Spring 2011

Traditional Excellence Online Convenience

A Publication of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Distance Learning Center

 Publication
Making connections through Credits
various forms of communication Editors/Writers
Christine Hawkinson
Denise LaBudda
We just completed the first quarter of 2011. As an update associated Morgan Spitzer
with the five-year plan for distance education, I want to address the type
of communications you can expect to see from the Distance Learning Graphic Designer
Center in the future. Christal Swigart

We are completing our first six months of the implementation of The Pioneer Connection is a
our reorganization of marketing, student services, and advising print and online communication
communications for our distance education students. This was an used to share information,
highlight accomplishments,
extremely complex and complicated change that we have received
and establish and sustain
very positive responses about from both students and staff. We will
connections among students,
continue to monitor this reorganization to make sure that it is meeting
faculty, staff, and alumni.
the needs of students in a streamlined manner. Please be sure to stay The Pioneer Connection is
connected with the staff members who are assigned to assist you as published every winter, spring,
you progress through your program. and summer and is available
online at uwplatt.edu/disted/
We have formed a new communications committee to review all of the edp/plexus. Send suggestions
various communications that you receive (outside of your classes) via and comments to hawkinsonc@
phone, e-mail, and letter. This group will also be reviewing the timing and uwplatt.edu.
delivery method of these messages. You may have already started to see UW-Platteville
Executive Director a new look and timing of communications that we hope will serve your Distance Learning Center
needs in the best way possible from recruitment through graduation. 1 University Plaza
Dawn Drake
Platteville WI 53818-3099
As we move forward with the implementation of our new student Phone: 608.342.1468
information system, we will be incorporating a variety of the Toll-free: 800.362.5460
communications mentioned above. Ultimately, this will allow you to E-mail: disted@uwplatt.edu
have access, via an online portal, to updates, reminders, checklists, and Fax: 608.342.1071
course/advising information. As we are developing this information, we
will be connecting with you to get feedback about the type of training program
that students will need to use this system effectively and efficiently.
Coordinators
All three of these initiatives continue to work toward the overall
BS in Business Administration
strategies of our five-year plan. Christine Storlie
608.342.1980
As you read this issue of The Pioneer Connection (formerly Plexus), I storliech@uwplatt.edu
hope you’ll watch for opportunities to connect with current students,
alumni, or resources at UW-Platteville. BS in Criminal Justice
Amy Nemmetz
608.342.1494
nemmetza@uwplatt.edu

MS in Criminal Justice
Cheryl Banachowski-Fuller
608.342.1652
banchoc@uwplatt.edu

Welcome to The Pioneer Connection, the magazine formerly known as

MS in Engineering
Plexus. As you connect with your instructors and classmates in D2L,
Jill Clough
we encourage you to strengthen your connection to the University 608.342.1665
of Wisconsin-Platteville as well. Submitting undergrad research to clough@uwplatt.edu
The Big M (p. 18), building a bridge from your employer to a PACCE
project (p. 12), or joining our Alumni Advisory Board (p. 13) are just a
MS in Project Management
few ways to get involved. Contact us with questions or ideas – because Bill Haskins
every day is a great day to be a Pioneer. 608.342.1961
haskinsd@uwplatt.edu
2 The Pioneer Connection
 Spring
INSIDE
PROGRAMS
MS in Engineering ...............................................8-9

10 MS in Criminal Justice ....................................10-11

BS in Business Administration.......................16-17
Thomas Jonas
BS in Criminal Justice .....................................18-20
Faculty member travels to
China to teach English MS in Project Management.............................22-23

IN EVERY ISSUE
Message from the director .....................................2
Faculty News ...........................................................6
Announcements and KUDOS ...............................7
12 Alumni News ........................................................13
PACCE Ask A Librarian .....................................................24
Pioneer Academic Center Contact Information for Online Courses ...........25
for Community Engagement Online Course Listings ...................................26-27
connects campus to
community
PLUS
Distance Learning Center News ...........................4
With thanks ..............................................................5

14-15
Attention graduates ..............................................21

Hook's cheese
World-wide recognition for
Christal Swigart

UW-Platteville graduate

22
Pm Conference
July 25-29 at UW-Platteville

Front Cover Image

© 2010 Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.

The Pioneer Connection 3

Late breaking news ... Joan Miller joins DLC as Instructional Designer ... Marketing Coordinator Darla Banfi retires
...

Distance Learning Center News

When you have a question about courses, registration, policies, or procedures, do you
know who to call at the DLC? We have reorganized duties so that students are assigned
one person to be their primary DLC contact from admission through graduation. If your
contact can’t answer a question, he/she will refer you to the appropriate person. You’ll
hear from us occasionally, but do call or e-mail when you need assistance or clarification.
If you aren’t sure who your contact is, call us and we’ll make the connection.

Front (L-R): Tara Krueger, engineering and

project management; Kelly Curtiss, business
administration; Amy Nemmetz, undergraduate
criminal justice

Back (L-R): Michelle Zasada, undergraduate

criminal justice and business administration;
Amy Griswold, graduate criminal justice

Not Pictured: Bill Haskins, project management;

Elizabeth Swift, project management; Cheryl
Banachowski-Fuller, graduate criminal justice

New employees join DLC

Admission Specialists Paige Thomas and Melissa Dupont answer
questions from prospective students and assist them as they complete
the application process. Paige moved from Pennsylvania in November
2010 and Melissa graduated from UW-Platteville in December 2010 and
joined our staff full time after being a student worker for two years.

Dale Johnson oversees all IT projects in the DLC, as well as the course
development process. Dale joined us in October 2010 after 14 years with
Bemis Company, Inc.

As the administrative assistant for marketing, Marcia Rako assists the

corporate marketing director and outreach specialists with managing
prospective student information.

Mark Woolley will be working with us as a project manager, assisting

Front (L-R): Dale Johnson, Melissa Dupont and
Marcia Rako
Back (L-R): Cameo Updike and Paige Thomas
Not Pictured: Mark Woolley and Sheri Beans
in the upgrade to our PeopleSoft system, coordinating the Project
Management Conference, and working on other projects related to the
growth initiative.
You may hear the voice of Sheri Beans when you call the DLC in
the afternoon. Sheri greets callers and works on course registration
information. After 4 p.m., you’ll speak with Cameo Updike, who is
assisting with non-credit program and technology projects.

4 The Pioneer Connection

s ... Jill Clough named Engineering Program Coordinator ... read more in the next issue of The Pioneer Connection ...

With thanks
By Christine Hawkinson

Deb Becker, Student/Faculty Coordinator, has retired from the Distance Learning Center
after serving distance education students for over 30 years.

In 1980, after teaching middle school for two years, Deb visited UW-Platteville to inquire
about a master’s degree and part-time work. The HR department told her she might be
interested in a new position that had just been posted in the Extended Degree Program.
Deb was intrigued by both the new position and the program, which offered a business
administration degree at a distance through a new medium – print-based course delivery. She
decided to give it a try and never left.

“I think what drew me to the position was the people who had already been hired to work in the
program,” says Deb, “They were energetic, enthusiastic, and completely dedicated to its success.”

“I had the opportunity to work with Deb in a variety of capacities during her time at UW-
Platteville,” says Dawn Drake, Director of Alternative Delivery Systems. “The connection
she was able to make with students was tremendous and she always had their needs in mind
when doing her job. Her leadership, organization, and student-focus will certainly be missed
at the DLC.”

Deb made connections with faculty on campus who were learning to teach in a new way. She
talked and visited with them regularly to help keep things on track. “In many ways, working
for the program in its early stages was similar to watching a child grow. The program
needed guidance and direction as well as people who cared about its integrity. We were very
concerned that the degree paralleled our campus degree in quality and service,” says Deb.

Deb saw the staff grow from six to nearly 50; the programs expand from the print business
administration degree to offering it online, as well as another bachelor’s and three master’s
degree programs; and though initially established to serve Wisconsin residents, the program
now serves students all over the world.

“I stayed because I never stopped feeling that this is an important program – I wanted to stay
and be part of it. I’ve also enjoyed working with people who, like me, want to do right by
our students,” says Deb.

“Deb Becker provided a rare combination of leadership, expertise, compassion, and advocacy
for our students and staff in the DLC. She is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed,” says
Assistant Director Shenita Ray.

Hundreds of students have benefited from Deb’s dedication. The DLC staff thanks her and

Best Wishes
wishes her well as she retires. Deb is looking forward to traveling and spending time
with family, but if she gets bored, she’ll know where she can get that master’s degree if
she’s still interested.

The Pioneer Connection 5

 Faculty News

Gary Apperson
Gary Apperson, instructor for the BSCJ program, recently took over the funding for the Jean S.
Fricke Criminal Justice Scholarship in order to ensure its continuance after Jean’s recent passing.
Jean developed this scholarship in 2008 in order to support and facilitate students who are passionate
about criminal justice and education. Jean completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the
UW-Platteville Online program, and taught in the BSCJ program until she lost her battle with cancer in
2010. Thank you, Gary, for your generosity and commitment to our students.

David McKenna
MSPM graduate and instructor, David McKenna, has completed his PhD in project management
at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. For his dissertation, he created a knowledge transfer
model to be used within the systems development and project management life cycles. David
is currently a professional program, project, and agile development consultant and professor
specializing in software, infrastructure, human resources, and process improvement projects.

BJ Reed
In January of 2011, BJ received the Educator of the Year award from the Professional Convention
Management Association (PCMA). The award is given to speakers, educators, and college and
university faculty for outstanding contributions to the meetings and convention industry. According
to the PCMA selection criteria, “Nominees should exhibit exceptional educational content in
presentations or teachings and/or research and have a strong record of professional involvement in
the industry.”

BJ created an online test bank and an instructor’s manual to accompany a PCMA publication, used
by candidates preparing to earn the designation of Certified Meeting Professional and by meeting
faculty worldwide.

She joined the Department of Communication Technologies at UW-Platteville in 1999, teaching both
on-campus and online courses. “Online education holds a lot of promise for the future ... it holds
the possibility for students to efficiently focus on the content of the course,” says BJ. Her online
courses incorporate robust testing tools to help her quantify student learning. Learning truly geared
toward the student is BJ’s ideal.

6 The Pioneer Connection

 Announcements and KUDOS

purchase textbooks early Apply now for 2011-2012

You must have your textbooks on the first day of class. Summer courses begin June 1. financial aid
1. Use your completed 2010 Federal
Planning to graduate? Income Tax Return to complete the
MSPM, MSENGR and MSCJ students 2011-2012 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

• If you are graduating in May and haven’t already done so, you must contact your 2. Keep a copy of your tax return. The
advisor immediately to ensure your paperwork is processed in time. financial aid office may request a copy
to verify your information when the
• If you are completing your final credits in 2011-12, contact your advisor one
FAFSA is processed.
semester in advance to start your paperwork.
3. Watch for your Award Letter from
BSCJ and BSBA students
UW-Platteville. YOU MUST sign and
• If you are graduating in May 2011 or August 2011, you should have already return this letter to notify us that you
submitted your Intent to Graduate form and graduation fee. If you have not yet want to ACCEPT the financial aid
done this, contact your advisor immediately. offer. Also complete and return any
• If you plan to graduate in December 2011, contact your advisor before June 1 to additional forms requested.
start your paperwork.

Vote UW-Platteville for best school in Wisconsin

for online education
Last year your votes named us the best school for online education in the Corporate Kudos!
Report: Wisconsin Business Magazine Best of Wisconsin Business competition. Let’s
Kerie Wedig, MSPM December 2010
try for two years in a row!
graduate, received an Honorary
To cast your ballot and help UW-Platteville win this prestigious award Lifetime Pioneer Award. UW-Platteville
1. Go to crwmag.com. graduates are nominated by faculty
and staff, and recipients are chosen
2. Click on the Corporate Report Wisconsin’s Business Magazine Vote Today image.
based on academic excellence,
3. To the right of the image, Click here to vote. leadership, community involvement,
4. Click Submit on the first page and go to #18 on the second page, “What is the best professional development and plans
school in Wisconsin for online education?” for future involvement with the
5. Type UW-Platteville Distance Education. UW-Platteville Alumni Association.
Recipients of this award are gifted a
6. Click SUBMIT. lifetime membership to the Alumni
Association. The Distance Learning
You don’t have to provide an e-mail address and there’s no risk of receiving spam.
Center also nominated Anne Conrad,
BSCJ December 2010 graduate, for
LinkedIn Profile this award.
Do you have a LinkedIn profile? If so, join our alumni group and converse with
classmates, discuss topics in your field and be part of the Pioneer alumni experience. Congratulations to MSPM graduate
Find our group by searching UW-Platteville Alumni and join today. Mike Sherer as he begins his new
roles as the UW-Platteville Deputy
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, consider joining what some are calling the Chief Information Officer and
Facebook of working professionals. Find past and present colleagues and classmates, as the Director of Network and
and network with others in your industry. Infrastructure Services.

Send your nominations for kudos to

Faculty summer schedules may vary from week to week. If you
hawkinsonc@uwplatt.edu.
are taking a summer course, contact your instructors, especially if you are in a print-
based course, so that you know when you can expect to hear from them and you can
continue to make progress in your courses.

The Pioneer Connection 7

 MS engineering

Amy Wuthrich
Pioneer Profile
By Christine Hawkinson

A year-and-a-half after Amy Wuthrich graduated from UW-Platteville with an industrial engineering
degree, she found herself back on campus, recruiting at a career fair for her employer. As a general
engineer for the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois,
she was offered the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in an accredited program. As a bonus
for her efforts at the career fair, she discovered that her alma mater offers an online program that fit
the bill.

“I had never taken an online course prior to the master’s program. I was a little leery about the
structure, but most instructors make their syllabus available the week prior to the class starting so I
could anticipate the work load,” says Amy, who adjusted to online learning quickly.

One of the more rewarding experiences of earning her degree online was the opportunity to see
Christal Swigart

systems engineering from other people’s perspectives and interact with engineers with different
backgrounds. She also enjoyed her course in International Marketing with Paul Gibler, as it
generated many interesting discussions.

Amy Wuthrich
Like most distance learners, Amy found time management to be a challenge, but developed her
strategy early: planning an entire semester, contacting her professors ahead of time if she had to
travel, and making arrangements for submitting assignments early when necessary. “Probably my
favorite aspect was that I could work ahead and submit documents to the Dropbox,” says Amy.

While earning her degree, Amy encouraged six co-workers to enroll in the master’s program. Her
advice to potential students: “If you are thinking about it, then you are ready to start.”

Register for structural/geotechnical courses in 2011-2012

Are you pursuing an emphasis in either structural or geotechnical engineering? Two courses historically offered in
alternate years will be available next year. ENGRG 7220 Dynamics of Structures will be offered Fall 2011 and ENGRG
6230 Structural Steel Design with LRFD will be offered Spring 2012.

We must enroll and receive payment from 5-8 students for ENGRG 7220 by July 31 to offer it this fall. Talk with your
classmates and advisor about this course!

For more information or assistance in planning your courses, contact Tara Krueger at kruegerta@uwplatt.edu or 800.362.5460.

8 The Pioneer Connection

Ryan Melbard
Faculty Profile
By Christine Hawkinson

Upon earning his bachelor’s degree, Ryan Melbard took a position with We Energies, a
Wisconsin power company. About a year later, his father-in-law (retired UW-Platteville
English professor, Franco Pagnucci), told him about the online engineering master’s
program and encouraged him to “take one class and see how it goes.”

It’s been going ever since.

“It was a good opportunity to get an advanced degree,” says Ryan, “We Energies
provided partial reimbursement and I didn’t have kids yet, so I had more time.”
Soon after graduating in 2003, Ryan began teaching Optimization with Engineering
Applications, coincidentally, the first online course he took.

Ryan’s father is a retired Milwaukee Area Technical College civil engineering instructor,
and Ryan knew early on that he wanted to study engineering. He followed his father’s
footsteps to UW-Platteville and earned an electrical engineering degree in 1999. However,
“five years into my job, I was on a computer most of the day, working on spreadsheets
– it wasn’t all that exciting,” says Ryan. Realizing that math was what drew him to
engineering in the first place, he took graduate math courses at Marquette University Ryan Melbard
paving his way to acceptance to an online master’s program at Texas A&M.

By the time he was accepted, Ryan realized he was ready to make a career transition – to
math teacher. He enjoyed his experience teaching and being from a family of teachers, it
seemed the natural path. He earned his second master’s degree in May 2009 and by fall
2010 was teaching math full time, on campus and online, at Scott Community College in
Bettendorf, Iowa, in addition to his online engineering courses.

Learning math online is harder than teaching it. Ryan provides his students with videos to
demonstrate problem solving and students can work problems chosen at random until they
are able to solve them correctly and move on to the next one. He also looks for credible
resources students can link to on the Internet to provide tutorials or additional information.

Ryan recommends that someone considering online learning start as he did, with one
class a semester for a term or two and make sure it’s something they want to do and can
handle. “Some people have the misconception that online courses are easy, but you have
to be your own boss,” says Ryan. “You need to be able to manage your time, have the
focus to take time to read material, and motivated enough to participate in discussions,
as well as studying and completing assignments. You have to take control, follow the
calendar, and meet your deadlines; procrastinators don’t do well.”

His students need look no further for a role model for success in the classroom. “I think
my online experience gives me a little more credibility with my students when they know
I’ve been through the same things they are doing. I’ve been doing it for quite a while –
both taking and teaching online courses. It helps me understand their pace and when
they need a little more flexibility, I’m willing to give them that,” says Ryan.

The Pioneer Connection 9

 MS Criminal Justice

Thomas Jonas
Faculty Profile
By Morgan Spitzer

Dr. Thomas Jonas spent last fall in China teaching a graduate course in Literature for Teaching
English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at South Central University for Nationalities
(SCUN), Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, a sister university to UW-Platteville.

“Traveling and teaching in China has been a real joy because I have not taught literature since my
earliest high school teaching days. The both of us have spent considerable time in China,” says Tom,
speaking about himself and his wife of 44 years, Patricia Petersen, “and we enjoy it very much — its
people, its culture and especially the food!”

The course, a product of his wife’s and his team effort, is only a part of what Tom does at UW-
Platteville. Presently retired, Tom still teaches online CJ undergraduate and graduate courses, and
splits his time in China between teaching literature for the large TESOL program and teaching short-
term organizational communication courses.
Dr. Jonas and a student
“I enjoy the challenge of teaching online the most,” says Tom. “I had no idea if I could excite
students in the way I have usually been able to do in the [traditional] classroom, but it seems to be
working. Teaching online has also forced me to be much better organized. Course management
software has been a real boon for me in my teaching; it is so educationally rewarding.”

“Tom’s courses challenged me to examine legal and constitutional issues more extensively than I ever
had in over 20 years in law enforcement,” said Thomas Gunderson, CJ graduate student. “His manner
of teaching encourages students to think for themselves instead of just presenting information for
students to digest. I can honestly say that I apply what I learned in his classes every day in my work.”

Tom and Patricia now live in New Richmond, Wisconsin. In his free time, Tom enjoys spending time
with family, hunting, fishing and attending concerts and Packers games with family.

New CAST course available Fall 2011

Dr. Amy Nemmetz, BSCJ instructor and program coordinator, is currently developing a new course, CJ7310 Perspectives on
Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy. This course will cover diverse topics such as the historical trends and philosophical
underpinnings in child maltreatment, cultural differences and how they impact responses to child maltreatment and the various
measures of child maltreatment prevention.

“The best part about CAST (child advocacy studies) is that it’s applicable to so many people. More specifically, this course is designed
for professionals who work among child and juvenile victims in the criminal justice and/or human service system,” says Amy.

Among other topics, students will also be asked to explore their own values and perceptions about child maltreatment, to research
the justice system, and study the roles of various professionals working in the profession. Amy will also use case study examples
taken from her own field experiences so students can practice the skills necessary to reach a successful conclusion of a case.

10 The Pioneer Connection

Jeff Miller
Pioneer Profile
By Morgan Spitzer

According to Jeff Miller, if the entire UW-Platteville Online faculty and staff had to stand
in a lineup on the charge of providing students with a fantastic educational experience,
they would all have to step forward.

“All the people at UW-Platteville are helpful and understanding — the professors understand
and appreciate we are working professionals and the office staff is always prompt in
answering questions and posting necessary information on the website,” says Jeff, a lieutenant
for the Appleton Police Department and December 2010 graduate of the MSCJ program.

Jeff decided to go back to school to deepen his knowledge of criminal justice. A graduate
of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s in history and legal studies, he knew that
completing a master’s would help advance his career. After a search for online programs,
Jeff chose UW-Platteville because of its affordability and accredited reputation.

“The online program is ideal for working people and is so great because it allows you to
work at your own pace that you set down according to what’s in your life. The program
was just enough that you were challenged, but not so demanding that you felt crushed,”
says Jeff.
Jeff Miller at the UW-Platteville
“Jeff was as an excellent graduate student. Throughout the program Jeff was self- graduation ceremony in December
motivated, task-oriented, and strongly committed to positive academic advancement in
the criminal justice field,” says Dr. Cheryl Banachowski-Fuller, MSCJ Program Director.

For someone who is thinking about earning an online degree, Jeff “100 percent
recommends UW-Platteville.”

“I’m proud and excited to be a UW-Platteville graduate,” he says.

Jeff lives in Appleton, Wisconsin, with his wife of 15 years, Julie, and their daughters
Maddy, 8, and Amelia, 6. He has worked with the Appleton Police Department for over 12
years, and hopes that his degree will eventually help him secure a position as captain in
the department.

The Pioneer Connection 11

 PACCE connects campus to community
By Morgan Spitzer

Innovative. Creative. Idealistic. Invigorating. This is how Kevin Bernhardt describes

an experience working with the Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement
(PACCE) program. Kevin, director of PACCE, heads this program that can offer
UW-Platteville distance education students and alumni and their employers the
opportunity to connect with on-campus students and faculty by becoming community
partners to various service and community projects.

The PACCE program is designed to bring together students, community partners and
faculty in order for all three parties to “experience, grow and make a difference” by
working on real community projects. Students work under faculty and community
partner supervision to achieve a goal or accomplish a task set by the group. The benefits
of PACCE are threefold. Projects provide

• Community partners the chance to address organizational objectives through a

positive experience with university faculty and students

• Students the opportunity to improve their skills and gain experience in their fields

• Faculty members the opportunity to serve their community, make connections, and
enhance their teaching experience

Robot demonstration at PACCE Poster Day
“There are many advantages to becoming a community partner in a PACCE project,” says
Kevin. “There is a definite economic incentive: not only do you get student labor, creativity
and innovation for free, but you also benefit from the faculty member’s expertise. Employers
can also benefit from a firsthand look at potential employees while preparing the next
generation of workers by allowing them to practice their education in real-life settings.”

“We have an abundance of resources in our faculty members and our students that need to be tapped into,” says Kevin, who
encourages interested parties to take advantage of PACCE. Every semester, students, faculty members, and community partners work
on projects as diverse as expanding businesses into China to designing and building toys for special needs children.

If you have a project or topic idea, want to help organize a project, develop marketing materials, or get involved in any other way,
contact PACCE at 608.342.6121 or visit www.uwplatt.edu/pacce/index.html.

Past PACCE projects

Liberal Arts and Education - UW-Platteville students have traveled to the Delta region in Mississippi to build homes with Habitat for Humanity and worked
in schools assisting teachers and tutoring students. In Dubuque, Iowa, students have tutored and mentored children at the Dubuque Multicultural Center and
completed program planning for special events such as the Center’s World Cultural Day. At the Presentation Lantern Center, students help non-native speakers
learn English, and at the community YMCA and the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, students help organize structured games and activities for children.

Engineering, Mathematics and Science - Students working with the Manitowoc Cranes company designed an exhaust diffuser that met new, EPA-
mandated emissions standards for the Manitowoc 2250 crane. The cranes are typically powered by one or more diesel engines, and the new
standards require the cranes to use cleaner burning diesel engines. However, the new engines have problems with increased heat rejection. The
students’ design had to reduce the exhaust temperature of the new engines and meet performance, packaging, and safety criteria.

Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture - At the St. Mary’s School in Platteville, UW-Platteville students served as coaches for the school’s
First Lego Team and assisted with the St. Mary’s students’ robotic project, which involved design and construction — and programming the robot to
accomplish certain tasks in a robot competition. UW-Platteville students also helped St. Mary’s students research problems associated with the 2010
“Body Forward” theme, identify solutions and prepare a presentation on the theme.

12 The Pioneer Connection

 Alumni Advisory Board

For 2011, the AAB has established several AAB Board Members
goals to increase connections between
alumni and with the UW-Platteville Criminal Justice Engineering
The Alumni Toolkit
Alumni Association: Gary Apperson Kellli Johnson
Dan Chlebos Spread the word
James Marion
Robert Lewis
• Distance education alumni will be The next time someone asks about
Terri Nelson
invited to become part of the Doug Ducklow your UW-Platteville degree, go to
UW-Platteville AluMnation and Tom Gunderson http://www.uwplatt.edu/disted/
included in opportunities to network alumni-toolkit.html to find your
with all UW-Platteville alumni as well Project Management Alumni Toolkit of resources to
as participate in events. Sharon Beery
connect others with the Distance
• Distance education alumni will Elizabeth Bland
Melissa Gavin Learning Center. Whether it’s a
continue to receive The Pioneer LinkedIn contact, a next-door
Prasanna Kumar
Connection and Alumni Today. neighbor, or your employer, we can
Carol Ross
• The AAB plans to host at least one help you make the connection.
Francie Tuescher
regional alumni event. Teri York
• The AAB plans to develop awards to
recognize distance education alumni. Business Administration
Jeanne Beckley
To learn more or get involved, go to www. Scott Knapp
usplatt.edu/disted/alumni-advisory- Dawn Kraemer-Meseck
board.html. Tara Sanders
Lara Steinbach
Jodi Zeal

Congratulations to our December 2010 graduates and

welcome to the UW-Platteville alumni family!

BS in Business Administration BS in Criminal Justice MS in Project Management MS in Criminal Justice

Tara Biggs Ann Conrad Colette Bauer Daniel Guentz
Yun Young Choi Melissa Peters Jeffrey Berken Sabrina Kreyer
Alexandra Edwards Melissa Zimmer Michael Burtner Gary Lewis
Sheena Gatzke Vicky Crawford Jeff Miller
Brian Kelly MS in Engineering Todd Duwe Vicki Trebian
Carla Mercier Eric Horwath Maurice Graham
Kaitlin Munson Adam Kurzynski Megghan Honke
Christopher Perry James Myers Melissa Hvidsten This list was current as of March
Patrick Quinn Joseph Myers Joel Hypolite 1, 2011. If you are not listed,
contact the DLC to verify your
Brianna Ramirez Olamide Ogunmakin David Jenkins
graduation date is confirmed.
Bonnie Robinson Tapankumar Patel Byron Law
Megan Schulz Jessica Peterson Kamila Nemetz
Nicole Shields Steve Raynor Matthew Olson
Tracy Smith Samuel Wilke Ganesh Rajamani
Huston Sprang Amy Wuthrich Sharise Rivera
Victoria Strait Debra Shaw
Perry Thuli Bryan Sullivan
Kerie Wedige

The Pioneer Connection 13

Cheesemaking and distance
education – a winning combination
By Christine Hawkinson
Just 20 miles northeast of Platteville, you’ll find Mineral Point,
Wisconsin; home to Cornish miners in the 1800s. Today the
historic town is the home of many artists, potters, and some
very special cheese made by UW-Platteville distance education
graduate, Tony Hook, and his wife, Julie (photo front cover).
In 2009, the Hooks unveiled their stash of 15-year-old cheddar.
Priced at $50 per pound, the first batch sold out in eight days and
generated inquiries from across the country and around the world.
After two more releases, they have a small amount to sell in 2011.
The Hooks sell over 40 varieties of cheese
ranging from Colby and Monterey Jack
to Pesto Jack and Horseradish Cheddar.
Three of their cheeses have won World
Championship recognition. In 1982, their
traditionally-made Colby was judged
“Finest Cheese in the World” out of 482
entries from 16 countries, making Julie
the first (and still the only) woman to win
the World Championship. In 2010, Hook’s
Christal Swigart
Little Boy Blue won third place and Hook’s
Gorgonzola won second place in the World
Cheese Championship.
14 The Pioneer Connection
Christal Swigart
When Tony Hook graduated from high school in 1970, he took
a summer job at a small cheese factory in Barneveld, Wisconsin.
He worked as an apprentice while completing business courses
at the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County. Before he
knew it, he had earned his cheesemaker’s license, married Julie
– and his plans to complete a bachelor’s degree were quickly
overtaken by cheesemaking and family life.
“We started Hook’s Cheese Company in 1976 and established
relationships with area dairy farmers while working as part of
a co-operative just outside of Mineral Point,” says Tony. “After
winning the World Cheese Championship in 1982, we established
Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc.”
The mid 1980s brought changes in federal regulations regarding
pasteurizers, which led to the Hooks’ decision to purchase their
own facility. Perhaps it was destiny that a long-time cheese
factory had been vacant for a year. Built in 1850 as a livery stable
and blacksmith’s shop, it was converted in 1929 to a cheese plant
where business thrived through the depression. By 1940, it was
the only remaining of four cheese plants in Mineral Point and in
1987, it became the home of Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc.
The Hooks still purchase milk from the same local farmers
they’ve worked with for 34 years. Until 1998, Tony picked the
milk up himself from the farms, solidifying those relationships. “Ninety percent of the
quality of cheese can be attributed to the milk,” says Tony. “Our farmers have small
operations, with no more than 60 grass-fed cows, and none of them use the rBST growth
hormone.” To ensure consistency and quality, the same ingredients are used in each
particular kind of cheese.

Quality is exactly what the judges look for at the World Cheese Championship, which is held
in Madison, Wisconsin, in alternate years and sponsored by the Wisconsin Cheesemaker’s

Christal Swigart
Association. Cheese judging is based primarily on flavor, but also on appearance, and judges
scrutinize carefully, starting at 100 points and taking tenths of percentage point deductions.
Judges are experienced cheese graders and often work for universities with food science
curriculums. Last year over 2,300 cheese entries arrived from all over the world.
Home of Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc.
Once his children began pursuing their degrees, Tony found the time to resume his own
studies. He learned about the UW-Platteville Distance Education Program and in 1992, You can purchase Hook’s Cheese at:
continued working toward his business administration degree through the print-based
program. Mineral Point
Hook’s Cheese Factory
“It was great going through the program and getting a better understanding of how 608.987.3259 or hookscheese@yahoo.com
business works and to get other ideas,” says Tony. “It was harder to complete courses Five Point Cheese and Liquor Store
through print without the opportunity to interact with other students, but it would
have been difficult for me to have structured courses and weekly deadlines.” Tony Platteville
did connect with another student from Mineral Point at the time and was able to visit The Driftless Market
campus once in a while to meet instructors. Though he needed 84 credits to graduate, he Madison
was able to finish in four years, graduated in 1996, and continued to grow his business.
MINNESOTA
The Dane Country Famers’ Market
indoor and outdoor – year around
“It is wonderful to see how successful Tony has become with his business, and I'm not
surprised,” says Dawn Drake, Executive Director of Alternative Delivery Systems. “I For a complete list of retailers, go to
served as Tony's advisor many years ago and came to greatly appreciate his approach to
MINNEAPOLIS www.hookscheese.com/retail.html
education and business. He was truly a model student thatSTwas PAULunassuming in 94
his nature,
but passionate and dedicated to his learning. Every time I spoke with him, I was reminded
about how diligent, caring, and driven he was to succeed – this has obviously continued
GREE
with his business. I enjoy the opportunity to connect with him for a few minutes each year For more information about
when he is at the Dane County Farmers’ Market selling his delicious cheese.” 94
Mineral Point, Wisconsin, go to
APPLETON
http://mineralpoint.com
Many years of long days and hard work has resulted in a doubling of sales for the
Hooks in the last seven years. Tony hired his brother two years ago and his sister in OSHK
ROCHESTER
2010, doubling employees as well. “January through March is a somewhat slower
time of year,” says Tony, “but the rest of the year is pretty hectic, especially during the
holiday season.” WISCONSIN 151
94
Heidi Dyas-McBeth, owner of The Driftless Market in Platteville, has seen sales and
interest in Hook’s cheese increase. “Originally we offered the five and seven year sharp 61
cheddars. Now we also sell the blue Swiss and medium cheddar pesto jack. They are MILW
MADISON
all very popular and good sellers. The Hooks are great to work with – we have enjoyed MINERAL
94
151
working with them as a local vendor,” says Heidi. POINT 90

PLATTEVILLE
Today, aspiring cheesemakers can complete
81 11
an apprenticeship or a combination of an 151 80
Learn more about Hook’s Cheese at DUBUQUE 11 81
apprenticeship and a dairyWATERLOO
short-course 67
www.hookscheese.com 20 GALENA 78 MADISON
like the one offered at the University of ROCKFORD
151 20 20
• See a complete list of cheese Wisconsin-Madison. And to anyone who 52
FREEPORT
varieties and suggested wine and aspires to continue their education in any
cheese pairings field, Tony says, “Go back. It can take a 61
CEDAR RAPIDS 88
• Listen to the NPR story about the while to do it, but it’s certainly worthwhile STERLING
380
15-year-old cheddar getting an education.”
80 88
• Observe the cheesemaking 80
IOWA CITY DAVENPORT
process via video DES MOINES Send story ideas about interesting distance education
alumni to hawkinsonc@uwplatt.edu.

39
74
The Pioneer Connection 15
 BS business administration

SAP University Alliance expands

learning opportunities ASUG Conference
By Denise LaBudda
at UW-Platteville
America’s SAP User Group (ASUG)
With over 12 million users, SAP is the most widely used brand of Enterprise Resource is a professional organization of
Planning (ERP) software today. ERP systems are centralized databases used within a individuals and companies that use
company, and their use has transformed business operations since the late ‘80s. SAP. ASUG has regional chapters
throughout North America, and
Students with SAP experience are in high demand. Recently, the business the feedback and recommendations
department was contacted by a large, regional employer, looking to hire interns with of ASUG members influence SAP
SAP experience. Recommendations were made, interviews held, and five UW-Platteville software development.
students were offered internships. As of January 2011, there were 2,000 open SAP
jobs listed on Indeed website for Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota. In the fall of 2011, UW-Platteville will
host a conference to determine whether
In 2009, UW-Platteville became part of the SAP University Alliance. Schools within to establish a local ASUG chapter to
the Alliance receive support for innovative remote and classroom-based e-Learning, include areas of Southwest Wisconsin,
including training for faculty and staff. The approximately 150 schools within Northwest Illinois, Northeast Iowa,
the Alliance are given full access to SAP software, including data sets (records of and Southeast Minnesota.
fictitious companies) to be used for training within courses.
For more information, contact Wendy
Business administration instructor, Wendy Brooke, has incorporated SAP and Global Brooke at brookew@uwplatt.edu.
Bike company records in a new course, BSAD 4160 Purchasing Management, to be
offered Fall 2011.

By spring of 2012, Wendy plans to incorporate SAP into BSAD 4100 Supply Chain
Management. She explains, “SAP could be incorporated into any business class
that touches a database system ... such as accounting or purchasing.” The goal is to
gradually incorporate SAP into multiple business courses.

International emphasis for business

administration students
Did you know there is an international business emphasis? In addition to
online coursework, students are required to earn 12 credits while studying
abroad. There are currently three distance students working toward this
emphasis. Contact the International Programs office to learn about specific
study abroad opportunities.

16 The Pioneer Connection

Tracy Smith
Pioneer Profile
By Denise LaBudda

“When it rains, it pours,” the saying goes, and during the fall of 2010 it poured on Tracy
Smith. Soon after she began her final semester of classes for the BSAD program, there
was a death in the family, followed by news that her husband was being transferred
across the country. But Tracy rose to the challenge, completed her courses, and
graduated in December. She is especially grateful to her fellow classmates who offered
words of encouragement and support. She’s also appreciative of the perspective and
guidance she received from her professors.

Two years ago — when her youngest child was three — Tracy began planning for her
reentrance to the world of paid work. She was drawn to online education because
it offers the flexibility she needed for her family. The Smith family has relocated
frequently, and Tracy and her husband value family routines, and time to be present for
their children’s school and sporting events.

As an online student, Tracy initially struggled with approaching new material on her
own, but learned how to use the many resources available and how to ask instructors

Christal Swigart
for help. “I learned that instructors meant it when they said they could be called,” says
Tracy. She learned a lot and appreciated the accessibility and patience of her instructors.
She also found them to be friendly and welcoming. Tracy attended a campus career fair
Tracy Smith’s family celebrates her
at UW-Platteville in 2010, and left with five contacts resulting in interviews.
graduation at the Distance Education
brunch in December 2010.
The first week of February, Tracy’s family moved to Camus, Washington. She is ready
to start a new adventure. She plans to return to work in sales, with the ultimate goal of
entering operations management. She’s also considering pursuing a master’s degree in
the future.

Tracy’s advice to anyone considering an online degree is, “Don’t put it off ... the flexibility is
wonderful, the support is there, it goes so quickly. It’s a great sense of accomplishment!”

Integrated Supply Chain Management emphasis

A new course, IS 3950-Industrial Design for Production, is currently being offered. The course is required
for the Integrated Supply Chain Management emphasis, which is now fully available to distance students.
This major emphasis is in high demand, and employers anticipate continued job growth in this field. The
emphasis is comprised of courses offered within three departments: industrial design, engineering, and
business. The “supply chain” refers to the transfer of all products, both internal and external. The demand
for this business specialization continues to move beyond manufacturing, into service industries.

The Pioneer Connection 17

 BS Criminal Justice

Marion Trelle
Pioneer Profile
By Morgan Spitzer

Marion Trelle may have started earning her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in order to
achieve a personal goal and to entertain herself after a physical ailment left her unable to work,
but she certainly isn’t slouching. Her research, titled, “Financial Exploitation of the Elderly,” was
recently published in The Big M, UW-Platteville’s Online Journal for Undergraduate Research and
Creative Endeavors. This publication highlights the finest academic and creative achievements of
undergraduate students from all disciplines.

“This is huge, especially for an undergraduate student,” says Gary Apperson, BSCJ program
instructor and Marion’s research advisor. “Marion’s research, work and writing are just that good.”

Marion’s paper is a critical examination of the financial exploitation of the elderly. It looks at the
types of people who commit these crimes and their reasons for doing so; describes and examines
laws, policies and strategies needed to protect the elderly; and suggests strategies for more adept
Marion Trelle identification of and assistance for those being financially exploited.

Choosing this topic to research was easy according to Marion, because she experienced the fallout
from this type of exploitation when a family member stole $20,000 from her grandmother, who was
afflicted with Alzheimer’s.

“I started digging into the issue and realized that although it was a major growing problem,
especially with the baby boomer generation retiring, not very much research or helping aids were
available,” she says.

Marion also had spent time working with the elderly as a CNA, and hearing their stories about
personal exploitation further inspired her to raise awareness of the issue.

“I love working with the elderly,” she says. “They are great sources of history and stories. I cannot
imagine how a person can be so mean and horrible that they’d want to exploit people who can be so
extremely vulnerable and unaware.”

The passion she feels for her research has led Marion to begin reworking it for submission to the FBI
Law Enforcement Bulletin magazine, perhaps the most widely read law enforcement/criminal justice
magazine in the United States. She is also planning to submit her research to Police Chief Magazine,
the official publication of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

“Getting my research in front of more criminal justice practitioners would ultimately help victims
and aid criminal justice practitioners in reducing victimization,” says Marion.

To read Marion’s research, go online at www.uwplatt.edu/research/TOCVI.html.

18 The Pioneer Connection

Jen Taborski
Alumni Profile
By Amy Nemmetz, BSCJ Coordinator

Jen Taborski always planned to seek a career in law enforcement. Unfortunately, a

life-changing basketball injury in middle school dashed her hopes of being a police
officer. UW-Platteville criminal justice instructor, Ed Ross, sparked Jen’s interest in
probation and parole. With his guidance, she realized that as a probation and parole
agent, she could work with criminal justice clients, law enforcement officers and the
courts simultaneously. “I headed in that direction and haven’t looked back,” says Jen.

Jen wasted no time diving into the field after earning her bachelor’s degree. After
only three years as a Wisconsin Department of Corrections Probation and Parole
agent, where she supervised high risk sexual offenders, Jen joined the United States
Probation and Parole Office in Chicago. The move to Illinois resulted in several big
changes. Jen supervised federal probation clients for seven years, she branched out
to the Presentence Investigation division three years ago, and she was geographically
closer to the Packers’ archrivals — the Chicago Bears. Jen and Eric Taborski

Although I cannot support Jen’s decision to cheer for the Bears, I am elated that Jen valued her undergraduate and graduate
UW-Platteville criminal justice education so much that she jumped at the opportunity to return to UW-Platteville in a teaching capacity
three years ago. Jen brings her professional experiences to the online classroom through her Correctional Philosophy and Community
Based Corrections courses. Jen teaches students about the multiple hats they will wear in the correctional field, such as referring clients
for treatment and conducting home visits monitoring compliance with court conditions.

There is not a lot of recognition for a “job well done” in corrections, and the hardest part of the job may be “coming to grips with the fact that
no matter how hard you try, some people do not want to change,” says Jen. At times it gets difficult to see so many horrific cases, but she can’t
imagine herself in any other profession. “While there isn’t a lot of money in this field, it is a very fulfilling and rewarding job,” she says.

On her own time, Jen enjoys watching and attending sporting events, including White Sox baseball. She and her husband, Eric, have
two energetic kids, Paige and Wyatt, and two border collies.

Update: Degree Requirements for BSCJ

Effective immediately for all current and future students in the BSCJ program, the degree requirement of six supplemental credits
has been dropped. Additionally, the requirement of a maximum of 48 credits in any one area has been dropped. To earn your
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, you must earn a minimum of:

44-58 General education credits

36 Criminal justice credits
18-24 Minor or elective credits

A minimum of 120 credits are required for graduation

Questions about these changes should be directed to your advisor.

The Pioneer Connection 19

 New CSI course offers hands-on learning to
distance education students
By Morgan Spitzer

CJ 1330 Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation, which will be offered Fall 2011, will feature an
interactive online CSI component that will get students out of the online classroom and into crime scenes.

Joe Lefevre, BSCJ instructor, will teach the course using photos and walk-through tours of crime
scenes set up in the forensic investigation crime scene house located on the Pioneer Farm to allow
his students to practically apply the theoretical knowledge learned in course lessons. These photos
and tours will be applied in a sequence, requiring students to evaluate certain aspects of the
constructed crime scene that correlate with the week’s lesson.
Joe Lefevre
“Distance education students usually have more practical experience, and so we are able to skip
most of the basics and go right into hands-on learning,” says Joe.

Joe will also add current topics in CJ to his course curriculum, such as the idea of the CSI Effect,
which stems from the many crime scene investigation shows on television.

“We want students to focus more on physical evidence,” says Joe, “so they will be more knowledgeable
about identifying physical evidence and using it to substantiate things like witness testimonials.”

Joe only has one piece of advice for students about his new course: “Take it!”

BSCJ program forges two new articulation agreements

The UW-Platteville BSCJ program recently forged articulation agreements with two Wisconsin schools: Northcentral Technical
College in Wausau and Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire.

“Some students seek a bachelor’s degree to advance their careers or to expand upon the excellent knowledge base provided to them
by their school,” says Amy Nemmetz, BSCJ instructor and program coordinator. “We want to make a bridge between every possible
technical and community college and UW-Platteville, so that students know what courses will transfer when starting their academic
journey with UW-Platteville.”

“Our technical college degree gives students the means to begin a career, but we believe in life-long learning, so we encourage
students to continue their studies,” says Judith Anibas, Chippewa Valley Dean of Emergency Service and Transportation Education.
Judith, an alumna of UW-Platteville, knows the quality of a UW-Platteville degree and specifically wanted an agreement with the
university. “I was impressed by how much the CJ program offers students.”

For more information on BSCJ articulation agreements, visit www.uwplatt.edu/disted/criminal-justice-articulation-agreements.html.

20 The Pioneer Connection

 Know your academic advisor
By Elizabeth Swift, MSPM Advisor

Your academic advisor is here to serve • Connect: We act as a liaison between

you in a variety of ways. Though we will
contact you several times as you progress
through your program, we invite you
to contact us anytime we can be of
assistance. We are here to
• Advocate: First and foremost,
academic advisors are advocates for all
distance learning students. Our goal is
to create an environment that allows
you to communicate effectively with all
parties involved.
• Trouble-shoot: Your academic
advisor is your point-person during
your entire journey at UW-Platteville.
When you have questions or concerns,
your advisor is a great starting point.
Although we cannot answer every
question, we can refer you to the
appropriate resource or facilitate
communication until your question is
answered.
Elizabeth Swift
• Explain: Your advisor can explain most
policies and procedures related to
distance education.
students, faculty, and academic staff.
We are a great resource if you need a
conversation facilitated or initiated,
but don’t know where to begin.
• Guide: Your advisor can be a great
resource for you. Consider us your
guide during your “tour of the
UW-Platteville distance learning
system.” We make sure that your
questions are answered and your
academic goals are realistic, while
connecting you to important resources.
We can evaluate your academic path to
ensure that your best interest is at the
forefront of every decision.
We want to hear from you. And, we want
to make our services as useful as possible,
so please complete the advisor survey at
the end of every semester. That way, your
advisor can know what’s working and
what’s not. We’re here for you.

Attention graduates!
By Amy Griswold

Graduation is fast approaching. By now you should have received your May 2011 graduation packet. If you are
a graduate as of December 2010, May 2011, or August 2011, we invite you to join us. If you have not received
your graduation packet or have questions about the events, please contact Amy Griswold at foleya@uwplatt.edu
or 800.362.5460.

The Distance Learning Center will host a formal recognition dinner the evening of Friday, May 13. We will
celebrate our graduates and provide highlights of the past year for the distance education programs, the
departments, and our campus. It’s an amazing experience to match faces to the names of our students, and we
know that the students who attend feel the same way.

We will also host an informal reception after the morning ceremony on Saturday, May 14. This is another great
opportunity to meet your fellow students, your instructors, alumni, and the Distance Learning Center staff.

For more information about the ceremony, banquet, and reception – or to RSVP, go to
www.uwplatt.edu/disted/distedgrad/grad2011.

The Pioneer Connection 21

 MS project management

Secrets of Success in Project Management

Conference July 25-29
Experienced project managers know that
possessing technical skills is only half of the battle.
You need leadership and communication skills to
successfully navigate a project to completion.

The Secrets of Success in Project Management

conference offers sessions for both. Whether
you’re interested in learning more about
stakeholder management, leading a project team,
or most things in between, this conference will
strengthen your PM toolbox with real-world
techniques for enabling project success.

Christal Swigart
In addition to the conference, you have the
opportunity to register for pre- and post-
conference sessions that provide in-depth study
of several key issues in project management.
Attendees at the 2010 UW-Platteville Project Management Conference Register for a pre-conference training, the
conference, and a post-conference event to
maximize your PDUs.

To learn more about session topics, presenters,

and keynote speakers and to register for the
conference, go to our training website.
Training Website
www.uwplatt.edu/disted/training

Online professional training

In today’s economic environment, most organizations are either cutting their professional training and development budgets or
are looking for new ways to optimize their limited budgets. Online training can be an economical solution for companies with
multiple locations, virtual teams, or for those competing in fast-changing industries.

The Distance Learning Center can draw on the expertise of our faculty to create customized training to meet the specific needs of
your department, company, or industry. Current endeavors include:

• Criminal Justice Training through partnerships with the State of Wisconsin and the State of Washington Department of Justice
• The Project Management Essentials course will be launched this spring followed by an Advanced Project Management course
• Highway Technician Certification Course Series for the Department of Transportation
• Leadership Training for business, engineering and project management professionals

Check our training website for current courses and training events. If you are interested in learning more about online training
opportunities for your organization, contact Ron Bonlender at 608.342.6140 or bonlenderr@uwplatt.edu.

22 The Pioneer Connection


Shawn D. Belling
Faculty Profile
By Denise LaBudda
Shawn Belling is a busy man. If you haven’t had the
pleasure of having him as an instructor for Project
Management Techniques I & II or Interpersonal Skills for
Virtual and Co-Located Project Teams, you can find him
at work for Promega Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin;
presenting seminars for PMI; teaching online for
UC-Irvine, Lakeland College, or UW-Madison; training for
a triathlon; or spending time with his family.
The flexibility to work within his student’s schedules,
across many time zones is what Shawn most enjoys
about online education. He also enjoys learning from
his students’ diverse experiences. “Most students
have some project management experience and have
returned to school to increase their status and earning
power. Most have practical experience they share not
only with their classmates, but with the instructor ... I
get as much as I give in terms of the experiences my
students share,” says Shawn.
“Online students cannot just sit back and absorb, or
not participate in class. They cannot hide. They must
be actively engaged in the group and activities. They
are held accountable and the course outcomes will
be impacted by their involvement and participation,”
says Shawn. All of Shawn’s courses include group
assignments. He explains, “Students must be prepared
to work and be a responsible and fully participating
team member in the course.”
“Students need to remember that this is graduate
school, and they must be dedicated and prepared
to participate and complete high-level and quality
coursework,” says Shawn. Time management and
commitment are the most important attributes for the
successful online student.
In Shawn’s “free time” he is working toward a
professional doctorate in business administration. Based
on Shawn’s ability to successfully manage multiple
endeavors, it’s difficult to imagine a more qualified
person to teach project management. Watch for Shawn
— he’s everywhere.
Joel Hypolite
Pioneer Profile
By Denise LaBudda
Fall of 2007, while
registering for online classes
to begin his MSPM, Joel
Hypolite learned that his
employer, Rare Hospitality
International Inc., had
been acquired and that
his position was to be
restructured and phased
out within eight months.
Christal Swigart
Joel’s first thought was to
change his plan, and put his
education on hold; but his
second thought was, “no,
Joel Hypolite
don’t change mid-stream ...
leap into the darkness and go for it!” In January of 2008, Joel started
classes. He held on to the faith that something would work out, and it has.
Joel found part-time employment consulting in accounting and as a
substitute teacher in a parochial school, while continuing to work toward
his degree. “The biggest challenge was making time and balancing work,
family and study. It was difficult to sacrifice time with my wife and
children, but I knew I was working to create an opportunity that would
benefit my family,” says Joel. He realized that some things would need to
be cut back, and others cut out completely. They made it work, and Joel
earned his MSPM in December of 2010.
As a fixed asset accountant for Rare Hospitality, Joel worked closely with
construction project managers. Through conversation with a neighbor —
Kim McKinney, a recent MSPM graduate — Joel learned about the distance
education programs offered at UW-Platteville and decided to work toward
an MSPM.
“Group assignments were both a challenge and a great learning
opportunity,” says Joel. The collaborative activities allowed students to
offer support and learn from one another’s diverse experiences. Though
scheduling group meetings across time zones was challenging, they
managed to work around obstacles; each member fulfilling an assigned
role. He enjoyed the interaction and getting to know his classmates. “There
was a sense that others are in it with you, managing to cope and complete
the assignments,” says Joel.
With an MSPM complete, Joel is working to make personal contacts
and identify opportunities. He is confident, positive, and hopeful that
through his effort and contacts, he’ll land a new position putting his project
management skills to work. “I’m ready to retool and take up this new
challenge!” says Joel.
The Pioneer Connection 23
 By John Leonard Berg

Ask a Librarian

Remember the days at the index tables trying to find three scholarly articles on air pollution or
advertising ploys? We sat for hours paging through volume after volume of Readers’ Guide to
Periodical Literature just to find a relevant citation, all the time hoping the library subscribes to the
journal. Today this process has changed, and millions of entries can be checked in seconds, leaving
quality time for reading, synthesis, and, most importantly, leading your active life.

CitationFinder is an electronic service offered to distance education students that facilitates locating
full-text journal articles. You can use CitationFinder to find an article when your instructor provides the
citation or when you’re researching a topic. Once you have obtained the basic bibliographic information,
CitationFinder will do the work of searching for an electronic version of the desired material.

The Karrmann Library has more than 100 full-text and citation databases, covering almost every
imaginable topic from agriculture to women’s studies. Reviewing this vast array of library material
can be daunting to a new researcher and extremely time consuming if you’re pursuing just one
journal article. CitationFinder takes the hassle out of the search and conveniently and efficiently
locates material of choice in just a few seconds.

Click the CitationFinder link at the top of our Electronic Resources by Title page at www.uwplatt.edu/
library/database. Then, complete the Citation Finder-Article form with at least a journal and date.
John Leonard Berg
Helpful hints are located on the search page as reminders to formulate the best search possible.
After submitting the electronic form you will immediately be directed to the location of your desired
journal article. This is as easy as one, two, and three.

John Leonard Berg is the distance education librarian and Coordinator of Public Services for the Karrmann
Library at UW-Platteville. His major responsibilities include securing electronic resources for distance
education students, providing daily assistance to patrons at the public service desk, and selecting reference
materials essential to the teaching and research mission of the university.

SUMMER TUITION AND FEES FOR ONLINE COURSES

Rates will increase Fall 2011

Course-specific fees and textbooks are not included. Online courses must be paid for in U.S.
dollars by check, money order, or credit card. American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa
are accepted.

GRADUATE ONLINE COURSES

Tuition and Fees per Credit (regardless of residency) $600
Application Fee (nonrefundable) $ 56

UNDERGRADUATE ONLINE COURSES

Tuition and Fees per Credit (regardless of residency) $350
Application Fee (nonrefundable) $ 44
Transfer Application Fee (nonrefundable) $ 44
(waived for students transferring directly to UW-Platteville from a two-year UW College)

24 The Pioneer Connection

contact info
for online
courses
Learner Services - UW
Learning Innovations
Direct questions that
relate to registering for
an online course, billing,
refunds, and problems
with receiving textbooks
from the online bookstore.
877.895.3276
info@learn.uwsa.edu
Technical Support -
UW-Platteville Distance
Learning Center
Direct questions that
relate to problems getting
access to the course (e.g.,
passwords, login name)
and/or other hardware/
software problems that
you encounter when
navigating through the
course.
800.362.5460
distedsupport@uwplatt.edu
Student Services -
UW-Platteville Distance
Learning Center
Direct questions that
relate to admissions
information and status,
course grades, financial
aid, transfer of credits,
general questions about
programs offered at
a distance from UW-
Platteville, and
information about
policies and procedures
associated with each
online program.
800.362.5460
disted@uwplatt.edu
Summer 2011 Online Course
Deadlines
Registration is now open for Summer 2011 online courses. Refer to
our website www.uwplatt.edu/disted for admission requirements,
registration instructions, course descriptions, course rotation schedules,
and for any changes to the course listing and fee schedule on pages 26-27.
All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.
APR 15 Preferred Application Date: To ensure the completion of the
admission process for Summer 2011 UW-Platteville online
courses, submit your completed application and supporting
materials before this date.
APR 19 Independent Study Deadline: Last day for financial aid
recipients to submit Independent Study Proposals.
APR 28 Financial Aid Deadline: Last day to choose the Financial Aid
Payment option when registering.
MAY 3 Independent Study Deadline: Last day for non-financial aid
recipients to submit Independent Study Proposals.
MAY 4 Veterans: To leave time for federal or state veterans' benefits
to be processed and in place by the May 18 payment deadline,
you are urged to register before this date and choose the Post
9/11 GI Bill or WI GI Bill Payment option when registering
for Summer 2011 UW-Platteville online courses. The 9/11 GI
Bill and Wisconsin GI Bill may not cover all educational costs.
Check with your Veterans' Certifying Official to determine
which tuition/fees are not covered.
MAY 11 Mail or Fax Payment Deadline: Last day to choose the Mail
or Fax Payment option when registering.
MAY 18 Full Refund Deadline: Last day to cancel your course
enrollment and receive a full refund, including the
administrative fee.
MAY 18 Last Day to Register: Last day to register for Summer 2011
courses. You must use the Credit Card Online Payment
option. This is also the PAYMENT DUE DATE for those who
sent payment by mail.
JUNE 1 Classes Start: First day of classes
AUG 9 Classes End: Last day of classes
Print-based Courses
You may register for print-based undergraduate business administration courses any working day of the
month. Contact us for information.
Visit www.uwplatt.edu/disted/tuition.html for tuition rates for print-based courses.
The Pioneer Connection 25
 Summer 2011 Online Courses

Undergraduate

BS in Business Administration
ACCT 3000 Accounting Issues for Managers
BSAD 1300 Global Business
BSAD 2330 Leadership and Management
BSAD 2630 Introduction to Marketing
BSAD 3030 Human Resource Management
BSAD 3100 Compensation Management
BSAD 3340 Management, Gender and Race
BSAD 3530 Organizational Behavior
BSAD 4840 Business Policy/Strategy
BSAD 4950 Portfolio Development [Special Topics]*
CJ 1130 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ 2130 The Police Function
CJ 2230 Correctional Philosophy
CJ 3330 Police Administration
CJ 3630 Juvenile Justice
CJ 4030 Criminal Law
CJ 4130 Police Community Relations
CJ 4230 Community-Based Corrections
COMM 3010 Business Communication
COSC 1830 Microcomputer Applications

BS in Criminal Justice
BSAD 1300 Global Business
BSAD 2330 Leadership and Management
BSAD 2630 Introduction to Marketing
BSAD 3030 Human Resource Management
BSAD 3100 Compensation Management
BSAD 3340 Management, Gender and Race
BSAD 3530 Organizational Behavior
CJ 1130 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ 2130 The Police Function
CJ 2230 Correctional Philosophy
CJ 3330 Police Administration
CJ 3630 Juvenile Justice
CJ 4030 Criminal Law
CJ 4130 Police Community Relations
CJ 4230 Community-Based Corrections
CJ 4500 Directed Individual Studies (1-3 cr)*
CJ 4880 Internship in Criminal Justice (8 cr)*
CJ 4930 Criminal Justice Seminar*
COMM 3010 Business Communication
COSC 1830 Microcomputer Applications

*Contact advisor for approval and registration instructions.

26 The Pioneer Connection

 Summer 2011 Online Courses

Graduate

MS in engineering
ENGRG 5000 Engineering Communications
ENGRG 5030 Linear Algebra
ENGRG 6050 Applied Statistics
ENGRG 7030 Simulation Modeling of Engineering Systems
ENGRG 7070 Optimization with Engineering Applications
ENGRG 7310 Control Systems Engineering
ENGRG 7520 Design for Manufacturability
ENGRG 7800 Engineering Management
ENGRG 7980 Independent Study in Engineering (1-3 cr)*
PM 7010 Project Management Techniques I
PM 7020 Project Management Techniques II

MS in Criminal Justice
BSAD 5030 Human Resource Management
BSAD 5340 Management, Gender and Race
BSAD 5530 Organizational Behavior
CE 7130 At Risk Youth
CJ 7230 Criminological Theory
CJ 7330 Law as Social Control
CJ 7430 Victimology
CJ 7520 Civil Liability in Criminal Justice Agencies
CJ 7530 Criminal Justice Administration
CJ 7630 Contemporary Correctional Systems: Institutional
and Community-Based Corrections
CJ 7880 Criminal Justice Internship*
CJ 7920 Seminar Paper Research*
CJ 7980 Independent Study in Criminal Justice (1-4 cr)*
CJ 7990 Thesis Research (3-6 cr)*
PSYC 7030 Psychology in the Criminal Justice System
PSYC 7980 Independent Study in Psychology (1-4 cr)*

MS in project management
BSAD 5030 Human Resource Management
BSAD 5100 Compensation Management
BSAD 5340 Management, Gender and Race
BSAD 5530 Organizational Behavior
COMM 5010 Business Communication
ENGRG 6050 Applied Statistics
PHIL 7530 Business Ethics
PM 7010 Project Management Techniques I
PM 7020 Project Management Techniques II
PM 7030 Project Risk Management
PM 7040 Interpersonal Skills for Virtual & Co-Located Project Teams
PM 7840 Project Management Capstone*
PM 7940 Special Topics: Project Portfolio Management (1-3 cr)*
PM 7980 Independent Study in Project Management (1-4 cr)*

*Contact advisor for approval and registration instructions.

The Pioneer Connection 27

University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Distance Education
1 University Plaza
Platteville WI 53818-3099

Conference: Secrets of Success Featuring:

in Project Management
Soft Skills for
Project Leadership Ginger Levin
PMP, PgMP, OPM3,
William Moylan
PMP, PMI Board of

July 25-29 Certified Assessor

and Consultant
Directors
The Value of Project
PgMP® Boot Camp Management
UW- Platteville

Andrew Kaufman D.Ethridge & B.Olson

International speaker, Project Managers
author and executive for Extreme Home
coach Makeovers
Leadership Tutorial / PM Under ‘Extreme
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Business Conditions

For more information visit

GoUWP.com/CONF1

Contact Information
DistanceEd@uwplatt.edu
800.362.5460 or 608.342.1468
www.uwplatt.edu/disted