By: Nathan Skutley
Why do UWM-WC students go where they go after class? And what are they there to do?
Looking around our campus
See to Believe
by Catrin Homuth
“Art exists because life is not enough.” – Rerreira Gullar
Ellison, Haley, Marissa: Powerful women, expressive artwork, creative exploration
Lunch at Noon: Insight to UWM-WC’s Lunch Hour
A giant burst of people walk into the cafeteria as soon as it hits noon, instantly breathing life into the dead silent area.
I roll into the cafeteria after my digital storytelling class at 11 am. At this time, there are very minimal students, with everyone spread out far from each other, all immersed in their own work. I plop my stuff on an empty table, making a loud noise in a quiet room. I pull out my laptop and start on my own work. As the clock ticks closer to noon, more people start to trickle in as they finish their final morning classes.
A giant burst of people walk into the cafeteria as soon as it hits noon, instantly breathing life into the dead silent area. What once was a calm place of serendipity instantly became a place of chaos. I’m now surrounded by groups of people laughing, eating, and talking with each other.
And it stays like this until the lunch hour is over. As soon as it nears 1 pm, the cafeteria becomes a barren island once again, as if there was no one there before.
I believe that’s the beauty of the cafeteria at UWM-WC. There is just this one hour of the day where many students come to eat and wind down with their friends before they have to face their afternoon classes. It’s a place to study, relax, chill with your fellow peers, and grab a quick snack. What more can you ask for?
Perhaps some more food than the stuff offered from the vending machines- but that’s a topic for another day.
The Commuter Backpack
What do students bring to survive their long days on campus?
By: Cassie Kraemer
Already used to the commuter lifestyle, I, Cassie Kraemer, second year sophomore, like to bring some extra cash on campus to buy coffee. I can’t go a day without drinking it, so my coffee mug is always in my hand. Gum is the after coffee snack I use, along with chap stick in my bag. While working for my double major in special education and elementary education, my pencil bag keeps me motivated to work hard for my dreams.
First year freshman, Grace Vogel spends her free time around campus reading! If she has a little lighter of a class load, she will find a spot on campus and read. While in class, Grace sets aside her laptop to enjoy an engaging class.
Getting used to the college lifestyle, first year freshman Henry Anderson uses the journal as his planner which keeps track of his assignments for the week. While up to date on today’s technology, Henry uses his wireless headphones to listen to music. Some students cannot listen to music while they study, however, Henry listens to mainly music with just instruments while he does his homework.
Sophomore Jake Hanus makes his calculator handy as he uses it for his macro economics class. While having two online classes this semester, Jake uses his laptop to type papers, do assignments, and keep on task with his classes. Going old school, Jake likes to take notes in his notebooks. He believes he can retain the information better by writing down his notes.
The 1980’s fad Scrunchies have made a comeback, and freshman Kaitlyn Sawatzke brings two scrunchies with her to class so she can put up her hair while she works on homework. She brings two with her just in case she loses one. After the crazy noon hour, Kaitlyn brings starbursts for something sweet after she eats lunch. Burt’s Bees is a popular, natural formula brand that Kaitlyn trusts and loves to use, especially in winter Kaitlyn uses her assignment notebook to help her remain caught up in her classes
While striving to finish his freshman year of college, Andrew De Tuncq gets through his day by listening to music. Andrew enjoys popular artists like Post Malone and The Weeknd. He can study hard while jamming out to some tunes with his headphones. If he’s in the noisy cafeteria, he will crank the music while enjoying his snack (if he remembers to bring one).
The Professor’s Lair
Every office tells a story of a life of passion, creativity, and commitment. What stories do your professors’ offices hold?
“This is my small attempt at growing plants in a windowless office,” professor Ashley Smith says. Professor Smith, who teaches biology here at UWM Washington County, is a plant biologist by training, and plant passionate by life.
“I use Monopoly in my Introductory Accounting class,” professor Carl Gahala, says, leaning on his tower of games. “My students play as if they are doing the accounting for a business.” But it’s not all fun and games: at the end of the course they have to put together a financial statement that reflects the transactions they’ve made through the game!
“This is my backyard,” UWM Washington County mathematics professor Mohan Thapa says, pointing at one of the two photos he has of the Himalayan mountain range in his office. “This here is approximately right where my house is.”
It was a trip to the library with his high school English teacher that sparked Professor Toye Ekunsanmi’s life long passion for microbiology. Another big love is his four children, one of whom made him this insulated mug with their photos. “I call this my trophy of parenting,” he says.
Professor Chris Yogerst probably has the most identifiable office on campus–it’s filled with comic book and film artifacts! “Any piece of popular culture . . . you should be able to learn something about its historical moment. The reason I am still interested in any of these things is because of it’s place in history.”
In English instructor Rachel Barger’s office, students will find copies of the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) Journal. She has been researching the best practices in teaching students composition for nearly two decades, and presented at the conference last year.
Instructor Matthew Madsen’s office, while spare, has one real treasure–a photo of his son Maverick. At two and a half the little boy is living up to his name and embracing his Wisconsin roots. “He’s taken up performing trust falls off the ottoman,” Madsen shared. “And no matter the weather, he wants to be outside.”
The CGS Catalyst 