Skip to main content

Author: Kelly Tyrrell

Letter to the editor: Current diversity plan just another dead-end

Posted on
Badger Herald

“You’ve told us about the 18 initiatives and the 40 or so metrics in the diversity and inclusion implementation plan. What should I tell my colleagues about how to focus our individual and group efforts? Which five initiatives should we concentrate on?” That is the essence of the question I heard posed by a department chairman at the first of the eight recently scheduled listening sessions on the new University of Wisconsin diversity framework. (W. Lee Hansen, emeritus professor of economics)

Paul Chryst reaches out to former UW players

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

According to a UW official, more than 100 former players are expected to return to campus this weekend. That group includes safety Jim Leonhard, wide receiver Al Toon and offensive lineman Jonathan Clinkscale.

Raining on Scott Walker’s parade: Will his GOP opponents seize on Wisconsin’s gloomy economic outlook?

Posted on
Capital Times

Quoted: “Certainly a good case can be made that the sum of the Walker administration policies have had the effect of increasing income inequality in Wisconsin,” said Andrew Reschovsky, professor of public affairs and applied economics at UW-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs. UW-Madison political scientist Ken Mayer said ultimately, Walker record’s on the economy may not matter.

Plain Talk: The hypocrisy of big-bucks Badger boosters

Posted on
Capital Times

These folks are willing to shell out big bucks to show their support of the university through its athletic teams, in itself a commendable philanthropic gesture. Yet they actively support anti-tax politicians who have done their best to make things tough for the rest of the taxpayer-supported school.

We appreciate state workers contributing to our state

Posted on
Channel3000.com

Certainly one way to measure the importance of government workers is to visit your child’s classroom, or appreciate the graciousness of the park ranger who welcomed us to the dog park recently and thanked us for buying a permit to support the parks. But another way came to our attention last week, and that’s the $2.5 million over 7,000 state, university and UW Hospital employees in Dane County donated to charities last year.

UW student develops idea for interactive Ho-Chunk park trail

Posted on
Badger Herald

Inspired by the prairie-lined boundaries of a Dane County park, a UW student had the vision to create an interactive trail focusing on the local history of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Amanda Depagter, UW senior, developed the idea for the interpretive trail and brought it to the attention of the Dane County Parks Division.

UPDATE: Former UW Whitewater Associate Dean sheds light on UW-Madison proposed reduction plan

Posted on
NBC15

“It has a very large but a very complicated budget that’s funded from many many different sources. The state source though, is an important source and we’re seeing a cut of this size that is over a two year period will have an impact,” former UW Whitewater Assoc. Dean Richard Haven said. That impact could mean 400 jobs eliminated at UW-Madison.

UW: Campus sexual assault investigations benefit students

Posted on
Badger Herald

A recent column in The Badger Herald raised the question whether it would be better policy for police to investigate sexual assaults, rather than the university. This question is frequently raised, and we thank the writer for creating an opportunity to respond publicly to this idea. This is an important and complex discussion that is taking place not only at the University of Wisconsin, but also at the national level. Noted: Associate Dean of Students Kevin Helmkamp and Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Title IX and Clery Compliance Tonya Schmidt collaborated on this piece.

Greek community lacks confidence that allowing sorority parties would impact sexual assaults

Posted on
Badger Herald

One proposed solution to decreasing sexual assaults on campus is to allow sororities to hold their own parties, away from the alcohol-related events of fraternities. It’s a solution that’s become part of a national debate on Greek life and sexual assault, but at University of Wisconsin’s campus, the chances of it happening are slim, and its effectiveness is unclear.

U.S. Patent Director visits Madison

Posted on
WKOW

A leader in the U.S. business world visited Madison on Wednesday in hopes of fostering more innovation.

Michelle K. Lee, the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, toured the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.

Lee said she wants to identify ways that her office can better serve the innovators and entrepreneurs in the Madison area.

Donating a Kidney to a Complete Stranger in Order to Save a Loved One

Posted on
Nightline

At 77, Mitzi Neyens had become an expert in waiting. For most of her 53-year marriage to her husband Bill, her kidney disease was manageable, until suddenly, it wasn’t.

“It wasn’t that serious then but gradually over time it became more and more serious,” Bill Neyens said. “About seven or eight years ago we went to Europe, went to the Hills of Italy. So she was doing really fine up until about a year ago. Then it started to go downhill.”

Mitzi was in otherwise good health, but because of her age, she wasn’t considered for the deceased donor list to get a new kidney. Her only option was to find a living donor.

So the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison enrolled her in the National Kidney Registry’s paired exchange program, which was her only chance for a match.

Chicago canine influenza epidemic traced to Asian strain

Posted on
Chicago Tribune

UW-Madison veterinary researchers helped confirm an outbreak of a new strain of canine influenza virus, which the current vaccine may not protect against. Dr. Keith Poulsen, a researcher and clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said getting the vaccine can’t hurt.

UWPD, MPD to crack down on bike, pedestrian safety violations

Posted on
Channel3000.com

A $25,000 grant will help the University of Wisconsin and Madison police departments crack down on bike and pedestrian safety violations on campus, according to a release. The grant will help cover specialized training for officers and increased pedestrian safety enforcement, officials said. Classroom and hands-on field training will take place Tuesday and Wednesday at UWPD.

45th Annual Powwow at UW-Madison

Posted on
WKOW TV

More than 30 tribes are joining in the 45th Annual On Wisconsin Spring Powwow at the UW Field House. That includes the Ho-Chunk and Oneida Nation Color Guards, leading dancers and drummers in their performances.

Kaminsky wins 2015 John R. Wooden Award

Posted on
Channel3000.com

Wisconsin basketball senior Frank Kaminsky was named the winner of the 2015 John R. Wooden Award on Friday morning. The 6-foot-10 forward has now swept all significant player of the year awards. The John R. Wooden Award is determined by the votes of nearly 1,000 college basketball experts.

Dekker to declare for NBA draft

Posted on
Channel3000.com

In a much-anticipated move, Sam Dekker will leave the University of Wisconsin and enter the NBA draft. He released a letter on his Twitter account @dekker.

UW grads make their mark on sandal season

Posted on
WKOW TV

Two UW grads are putting their degrees to good use. “When we tell people we sell sandals, and we’re from the Midwest, it’s a little bit contradictory,” says Matt McManus, owner and founder of Bokos Footwear Company. He and his brother, James, launched their staple rubber sandal two years ago this week.

UW researches health impact of e-cigarettes

Posted on
Channel3000.com

The University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention is launching a five-year, $3.7 million study looking into the health effects of electronic cigarettes. “Cigarettes have been studied intensively in the U.S. since the 1950s. E-cigarettes have just come on the market really in less than a decade ago,” said Dr. Doug Jorenby, UW-CTRI Director of Clinical Services.

UPDATE: Supreme Court chief justice sues over new, constitutional amendment

Posted on
WKOW TV

Noted: Howard Schweber, a professor of political science and legal studies at UW-Madison, said the chief justice’s position is much like that of an administrator at a private business. . . . Mike Wagner, UW-Madison professor of law and political science, said the chief justice has influence on the high court’s day to day proceedings and opinions.

Turning prairies into gas: study finds U.S. biofuel production has big impacts on grasslands

Posted on
Mongabay.com

Corn and soybean cultivation soared in the late 2000s, as U.S. agribusiness rushed to respond to federal legislation rewarding biofuels production. Debate since the institution of the program has centered on the question of whether biofuel crop expansions have come at the expense of plowed-under biodiverse grasslands and prairie ecosystems. A new study largely settles that argument.

Badger-rooted couple, business ready for team to come to town

Posted on
Channel3000.com

While O’Brien and Nytes admit they miss plenty about their birthplace and their college town, they’ve made a life for themselves in Indy. O’Brien spends his days at Printing Partner while Nytes has served 12 years on city council and is most recently the CEO of the city’s library.