A Presidential Life

“Honestly, it’s a lot on my plate and it’s a little overwhelming.”

The President starts his day off at UWM-WC in his very own parking spot. He pulls his belongings out from the backseat of his SUV and is ready to go.

Nate walks the steps to make it to his first class. Unfortunately, he says he’s late for because, “I have a lot of meetings to attend to. These meetings are usually Model UN, SGA, or going over my internship in Milwaukee or Madison. Honestly, it’s a lot on my plate and it’s a little overwhelming.”

Mr. President is sitting in Digital storytelling listening to Megan Muthupandiyan. The president likes to create He created the Model UN team at this school. In fact, it is his main passion. “ I started it because I wanted an opportunity to build myself up as a leader and to provide a place for people to discuss politics in an environment that doesn’t feel hostile, but diplomatic.

Nate stops and talks to Tate, a fellow member of SGA. Now, this is only one person. On a regular basis, he talks to about 5 people in the hallways in between classes. He says he talks to so many people because “Connections are everything, especially when it comes to politics. I find myself really intrigued by people cause I really like to figure out what they’re talented in.”

Nate keeps a notebook about his daily schedule Nate says, “I literally live and die by my schedule, I need to have a plan because it becomes so much I can’t keep track of it all unless it’s written down.” In this schedule, he has his plans and goals for the day. He also writes down the homework that he needs to get done for the day.

Nate gets his title of Mr. President from SGA. It’s related to what he wants to do with his life. “I’m in SGA because I wanna run for public office one day.” It boils down to Nate wanting to help people in the future.

February 26, 2020 0

Lunch at Noon: Insight to UWM-WC’s Lunch Hour

by Alison Dewers

A giant burst of people walk into the cafeteria as soon as it hits noon, instantly breathing life into the dead silent area.

The cafeteria of UWM-WC has a wide range of activity…

…to loud groups of students talking about their day.

The cafeteria is definitely busiest from noon to one…

…and a huge flow of people entering in and out of it, like…

The cafeteria features some tasty snacks…

…where most students have their lunch break.

…people helping each other out with their work…

“The cafeteria is nice because you have plenty of space to lay out your work!” freshman Olivia Miller tells.

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.

February 25, 2020 0

The Commuter Backpack

What do students bring to survive their long days on campus?
By: Cassie Kraemer

**Cassie**
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.

**Grace**
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.

**Henry**
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.

**Jake**
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.

**Kaitlyn**
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

**Andrew**
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).

February 25, 2020 0

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.”

February 17, 2020 0