Learn About UW-Marinette
NEWS RELEASES July '09
A Local Take on the EAA
July 30, 2009
Jim LaMalfa, UW-Marinette art professor and aviation aficionado, made his annual trip to the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-in at Whitman Airfield in Oshkosh this year and returned with more than his usual enthusiasm for what he saw there.
“I was particularly impressed with the Airbus A380. Billed as the largest passenger jet in the world, the A380 which seats 853, has an empty weight of 556,000 but tips the scales at over a million when occupied with passengers and fuel. It has a wingspan of 262 feet, is 238 feet long and is eight stories tall,” said LaMalfa.
At this time only three airlines use the behemoth jet: Quantas, Emirates and Singapore. The A380 requires special unloading ramps for its 800 plus passengers which are only available at Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. A special aircraft tug was brought in from JFK airport in New York to move the massive aircraft around Whitman Airfield. LaMalfa noted that “Boeing is not building anything larger than its extended 747 but has turned to developing all composite midsized airliners that are fuel efficient such as the 787 Dreamliner. Is the A380 the airliner of the future or the Boeing Dreamliner? The marketplace will decide.” Said LaMalfa.
LaMalfa also had the opportunity to see Whiteknight II, Burt Rutan’s mothership for his civilian space program. “This spaceship will be united with Richard Branson’s Spaceship II, the launch ship for the six-place rocket and two crew that is being constructed now. It is expected to be ready for the first paying customers, including NASA, in 18 months. Branson’s company, Virgin Galactic, has already collected $40 million at $200,000 a ticket for tourists who want to be able to wear an official astronaut pin. To collect the pin they will ride Spaceship II under Whiteknight II to 52,000 feet, separate, ignite the rocket and climb at four times the speed of sound to 62 miles, the official edge of space. They will get a magnificent view of the earth and be weightless for 2 minutes. Rutan and Branson are thinking beyond suborbital to using the rocket to reach orbiting tourist motels in space ala 2001; A Space Odyssey. I’d say Stanley Kubrick was only a few years off in his prediction,” said LaMalfa.
“Several years ago I remarked that Tom Poberezny, president of EAA and Convention Manager, had managed to bring conventioneers everything but the space shuttle. He did the next best thing this year. He brought us Whiteknight II. Maybe next year we’ll see the Rutan/ Branson rocket, Spaceship II,” said LaMalfa.
The EAA Fly-in runs from July 27 to August 2.
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TOB Stage Naming Honors Nancy Gehrke
July 27, 2009
Sequestered backstage waiting for a full-house audience to be seated for last Thursday's performance of Theatre on the Bay's Footloose were friends and family of Nancy Gehrke. They had come as part of a surprise for Gehrke, who was unaware of the conspiracy and attending the production with her group of Red Hatters.
Suddenly the lights went down and the theme music from Hello Dolly began as the signal for the conspirators to take their seats. “I could not believe my ears...'Hello Dolly'...what was that all about? [It was a] funny intro to 'footloose', but I let it pass. My response to the Red Hatters who asked [about the cordoned off seats] was that they were probably for the cast members who had some audience participation in the show. I was so smart about everything except what was at the crux of the unusual surrounding sounds and sights,” said Gehrke.
At the “crux” was a special announcement made by Dean Paula Langteau and TOB Artistic Director Emeritus Herbert Williams, that the stage would now be known the “Nancy Gehrke Stage” to recognize and honor her exceptional dramatic, comedic, and musical performances at Theatre on the Bay in the five decades since its inception.
“We are indeed proud to honor Nancy this way,” said Langteau. “She is an incredible actress who has graced those stage boards with her talent displayed in roles in 44 shows, which drew in and captivated TOB audiences over her 38-year performance career since the late 1960s. She was also very active in Peppermint Players, the Children’s Theatre active throughout the 1970s.”
Gehrke was first seen at TOB as Madame Arcati in Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit in 1968. Some of her other significant roles include Vera Charles in Mame in 1970 and 1987, lead roles in Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler in 1972 and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1976, Margo Channing in 1974’s Applause, Miss Hannigan in the 1985 production of Annie, and Mrs. Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly from 1986. In the 90s, she kept audiences laughing whenever her Reverend Mother Mary Regina gave them “that look” from Nunsense, Nunsense II and Nuncrackers. She often teamed with fellow actress Jeannine LaFave under the direction of Herbert Williams, as they did as the Brewster sisters in Arsenic and Old Lace in 1992.
Upon being called to the stage to receive a special plaque and flowers, Gehrke gave an impromptu speech in her inimitable style that demonstrated her ability to take command of the stage and connect with her audience.
Afterwards, she said she was “in awe of the whole thing. It is exciting to know that the Herb Williams theatre along with the Nancy Gehrke stage will have a lasting connection after our final performances.....dear Herb, my mentor, what a special person!”
“The announcement was planned as a surprise for Nancy by her husband, Don, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary and in conjunction with a five-year pledge to our TOB endowment from the Gehrke family that will help ensure the continuation of our outstanding campus theatrical tradition for years to come,” said Langteau.
This surprise celebratory naming announcement was the first of its kind under the new UW-Marinette Naming Policy, approved by the Marinette County Board of Supervisors at their June 30th meeting. The policy allows UW-Marinette to work flexibly with donors who wish to make a gift to the campus in conjunction with an appropriate facilities’ naming, honoring individuals whose talents have so greatly benefited this campus,” said Langteau.
The July 16 announcement marks the beginning of a special fundraising campaign for the theatre endowment. A year from now, when appropriate signage is in place, the Nancy Gehrke Stage will be dedicated at a ceremony in her honor. Those wishing to support the Gehrke TOB endowment with an outright gift or a 3, 5 or 10-year pledge may send checks to UW-Marinette, Attn: TOB Endowment, 750 W. Bay Shore St., Marinette, WI 54143.
“Supporting our theatre will ensure that the kind of quality performances that patrons have enjoyed for 43 seasons will continue far into the future,” said Langteau.
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Gifted and Talented Academy Starts August 10
July 9, 2009
UW-Marinette Continuing Education offers an opportunity for kids to
experience a variety of subjects in a college atmosphere every summer. “The
academy is a great combination of learning and fun. With two tracks, one for
grades 3-5 and another for grades 6-8, there is something for everyone at
this UW-Marinette Continuing Education program.,” says Continuing Education
Director Sharon Huntley.
The Academy will meet August 10 –14 from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm in the Main
Building on the UW-Marinette campus. Students will be grouped according to
age: grades 3-5 in group 1 and grades 6-8 in group II.
The cost of the week-long academy is $128 which includes lunch, t-shirt and
instructional materials.
The students will explore the following areas during the week:
1. Bayshore and Stream Ecology to learn about the interconnected mechanisms
of the bay, tributary streams, climate, as well as communities of various
organisms to discover how they work and how human activity can disturb
natural balances. The course will involve a minimum of classroom
instruction to introduce the basic concepts and emphasize on-site, hands-on
experience with monitoring instruments and other field techniques. In
addition, students will be introduced to Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) as a spatial analytical tool.
2. From Page to Stage will allow students to create their own original
play! They will learn to focus their active imaginations and inspired ideas
through a variety of hands-on creative writing, acting, & plot development
exercises. By the end of the week students will bring home an original play
in the works.
3. Play it, Sing it, Do it Yourself Music is a fun way to make ‘hands-on’
music with instruments and voices. Basic composing skills will be explored
on rhythm instruments and pitched instruments like xylophones, and
boom-pipes. Short original compositions developed by students will be
performed on the last day of the Academy.
4. Introduction to Spanish provides students with meaningful opportunities
to hear and use the Spanish language. Customs and traditions of
Spanish-speaking countries will also be highlighted. Students will explore
the culture and learn Spanish vocabulary through songs, games, cooking and
other fun activities. Children will build a basic vocabulary of colors,
numbers, body parts, days of the week, animals and basic greetings.
5. Observational Astronomy will show students the basics of how to identify
constellations, bright stars, and planets. Many constellations contain star
clusters and nebula which can be seen using binoculars. Fledgling
astronomers will also learn how to recognize meteor showers and identify
satellites in the night sky.
6. Vocalissimo is for the young aspiring singing actor/actress who will
explore the importance of body alignment, breathing, relaxation techniques,
resonance, intonation, performance practice, and vocal health. Students
will also learn about exciting music careers!
To register for this course, call the office of Continuing Education at
735-4342 or visit the web at www.marinette.uwc.edu.
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Regents freeze UW-Marinette tuition
July 9. 2009
MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved an annual operating budget and set tuition rates for the 2009-10 academic year at its July meeting in Madison.
UW System President Kevin P. Reilly’s budget will freeze tuition for the third consecutive year for 12,735 resident students enrolled at 13 freshman-sophomore UW Colleges campuses including UW-Marinette.
“Maintaining tuition at 2006 rates for the 2009-2010 academic year means that the UW Colleges will continue to be the most affordable access point for anyone who wants to start, continue or complete a degree,” said UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor David Wilson, who has spearheaded the push to keep the UW Colleges affordable, especially in these challenging economic times.
With this tuition freeze, UW-Marinette will maintain its long-held reputation as an affordable choice for incoming students of all ages who can then complete a baccalaureate degree at UW-Marinette or at any four-year UW campus.
The tuition for two semesters at UW-Marinette will remain at $4,268 for 2009-10. This is approximately $1,100 less than the four-year comprehensive campuses, $2,600 less than at UW-Milwaukee and $3,000 less than the tuition at UW-Madison.
Tuition Rates for 2009-10 Academic Year |
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| Campus | 5.5% annual increase for resident undergraduate students | Annual tuition for 2009-10 |
| 11 Four-Year Comprehensive Campuses | $280 | $5,364 |
| UW-Milwaukee | $359 | $6,890 |
| UW-Madison | $618 | $7,296 |
| 13 Freshman/Sophomore UW Colleges (UW-Marinette) | No increase for third consecutive year | $4,268 |
"We are so pleased to maintain tuition another year at 2006 levels," said UW-Marinette Dean Paula Langteau. "This savings helps UW-Marinette continue to be the greatest value for a University of Wisconsin education for our local citizens."
UW-Marinette is still accepting applications for the fall semester. Contact the Student Services Office at (715) 735-4301 for more information.
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International Program Entering 15th year at UW-Marinette
July 6, 2009
UW-Marinette is in its 15th year of “Welcoming the World Home” through the Youth for Understanding International Exchange program (YFU). “The success of the UW-Marinette YFU program has been due primarily to the wonderful host families, who have opened their hearts and homes to these students. Without them, this program would be impossible,” says program director Tina Oman.
Upon arrival, the students live with volunteer host families within reasonable commuting distance of the university. UW-Marinette needs 11 families to open their homes to international students arriving in mid-August. They will study at UW-Marinette for the 2009-10 school year and it is hoped that they will live with one family for the entire year. Students take part in all aspects of college life, from attending a wide assortment of classes to joining sports and club activities. In addition to monthly potlucks and presentations at UW-Marinette, international students also are available to give presentations to local school groups, civic organizations, and clubs.
UW-Marinette is one of 20 colleges nationwide to participate in this unique exchange program organized by YFU. UW-Marinette was selected based on the college’s capacity to develop and sustain a host family network and its commitment to providing quality educational opportunities and support services to international students. YFU also looked for colleges willing to implement a cost-effective program and establish a long-term relationship with the international exchange organization.
“We have always been able to find homes for the students assigned for our campus,” says Oman. “It really takes a special family to accept a young adult from another country to share your life for nearly a year. I know we have many families in the Marinette/Menominee area who would provide a wonderful experience for an international student.”
When asked why she decided to host an international student, Mary Staudenmaier of Marinette stated, “We live in a global society and I hear so much on the news about other countries – some good, some tragic. I believe that it is important for each of us to try to understand more about those from other countries who are different in many ways while at the same time they are really similar. Having the opportunity to host a young student from one of these other countries is an ideal opportunity to do just that.”
“Many of the students have already contacted me with questions ranging from what the weather is like to whether or not they can be involved in sports here,” Oman said. “Many just want to say hello and let us know that they are ready and excited for their trip.”
11 host families are needed as soon as possible to welcome international students to UW-Marinette. The students are expected to arrive on August 17. The students and their natural families are eagerly waiting to hear from those who will become their second families in Marinette. “The closer we get to the beginning of the school year, the more stressful it is for all involved,” said Oman. “Ideally, I would like to have all students placed in host families within the next few weeks, definitely before the end of July.”
Families provide room, board, a sense of belonging, guidance and the experience of everyday life in America. A network of support is available to all host families, and partial expense reimbursement is offered. Previous host families have offered to provide information about all aspects of hosting to people considering accepting this invitation.
Student profiles are available at UW-Marinette. For more information about any aspect of UW-Marinette’s international student program, including contact information for host family mentors, contact Oman at (715)735-4355 or tina.oman@uwc.edu.
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Talent Flourishes at Theatre on the Bay
July 3, 2009
Theatre on the Bay's production team and cast members for the upcoming production of Footloose the Musical see theatre as more than a way to spend a summer; it is a larger pursuit of a dream, a life commitment involving work, education and sacrifice.
Director Amanda Rhines returns this season after a hectic spring adding a Master in Fine Arts degree in acting from The New School for Drama in New York City to her bachelor's degree in music from UW-Green Bay. In between her educational pursuits in New York, she portrayed Helena in Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well, Betty Burnick in Ibsen's The Pillars of Society, all five female roles in The Blue Room by David Hare, and Caroline in Zay Amsbury's original work An Alan Turing Fantasy.
“My hectic schedule in grad school has prepared me to take on just about anything! Footloose has been a wonderful opportunity to share what I’ve learned in New York with my colleagues here in Marinette and I’m so grateful that the University offered me that opportunity. I am very proud of the work we have done this summer,” said Rhines.
Some of her favorite roles for TOB and the Bohemian Renaissance Theatre Company whose productions were also seen on the TOB stage include Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, and Viola in Twelfth Night by Shakespeare, and Fastrada in Steven Schwartz’ Pippin. She also had the lead role as Fania Fenelon in Arthur Miller’s Playing for Time. Her directing credits include Into the Woods Jr., Once on this Island Jr., Cinderella and Spine-Tingling Tales. She was also the choreographer for TOB’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Pippin.
Chris Goltz, the vocal music director and choreographer for Footloose, just graduated in May from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor of arts degree in music with a minor in theatre. He was last seen on the TOB stage as Matt in The Fantasticks and as the title role in Pippin. He also directed and choreographed the UW-Marinette Children’s Theatre production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown in 2007.
“Footloose has been a wonderful hometown community theatre experience as I embark on my professional career,” said Goltz.
In September, Goltz will begin rehearsing with Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line Productions. He is the newest professional lead vocalist/entertainer aboard the “Liberty of the Seas” which tours the Caribbean.
Another TOB veteran and UW-Marinette alum is Ricky Berlin who has been involved with TOB since first appearing in Snow White and the 11 Dorfs in 1998. A graduate of Marinette High School, Berlin began his college career at UW-Marinette, then spent a year in Iraq with the U.S. Army. Upon returning to UW-Marinette to finish his associate degree, he appeared as the devil in Pippin and the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz. He was also seen in the comedy Don’t Dress for Dinner and the classical drama Antigone 3.
Berlin is the lighting designer for Footloose, applying what he has learned at TOB and at UW-Madison where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Tech.
Footloose cast member and recent UW-Marinette grad, Jim Vincent, will move to New York at the end of July to pursue theatre opportunities there. Last summer, he had the lead as Danny in TOB’s sellout production Grease. In October, he auditioned with Pro Scout in Green Bay. “I went the first round for physical appearance and got to go on to Chicago in December with the big wigs. Forty agents flew in from around the country for acting and modeling auditions. It was somewhat like American Idol,” said Vincent who is a Menominee High School graduate.
Vincent was asked to prepare a 30-second monologue for the character of Homer Hickham from October Sky. “I was familiar with the character from having read the book in professor Flatt’s English 101 class at UW-Marinette,” said Vincent.
Looking ahead to acting possibilities in New York, Vincent said, “The agency has employed over 10,000 people in the performance world. I will get auditions and hopefully screen opportunities.”
The dream of a professional career in theatre is a strong attraction for some. Theatre on the Bay is fortunate to be able to showcase the talent and commitment of those with such dreams.
Footloose runs from July 9 – 12 and 16 – 19 at 7:30 pm in the Herbert L. Williams Theatre at UW-Marinette. Tickets are $11 and $7 at Angeli Foods in Marinette (715-732-4828) and Menominee (906-863-5575) and one hour before curtain at the TOB box office (715-735-4313)
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