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As part of the recent transformation of UW Oshkosh’s general education curriculum, students will connect with a peer mentor during their first year and a USP alumni mentor during their second year on campus.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for UW Oshkosh alumni to put their Titan pride into action and give back to their alma mater in a most meaningful and impactful way,” said UWO Alumni Director Christine Gantner.

An estimated 70 to 80 UWO alumni will be needed to serve as mentors.

While students complete a community experience as part of their sophomore Quest III course, they will be assigned a USP alumni mentor who will learn and serve side-by-side with them.

“USP alumni mentors will serve as role models, demonstrating civic engagement as they volunteer,” explained USP Director Lori Carrell. “We are delighted that UW Oshkosh alumni are interested in giving back to UW Oshkosh, to current students and to the community.”

Many of the community experiences—ranging from collecting soil samples to interviewing farmers for an oral history project or assisting with a financial literacy workshop at the Boys and Girls Club—will take place within 30 miles of the UWO campus. Other experiences may occur on weekends or during a concentrated time frame, such as spring break, allowing alumni who live further away to take part as well.

An informational session to learn more about the details of becoming a USP alumni mentor will be held at 6:15 p.m.  Monday, Oct. 21, in Reeve Memorial Union Ballroom, as part of the 2013 Provost’s Teaching and Learning Summit: Global Perspectives.

Prior to the informational session, alumni are invited to attend a 5 p.m. opening summit reception in the Reeve Ballroom hosted by Provost Lane Earns. A keynote address will be presented by Kevin Hoveland, senior director of Global Learning and Curricular Change with the American Association of Colleges and Universities.

Please send an email to cetl@uwosh.edu to sign up for the informational session and/or the opening reception by Oct. 16.

In addition, an online interest form is available in the Alumni Mentors section of the USP website. The priority date to express your interest in serving during the fall 2014 semester is Dec. 13.

Mentors will be matched with community experiences/Quest III courses in January 2014, with mentor training to follow in spring 2014 in time to begin serving during the 2014-2015 academic year. Questions may be directed to Mike Lueder, USP community experience coordinator, at luederm@uwosh.edu or (920) 424-1269.

Read more:

• UWO faculty, staff celebrate University Studies Program launch 
• Strong enrollment, landmark gen-ed program’s launch mark start of UWO 2013-14 year 

The goal of the programs is to help students achieve success in college, increasing retention and graduation rates. Both programs target first-generation, limited-income and/or students or color.   Students meeting one or more of those criteria are statistically more likely not to earn a baccalaureate degree.

The First Years Scholars program serves 100 first-year UW Oshkosh students. The program provides support services to the students through academic advising, academic and life skills development, financial aid and literacy assistance and mentoring.

First Year Scholars is beginning its second year, having debuted in fall 2012. As one student who participated in the program during 2012-13 academic year shared, “Overall I’m still trying to find who or what I want to be, but because of FYS I have the tools and will continue to increase my knowledge as a UW Oshkosh student.”

Future Young Professionals serves 25 students second-year students who were in First Year Scholars last year. Future Young Professionals prepares students for internships and relevant work experience. Students become aware of the current world of work, develop a personal career action plan, learn how to conduct an internship or job search, gain interview experience and develop a networking plan. In addition, they will participate in two short-term job shadowing experiences.

UW Oshkosh was one of 28 two-year, four-year and technical colleges awarded the Great Lakes College Success grant. The programs are spread across Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, serving more than 4,000 undergraduate students.

Student Support Services submitted this announcement. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to contribute calendar items, campus announcements and other good news to UW Oshkosh Today.

• Email the editors.

ʼ50s
David Luebke (EHS) ’59, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 6, 2013

ʼ60s
Elizabeth (Zaida) Francour (EHS) ’62, Green Lake, Sept. 6, 2013
Nancy (Tuschl) Winkler (EHS) ’63 and (MSE) ’90, Oshkosh, Sept. 4, 2013

ʼ70s
Fredric Bunke (EHS) ’71, Cascade, Sept. 20, 2013
Sara (Underwood) Hirsch (N) ’77, Mount Horeb, Sept. 15, 2013
Mark McLaughlin (EHS) ’73, Madison, Aug. 24, 2013
Diane Rochon (EHS) ’78, Appleton, Sept. 18, 2013
Peter Zimmerman (LS) ’72 and (MSE) ’87, Plover, Sept. 7, 2013

ʼ80s
Larry Nash (MSE) ’88, Madison, Sept. 9, 2013
Eugene Piette (LS) ’89, Reedsville, Sept. 16, 2013

ʼ90s
Robert Jacque (B) ’94 and (MBA) ’04, Oshkosh, Sept. 2, 2013

Former Faculty and Friends
Gladys Andrasko, College of Education and Human Services, 1965-1983, Sept. 11, 2013
James Davies, associate professor, College of Education and Human Services, coach for intercollegiate athletics, 1964-1990, Sept. 1, 2013

ABBREVIATION KEY
COLLEGES
• AAS — Associate of Arts and Science Degree
• B — Business
• EHS — Education and Human Services
• LLCE  — Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement
• LS — Letters and Science
• N — Nursing

GRADUATE DEGREES
• DNP — Doctorate of Nursing Practice
• GMBA — Global Master of Business Administration
• MA — Master of Arts
• MBA— Master of Business Administration
• MPA — Master of Public Administration
• MS — Master of Science
• MSE — Master of Science in Education
• MSN — Master of Science in Nursing
• MST — Master of Science in Teaching
• MSW — Master of Social Work

If you know of a classmate, family member or other UW Oshkosh friend who has passed away, email alumni@uwosh.edu or call Linda Cotton in the Alumni Relations Office at (877) UWO-ALUM or (920) 424-3449.

’68 Jane (Catencamp) McCown (EHS), of Paradise Valley, Ariz., is a realtor specializing in second home purchases in the Scottsdale Phoenix area.

’70 Hans-Peter Kohlhoff (EHS), of Beaver Dam, signed a contract with the Racine Unified School District to teach German.

’71 Joan (Solander) Lemon (EHS), of Grand Rapids, Mich., is working for Dolphin Vacation in sales and traveling to foreign places to inspect five star resorts for award incentive groups.

’71 David Tolpingrud (B), of Del Mar, Calif., was a golf pro after college and is now in the retirement planning business.

’71 James Toshner (EHS), of Sussex, has retired from Roundy’s as a food manager and spends his free time playing sports.

’74 Katherine Murphy-Mezera (LS), of Oshkosh, was hired by 44º North Advertising and Design as part of the professional graphic design team.

’77 Kerry Sievert (EHS), of Manitowoc, returned to his hometown of Kiel as principal of Divine Savior Catholic School.

’78 Walter Koskinen (EHS), of Neenah, was hired by Reinhart Partners Inc. as a relationship manager, after working 25 years in the financial services industry.

’80 Sheryl (Ashauer) Huhn (LS) and ’97 (MBA), of Kimberly, was hired as an executive search consultant at Advanced Professional Services.

’84 Jon Kohlin (EHS), of Ashland, is a math and science teacher for the Mellen School District.

’85 Tina (Kempf) Bettin (N) and ’89 (MSN), of Marion, received the American Association of Nurse Practitioners 2013 State Award of Excellence.

’86 Steven Bartelt (B), of Wauwatosa, has been promoted to director of legal affairs for the Marcus Corporation. He is a founding member and former officer of the College of Business alumni chapter.

’86 Joseph Geniesse (EHS), of Oshkosh, is the executive director at Fr. Carr’s Place 2B, which serves the area’s homeless, hungry and those in need of better healthcare.

’86 Sharon (Salisbury) Hansen (LS) and ’91 (MSE), of Oshkosh, released a workbook, titled The Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens, on Oct. 1. The workbook helps teens who struggle with planning and organizing.

’87 Kari (Hepp) Eggert (EHS), of Brownsville, is teaching music at Theresa Elementary School.

‘88 Joseph Abhold (LS), of Oshkosh, is the new dean of students at UW-Eau Claire.

’90 Robert Smith (MBA), of Christiansburg, Va., has been appointed head of the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech.

’93 Kevin Brown (LS), of Pasco, Wash., moved to the Tri-Cities area to begin a new job at Railex and be closer to family.

’96 Robert Berg (MS), of Altoona, works as an associate lecturer in mathematics at UW-Eau Claire.

’96 Jennifer Eisenbart (LS), of Burlington, has been promoted to news editor at Burlington Standard Press.

’96 Brian Vogt (EHS), of Yorktown, Va., was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He is assigned as the modeling and simulation future technology branch chief of the U.S Army Capability Integration Center at Fort Eustis, Va.

’99 Jennifer (Skruby) Leahy (LS) and ’11 (EHS), of Appleton, is a general music teacher at Mapleview Intermediate School in Kimberly.

’01 Heidi (Turchan) Schroderus (EHS) and ’06 (MSE), of Appleton, is the new principal at Stangel Elementary School.

’02 Scott Hildebrand (B), of Neenah, has been promoted to consumer loan officer at Anchor Bank in Neenah.

’06 Patrick Cannon (LS) and ’06 Erin (Katzenberg) Cannon (LS), of Wauwatosa, welcomed a baby boy, Ayden Cooper Cannon, to their family on June 1.

’09 Jill (Gloudemans) Schabach (N), of Little Chute, joined Calumet Medical Center in Chilton as a nurse practitioner.

’10 Rosa Carrillo (EHS), of Appleton, is teaching bilingual language arts at New London Middle School.

’12 Alexander Turinske (LS), of Atlanta, Ga., is a teaching/research assistant at Georgia Institute of Technology.

’13 Lauren Brusewitz (EHS), of Franklin, is the new early childhood and elementary special education teacher at Marion Elementary School.

ABBREVIATION KEY
COLLEGES
• AAS — Associate of Arts and Science Degree
• B — Business
• EHS — Education and Human Services
• LLCE  — Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement
• LS — Letters and Science
• N — Nursing

GRADUATE DEGREES
• DNP — Doctor of Nursing Practice
• GMBA — Global Master of Business Administration
• MA — Master of Arts
• MBA— Master of Business Administration
• MPA — Master of Public Administration
• MS — Master of Science
• MSE — Master of Science in Education
• MSN — Master of Science in Nursing
• MST — Master of Science in Teaching
• MSW — Master of Social Work

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The Executive Education Center, located at 2323 E. Capitol Drive in Appleton, was established to coincide with the recent launch of the Executive MBA path at UW Oshkosh. The Executive MBA path is aimed at transforming the way master’s level business education is delivered to MBA students.

The program path is geared toward mid- to senior-level business executives and was designed by UW Oshkosh faculty and partners for executives and emerging business leaders — those with at least eight years of professional work experience and at least five years of leadership experience.

“The Executive MBA path is an exciting addition to the College of Business,” said Kathy Hagens, MBA program director at UW Oshkosh. “It complements the current Professional MBA program path, providing seasoned business leaders with an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who share similar business challenges.”

The first cohort of students — made up of students from throughout Wisconsin — began the Executive MBA path at UW Oshkosh Sept. 4 with a rigorous four-day immersion.

Check out photos from the class’ first days in the program…

“After only a few weeks in the Executive MBA program path, I was able to apply what I recently learned to my corporate semi-annual strategic planning session at work,” said Charles Garris III, vice president of product development, engineering and technical services for CMD Corporation. “Both the CEO and CFO were discussing financial subtleties, which for the first time ever, I was able to understand and contribute.”

The Executive MBA path is a 16-month learning experience that continues with Saturday classes, aimed at the working business professional.  Once opened, all Executive MBA courses will be offered at the Executive Education Center.

Beyond Executive MBA weekend classes, the Appleton Executive Education Center will host additional UW Oshkosh activities, groups and functions; the Center will also serve as a resource for local businesses.

Grand Opening event

The grand opening of the UW Oshkosh Executive Education Center will be held Thursday, Oct. 17 with a formal welcome by Chancellor Richard Wells, UW Oshkosh College of Business Dean Bill Tallon, Hagens and Executive Vice President of the Fox Cities Chamber Melody Lane Buller at 4:30 p.m. An open house will follow from 5 until 7 p.m.

Read more:

• Executive MBA path at UW Oshkosh

The fun kicks off on campus Oct. 5 with many on-campus activities to get students, faculty and staff in the magical spirit. Then, Homecoming Day festivities will take place throughout the day Saturday, Oct. 12 and conclude with the football game at 1:30 p.m. at J. J. Keller Field at the Oshkosh Sports Complex.

This year’s theme, “Where Titans Dare to Dream” is geared at all the magical moments alumni had—and current students have—at UW Oshkosh.

“This year’s theme has an interesting tie because some UW Oshkosh alumni work for Disney so it makes it fun. Homecoming is really a chance to welcome alumni home to their alma mater,” said UW Oshkosh Alumni Relations Director Christine Gantner. “We get amazing feedback from alumni regarding what the institution has become and the transformation of campus with new buildings and signage.”

There are many activities that take place on and around campus during Homecoming week, including:

Sunday, Oct. 6:

• Window Painting, 2-4 p.m., Reeve Marketplace

Monday, Oct. 7:

• Hall/House Decorations, Judged 5 p.m.
• Homecoming Button Hunt begins, runs through Friday, Oct. 11

Tuesday, Oct. 8:

• Talent Show Rehearsals, 5-7 p.m., Reeve Ballroom
• Talent Show with Jason LeVasseur, 8 p.m., Reeve Ballroom

Thursday, Oct. 10:

• Spoons Tournament, 4 p.m. Reeve Concourse
• Flag Football, 5:30 p.m., Kolf Fieldhouse

Friday, Oct. 11:

• Food Drive, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Blackhawk Commons Dock
• Yell Like Hell/Lip Sync, 7 p.m., Albee Hall Gym

Check out full event details here. 

With all of these campus activities planned for the magical week, the Reeve Union Special Events Committee wanted to encourage competition between the resident halls, the Greeks and student organizations in every event, so they eliminated entry fees and prize money this year.

“After soliciting feedback from organizations about how cumbersome the payment process was and the benefits of small prize amounts it was decided that this would make the process much easier for student organizations to participate,” said Chelsea Redger, Reeve Union Board Adviser. “Reeve Union Board is always looking for ways to make Homecoming easier for students to enjoy and participate.”

Homecoming 2013 weekend

Come Homecoming Day, festivities kick off at the Pollock Alumni House with the annual continental breakfast. This is the last year that the breakfast will be at the Pollock House, as next year the breakfast will be moving to the new Alumni Welcome and Conference Center. The breakfast will include trivia for students and alumni.

Of course, for alumni, Homecoming is also about journeying back to the UW Oshkosh campus. Alumni, along with faculty, staff, students and community members, can get involved in many ways on Saturday by participating in the Tour de Titan bike ride and enjoying free food (including Chancellor Wells’ famous meatballs) and music at Tent City before the football game.

The UW Oshkosh Titans football team takes the field for the main event Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The UW Oshkosh Titans take on UW-La Crosse at J. J. Keller Field. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for K-12 students. Admission is free to all UW Oshkosh students with a valid Titan ID card.

The Homecoming wrap up is the alumni post-game celebration, which is being held this year at the Ground Round inside of the Oshkosh Premier Waterfront Hotel.

Gantner said she’s proud to have such a great lineup of events and Homecoming traditions at UW Oshkosh.

“All of our various audiences can come together to show their Titan pride. For the students it’s being proud of their institution, for the community it’s an opportunity to enjoy UWO and engage with the campus community and for the alumni it’s an opportunity for them to be proud of their UWO roots and reminisce about their college days,” Gantner said.

Homecoming weekend schedule:

Friday, October 11

• Radio TV-Film Pro Perspectives, Titan TV Studio, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• UW Oshkosh Alumni Association Awards Dinner, 5 p.m., Reeve 227 (Reserve a spot by calling (920) 424-3449)

Saturday, October 12

• Continental Breakfast and Open House, 9:30-11 a.m., Pollock Alumni House
• Political Science Welcome for alumni and students, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Sage Hall 4600
• Tour de Titan bike ride, 11 a.m., depart from Pollock Alumni House and end at Tent City, Josslyn Street
• Tent City, 12-1:30 p.m., South of the Oshkosh Sports Complex on Josslyn Street
• Football Game, 1:30 p.m. J. J. Keller Field at Oshkosh Sports Complex
• Following Game: Fifth Quarter, Ground Round at River’s Edge, Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel, 1 N. Main St.

Learn more:

• Homecoming at UW Oshkosh 

The Tour de Titan, a UWO Homecoming cruiser ride that promotes a bike-friendly Oshkosh, is teaming up with the Oshkosh Cycling Club and re:Think Winnebago’s Healthy Living Partnership to take part in the First Across grand opening event.

“The mission is to support and promote safe cycling in the community for all levels of cycling and to encourage the health of our people and the growth and vitality of our sport,” said Ken Kubiak, Oshkosh Cycling Club president and 1977 UWO alumnus.

Those goals fit well with the re:Think coalition, which provides outreach, education and resources to the community, and helps to develop and promote local and state policies in an effort to increase the health of residents and positively impact the community environment.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the many unique resources our community has to offer that allow people  to stay physically active,” said UWO alumna Emily Dieringer ’08, re:Think coalition coordinator.

Registration for the Tour de Titan begins at 9:30 a.m. at Pollock Alumni House, 765 Algoma Blvd., as part of the Homecoming open house celebration.

Cyclists will depart at 11 a.m. from Pollock. They will bike along the Wiowash Trail until they reach the north end of the causeway near the Ecklund Motorsports driveway and join in the First Across dedication ceremony, which will already be in progress.

The Tour de Titan cyclists will then lead the way across the causeway as additional walkers and runners take their first steps over the new trail. The family-friendly event also welcomes dogs and their walkers.

The Tour de Titan participants will then turn back toward campus and end their ride at the Homecoming pregame celebration known as Tent City near the Oshkosh Sports Complex on Josslyn Street.  Riders are invited to enjoy complimentary food, beverage and entertainment.

A secure bike corral will be provided at both the start and finish of the ride.

Helmets are required for the ride. A limited quantity of helmets will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis on the morning of the ride for $20 (retail for $40).

Registration for the Tour de Titan is just $10 per person for the ride and a gift bag. Print your registration form here and send to Alumni Relations to join in on the fun!

Advanced registrants by Friday, Oct. 4, will be entered into a drawing for prizes on the day of the event. Prizes also will be awarded for best vintage bike, most unique bike, best decorated bike and best costume.

Learn more:

• Homecoming 2013: Where Titans Dare to Dream

Klein was nominated by Tom Grogan. Portions of Klein’s nomination follow.

“Observing Jerry over the years, I have always been struck by his “grounded” sense of pragmatism and his helpful and engaging spirit. He has a difficult job that he does in a reasonable and balanced manner. He is kind, thoughtful, resourceful and respectful.

“The Parking Services unit oftentimes does not get the respect and recognition that they receive. We all count on them to ensure the orderly and efficient delivery of services, but many of us are “quick” to be critical (if not hyper-critical) when things don’t turn out exactly like we would wish them to be.

“Jerry Klein (and, for that matter, others) always approaches his work with a quiet and unassuming sense of positive orientation toward doing the greatest and best good for everyone that he comes into contact with. The difficulties of managing all of the many competing needs/interests is something that places extraordinary stress on this key area of functional responsibility. My personal sense is that Jerry always strives to “do right” by those who look to him for the character and quality of the service that he provides.

“In my book, this “quiet and unassuming” record of “steady” and “exemplary” service is in the best tradition of excellence for any who serve key roles as members of the University Staff.

“It is a pleasure to nominate Jerry for this special award, for I know in my heart that everyday is a day when Jerry proves himself to be a “star” performer.”

The CSAC Awards & Recognition Committee submitted this announcement. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to contribute calendar items, campus announcements and other good news to UW Oshkosh Today.

• Email the editor.