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Titans Take to the Capitol: UWO reps talk priorities and needs in Madison
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt led a Titans Take to the Capitol team of 18 people, including UW Oshkosh student leaders, alumni and University partners, to meet legislators and staff members Wednesday in Madison. The group visited 20 Capitol offices, including Gov. Tony Evers’. The delegation and their success stories reflected the themes and priorities within the UWO2030 Strategic Plan.
“We are grateful for these opportunities to discuss UWO’s priorities and needs,” Leavitt said. “In so many ways, our region’s and Wisconsin’s future run through UWO and UW System institutions. Our elected leaders have difficult budget and policy decisions ahead of them, and we always appreciate their recognition that UWO is a generator of talent, entrepreneurial energy and community leadership essential to our state’s economic and civic strength well into the future.”
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Mastering math: 1,000-plus local students compete in UWO problem-solving contest
More than 1,000 middle and high school students put their brain power to work Tuesday during the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Mathematical Problem-Solving Contest.
Individual and team contests featured problems designed to engage and challenge students while aligning with the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice. Trophies and medals were awarded for top scores.
The event also introduced the students to college life with a wide range of activities and demonstrations by academic departments.
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Fox Cities campus students practice their elevator pitch at networking event
An event designed to help students with job-seeking skills returned this week at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Fox Cities campus.
The UWO Fox Cities Business Club and UWO Fox Cities Student Life co-hosted the Fox Networking Experience Monday in the main hallway and atrium area. The event was slated as a mini career fair and it returned for the first time since 2019. The event was created for employers to meet and interact with students early in their academic careers—creating visibility for the organizations and allowing students to practice their networking skills.
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Out with 2020, in with 2021: UWO embarks on its 150th year
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh community is ready to close the door on the unexpected 2020 and set our sights on an exciting 2021.
In 2021, alumni, students, faculty and staff will embark on UWO’s 150th year of inspiring leaders, researchers and champions. We look forward to celebrating all year long.
Rise as One: Titans readying themselves to chase championships
Every day is a great day to be a Titan.
The pandemic has led to challenging times and extraordinary circumstances for our athletic department and its student-athletes but they are still together, working every day to be the best Titans possible.
They may not be able to compete yet but they are preparing for the day they can again. They are readying themselves to chase championships.
Titans, after all, are champions on the playing field, in the classroom and in the community.
To continue our success and to chase excellence for years to come, the athletics department is asking Titan nation to rise up and support the Rise as One campaign. Any gift is appreciated, no matter the size.
‘Every culture is singing the same song’ in UW Oshkosh multicultural mural
A large colorful mural—with a unifying theme celebrating differences―is on view for all to see this fall on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus.
Three years in the making, the UW Oshkosh Multicultural Student Task Force this week unveiled the new artwork, made up of a dozen 4-by-8-foot sheets in all, affixed to the side of Albee Hall facing Polk Library.
“This project took so long to do and it’s finally here,” said Pa Houa Xiong, a task force member who graduated with a degree in biology in spring 2020. “I’m so excited and hope that other students are excited as well.”
Xiong said the mural is important to her because it is intended to uplift and recognize the communities on campus as well as symbolize the differences amongst each other and “create unity.”
Nicholas Metoxen, task force member and former president of the UWO Intertribal Student Organization, graduated in December 2019 and works as a teacher for Oneida High School. He said he’s extremely happy other students stepped up after original task force members graduated to see the project through.
“I’m super excited to see what kind of impact it has on campus,” he said.
Metoxen believes as students walk to class, the mural will be a reminder of varying cultures. And prospective multi-cultural students who are thinking about attending UWO will see a mural both put up by students and for students.
Nicholas Metoxen
Eau Claire artist Jason Anhorn said he was inspired to create a very colorful and visually busy mural that includes musical aspects and fun designs.
“I’m hoping the mural includes a little cultural flavor from all around the world and sings its own song to each viewer,” he said. “With music, every culture has its own music, but every culture is singing the same song. I titled the mural, Same Song.”
Chancellor Andrew Leavitt said the mural represents that all are supported and valued—”that is what we are trying to achieve.”
UW System Regent Corey Saffold, on hand for the unveiling, said the UWO students didn’t take “no” for an answer regarding the mural.
“Build this mural in every aspect of your life: for justice, for equity, diversity and for inclusion,” he said.
Student idea
Mai Khou Xiong, acting director of Student Achievement Services in the division of Academic Support of Inclusive Excellence, is adviser of the Multicultural Student Task Force and the student-led initiative to get a mural placed in a prominent part of campus.
Mai Khou Xiong
She said several years ago leaders from various multicultural student organizations came together to talk about diversity, inclusion and their experiences on campus. From these dialogues, students identified that there needed to be greater representation of cultural diversity both in and outside of the classroom. One of the critical areas of need was having multicultural artwork on campus. As a result, the student task force was formed with a goal of installing a mural on campus. Students led all aspects of the project, from securing funding, finding a location and selecting the artwork.
The mural is sponsored by the Asian Student Association; Black Student Union; Gentlemen of Excellence (formerly Men of Distinction); Hmong Student Union; Intertribal Student Council; Multicultural Education Coalition; Sisterhood; Student Organization of Latinos; and Women’s Advocacy Council; along with the support of University leadership and various offices across campus.
Dedicated and hard-working students “had a vision three years ago and brought that vision to life,” Xiong said, calling the artwork “an important piece and a meaningful piece.”
Large-scale art
The unique artwork is the creative work of Anhorn, owner of Anhorn Entertainment in western Wisconsin. Anhorn is successful as a caricature artist and creates murals and ice sculptures. This latest work is among the larger ones he’s done over the years.
In July 2001, he and a fellow artist were hired to paint the side of an entire building in Brooklyn two months before 9/11. The 150-by-10-foot mural of a space scene was untouched for four years before it was vandalized.
Another mammoth piece was a 2,500-foot children’s play area mural in July 2013 he was commissioned to paint at the Oakwood Mall in Eau Claire.
For the UWO mural, Anhorn painted the 12 plywood panels with a double coat of primer and then a latex coat of red to the mural side. He then drew his design with latex paint and completed the entire mural freehand with spray paint. He finalized the panels with a clear coat before delivering them to the University. He estimates each panel weighs 75 pounds, noting they were “heavy to move during the entire process but an incredibly fun way to exercise.”
What will students think when they pass by Albee Hall?
“I’m guessing students will like having something colorful and whimsical to look at as they pass along that part of campus,” he said. “I left the design open for interpretation and I hope the mural sparks the students’ imagination.”
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UW Oshkosh alumni obituaries: May 2023
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Alumni Relations Office has received the following death notices:
’50s
Douglas Bezier (EHS) ’57, Howard, April 13, 2023
Anita (Wislinsky) Deininger (EHS) ‘52, Marathon, March 20, 2023
Virgina (Thiel) Saltzman (EHS) ‘51, Janesville, April 3, 2023
Kenneth Schenian (EHS) ‘58, Green Bay, March 18, 2023
’60s
Roger Freiberg (EHS) ’64, Fond du Lac, April 3, 2023
Allen Luedtke (LS) ’65, Luxemburg, Jan. 1, 2023
Thomas Shandonay (EHS) ’65, (MSE) ’76, Neenah, April 8, 2023
LuAnn Siehs (EHS) ’62, Kiel, March 30, 2023
Thomas Tebo (LS) ’64, Germantown, June 10, 2022
John Urban (EHS) ’67, Algoma, Feb. 7, 2023
‘70s
Mark Eggert (LS) ’72, Ogden, Utah, Jan. 6, 2023
Neelima Ingle (MA) ’72, Fond du Lac, April 4, 2023
Nathalie Iwen (EHS) ’70, Hobart, Jan. 29, 2023
Thomas Olson (EHS) ’72, Combined Locks, March 28, 2023
Betty Berndt-Pollack (EHS) ’74, Oshkosh, April 4, 2023
Hilton Summ (LS) ’72, Fort Myers, Florida, April 3, 2023
Johnathan Vidas (LS) ’74 and (MSE) ’76, Two Rivers, March 28, 2023
’80s
Larry Gray (LS) ’80, Nekoosa, April 4, 2023
Robert “Rooster” Jensen (EHS) ‘85, West Allis, March 20, 2023
Gary Krultz (B) ’82 and (MBA) ’92, Greenwood, April 2, 2023
Timothy McGonegle (LS) ’82, Milwaukee, Feb. 17, 2023
’00s
Kimberly Krause (EHS) ’05, Neenah, March 18, 2023
’20s
Matthew Loofboro (LS) ’20, Appleton, March 6, 2023
Friends and faculty
Sharon Panske (EHS) ’86, UW Oshkosh assistant volleyball coach and head softball coach 1986-2003, Richland Center, March 25, 2023
UW Oshkosh alumni class notes: May 2023
’64 Judith (Harteau) Jagdfeld (EHS), of Howell, Michigan, was inducted into the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame. Jagdfeld coached boys and girls tennis at Hartland High School for 35 years, working with nearly 1,000 athletes.
’72 Terrence Teske (EHS), retired after teaching 37 years at Wauwatosa East High School. Teske now coaches varsity boys basketball at Nicolet High School, where he has led the team to three appearances in the state tournament and one championship.
’73 Daniel Krhin (LS), of Oshkosh, is the director of TRIO Student Support Services, providing retention and graduation services to first-generation and students with disabilities at Ripon College. Krhin also assists students on the path to graduate school by finding research programs and helping prepare applications and works to place students in school-to-career internships.
Brenda Lau
’83 Brenda (Schuett) Lau (LS), of Venice, California, founded A Bunch of Productions, a transmedia company specializing in original creative content. Lau formerly worked for ABC.
’85 Joy Smith (LS), of Lakeland, Florida, recently published Taboo Tech, a sci-fi fantasy novel.
’87 Jamie Pollard (B), of Ames, Iowa, was named one of four Athletic Directors of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Pollard has been the athletic director at Iowa State University for 18 years.
’89 Kim Marsolek (EHS), of Wausaukee, is a special education teacher in the Wausaukee School District. Marsolek has three children and twin grandchildren.
’91 Monica (Manthey) Schmude (LS), of Vienna, Virginia, is the president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia. Schmude was previously president of Cigna’s mid-Atlantic market.
’94 John Buelow (B), of Fond du Lac, was named to the National Exchange Bank and Trust Board of Directors. Buelow is the president of Mercury Marine where he has worked for almost 20 years.
’95 Lisa Kelling (LS), of Adell, is a music therapist and life enrichment team member at Cedar Community Assisted Living where she has worked for 28 years.
’97 Nicole (Kenas) Weise (LS) and ’09 (MBA), of Fond du Lac, is the chief operations officer at National Exchange Bank and Trust where she has worked since 2003.
’09 Natasha Steenbergen (B), of Johnson Creek, is the lead motorcycle sales and operations planner at the Harley-Davidson Motor Co. corporate headquarters.
’09 Eric Saeger (B), (LS) and ’11 (MBA), of Oshkosh, was named one of NEW North-Insight Publication’s 2023 40 under 40 Award recipients, based on professional and civic accomplishments. Saeger is a division leader at Modular Web Solutions.
’10 Tony Goebel (B), of Eldorado, was named one of NEW North-Insight Publication’s 2023 40 under 40 Award recipients, based on professional and civic accomplishments. Goebel is founder and CEO of 5G Benefits and Insurance.
Anne Kopacz
’10 Anne Kopacz (LS) and ’20 (MBA), of Oshkosh, is a senior customer service manager at Amcor.
’11 Melody Wuest (LS), of Sheboygan, is a senior regulatory affairs analyst at Acuity Insurance.
’13 Jacob VanDaalwyk (MBA), of Green Bay, was named one of NEW North-Insight Publication’s 2023 40 under 40 Award recipients, based on professional and civic accomplishments. VanDaalwyk is senior vice president of enterprise risk management and corporate risk strategy at Associated Bank.
’13 Sadie Vander Velde (MPA), of Fond du Lac, was named one of NEW North-Insight Publication’s 2023 40 under 40 Award recipients, based on professional and civic accomplishments. Vander Velde is president and CEO at Envision Greater Fond du Lac.
’14 Marisa (Bailey) Evans (LS), of Watertown, is a licensed professional counselor specializing in eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety, mental health counseling and stress management at Bellin Health Psychiatric Center.
’14 Manny Vasquez (MPA), of Kaukauna, was named one of NEW North-Insight Publication’s 2023 40 under 40 Award recipients, based on professional and civic accomplishments. Vasquez is vice president of business development at NAI Pfefferle.
’15 Matthew Hartin (MSE), of Lena, is the incoming principal at Marinette Middle School. Hartin is currently principal of Oconto Middle School.
’16 Ciara Hill (LS), of Appleton, was named one of NEW North-Insight Publication’s 2023 40 under 40 Award recipients, based on professional and civic accomplishments. Hill is the director of advocacy at Reach Counseling Services.
’16 Jeremiah Hoffmann (LS), of Fond du Lac, stepped down as head coach of UW Oshkosh women’s golf team to become the director of the Masters of Sports and Recreation Management Program at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee.
’16 Christiana Trapani (LS), of Egg Harbor, was named one of NEW North-Insight Publication’s 2023 40 under 40 Award recipients, based on professional and civic accomplishments. Trapani is the owner of Door County Candle Company.
’16 Megan (White) Miller (B), of Appleton, is a product analyst with Secura Insurance.
’17 Stacie Hazlett-Rothie (LS), of Appleton, is the communications and outreach specialist for the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region. Hazlett-Rothie was previously an engagement and communications specialist with CAP Services, Inc.
’19 Megan (Cole) Galvin (EHS), of Jackson, Michigan, is a J.U.M.P. instructor for Family Service and Children’s Aid, where she works with at-risk youth on topics of life skills and high-risk choices. Galvin and her husband have a seven-month-old daughter.
Alyssabeth Wodack
’20 Megan Behnke (LS), of Sun Prairie, is a staff writer for PopCulture.com, owned by Paramount Production Company.
’20 Autumn Siudzinski (MBA), of De Pere, was named one of NEW North-Insight Publication’s 2023 40 under 40 Award recipients, based on professional and civic accomplishments. Siudzinski is the director of strategy and operations at ChemDirect.
’21 Noah Jorgensen (LS), of Fond du Lac, is a youth mentor with CESA 6.
’21 Rachel Lukas (LS), of Libertyville, Illinois, earned multiple Wisconsin Newspaper Association Awards as a photographer and videographer for her work with the Door County Pulse.
’22 Alyssabeth Wodack (LS), of Mount Calvary, is participating in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
’23 Reagan Fritts (LS), of Oswego, Illinois, is an account assistant for Red Shoes Inc. where she will support client teams. Fritts was previously a creative content intern with UW Oshkosh’s journalism department.
Fox Valley Concert Band spring concert set for May 12
With a focus on music from Latin and South America, the Fox Valley Concert Band will present its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 12 in Perry Hall on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Fox Cities campus.
Led by conductor Marc Sackman, the program will feature Marisol Kuborn in a performance of Rey Rosauro’s Concerto #1 for Marimba. Other works include Street Tango by Astor Piazzolla and Danzon #2 by Arturo Márquez.
Jenny Leist will be featured alto saxophone soloist on Duke Ellington’s Come Sunday. Also on the program will be Psalm for Band by American composer Vincent Persichetti. The featured march for the evening will be the Spanish march Amparito Roca by Jaime Teixidor.
The concert is free and open to the public.
Inaugural Special Olympics Wisconsin Spring Games coming to UWO April 14-16
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will see an influx of athletes from across the state as the inaugural Special Olympics Wisconsin Spring Games takes place at Kolf Sports Center and Albee Pool, beginning Friday, April 14 and running through Sunday, April 16.
More than 1,000 athletes are expected to compete in 3V3 basketball, basketball skills, team basketball and multiple swimming events.
Opening ceremony for athletes, family and fans is s at 5 p.m. Friday at Kolf, 785 High Ave.
In addition to the Spring Games, a variety of free health-focused activities are planned.
Volunteers are still needed. Those interested will receive a free T-shirt and can check here for sign-up. Volunteers also may contact Nicole Christensen at nchristensen@specialolympicswisconsin.org or (608) 442-5670.
New mobile app helps locate regional substance use recovery resources
“This app makes it so easy to connect people to resources and, at the end of the day, it’s going to save lives,” said Chris Tarmann, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh acting police chief and OFR team member. “We’re grateful for the partnerships and relationships in our community that were key to moving this idea forward.”
The We Heart You app is available for immediate download and usage on all Apple and Android devices.
The idea for the app grew out of community conversations, including listening sessions at the We Heart You: Recovery in Our Community event hosted in March 2022 by the OFR team.
The event connected the recovery community to the broader community, bringing together over 350 people from all over the state to learn and connect. Based on what our community learned at that event and the hard work of Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review partners, especially Solutions Recovery Inc., the UW Oshkosh police department and behavioral health ARPA funding from the city of Appleton and Outagamie County, the OFR team came together to create the We Heart You App.
The app offers substance use resources related to treatment options, support meetings, access to Narcan and harm reduction tools, support services and mental and behavioral health screeners.
“A big piece of this app that we’re really excited about is the ‘Talk to Someone’ feature,” said Trevor Fenrich, executive director of Solutions Recovery Inc. and OFR partner. “Individuals struggling themselves, family members, friends, professionals or anyone who needs help has 24/7 access to peer support specialists who can walk them through whatever they’re going through.”
When you tap on the ‘Talk to Someone’ button, you can call, text, email, or chat with a Peer Recovery Specialist who will be there for you when you need them.
“If you’re struggling and need help, we want you to know that you don’t have to walk this path alone,” said OFR Facilitator Jennifer Skolaski. “There are so many wonderful resources in our community to assist you. Together we can stop the cycle of overdose deaths.”
The OFR team will continue to update and improve the app, thanks to funding from the J. J. Keller Foundation.
The purpose of the Winnebago County OFR team is to prevent overdose deaths. The team accomplishes this by examining individual, organizational and system-level factors related to overdose deaths in the county. We Heart You has become the tagline of the team. It means we hear you, we love you and we stand together as a community to help one another in times of need.
Download the app at www.weheartyou.org/app. Watch the launch of the app on Solution Recovery Inc.’s YouTube channel or youtu.be/QbUcrF2pLe0.
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UWO alumnus lauded for years of service as city finance director (pg. 3)
Oshkosh Herald, pg. 3, March 20
UWO chancellor says Universities of Wisconsin system didn’t sell out students of color for $800M
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 25
UWO gymnasts three-peat, win record-breaking national championship
WFRV, March 24
UWO gymnastics crowned three-peat national champions
WLUK, March 23
One last play to take stage at UWO Fond du Lac this spring before campus closes for good
Fond du Lac Reporter, March 23