2022 Superior Voice

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

TOGETHER WE DID IT! UW-Superior Foundation surpasses campaign goal, raising $25.3 million. WHAT'S COOKING? UW-Superior alumna Nyanyika Banda authors “Marvel’s Black Panther: the Official Wakanda Cookbook.” THE EMBODIMENT OF EMPATHY Mimi Rappley Larson, social work associate professor, receives UW System's Teaching Excellence Award. CULTURE OF CARE People here are genuine and kind. They listen. They’re helpful. This is a reflection of the Culture of Care at the heart and soul of the university.

AROUND CAMPUS

WASHINGTON COMES TO UW-SUPERIOR ATHLETICS MORE AROUND CAMPUS STORIES

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FOUNDATION & ALUMNI

2022 ALUMNI AWARDS CLASSMATES IN MEMORIAM

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A MESSAGE FROM CHANCELLOR WACHTER

Dear Friends of UW-Superior, Together, we did it!

SUPERIOR VOICE is published annually for alumni and friends of the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

It’s amazing what we can accomplish together! Thanks to your support and love for UW-Superior, not only did we meet our Together We Are Superior campaign goal, we surpassed it by more than $5 million, bringing our total to $25.3 million for investing in the people, programs and the future of our Small But Mighty university. Our story on page 6 goes in-depth on what we’re able to accomplish because of your support, from the creation of the Superior Floating Classroom to the development of the new Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! Another highlight from this past year includes a campus visit by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden back in March. In a matter of only a few days, our Yellowjacket Union was transformed into a venue that was broadcasted nationwide and beyond. Regardless of political party, a visit by a sitting president was a historical event for our campus and one that will be remembered for years to come. You can read students’ firsthand accounts of Washington coming to campus on page 20. UW-Superior's commitment to a Culture of Care has never been more important, with the mental health crisis in our country being exacerbated by the pandemic and other pressures. Our university has been a leader in developing mental health services for students and a catalyst for expanding these services into the greater community and throughout the UW System. On page 14, you can learn more about our Culture of Care and the steps we’re taking to infuse well-being into every corner of our university. In this issue you’ll also read about alumna Nyanyika Banda, who blended her culinary training with her history and writing education at UW-Superior to write “Marvel’s Black Panther: the Official Wakanda Cookbook.” This cookbook features more than 70 delicious African-themed recipes created by Banda and inspired by over 50 years of Black Panther comics. Read about her recipe for success on page 10. As you page through this issue of Superior Voice, you’ll get a sense of the vibrancy, the innovation and the pride we have in our university – none of which would be possible without your unwavering support. Thank you for helping us be Superior!

Contributors: Allison Adams

Jon Garver Jade Golen

Shannon Hoffman Heather Thompson Jeanne Thompson

Photography: Holden Law

Editors: Heidi Bergeron Jim Biros Sarah Libbon Jordan Milan

Designer: Josh Bokor

715-394-8452 alumni@uwsuper.edu uwsuper.edu/alumni Office of University Advancement Belknap & Catlin PO Box 2000 Superior WI 54880-4500

Renée M. Wachter Chancellor

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Bayside Sounds Returns to Campus Celebrating UW-Superior Foundation’s “Together We Are Superior” Fundraising Campaign

The City of Superior's Bayside Sounds concert series returned to the UW-Superior campus on September 14. Popular band Big Wave Dave and the Ripples entertained the crowd on the patio of Yellowjacket Union in celebration of the successful culmination of the "Together We Are Superior" fundraising campaign.

Thank you to our event sponsors:

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A fter thoughtful planning, aligning goals to strategic priorities and a few years of a silent phase, the University of Wisconsin- Superior Foundation publicly launched its $20 million comprehensive campaign, Together We Are Superior, in the fall of 2020. Now, we are excited and humbled to share that not only was the campaign goal met, it was significantly exceeded with $25.3 million raised to support the university and its programs and students, present and future. Campaign organizers could not have known during the planning stages that a global pandemic would take hold right at the time the campaign was scheduled to go public. Discussions took place about if and how to proceed with the campaign. Amazingly, alumni and supporters returned a strong message of support and reassurance to press forward – a reflection of Yellowjacket strength and unity. “When we embarked on this campaign, it was at a very difficult time with the COVID-19 pandemic reaching its peak, but our alumni and supporters encouraged us to proceed. That makes this accomplishment even more remarkable,” said Chancellor Renée Wachter. “To achieve this goal at a time of personal and professional challenges for so many is testament to the level of support our community and alumni have for our students. We are forever grateful.” Jim Tomczak, chair of the Foundation Board of Directors said, “We understood $20 million was going to be an ambitious goal. After much discussion, we felt that aiming high would be the best way to enhance the foundation’s mission of providing financial assistance to students, employees and programs in the most meaningful way possible. To have achieved over $25 million is remarkable. We are genuinely appreciative of the generous outpouring of support from so many.” While the total dollars raised is impressive, the real campaign story is about the number of people who stepped forward during a challenging time to generously support the university and our students. Nearly 3,900 people and organizations contributed, proving the campaign slogan rings true, “Together We Are Superior.” continued

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The impact of these gifts is being felt already as they help UW-Superior carry out its mission. Among the campaign’s most significant accomplishments is the $5.3 million that was raised for scholarships, which included the creation of 73 new scholarships as well as continued funding for existing scholarships. “We know that the cost of a college education continues to be a significant concern for most new students,” said Jeremy Nere, senior enrollment officer. “These new funds will help more students attain their education goals, as well as reduce their debt.” While past fundraising campaigns focused on infrastructure and facilities, this one focused on people, programs and the future. A few of the many programs and initiatives benefitting from the campaign are: Construction and programming for the Superior Floating Classroom , an initiative to re-establish hands-on learning and research for students of all ages aboard a new Lake Superior vessel. Creation of the Lydia Thering and Joan Hedrick Lecture Series to provide free lecture and learning opportunities focused on health, wellness and community development. Support for the Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-being , a gathering hub providing mindfulness and well-being resources and expertise, learning projects and personal/professional development activities for UW-Superior and the surrounding region.

Establishment of the Northern Wisconsin Outreach Campaign aimed to expand partnerships in schools, businesses and communities in northern Wisconsin. Funds support expansion of Yellowjacket for a Day, Workforce Partnerships and On the Road listening sessions. Support for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program endowment, which fosters collaborative research, scholarly or creative activity between undergraduate students and faculty or staff mentors. Enhancement for faculty and staff development opportunities , ensuring UW-Superior employees have the tools and resources they need to stay current in their field of expertise which ensures excellence in and outside the classroom.

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Donors also stepped forward to enthusiastically support Yellowjacket Athletics with more than $1.5 million raised to assist athletic programs. The campaign’s “bookend” gift of $1 million from Superior Choice Credit Union for the new soccer and track and field stadium on campus put the campaign total over the $25 million mark. The stadium will be called the Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium. Announcement of the gift and plans for the stadium were revealed in September at a press conference on campus. “We are grateful to have a community partner in Superior Choice Credit Union who believes in our mission and values and the experiences of UW- Superior students,” said Nick Bursik, athletics director. “Their investment will enable us to support the immediate needs of our new stadium while ensuring its long-term sustainability.” The university celebrated the campaign’s success with alumni and friends at the foundation’s annual appreciation dinner on September 22. “The success of this campaign is a true testament to the dedication and passion of our many alumni and friends as well as the creativity of the advancement staff,” said Jeanne Thompson, vice chancellor. “We were flexible, innovative, scrappy and determined –

and the result is a significant benefit for our students and university community. We are Superior strong! I don’t know a better way to describe it.”

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What's Cooking?

UW-Superior alumna Nyanyika Banda authors “Marvel’s Black Panther: the Official Wakanda Cookbook”

A dash of this. A pinch of that. Sometimes a great dish can be stumbled upon. Yet, for positive results time and time again, it takes a much more refined tactic. For University of Wisconsin-Superior alumna Nyanyika Banda, every step along her path has been as well placed as a cherished family recipe. Recently, all the ingredients came together as Banda authored “Marvel’s Black Panther: the Official Wakanda Cookbook,” which became available April 12. A Malawian-American chef, writer and entrepreneur, Banda earned a culinary degree from Madison College in 2012. There she competed and placed in multiple American Culinary Federation competitions. “After culinary school I moved to New York City and got offered a job,” she said. “After spending a few years in the city and interning at Saveur Magazine, I realized what I really wanted was to see how I could combine my culinary degree with writing, and that’s when I decided that I would go back to school to get my bachelor’s degree.” That step brought Banda back to the Midwest to further her academics. “I knew that transferring to a Wisconsin state school would be beneficial to me because of my

credits,” said Banda. “I had already lived in Duluth, so I thought that going back to the Twin Ports was where I wanted to be. From that, UW-Superior became top on my list.” At UW-Superior, she designed her history and writing majors around African foodways and has been a scholar of the topic ever since. “I was really happy with how small the school is and the really great connections I made with my instructors,” said Banda. It was as an undergraduate at UW-Superior that she started her writing career with a monthly column in the TASTE section of the Duluth News Tribune. She also started an underground pop-up restaurant called Martha’s Daughter. Her food garnered a cult following and on her graduation day in 2017, she picked up the keys to her new location. Banda helped put the Twin Ports on the map with her critically acclaimed restaurant described by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as “a stylish reflection of its chef/owner” with “an eclectic and globe- hopping menu of meticulously prepared and wonderfully affordable dishes.” Recently, Banda’s unique skill set allowed her to collaborate on a project that almost appeared custom made for her. “I belong to some online networking groups for food writers,” she said. “Someone had posted that they

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were looking for someone specifically with a background in African foodways and food testing. My degree at UWS was in history and my senior thesis was on African foodways, specifically in Minnesota. So, I had a lot of that back research.” Banda submitted her name and got an interview. That’s when she learned it was going to be for Marvel and it was going to be the Black Panther Wakanda Cookbook. “For me, as a scholar of Black foodways, it was a really exciting project,” said Banda. “To be honest, I was really shocked and humbled when the publishers told me I would be the one to create the food landscape.” “Marvel’s Black Panther: the Official Wakanda Cookbook” features more than 70 delicious African-themed recipes created by Banda and inspired by over 50 years of Black Panther comics. "To be honest, I was really shocked and humbled when the publishers told me I would be the one to create the food landscape.” As Banda explains, Wakanda is a nation that was closed off from the rest of the world. It was extremely technologically advanced and located in Saharan Africa. The food of Wakanda is mostly items that you would find in that region like poultry, tropical fruit along with fish because Wakanda is on a body of freshwater very similar to Lake Superior. When some of the characters from Wakanda started leaving and exploring, some foods came back with them. “That was the storyline that I created,” she said. “Being able to showcase and highlight all the foods of the African diaspora and give reasons to how some foods would show up there in a country that is technically closed off to the world.”

The task of creating new and exciting recipes while being consistent to Marvel’s Black Panther storyline was one of the more difficult challenges to the project. “It was a little nerve wracking,” said Banda. “While I’m familiar with Black Panther, I’m not as much of a Black Panther nerd as other people, so I wanted to make sure that I would stay true to honoring and respecting Marvel and the story they’ve already created.” Featuring classic cuisine such as roasted chambo, braised oxtail and dumplings and glazed road runner wings, and filled with full-color food photography, “Marvel's Black Panther: the Official Wakanda Cookbook” is a tribute to culinary traditions from the African continent. Including recipes from street food to entrees, spice blends to sauces, side dishes to snacks and desserts to cold drinks, there's something to appeal to every palate and kitchen skill set. “It was really fun to come up with the market foods,” said Banda. “I really love all of the recipes because I got to come up with the storyline for them.”

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Mimi Rappley Larson, social work associate professor, receives UW System's Teaching Excellence Award.

M imi Rappley Larson, UW-Superior associate professor of social work, has a unique ability to make people feel seen, heard and valued. She listens … really listens. She remembers names, asks questions and genuinely gets to know people. In a word, Larson emanates empathy in every interaction. This is no accident – it is a skill she has honed for

decades, first as a social worker and now as a professor at UW-Superior since 1997 who has studied and authored on the concept of empathy. This year, Larson received UW System’s Teaching Excellence Award, the highest recognition for faculty

and instructional staff, and was honored at the Board of Regents meeting in April. As she enters her final year of teaching before retiring at the end of the 2022- 23 academic year, the award is befitting for Larson, who has touched countless lives. “Mimi is the best educator I’ve ever interacted with,” said alum Howard Huber ’19. “She forms a personal connection with every student and is passionate about the social work profession. She’s had an impressive career, but she never brags about it. In my current role as Assistant Fire Chief in Superior, I use what she taught me every day. When I’m faced with a challenging situation and not sure what to do, I ask myself, ‘What would Mimi do?’ She is one of the people who has had the most positive impact in my life.”

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Invaluable experience Larson says she was “trained early on” to become a social worker having grown up in a family that struggled with mental health and addiction issues. “I always knew I wanted to work with people,” she said. “I enjoy the process of walking alongside people through life’s journey. I consider it an honor when someone tells me who they are and what they need.” Larson gained invaluable experience in the social work field prior to becoming an instructor at UW-Superior. With a focus on marginalized people with histories of abuse and trauma, her work took her from the streets of Seattle, helping runaway youth transition off the streets into specialized foster care homes, to Duluth-Superior where she was part of a team that established the First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center and was its first executive director. She also helped merge two Twin Ports organizations into what is now known as CASDA (Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse). “What I learned in field work made me a good instructor,” she said. “It’s been rewarding to be able to share what I learned along the way with my students. One of the most important lessons I learned was that I could be the best social worker with all the right technical tools, but if I didn’t take time to establish relationships, I would never be effective. The same is true in teaching.” Larson’s educational philosophies center around building relationships, embracing active teaching and learning methods and creating an interactive learning environment that promotes critical thinking and students’ ownership of their learning. A three-step approach One of her most noteworthy achievements is her ability to teach the powerful concept of empathy. She developed a teaching process focusing on the three aspects of empathy: cognitive understanding, affective awareness of how mirror neurons activate emotions and a behavioral component to communicate genuine interest in others.

“I noticed the struggles students faced to be empathetic in their work with others,” she said. “So, I began to study the concept and realized much of the issue was the impulse to reassure clients, offer advice and prematurely offer solutions to problems. To my delight, the three-step process I introduced in my teaching produced a statistically significant improvement in students’ understanding and practice of empathy.” Larson co-authored a chapter about her work in: Cuzzo, M., Larson, M., McGlasson, T., Mattson, L. "How Do You Effectively Teach Empathy Skills to Students? New Directions for Teaching and Learning. Big Picture Pedagogy: Finding Interdisciplinary Solutions to Common Learning Problems." 2017 fall: 151: 61-78. “Mimi is the embodiment of an effective teacher and lifelong learner,” said Lynn Goerdt, associate professor of social work, and Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity Department chair. “From their first day, she plants powerful seeds about compassion, empathy and seeing the strength in others. She helps students see that they can navigate something that feels impossible in the moment. The children, families, groups and neighborhoods that our social work students are tasked to work with all benefit from Mimi’s teaching brilliance.” As only the second UW-Superior professor to receive the prestigious Teaching Excellence Award, and now entering her final year as an instructor, Larson reflected on what it has all meant to her. “I have been joyfully committed to my role in helping train the next generation of social workers who will positively impact the lives of clients and communities for many years,” she said. “I could not have done any of it without the collaboration and support of my colleagues and valuable sources of professional development. Of course, it is the students who are central to my journey – by now, I have worked with hundreds of wonderful students, engaging with them in the concepts and practices of social work to achieve the best educational experience we can together. This is the human-centered approach to teaching and social work that has animated all my efforts and successes and for which I am most humbled and grateful.”

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W e hear it all the time. From their first experience at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, students tell us they sense something different. People here are genuine and kind. They listen. They’re helpful. This is a reflection of the Culture of Care at the heart and soul of the university. The university’s commitment to this concept is so deep that it is one of the goals in its current strategic plan, Forward Superior. It states, “UW-Superior will help all students succeed and thrive through an integrated campus Culture of Care that embraces every student.” That goal may seem simple but is much more complex when taking into account the mental health crisis in the United States and several sobering statistics. • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness • 1 in 3 U.S. young adults (aged 18-25) experience mental illness • 31% increase in mental health-related emergency department visits among U.S. adolescents (aged 12-17) from 2019-2021 • Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 in the U.S. * National Alliance on Mental Illness, “2020 Mental Health by the Numbers,” https://www.nami.org/mhstats “We have always had a good foundation of a caring community here at UWS,” said Harry Anderson, dean of students and associate vice chancellor. “But now, we’re evolving to meet the challenges of the health crisis happening across the U.S. We’re becoming much more

explicit about how we talk about mental health and how we care for one another. It boils down to creating a better place for all of us.” The university took a giant leap in serving the mental health needs of its students and community members with the creation of the Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being in 2018. With the generous support of its benefactors, Becky ‘65 and Doug Pruitt, it provides proactive preventative mental health care, mindfulness and well-being resources and expertise, learning projects and personal/professional development activities for students, staff and faculty, as well as the greater community. The Pruitt Center is one of only a few of its kind in the nation, which has made UW-Superior a best-practice model for other institutions and the UW System. Anderson and Randy Barker, director for health, counseling and well-being, have presented several times to the UW System Board of Regents and to other education and community leaders about the Pruitt Center and university-wide efforts around training, advocacy and support for its community members. “It’s not just the counseling center’s role and responsibility,” said Barker. “It’s a campus-wide approach to make sure everyone here feels seen, heard, valued and respected. That includes students, staff, faculty and visitors.” This year, the Pruitt Center is piloting a Peer Mentorship Program in which students will be trained to talk with their peers about mental health and well-being

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and share resources. The Pruitt Center is also collaborating with Health and Human Performance faculty to develop a mindfulness and well-being app that will be used as part of the curriculum in Health and Human Performance 102, a general education course required for all students. UW-Superior received generous funding from the Dr. Lydia C. Thering and Ms. Joan L. Hedrick Fund for Academic Enrichment and Excellence for a distinguished lecture series on topics of health and well-being. This year, the first event featured former WNBA star, Chamique Holdsclaw, and former NHL goaltender, Clint Malarchuk, who spoke about their personal mental health struggles and what they have learned. “We also recognize that our faculty and staff’s mental health and well-being has a direct correlation to our students,” said Barker. That sentiment has translated to discussions about HR policies, benefits and other initiatives to support the university’s greatest asset, its people. Lynn Goerdt, social work professor, has been both contributor and beneficiary of the university’s work surrounding mental health and well-being. She is among representatives who have formed a core team in partnership with the Miller-Dwan Foundation to create a plan for an innovative, holistic mental health approach to support people living, working and attending school in Douglas County. This work will further UW-Superior’s leadership role in positively responding to the mental health crisis.

“On a personal level, I faced a very difficult time this past year while my husband was hospitalized and the response I got from the university community was a heartfelt, ‘What do you need?’ It was such a big deal to me,” said Goerdt. “It made it possible for me to be with him every day and maintain my job. To me, that was a personal demonstration of the Culture of Care here at UW-Superior. I am so grateful.” Sudarshan Choudhury, a recent

UW-Superior graduate and now a staff member in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Department, has also experienced the university’s Culture of Care on a personal level.

“A couple years ago, I had to take a break from my academic life to attend to personal family matters,” he said. “During that time, my professors, the staff and my friends at UW-Superior were so helpful and supportive. They went above and beyond to make sure I was doing OK. From welfare checks at the beginning to the continued employment opportunities on my return, everything was provided to me. It showed me that their faith in me was stronger than ever even during the most challenging of times.” “Our work is only just beginning, and we have so much more to do,” said Anderson. “But with our strong history of being a supportive, inclusive campus community and continued creativity and dedication of our administration, staff, faculty and students, UW-Superior will continue to lead the way in the mental health and well-being conversation. It’s that important.”

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We are Superior Strong!

A Message from Jeanne Thompson Vice Chancellor, University Advancement Dear Alumni and Friends of UW-Superior,

After the Together We Are Superior campaign launched virtually due to the pandemic, UW-Superior and the foundation were flexible, innovative, scrappy, determined and most importantly – successful. Concluding the campaign $5 million over goal was an amazing accomplishment thanks to our many generous alumni, friends and business partners.

I hope you enjoyed reading about all the new and exciting initiatives that were funded by the campaign. I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight our scholarship results. With $25.3 million raised, we are able to increase our level of scholarship support to over $1 million per year. While this is a new milestone for the foundation – one we are proud of – our efforts cannot stop. UW-Superior still has a high percentage of first-generation students with high financial need. Many students are still not receiving the scholarship assistance they and their families need. Funding scholarships, whether through the foundation’s general scholarship fund or by establishing a scholarship in honor or memory of an individual, is easy to do. I’d like to highlight two such scholarships. Dennis White Scholarship

Dennis White is a 1969 alumnus who was honored by the Alumni Association in 2017 with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his outstanding career in education and administration in Northern Wisconsin for over 30 years. In 2016, the Wisconsin Indian Education Association recognized White as the Wisconsin Indian Educator of the Year for his lifetime achievements in education and leadership. Linda (Buckley) Dee, Class of 1969, a former classmate of White’s from Kindergarten through college, was present at the Foundation’s Appreciation Dinner in 2017 when White was presented his Distinguished Alumni Award. Soon after, she reached out to former Central High School classmates George Relles and Dennis Deeds to help her fundraise for a Dennis White Scholarship. Together, their efforts have raised over $35,000 from former classmates and friends for an endowed scholarship honoring White. Fundraising efforts continue.

Dr. Charles Kenney Scholarship Charles Kenney was a professor of political science at UW-Superior for 38 years. He had a strong commitment to international education through his involvement in the Soviet Seminar trip, which included trips to the USSR and Eastern Europe, and the Model United Nations Project. In 2011, Kenney was honored with the Alumni Association’s James Rainaldo Mentor Award. Kenney sadly passed away in 2011. A dynamic lecturer, Kenney taught his students how to think through an issue, and despite his professional demeanor, he had a good sense of humor. As a faculty advisor, Kenney was an outstanding mentor and coach, who always had time for his students. Glenn Brazelton and his wife, Pam (Modeen) Brazelton, both 1970 alumni, led efforts to

establish an endowed scholarship in honor and recognition of Kenney’s outstanding career and the positive influence he had on so many. Their efforts included reaching out to political science alumni and those who participated in the Soviet Union seminars and trips. To date, over $33,000 has been raised and, like the Dennis White Scholarship, fundraising efforts continue. These two examples of alumni and friends coming together to provide scholarship assistance to UW-Superior students is philanthropy at its finest. We’re all Superior strong – and proud of it! To support scholarships at the UW-Superior Foundation, go to uwsuper.edu/give.

Jeanne Thompson

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You can now make a tax-deductible donation through your PayPal and Venmo accounts at uwsuper.edu/give.

Consider a gift to the Superior Fund today!

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E ach fall the Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni, faculty, staff and community members. Through their personal and professional accomplishments, they represent the lasting value of the university and the Alumni Association. The awards were presented at the annual appreciation dinner on September 22, hosted by the UW-Superior Foundation and Alumni Association. 2022 Alumni Association Awards

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni whose successes serve as an inspiration for current and prospective students. This year’s recipient is Kate (Tarman) Swenson, class of 2006. Swenson graduated from UWS with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She worked for local nonprofits for 10 years and moved to the Twin Cities after the family’s oldest son was diagnosed with autism. Swenson is the founder of the popular blog, “Finding Cooper's Voice,” and the co-founder of the nonprofit, “The More Than Project.” Founded in 2021, it is the overseeing body for “The More Than a Caregiver Project,” which provides free mental health counseling services to caregivers; “The More Than a Sibling Scholarship Program,” which offers funds to siblings of children with disabilities; and “The More

Than a Teacher Initiative,” which aims to provide fully equipped sensory spaces for teachers who are in need. Swenson writes and creates videos regularly about her life as a mother and an autism advocate for social media and her website, “Finding Cooper's Voice,” and has engaged audiences around the country with her stories. Her national bestselling book, “Forever Boy: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy,” highlights the transformation that she went through after her son's diagnosis. Swenson has been featured by “The Today Show” and “Twin Cities Live” and regularly writes for “Her View From Home,” “Today Parents” and “Love What Matters.” Swenson created a support group for thousands of autism families to come together both virtually and in person to share, connect, educate and support each other. Her Facebook and Instagram pages have a combined one million followers.

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Young Alumni Achievement Award

Dr. Michael Harman, class of 2013, is the recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award, which is presented to alumni who have graduated within the last 15 years and are under the age of 40. These recent alumni have had significant accomplishments in one or more of several categories, including professional achievement, published research and community engagement. After earning his bachelor’s degree in communication and psychology from UWS, Harman went on to receive his master’s in 2015 and doctorate in 2018 in psychology-behavior analysis, both from UW-Milwaukee. While at UWM, he served as president of two graduate student organizations and received three awards from the Mid-American Association for Behavior Analysis for his graduate research.

Harman joined Briar Cliff University in 2018 and is an assistant professor of psychology and program director for the behavior analysis major. He also serves pro bono as the director of the Behavior Analysis Clinic, is the director of the Siouxland Research Center, a doctoral-level board-certified behavior analyst and a licensed behavior analyst in Iowa. His students’ work is frequently recognized at local, regional and national conferences and published in major journals. Harman is on the editorial board for “The Analysis of Verbal Behavior” and serves as a guest reviewer for “Behavior Modification” and “The Psychological Record.” In 2019, Briar Cliff awarded him the Emerging Scholar Award, and he received the Community Impact Award in 2021. Harman was also recognized in 2021 as one of The Siouxland Magazine’s Top 10 Under 40.

James Rainaldo Mentor Award

Dr. Maria Cuzzo is the recipient of this year’s James Rainaldo Mentor Award. This award recognizes current or retired faculty and staff members who have touched the lives of UW-Superior students and alumni in a unique and significant way.

Cuzzo has positively impacted so many through teaching and professional development over the past 28 years. As a highly committed advisor and mentor, she assisted hundreds of UW-Superior students in the legal studies and criminal justice majors. A faculty member for more than 25 years, Cuzzo was the founding coordinator of the legal studies program, which built upon her professional background as an academic, lawyer and mediator. She also established and served as the director of the Markwood Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, which focused on providing professional development to instructor and academic staff to enhance their abilities to better serve students. During her time at UWS, Cuzzo has led and participated in many initiatives to improve the student experience, including serving as coach of the national- and regional-winning mock trial team and mentoring McNair and SURF scholars for undergraduate research projects on a range of law and justice issues. In addition, she was highly engaged in the Pre-Law Society and the Criminal Justice Honor Society for decades and created countless community research partnerships for criminal justice seniors. Cuzzo has been honored for her work and mentorship many times, and her awards include the UW-Superior TRIO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity; UW-Superior Honor Society Teacher of Excellence Award; Outstanding Student Organization Advisor; Wisconsin Teaching Scholar for UW-Superior/OPID; UW-Superior Spirit of Superior Award; UW-Superior Outstanding Service Award and the UW-Superior Outstanding Mentor Award. First serving as the interim, Cuzzo became the Provost/Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs in December 2021.

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WASHINGTON COMES TO UW-SUPERIOR Historic event as President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visit campus

A historic day unfolded at the University of Wisconsin-Superior as President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the campus on Wednesday, March 2, the day after his first State of the Union address. The event also included Superior Mayor Jim Paine, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin and Minnesota Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, along with governors Tony Evers of Wisconsin and Tim Walz of Minnesota. Several UW-Superior students got the chance to sit on stage directly behind the podium at the invitation-only event hosted by the White House at Yellowjacket Union. We caught up with some of them before and after the event to get their impressions. These are their own words. Dillion Krisik Secondary Social Studies Education Major “I was pretty calm during the whole thing, but I was excited to see all the officials. I also felt proud to sit behind him because I would be seen on national television wearing a traditional Ojibwe ribbon shirt. The reason this made me feel so proud was because I could express my cultural identity for everyone to see and I believe it could empower other Native American people to take pride in their culture.”

Brianna Vigil Social Work Major

“Honestly, and I say it with absolute sincerity, I was extremely honored to be there and represent UW- Superior. It will be one of my life’s greatest honors. I felt proud that he chose the smallest UW System four-year university and it just goes to show that the White House feels we are precious and important. I’m involved with student life and I am president of the Student Government Association on campus and I am a campus ambassador for the admissions office. I chose to move five hours away from home to go to UW-Superior and I’ve never regretted that decision. As a social work major with a Spanish minor, I know it’s important to be an advocate for things I care about. This experience just helped me be proud of the things I’m doing and motivated me to stay on track. Sometimes I feel like I’m spending time on things that might not be showing results but hearing the president and the three women senators speak was very influential and inspiring.”

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Pratham Mundra Business Administration - Management Major “It is so great to have the most powerful person in the world here on our campus. It was just unbelievable to me when I got an invitation to attend. To be honest, I didn’t even believe it at first, I was skeptical that it was real. I feel like this experience adds to my education and will benefit me in the future if I ever get to meet someone important like this again or be in this type of situation.”

Claire Stangle Psychology Major “I was happy UW-Superior was given the exposure of a national event. I am proud that our small community works together to produce big change. The university is an awesome resource for its students and the community and that should be highlighted and celebrated. It was interesting to see how coordinated everything has to be for a presidential visit. We interacted with some of the White House staffers and could watch how the Secret Service coordinated details. There were a lot of people involved and details that had to come together really quickly to make it all happen.”

Rina Yamamoto Elementary Education Major

“When I learned the president was coming, it didn’t feel real. It was such an honor to be selected to attend. When I found out it was because someone recommended me as a good representative of the university, it added to the honor. No one knew what to expect when we walked into the Yellowjacket Union, and when I got there and was sitting on stage, it finally hit me how big this opportunity was. My heart was pounding, and my legs were shaking the whole time he was in front of us. I kept saying in my head, ‘That is the president of the United States, and he’s standing in our student union, like 20 feet in front of me!’”

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A historic present, a nod to the past and an exciting future – all things that can describe the last 12 months for Yellowjacket Athletics. The present saw current Yellowjacket sports teams add more to the trophy case of the Marcovich Wellness Center. The nod to the past came with the induction of the 2022 class into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Perhaps the most exciting piece, however, is the look to the future and the upcoming construction of the university’s new stadium. Finally Found a Home The Yellowjacket men’s and women’s soccer teams have led a nomadic existence, playing home games at eight different fields in the last ten years. That is about to change, however, as plans have been announced to construct a stadium on the UW- Superior campus, just north of the Marcovich Wellness Center. The construction, expected to begin in spring 2023, will give the men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as the men’s and women’s track and field teams, the home they have longed for.

“It’s no secret we have needed this facility for a long time, so it is really exciting to see years of planning coming to fruition in a project that will give our soccer and track and field athletes the home they deserve,” UW-Superior Athletics Director Nick Bursik said. “The facility will not only benefit our athletic programs, but the entire university and the community as a whole.” Equally as exciting as the construction itself is the million-dollar gift from Superior Choice Credit Union to secure the stadium’s naming rights. “Superior Choice Credit Union has been a tremendous corporate partner of ours for many years, and to have them involved with this project only strengthens the partnership,” Bursik said. “They have come to the table with some great ideas and we’re excited to see this project through with them as the naming sponsor.” The anticipated opening of Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium is slated for September 2023. continued

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Hall of Fame Class of 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the regularly scheduled UW-Superior Athletic Hall of Fame induction in 2021, and the class of six individuals and one team had to wait a year to take their rightful place among the university’s athletics elite. Gubio Henrique: three-year men’s soccer standout who held the school scoring record for over a decade. Sally Linzmeier: arguably the greatest women’s basketball player in school history who holds numerous school records and was named All-American multiple times. Samantha Birman: outstanding track and field athlete who qualified for the NCAA Championships in both the indoor and outdoor seasons and earned All-American honors in 2005.

Jimmy Kivisto – Mertz Mortorelli Coaching Achievement Award Recipient: longtime girls softball coach at Hurley (Wisconsin) High School who posted a record of 520-143 in 33 seasons. Ken Olson – Carl Vergamini Contributions to Yellowjacket Athletics Award Recipient: retired sportswriter and sports editor from the Superior Telegram, who covered Yellowjacket sports for 27 years. Dr. Chris Bell – Dr. Lydia Thering Meritorious Service Award: owner of Impact Sports Training/IST CrossFit in Duluth who has dedicated his career to helping people achieve physical and mental health through exercise. 2007-08 Women’s Hockey Team – Team Award: first Yellowjacket women’s hockey team to reach the NCAA Frozen Four, finishing fourth in the country with a record of 22-4-1.

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Stockpiling Hardware It was another banner year for Yellowjacket sports teams in 2021-22, or more accurately, a ten-banner year. In a show of dominance, Yellowjacket sports teams combined to claim ten Upper Midwest Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. Women’s soccer and men’s tennis swept the regular season and tournament titles, the first such championships for both programs. Men’s soccer claimed both the regular season and tournament championships, pushing their run to four straight regular season and five straight tournament championships. Men’s cross country, men’s indoor track and field and men’s outdoor track and field each raised a banner, as did softball, winning the UMAC regular season title for the first time in program history. The athletic excellence was punctuated with UW-Superior claiming the UMAC’s Jerome Kruse All Sports Trophy for the first time in school history.

Individually, Yellowjacket student-athletes claimed 19 major awards from the UMAC and the WIAC, plus five coaches were named the conference’s coach of the year. UW-Superior also boasted its first All-American since 2016, when men’s hockey player Artur Terchiyev earned AHCA All-American Second Team honors. In the classroom, Yellowjacket student-athletes again outperformed the general student population, posting a cumulative grade point average of 3.293. In total, 171 student-athletes received academic all- conference recognition from the UMAC and WIAC, with sophomore women’s soccer player Niya Wilson being named Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America. “Our student-athletes are committed to success, both in the classroom and in the athletic arena, and as a group they put together one of the best years in the history of our university,” Bursik said. “All of the honors, from championships to individual awards to the Kruse trophy are a testament to their hard work and dedication to being their best.”

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UW-Superior has added a new major, business analytics, to its portfolio of more than 50 undergraduate majors and minors. The program will prepare students to meet the rapidly growing demand for trained professionals in nearly every industry who can analyze and interpret data to inform strategic decisions. “Analytics has been utilized in business for many years now,” said Mei Cao, director of the UWS School of Business and Economics. “However, with data sets growing larger and technology becoming more powerful, there is a need for professionals that understand the tools and processes to make use of this data in a meaningful way. While the School of Business and Economics has already been incorporating some business analytics into our current curriculum, this program will give students the opportunity to go more in-depth and prepare for career opportunities in the field.” The business analytics program is available as a major or minor beginning fall semester 2022 and is offered in an on-campus format. Curriculum focuses on identifying business problems and opportunities using analytic tools and techniques, and how to use data to drive decision-making. Students also learn computer visualization methods and how to effectively communicate recommendations to stakeholders. To learn more, visit uwsuper.edu/businessanalytics. UW-Superior introduces new business analytics major

A new wave of renovations for UW-Superior are potentially on the horizon with two projects that could become beneficial for both the campus and community. “The potential Belknap and 28th Street projects explore how UW-Superior can work with partners to create community assets and revitalize underutilized areas on campus,” said Jenice Meyer, senior strategic partnerships officer and director of The Link Center at UW-Superior. “If successful, the project will further create a campus that is attractive to current and future students, enhancing their curricular and out-of-classroom experiences, while simultaneously responding to external community and regional needs.” The project includes two potential areas of development near campus. The nearly 8-acre Belknap site includes the potential redevelopment of the unused Ole Haugsrud Stadium and surrounding area to include an indoor turf field. The 28th Street Project involves the possibility of an expanded Wessman Arena with outdoor competition fields on its nearly 15 acres. Its location across Catlin Ave. from Superior High School would complete the current athletics corridor between UW-Superior and the high school. Two proposed projects poised to benefit UW-Superior and the community

UW-Superior bids farewell to several distinguished retiring faculty members

As UW-Superior’s spring semester ended, it would signal goodbyes to this year’s graduates. However, this past spring also included fond farewells to several distinguished retiring faculty members with 20 or more years at the university. The list includes Karl Bahm, Cathy Fank, Shaun Lynch and Richard Stewart (pictured below).

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Inaugural Thering-Hedrick Lecture Series a huge success

Faculty, staff, students and community members filled Old Main’s Thorpe Langley Auditorium on Wednesday, September 21, for the inaugural Thering- Hedrick Lecture Series. Funded with a generous endowment gift by former faculty members Lydia Thering and Joan Hedrick, the goal of the lecture series is to enhance the visibility of the institution with areas of focus being health, wellness and community relevant topics for the enrichment of the campus community and greater Twin Ports region. Mental health awareness and education was selected by the Thering-Hedrick Lecture Advisory Committee to be the focus for the first few lectures – which brought WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist Chamique Holdsclaw and former NHL goaltender and coach Clint Malarchuk, both mental health advocates, to campus to share their personal journeys.

The Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) recently received a five-year cooperative agreement and funding for the first year at a level of $7,965,000 from the United States Department of Transportation Maritime Administration. The funding is intended to further current efforts that address curtailment of aquatic nuisance species within the Great Lakes related to ballast water operations and other aquatic nuisance species issues associated with commercial shipping. The agreement supports the continuation of the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the LSRI Great Waters Research Collaborative’s (GWRC) work on the EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan and the seven-year research effort, the Great Lakes Ballast Water Research and Development Plan, which is being implemented to support the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) and Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Invasive Species Program (GLLCISP) goals. “LSRI’s GWRC is a program devoted to objective, third-party research to support sustainable industrial, commercial and public use of the nation’s Great Waters, particularly via green shipping,” said Matt TenEyck, LSRI director. “The primary focus of the GWRC is on preventing new ballast water introductions of invasive species in the Great Lakes and other Great Waters.” Lake Superior Research Institute receives nearly $8 million in funding

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