MADISON, Wis.—Sept. 24, 2010—Fourteen individuals and teams were recently honored with UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor’s Awards for their work in advancing the quality of life in Wisconsin.
“The annual Chancellor’s Awards recognize outstanding contributions by UW Colleges’ and UW-Extension’s partners, supporters and employees to undergraduate education and university outreach around the state,” Interim Chancellor Marv Van Kekerix explained at the annual Chancellor’s Award Banquet Thursday at the Lowell Center in Madison.
“The record number of students enrolled in the 13 UW Colleges campuses and the record number of contacts UW-Extension faculty and staff had with people around the state last year indicate that residents depend on these institutions for the education that is key to a strong economy and the well-being of Wisconsin’s adults, youth and children,” Van Kekerix added.
The 2010 UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor’s Awards recipients are:
Wisconsin Idea Award
Mark O’Connell, executive director, Wisconsin Counties Association, Madison, is the recipient of the prestigious UW Colleges and UW-Extension Wisconsin Idea Award for being a leader in communicating the value of the UW-Extension’s and UW Colleges’ roles in building a strong Wisconsin.
Friend and Advocate Award
Ron Fruit, general manager, WRCO AM & FM, Richland Center, received a Friend and Advocate Award for dynamically supporting and building awareness of the UW Colleges’ and UW-Extension’s contributions to Richland County and southwestern Wisconsin.
George E. Melcher, director, Department of Planning and Development, Kenosha County, also received a Friend and Advocate Award for enthusiastically collaborating with and stalwartly advocating for the UW-Extension’s work in Kenosha County.
Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Meg Dallapiazza, 4-H youth development educator, Florence County, Cooperative Extension, UW-Extension, received an Award for Excellence in Community Engagement for inspiring and empowering youth to become vital contributors to enhancing the quality of life in Florence County.
Award for Excellence in Program Collaboration
David Such, community resource development agent/department head, Sheboygan County, Cooperative Extension, UW-Extension, was recognized with an Award for Excellence in Program Collaboration for creating a framework for public participation that enables Sheboygan County residents to make informed decisions about environmental and economic development issues.
Career Award
Two employees received a Chancellor’s Career Award for outstanding and significant program, administrative or support contributions to UW-Extension or UW Colleges for more than a decade:
• Shirwil Lukes, distinguished television artist/scenic designer, Wisconsin Public Television, Broadcasting and Media Innovations, UW-Extension
• Patrick W. Walsh, co-director, Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center, Cooperative Extension, UW-Extension/Professor, Biological Systems Engineering, UW-Madison
Award for Excellence
The following UW Colleges and UW-Extension groups and individual employees were honored with an Award for Excellence for their outstanding job performance during the past year:
• Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management Academic Directors, Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning, UW-Extension
The academic directors are Robert Baker, UW-River Falls; Anne Hoel, UW-Stout; David Schejbal, UW-Extension; John Skalbeck, UW-Parkside; and Gregory Trudeau, UW-Superior.
• Custom Manure Applicator Subcommittee, Nutrient Management Team, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, Cooperative Extension, UW-Extension
Subcommittee members and their work locations are Ted Bay, Grant County; Joe Bollman, Columbia County; Jerry Clark, Chippewa and Eau Claire counties; Kevin Erb, Green Bay; Matt Hanson, Dodge County; Jim Leverich, Sparta; Nick Schneider, Winnebago County; and Cheryl Skjolaas, Madison.
• Andrew Dane, community, natural resource and economic development agent, Barron and Chippewa counties, Cooperative Extension, UW-Extension
• Joseph Foy, associate professor, political science, UW-Waukesha, UW Colleges
• Lake Sturgeon Bowl, School of Continuing Education, UW-Milwaukee
(UW-Extension’s Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning supports continuing-education programs on all 26 University of Wisconsin campuses.)
• Patti Thompson, assistant manager, The Pyle Center/manager, Conference Planning Services, Extension Conference Centers, UW-Extension
• Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories Team, Wisconsin Public Television, Broadcasting and Media Innovations, UW-Extension
Team members are Kathy Bissen, Donna Crane, Mik Derks, Erik Ernst, Don Jones, Sarah Larsen, Carol Larson, Brian Lorbiecki, Jon Miskowski, Tom Naunas and Everett Soetenga,
all based in Madison.
Photos of the 2010 Chancellor’s Awards recipients will be available for viewing beginning the week of Sept. 27 –Oct. 1 at www.uwex.uwc.edu/chancellor/events.
The University of Wisconsin‐Extension includes Cooperative Extension offices in 72 counties and three tribal nations; 12 Small Business Development Centers; and Continuing Education, Outreach and E‐Learning programs delivered via the 26 UW System campuses and distance‐learning channels, as well as the statewide networks of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television. The University of Wisconsin Colleges is comprised of 13 freshman‐sophomore campuses that offer an associate degree in arts and science and prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for baccalaureate and professional programs.
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Note to the media: For high-resolution photos of awards recipients with Interim UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor Marv Van Kekerix contact Peg Davis, peg.davis@uwex.uwc.edu, (608) 262-3253.
Contact:
Peg Davis
(608) 262-3253
peg.davis@uwex.uwc.edu