UW-Richland Community Resources

Learn About UW-Richland

Speakers & Services

Speakers

Many UW-Richland faculty & staff are available as speakers or consultants. Some speakers may charge for mileage or ask a fee. The costs of consulting services are negotiable and depend on the type and extent of the services. Through the links below, you can contact individuals to arrange for speaking engagements or other services.

James Aagaard
Assistant Professor, Music

A.A. -Waldorf College
B.A. - St. Olaf College
M.A. - University of Northern Iowa

Aagaard is available to speak to high school and community groups about various topics in music, particularly American music. Subjects of specialty include: the American Musical Theatre, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Stephen Foster, Nat "King" Cole, John Philip Sousa, and Foster-to-Sousa-to-Ragtime-and-Blues-to-Boogie-Woogie-to-Rock & Roll. Other topics, given ample lead time might be possible.

Floyd H. Blackmore
Associate Professor Emeritus, Biological Sciences

B.S. -University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ph.D. -University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Blackmore offers talks for student or youth groups on genetic simulation, methods in molecular biology and biotechnology. For adults, he offers "A Primer of Classical Genetics."

Jerry Bower
Professor Emeritus, History

B.S. -University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
M.A. -Michigan State University
Ph.D. -Michigan State University

Bower can present talks on almost any topic related to history, including those related to current events or regional history. He will consider proposals to serve as consultant or academic humanist for Wisconsin Humanities Council projects.

Dennis Carpenter
Assistant Professor, Psychology and Education

B.S. - UW-Madison
M.S. Ed - UW-Stout
Ph.D. - Saybrook Institute

Carpenter is available to cover issues related to life-span human development and education, in particular issues surrounding cognitive and social-emotional development from childhood through old age. He is also interested in family history and genealogical research, and has some experience tracing his own family lines through Richland County back into the mid-1800s. Another interest is in the psychological dimensions of environmental issues.

Clif Cavanaugh
Associate Professor, Computer Science/Physics/Astronomy

B.S. - Morningside College
M.S. -Ohio State University

Cavanaugh offers talks on topics in astronomy and physics.

Deborah B. Cureton
Campus Executive Officer & Dean

B. A. -  University of South Carolina Columbia
M. Ed. - University of South Carolina Columbia
Ph. D. - University of Wisconsin Madison

Cureton welcomes opportunities to speak on UW-Richland. She can also address various issues in higher education, including women in higher education and the recruitment and retention of minorities in higher education.

Garrett Deckert
Associate Professor Emeritus, Geology/Geography

B.S. -University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
M.A.T. -Indiana University

Marnie Dresser
Professor, English

B.A. -Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
M.A. -Southern Illinois University
M.F.A. -University of Montana

Dresser offers workshops or talks on creativity, civility in the classroom, and other academic issues. The talk on creativity is applicable outside academics. All talks could be tailored for adult or high school audiences. She can give presentations about Emily Dickinson and other women writers and would be pleased to give readings of her original poetry.

Richard Eckert
Assistant Professor, Sociology & Anthropology

Ph.D. -University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
M.A. -University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
B.S. -Northland College

Norlene Emerson
Assistant Professor, Geography/Geology

B.S.-UW-Oshkosh
M.S.E.-UW-Platteville
Ph.D.-UW-Madison

Her specialties are in earth history, invertebrate paleontology, Wisconsin glaciation, geology of the Great Lakes region, and volcanology. She is available to speak on those or other topics in geology.

Brandon Fetterly
Assistant Professor, Chemistry

B.S.- St. Norbert College
Ph.D. - Iowa State University, Ames

Fetterly can speak or consult on most topics in general and organic chemistry. His special interests are polymer chemistry, chemical safety and biorenewable fuels and materials.

James A. Gollata
Director of the Library

B.S. -University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
M.A. -University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Gollata can provide presentations, workshops, readings related to his work as librarian, editor, short story writer, poet. He is particularly interested in sessions on humor, haiku poetry, reading, Shakespeare and "Literary Twists and Turns."

Emil Haney
Professor Emeritus, Economics/Business

B.S. -Ohio State University
M.S. -University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ph.D. -University of Wisconsin - Madison

Haney is available to speak to educational and community groups on a variety of topics in economics, including sustainable economic development, ecological economics, and current conditions in the state, national and global economies. Having traveled and worked in many Latin American countries and several Western European countries, he is also prepared to lecture on economic conditions in those regions as well. Emil Haney & Wava Haney (see listing below) together are prepared to speak on the topic of "Globalization."

Wava Haney
Professor Emerita Sociology/Anthropology

B.S. -Ohio State University
M.S. -University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ph.D. -University of Wisconsin - Madison

Haney can talk to groups about "Teaching and Learning Online," "Women and Men: Work and Family", "The Changing Cultural Landscape of Southwestern Wisconsin" and "Businesswomen and Downtown Development." She can also offer a review of issues associated with race and ethnic relations in the U.S. in the past and today; these might be of special interest to high school classes in history, literature, sociology and political science. Haney is also interested in working with groups to collect quantitative (e.g., surveys) or qualitative (e.g., stories and oral histories) data. Together with Emil Haney, Professor Emeritus, Wava Haney is prepared to speak on issues associated with globalization.

George Henze
Student Service Coordinator/Adult Student Advisor

B.S. – UW-Oshkosh
M.S. - UW-La Crosse

Henze would like to speak with groups of adults about the benefits of higher education. He is also prepared to give talks about tools that can help you find a satisfying career. Henze would also be pleased to talk to student groups about diversity and wellness.

Robert Hirschy
Associate Professor Emeritus, Biological Sciences

B.S. -Wheaton College
M.S. -University of Wisconsin - Madison

Hirschy offers presentations entitled "Unusual Plant Communities of Southwest Wisconsin"; "Hub City Bog State Natural Area"; "Travels of Muir and Thoreau in Southwestern Wisconsin"; "Enjoying the Night Sky." He is available to consult with parents considering purchase of microscopes, telescopes for children and offers consulting with schools regarding gifted and talented programs in science.

Gail (Halink) Hoffman
Associate Professor, Physical Education & Athletics, Athletics Director

M.S. - UW-LaCrosse
Bachelor of Physical Education - Purdue

Halink may be available in the summer to conduct volleyball camps. She is interested in speaking to high school athletes--individuals, teams or other groups--about athletic opportunities at UW-Richland and to other groups about topics related to athletics.

Dion Kempthorne
Professor Emeritus, English 

B.S., M.S., Ph.D. - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kempthorne is available to talk about a variety of topics in American and Contemporary Literature and in higher education. He has special interests in 19th century American authors and in academic learning communities.

Tom Kleese
Assistant Professor, Art

B.S.-Bemidji State University
M.A. & M.F.A.-University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kleese is interested in speaking to groups about art history and art in general; American Regionalism; 20th century Art; modern architecture; and creativity.

David Kopitzke
Lecturer, Biological Science

B.S.- Earlham College
M.S. - UW-Madison

Kopitzke is available to speak about landscaping with native plants, mushrooms of Wisconsin woods, spring wildflowers, gardens of the world, rare plants of Wisconsin and conservation on private lands (including land trusts).

Zoie Eva Lutz
Professor, Theatre/Communication Arts

B.S. -University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
M.F.A. -University of Wisconsin - Madison

Lutz offers presentations on topics in theatre history, directing, acting, & improvisation, including "With the Volume Turned Down," a presentation about non-verbal communication in theatre.

Karen McLeer
Associate Professor, English

B.A. -Loras College
M.A. -Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Ph.D. -Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

McLeer is available to speak to high school and community groups about various topics in literature and writing. Special areas of interest include: Irish literature, British novelists, drama (including Shakespeare) and Wisconsin native Laura Ingalls Wilder. She also offers presentations on resumes/cover letters and writing effectively for college.

Dale Murray
Assistant Professor, Philosophy

B.A. - Bowdoin College
M.A. - University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D. - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Murray is willing and able to talk about several topics in ethics and social and political philosophy. He is avalible to discuss subjects relating to bioethics, enviromental ethics, and the philosophy of Robert Nozick. He also has interests in ancient Greek philosophy and aesthetics.

Kathy Neckar
International Programs Coordinator

AA&S - UW-Richland
B.A. - Vermont College

Neckar is available to talk about UW-Richland's international programs or various aspects of the programs, including the host family program, and cross-cultural living experiences. She is also the contact person for arranging international student presentations about their home countries and for international student internships and community service work.

John Poole
Student Services/Financial Aid Director

B.S. -University of Wisconsin - Platteville
Graduate study -UW-LaCrosse

Poole offers presentations entitled "An Overview of Higher Education in Wisconsin" and  "An Overview of the Financial Aid Application Process" (for high school groups).He is available to speak about UW-Richland, UW Colleges, UW System--regarding admission, application, testing, etc., and also about UW-R alumni services.

Amanuel Teweldemedhin
Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Ph.D.- Southern Illinois Univesity at Carbondale
M.S. -Southern Illinois Univesity at Carbondale
B.S. -University of Asmara

Diane Treis Rusk
Continuing Education Director

B.A.- UW-Madison
M.S. - UW-Madison

Rusk offers presentations about the array of Continuing Education and Outreach Programs at UW-Richland available to people of all ages. She is the person to contact if you'd like to discuss designing and implementing specific training programs tailored to meet the needs of your business, government, or non-profit organization. Rusk is also available to speak with community groups regarding "Issues Affecting Families During Divorce or Separation" and co-parenting issues within the context of divorce and non-marital relationships.

Cetin Urtis
Assistant Professor, Mathematics

B.S. - Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
Ph.D. - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Urtis can speak on general topics in mathematics, as well as special topics in number theory and its applications, like cryptography.

Scott Walter
Associate Professor, Biological Science

B.S. - Beloit College
M.S. & Ph.D. - UW-Madison

Walter is available to speak about waterfowl and wetland ecology, give slide presentations about arctic wildlife and ecology, and to speak with landowners about natural resource management.

Aharon Zorea
Assistant Professor, History

B.A. - University of Alaska, Anchorage
M.A. - Purdue University
Ph.D. - Saint Louis University

Given sufficient notice, Zorea can speak on most areas in history.  His specialties include American Constitutional history, American legal history, American political history, organized crime history, organized crime laws, Catholic history in America, Ancient philosophy, and Medieval philosophy.

UW-Richland Affiliated Resources

Additional services and facilities which may be of interest to you or your organization include those of Richland County Food Service, the Symons Recreation Complex, and Campus View Student Apartments.

  • Richland County Food Service - The staff of the UW-Richland Roadrunner Cafe may be able to provide meals or snacks to your group when it meets on campus. For more information about UW-R Food Service, contact Laurie Allen or call her on campus at (608) 647-6186, Ext. 253.
  • Symons Recreation Complex - The SRC, located on campus, offers facilities for swimming parties, swimming lessons, water exercise courses, whirlpool, sauna, weight training and aerobic exercise programs, racquetball, and more. For more information contact the SRC or call SRC at (608) 647-8522.
  • Campus View Apartments - At certain times of the year, particularly in the summer months, apartment accommodations adjacent to the campus may be available. Three housing complexes operated by Campus View offer accommodations for up to 110 individuals. For more information about Campus View, contact the resident manager by calling CVC at (608) 647-6709.

For more information about how the University of Wisconsin-Richland can assist you, call us at (608) 647-6186 or write to us at:

UW - Richland
1200 Highway 14 West
Richland Center, WI 53581-1399

Office hours are 7:45am - 4:30pm weekdays. Student Service is open until 6:00pm on Mondays.


To access business resources from the University of Wisconsin, check out the online Business Resource Directory, a service of the University of Wisconsin Madison's Office of Corporate Relations.

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1200 Highway 14 West, Richland Center, WI 53581-1399 | Phone (608) 647-6186 | Fax (608) 647-2275
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