University of Wisconsin - Extension

MADISON, Wis.—Sept. 20, 2007—University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension Chancellor David Wilson will present awards on Thursday to statewide and community partners and employees who have made exceptional contributions to the UW Colleges and UW-Extension and the quality of Wisconsin residents' lives this past year. Recipients will accept their awards at Chancellor's Awards Banquet at the Lowell Center in Madison.

In announcing the names of the recipients, Wilson said, "These awards honor some of the most innovative, leading-edge university extension and undergraduate education work in the nation. All of the recipients are firmly committed to providing maximum access to educational opportunities that help Wisconsin's people get good jobs, lead healthy lives and build strong families."

The UW Colleges and UW-Extension 2007 Chancellor's Awards recipients are:

• The Walnut Way Conservation Corporation, Milwaukee, founded by Sharon and Larry Adams, has received the esteemed Wisconsin Idea Award for improving the quality of life in Milwaukee's central city through grass-roots environmental stewardship, community building and social entrepreneurship.

• The Oconto County Department of Health and Human Services is the recipient of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension Friend and Advocate Award for collaborating with the UW-Extension to expand outreach to underserved audiences in Oconto County, including low-income families, at-risk youth and disabled adults.
• John Torinus, CEO, Serigraph, Inc., West Bend, is also the recipient of a Friend and Advocate Award, for steadfastly and eloquently advancing the vision that education can enhance the lives of all of Wisconsin's people.

The Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement recognizes outstanding performance by an individual, program or unit that has advanced UW Colleges' or UW-Extension's commitment to civic engagement and/or service learning. The recipients for this award are:

• Connie Abert, 4-H youth development educator, Waupaca County, Cooperative Extension
• Sherrie Gruder, sustainable design specialist/distinguished lecturer, Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center, Cooperative Extension

The following UW Colleges and UW-Extension employees will be recognized for their outstanding performance during the past year:

• Frank Boll, distinguished television artist/senior videographer-editor, Wisconsin Public Television, Broadcasting and Media Innovations
• Marc Boucher, library director, and Mark Robson, network administrator, UW-Washington County
• Catherine Buchner, university program associate, Student Services, UW-Manitowoc
• Kristin Krokowski, horticulture educator, Waukesha County; Peg Reedy, agriculture agent, Walworth County; Rose Skora, agriculture educator, Kenosha and Racine counties, Cooperative Extension
• Margaret Rozga, professor of English, and Timothy Thering, assistant professor of history, UW-Waukesha
• Strengthening Families Team: Kristen Bruder, family living agent, Dunn County; Mary Huser, program specialist/state liaison; Gail Peavey, family living agent, Polk County; Pam Peterson, family living educator, Door County; Jane Schaaf, family living agent, Crawford County; Dianne Weber, family living educator, Washburn County, Cooperative Extension

Three UW Colleges and UW-Extension employees will be honored with a Career Award for outstanding and significant program, administrative or support contributions for more than a decade:

• Scott Craven, chair/Extension wildlife specialist/professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology, UW-Madison/Extension
• Connie Hutchinson, student services program associate/online veterans coordinator, UW-Rock County and UW Colleges
• Diane Kostecke, administrative program manager/executive producer, Wisconsin Public Television, Broadcasting and Media Innovations

Each year UW Colleges and UW-Extension make approximately 1.5 million continuing education contacts, both college credit and noncredit, with Wisconsin's children, youth and adults. Programs are delivered through the 26 University of Wisconsin campuses, 72 county offices and the statewide networks of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television. For more information and photos of the awards recipients, see http://uwex.uwc.edu/chancellor/wisconsin/.

Photos of individual/team award recipients with UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor Wilson will be available shortly after the Sept. 20 Chancellor's Awards ceremony by contacting peg.davis@uwex.edu, (608) 262-3253.