A look at the top campus news

With a new chancellor, the opening of a state-of-the-art research center and a $10 million donation to support entrepreneurial training, 2015 was an exciting time at UWM. Here’s a look at some of our memorable moments.

New chancellor inaugurated

The chancellor's medallion is placed around Mark Mone's neck at his Oct. 2 inauguration. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox) — The chancellor’s medallion is placed around Mark Mone’s neck at his Oct. 2 inauguration. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)

Mark Mone was inaugurated as UWM’s ninth chancellor in October. A unique medallion was placed around his neck during the ceremony. Learn how it was made.

Research complex opens

The 132,000-square-foot Kenwood Interdisciplinary Research Complex houses the physics department, researchers from the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, and the Shimadzu Laboratory for Advanced Applied and Analytical Chemistry, used by many different research groups. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox) — The 132,000-square-foot Kenwood Interdisciplinary Research Complex is expected to become a guiding force in Wisconsin industry. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)

The $80 million Kenwood Interdisciplinary Research Complex is the first new all-academic building to open on the East Side campus since 1995. Primarily home to the physics department, KIRC also houses researchers from the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, and the Shimadzu Laboratory for Advanced Applied and Analytical Chemistry. Learn more about the world-class research center.

$10M donation for entrepreneurship

Founding donor Sheldon Lubar unveils plans for the Lubar Center for Entrepreneurship at UWM.

Philanthropists Sheldon and Marianne Lubar donated $10 million in July to establish the Lubar Center for Entrepreneurship to bring together, enhance and expand UWM’s array of entrepreneurial programs, classes and activities. The center will be housed in a welcome center to be built at the corner of E. Kenwood Boulevard and Maryland Avenue. Learn more about this gift.

Innovation network

Andrew Greene, director of the Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center at MCW (left), and Ilya Avdeev, UWM assistant professor of mechanical engineering, say that some of the I-Corp teams will meet and use the facilities at Innovation Campus. (UWM Photo/Derek Rickert) — Andrew Greene, director of the Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center at MCW (left), and Ilya Avdeev, UWM assistant professor of mechanical engineering, say that some of the I-Corps teams will meet and use the facilities at Innovation Campus. (UWM Photo/Derek Rickert)

Led by UWM, five academic institutions in Milwaukee joined forces last fall to create a regional hub of the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps. Funded by a $300,000 federal grant, the Milwaukee-area I-Corps project brings together academic researchers, graduate students and business networks to grow the local economy. Find out more about I-Corps.

Hunt for veterans

Maggie Wuesthoff tracked down photos of Donald Voltner, a 20-year-old soldier who was killed during the Vietnam War.

Twenty-seven UWM journalism students helped locate photos and tell the stories of Wisconsin soldiers killed in Vietnam as part of a national effort to find approximately 18,000 missing photos for a digital display at The Wall in Washington, D.C. Their project was completed in May when relatives confirmed that an old North Division High School yearbook photo showed Willie Bedford, the final image missing of the 1,161 Wisconsin service members who died in the war. Learn more about the students’ quest.

Choir rocks with Rolling Stones

Two dozen members of the UWM Concert Chorale, the school’s elite choral group, joined the Rolling Stones on stage at Summerfest.

Two dozen members of the UWM Concert Chorale, the university’s elite choral group, joined the Rolling Stones on stage at the world’s largest music festival in June. Listen to them sing.

Biking free-for-all

UWM's partnership with Bublr Bikes gives students a low-cost, convenient way to get around Milwaukee. “Biking is a great way to relieve stress from classes, plus you can make some great friends going on group bike rides,” says UWM sophomore and avid biker Alexandra Rose Christopher-Hayes. (UWM Photo/Derek Rickert) — UWM’s partnership with Bublr Bikes gives students a low-cost, convenient way to get around Milwaukee. “Biking is a great way to relieve stress from classes, plus you can make some great friends going on group bike rides,” says UWM sophomore and avid biker Alexandra Rose Christopher-Hayes. (UWM Photo/Derek Rickert)

The Student Association worked with UWM’s Office of Sustainability to bring Bublr Bikes to campus. Together they negotiated a five-year deal gives UWM students free, 12-month Bublr Passes in the first year and discounted, $20 Bublr Passes in later years. Find out how to get your free pass.

Virtual bookstore opens

Students can have textbooks delivered directly to their residence with free, two-day shipping when they order through the UWM Virtual Bookstore powered by eCampus.com.

A new partnership between University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and eCampus.com could save students up to 60 percent on their textbooks, helping to keep higher education affordable. Learn more about the deal.

Veterans resource center

MARVC_report1 — UWM’s Military and Veterans Resource Center was renovated with support from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, along with the UWM Division of Student Affairs. (UWM Photo/Derek Rickert)

UWM has more veterans, service members and their families on campus than any other school in a six-state region and works hard to serve these students. The latest effort: The grand opening of the renovated and expanded Military and Veterans Resource Center (known as MAVRC) in the Student Union. Read more about the center.

Employee honored for gay marriage fight

Roy Badger, left, a UWM employee who was part of a landmark 2014 lawsuit that overturned Wisconsin’s ban on same-sex marriage, will receive the University of Wisconsin System Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ People at a ceremony Oct. 9 at UW-Madison. He was joined in the lawsuit by Garth Wangemann, who he later married. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox) — Roy Badger, left, and his partner Garth Wangemann helped legalize gay marriage in Wisconsin and nationwide. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)

The University of Wisconsin System honored UWM graduate and longtime employee Roy Badger in October for his leadership in the fight to legalize gay marriage. Badger and his partner, Garth Wangemann, were part of a landmark 2014 lawsuit that overturned Wisconsin’s ban on same-sex marriage. Learn more about Badger.