Partnership offers increased opportunities for nursing education

Unique solutions to help ease the acute nursing shortage in Wisconsin and the rest of the nation may arise from a public-private partnership making its debut this fall.

The partnership will allow future nurses in the Coulee Region to earn bachelor of science degrees from UW-Madison's School of Nursing while attending a program at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.

"This is an exciting option for western Wisconsin students who want to become nurses," said UW-Madison School of Nursing Dean Katharyn May. "It's one big step toward creating more educational opportunities for the nurses our state desperately needs."

The program is being modeled after the UW Medical School's existing "western clinical campus" at Gundersen Lutheran. Nursing students will study and graduate as if they were attending UW-Madison, but Gundersen Lutheran nursing specialists will work in cooperation with UW-Madison faculty to teach courses, allowing more nurses to graduate without requiring more UW instructors.

UW-La Crosse, a leader in allied health programs, will join the partnership as a provider of instruction in pathology and pharmacology courses, as well as various student services.

UW-Madison's School of Nursing currently enrolls 277 undergraduates, 122 master's candidates and 39 doctoral students. The first class at Gundersen Lutheran will consist of 12-14 students, but the program could eventually serve as many as 48 students.

In the hopes that the expanded program will increase the number of university-educated nurses in the region, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation is contributing a large portion of the operating costs.

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UW-Madison dual admission program to include MATC

In an example of increased collaboration between UW and the state's technical colleges, Madison Area Technical College students will be eligible this fall to join a program offering dual admission to UW-Madison.

The program, called UW-Madison Connections, allows students to complete their undergraduate education at UW-Madison after two years at a participating college. The program already includes the 13 freshman-sophomore UW Colleges campuses.

UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley and MATC President Beverly Simone have both said the expanded program will allow better access for the large number of Dane County residents who apply for admission.

"This partnership greatly benefits the students served by both institutions by providing them access to a solid liberal arts education at MATC for two years, along with the security of admission as a junior to UW-Madison to complete their baccalaureate degree," Simone said. "It also helps MATC and UW-Madison serve students who may otherwise have decided to leave Dane County to attend college."

UW-Madison Connections initially began in 2001 as an alternative for the growing number of academically qualified students that UW-Madison is unable to accommodate. About 85 students enrolled during the first two years of the program.

Students in the first two years of the Connections program enjoy the same privileges as freshmen on the UW-Madison campus, including access to libraries, recreational facilities and student unions.

Students who choose to enroll at MATC, however, will have to pay student fees to UW-Madison each semester to cover University Health Services, Memorial Union and recreational sports due to their proximity to campus.

UW Colleges Chancellor William Messner welcomed MATC as a new partner in the successful pilot program. "The UW-Madison Connections program combines the best of both worlds for students," Messner said. "They've been able to get their 'best start' on one of our small campuses ... and ultimately, they get their bachelor's degree from a world-class major research university."

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Glover at UWSP Actor Danny Glover visited UW-Stevens Point in February as part of a free Performing Arts Series lecture. Glover read the poetry of Langston Hughes to a crowd at Berg Gym. Pictured with Glover, from left, are Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Bob Tomlinson, Provost/Vice Chancellor Virginia Helm and Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Greg Diemer. (UW-Stevens Point)

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USA TODAY awards academic honor to UW-Eau Claire senior

A UW-Eau Claire senior who has worked to protect the needs of people with disabilities was among 20 U.S. college students named to the 2002 All-USA College Academic First Team.

Lisa Hansen (UW-Eau-Claire)

The honor and $2,500 were awarded to Lisa Hansen, an elementary education major who was born with glaucoma and has had more than 25 surgeries for her blindness.

Interim Associate Dean of Education Katherine Rhoades nominated Hansen for the award, which USA TODAY gives annually to recognize significant academic achievement at the undergraduate level.

Rhoades described Hansen as a student leader, a collaborative student researcher, an accomplished Honors student, and a champion to improve accommodations for people with disabilities.

Hansen lost most of her vision during college and could only distinguish light and dark following an unsuccessful corneal transplant in 2001. However, she regained much of her sight after a second, successful transplant last May.

"I can see stars for the first time, and people's faces. I can even ride a bike," Hansen has said.

One of Hansen's outreach projects at UW-Eau Claire, which identified resources that geoscience teachers can use to overcome the challenges of educating students with visual impairments, earned a first-place award at UW-Eau Claire's annual Student Research Day.

Hansen plans to seek a teaching job after graduation in August and intends to earn a doctorate in education. She plans to study cultural and disability issues as they relate to teachers and the classroom.

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UW-Whitewater business center wins state partnership award

A UW-Whitewater business center and a local economic development organization have earned a special partnership award from the state in recognition of their joint support for start-up businesses in Beloit.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development presented the award in March to the UW-Whitewater Entrepreneurial Development Center and the Urban Economic Development Association of Beloit, which have combined services to more easily assist people with business opportunities.

"This program epitomizes how collaboration can save dollars and be more effective for our customers," said DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman.

UW-Whitewater's EDC, an extension of the Small Business Development Center on campus, relies on grants and foundation money to help clients start their own businesses. The Beloit economic development organization, partially funded by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, has refined its business counseling efforts for minorities, women and people with disabilities.

"We're both small partners, and we realized that by working together, we could share our strengths and people would come in and it would be seamless service delivery," said EDC Director Dave Buchen.

The joint effort also uses local community block grants to provide low-interest loans that support job development in the area, takes advantage of internships through Beloit College and UW-Whitewater, and employs individuals through Job Service programs that place older workers or those who need job experience.

"All in all, we embody the true spirit of partnership in our office," Buchen said.

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UW-Green Bay Commencement A highlight of mid-year commencement at UW-Green Bay was a milestone presentation that blended past and present. On hand for the presentation of UW-Green Bay's 20,000th degree were current Chancellor Bruce Shepard, left, and its recipient, Leanne Shaha, a business and Spanish major from Luxemburg, Wis. Reunited for the occasion were the principals of the very first degree awarded in June 1970: Founding Chancellor Edward Weidner and Nancy Deprey, who was graduate No. 1 with a bachelor's degree in regional analysis. (UW-Green Bay)

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UW-Waukesha students and faculty present joint research

Students at UW-Waukesha showcased a semester of successful collaboration at a fall symposium highlighting joint research with faculty members.

The students were part of a program supported by the UW Colleges that allows UW-Waukesha faculty to select students to join research in 12 distinct disciplines.

First place honors were awarded to Lucas Carrao of Pewaukee, who worked with Assistant Professor of Political Science Margaret Hirschberg on a paper entitled "The Power of Efficacy: A Comparison of Mass and Elite Personal and Political Efficacy." Katie Schmitt of Hartland took second place with her paper, "Spatial Skills: A Spider's Web," co-authored with Psychology Professor Bob Bermant.

Three history students-Nicholas Albers of Menomonee Falls, Megan Johnson of Waukesha and Gabrielle Ziehr of West Bend-took third place with their paper, "Architecture and Political Power: Kings, Palaces and Politics," under the direction of Jane Crisler, associate professor of history.

Bermant, who helped establish the program to build closer faculty-student relationships through research, said the research also helped stimulate the potential of students with above-average abilities.

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Listening Sessions The UW System Board of Regents held five listening sessions this spring about the university's budget. At a Waukesha listening session (left), Jill G. Pelisek, chair of the UW-Milwaukee Foundation, voices her support for the UW System as Russ Launder, president of the UW-Waukesha Friends and Alumni Foundation, looks on. (UW-Milwaukee) At a session at UW-Stevens Point (right), new student Regent Beth Richlen speaks out on behalf of students. Richlen is president of the UW-Stevens Point Student Government Association. Next to her are Richard Muzzy, president of WSPT-AM in Stevens Point (left), and Dean Ryerson, superintendent of the Wisconsin Rapids school district. (UW-Stevens Point)

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UWM finds little things can make a big difference

Ideas as simple as a decal in an acceptance letter or reviving picnic tables on campus for leisurely springtime lunches are making a big difference at UW-Milwaukee.

These are just two of the thousands of ideas suggested by the UWM community as part of a Milwaukee Idea program known as "Quick Wins," or Ways to Implement New Solutions.

The notion is to solicit suggestions for projects that can be accomplished in a relatively short time, without great expense and that result in a positive outcome. Nearly 100 ideas have been implemented or are in progress, and more than 150 new ideas have been submitted since the beginning of the academic year.

Members of the campus community can make suggestions via the Web or by e-mail, and all suggestions are acknowledged within 24 hours. A 12-member committee evaluates the submissions, and forwards potential Quick Wins to appropriate departments for consideration. The committee also makes an effort to notify the person who originally submitted the idea about the eventual outcome.

Quick Wins Committee Chair Rene Gratz, a professor in the College of Health Sciences, said the committee reviews 15 to 35 suggestions each month.

"We've received suggestions from our students, we regularly receive suggestions from the Chancellor, and we've received suggestions from members of the community not directly connected with UWM," Gratz said.

One successful Quick Win was submitted by a community member who was interested in learning more about UWM's Hefter Center. The Quick Wins Committee liked the idea to provide a page on its history and make it available at the Hefter entrance.

Gratz, who has chaired the committee since 1999, credits its success to campus involvement.

"We've also had wonderful support from the various departments and divisions," she added. "They've gotten behind the program and take the suggestions very seriously."

A list of ideas implemented or in the implementation process can be found at the "Quick Wins" website.

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Guest Lecture Pulitzer prize-winning author Jane Smiley meets with creative writing students during a guest lecture in January at UW-Richland. (Standing, left to right) UW-Richland Associate Professor of English Marnie Dresser and students Ben Landsee and Anne Kari Mannsaker. (Seated, left to right) Student Mike Tukiendorf and author Jane Smiley. (UW-Richland)

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Fund benefits faculty research at UW-Marathon County

Two professors have been honored through a developing initiative at UW-Marathon County designed to offer research opportunities to outstanding faculty.

Hamid Milani, professor of economics, has been named the second fellow by the Distinguished Faculty Society, which rewards faculty with partial leaves of absence or summer stipends to pursue original research opportunities.

The Distinguished Faculty Society was founded in 2001 by D.J. and Mary Clare Freeman of Wausau, who both have served on the UWMC Foundation Board. The Society is part of the UWMC Foundation.

Philosophy Professor Mark Brown, who was named the Society's first fellow for the 2002 spring semester, paired his award with a fellowship from the Institute for the Humanities at UW-Madison to conduct his research on "The Unity of Consciousness and the Illusion of a Substantial Self." He has since published five articles on the topic.

As of March 2003, the endowment stood at $53,000 in gifts and pledges-just over half of the amount needed to sustain the fund and fund the annual award.

"The award recognizes the importance of research to good teaching, and thus students too, will benefit from this program," UWMC Dean Jim Veninga said.

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UW-Parkside heads up lead reduction effort

Citizens throughout southeastern Wisconsin are wiser about the dangers of lead exposure following a wide-ranging campaign by UW-Parkside and local health departments.

The lead reduction campaign arose from a university grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to raise awareness about the dangers of lead and solutions to the problem.

Through bus signs and billboards, brochures and refrigerator magnets, citizens were reminded over and over about the same message: Lead Hurts Kids.

The campaign was especially important for the community near UW-Parkside, as a large percentage of homes were constructed before lead was banned from use in residential paint products in 1978.

Lead poisoning can affect anyone-teens, adults, the elderly, rich or poor-who are exposed to lead-paint dust, but children are at the greatest risk, according to Sociology Professor Anne Statham, who applied for the HUD grant.

The Lead Hurts Kids campaign worked to make citizens aware that lead exists in the community and encouraged testing for exposure in children.

Statham said UW-Parkside faculty and students took a team approach to spreading the word, including creating a website containing helpful information for renters, children and property owners; marketing efforts by graphic design students and the university's Marketing Club; a poster contest through UW-Parkside's PreCollege programs; and Spanish translations from Modern Language faculty and students.

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UW-Platteville FIRST Robotics team takes top honor

Strong leadership by UW-Platteville students has again led the Platteville For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics team to qualify for competition at the national level.

The 30-member Platteville FIRST Robotics team, including UW-Platteville students who mentor other team members from Platteville-area high schools and middle schools, placed first out of 55 teams at the regional competition in February.

More than 800 U.S., Canadian, Brazilian and Puerto Rican teams competed at 23 regional competitions around the country.

This year's team set out to construct two robots, which then competed in a timed contest to knock over, pick up and move containers on a playing field. The robots were built to be driven via remote control by student operators and to compete in autonomous mode.

This year's team lost just one of the 14 regional competitions in which they participated. National competition was scheduled for April in Houston, Texas.

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UW Colleges bestows 2002-03 Kaplan Awards

Several UW Colleges faculty members have been honored with the 2002-03 Arthur M. Kaplan Awards, named for a retired vice chancellor of the UW Colleges.

The awards are conferred on those who have made "significant and innovative improvement of instruction or of service to students."

The Kaplan Awards are based on campus enrollments, and at smaller campuses awards may be shared by more than one person. The 2002-03 awards include:

• UW-Baraboo/Sauk County: Christa James-Byrnes, computer science.
• UW-Barron County: Nancy Chick, English; Mary Hoeft, communication and theatre arts.
• UW-Fond du Lac: Sondra Gates, English; Richard Gustin, communication and theatre arts.
• UW-Fox Valley: Jim Perry, campus dean; Carla Rabe, student services; Evelyn Li, instructional technology.
• UW-Manitowoc: Martha Schuh, mathematics.
• UW-Marathon County: Clare Hemenway, mathematics; Todd Roll, learning resource center; Darla Zastrow, biological sciences.
• UW-Marinette: Dan Kallgren, history.
• UW-Marshfield: Laura Lee, biological sciences.
• UW-Richland: Wava Haney, anthropology and sociology.
• UW-Rock County: Thomas Klubertanz, biological sciences; Robert McCallister, geography and geology.
• UW-Sheboygan: Mary Beth Emmerichs, history.
• UW-Washington County: Marc Boucher, learning resource center.
• UW-Waukesha: Margaret Hirschberg, political science; Sara Mollendorf, TRIO program; Jeff Noska, art; Dan Stalder, psychology.

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Kansas City Chiefs to return to UW-River Falls

The NFL's Kansas City Chiefs will again hold training camp on the UW-River Falls campus, bringing another positive experience for students, the university and the community.

The option was part of a two-year contract the club signed with the school in 2001. The Chiefs have conducted their annual training camp at UW-RF for the past 12 years, first joining Wisconsin's "Cheese League" in 1991.

"This will be our 13th year in River Falls and never once has the university been complacent in meeting our needs and making our training camp the best that it can be," Kansas City Chiefs president Carl Peterson said. "UW-RF and town officials always work to make things better. I want to personally thank the entire River Falls community and particularly the staff at UW-River Falls for making training camp an exceptional experience for us the past 12 years."

Chancellor Ann Lydecker welcomed the team's decision to return to what she is pleased to call "the Summer Home of the Kansas City Chiefs."

"Having the opportunity to host the team for the past 12 years as their summer home has been a benefit not only to our campus community but to communities all around the St. Croix Valley," Lydecker said.

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UW-Stout's Center for Innovation and Development and the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center, a division of UW-Extension, recently launched a partnership to help Wisconsin entrepreneurs design and evaluate products and develop prototypes. (Bottom, l to r) Aaron Olver, of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, UW-Stout Chancellor Charles W. Sorensen and Erica Kauten, director of SBDC, marked the partnership with a signing ceremony. Others in attendance included Rep. Joe Plouff; UW-Stout Provost Robert Sedlak; William Ihlenfeldt, president of Chippewa Valley Technical College; and Barbara Nemecek, dean of the College of Business and Economics at UW-River Falls. (UW-Stout)

UW-Stout launches business partnership with UW-Extension

The Center for Innovation and Development (CID) at UW-Stout is now a partner in UW-Extension's statewide Small Business Development Center network, providing a wider range of business development services to Menomonie-area entrepreneurs.

The center at UW-Stout offers technical, market and business development expertise to assist small-business owners as they bring innovative products and technologies to market. The Wisconsin SBDC, a division of UW-Extension, provides similar services at the 13 four-year UW campuses and through a statewide telephone hotline.

"This partnership completes our portfolio of services for small businesses," said UW-Extension Chancellor Kevin P. Reilly. "More important, it enables us to leverage more university resources to cultivate an entrepreneurial climate in Wisconsin where new businesses can thrive."

UW-Stout Chancellor Charles W. Sorensen said the partnership is critical during the state's fiscal crisis and can provide a method for economic recovery.

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Grant establishes transportation, logistics fund at UW-Superior

A $150,000 endowment from Canadian National Railway Company has allowed UW-Superior to develop programs and fund scholarships under a new CN Transportation and Logistics Management Fund.

"This is a fantastic recognition of the hard work that (Richard D. Stewart, director of the Transportation and Logistics Research Center) has done to help us create a field of study that is in demand by employers and a research center that is steadily gaining respect," said Chancellor Julius Erlenbach. "We are extremely pleased that CN has stepped forward with a gift that will support this program's work for years to come."

The CN fund is intended to provide annual support for student research on transportation, logistics or supply chain management; two $2,000 scholarships to students in the major; and program development, such as the purchase of specialized simulation software and field experiences.

U.S. Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wausau) was among those who have expressed appreciation of the program.

"I am proud that working with the chancellor and staff at UW-Superior we were able to establish the Transportation and Logistics Program," Obey said. "I am also glad to see CN participating since a partnership between the public, academic and business sectors is crucial to the success of both the program and its graduates."

UW-Superior's Transportation and Logistics major has grown from eight to 40 students over the past two years. All graduates of the program have been placed in positions with major U.S. industries.

CN’s donation to UW-Superior follows a $50,000 donation to UW-Stevens Point to create the CN Safety Fellowship and Industry Professor position. CN has also funded the Internship in Political Science program at UW-Superior.

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