New Schools Enhance Learning, Networking, and Career Exploration at UW-Stevens Point! - UWSP
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WINTER 2020-21
New Schools Enhance Learning, Networking,
and Career Exploration at UW-Stevens Point!
The 2020 Fall semester ushered staff, and students are enthused
in a reorganization of programs School of Design and to begin this new transformation of
within the College of Fine Arts and Communication disciplines within the college. They
Communication, offering students Art • Graphic Design are aware that not all students
the opportunity to explore a wide • Interior Architecture • Media Studies come to college with a set career
range of new collaborations to • Professional Communication path. Many have an interest in
prepare for 21st century careers. exploring various curricula under a
The reorganization, which
School of Performing Arts larger “umbrella” of related fields
welcomes faculty and students Music • Theatre • Dance to find a career path that best suits
from the Division of Interior • Arts Management their interests. By bringing together
closely-related programs and their
Architecture to the college, was Suzuki Programs respective faculty and students
approved by the UW Board of
Aber Suzuki Center into closer proximity, the college
Regents in June.
American Suzuki Institute seeks to encourage more highly
In addition to the reorganization integrated curricular programs and
of the college, the Board of experiential learning activities—
Regents approved the elevation intended to strengthen visibility of
experiences designed to better
of two programs from emphasis the two programs, with the long-
prepare our students for careers in
areas to majors: BFA in Graphic view toward increasing student
the contemporary work place.
Design and the BA in Media enrollment.
Studies. The elevation to majors is Members of the COFAC faculty, Learn more here!
COFAC Advisory Council Members Contribute Expertise
Members of the COFAC Advisory Council have been actively engaged in assisting the college with
ideas and strategies to enhance Marketing, Alumni Connections, and the development of a Fund
Raising Campaign in support of COFAC students and programs. We are grateful to this group of
community members and alumni for their ongoing involvement and support!
Amy Bakken John Noel Bill Schierl (chair)
Sue Buck Patty Noel Dianne Somers
Lucas Allen Buick Barbara Owens Ryan Wanta
Kristopher Gasch Jerry Pintar Greg Wright
Susan Gingrasso (secretary) Nick Reising
Message from Dean Valerie Cisler
Impressive!
That is my single-word reaction to
how our students, faculty and staff
have handled the many challenges
of 2020. I have been especially
impressed by the creative and
collaborative response to teaching,
learning, and performing during COFAC Faculty and Students
a historic pandemic. Faculty and
staff crafted unique solutions to keep face-to-
Find Creative Solutions to Teaching
face applied learning in art/design studio, acting, and Learning during COVID
dance, media, and music, while also adapting to
Despite the many obstacles that happened
offer lectures and lessons fully online. As students
because of COVID this fall, our students were able
wanted to remain in-person on campus as much as
to be enriched through their classes in many ways.
possible, they carefully considered their choices to
Check out the links below!
maintain health and safety. Extensive coordination
on our campus made this possible—through regular
• UWSP Concert Choir and Choral Union
testing, frequent cleaning, contact tracing, and
quarantine options. • UWSP AIGA Portfolio Reviews with alumni
At the heart of all disciplines in our college is a life-
long journey centered on a purpose and passion • What you need is UWSP Media Studies
to connect with others—human expression in many student project
forms. While we feared the pandemic might pose
• UWSP Dance Flash Mob
obstacles too great to overcome, our students and
faculty found many ways to connect, to create, • UWSP Symphony Orchestra
and to express. They inspired one another with
new works of art and explored alternative delivery • FRINGE 2020: all our little pieces
methods like prerecorded media and virtual by Sophie McIntosh
performances and exhibitions to engage with the
campus and regional community.
Music Education Students Reach Out
When the world brings us tragedy and division,
creatives have always found a way to explore to Public School Teachers and Students
the deepest parts of themselves, share both Music Education students in Dr. Patrick Lawrence’s
beauty and angst, and help each other feel Instrumental Music Education Methods class found
seen and understood. There is no doubt that the a creative way to fulfill their pre-service practicum
challenges we have faced profoundly shaped experience by developing a dynamic website for
student experiences and their work this year. music teachers to utilize when teaching in various
Throughout the difficulties, the pandemic has modalities. The website includes a significant
offered some valuable lessons on the importance number of resources and activities including Music
Theory/Musicology sites; Intermediate Masterclasses
of empathy, kindness, and compassion—that our
on specific instruments; Music Technology Lessons
interconnectedness requires a conscious decision
(Chrome Music Lab, Audacity Recording software,
to take personal responsibility for our actions. Listening Examples) along with a link to book free
At every level on this campus, our students, virtual private lessons to public school students via
faculty, and staff deserve credit for creating a Zoom.
safe environment and rising to the challenges of
Music teachers reported that the enhanced
division, intolerance, and a life-threatening virus learning experiences had positive impact on their
through creative, unifying expression. The value of students, especially through personal connections
this cannot be quantified. Instead, it speaks to an with UWSP students in one-on-one lessons. Dr.
essential quality of our university, where resilience Lawrence plans to keep the site open as many
and determination are part of the shared learning UWSP students plan to continue their work with
environment. Impressive. young students into the coming year.
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Theatre and Dance Season Online for 2020-2021
Theatre Production
Selected for Regional Festival
In This Moment—Reflections of Our Time was selected
from among twenty entries to be featured at the
Region III Kennedy Center American College Theatre
Festival (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio) in
January. The virtual festival will be held from January
6-9, 2021 and will include screenings of each of
the five performances, special guest presentations,
workshops, and an awards ceremony. UWSP will
be kicking off the festival with the In This Moment –
Reflections Of Our Time screening on January 6 at 2 become available
p.m. The festival supports opportunities for students to from the Region III
meet peers across the region, participate in valuable Festival planning
workshops and learning opportunities, and compete committee.
for scholarships in acting, design, and management.
This Moment –
While all of the student designers and stage managers Reflections Of Our
from all our productions are invited to submit materials Time offers a perfect
to be included in the Design, Technology, and example of how our
Management competitions, ACTF respondents have students and faculty
selected six UWSP students to compete in the Irene turned a global
Ryan Acting Scholarship competition. challenge into a
Student actors from Unruly Women and Unfinished learning opportunity.
Business include Lanja Andriamihaja, Landen Alft, and
Stephanie Lowry-Ortega and student actors selected Department of Theatre & Dance
from In This Moment – Reflections Of Our Time are
Allison Durst, Collan Simmons, and Josephine Van Ert. Advocacy, Allyship & Access
Festival participation details will be shared as they Learn more here.
UW-Stevens Point
Department of Theatre & Dance
Spring 2021
Virtual Season
Small DANSTAGE
THE LAST DAYS OF
of the songs of
WONDERS
2021
“Irving Berlin has no place
A fun evening of short plays, in American music. He is
If Jesus forgave Peter, why not Judas? both naughty and nice! American music.”
(Jerome Kern, Broadway/Hollywood Composer)
By Stephen Adly Guirgis By Rich Orloff Directed by Mark Hanson Gorgeous dancing,
Directed by Parke Fech Directed by Stephen Trovillion Smith Music Directed by Sarah Wussow inspiring premieres!
February 26-28, 2021 April 23-30, 2021 April 2-9, 2021 May 14-21, 2021
* reading
tickets.uwsp.edu
715-346-4100
Virtural performances streaming through Vimeo. uwsp.edu/theatre-dance
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CHECK OUT OUR 2020 Student Highlight
STUDENTS WORK School of Design and Communication
Isolation
Congratulations go to Art + Design
student, Karen Drewry, who was
awarded 2020 Outstanding Student
refraction.design - Achievement in Contemporary
Sculpture Honorable Mention by the
UWSP Graphic Design Portfolio Show International Sculpture Center (ISC).
This prestigious competition had 217
students from over 100 colleges and
university sculpture programs in North
America and abroad. Jurors included
María Carolina Baulo, art historian,
curator, and arts writer-critic from Buenos Aires, Argentina;
2020 Spring Art & Design Angel Cabrales, artist and educator from El Paso, TX; and
Virtual Exhibition Peyton Scott Russell, artist and arts instructor from Minneapolis,
MN.
In addition, Karen was invited to participate in The Beauty of
Blackness Fine Art show in Fort Collins. Here is a YouTube video
of the show.
See more of Karen’s work and read her artist statement online
2020 UWSP Interior Architecture at Karen Drewry – UWSP BFA exhibition.
Spring Senior Portfolio Show
2020 UWSP Interior Architecture
Fall Senior Portfolio Show
2020 Cinepoint Media Festival
May 2020 Dance 496
Final Media Projects
UWSP Dance Students Create
Socially Distanced Dance Project
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HANNAH CLARK Alumni
2020 Melvin R. Laird Exceptional Artist Award HIGHLIGHTS
We are pleased to announce the • Mindy Hoppe ‘07 Interior
2020 recipient of the Melvin R. Laird Architecture, received the
Exceptional Artist Award: Hannah ATHENA Young Professional
Clark. With a long-term goal to work Leadership Award.
as a freelance designer for regional
theatre, Hannah just completed her • Matthieu Vollmer ‘12
BA in Drama at UWSP and will begin Communication, owner
Northwestern University’s MFA program of Arbre was selected to
in stage design this fall. Responding compete in the pitching
to the COVID-19 crisis, Hannah began
contest, where they will
to re-imagine how she might pursue
design while productions have been show off their technological
halted. With support from the Laird creations.
award, she is undertaking a project • Nicole Kronzer, ‘01 Acting
to meld theatre history and modern
recently published book
design in creating and sharing
multiple staging interpretations for Unscripted was named “Best
Shakespeare’s The Tempest. In addition to bolstering her portfolio Teen Fiction of 2020” by the
with new work in preparation for graduate school, the project Chicago Public Library.
will serve as an educational resource for students studying theatre
• Carolyn Stoner ‘01 Arts
design. Congratulations, Hannah! Learn more about the Melvin
R. Laird Exceptional Artist Award and previous winners by visiting management, was named
here. as Chorus Manager for the
Chicago Symphony Chorus.
CONGRATULATIONS • Laura Lydia Paruzynski ‘20,
Musical Theatre, First place
To Our Spring 2020 Scholarship Winners winner at NATS nationals.
To view the scholarship video, click on the graphic. • Craig Peterson ‘05, Music
Education, is a quarter finalist
for the 2021 Music Educator
Award.
• Teri (Bailey) Swinhart ‘12, 3D
Art, was WGS Featured Artist.
• Haley Haupt ‘16, Musical
Theatre, release her first
digital album _aughter.
Call For Alumni News
We invite Alumni of the College
of Fine Arts and Communication
to share news with us. We plan to
include feature stories in upcoming
newsletters and would be pleased
to hear from you. Please contact
our Marketing Specialist, Julie Sittler,
jsittler@uwsp.edu to nominate
a fellow Pointer graduate or to
provide an update on your career
highlights.
5
Happening Now Aber Suzuki Center News
The Aber Suzuki Center has a long history of
providing music to Senior Centers and assisted living
facilities during the Holiday Season. Unfortunately,
they could not make their usual visits and perform
live concerts this year. Instead, they created
Very Young Composers this special video of student performances for
is virtual for the first time! workers and residents at assisted living centers and
Veteran’s Homes around the state. Each student
Classes began January 4, 2021 and run through recorded their own video, while staying safe at
January 22 ending with a virtual celebration and home, and Aber Suzuki Center stitched them
showcase of participants’ compositions from 4-6 together into a kind of “musical quilt” and share it
p.m. Learn more here. via email and Suzuki newsletter.
SPTV | UWSP STUDENT TELEVISION American Suzuki Institute
During the semester, SPTV has a full line-up of shows
that can be watched via their website or Facebook
page, check them out!
WWSP 90 FM
You can listen to them on the air or
through Wifi on Tune In. Visit their July 24, 2021
webpage to find their schedule, meet
the staff and learn about upcoming
events. Don’t forget to follow their ASI 2021 and
Facebook page.
50TH ANNIVERSARY
THE POINTER July 18-24 and July 25-31
LEARN
Student Newspaper
Jubilee Celebration - July 24
Check out UWSP Student run newspaper to read
about local and UWSP new. You can subscribe by
vising their website, or read individual articles on
MORE
We have learned that the future can be uncertain.
We also have learned that planning is synonymous
their Facebook page. with hope. While COVID-19 continues to ravage
the world, the hope of a vaccine is giving ASI the
courage to plan for an in-person Institute and
UWSP PUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENT Jubilee Celebration. However, ASI is also planning
SOCIETY OF AMERICA (PRSSA) for virtual delivery, if that is needed to ensure the
This past fall, PRSSA stayed very active in spite of safety of families, teachers and staff.
COVID ofering workshops and even collecting Details about format and delivery might change,
money to donate to the Humane Society but they will be offering an Institute this year -
of Portage County. To learn more about what whether you come here, or they come to you.
activites they will be having this spring, visit their We will keep you apprised of the situation through
Facebook Page. email and on this website. Registration is projected
to be open in early February.
The UW-Stevens Point Opera Workshop presents
Don Impresario di Figaro: University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
A Medley of Mozart Madness College of Fine Arts and Communication
1800 Portage Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481
A virtual production of Mozart scenes
715-346-4920 cofac@uwsp.edu
Spring 2021 www.uwsp.edu/cofac
Learn More
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Other News
New fully-online Master of Honoring our 2020
Music Education program Faculty and Staff Retirees
hits the ground running! COFAC faculty, students, and staff wish to give
After more than two years of planning and special thanks to a number of recent retirees from
curricular revisions, the Department of Music is the UWSP three campuses: Larry Ball, Art History
pleased to announce that its new fully online MME (Stevens Point), Jackie Engum (Dean’s Assistant),
degree program has successfully launched this fall. Tom Flemming, Art (Wausau), Joan Karlen, Dance,
The traditional (in person) program, which normally (Stevens Point), Kitty Kingston, Art (Marshfield), Sarah
enrolled five or six students per year, has already Rudolph, Theatre (Wausau), John Strassburg, Dance
now grown to eighteen graduate students, with Accompanist (Stevens Point). We were planning a
another five enrolled in the 4+1 program (bachelors celebration in May, along with what would have
plus masters in five years). For more information: been our 2nd annual retired faculty/staff reunion,
https://www.uwsp.edu/MME to honor their many years of service to the UWSP
campuses and the greater community in which they
Offerings of Peace each served—each for more than three decades.
Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented our meeting
On December 14, the Department of Music
face-to-face. We plan on extending an invitation
began “Offerings of Peace”—a daily series of
to each of these much beloved members of our
short, creative videos featuring music students and
COFAC family to join us in celebration as soon as it
faculty. These offerings were inspired by the @the_
is safe to congregate. In the meantime, we extend
peace_studio’s recent “100 Offerings of Peace” in
our gratitude and best wishes to these remarkable
response to the isolating COVID-19 pandemic and
colleagues and friends—all of whom made an
the revolution for racial justice. Each day, you will
extraordinary contribution to the quality and
see peace offerings that take up to five minutes to
reputation of this college.
experience, as well as a short biography about the
artist who created the offering. On some days, you
will also see a call-to-action from the artist. This will
be a small, tangible thing we can all do in our daily
lives to create peace. Visit UWSP Music Facebook
Honoring Donald Greene
Page to learn more. We mourn the passing of Donald Greene, emeritus
department chair of music and director of bands,
Vocal Jazz Student Winners who died Oct. 3 at age 90. Greene joined the
music faculty at UW-Stevens Point in 1967, serving as
Congratulations to Faith Hatch and Lexie Lakmann
chairman of the department for 20 of 28 years. He
on being selected as award recipients for the 43rd
retired in 1995, after years of service as a conductor,
Annual Downbeat Student Music Awards!
clinician, music educator and administrator. He
This international award competition is the largest founded the UW-Stevens Point Wind Ensemble,
and most prestigious in the jazz world, drawing Jazz Ensemble, and the Jazz Studies degree.
thousands of recorded submissions annually. Great Chancellor Keith Sanders declared Feb. 2, 1995,
work, students! as Don Greene Day on campus to recognize his
achievements. He was also a founding member of
Plan now to attend the Symphony Guild that established the Central
one of our events! Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. He conducted the
symphony for five years and the Stevens Point City
Band for 15 years. Don and his wife Diana could be
seen at nearly every music concert during the 25
years since his retirement—continuing his life-long
2021
devotion to supporting our students and faculty. For
those who wish to honor Don Greene’s memory, the
family requested that donations may be made to
A Student Scholarship Fundraiser
the UWSP Foundation—Music Scholarship Fund.
Visit artsbash.com to learn more
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Please Support the College of Fine Arts and
Communication: Focus on Student Success
The COFAC is in the midst of a multi-year transformation quality programs that are recognized nationally
as we work to contemporize our curricular programs for both academic and artistic excellence. One of
and create a long-term, sustainable future for our high- the hallmarks of the COFAC experience lies in its
impact experiential practices that help our students high level of faculty-mentored, hands-on learning
prepare for 21st century career pathways. Beyond the experiences outside the classroom. These practical,
curricular revisions, our primary focus this year is in two high impact practices have been central to the
areas directly related to student success: Scholarships success of our alumni in their careers—experiences
and Hands-on Learning Experiences. in areas such as community art commissions, local/
regional performances, student-teaching, design
Student Scholarships projects, student-run media, exhibitions, workplace
For many years, students of the COFAC have been communication, and arts management internships—
recipients of a significant number of competitive to name a sampling—have been central to the
academic/talent scholarships. Primary funding for success our alumni achieve in their careers.
these new and returning student scholarships has We hope that you will consider helping us sustain
come directly from ticket sales for performances and these high-impact practices and standards of
community events sponsored by the college. Due to excellence for our majors—opportunities that extend
the pandemic, the loss in ticket sales in 2020 is estimated to students from all majors across the campus and to
at $55,000, impacting more than 100 students. tens of thousands of regional community members
Financial support for our students is more important who attend our events as audiences members and
than ever as the pandemic’s impact on family active participants. Vibrant engagement is at the
finances and student employment has created an core of the college and university mission!
unprecedented challenge to their ability to pay for There are a number of ways you can help our students
tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board. and programs. To make a direct gift to the college
We hope that you will consider a contribution to our or any of its departments, please go to the following
scholarship funds to help make it possible for our website: GIVE to COFAC. To learn about establishing
students to continue their education. a new endowment fund or planned giving options
for the college or any of its programs, please contact
Hands-on Learning Experiences Maggie Marquardt, COFAC Director of Development,
We are very proud of our long-established, high at Maggie.Marquardt@uwsp.edu or 715-346-3056.
Your Support Makes a Difference!
In 2020, fund raising efforts were primarily directed
to rebuild enrollment in Art & Design through
student scholarships and in support of the facilities
development of the new School of Design and
Communication. Several new art/design students
were awarded $1,000 scholarships with the generous
help of Bill Schierl and Sarena Merlotte, Nick and
Dianne Somers, Lora Hagen (alumna and daughter
of former Art Professor, Richard Schneider), and the
COFAC Fund for Excellence. purpose workspace with drafting, printing, and special
Another generous gift of $50,000 from Dave and project space. The equipment, lab, and classroom will
Cindy Worth to the COFAC Fund for Excellence enable both utility and flexibility to spaces shared by
enabled the college to move forward on its plans students in Theatre Design and Technology and the
to upgrade equipment and renovate a number of new Design Foundation curriculum (required for Art,
spaces to accommodate revised curriculum. The Graphic Design, and Interior Architecture students).
college was able to purchase multi-use drafting tables The remainder of the gift will be directed toward
and begin the renovation process that will transform needed equipment in the college.
NFAC 126 into a PC lab and NFAC 215 into a multi- Learn more about the donation here.
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