NEWS RELEASES June '11
UW-Marinette Offers Life-Changing Opportunity
June 30, 2011
UW-Marinette will be welcoming nine new international students in August for the 2011-12 academic year, and is looking for families who are interested in opening their hearts and homes to four of them, along with two returning students looking for homes for the first semester. The students are 18-21 years old and come from Japan, Chile, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Denmark, France and Switzerland. German is the native language of one Swiss student; the other speaks French.
The students are sponsored by Youth For Understanding International Exchange (YFU). YFU is a 60 year-old private, non-profit educational organization whose primary purpose is to prepare young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing, interdependent world. Through the experience of studying abroad, YFU students gain skills and perspectives necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities offered by the fast-changing global community.
The YFU Community College Program began in 1991. Its goal is to provide young people between the age of 17 and 23 with the opportunity to participate in family life, attend a 2-year college, and be part of a community abroad where they will gain exposure to new ideas and perspectives, increase their sensitivity to cultural differences and similarities, and develop a deepened awareness of shared human values and interests.
UW-Marinette became affiliated with YFU-USA in 1995, and in that time the university and the community have served 341 YFU students, by far the largest number of students among the 18 colleges currently participating in the program. UW-Richland Center, also a campus of the University Of Wisconsin Colleges, has been hosting YFU students for the same amount of time and is third on the list with 181 students. Second is Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Illlinois, which has hosted 241 students since 1993.
As YFU Campus Coordinator for the past three years, Tina Oman was surprised at the total number of international students who have studied at UW-Marinette. “I was always aware of their presence in the community, even before I worked for the University, “ Oman said, “but when you add it up, it’s a huge number. It shows a real commitment from people in the community to support these young adults. The YFU program relies on host families to house the students, and it amazes me to know we have provided safe and loving homes for that many students.”
However, Oman says, many of those host families are not secured until the last minute, putting a strain on the students and their natural parents. “It’s always best to have host families in place early in the summer so they can start corresponding with their new son or daughter. Knowing who will be caring for their child also puts to rest many concerns parents have about allowing their child to study in a foreign country. This year we are very fortunate to have a few returning host families, and some who already have requested more information, so I anticipate that we will only need to place 6 more students.”
The benefits of hosting an international student are as numerous and varied as the families who take on this life-altering challenge. “Hosting an international student not only broadens your entire family’s perspective of the world, but it gives you the opportunity to share your interests, love and culture with an international son or daughter while receiving love and lifelong friendships in return,” says Oman.
Host families agree to: 1) Welcome a new son or daughter as a member of their family, 2) Help their student adapt to their family and to U.S. life and culture, 3) Provide a safe and loving home environment including a bed, a place to study, and three meals a day. Host families receive $200.00/month as partial reimbursement of the expense of having a student in their home, which is paid at the end of each semester. All types of families are encouraged to apply – single parents, blended families, even adults who have never had children before.
“Some of our most successful host families are single people, active in the community, who are willing to open their homes and lives to this new experience. As most parents know, no amount of training can fully prepare one for adolescence and young adulthood, anyway. We find that our orientations and support services are sufficient to handle whatever any of our families face,” says Oman.
Host families will be well-prepared for the hosting experience. A program handbook is provided that outlines policies and procedures and provides valuable information on what to expect. Families will also be required to attend orientation sessions prior to the students’ arrival and throughout the year to ensure that every member of the family gets the most out of the experience. These orientation sessions are only a few hours in length, but provide valuable information to the host families and their students. In addition, the host families develop a strong network of support throughout the year.
If issues should arise, Oman is available to assist participants with the challenges they may face and relies on the staff at the YFU national office to provide additional support if needed. According to Oman, the most common issues arise from the adjustments the student has to make to being abroad, and the family changes that occur when a new person joins the household.
”There is a natural cycle of cultural adjustment, and families and students need to adjust to new living situation. Knowing what to expect is half the battle, and something we address in all orientation programs with families and students,” says Oman.
Students are scheduled to arrive in late August with their own spending money and health insurance. While on program, students are required to attend orientations and classes, and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Along with their coursework, they will participate in a wide variety of YFU and campus activities which enhance their experience. Families are always invited to join the students on their excursions.
If interested in learning more about the UW-Marinette YFU host family experience, please contact the YFU Campus Coordinator, Tina Oman at 715-735-4355, tina.oman@uwc.edu, or the YFU Host Family Coordinator, Lynn Hass at 906-863-7162.
Oman promises a ‘low-pressure’ response to all inquiries. “I am by no means a salesperson at heart, but I do believe in the value of the program, and I think just knowing more about the program will convince more people to take the plunge and host a student,” Oman says. “In the past two years I have heard many misconceptions about this particular program and I would be happy to provide up-to-date information to anyone interested in becoming involved with our international students.”
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Children's Theatre Auditions August 15 & 16
June 30, 2011
Auditions for the October Children’s Theatre production “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr.” are Monday & Tuesday August 15 & 16 at 4:30-7:00 pm in T-133 of the Fine Arts Building at UW-Marinette. To reserve an audition time slot, please call 715-735-4342 between Monday and Friday from 8 am to 12 noon. The show will be directed by Jamie Schwaba. Production dates are October 15-16 and 21-23.
“The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr.” is based on the book “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown. Stanley Lambchop is your ordinary, every day, run-of-the-mill ten-year-old: normal mom and dad, normal little brother, normal life. That's just the problem...for Stanley, life is too normal. He wants to travel the world, do something amazing, something no one's ever seen before. Careful what you wish for, Stanley!
One night, the bulletin board on the wall above Stanley's bed comes loose and falls - right on top of Stanley! The next morning, Stanley Lambchop wakes up flat. Not just a little flat...really, REALLY flat! In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley - the ultimate exchange student - scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He's stamped, posted and cancelled from Hollywood to France to Honolulu and beyond. And whether he's thwarting a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, or 'hanging ten' off the coast of Hawaii, Stanley is closing in on his goal of being a three-dimensional boy once more.
Students ages 6 - 18 who would like to audition are asked to prepare a short vocal selection (1 minute or less) preferably from a musical. They should bring sheet music for the accompanist. They should also wear clothing & shoes they can move well in while they learn a short dance combination and read from the provided script.
Sources for music include the library, Main Street Music in Marinette or sites like www.musicnotes.com which provide music that can be downloaded for a reasonable cost. Classic musicals such as Annie, Oliver, Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie, etc. are recommended sources. Country or pop songs are not.
For those who are cast, a tuition fee of $60 per child and a tentatively refundable production fee of $40 per family are due at the mandatory read-through/parent meeting on Monday, August 22 at 6:00 pm in T-133.
For more information, contact Jamie Schwaba at jamie.schwaba@uwc.edu <https://mail.uwex.uwc.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> .
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Chicago Opens TOB Season July 21
June 29, 2011
"Chicago," Broadway's popular satire of an era of shimmying flappers, gangsters and bootleg booze in the windy city of the 1920s, opens the Theatre on the Bay Season July 21-24 and 28-31 on the Nancy Gehrke Stage at UW-Marinette's Herbert L. Williams Theatre. The production is sponsored by the Hansen-Onion-Martell Funeral Home.
Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse's retelling of the late 20s Broadway comedy hit of the same name is based on a play by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins whose story came from actual crimes she reported on. "Chicago" is filled with show-stopping hits such as "All that Jazz" and "Razzle Dazzle" by John Kander and Fred Ebb.
The show tells the story of a chorus girl who is accused of killing her lover, and how she becomes famous and rich—almost. The film “Roxie Hart” was made in the 1940s with Ginger Rogers in the title role based on the famous court case.
Taking the role of the celebrity criminal Roxie Hart is Heather Olsen. Her sidekick Velma, a vaudeville dancer with high hopes and a hot temper, is Leah LaMalfa. Paul Okray will portray Billy Flynn, the fast-talking lawyer who helps pretty girls get away with murder.
Others in the cast include Lisa Atkinson-LeBoeuf as the larcenous jail matron "Mama" Morton, Patrick Mines as the sad-sack husband Amos Hart and Johanna Zuehls as the gullible reporter Mary Sunshine.
Rounding out the cast are chorus girls Lori Payne-Csaki, Leah VanLaanen, Karlie Allgeyer, Maggie Baker, and Kären Garcia. The Boys include Daniel Tellez, Wes Beyer, Michael Knight and Oscar A. Salinas-Cano.
"Chicago" is directed by F. Reed Brown with musical direction by Paul Okray and choreography by Brown and Kate Severance Brown. The production staff includes master electrician Kevin Smith, master carpenter Mike Paquette, accompanist Kathy Brown, and stage manager Tristan Schuh.
Audiences should be aware the “Chicago” contains adult themes and provocative clothing.
Tickets for “Chicago” are $12 and $8 (students) at Angeli Foods in Marinette and Menominee and at the box office one hour before curtain.
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UW-Marinette Honors Graduates
June 13, 2011
Associate of Arts and Science degrees were conferred on 73 graduates at UW-Marinette’s annual commencement ceremony, Wednesday, May 18 in the Herbert L. Williams Theatre. Students who completed degree requirements in fall of 2010, spring of 2011, and those who will complete requirements by the end of the summer participated in the ceremony. In addition, nine international students received certificates of completion for academic and English as a Second Language programs.
Dean Paula Langteau welcomed graduates, families, friends, faculty and staff to the evening ceremony acknowledging the importance of the support given to students in their pursuit of a college degree.
The commencement address was given by UW Colleges/UW Extension Chancellor Raymond W. “Ray” Cross, who spoke on the importance of having goals in life and taking responsibility for achieving those goals. Cross began his position as Chancellor on February 7 of this year. Previous to coming to Wisconsin, Cross was president of Morrisville State College in New York. He also served as president of Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Minnesota. Cross received his doctorate in college and university administration from Michigan State University. He earned a master's degree in industrial education at Central Michigan University and a bachelor's degree in technical education from Ferris State University. In 2007 Colgate University awarded Cross an honorary doctorate of science.
Associate Professor of Mathematics Mike Bartlett, who was this year’s Kaplan Fellow, gave the Kaplan Fellow message. Joseph T. Poquette of Menominee presented the class message, and Myung Sun Kim of South Korea gave the message from the International Students.
Poquette decided “to turn a negative into a positive” by pursuing a college degree after being laid off from his job at Karl Schmidt Unisia. “Attending UW-Marinette meant that I could earn my associate degree without moving my family,” said Poquette. He will continue on his path toward a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing in the fall at Lake Superior State University.
Kim plans on going to South Korea for the present, and then returning to the U.S. for graduate school. “I want to work in business, so probably if I have a chance to get a job, I will work a few years for a company and then come back for graduate school. I am planning to study accounting and I hope I can go to graduate school in Chicago,” said Kim.
UW-Marinette students who received Associate of Arts and Science degrees are listed by area:
Carney, MI: Erik Jenkins
China: Xin Zhao
Coleman: Mitchell Becker, Heather Blum
Costa Rica: Rodrigo Barahona-Valenciano
Crivitz: Amy Shaffer, Daniel Weber, Michael Wieting
Daggett, MI: Brenda Ross
DePere: Gary Ihde
Gillett: Taylor Sherman, Ruth Penaloza
Kingsford, MI: Jennifer Lassila
Lena: Brady Stodola
Manawa: Jennifer Trantow
Marinette: Meg Allen, Neal Andrist, Kim Behrendt, Jessica Berger, Kevin Betts, Craig Bezio, Alicia Bonikowske, Tyler Borkowski, Carolyn Bretl, Jenna Cherry, Todd Enderby, Sean Hafeman, Brianna Hook, Max Hutzler, Josh Kass, Marissa Maguire, Eugene Orwig, Jacob Pichette, MaryKaye Sanfilippo, Steven Schmitz, Lauren Shaffer, Erik Sievert, Phoebe Skorik, Nicole Smith, Derek Soletske, Hannah Thyne, Shoshawna Umlor, Jennifer Wellens, Jessica White
Menominee: Joshua Barker, Corey Hanna, Natasha Herrild, Chelsea Hoeffler, David Holmes, Jacqueline Morales, Cassandra Polasky, Joseph Poquette, TJ Radey, David Schewe Jr., Adriene Schiavo, Tiffany Swanson, Brenda Tonkin-Rider, Mark Vollmar Jr.
Oconto: Zachary Feldt, Misty Jimenez, Alexa Olson, Kelly Scheffen
Oconto Falls: Lucas Shomin
Porterfield: Ashley Anderson, Leah LaMalfa
South Korea: Seung Hun Baek
Stephenson, MI: Cody Woods
Wabeno: Kelly Branch
Wallace, MI: Felicia Granquist
Wausaukee: Thomas Guarisco, Zachary Meyers, Amanda Salusky
Wilson, MI: Derek Gagne
In addition to their degrees, Poquette received a Certificate in Business and Berger received a Certificate in Women’s Studies.
Youth for Understanding (YFU) students who completed the one-year academic/English as a Second Language (ESL) program were Bup Jin Bae and Hee Yeon Kim of South Korea; Gaelle Londoz of Belgium; and Christopher Michel of Switzerland.
YFU students who completed the one-year English as a Second Language (ESL) program were Ahn Tuan Cao of Vietnam; Romain Degraux of Belgium; Hae Ni Hong of South Korea; and Takuma Konishi of Japan.
Myung Sun Kim of South Korea completed the one-year English as a Second Language program and three semesters Academic Program.
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Albright Scholarships Established
June 13, 2011
Two scholarships have been established to honor the memory of a man and his wife who were both born and raised in Marinette.
The Robert E. Albright Memorial "Work-Study Success” Scholarship, established by Joyce P. Albright, will be awarded annually beginning in 2012 to a graduating Marinette High School senior and to a student enrolled at UW-Marinette.
Joyce Albright, who passed away last year, graduated from Marinette High School in 1943. Her husband, Robert, preceded her in death in 2005. The couple resided in Calumet City, Illinois. Joyce worked as a nurse in prenatal medicine for more than 40 years in Chicago. Robert was a funeral director.
The Albrights established the scholarships to reward academic achievement and the personal determination of students who pursue post-secondary educations.
The Marinette High School scholarship is being funded by a $45,000 bequest and the UW-Marinette scholarship by a $90,000 bequest from the estate of Joyce Albright.
Marinette Youth Inc. will administer the funds for Marinette High School. An annual scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded to a graduating senior who plans to attend either college or a technical school. A Marinette High School student should complete a school scholarship application to be eligible to receive the Albright scholarship. The recipient of the Albright scholarship will be selected by the Honors Committee of Marinette High School. Recipients will be notified at the high school awards ceremony or by mail.
The University of Wisconsin-Marinette Foundation will manage the funds for the UW-Marinette scholarship. That scholarship, which will be an annual gift of about $3,200, will be divided evenly between fall and spring semesters for a new or continuing student enrolled at the local two-year UW campus.
The scholarship will be given for the first time in the fall of 2012 since it is an endowed fund, which must be invested for at least one year to realize income to be awarded. “The annual amount available may fluctuate,” said UW-Marinette Foundation treasurer Nancy Kallgren. "Based on the size of the gift and the average income we have been receiving from our endowed funds, we are predicting that it will start at $3,200. It will fluctuate based on fund performance, but should be very close to that amount," said Kallgren.
“More than half of our students depend on financial aid to help with costs of attending college. But with rising costs, financial aid does not cover everything, so scholarships are critical to helping students afford a college education. It is wonderful to receive these funds in our foundation to create the largest scholarship yet for our students,” said UW-Marinette Foundation president Jennifer Short.
University recipients must be full-time students who demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are employed full or part-time while pursuing their associate degree. A student enrolled at UW-Marinette should submit their completed scholarship applications to the Campus Scholarship Committee. Applications are available on the campus website [www.marinette.uwc.edu] beginning in February each year and are typically due on April 1. The UW-Marinette scholarship committee will determine which student receives the scholarship at the campus. The presentation will be made at the annual UW-Marinette spring awards banquet.
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TOB Concessions Available
June 7, 2011
Concessions are available for the Theatre on the Bay's upcoming summer musical "Chicago" on July 21-24 and 28-31; for the romantic comedy “Almost, Maine” November 11-13 and 18-20; and for the drama “The Diary of Anne Frank” March 2-4 and 9-11.
Theatre concessions are an ideal way for civic groups and organizations to raise money for their projects by providing home-baked cookies and bars for audiences at theatre intermissions. All money raised goes to the organization providing the refreshments.
Curtain time for the performances is 7:30 pm. To sign up for concessions, call 735-4346 or email kathy.claycomb@uwc.edu.
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Top Oil Painting Students Exhibit Works at UW-Marinette Gallery
June 3, 2011
An art exhibit curated by art professor James LaMalfa and titled “The Great Eight” will feature the art of eight students from the spring 2011 oil painting class in the UW-Marinette art gallery during June.
“This is one of the best and most mature group of students I have had the pleasure of working with in an oil painting class,” LaMalfa said. “They deserved a show of their own including paintings from the spring studio class, other works done outside of class and in the sculpture class from spring of 2010,” he said.
Debbie Haines, who is showing eleven oil paintings, said, “I am a beginning oil painter and during the learning process I developed a style influenced by the paintings of Mary Cassatt. I have a painterly style; I like to see my brush stokes. I believe ‘less is more’ and like focusing on everyday objects and people.”
Shawn Kolaszewski is showing fourteen paintings and two sculptures. He says he likes doing wild life and scenery and really enjoyed the painting class. “I’m looking forward to taking watercolor class next spring,” he added.
Lynn Steiner is showing seven oil paintings. “I’ve been painting since I was a teen and I wanted to develop a looser style and get back into oil painting. I like to paint from life and my life experiences, my kids, nature and history subjects,” said Steiner.
Julie Muenster is showing a mix of twenty four projects including drawings, graphics, oil paintings and sculpture. Muenster said, “For me there’s no middle ground. My work is either bursting with color or black or white. I’m still exploring media, subjects and texture. I really like drawing my family and my welded sculpture.”
Lois Lauerman, who is showing three oil paintings, said, “It was a privilege to be in the oil painting class with talented young people as classmates who paint with a passion. It was most enjoyable and I will do it again.”
In addition, Ryan Ravet is showing four oil paintings and Jessica Plosczynski, three oil paintings.
During July, the art gallery will feature the art of fifteen artist members of the Menominee Area Art Council. A reception for the MAAC exhibit will be held on July 21, the opening night of Theatre on the Bay’s summer musical “Chicago.”
For further information contact gallery curator James LaMalfa at the UW, 715 735 4322, or email james.lamalfa@uwc.edu.
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UW-Marinette Soccer Club News
June 3, 2011
The UW Marinette soccer club will be meeting every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the UW-Marinette Athletic Field next to the Field House on University Drive. For more information, contact coach James LaMalfa at 715-735-4322 or email james.lamalfa@uwc.edu.
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