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Articles by Cy Siegert
Pancakes for kids
The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club brought the community together with pancakes at the Whitewater Armory Saturday April 29 with hot syrupy pancakes, salty bacon and lots of smiles. The organization partnered with several other organizations to put on tons of fun events, creating an exciting day for families. Volunteers came from the UW-Whitewater Circle K, kids from Whitewater High School, and other area Kiwanis organizations.
Double major, 3.5 years, debt free and hired before graduation — How’d she do that? - Royal Purple
Denise Olson, Journalist, UW-Eau Claire If you ask senior accounting and information systems student Grace Olson how she managed to complete a double major in under four years and will graduate with a job in hand and no loan debt to pay, she will likely attribute it to the fact that she “likes to stay busy.” To say she “stayed busy” would be an understatement.
A surprise spring lesson
I’m putting the blame squarely on Mother Nature’s shoulders, but it’s happening again this year, despite my best efforts to prevent it. Despite a brief tease of spring that was more like summer, the lingering cold weather and rain has once again brought on that overwhelming feeling that there are too many things to do and not enough time to get them done. The calendar is creeping quickly towards May and the vegetable garden has not been prepared.
Arbor Day tree planted in memory of UW-W alum
“I closed my camera bag today for the indefinite future,” said 2016 UW-Whitewater graduate Amber Levenhagen in her senior-sendoff piece with the Royal Purple. “The million dollar question: what’s next?” Throughout her time at UW-Whitewater, Levenhagen was known for her love of nature and photography. Following graduation, she was employed as the community reporter and photographer for the Unified Newspaper Group in Verona.
Almost There... - Royal Purple
A comic created in honor of former UW-W student and official party animal John Belushi
School board welcomes new members
Josh Stoughton, Community Editor The Whitewater Unified School District School Board has new members joining its ranks this spring. Larry Katchel became president, Maryann Zimmerman was elected as vice-president, Stephanie Hicks became clerk, Miguel Aranda as treasurer and Jaclyn Tueting as secretary.
Business is booming in Whitewater
The city of Whitewater has been known as a town of business and entrepreneurship throughout history. And it’s been proven true the past few years with new business after new business opening its doors in town. “At the end of summer last year, there was the Tealux cafe. We have the Dollar General that went in. A new jewelry store, there’s a new tattoo parlor out on Janesville street, and a quilting store On The Bias Designs opened up in the last few months – they’re also out on Janesville Street.
'The best decision I ever made'
Ryan Baker, Mens Sports Editor It’s been a crazy couple of years. I came into the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater two years ago not knowing a single soul. I was mainly online my first year, and wasn’t involved on campus because I didn’t live in the city. Starting this past year was just like starting at a completely new school. I found the Royal Purple, the ultimate frisbee team, and started to strengthen relationships with professors.
'Unconditional thanks' - Royal Purple
Cy Siegert, Multimedia Manager First and foremost I would just like to express to Dr. Zukas, as well as the rest of the Royal Purple team my unconditional thanks. This opportunity has helped me evolve my professional skillset a great deal, and I have many fond memories to take with me into the next chapter of my life from the Royal Purple.
Warhawks leave the nest
Graduation Libby Nabhan, Assistant Campus News Editor It’s time for our senior Warhawks to reach new heights outside the sacred walls of UW-Whitewater. This semester’s spring commencement ceremony will take place Saturday, May 13 in the Kachel Fieldhouse of the Williams Center.
Take a chance because it's all worth it in the end
It feels as if I have lived a lifetime just in my four years here at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. I began my journey living on campus my freshman year before being thrown into online learning. Like many students, I persevered and came back in person to achieve my bachelor’s. Now with graduation just around the corner, I look back at my time here at UW-W and bittersweet emotions well up inside me.
Badgers win national debate championship
You don’t hear “Jump Around” blasted at many debate tournaments. That changed when a team of Badgers won the national championship at the annual Yaatly Online Debating League in Denver on April 8-9, setting off a raucous celebration from the UW–Madison contingent, including the song best known for rocking Camp Randall Stadium during football games. Six debators competed at the national level representing the Badgers.
More winter storm memories
Chris Hardie, Contributer Can anyone honestly say they are really surprised that Old Man Winter isn’t quite done? As of this writing on the morning of April 17, there are 14 inches of snow outside driven by a strong northwest wind and we’ve been without power for several hours. Laptop is on battery power.
'Cold is just a mindset'
Spring Splash Josh Stoughton, Community Editor Whitewater is known for many things. The university football team, being known as the “Second Salem” and more. However, one annual event that is anticipated and draws people from all around the state and beyond – most being college students – is Spring Splash. Held each spring, it occurred Saturday, April 22 to give students time to destress themselves for a day before finals week comes sneaking up on them.
New elected city officials, stoplight issues, police equipment requests
The City of Whitewater Common Council had a meeting on April 18th on Tuesday at 6:30 pm to discuss a couple of concerns, City Manager updates on what is going on lately in the community, a community member brings up an issue of a stop light to the council, and members to become official members after being voted and nominated in.
Whitewater baseball and the classic mullet
It was an unfortunate weekend for the The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team as they lost a pair of games against La Crosse played on Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium. The Apr. 22 and Apr. 23 games were played on a days that was plagued by occasional snow and sleet as chilly winds rustled the hair of both the audience and the players. For the full story see, Warhawk baseball swept by WIAC leader.
The Arboretum at Starin Park
Andrew Beckman, Streets & Parks Foreman/City Forester Arboretum by definition is a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes by what Merriam-Webster says. Starin Park Arboretum is a collaboration between numerous government, private and educational entities to promote a place where education and biodiversity can take place.
The importance of sexual assault awareness & prevention
Sexual assault awareness month is extremely important because it starts a conversation that to many people are scared to have. It will make people think about what they are doing and if your actions should be changed. During this month, the goal is to try and educate as many people as possible about what is going on in this community. Which can be very eye opening for many people.
What inspires you to take a chance everyday?
Something that inspires me to take a chance everyday is looking back at where I was before. I used to not be involved in anything and now I am. I am so grateful for the opportunities UW-Whitewater has given me to grow as an individual, student and leader. – Junior Journalism Major Marissa Cobb In My Opinion Carousel In My Opinion In My Opinion In My Opinion In My Opinion Carousel In My Opinion In My Opinion In My Opinion Search
Preparing for garden season
Libby Nabhan, Campus News Editor On this years ‘make a difference day’ the campus garden had its opening day! The opening day took place on Apr. 21. The campus garden is located between the Ambrose Health and the bookstore, on the back end near the parking lot. Opening day involves the volunteers and student workers clearing out the weeds, and preparing for the upcoming season.
Final Projects - Royal Purple
A comic created in honor of former UW-W student and official party animal John Belushi
The plant diversity of Latin America
Katie Zee, Assistant Arts & Rec Editor Did you know that there’s a ton of interesting plant species in Latin America? On April 13, Latinos Unidos and the Sustainability Office worked together to create an event that was both informative and fun to explain all about plant diversity in Latin America. While learning about these plants, attendees also got to plant a succulent and paint their own pot. Students could choose from a variety of acrylic paint and brushes.
From Ukraine to UWM, tennis player finds a new life
week after the Russians invaded Ukraine, 16-year-old Nadiia Konieva set off on a journey that led her to the women’s tennis team at UWM. Konieva and her mother, Iryna, fled to Poland from their home in Kharkiv, leaving behind her father, Serhii, other family and all of her friends. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, lies just 25 miles from the Russian border.
Who are we as a campus?
‘Creating an Empowered University’ Libby Nabhan, Assistant Community Editor Guest speaker Dr. Freeman Hrabowski gave a riveting lecture entitled “Creating an Empowered University” to the UW-Whitewater campus April 11 at 3 p.m. in Young Auditorium. Hrabowski came to share his wisdom about the system of higher education to a large audience of students, faculty and staff. Several student organizations brought their members to hear the motivational speech.
Don’t Celebrate Earth Day
Eric Compas, Environmental Science/Geology Professor How should you celebrate Earth Day? I strongly recommend not doing so. Planet Earth is going to be here for billions of years regardless of what we do. The Earth doesn’t need our help at all. Earth Day…bah humbug. Here’s what I suggest instead: Learn about how climate change is and will be impacting your community and the places you love.
Sunshine, fresh air and lessons about life
Feel that? It’s the sun. Warm. Beckoning. Hopeful with the promise of renewal. Then again, as they say, hope is a lousy strategy. Yet here I am, anticipating another season of golf, eager to feel the earth beneath my feet with a tee in the ground, a club in my hands and a vision of the ball soaring majestically down the center of the fairway. Humility being a desirable attribute, the vision modestly finds the ball landing softly and rolling out only to about 260 yards.
Tennis secures win with singles
Kaitlin Geisler, Assistant Women’s Sports Editor After a change in location and time due to weather, the UW-Whitewater Women’s Tennis team came out victorious against North Central College with a score of 6-3 on Sunday April 16. In the second and third flights of the doubles matches, the women defeated their opponents. Junior Kasey Schlicht and her junior partner Kellie Ha went 8-0 in the second flight.
Don't Liter - Royal Purple
A comic created in honor of former UW-W student and official party animal John Belushi
Aldi store could come to town
Dauntae Green, Community Editor The city of Whitewater announced that there is a proposal for creating and opening up an Aldi 20,000 square feet store on the west side of town. Its proposed planned location of the store would be at the Hawk Bowl and Hawk Apartments at 1380 and 1398 West Main Street.
Ways to celebrate Earth Day in Whitewater
Felicity Knabenabuer, Campus News Editor Earth day is just around the corner Apr. 22 and even better, it’s during the weekend. This means there’s an opportunity to spend the day doing something to give back through sustainability efforts. From growing your own produce to simply appreciating nature, there are always an endless number of ways to relish in the Spring environment here in Whitewater.
How are you hopeful for the future of planet Earth?
I hope to see people making more sustainable choices when options are available. Single use plastics are causing far more damage than anyone realizes and there are plenty of sustainable options out there for pretty much every form of single use plastic. There are floating patches of garbage in the ocean bigger than some countries and many of the contents are single use plastics.
Coffee meet and greet to understand city leaders
Whitewater City Manager John Weidl and Whitewater Common Council President Lisa Dawsey Smith held a coffee meet and greet at the Whitewater Municipal Building second floor conference on April 5 at 1 to 3 p.m. The Whitewater Police Chief Daniel Meyer, Whitewater Police Officer Saul Valadez, Steve O’s Bar owner Steve Fairchild, and Community Development Authority Vice Chairman James Allen all came to get coffee to meet with the community to strengthen their bonds with the community.
Election results
Josh Stoughton, Community Editor With the general elections over, new members of different seats start to take on their role. School board members, Wisconsin Supreme Court judges, and others learn what they have to do to be able to do the most in their positions. Here are the winners for each of the positions that were voted for on April 4.
Marching Band returns to UW-River Falls after 30 years
March 29, 2023 – More than three decades after it last appeared on campus, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls is getting ready to strike up the marching band again. The Marching Falcons will be directed by trumpet Professor Tom Barnett, director of UWRF’s athletic bands, and make appearances at university football games and other events beginning in the fall.
Late season snow memories
Chris Hardie, Contributor Late season snow storms always take me back to March 24, 1979 in the tiny town of Franklin in Jackson County. My feet were wet, and I was beginning to shiver as the three of us stood at the dark back door of my grandparent’s Keith and Cecile Hardie’s house. I had tagged along with my older brother Kevin and his friend Jim on a Friday night expedition to the Golden Palace bowling alley and theater in Holmen.
Taxes bring in money to create a common good
Dr. D’Arcy Becker, Accounting Professor With Tax Day looping for Americans across the country, the Royal Purple asked UW-Whitewater accounting professor Dr. D’Arcy Becker about the importance of taxes. Taxes are a mechanism for pooling money to create a common good. Elected government officials get to decide how to spend tax money, helping ensure it is spent in the best interests of the people they represent; they essentially decide what ‘common good’ means.
Hopes for baseball season
Sava Dupor, Warhawk Baseball Pitcher What are your hopes for this year’s baseball season at UW-Whitewater? Honestly I’m not hoping for very much, instead it’s that I’m expecting a lot of things. We have a very gritty pitching staff and dominant hitters, and I really think we could go far. We’ve been learning a lot from the season thus far, and have been reminded of our full potential. I am expecting at the very least a conference championship, and a national championship would be the cherry on top.
Which do you prefer burritos or tacos?
I think burritos are better than tacos because they are self-contained foods. You don’t have to worry about the mess when you bite into burritos, you can fit more into them, and they are easier to hold—all conveniently wrapped up into one tortilla shell. Burritos are the superior option for these reasons. – Senior English Major Trenton Nickel I like tacos more, but I honestly love both. I wouldn’t pass up either. However, hard shell tacos got that crunch, you know?
Donating blood saves lives
Libby Nabhan , Campus News Editor The blood drive was on Tuesday, April 4, and was hosted in the Esker Hall, on the campus of University of Whitewater; and ran from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. The blood drive was hosted by the Tri Beta Honor Society of UWW, and was hosted by Versiti Blood Center. The Versiti Blood Drive Center is the donation organization for the state of Wisconsin that will directly send blood donations to be put into transfusions.
Easter Egg - Royal Purple
A comic created in honor of former UW-W student and official party animal John Belushi
Greek Egg hunt gives back to community
Hundreds of colorful eggs were hidden throughout Starin park the day before Easter, Saturday Apr. 8. No, these eggs were not hidden by the easter bunny. Instead, the eggs were hidden by UW-W Phi Delta Theta members for the annual community easter egg hunt! Dozens of families turned out for the event, baskets in tow. While last year’s egg hunt still had snow coating everything, this year’s weather was fairly nicer with blue skies and dry ground.
Baby doe update - Royal Purple
Joshua Stoughton, Assistant Community Editor On Monday, Mar. 27, the Whitewater Police Department revealed that they have arrested the suspected mother of the baby that was found earlier this month. The name and other information of the woman was not released. The police department’s update indicated that the 39-year-old Whitewater woman was booked into the Jefferson County jail on Friday for concealing the death of a child and resisting or obstructing the officer.
Suicide confirmed
Josh Stoughton, Community Editor On Sunday, March 26, the Whitewater Police Department and Fire and EMS services received a report of a man hanging off a bridge near Main Street around 11:30 a.m. The body was identified as 47-year-old Cameron Bicknell of Whitewater. The death was confirmed to be a suicide by the Walworth County Medical Examiner. In a statement, the Whitewater Police offered condolences to the man’s friends and family.
Just In Time - Royal Purple
A comic created in honor of former UW-W student and official party animal John Belushi
Turning in the keys: summer dorm information
With the end of spring break, UW-Whitewater is in the final weeks of the spring 2023 semester. For students living in on-campus residence halls, there are important upcoming dates for student living in the fall of 2023 as well as move-out dates for the current semester. For students planning on living on-campus during the fall semester, applications for standard rooms (including Arey, Clem, Fricker, Lee, Fischer, Bigelow, Wellers, Tutt, Wells East, or Wells West) open Apr. 14.
Why is it important to support people who are autistic?
Best Buddies is a club where individuals are paired up with people with disabilities, including individuals with Autism. We do fun activities each meeting and we develop life long friendships. It is important to support people with Autism because being inclusive is what this club is all about.
Associate Professor passes
Chancellor Corey King, Provost John Chenoweth, and Associate Provost Robin Fox It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of a Warhawk family member. Kelly Hatch, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, passed away Tuesday, March 21, after a battle with cancer. Kelly came to UW-Whitewater in 2015 as an associate lecturer, and later served as assistant professor and most recently as associate professor.
Chancellor check-in
Greetings alumni and friends, I am humbled and proud to join the Warhawk Family as the 18th chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Since my first day on March 1, 2023, one thing has become clear to me. Thanks to the legacy built by you, the future is bright for this great university. In my first 120 days, I am focusing on engaging with students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, community members, legislators, and other stakeholders.
Cut down a notch
Experience is the teacher of all things. These words from Julius Caesar proved all too true recently when I tackled what I thought would be a simple task on the farm. The job at hand was to remove a limb from a rotten maple tree that was hanging over the driveway. It’s the same tree where two limbs came down in December after a heavy snowfall and this limb was leaning like a sailor in a saloon at the end of shore leave. It was ready to topple at any moment.
What are you excited for spring season?
This spring I am most excited to hang out with my cows and family! Once I get back to Whitewater, I can’t wait for the weather to get nice.
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