UW-Superior Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity Department News and Events

Legal Studies Completes Senior Capstone Experiences on May 3, 2013

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:09:10 +0000

Legal Studies Completes Senior Capstone Experiences on May 3, 2013 in Multicultural Affairs Center

Seventeen graduating seniors presented their final capstone work to the four faculty of LSTU/CJUS as well as family and friends in the Multicultural Affairs Center. A complimentary celebration lunch was provided. Ryan Corbiell, Pre-Law Society President, welcomed all attendees to the event. Dan Blank, District Attorney for Douglas County, provided a keynote around citizenship and public service.

The following Seniors presented their internship, independent study research or Mock Trial lessons:

Matthew Bolf (CJUS): Internship with the St. Louis County Sherriff
Jodi Carlson (LSTU): Independent Research on the Impact of the Warren Court in the Past and Today
Brandt Devich (LSTU): Lessons from Three Years of Mock Trial
Reed Elling (CJUS): Internship with Carlton County Probation
Nicole Hayes (LSTU): Internship as the SGA Legislative Affairs Liaison
Therese Houle (CJUS): Senior Thesis Research on the impact of having firearms with teachers in schools on safety
Heather Illikainen (CJUS): Internship with Men as Peacemakers in Duluth
Jenna Koski (LSTU): Internship with CCI on regulatory and grievance work
Cory Mareno (CJUS): Internship with Douglas County Sheriff Department
Simon Kunz (CJUS): Internship with Peterson & Associates in Chicago ,IL
David Norlen (CJUS): Internship with Duluth Police Department
Alex Paraventi (CJUS): Internship with Ashland Police Department
Colin Pasterski (LSTU): Mock Trial
Gerard Randall (CJUS): Internship with Ashland Police Department
Dan Thorstensen (CJUS): Internship with Duluth Police Department
Trevor Tracey (CJUS): Internship with Minnesota DNR
Adrea Youker (LSTU): Independent Research on Social Work Malpractice: Ethics, Law and Judicial Decisions

The program was coordinated by Dr. George Wright of Legal Studies and supported by other Legal Studies/Criminal Justice staff of Dr. Maria Cuzzo, Dr. Gary Keveles and Dr. Chris O'Connor.

Mock Trial Ends Season at Waukegon, IL

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:43:34 +0000

UW-Superior's Mock Trial Team finished their competitive season at the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS) tournament in Waukegon, IL this past weekend. With their earned win-loss record and season total, this means UW-Superior's team finished in the top 25% of Mock Trial teams in the nation. They faced the toughest competitive draws of the tournament with the highest combined strength of opposition (meaning facing the best teams in the ORCS field). UW-Superior competed against TWO of the teams that qualified for Nationals in Washington DC, losing heartbreaking ballots in both cases.

Each member of the team earned Outstanding Individual performance nominations. Jordin Gegare, Kelsey German, Jeff Anderson and Stacey Peterson Rootes all earned Outstanding Witness nominations. Jeff Anderson, Cody Chaffee, Yer Vang, and Brandt Devich all earned Outstanding Attorney nominations. Team scouts included Katlyn Shipley (coordinator), Kyle Johnson, Trevar Hill, Jessica Schubring and Alex Rafael.

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Cuzzo, Ms. Tracy Schramm, Mr. Mark Fruehauf and Ms. Julie Benfield. Thanks go to Cathy Fank, Judge Michael Cuzzo, Judge Heather Sweetland, Mr. Daniel Blank, Ms. Lisa Mattsson, Ms. Ruby Hudspeth and others who assisted the Mockers throughout the year.

Congratulations to our high quality Mock Trial team!

Mock Trial team qualifies for national competition

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:08:59 +0000

UW-Superior Team Black (1010) qualified for Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS) national competition at their Hamline Regional tournament this past weekend. Black Team
earned a 6 wins, 2 losses overall record to earn 4th place in the 22 team field. This Upper Midwest Regional Tournament pitted the best Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois teams against each other in head to head competition to earn seven qualifying spots to the ORCS national series. The ORCS tournament is March 8-10, 2013 in Waukegon, IL. The best teams from the Minneapolis, MN, Joliet, IL and Notre Dame, IN regionals will meet in Waukegon to determine the
best teams for the National Mock Trial Tournament in April in Washington D.C.

Black Team members included Jeff Anderson, Brandt Devich, Stacey Peterson Rootes, Jordin Gegare, Kelsey German, Yer Vang and Cassandra Foltz.

UW-Superior Team Gold (1011) finished 3 wins, five losses after close losses against some of the top teams of the tournament. Gold team member Kyle Johnson won an Outstanding Witness award and Alex Rafael was THE TOP Outstanding Attorney earning a perfect score of 20 in the tournament.

Gold team members included Kyle Johnson, Cody Chaffee, Trevar Hill, Matt Munkelwitz, Alex Rafael, Jessica Schubring and Katlyn Shipley.

All members of both Black and Gold teams earned outstanding attorney and witness nominations in individual rounds of competition.

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Stalzer Wyant Cuzzo (Legal Studies, Academic Coach), Mark Fruehauf (Maki, Durst, Ledin & Bick, S.C. and former Assistant DA), Tracy Schramm (Geraghty, O'Loughlin and Keeney) and Julie Benfield (Sixth Judicial District Law Clerk).

Mock Trial is an academic, forensic, competitive activity that teaches students how to analyze,
research, strategize, plan, present and defend a legal case to a trial court.

Mock Trial Teams Place 7th and 8th at Hatting St. Thomas University of Law Invitational

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:40:00 +0000

UW-Superior's Mock Trial teams placed 7th and 8th at the Hatting St. Thomas University of Law Invitational the weekend of January 18-20,2013 in Minneapolis, MN. Black Team went 4-4 and Gold Team went 3-3-2 in a tough regional based competitive field. Cassy Foltz was named an Outstanding Attorney and Jeff Anderson was named an Outstanding Witness for the entire tournament.

The following students earned outstanding attorney nominations on individual ballots: Cody Chaffee, Kyle Johnson, Katlyn Shipley, Megan Myer, Matt Munkelwitz, Brandt Devich, Cassy Foltz, Yer Vang, and Jeff Anderson. The following students earned outstanding witness nominations on individual ballots: Kelsey German, Jordin Gegare, Stacey Rootes, Jeff Anderson, Kyle Johnson, Trevar Hill, Jessica Schubring, and Matt Munkelwitz.

The Team competes next at the AMTA Regional Tournament hosted by Hamline University the first weekend in February. This tournament qualifies teams to compete at national level competition at ORCS in March in Waukegon, IL.

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Cuzzo (Academic Coach-LegalStudies), Tracy Schramm (Geraghty, O'Loughlin & Kennedy, PA), Mark Fruehauf (former Assistant District Attorney; Maki, Ledin, Bick & Olson, PA) and Julie Benfield (Sixth Judicial District Law Clerk).

Mock trial team places at Macalester II tournament

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:35:02 +0000

UW-Superior's 1010 Mock Trial team placed 9th at the Macalester II Trials in St. Paul last weekend. With a 5-3 record, Black Team was in the top echelon of teams at the tournament.

Cody Chaffee from UW-Superior's Gold Team was named one of the Outstanding Attorneys for the tournament, one of ten top best performances. Gold Team finished 2-1-5 for the tournament, losing ballots by close margins.

Most members of the Mock Trial team placed as outstanding attorneys or outstanding witnesses on most individual ballots. Members include Cody Chaffee, Alex Derosier, Brandt Devich, Jordin Gegare, Kelsey German, Trevar Hill, Kyle Johnson, Matthew Munkelwitz, Megan Myer, Stacey Peterson, Alex Rafael, Jessica Schubring and Yer Vang.

At the St. Olaf Tournament two weekends ago, we had two outstanding performances from Jeff Anderson and Cassy Foltz.

Mock trial is an academic, forensic, competitive activity that teaches students who to analyze, present and defend a case to the trial court. UW-Superior is a member of the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) with more than 650 other university teams from around the nation. Students portray attorneys and witnesses to create a legal case.

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Cuzzo, Tracy Schramm, Mark Fruehauf and Julie Benfield.

The team next sees competition at the Hatting Memorial Tournament at St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis the third weekend in January.

Mock Trial teams compete at Macalester

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:47:33 +0000

Jordin Gegare and Andrew Hanson earned Outstanding Witness awards for their individual performances when the UW-Superior Mock Trial teams competed at the Macalester Trials in St. Paul on Nov. 3-5.

UW-Superior's Team 1010 earned a 4-3-1 record and Team 1011 earned a 1-7 record as the competition.

The Macalester Trials are one of the largest Midwest fields in Mock Trial competition, attracting teams from universities such as Drake, Macalester, Chicago, Luther, Carleton, Minnesota, Iowa, St. Olaf, UW-Lacrosse, UW-Madison, St. Thomas, Grinnell, St. Catherine and Hamline.

The following students were nominated on ballots for their outstanding attorney work during individual rounds at the tournament: Cassandra Foltz, Brandt Devich, Stacey Peterson, Alexander Derosier, Yer Vang, Kyle Johnson, Katlyn Shipley, Jeff Anderson and Andrew Hanson.

The following students were nominated for their outstanding witness work during individual rounds at the tournament: Stacey Peterson, Matthew Munkelwitz, Alex Rafael, Jessica Schubring, Andrew Hanson, Jordin Gegare, Trevor Hill, and Kyle Johnson.

The team next competes at the Ole Open at St. Olaf on Nov. 16-18.

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Stalzer Wyant Cuzzo, Tracy Schramm, Mark Fruehauf and Julie Benfield.

Mock Trial team opens 2012-2012 season with strong showing

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:08:25 +0000

UW-Superior's Mock Trial teams last weekend took part in their first invitational meet of the year at the University of Minnesota UMNUMB Tournament in Minneapolis. Teams 1010 and 1011 finished 3-5 and 2-6, with close ballot losses in several rounds of competition.

UW-Superior had two individual award winners: Jeff Anderson of Frederic, Wis., (score of 18 of 20) as an outstanding witness on the defense side of the case and Brandt Devich of Buhl, Minn., (score of 20 of 20) as an outstanding attorney on the plaintiff side of the case.

Mock trial is an academic, forensic, competitive activity that teaches students who to analyze, present and defend a case to the trial court. UW-Superior is a member of the American Mock Trial Association, which has more than 650 other university teams from around the nation. Students portray attorneys and witnesses to create a legal case. This year's case is a civil case involving wrongful death from a scuba diving accident.

UW-Superior competed in a field of 20 teams, including those from University of Minnesota, Macalester College, University of St. Thomas, St. Benedict/St. John's University, Hamline, UW Air Force Academy, Drake University, University of Minnesota-Duluth, UW-La Crosse and Bemidji State University.

The following UW-Superior students earned individual nominations for outstanding attorney performances in rounds of competition: Cody Chaffee, Alexander Derosier, Trevar Hill, Yer Vang, Brandt Devich, Alexander Rafael, Megan Myer and Cassy Foltz.

These students earned individual nominations for outstanding witness performances in rounds of competition: Stacey Peterson, Trevar Hill, Jeff Anderson, Alexander Derosier, Jessica Schubring, Matthew Munkelwitz, Samantha Meyers, Megan Myer, and Kelsey German.

Other contributing UW-Superior students include Katlyn Shipley, Kyle Johnson, Jordin Gegare, Andrew Hanson, and Libby Ledin. Randy Bender of Lake Superior College observes and helps formulate strategy.

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Cuzzo (academic coach and professor of Legal Studies), Tracy Schramm (partner in Schramm Law firm of Duluth), Mark Fruehauf (assistant district attorney for Douglas County) and Julie Benfield (Sixth Judicial District Law Clerk).

The team next competes at the Macalester Trials, with more than 50 teams, the weekend of November 2-4 in St. Paul.

Mock Trial team closes out season

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:20:25 +0000

The UW-Superior Mock Trial team finished its 2011-2012 academic competitive season at the Waukegon Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS) this past weekend.

Team members met some of the top competition of the Midwest and finished with losses and close rounds with a 2-6 record. They did not qualify to go on to the National Tournament in St. Paul in April.

The 2011-2012 season was one of the best-scoring seasons for UW-Superior Mock Trial in the past eight years, with individual and team placements consistently ranking among the best in the Upper Midwest.

Team members who contributed hard work, commitment and great performances include:

Jeff Anderson
Rebecca Anderson
Cody Chaffee
Elliot Charette
Brian DeMar
Brandt Devich
Matt Friberg
Jordin Gegare
Kelsey German
Alicia Kline
James Kolehmainen
Elizabeth (Libby) Ledin
Jake Lindberg
Samantha Meyers
Colin Pasterski
Taylor Tengwall
Yer Vang
Mark Wick

The team was coached by Dr. Maria Cuzzo (Legal Studies), Tracy Schramm (partner in Bateman & Schramm), Mark Fruehauf (Assistant District Attorney) and Julie Johnson Benfield (Sixth Judicial District Law Clerk).

Mock Trial team bound for regional tournament

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:41:17 +0000

A UW-Superior Mock Trial team will compete March 9-11 at the Opening Round Championship Series in Waukegan, Ill.

UW-Superior's Black Team earned the right to attend the tournament when it finished fifth last month at a regional tournament held on campus. The tournament in Waukegan includes top regional finishers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The top six finishers at that content qualify fo rthe national tournament next month in St. Paul.

The Black Team's roster includes Jeff Anderson, Brandt Devich, Alicia Kline, Jake Lindberg, Samantha Meyers, Colin Pasterski, Taylor Tengwall, Yer Vang and Mark Wick. Cody Chaffee, Kelsey German and Elizabeth Ledin are traveling with the team as official observers and scouts.

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Cuzzo, Legal Studies; Tracy Schramm, of the Bateman and Schramm law firm; Mark Fruehauf, assistant district attorney for Douglas County; and Julie Johnson Benfield, Sixth Judicial District court clerk.

Mock Trial is an academic forensic activity that teaches students how to analyze the law and facts of a case, and to argue and present cases in a trial court. Many of the participating students are majoring in UW-Superior's Legal Studies or Criminal Justice programs. UW-Superior belongs to the American Mock Trial Association and is one of more than 350 universities in the country that take part in mock trial competition.

Psychology major to represent UW-Superior at statewide research showcase

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:41:25 +0000

University of Wisconsin-Superior students involved in computer science, psychology, writing, art, and transportation and logistics management will showcase their undergraduate research projects March 7 at the State Capitol in Madison.

"Posters in the Rotunda: A Celebration of Undergraduate Research," brings students and faculty from University of Wisconsin System campuses to the Capitol Rotunda to share their undergraduate research projects with elected officials, government representatives, and the public.

Among those representing UW-Superior is Angela Castellini of Duluth, who's majoring in psychology and sociology. She will present, "The Role of Perfectionism and Romanticized Beliefs in Romantic Relationship Satisfaction and Adjustment."

"My research examined how personality traits and social influence can shape our perception of, and behaviors in, romantic relationships," she said. "More specifically, I assessed how higher levels of perfectionism and romanticized beliefs influenced romantic relationship satisfaction and adjustment in individuals who were in a dating relationship."

Her faculty advisor is Dr. Shevaun Stocker, assistant professor of psychology.

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!!!

Mock trial team places high at major tournament

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:59:51 +0000

One of the UW-Superior's mock trial teams finished in the top third of a nationally competitive field and three students earned individual awards at the Macalester Trials mock trial competition held Nov. 4-6 at Macalester College in St. Paul.

UW-Superior's team recorded a 5-3 record in a field of 46 teams from around the nation, including Cornell University, University of Chicago, University of Southern California, Macalester College, University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Minnesota.

Taylor Tengwall and Mark Wick both won an Outstanding Attorney Award in a highly competitive field that required 17 of 20 scores to be recognized. Jeff Anderson was the sole double award winner as Outstanding Witness, the single top achievement of the tournament.

This year's American Mock Trial Association national case is a fictional DUI and murder case resulting from a car accident that killed a young woman. UW-Superior competes again at the Macalester II competition in St. Paul on the first weekend in December.

UW-Superior mock trial team includes 21 students, the largest team fielded in 10 years. Members are Jeff Anderson (captain), Rebecca Anderson, Jensen Anderson, Cody Chaffee (captain), Elliot Charette, Brian DeMar, Brandt Devich (captain), Matt Friberg, Jordin Gegare (captain), Kelsey German, Alicia Kline, James Kolehmainen, Libby Ledin, Jake Lindberg, Samantha Meyers, Colin Pasterski, Taylor Stowell, Taylor Tengwall, Emmanuel Tucker II (captain), Yer Vang and Mark Wick (captain).

The team is coached by Dr. Maria Cuzzo of the Legal Studies program; Tracy Schramm (partner in the Bateman and Schramm Law Firm in Duluth); Mark Fruehauf (assistant district attorney with the Douglas County District Attorney's Office); and Julie Johnson (Judicial Law Clerk for the 6th Judicial District Court). All four coaches are former debaters, speakers, moot court or mock trial participants.

Dr. Christopher O'Connor joins criminal justice faculty

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:02:37 +0000

Dr. Christopher O'Connor
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Education: Doctorate degree in sociology in 2010 from University of Calgary. Areas of specialization and teaching include: criminology and deviance; policing and social control, youth crime; youth transitions from school to work.

Experience: Teaching and research

Interesting Fact: Research has included a master's thesis on "Auto theft and youth culture" and Canadian youth dealing with jobs in a oil boomtown.

RaLynn Schmalzried joins psychology faculty

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:25:54 +0000

RaLynn Schmalzried
Assistant Professor of Psychology

Education: Has completed her doctorate degree in cognitive psychology at the University of Kansas. She defends her dissertation in October 2011.

Experience: Educator and researcher

Interesting Fact: Spent five years working on a research project that addresses how aging affects the processing of spoken and written language.

Q. What are you anticipating most about your job at UW-Superior?

A. "I am looking forward to meeting and working with the students and making connections in the area so that students can engage in Academic Service-Learning in my developmental psychology classes."

Q. What's your favorite topic to teach?

A. "I am looking forward to teaching the Adulthood and Aging class in the spring. I look forward to sharing stories and information about the aging process that sometimes go against our stereotypes of older adults, and other times help explain why some of our notions of aging have some merit. I also enjoy teaching Introduction to Psychology because I get to lecture on so many areas of psychology and engage the students in videos and activities that demonstrate some classic research from the field."

Q. What message do you have for your students?

A. "I look forward to getting to know you - feel free to stop by and introduce yourself!"

Dr. Lynn Amerman Goerdt joins social work faculty

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:16:38 +0000

Dr. Lynn Amerman Goerdt
Assistant Professor of Social Work

Education: Doctorate degree in 2011 from University of Minnesota, Duluth. Research focus on "internationalizing social work education for critical consciousness."

Experience: Social work practitioner and educator

Interesting Fact: Has managed group homes for adults with developmental disabilities and served as a case manager for adults with chronic mental illness.

Q. What are you anticipating most about your job at UW-Superior?

A. "I am particularly looking forward to meeting students and being a part of the entire campus community. There is such great energy at UW-Superior, and I look forward to adding my contribution to the amazing things already happening on campus."

Q. What's your favorite topic to teach?

A. "There are a lot of favorites, but I particularly enjoy teaching about social welfare policy and what other countries are doing to address social welfare needs; particularly to expand our opinions about what is possible for addressing social issues."

Q. What message do you have for your students?

A. "I am looking forward to getting to know you all and to find out how I can support the things that you are passionate about. There is such a need for social workers that have a compassionate heart, strong skills and an awakened consciousness. This will be fun!"