UW-Superior Academic Department's News and Events

Educational Leadership Scholarships for the 2012-2013 Academic Year

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:35:33 +0000

Scholarship Applications are now available for the 2012-2013 Academic Year.

Each spring the Educational Leadership Department in cooperation with the UW-Superior Foundation and the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation recommends awards for over $20,000 of scholarships. Visit the Educational Leadership website for application forms and procedures.

Applications are due on March 9, 2012.

The Spice is Right Art Exhibit

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:39:27 +0000

Art work exhibited by Molly Thompson

Exhibit dates: February 6 through February 12, 2012
Opening Reception: Monday, February 6th, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Third Floor Gallery - University of Wisconsin-Superior
Holden Fine Arts Center
1805 Catlin Avenue
Superior, Wisconsin

New political science and philosophy faculty seek to engage students

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:04:08 +0000

By Elizabeth Reichert
University Relations student writer

Some people find talking politics or waxing philosophical an interesting pastime, but for three new faculty members in the Social Inquiry Department at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, it's an occupation and joy. Dr. Sarah LaChance Adams, Dr. Daniela Mansbach, and Dr. Alisa Von Hagel are bringing with them courses, goals, and hopes to continue strengthening the department's academic programs and the student body.

Dr. Sarah LaChance Adams

Dr. Sarah LaChance Adams is an associate professor of philosophy. She holds a doctorate degree from the University of Oregon and previously taught there. She teaches classes in philosophy and women's studies, including Contemporary Moral Problems; Enlightenment, Freedom; and Introduction to Women's/Gender Studies.

"I'm very excited to be coming here," LaChance Adams said. "I like in smaller institutions there's a chance to really get to know students."

Seeing opportunities for expansion and increased involvement, LaChance Adams' hopes for her department to offer additional philosophy courses and to broaden its group of philosophy students.

"To offer philosophy classes that are relevant to people's majors in other areas, to really relate to people's actual lives - philosophy has the potential to reach people in that way," LaChance Adams said.

She has already seen her hope of expanded course offerings begin to come true through some of the classes that she has brought to UW-Superior, including "Teaching of Social Justice" and "Philosophy of Children." However, she would like to see more.

She also wants students to view the department as a "place where they feel intellectually challenged, respected for their own thoughts, and stimulated to see the world in a new light," she said. "I would like to develop a robust group of philosophically engaged students, whatever form that takes."

Dr. Daniela Mansbach

Dr. Daniela Mansbach is an assistant professor of political science who teaches courses in political science and women's studies, including Feminist Theory and Action and Theories of Human Rights. She holds a doctorate degree in political science from The New School for Social Research and taught in New York before coming to UW-Superior.

Mansbach wants her students to be successful in their coursework and personal development. This desire matches well with UW-Superior, which attracted her to the university.

"I liked how the teacher-oriented situation focuses a lot on students' openness to critical thinking," she said. "I like seeing the students feel more comfortable with material and not only understanding material but having the ability to say something and write [about it]."

Mansbach's passion for her interests within her field of study carries into her teaching.

"I want to develop political theory concretely, to make people less afraid of the word 'theory,' and to have students understand theory as a basic practice," she said.

Because Mansbach cares about her students' personal development, she especially wants to develop their political selves.

"Students think they don't know enough, so they feel they can't have opinion," she said. "I want them to not just get knowledge but feel they can have an opinion without all the books and to understand political commitment."

Dr. Alisa Von Hagel

Dr. Alisa Von Hagel is an associate professor of political science and teaches both political science and women's studies courses. These include Women and Politics, Contemporary Issues: American Politics, and Congress and the Presidency. She holds a doctorate degree from Northern Illinois University and previously taught at the university level.

Von Hagel found appeal in UW-Superior's stress on diversity.

"I think the position was perfectly suited to my interests. They emphasized inclusivity and diversity which really attracted me," Von Hagel said. "It definitely lived up to those expectations of a diverse classroom."

She has enjoyed her students' involvement in the class and in the coursework. "They're very engaged, bringing in local and current events. It's great that students are so informed," she said. "The fact that they're willing to bring that into the classroom is wonderful."

Von Hagel wants to see student involvement increase. "I think it's important, even if people aren't political science majors, to get involved, to volunteer for political campaigns, to volunteer in local organizations - to build a culture that is involved," she said.

Along with increased involvement, Von Hagel wants students to know that she and her colleagues are open and accessible.

"I want to work with students to work around aspects of their lives in a meaningful way, to get them involved in lots of different efforts as much as possible," she said. "I want students to view me and our program as a group of faculty members that you can talk to about career plans or look to for courses or planning for grad school; as sources of information they can come to for advice."

Mock Trial Loras Tournament Results--UW-Superior PLACES!!!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:54:26 +0000

The UW-Superior Black Squad for Mock Trial placed in the Honorable Mention category (top 13 team) in a 68 team NATIONAL field of competition this past weekend at the National Mock Trial Invitational Tournament at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. Black Team earned 5 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie, defeating University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Drake University and splitting a ballot with Carthage. We lost two ballots to Macalester, the fifth place team at the tournament.

Jeff Anderson continued his perfect Outstanding Witness Award record for this academic year, earning 18 of 20 points on BOTH sides of the case. Only 18 Outstanding Witness awards were given out of a potential of over 450 Mockers competing. Mark Wick narrowly missed an Outstanding Attorney award.

Other teams in this nationally recognized field included Loyola, U of MN, Loras, Cornell, Drake, U of IL, UW Madison, DePaul, Luther College, Washington University, Bradley University, Creighton University, Grinnell College, Hamline, Illinois State, Iowa State, Lewis, Macalester, Marquette, MIchigan State, Morningside College, Nebraska Lincoln, St. Ambrose, St. Louis University, University of Central Missouri, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of South Dakota, UW Milwaukee, UW Platteville, Valpraiso University, Wheaton College and Wilmington College. This tournament is the largest pre-regional tournament in the nation during January. For UW-Superior to place in the top bracket is a huge national accomplishment.

Most Mockers earned Outstanding Attorney or Outstanding Witness individual nominations during at least one round of competition. This year's Mock Trial team includes: Jeff Anderson (captain), Rebecca Anderson, Taylor Tengwall, Mark Wick (captain), Alicia Kline, Jake LIndberg, Samantha Meyers, Yer Vang, Brandt Devich (captain), Cody Chaffee (captain), Libby Ledin (captain), Elliot Charette, James Kolehmainen, Kelsey German, Jordin Gegare (captain), Brian DeMar, Colin Pasterski.

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Cuzzo (Legal Studies), Tracy Schramm (Bateman and Schramm Law Firm), Mark Fruehauf (Douglas County DA) and Julie Johnson Benfield (Sixth Judicial District court clerk).

The team next sees competition at the all important REGIONALS hosted by UW-Superior the weekend of February 10-12, 2012. This is the critical tournament to determine which eight teams will qualify to see national competition at the ORCS tournament in March. A team must place in the top eight positions to qualify.

Everyone is invited to see a round of competition that weekend. Rounds will be held on Friday evening through Sunday morning in Swenson Hall and YU. Postings of individual rounds will be made in YU. The UW-Superior team coding is 1303 and 1304. Friday's round begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays rounds being at 9:30 and 2:30 respectively. Sunday's round begins at 9:30. A round of competition lasts approximately three hours. You must arrive in the room prior to the start of the round--at last 15 minutes in advance. No talking is allowed during a round of competition and no communication can occur with the competitors during a round. You can enter and depart a round when there is a brief pause in the competition but not while competitors are competing actively.

You are all welcome to come and see what our Mockers spend HOURS each week developing---critical thinking, presentation, argumentation, analysis, writing, thinking on their feet. Watch in YU during these next two weeks for additional profiling and more information.

This year's case is a criminal case involving murder and a DUI. Three friends---Danny Dawson, Vanessa Sullivan and Taylor Hobson---went out to celebrate Vanessa's 21st birthday at Chuggie's Bar. A night of partying and drinking occurred followed by a tragic car accident where Vanessa died. Danny Dawson is now charged with murder and DUI. Was this tragic death a MURDER? Was Danny Dawson responsible for Vanessa's death? Come and find out! This case is filled with interesting witnesses (bartenders, servers, parties, police officers, accident reconstructionists, accident witnesses, doctors) and attorneys.

Thanks to SUFAC, the Department of Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity (HBJD, Legal Studies (LSTU) and the Provost's office for supporting the ongoing academic and competitive work of the Mock Trial Team! Go, Mockers!!! Mock 'n Roll!!!

11 music majors perform with Wisconsin National Band Association Collegiate Honor Band

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:31:02 +0000

Eleven students majoring in music at the University of Wisconsin-Superior were chosen to take part in the Wisconsin National Band Association Collegiate Honor Band.

The students participated in rehearsals and a concert Jan. 19-20 in Wisconsin Rapids along with students from 14 other Wisconsin universities. Conductors for the band included Dr. Pamela Bustos, associate professor and director of bands at UW-Superior, and four other Wisconsin university band directors.

The UW-Superior students are pictured at right.

Front row from left:

Dr. Pamela Bustos
Tara Yrjanainen of Solon Springs, Wis., majoring in music education- instrumental, performing on flute.
Emily Borra of Side Lake, Minn., majoring in instrumental performance, performing on French horn.
Chelsey Pavlovich of Poplar, Wis., majoring in music education-instrumental, performing on percussion.
Sara Broshofske of Ogilvie, Minn., majoring in music-general, performing on clarinet.
Olivia Krause of Cochrane, Wis., majoring in music-general, performing on percussion

Back row from left:

Katlyn Stoinski of Moose Lake, Minn., majoring in music education-general, performing on bassoon.
Jessie Peterson of Wrenshall, Minn., majoring in music education-instrumental, performing on clarinet.
Stacey Coggon of Elroy, Wis., majoring in music education-instrumental, performing on euphonium.
Richard Wehmas of Clear Lake, Wis., majoring in music education-instrumental, performing on tuba.
Cory Coffman of Blaine, Minn., majoring in music education-instrumental, performing on percussion.
Michael Ugrich of Bovey, Minn., majoring in music performance, performing on guitar and percussion.

Student Recital - Michael Ugrich, guitar

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:04:47 +0000