Protecting the most vulnerable: UW teams up with state on child maltreatment prevention

The recent release of a report on child maltreatment prevention is the product of a long-term collaboration between researchers and graduate students at UW-Madison.

The research team is a collaborative effort among UW–Madison Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) and the School of Social Work (SSW) with child welfare specialists at the Children's Trust Fund of the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, and the State Department of Children and Families.

The report, What It Will Take: Investing in Wisconsin’s Future by Keeping Kids Safe Today, follows the fall 2009 release of Child Maltreatment Prevention: Toward an Evidence-Based Approach, which provides a review of the latest research on what approaches work best for children and families.

SSW doctoral student Katie Maguire Jack, lead author of What It Will Take, worked with Professor Kristen Shook Slack, SSW and IRP, and SSW graduate student Leah M. Gjertson on Child Maltreatment Prevention.

Slack notes, "Together, these reports along with a series of briefs on child maltreatment prevention on the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families Web site, should generate a lot of discussion about child maltreatment prevention efforts around the state and help local agencies to use their limited resources to the best effect for Wisconsin children and their families."

Category: Social Sciences
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L&S 'Forward Under Forty' are movers, shakers

This year, 10 alumni of the College of Letters & Science were named Forward Under 40 honorees.

The award, given by the Wisconsin Alumni Association, honors UW grads under age 40 who are making an impact on the world by living the Wisconsin Idea.

The outstanding contributions by these young graduates are a reminder of the caliber of our alumni and a testament to the value of the liberal arts. 

Of the twelve honorees this year, ten graduated with liberal arts degrees. 

Congratulations to the L&S alumni!

Aaron Bishop ’94, ’95, MS’00
UW Major: Bacteriology, Genetics and Social Work
An adviser to Wyoming senator Michael Enzi, Bishop is a tireless advocate for Americans with disabilities and has shaped several laws aiding disabled people.

Phillip Chavez ’94, JD’98
UW Major: Political Science and Sociology; Law
A former Badger linebacker, Chavez is now the first elected Latino municipal court judge in Milwaukee’s history.

Jerry Halverson ’94, MD’99
UW Major: Psychology and Medicine
Now the medical director for adult services at Rogers Memorial Hospital, Halverson conducted research into new psychiatric therapies and interventions at UW-Madison.

Britt Lintner ’92
UW Major: Economics
Lintner, a London clothing designer, creates functional and fashionable apparel for professional women and has earned praise from Vogue and Marie Claire.

Brian Riedl ’98
UW Major: Political Science and Economics
Riedl is the lead federal budget analyst for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank, and he’s recognized as a national leader on tax and spending issues.

Elsworth Rockefeller MA’06
UW Major: Library and Information Studies
As the manager of children’s and teen services in the District of Columbia library system, Rockefeller writes an influential column that informs librarians around the country.

Angela Rose ’02
UW Major: Sociology
A survivor of sexual assault, Rose founded Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE) while an undergrad at UW-Madison. This grassroots organization now has chapters combating sexual assault in 55 cities and three countries.

Susanne Rust MS’99
UW Major: Physical Anthropology
Rust was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for her work as an investigative reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Her articles revealed the presence of toxic substances in food containers.

Ahna Skop PhD’00
UW Major: Cellular and Molecular Biology
An assistant UW professor of genetics, Skop leads a lab that has expanded our understanding of cell division, and she’s an accomplished artist whose exhibits adorn campus buildings.

Nelson Tansu ’98, PhD’03
UW Major: Applied Math, Engineering and Physics
Tansu is the youngest tenured professor at Pennsylvania’s Lehigh University, where his research focuses on nanotechnology, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources.

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14 faculty hires made possible by Madison Intiative for Undergraduates

The College of Letters & Science is proud to announce that fourteen faculty have accepted positions at UW-Madison.  This is only the first round of new faculty hires. 

These hires were made possible by the Madison Initaitive for Undergraduates which was approved last spring.  This supplemental tuition charge is being phased in during the next four years to improve the quality and long-term value of undergraduate education while also providing funds for need-based aid.

The fourteen L&S hires represent an opportunity for the college to meet pressing needs in high-demand majors. 

The ability to recruit new talent — at a time when many of our peers cannot — is an exciting chance to grow and enhance the undergraduate education and meet our teaching and research mission.

The faculty, areas of study and start dates include:

• Catalina Toma (Communication Arts, 2010-11)
• Karma R. Chávez (Communication Arts, 2010-11)
• Chao Fu (Economics, 2010-11)
• Kenichi Fukushima (Economics, 2010-11)
• Xiaxia Shi (Economics, 2010-11)
• Joseph Dennis (History, 2010-11)
• Sana Aiyar (History, 2010-11)
• Leonora Neville (History, 2010-11)
• Christopher F. Wells (Journalism & Mass Communication, 2010-11)
• Alexander Tahk (Political Science, 2010-11)
• Bas Rosker (Psychology, 2010-11)
• Paula Niedenthal (Psychology, 2011-12)
• Marcus Brauer (Psychology, 2011-12)
• Maurice N. Gattis (Social Work, 2010-11)
  

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Social Work awards Sec. Gassman the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award

In early April, the UW-Madison School of Social Work awarded Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award  at the Waisman Center.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin were among speakers who paid tribute to Gassman.

A member of the governor's cabinet since 2003, Gassman has led efforts to strengthen Wisconsin's workforce and meet the needs of job seekers, working families and employers.

Gassman has also led the governor's s efforts to expand career pathways for low-wage workers, raise the minimum wage and help train workers for emerging industries such as energy, advanced manufacturing and health care.

Now, as the nation begins to emerge from its worst recession in decades, she is active in preparing job seekers for future employment opportunities.

As part of the Distinguished Alumni Award, the School of Social Work is establishing the Roberta Gassman School of Social Work Opportunities Fund and the Roberta Gassman Distinguished Lecture Series.

At the secretary's request, the fund will support social work policy research, programs that address poverty and the needs of people with disabilities, and the recruitment and retention of students of color and student achievement awards.

Gassman, a native of Evanston, Illinois, has lived in Madison since coming to the UW-Madison in 1966. She earned her B.A. in social work, with distinction, and her M.S.S.W. in 1972, also from UW-Madison.

Category: Social Sciences
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L&S faculty take home eight Distinguished Teaching Awards

Each year, the Committee on Distinguished Teaching Awards honors faculty for teaching excellence. This year, the committee selected ten outstanding faculty — eight who teach in the College of Letters & Science.

Congratulations to the winners on this outstanding achievement! 

To read more about the recipients and their work, see: http://www.news.wisc.edu/17913

• Emily Auerbach, professor of liberal studies and the arts and English, Van Hise Outreach Award
• Richard Avramenko, assistant professor of political science and integrated liberal studies, William H. Kiekhofer Award
• Donald Davis, associate professor of Languages and Cultures of Asia, Class of 1955 Distinguished Teaching Award
• Judith Leavitt, Ruth Bleier WARF Professor of medical history, history of science and women’s studies and UW Foundation Chair Rupple-Bascom Professor, Chancellor’s Award
• Mahesh Mahanthappa, assistant professor of chemistry, Emil H. Steiger Award
• Kirin Narayan, professor of anthropology, Chancellor’s Award
  
• Antonia Schleicher, professor of African languages and literature, Chancellor’s Award
• Tracy Schroepfer, assistant professor, School of Social Work, Chancellor’s Award

The recipients will receive their awards at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 21 at 3:30 p.m. at the Pyle Center.

News via University Communications

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March 21: 'All You Ever Wanted to Know About American Indians But Were Afraid to Ask'

Ada Deer, retired Senior Lecturer in Social Work and American Indian Studies, has been slated to be a part of the "Eloquence and Eminence" emeritus faculty lecture series in the School of Social Work. 

Deer will present "All You Ever Wanted to Know About American Indians But Were Afraid to Ask" on Sunday, March 21, 2010, 2:00-3:00 at the Pyle Center. 

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Mohelnitzky retires from Second Harvest Foodbank

Robert (“Bob”) G. Mohelnitzky, an associate instructor in the School of Social Work, will be retiring from the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

Mohelnitzky has lead the organization as President and CEO for the organization for the last eight years.  He departs the Foodbank having increased annual food distribution from three to seven million pounds, expanded its partner food programs from 250 to more than 400, and established the Foodbank as a model for the nation.

Mohelnitzky currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Center of Dane County and is a member of the Rotary Club of Madison. He holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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