Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
Kudos
This month, Nancy Frank (Architecture and Urban Planning) received the Watershed Champion Award from Sweet Water, the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, during their 2019 Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference. A well-deserved recognition of your leadership in the community, Nancy!
The Office for Development and Alumni Relations and Integrated Marketing and Communications collaborated to win a gold award for excellence in print advertising (for the “They did. Will you?” ad campaign in Alumni Magazine) and a bronze award for best case statements/cultivation publications (for the School of Freshwater Sciences vessel case statement) from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District V, which includes educational institutions from a six-state area. Congratulations!
Colleen Brooks (Music) will present, “The Art of Auditioning and the Business of Singing,” at the 2020 National Opera Convention in Cleveland. Congratulations, Colleen!
Carolyn Eichner (History and Women’s and Gender Studies) had three publications in the past week, including an essay on Indigenous Feminisms in a special double issue of the flagship journal Feminist Studies. Well done, Carolyn!
Milwaukee Athletics
Congratulations to junior Meg Swietlik, who capped her breakout season with a school record and All-Region honors after an outstanding 24th-place finish to lead the Milwaukee women’s cross-country team at the 2019 NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships.
BelAir Cantina, a Mexican-fusion restaurant with locations in the Milwaukee area that is famous for its tacos, tequila, and fresh ingredients, has partnered with YMCA Camp Minikani on its newest “Powered by Tacos” charity fundraising campaign. As part of its partnership with BelAir Cantina, the Milwaukee Athletic Department has announced that BelAir will be using the Panthers as a platform to showcase the “Powered by Tacos” program.
The Week
Monday
This is a shorter week and Monday includes the Chancellor’s Executive and Expanded Cabinet meeting, my monthly meeting with Student Association Leadership, and my weekly staff meeting. In the evening, I will attend the Care, Respect, and Expression Lecture Series, “The Gift of Our Wounds,” featuring co-authors Pardeep Singh Kaleka and Arno Michaelis.
Tuesday
In the morning, I have a Connected Systems Institute Core Team meeting, my one-on-one with Dave Clark, and the CEMAT Steering Committee monthly meeting. In the afternoon, I have my standing meeting with Joan Prince, and the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute Graduate Program Steering Committee meeting.
Wednesday
Today, I have my monthly meetings with Marija Gajdardziska-Josifovska and Stan Stojkovic, a Distinguished Professors meeting with the Chancellor and me, my bi-weekly meeting with Katie Miota, and my weekly meeting with the Chancellor.
Thursday-Friday
I’ll be off for Thanksgiving.
Announcements
International Education
International Education Week is International Education MONTH at UWM! Many units across campus are hosting programs. See the list of events.
UWM Mindfulness and Contemplative Practices Survey 2019
The Resiliency and Coping Work Group, a sub-group of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health, is collecting data on mindfulness and contemplative practices currently taking place at UWM. If you are incorporating mindfulness or contemplative practices into your teaching or work, please compete this very brief survey by December 15 to help us gain more insight about what’s happening on campus. Thank you!
Alumni Association Master Chats
WUWM’s Susan Bence speaks with New York Times bestselling author Seth M. Siegel about contaminated drinking water, the topic of his newest book, “Troubled Water: What’s Wrong with What We Drink,” on Wednesday, December 4 in the Union Wisconsin Room. Register now.
Holiday Boutique
Shop with local merchants and artisans for your holiday season while giving back to the UWM College of Nursing’s Study Abroad programs in Kenya and Malawi where students bring supplies to vulnerable families and children. The Holiday Boutique will be open on Thursday, December 5 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Cunningham G40.
Rethinking Justice and Incarceration Series
Tim Ehlinger (Nursing) will moderate a panel presentation, “The Impact of Incarceration on Communities: A Systems Perspective,” on Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m. in the Library 4th Floor Conference Center.
2019 George F. Kennan Distinguished Lecture
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter and author Dana Priest will present, “Disinformation & Democracy,” on Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. at the UWM Hefter Center. Free and open to the public.
First-Year Symposium
The 2nd Annual First-Year Symposium will be held on Friday, December 6 from 1-3 p.m. in the Library 4th Floor Conference Center. All are invited to attend and see the work produced by our first-year seminar students.
Teaching and Learning Symposium
Register for the 5th Annual UWM Teaching and Learning Symposium to be held on January 9, 2020!
Alumni Employee Award Nominations
Do you know a UWM alumni employee who is an outstanding performer, unsung hero, inspiration to students, or change maker in their community? Nominate this exceptional faculty or staff member for an Alumni Employee Award! Any current UWM employee or student can submit a nomination. Nominations are due by Friday, December 20. Please note: All nominees must be current UWM employees who are graduates of UWM. Student employees and members of the Selection Committee are not eligible to be nominated. Past honorees may be nominated in other categories, but they may not be nominated in the categories in which they previously won. Awards will be presented at the UWM Alumni Employee Awards and Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, February 26. Questions? Please contact Abi Jensen-Quinlan at 414-229-2221 or jensen69@uwm.edu.
Academic Staff Distinguished Prefix
Academic Staff are encouraged to learn more about the Distinguished Prefix. Promotion to the rank of Distinguished is reserved for a small number of Academic Staff (typically at the senior level or top level of their title series) whose accomplishments are evidenced by widespread peer recognition, both on campus and beyond. Explore the policies and procedures to see if you are eligible to apply. For any questions, please reach out to a member of the 2019-20 Distinguished Prefix Review Committee.
UWM Faculty and Academic Staff Award Committees
The Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award recognizes outstanding teaching in the UW System. The award is made to faculty and instructional academic staff in recognition of outstanding career achievement in teaching. Please nominate your colleagues for recognition. The nomination deadline is December 6. The award guidelines for Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff are available online.
SECC Leadership Team
Last year, through the generosity of our active and retired faculty and staff, special campus events, and general donations, UWM was able to raise nearly $100,000 for the State and University Employees Combined Giving Campaign. This year we are a bit behind our goal but are hopeful that with one final push we can support many amazing charities. Thank you to everyone who has already completed their pledge. Making a gift online is quick and easy. Please take a few minutes and make a difference.
2020-21 FAFSA Filing
The 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filing has begun for our students. The link with all applicable information is available at www.uwm.edu/FAFSA.
Other
I just want to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.
Take care,
Johannes
Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs