the survey, also helping city officials to set priorities for the future.

The Department of Social Work faculty and staff continue to be involved in a number of community outreach and research projects. Some of these collaborations included work on literacy, mental illness, crisis interventions, cancer support groups, end of life issues and parenting.
The Department of Social Work began work to develop a collaborative relationship with the Wind River Tribal College in Wyoming.

Paul Van Auken, a professor in the Department of Sociology, cofounded a grass roots organization that hosts quarterly community conversations about issues of local interest.

Departments across the college increased their relationships and opportunities for service and community-based learning placements. Students from a host of disciplines participated in these high-impact learning experiences throughout the community and beyond.

The Science Outreach Program offered a wide variety of sessions, programs and camps for elementary, middle and high school students throughout the year. Ten Buckstaff Planetarium shows also were offered and open to the public.

The Women’s Studies Program continued to provide educational programming through its Brown Bag lunch series, featuring research by Women’s Studies faculty and students. Offered in collaboration with the Women’s Center, the series was open to both the University and local communities.

Women’s History Month, organized by faculty from the Women’s Studies Program, featured speakers and activities highlighting women’s issues and feminist activism.

Faculty and staff collegewide gave talks and provided expertise in various venues throughout northeastern Wisconsin.

Over the course of several months, the college engaged in strategic planning to help set priorities and to develop action strategies. Maintaining and enhancing community engagement was among the identified priorities.

Teaching and student achievements and awards

Professor Richard Masters, Department of Art, continued his work as a Master Designer in the Artistic Infusion Program of the United States Mint. His design was chosen for the Northern Mariana Islands quarter.

Art student, Jacob Dhein won Best of Show in two international art competitions.

My Soldiers, by professor Richard Kalinoski, Department of Theatre, premiered at the Detroit Repertory Theatre.

“Gyromancy,” an essay by Ron Rindo, Department of English, was chosen for inclusion in Best American Essays of 2010.

Professor Pamela Gemin, Department of English, was a finalist in the Miller Williams Arkansas Poetry Prize from the University of Arkansas Press for her book of poetry, Another Creature.
Robert Wise, Department of Biology and Microbiology won the Edward M. Penson Distinguished Teaching Award.
Jennifer Szydlik, Department of Mathematics, received the UW System Regents Teaching Excellence Award.
Teri Shors, Department of Biology and Microbiology was selected to be an Endowed Professor.
David Siemers, Department of Political Science, was awarded the John McNaughton Rosebush Professorship for teaching and professional excellence.
Jessica King, a graduate from the Department of Political Science and the International Studies Program, and V.J. Zibung, a graduate from the Department of Journalism. were selected to receive the UW Oshkosh 2009 Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Clifford Christl (Journalism), Joseph McGrath (Geology), Joye Moon (Art), Timothy Ward (Psychology) and William Weber (Physics) also were honored as Distinguished Alumni.

Radio-TV-Film (RTF) students from the Department of Communication won national recognition from the Broadcast Education Association in the categories of play-by-play, scriptwriting short subject, and scriptwriting television. RTF students also distinguished themselves and the program by winning 11 of 52 awards at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association student production competition. They garnered more than any other institution. Additional RTF honors included eight awards at the National Broadcasting Society national convention.

Two Radio-TV-Film students won national production internships from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a highly competitive internship program based in Los Angeles.

Professors from across the college taught UW Oshkosh students or collaborated on research with them in such varied international locations as Argentina, Borneo, Chile, China, Costa Rica, England, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain and Tanzania.

Laurence Carlin, Department of Philosophy, was chosen to be a UW System Humanities Fellow in 2010-2011.

More than 75 students from across the college engaged in student/faculty research, presenting their findings at the UW Oshkosh and UW-System celebrations of scholarship and at regional and national professional conferences. Eight of these projects appeared as published articles in the Oshkosh Scholar.

The International Studies Model United Nations Program continued its legacy of success by receiving two honorable mention awards at the 2010 National Model United Nations. This national recognition marks the 26th consecutive year that a UW Oshkosh team has received an award at the national competition, which involves more than 5,000 students from 300 universities, five Canadian Provinces and 24 countries on five continents. The UW Oshkosh team also won the distinction of Outstanding Delegation at the Midwest Model UN.
William Wacholtz, Department of Chemistry, was chosen to receive the Barbara G. Sniffen Faculty Governance Service Award.

Scholarship

Faculty across the college received more than $3 million from external funding sources, including the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U. S. Geological Survey.

Faculty across the college continued to be productive in research and scholarship, publishing more than 200 journal articles, books, and book chapters, presenting more than 150 papers at professional conferences, and performing and exhibiting their creative work at numerous professional venues. More than 75 students collaborated with faculty on research.

Partnership

The college’s partnership with the Wind River Tribal College in Wyoming continued to grow. The expanding relationship has laid the foundation for research opportunities and curricular collaborations for UW Oshkosh faculty and students alike.

The Department of Social Work continued its expansion of the Masters in Social Work collaboration with UW-Green Bay to serve a growing number of students in northeastern Wisconsin. Having received full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the program now offers a part-time option for students, with Title IV-E grant support that has totaled, since 2002, well over $1.5 million.
Departments and programs college-wide are engaged in more than 200 partnerships that host co-op or internship students. Partnerships involving both students and staff in service-learning, community-based research and/or volunteer partnerships number 93. More than 235 organizations have accepted COLS students for clinical and social work placements. Collaborations to provide cultural and arts events have been developed between 20 organizations and several departments in the college.

Click here to read last year's report.