Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Heartland Festival brought the Peanuts comic strip to life on Friday, June 19 with the opening night of the musical comedy, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." The comedy, which opened on Broadway in 1999, is a fresh approach to the comic strip by Charles M. Schulz and incorporates song and dance routines into cut-and-pasted scenes of the actual comic strip. Sally Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and Snoopy all joined Charlie Brown in the revival version presented at the Heartland Festival.

The show began with the entire company coming to the stage to sing "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." The cast then broke down and performed many memorable scenes from the Peanuts comic strip, such as Charlie Brown and his team losing a baseball game, complete with helpful tips from Lucy; Snoopy attacking the Red Baron; Linus' blanket and Lucy's psychological advice booth where Charlie Brown frequented quite often. The show ended with the entire cast singing about happiness.

After the show, the cast members remained on stage for a short talkback during which they answered questions about the show from members of the audience. Following the talkback, the audience was invited to the lobby to meet the cast members and enjoy a piece of Dairy Queen ice cream cake - an opening night tradition.

The audience for opening night included both adults and children of all ages. Barb LeGrande, a resident of Platteville who has attended many performances on the UWP campus, brought her three grandchildren to see the musical.

"I thought it would be a fun experience," said LeGrande. "Musicals like 'Charlie Brown' are not only entertaining, but they expand knowledge. In the car, my grandchildren were asking, 'Who is Charlie Brown?' This musical was a fun way for them to be exposed to new things."

Bryan Kerian, a UWP theater student and an ensemble cast member of "The Producers," a Heartland Festival show premiering on Friday, July 10, also came to see the show and support his fellow castmates.

"The cast of the musical brought a blend of humor to it that everyone was able to enjoy," said Kerian.

Not just the audience members, but the actors in the musical equally enjoyed the performance.

"Our nerves were running high," said Jillian Kates, an Ohio native who played Sally Brown in the play. "We've been rehearsing together and laughing at our own jokes that we thought were getting old. We had such an excellent audience for opening night and they helped the performance ."

The director and musical director, Paul Helm, and the cast also had fun using their creative juices to make additions to the original "Charlie Brown" material. They added a reference to the musical "Wicked," added a James Bond move to the rabbit-chasing scene and also paid tribute to the Platteville Dairy Queen, a sponsor of the UWP Heartland Festival, by adding the Dairy Queen logo in the play.

"The opening of 'Charlie Brown' was excellent. Great cast, great music, beautiful lights, set and costumes - a great evening for the whole family to enjoy. Schulz had many life lessons in his work that continue to ring true. People should not miss this show," said John Hassig, director of UWP Performing and Visual Arts, Programs and Facilities.

There will be more opportunities to see Charlie Brown and the gang this summer. Shows will be held on July 11 and 25 and Aug. 2 and 8 at 2 p.m.; July 5, 21 and 29 and Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m.; and July 18 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices are $18 for adults and $9 for UWP students with a valid ID and individuals under the age of 18. Tickets are available through the University Box Office at (608) 342-1298 or at www.uwplatt.edu/arts/cfa/information/office.html.

Contact: John Hassig, director, UWP Performing and Visual Arts, Programs and Facilities, (608) 342-1267, hassigj@uwplatt.edu Written by: Morgan Spitzer, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, spitzerm@uwplatt.edu

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville English Department recently approved four new classes that will be offered beginning in the fall semester. One of the classes will be a course in postcolonial literature and the other three will be courses in gay studies.

Amanda Tucker, assistant professor of English for the UWP Humanities Department, will be teaching the postcolonial literature class. Students attending this class will be reading postcolonial literature, which is defined as writing from countries and locations that were once under the domain of European imperialism, such as Australia and Ireland. More typically, postcolonial literature describes writing from Africa, the Caribbean and South Asia. Students will be reading works from all of these places.

Although the course curriculum is subject to change, students taking the postcolonial literature class will be reading Nobel Prize-winning writers like Derek Walcott and Wole Soyinka. Writers such as Jamaica Kincaid, Bharati Mukherjee and Brian Friel are also on the syllabus for the class.

The UWP English Department hired Tucker in 2008 with the expectation that she would develop classes in the area of postcolonial literature. The department has wanted to offer courses in this subject for several years, not only because of the great range of countries, traditions and values that the literature teaches, but also because of the subject's growing importance and popularity. In October, Tucker began the approval process, and the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee accepted the class in April.

"The literature course exposes students to some absolutely fantastic writers and texts that are commonly left out of American, British and even world literature classes," said Tucker. "Also, this course offers a broad understanding of international relations through literature. We will be reading writers who are preoccupied with questions about the construction of race and culture, the distribution of power and the possibility of social equality. Ultimately, this course aims to make students more conscientious and informed global citizens, which is a necessity for everyone in our contemporary movement."

Beginning this fall, the post-colonial literature class will be offered in the fall semester of every year.

Tucker is currently working on a book manuscript that looks at the intersection between the Irish and postcolonial studies, particularly as it relates to immigration and diaspora. The project examines a range of writers, some of who participated in Europe's imperial endeavors, but more commonly worked against them. She has been doing archival research in Ireland, namely Belfast and Dublin, for the manuscript. Tucker also has published essays and forthcoming essays on transnational feminism and cosmopolitanism in modern and contemporary Irish literature.

J. Keith Hale, assistant professor for the UWP English Department, will be introducing two gay studies classes to UWP this fall and a third in the spring. Student interest prompted the English department to approach Hale, who has extensive background in this area, about developing courses in this area.

"More than 30 colleges and universities in the United States offer gay studies minors and another 16 offer certificates in gay studies. Hundreds more offer courses of the topic," said Hale. "Until now, UWP has not offered any courses in gay studies, and after discussing the issue with my colleagues, I decided to propose three courses instead of just one with the eventual goal of offering a certificate program in gay studies. The English department strongly supports adding the courses not only to better serve our current students, but also to make our course offerings more attractive to potential students."

One of the new courses is an introduction to gay studies that focuses on the treatment of same-sex relationships in cultures around the globe and throughout history. The course will also cover contemporary issues and popular culture, including gay and lesbian cinema.

The second course that is offered is an upper-level class in gay and lesbian literature for young adults. The class has the same structure as other young adult literature classes, but will focus on books written about gay teenagers or teenagers that have homosexual family members or friends.

"Many gay and lesbian issues come up in pubic schools today, yet few teachers have any training on how to handle these issues," said Hale. "My hope is that future teachers who take this course will have a better understanding of the problems faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and other students who are facing anti-gay bullying. When teachers understand the problems, they are better able to offer the assistance that could keep some kids alive through the bullying that occurs in secondary schools."

The last class offered will be another upper-level course in gay and lesbian literature. This class will focus on classical homosexual-themed works, such as the "Calamus" poems by Walt Whitman, that are often overlooked in other literature courses. It will also focus on contemporary works, such as "Brokeback Mountain" by Annie Proulx.

Two of the classes, Introduction to Gay Studies and Lesbian Literature for Young Adults, will be offered every fall semester beginning in the fall. Beginning this spring, Gay and Lesbian Literature will be offered every spring semester.

Hale has published four books on various aspects of gay studies. He has edited a collection of letters by a poet that had been sealed for 80 years because of their homosexual themes. That edition, titled "Friends & Apostles," was published by Yale University Press. Hale has also published an account of homosexuality in Turkey and the Balkans titled, "In the Land of Alexander," and a book about gays in the military called "Tom Allegiances." His fourth book is a novel titled "Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada." Hale has also published essays on Dickens, Rumi, Sa'di, Hafiz, David Garnett and gay Philippine literature, as well as an interview with Bono.

Anyone interested in learning more about the new classes at UWP may contact Tucker at (608) 342-6104 or tuckeram@uwplatt.edu, or Hale at (608) 342-1946 or halejk@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Amanda Tucker, assistant professor of English, UWP Humanities Department, (608) 342-6104, tuckeram@uwplatt.edu; Keith Hale, assistant professor of English, UWP Humanities Department, (608) 342-1946, halejk@uwplatt.edu Written by: Morgan Spitzer, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, spitzerm@uwplatt.edu

PLATTEVILLE - The city of Platteville will host the Moving Wall memorial in July and the Heartland Festival welcomes the memorial with an event that will showcase the work of University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumnus Lyle Novinski. A photography exhibit titled "Korea Remembered, Then and Now" will be displayed at the Harry and Laura Nohr Gallery on the UWP campus from Monday, July 6 through Friday, Sept. 18, with an opening reception on July 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Half of Novinski's exhibit will show 20 by 30 color images from Korea during the time of the Korean conflict and the other half will show Korea as it is today. "Some of the images are shot from the same location, showing the enormous economic growth and restoration over 50 years," said Novinski.

These haunting images by Novinski capture the face of a nation, its land and its people. The photographs carry their own story apart from personal memories of time and place. In the long 50 year view, the content emerges on its own, supported by the consciously composed images - a soldier's view, but an artist's camera.

Novinski graduated from UWP in 1956 with majors in English and Industrial Arts. He was in the military from 1953 to 1955 where he served during the Korean conflict. He was a professor of art at the University of Dallas Constantin College of Liberal Arts for 40 years, specializing in sacred art, and has been nominated for Piper Professor twice and awarded sabbaticals. Novinski retired two years ago and is named Emeritus Professor. He was honored with the UWP Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1992.

The reception and exhibition are free to attend and all are welcome to experience "Korea Remembered, Then and Now." Novinski will be present at the reception. For more information, contact Denee Hirsch, director of development, major gifts, UWP Foundation, at (608) 342-1969 or hirschd@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Denee Hirsch, UWP Foundation, director of development, major gifts, (608) 342-1969, hirschd@uwplatt.edu Written by: Anne Killian, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, killiana@uwplatt.edu

PLATTEVILLE - Susan Hansen has been named interim dean of the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Her appointment is effective Aug. 1. Hansen has taught in the business administration program at UWP since 1991.

In making the announcement, UWP dean of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture, Duane Ford, who will assume the role of interim provost on Aug.1, noted, "Hansen brings a wealth of experience at UWP to this position. She has worked with students on our campus for 18 years. She has been a leader in campus quality initiatives, coordinated our online business degree program, and served as international coordinator for the college. Additionally, Hansen has previous college level administrative experience as assistant dean."

Hansen earned her bachelor's degree in business from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. She worked in private industry for 11 years, as treasurer and controller, before making the transition to post-secondary education. Hansen's MBA was conferred by the University of Missouri at Kansas City. She earned her DBA in international management from the University of Sarasota in Florida.

For more information, contact Barbara Daus, UWP special assistant to the chancellor, at (608) 342-1282 or daus@uwplatt.edu.

Contact and written by: Barbara Daus, UWP special assistant to the chancellor, (608) 342-1282, daus@uwplatt.edu

PLATTEVILLE- Ruben Ernesto, a University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumnus, has taken his passion for multiculturalism and unity among Nicaraguans and turned it into the non-profit business, Nicaragua Unida.

The company began as a social and cultural group with the goal of teaching children the Nicaraguan culture and uniting Nicaraguans in Wisconsin. It later developed into an international organization, connecting Nicaraguans from around the world.

As part of its mission, Nicaragua Unida sponsors several programs throughout the year, including Los Pinoleros de Nicaragua baseball team, Los Nicoyas basketball team, an annual New Year's formal dinner and dance an annual unity festival. It also promotes English and Spanish fluency programs, literacy programs and conducts financial education seminars. Currently, Nicaragua Unida is working with City of Miracles Association International and Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners to send school supplies and education materials to children in Nicaragua who can't afford them.

With the new year, Ernesto is starting a new company, Ruben Ernesto Inc., which will provide sales training, professional development, financial education and marketing and networking training to companies and consumers. Nicaragua Unida will become Nicaragua Unida Inc. as it sits under the umbrella of Rueben Ernesto Inc.

Ernesto said that he acquired most of his leadership and mentoring skills at UWP. He, with a student board of directors, created Raza United (Race United), the first multicultural student organization at UWP. The group created programming with the goal of uniting the campus and worked with student government to improve the college experience for students. He said he is most proud of the mentoring program they created. Upperclassmen tutored and mentored underclassmen in their studies, student government and student development. He was also involved in basketball, the Chess and Dominoes Club, and boxing and mixed martial arts groups. Ernesto said he also enjoyed the people he interacted with at UWP.

"A special thanks has to go to Ed Deneen (retired registrar) and Joe Lomax (professor of criminal justice). Both of these men are gold in my book and I couldn't have accomplished what I did at UW-Platteville without their guidance," said Ernesto.

Ernesto graduated from UWP in 1998 with a degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in law enforcement and a minor in Spanish. He resides in Waukegan, Ill.

Contact: Ruben Ernesto, director, Nicaragua Unida, (312) 972-0049, tg@rubenerneso.com Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu