Brand Champions

Chelsea Hammett

UW Oshkosh Student
Class of 2012

She’s a brand champion because: As a student who chooses to receive her education at the University, and later as an alumna, Chelsea can show the value of a UW Oshkosh education in preparing individuals to be successful, engaged citizens of the world.

William Wacholtz, Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry

He’s a brand champion because: As a professor (and recipient of the University’s Distinguished Teaching award), Dr. Wacholtz inspires and enables student achievement; as a researcher, he affirms the University as a magnet for academic excellence; and as a partner with regional businesses, he furthers the University’s reputation for relevance and innovation.

Debra Gray Patton

Assistant Dean of Students

She’s a brand champion because: As a driving force in initiatives like the Odyssey program, Dean Gray Patton empowers students to derive maximum benefit from their college experience. As a leader of community-based events like FallFest, she helps convey our institution’s civic-mindedness and commitment to community partnerships.

Suzanne Marnocha, Ph.D.

She’s a brand champion because: In addition to being a respected nurse educator and researcher at UW Oshkosh, she serves as an advanced cardiac life support instructor who teaches classes for nurses and physicians in the region. She regularly presents and publishes her work throughout the country and beyond.

Cindy Schultz

She’s a brand champion because: For the past 25 years, she has served UW Oshkosh students in the Department of Journalism, Department of Social Work and as a LGBTQ and SAFE advocate, her colleagues as a Classified Staff Advisory Council committees’ member and the greater community as a volunteer for the Winneconne-Poygan Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.

Quincy La Grant ’04

Admissions Counselor,
Assistant Football Coach

He’s a brand champion because: As a member of the admissions department, Quincy promotes awareness of the University’s excellence to prospective students, and helps shape the incoming classes that continue to make UW Oshkosh a special place. As a coach, he contributes to an athletic program that builds school spirit and community pride. And as an alumnus, he exemplifies the career success our graduates enjoy.

Guadalupe Salinas

PreCollege Programs Coordinator

She’s a brand champion because: Our PreCollege/Outreach programs help high school and middle school students from traditionally underrepresented groups prepare for and succeed at the University. By carrying forward our values of inclusion and opportunity, Guadalupe helps to demonstrate that UW Oshkosh is a place open and accessible to all.

Beatriz Contreras

Director, Financial Aid

She’s a brand champion because: The Financial Aid Office connects students to the resources they need to achieve their educational aspirations. Through the efforts of Beatriz and her team, we can extend the benefits and promise of a university education to more people in our community, and illustrate our commitment to opportunity and social justice.

Rick VanDrisse

HVAC Supervisor

He’s a brand champion because: Our facilities department maintains both the beauty and the functionality of our campus. Thanks to the efforts of Rick and others, our buildings and grounds are a source of pride within the University, and of admiration among our visitors and guests.

Deborah Carr ’00

The opportunity to learn the tools of the trade as a freshman drew Deborah Nelson Carr to enroll in UW Oshkosh’s radio/TV/film program. She took advantage of the chance to learn how to produce television shows through her work on Titan TV, launching her career in television news. Soon this 2006 Outstanding Young Alumni award winner headed for Los Angeles, where she transitioned to documentary work. Her latest film, FEAT: 63 Marathons in 63 Days, chronicles an endurance runner’s quest in support of children with the rare genetic disease ataxia-telangiectasia.

“It has been a real passion project. My hope is that this film will provide some context for the struggles A-T kids and families face.”

Trevy McDonald ’90, Ph.D.

The summer before she started her freshman year at UW Oshkosh, Trevy McDonald studied the course catalog and designed her personal “blueprint” for success. By sticking to her plan, she completed her  degree in radio/TV/film in just three years. She is the principal and founder of Reyomi Global Media Group. McDonald continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a master’s degree in radio, television and motion pictures and a doctorate in mass communication research. Today, she teaches in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“When I face challenges in my life, my UW Oshkosh degree reminds me of the dedication and tenacity I had at such an early age, and it gives me the strength to conquer the challenge.”

Franklin Cumberbatch ’84

Born in Trinidad, Franklin Cumberbatch grew up without electricity or running water. When he left his homeland in 1979 and arrived in Oshkosh, all he had was a single suitcase, $35 in his pocket and a deep desire to be “educated.” It wasn’t long before his life was transformed by his academic and athletic success at UW Oshkosh. Under the mentorship of track coach Jim Flood, Cumberbatch set UW Oshkosh men’s indoor and outdoor 400-meter records that still stand today. Since then, he has had a successful career in business and municipal management. These days, he is working on another transformation — bringing a small, rural Wisconsin community up to speed through the addition of wireless infrastructure as well as downtown development.

“At UW Oshkosh, I found my first real hope that I could change my life. This was the fork in the road.”

Joye Moon ’84

Since Joye Moon could hold a pencil in her hand, she has thought of herself as an artist. As a young child, she constantly was drawing, painting and trying any new media she came across. She graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1968 with an excellent foundation in art. Later, at UW Oshkosh, she continued to develop her skills and narrowed her focus to watercolor painting and drawing. Moon’s work has been featured in art galleries and museums throughout the nation. She also has taught classes across the U.S. and led international painting trips to the Bahamas, Costal Europe and Mexico. She has been awarded a Signature Membership in the National Watercolor Society.

“As an artist, I feel it is extremely important to keep trying new things and push the envelope of creativity to the maximum. The never-ending creative possibilities fuel my passion to keep evolving as an artist.”