Good afternoon, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
Kudos
Kay Wells (Art History) received a 2022 NEH Summer Stipend for her book project, “Uncanny Rivals: Designing Early American during the Rise of Fascism,” which explores colonial revival and American identity in the period 1927-1947. Congratulations, Kay!
Nathaniel Stern (Art & Design, Mechanical Engineering), Konstantin Sobolev (Civil & Environmental Engineering), and 14 students from three UWM schools and colleges created and installed a pedestrian walkway, composed primarily of recycled materials, at a New York university. Circuit Boardwalk spotlights problems inherent in electronic and construction waste. Well done, Nathaniel, Konstantin, and students!
Carolyn Eichner (History) has been named a Camargo Foundation Fellow for 2022-23 and will be joining a group of artists and scholars for an 11-week international residency at the Foundation’s stunning site in Cassis, overlooking France’s Mediterranean coast. Every year, the Foundation selects 18 individuals from around the world to come together to think, create, and connect. This is an exceptional honor. Congratulations, Carolyn!
Colleen Galambos (Social Welfare) was appointed to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Committee on the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes in 2020. The Committee’s report, “The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality,” was released on April 6, and is the first comprehensive study since 1986 of the challenges facing nursing homes in the United States. Well done, Colleen!
Uriel Cohen and Gerald Weisman (Professors Emeritus) were awarded the 2022 Russ Coile Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a significant body of work with lasting influence on research, theory, and practice over an entire career. Uriel and Gerald were the founders and co-directors of the Institute on Aging and Environment in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Congratulations, Uriel and Gerald!
Yi Hu (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science) has advanced to the finalist round in the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest with his submission for a new over-the-counter hearing aid, which makes better hearing more accessible and more affordable for the millions of people suffering mild to moderate hearing loss. Well done, Yi!
Kimberly Blaeser (English, American Indian Studies), Founder and Director of the nonprofit organization In-Na-Po, Indigenous Nations Poets, noted that the Library of Congress will host the organization’s inaugural mentoring retreat in Washington, DC April 25-29. This is exciting news, Kim, congratulations!
Kudos to the 25 undergraduate students accepted to present outcomes of their research activity at the UW System Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity at UW-Whitewater on Friday, April 22. They will also present at UWM as part of UWM’s Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 29 (see below).
In the News
Kudos to our alum and Microsoft Chairman/CEO Satya Nadella who was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.
Milwaukee Athletics
Steve Lucas has been named the assistant coach for the Milwaukee women’s soccer team. Lucas comes to Milwaukee with an extensive NCAA coaching background that extends over 20 years.
Greg Rosenthal has been named the assistant coach for the Milwaukee men’s soccer team. Rosenthal is a familiar name to the MKE program, having played four years for the Panthers from 2007-2010.
The Week
Monday
I start the week with my standing meeting with Robin Van Harpen, followed by the quarterly UWM briefing on the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, an Academic Affairs update for the Academic Staff Committee, the Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet meeting, my monthly meeting with Mark Harris and Rebecca Klaper, my weekly staff meeting, and my one-on-one with Tim Behrens.
Tuesday
In the morning, I have a Coronavirus Management Team (CMT) Leadership meeting, an M3 update with Chancellor Mone, the Associate Deans meeting, my weekly check-in with Dave Clark and Kay Eilers, and my standing meeting with Phyllis King. In the afternoon, I have an Academic Affairs update with the University Committee, my one-on-one with Jason Puskar, my weekly meeting with the Chancellor, and a meeting with the Office of Research.
Wednesday
Today, I have the Deans Morning Meeting, a Strategic Partnerships meeting, a meeting with Joan Nesbitt, my one-on-one with Nancy Frank, and my standing meeting with Peter Sands.
Thursday
In the morning, I have another CMT Leadership meeting, my one-on-one with John Reisel, my biweekly meeting with Paul Klajbor, a Campus Budget Planning meeting, and I’ll attend Faculty Senate.
Friday
Today, I’ll meet with direct reports, then I meet with UW System Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Anny Morrobel-Sosa to discuss transition planning, and I will also attend to administrative matters.
Announcements
Virtual Book Launch
The UWM German Program will host a virtual book launch and discussion of Ruth Schwertfeger’s (Professor Emeritus) latest monograph, “A Nazi Camp Near Danzig: Perspectives on Shame and on the Holocaust from Stutthof,” (Bloomsbury Press) on Monday, April 18 (today) at 4 p.m. Winson Chu (History) will introduce the work and the author will give a reading. Registration.
Access to Global Public Health
In honor of Dr. Paul Farmer, a founder of Partners in Health, Access to Global Public Health presents a virtual conversation with Dr. Joel M. Mubiligi, Executive Director, Inshuti Mu Buzima/Partners in Health, Rwanda, about ongoing efforts to provide public health access to underserved populations around the world. Registration.
Then They Came for Me
Dr. Natasha Varner (Densho) will present, “You Brought Us Here: The Plight of Japanese Peruvians in World War II US Incarceration,” on April 20 at 4 p.m. This three-part series parallels a current exhibit on Japanese interment at the Jewish Museum of Milwaukee. Registration.
UWM Vaccination Clinic
A vaccination clinic will be held on campus this Thursday, April 21 from 10 a.m.-Noon. UWM, in partnership with the Milwaukee Health Department, is hosting walk-in vaccination clinics at the UWM Student Union. The clinics are open to UWM students, faculty and staff, as well as community members. Booster doses are available for all individuals who are 12 and older, as well as first and second doses of vaccines. More information.
Bembé Workshops
The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies is a long-time partner for Bembé Drum & Dance and will co-host with UWM’s Percussion Program two Bembé “Learning from the Masters” workshops, featuring Afro-Puerto Rican guest artist Beto Torrens at the Helene Zelazo Center on April 21 and 28 from 6-9 p.m. Registration required.
Free Film Festival
The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies presents its 43rd Annual Latin American Film Series April 21-May 1. Register for access to all 13 films.
UWM Planetarium
- Secret Lives of Planets: Celebrate Earth Day with a journey to each planet in our Solar System on Friday, April 22 from 7-8 p.m. at the UWM Planetarium. Explore the mysteries that lie within and learn what it would be like to call another planet home.
- Constellations of the Zodiac: Taurus: Delve into the astronomy and mythology behind the zodiac and learn how to find your zodiac constellation in the night sky. In this live, interactive show, we will explore the stories and science of the zodiac constellations with a focus on what makes this month’s constellation, Taurus, unique.
UWM at Waukesha Distinguished Lecture 2022
Dr. Kyle Whyte (University of Michigan) will be at the UWM at Waukesha campus on April 26 at 7 p.m. to give his lecture, “Indigenous Rights, Reconciliation, and Climate Change.” Admission is free!
Campus Safety Campaign
- Please stop by the next Coffee with a Cop on April 27 from 9-11 a.m. in the Student Union (next to the Grind) for a focused conversation on campus safety and how your University Police are working to keep UWM safe and secure!
- The UWM Police Department offers this advice to protect your vehicle from break-ins. They are also providing free steering wheel locks to students, faculty, and staff who own Kia or Hyundai vehicles. Call 414-229-4627 to inquire.
M3 Webinar
You’re invited to M-Cubed’s webinar, “Smart Start is Tackling Summer Melt,” on Thursday, April 28 at 10 a.m. Registration.
Judges Needed
Support our undergraduate research students by signing up to serve as a judge at the UWM Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 29 in the Union Ballroom from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. No special expertise required!
Systemwide Caregiving Forum – Student Caregiving
This free event takes place on Friday, April 29 from 1-2:30 p.m. via Zoom. Panelists will offer research and data-informed strategies to advance policy and system-level changes for (and in collaboration with) student caregivers. Registration.
International Women of Courage
Join us for “A Conversation with Maryam Durani and Kathleen Dunn: Escaping Afghanistan – One Woman’s Story,” on Thursday, May 5 from 3:30-5 p.m. in the American Geographical Society Library.
No/Low Cost
Have you adopted a no or low-cost textbook in your course? If the total cost of course materials for your course is less than $25, we want to hear from you! Please fill out this brief survey and let us know which courses and sections you are teaching with affordable resources. To flag your course in the schedule of classes, have your department schedule builder assign the “No/Low Cost” attribute to your section(s). Questions? Please email open-textbook@uwm.edu.
The Story Experience Program
The program invites applications to become Story Fellows, using arts and humanities-based facilitation methods to build community with one of 12 community partner sites. Submissions are rolling until filled, but early applicants will receive placement preference.
2022-23 Digital Humanities Lab Call for Applications
The DH Lab Teaching Fellows Award provides $500 for faculty, instructors, and teaching assistants to share innovative assignments that integrate digital humanities tools and methods. The deadline to apply is May 13.
Employee Wellness
Interested in wellness programs for employees? Check out the new wellness programs page for programs and resources.
Mindfulness in the Classroom
Interested in using mindfulness in the classroom? Check out this presentation from the CETL Symposium on how to use simple mindfulness practices with your students. If you are interested in a facilitated mindfulness session for your class, reach out to Adam Jussel (jussel@uwm.edu) to schedule.
Other
Friday is Earth Day!
Take care,
Johannes