Report by President Ray Cross to the Board of Regents
This summer at UW-La Crosse Assistant Professor Niti Mishra and senior Jackson Radenz used drones to generate 3D maps of a local rock quarry. The images and analysis they produced are superior to traditional ground surveys and help companies more effectively manage their assets.
UW-Green Bay and the UW System are teaming up with the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft to help launch new companies in Wisconsin. A recently announced “Entrepreneur-in-Residence” position at TitletownTech will connect startup businesses with investors.
UW-Eau Claire and local software company Jamf partnered in July to offer the Blugold Beginnings Coding Day Camp. The weeklong camp taught youth in grades 6-12 to build websites, games, and applications
UW-Whitewater media arts and game development undergraduates won first place in an international competition held in Italy. Mentored by Assistant Professor of Communication Nick Hwang, students Luke Lamberg, Nicole Nelson, and Brandon Hanabarger created a hand therapy musical game to increase range of motion.
Summer is not a break from studies for students in UW-Superior’s English as a Second Language International Program. Lam Hoang Mai of Vietnam plans to study international business and finance after she passes the English proficiency requirement from this accredited intensive program.
UW-Stout undergraduates are researching how to improve the Red Cedar River watershed. The LAKES research experience examines solutions to problems caused by toxic blue-green algae. Geography professor Innisfree McKinnon appreciates working on research that involves the local community.
Madalyne Fielder is among hundreds of UW-Stevens Point students who earn valuable work experience through internships each summer. The sociology major is working with Portage County community justice programs. Other students are involved in educational travel to Europe, research projects, and career-enhancing experiences.
UW-River Falls Assistant Professor of Conservation and Environmental Science Kevyn Juneau led a group of students on an international tropical restoration experience this summer. The team travelled to Andros Island to collect data and to assist the Bahamas Forestry Unit.
UW-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm hosted the 42nd annual Lafayette County Dairy Breakfast in June. More than 3,000 people toured the university’s 430-acre farm. Director Charles Steiner said the event is a great way to promote agriculture and the dairy industry.
At UW-Parkside, Professor Abey Kuruvilla led a “Doing Business in Italy” study abroad. Meanwhile, theatre arts students joined acting companies across the country. And geosciences major Mark Hrpcek with Dr. Rachel Headley explored the Laurentide Ice Sheet’s impact on Racine County.
UW-Oshkosh’s Grandparents University is an educational program that brings grandparents and their grandchildren together for two fun-filled days of cross-generational exploration and learning. UWO alumni and other participants enjoyed sharing a chapter of their lives with a younger generation.
UW-Fond du Lac, a branch campus of UW-Oshkosh, is partnering with the local children’s museum to provide research opportunities through the Living Laboratory. Sophomore Grace Hudson created a game to research young children’s use of prepositions.
UW-Milwaukee is making a commitment to big data with its partnership in the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute. The $40-million institute will include the work of scientists studying ways to harness the torrent of data generated in today’s computer-driven society.
Middle school students visited a UW-Madison archeaological site at Aztalan State Park in southeast Wisconsin to learn how people lived 1,000 years ago. Children’s interest in archaeology is piqued at various stations, where they see artifacts and discuss the process of excavation and radiocarbon dating.
Ideadvance earned a Global Good Practice Award from the University-Industry Innovation Network at its annual competition, held in London. Ideadvance supports entrepreneurship on UW campuses and is a partnership between UW-Extension, UW System, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.