Alumni News

We like to share what our alumni have been up to. Please use our online form to send in your news for posting here and on the front page of News Connections.

Fri
Mar
24

Thesis from UW-Madison alum Vogel recognized by theatre technology group

UW-Madison alumnus Jim Vogel was recently recognized by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) for the outstanding quality of his thesis, “Measuring the Forces Involved in Single Point Aerial Dance Trapeze.” Vogel’s thesis research was acknowledged by the review jury of the USITT Engineering Commission’s Excellence in Engineering Research project. Vogel received his master of fine arts degree from the School of Education’s Department of Theatre and Drama in 2014 under the guidance of Assistant Professor Dan Lisowski.
Wed
Mar
22

School of Education alum Petersen's statue featured in On Wisconsin magazine

School of Education alumnus Elmer Petersen and his art was recently featured in an article from On Wisconsin, UW-Madison's alumni magazine. Petersen graduated from the School of Education's Art Department in 1961 with a Master of Fine Arts. Petersen was commissioned by the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, to create a sculpture honoring George Coleman Poage, a UW track star as well as the first African-American to win an Olympic medal.
Thu
Mar
16

School of Education alum Kresge returns to UW as assistant soccer coach

A former team captain and standout for the University of Wisconsin women's soccer program, Marisa Kresge will return to the Badgers as a volunteer assistant coach, head coach Paula Wilkins announced earlier this month. Kresge is an alumna of UW-Madison’s School of Education, having earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and adapted physical education from the Department of Kinesiology during her time as a student-athlete, when she competed three years for the Badgers.
Sat
Mar
11

Work of UW-Madison alum Morrow featured in Paoli's Artisan Gallery

As highlighted in Madison Magazine, ​UW-Madison alumna Briony A. Morrow's art is part of an exhibit at the Artisan Gallery in Paoli, Wisconsin, that runs through April 16. Morrow earned her master of fine arts degree from the School of Education's Art Department in 2012. Morrow's art focuses on the relationship between animals and humans through printmaking. Morrow is joined in the exhibit by Don Kauss, who creates mixed-media sculptures from found, discarded and lost items.
Thu
Mar
09

Smolarek to receive Outstanding Dissertation Award from AERA special interest group

UW-Madison’s Bailey Smolarek will be receiving the 2017 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Educational Research Association's (AERA) Critical Educators for Social Justice Special Interest Group. Smolarek is an alumna of the School of Education, having earned her Ph.D. from the No. 1-ranked Department of Curriculum and Instruction in May. Smolarek’s dissertation is titled, “ ‘Unintended Consequences ‘: Reforms, Race, and the Schooling Experiences of Mexican Emergent Bilinguals in a New Destination High School.”
Thu
Mar
09

UW-Madison alum Wilinski authors new book, 'When Pre-K Comes to School'

Alumna Bethany Wilinski is publishing a book based in her dissertation research while at UW-Madison. Wilinski received a Ph.D. in 2014 from the School of Education's departments of Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Policy Studies. Today, she is an assistant professor with Michigan State University's Department of Teacher Education. The book is titled: "When Pre-K Comes to School: Policy, Partnerships, and the Early Childhood Education Workforce," and will be released March 10.
Thu
Mar
09

UW-Madison alum Jamison hired as Texas Tech's defensive line coach

UW-Madison alumnus Terrance Jamison was recently hired as the defensive line coach for the Texas Tech football team. Jamison earned his master’s degree from the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2011. According to a Texas Tech news release, Jamison is considered one of the top young coaches in the country. He arrives in Lubbock, Texas, following three seasons in a similar role at Florida Atlantic. He has also served on the defensive staffs at both UW-Madison and at California-Berkeley.
Wed
Mar
08

UW-Madison alum López López to receive Recognition Award from AERA division

UW-Madison alumna Ligia (Licho) López López will be receiving a Recognition Award for her dissertation work from Division B (Curriculum Studies) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). López López earned her Ph.D. from the School of Education’s No. 1-ranked Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and her adviser was Professor Thomas Popkewitz. Her dissertation is titled, “Indígena: A history of curriculum, teacher education, and the making of human kinds.”
Wed
Mar
08

Fort Lewis College honors UW-Madison alum Frazer with outstanding teaching award

UW-Madison alumnus Lee Frazer was recognized with the 2015-16 Alice Admire Outstanding Teaching Award, which Fort Lewis College awards annually to one member of its faculty. Frazer earned a master’s from the School of Education in 2003 and then a Ph.D. from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2009. In keeping with the tradition of the award, Frazer gave the commencement address at the College's Winter Commencement.
Tue
Mar
07

School of Education alum Morgridge to receive UW-Madison honorary degree

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has selected three people to receive honorary degrees in May, including School of Education alumna Tashia Morgridge. As an educator, advocate, volunteer and philanthropist, Tashia F. Morgridge has made incredible contributions to improve the state of public education throughout Wisconsin, across the country and around the world. Her dedication to the field of education and desire to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults will have a lasting impact on generations to come.
Tue
Mar
07

UW-Madison alum Schnell selected as pathologist of the year

UW-Madison alumna Elizabeth Schnell was selected pathologist of the year by the Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association. Schnell received her bachelor's degree in communicative disorders from the School of Education in 1998, and now works at Glacial Drumlin School in the Monona Grove School District. An article from the Herald-Independent newspaper reports that Schnell was nominated for the award by the mother of a young girl Schnell worked with in kindergarten and first grade.
Fri
Mar
03

UW-Madison alum Taylor receiving 2017 Dissertation of the Year Award

UW-Madison alumnus Leonard Taylor is being honored with the 2017 Dissertation of the Year Award from the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE). Taylor received his master's degree from the School of Education's Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, and is now an assistant professor in the educational leadership department at Mississippi State University. A Mississippi State press release says Taylor's research explores how higher education administrators, faculty and staff members can enhance student success and improve the "quality, quantity and diversity" of U.S. graduates by using data and other promising practices.
Thu
Mar
02

Longtime athletics, alumni leader Bonner to step down

Paula Bonner, who has served in key leadership roles supporting the University of Wisconsin–Madison for more than four decades, announced her plans to retire from university service. Bonner, currently president of the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) and chief alumni officer for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), said she will step down from those roles effective June 30. She earned her master’s degree from the School of Education’s Department of Kinesiology in 1976.
Thu
Mar
02

Alum Frazier featured in Cap Times report on balance of academics and athletics

The Capital Times recently put the spotlight on UW-Madison alumnus Sean Frazier, who is helping student-athletes excel in life beyond sports. Frazier earned a master’s degree from the School of Education's Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2015. Frazier also ran many of the day-to-day operations of the UW athletics department until 2013, when he left to become the athletic director at Northern Illinois University.
Mon
Feb
20

UW-Madison alum Kludt to publish debut book, 'A Good Way Through'

UW-Madison alumna Kristen Leigh Kludt is publishing her debut book this month titled, "A Good Way Through: My Journey with God from Disappointment into Hope." Kludt received a bachelor's degree in English Education from the School of Education in 2006, and taught for seven years before focusing on writing. In the book, Kludt chronicles her spiritual journey after struggling with depression as a young adult, dealing with other hardships, and how she found healing in faith.
Wed
Feb
15

UW alums Anderson, Crownover chronicling disappearing glaciers through art

UW-Madison alumni Todd Anderson and Bruce Crownover are receiving national attention for their groundbreaking work capturing disappearing glaciers through art. Anderson and Crownover, along with Ian van Coller, recently finished a project called “The Last Glacier,” in which the artists worked on capturing the glaciers in Glacier National Park. The project is a collaboration of two different mediums of art: Anderson and Crownover both as printmakers; and van Coller as photographer. The resulting work is a collection of 15 specially bound books full of all original artwork.
Wed
Feb
01

Alum Morgridge helps back new scholarship for international students

A new scholarship program will help prepare young leaders to fight poverty and improve quality of life around the world. The King-Morgridge Scholars Program will launch with a cohort of six students in fall 2017 and will be housed in UW–Madison’s International Division. It will support high-achieving students from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The program is made possible by a $36 million gift from longtime friends Robert (Bob) and Dorothy (Dottie) King, and John and Tashia Morgridge. A 1955 graduate of the UW–Madison School of Education, Tashia Frankfurth Morgridge has maintained close ties with the School, serving on its board of visitors and, with her husband, sponsoring scholarships to support students preparing to become teachers.
Wed
Feb
01

Alum Seyforth to speak to Rotary Club about ‘The Life and Times of Carson Gulley'

School of Education alumnus Scott Seyforth will deliver a presentation, “The Life and Times of Carson Gulley,” to the Rotary Club of Madison at the group's next meeting on Feb. 1 at the Park Hotel. Though now largely forgotten, UW-Madison chef Carson Gulley was a celebrated figure in the mid-20th century known for his groundbreaking efforts crossing racial barriers as a culinary instructor, radio and television celebrity chef and as a pioneer in the local struggle for equal housing.
Sun
Jan
29

UW-Madison alum Brien helps students turn concern into action

A project led by UW-Madison alumna and Madison East High School teacher Kate Brien to show support for undocumented students is garnering local media coverage. Madison's local NBC affiliate reports how Brien and her students designed and sold 2,000 T-shirts to raise money for scholarships for undocumented students and to show unity, celebrate diversity and push back against intolerance.
Thu
Jan
26

UW-Madison alum Meissen named new K-12 consultant for Madison College

Michael Meissen, who earned his Ph.D. from UW-Madison's Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 1990, was recently hired as a new consultant for K-12 initiatives at Madison Area Technical College. In his new position, Meissen will lead the process of creating a strategic plan that identifies the key K-12 priority areas for consideration by the college, maximizing student success and advancing Madison College's partnership with K-12 schools.

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