Learn About UW-Marinette
NEWS RELEASES June '09
UW-Marinette Introduces New Online Course
June 29, 2009
Marinette, WI – “Imagine yourself speaking, reading and writing Spanish. Now you can with Speed Spanish! This online course offered by UW Marinette Continuing Education is designed for anyone who wants to learn Spanish pronto,” says Sharon Huntley, Continuing Education Director at UW-Marinette.
For only $89, students will learn six easy recipes for gluing Spanish words together to form sentences. “In no time at all, you'll be able to go into any Spanish speaking situation and converse in Spanish. ¡Qué Bueno!” says instructor, Dan Mikels.
“This course is part of UW Marinette Continuing Education's growing catalog of more than 300 instructor-facilitated online courses. Through well-crafted lessons and expert online instruction student will have enough structure and support combined with online flexibility to study at their own pace and complete this course. Access this class 24/7 from anywhere with an Internet connection.,” says Huntley.
The next available start date for Speed Spanish is July 15, 2009. This course lasts six weeks, with two new lessons being released weekly. The course is entirely Web-based with comprehensive lessons, quizzes, and assignment. “A dedicated professional instructor, Dan Mikels, facilitates every course; pacing learners, answering questions, giving feedback, and facilitating discussions,” says Huntley.
To learn more about Speed Spanish and other online courses, visit Continuing Education at UW-Marinette online at www.ed2go.com/marinette <http://www.ed2go.com/marinette> or call Sharon Huntley at 735-4343.
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First Year Programs at UW-Marinette Continue to Grow
June 29, 2009
“College classes can be intimidating for new freshmen,” says UW-Marinette professor Dr. Jennifer Flatt. “Here at UW-Marinette, we know that, and have worked to develop programs to help students successfully navigate the change from high school to college.”
UW-Marinette’s First Year Experience program has been in place since 2002 when students began taking “Intro to College,” a class designed to help students make the adjustment to college, set good habits, and learn about what college is really like.
“We’ve collected student feedback and studied what other institutions do around the country to help us make sure we’re doing the best we can to help students make the transition to college,” says Flatt.
“While the course has been very successful and we’ve gotten good feedback, we also realized it was too general and we didn’t have enough time in the class to help students develop skills in the key areas where they were struggling,” added Flatt.
To solve that problem, LEC 100 courses for this fall have been developed to focus on areas where first-year college students need the most help. “That way,” says Flatt, “students can think about their own strengths and weaknesses and choose the right course for them.”
Administrative Dean for Student Services Cindy Bailey says, “Starting this fall, we have several one-credit LEC 100 courses dealing with such topics as career exploration, lab science success, math anxiety, reading and writing skills in specific courses, research skills, and leadership. Each of the classes will also help students with topics like time management and getting connected on campus.”
Sophomore Travis Carlson of Marinette said he enjoyed both of his LEC 100 courses: one on what to expect in college taught by chemistry professor Dr. Mark Klemp, and another on leadership taught by English professor Dr. Jennifer Flatt.
“In my first LEC 100 course, Dr. Klemp gave an in-depth look at what college expects of you. By sharing his own college experience with us, we got a better understanding of what we were here for,” says Carlson.
“My Leadership class with Dr. Flatt was fun with a lot of discussion. When you get a discussion really going well, and people are thinking on a deep level, it helps you develop your own thinking,” says Carlson who has not settled on a major yet, but plans to transfer to UW-Green Bay as a junior after completing his sophomore year at UW-Marinette.
“Those courses are just one part of our first-year programming,” says Flatt. “In our new student orientation sessions, faculty and staff are involved, so students can get to know them before classes even start. In the fall we offer a Student Success Series on topics like procrastination, test-taking strategies, finding sources for papers, and stress management. These are one-hour sessions where students can learn from the experts how to stay on the right track in college and in life,” says Flatt.
2009 grad Stephanie Thompson of Menominee attended several Student Success sessions while a first-year student at UW-Marinette. “I remember how it allowed me to realize how the stress of school affected me more than just emotionally and mentally. It can affect your body as well. She [instructor Wendy Seegers] told us how we can decrease stress with simple things like breathing techniques or by eating healthy. The test-taking skills session gave me more study strategies that helped in taking tests,” says Thompson who will transfer as a junior to Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the fall to complete her bachelor’s degree in communications.
“Students can always meet with faculty and staff to talk about careers, but we know that sometimes they’re shy or hesitant about doing that. So, we set up our “Building Scholars” program, where once a semester students can come to a group lunch and have pizza with a professor or staff member who knows about careers in the area they want to pursue,” says Flatt.
Sophomore Seth Winters of Marinette said he personally found the Building Scholars program to be a good way to connect with his professors. “Having out-of-classroom time with them is amazing because you can ask questions about your major and career plans. It was really helpful to talk with them and it gave me even more direction for where I want to go, which is a Ph.D. in linguistics.”
“We have two mentoring programs on campus to help our first-year students in particular. Students who are struggling academically get individual mentoring by a faculty or staff member to help them get back on track. We also have a community mentoring program where students can e-mail professionals in their field of interest and learn more about career and education opportunities,” says Bailey.
In addition to these programs, online orientation for new freshmen is now posted on the UW-Marinette homepage at www.marinette.uwc.edu.
“Students are coming in much more prepared for registration and advising appointments,” says Bailey. “They know how to get into the online system and use campus email. They already know how to get connected on campus, and that is a big plus for their future success here.”
Sessions on technology called “Wired for Success” will be offered during the year on topics like Math XL and Powerpoint. Courses in Word, Excel and Access are already being taught on the campus.
“Students who are more engaged on campus through courses and programs such as mentioned above, are more likely to enjoy academic success and graduate than those who are not,” says Bailey.
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Theatre on the Bay Opens Footloose July 9
June 18, 2009
Summer on the bay wouldn't be complete without a toe-tapping, heart-warming musical from Theatre on the Bay and that is what a cast of 34 talented and enthusiastic actors, singers and dancers are rehearsing for the opening of Footloose on July 9 at UW-Marinette.
The 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon about a city boy who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned will come to life in the Herbert L. Williams Theatre July 9 – 12 and 16 – 19 at 7:30 pm. Tickets ($11 and $7 for students) will go on sale at Angelis in Menominee and Marinette on June 25. They will also be available at the TOB box office (715-735-4313) one hour before show times.
TOB veteran actress and director Amanda Rhines has returned from New York City after completing an MFA in acting at the New School for Drama in May to direct Footloose. The stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie features music by Tom Snow with lyrics by Pitchford and additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.
Chris Goltz, a UW-Eau Claire graduate in music and theatre, will play Ren, a teenager from Chicago who moves to a small farming town with this mother (Lori Patzke). Reverend Moore (Paul Okray) is the force behind the ban on dancing in order to control the town’s youth. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.
Other members of the cast include Karlie Allgeyer, Megan Bero, Wes Beyer, Ashley Biehl, Lydia Bugaj, Trisha France, Patrica Franks, Anne Garcia, Amanda Gretzinger, Kristin Heesemann, Alicia Hnatuk, Casey Hoffman, Jamie Kaster, Ashley Klatkiewicz, Jayme Karasti, Leah LaMalfa, Tony LaMalfa, Caroline Larochelle, Eric Leister, Annalisa Mines, Cassandra Moreno, Heather Olson, Lori Ann Payne, James Porras, Jennifer Rickaby, Tristan Schuh, Kristena Sorenson, Katherine Sporie, Daniel Tellez, Doug Townsend and Jim Vincent.
Members of the production crew include Goltz as vocal music director and choreographer, Greg Smith as pit band director, Barb Bertagnoli as assistant director and properties mistress, Susan Vairus as stage manager and costumer, Ricky Berlin as lighting designer and Philip Smith as master electrician. Rhines is the scenic designer, with Jack Hagen as master carpenter. Light and sound board technicians are Kevin Smith, Kevin Korthius and Zac Lowis.
To the rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, and guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.
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Axelrod Exhibit at UW-Marinette Gallery
June 12, 2009
Watercolors and mixed media works by artist Johanna Axelrod are on exhibit through August 31 at the UW-Marinette art gallery located in the Fine Arts Building on campus.
"The work on display includes techniques I have used in my work since becoming involved in art 35 years ago," says Axelrod. "My art career began in fibers, while working at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have explored many media, often combining them.”
Works on display range from abstract to representational. The subject matter is diverse, stemming from personal experience and her love of nature.
A "Meet the Artist" reception will be held Friday, July 10 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the art gallery. During the reception, Axelrod will present a talk titled "When is it Done?" dealing with the relationship between art and grief.
Axelrod currently works in her home studio in Lakewood, Wisconsin, and teaches watercolor painting. She also has works on display at Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette and the Frame of Mind Gallery in Lakewood.
The UW-Marinette art gallery is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and during this summer’s Theatre on the Bay production of "Footloose," which will be presented July 9 - 12 and 16 - 19 at 7:30 pm.
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Students Honored on UW-Marinette Dean’s List
June 9, 2009
The University of Wisconsin-Marinette has announced the Dean’s list for the Spring, 2009 Semester. All of the students on the Dean’s list have obtained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for their fall semester classes. The list includes both full- and part-time students.
Highest Honors for grade point averages of 4.0 (straight A)
Full-Time Students
Marinette: Katie Barahona-Valenciano, Gustin Borkowski, Tamara Lapacz, Ethan Linstad, Nicole Smith;
Menominee: Stephanie Thompson
Part-time students
Peshtigo: Marjorie Garrigan
Coleman: Heather Knope
High Honors for grade point averages of 3.75 or higher
Full-time students
Marinette: Rachel Carlson, Philip Goes, Colleen Johnston, Amber Kopish, Kathryn Micheals;
Menominee: Michelle Duffrin, Kassondra Evans, Thalia Radey;
Peshtigo: Matthew Cairns
Ramsey, Minnesota: Krista McCoy
South Korea: Yeon-Joo Lee
Wausaukee: Joseph Bieschke
Part-time students
Marinette: Kim Behrendt, Adria Kaufman, Tricia Scholtz
Menominee: Karen Bickel
Honors for grade point averages of 3.5 or higher
Full-time students
Marinette: Joseph Behrend, Travis Carlson, AnnMarie Sterzing, Scott Veriha;
Menominee: Katelyn Beekman, Michelle Buelteman, Kaylyn DeTemple, Laura Johnson, Courtney Koenig, Katie Olson, Ashley Wehrli;
Netherlands: Nick Scholten Meilink Lenferink;
Peshtigo: Courtny Ruggles;
South Korea: Myung-Ji Kim;
Stephenson. Michigan: Bethany Williams;
Venezuela: Jesus Montane;
Wausaukee: Kasey Koster;
UW-Marinette faculty and staff congratulate the students on the Dean’s List for Spring Semester, 2009.
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High School Students Win Awards at First Annual UW Movie Festival
June 9, 2009
Fourteen persons attended the first annual UW-Marinette art department movie festival on Saturday, June 6, held from 9:00 am until noon at the Spies Library, Menominee, Michigan. Students and other movie makers were present to show their best efforts. Two awards of merit and checks for $25 were presented to Menominee High School sophomore Margaret Hitch for her film “Urban Decay,” and Rowyn Hagen, who is home schooled, for his film “My Adventures in the West.” The digital movies were juried and critiqued by film-makers Bill and Diane Shepard. Also showing digital movies and assisting with the technical duties were Tony and Larry LaMalfa.
Event organizer and UW-Marinette art professor James LaMalfa said he was encouraged by the young movie-makers’ efforts. “I thought both students who won awards produced very different but original visions using basic editing equipment and movie cameras. We would like to schedule a one-day class using our cutting-edge digital lab sometime this winter to teach them more advanced techniques. I think it was a good beginning.”
The event was sponsored by Spies Library and the Menominee Area Arts Council. For more information contact LaMalfa, 715-735-4322 or UW-Marinette Continuing Education at 715-735-4342.
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