College of Letters and Science
The College-at-the-Core
COLS Newsletter - Spring 2014
Thriving on Adventure–Indoors and Out
UW-Stevens Point alumna published in Journal of Raptor Research
By Sydney Inks
Recent graduate Jenna
Cava discovered a
new bird species that is
establishing habitat in
Portage County and other
Wisconsin counties through
research she began as an
undergraduate at UWStevens Point. The peerrefereed international
Journal of Raptor Research
accepted Cava’s leadauthored article, “Shift to
Later Timing of Autumnal
Migration Sharp-Shinned Cava studies Peregrine falcons in Greenland during a UW-Stevens
Point study abroad trip.
Hawks,” last fall.
Studying Cooper’s Hawks as an
undergraduate, Cava and her
mentor Professor Robert Rosenfield
(Biology), who has a doctorate in
zoology, discovered Merlin falcons
in the Stevens Point area and
conducted research co-authored by
Andy Richardson, a UW-Stevens Point
alumnus with a B.S. in Wildlife.
Cava is currently pursuing a master’s
at the University of New England with
a research focus on the causes and
consequences of natal philopatry in
Savannah Sparrows and Bobolinks
in Vermont. She has received a
NSF Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12
education to support her work.
Currently, Cava is part of a long-term
study on the effects of agricultural
management on nesting grassland
birds, focusing on Bobolinks and
Savannah Sparrows. “The study
was started by my co-adviser Noah
Perlut in 2002,” said Cava, “so I have
Spring 2014 COLS Newsletter.indd 1
a wonderful dataset from which to
work and I will be able to do more
fieldwork this coming summer.”
After completing her master’s at the
University of New England, Cava
plans to pursue a Ph.D.
UW-Stevens Point played a part in
Cava’s success as she was mentored
by faculty members who gave
her guidance as she conducted
research, co-authored two papers
and lead-authored two other
papers. “My Honors Internship with
Bob Rosenfield was wonderful
for helping me get involved with
research early-on and follow through
with presentations and publications,”
said Cava. “My involvement as a
project co-leader in the UW-Stevens
Point Wildlife Society Chapter also
helped me gain experience in
wildlife research. All of the
hands-on experience certainly made
me a great candidate for
graduate school!”
As she continues her
education, Cava is also
in the review process of
her third lead-authored
paper based on her work
in the Wildlife Society and
independent study she
completed at
UW-Stevens Point with
Assistant Professor Jason
Riddle (wildlife ecologyCNR).
As a graduate who had
unique opportunities
in her field of work and
hands-on experiences, Cava gained
insight on future possibilities of
research prospects, career paths,
and interests. With help from faculty
at UW-Stevens Point, Cava was
able to craft her own independent
study program and begin her next
adventure.
Jenna Cava holds a sevenday-old Savannah Sparrow in
Vermont.
2/18/2014 9:35:31 AM
Hmong culture shared in Central Wisconsin
By Sydney Inks
It is often said that America is a melting pot with diversity
in every nook and cranny of the country. With many
Hmong Americans residing in Portage County, we have
cultural opportunities here locally as well. Select faculty,
staff and students on campus, with the help of many
community members and other professionals, have
created a documentary tracing the Hmong community
in Stevens Point and spotlighting their diverse culture.
“Finding the Middle Way” explores cultural traditions,
working life, intergenerational relations, and Hmong and
non-Hmong relationships in
Portage County.
understand meaning of content in interviews and events.
She will present lectures and lead discussions at public
forums and showings of the documentary as the project
is presented.
Members of the UW-Stevens Point Hmong and Southeast
Asian American Club (HASEAAC) have also contributed
with interviews and research. HASEAAC is a club formed
in the 1980s and consists of many Hmong American
students who are active on campus and in the
community.
“Finding the Middle Way,”
which will be included in
Jennings and Herr’s community
Adjunct Anthropology
lecture on May 6, 2014 at 6:30
Professor Tori Jennings
p.m. at the Portage County
and Maysee Yang Herr, an
Library, ties together two
Assistant Professor of Education
cultures that have become
were two members of the
one. While still holding true
documentary film team.
to tradition and core values,
Jennings contributed her
the Hmong Americans in
experience in ethnographic
the documentary portray a
The
documentary
poster
illustrates
the
combination
of
and fieldwork to teach
people who are adaptable
two cultures and its core purpose of tellling the stories of and accept new surroundings,
student project assistants
Hmong families who have moved to Portage County, their
ethical research practices,
but loyal to where they came
home.
skills and techniques required
from. The work done by a
for ethnographic and qualitative data collection while
team who are integrated with different backgrounds,
primarily working as the project producer. Herr served as
diverse cultures and professions is a celebration of two
the projects humanities expert and cultural consultant.
communities joining together.
Her Hmong background was useful in helping the team
Memorial Gift will Help Students
Mary Joe Buggs taught English courses at UW-Stevens
Point for 35 years until her retirement in 2000. After her
death in January 2013, relatives made a
memorial gift that will provide two annual
$1,000 scholarships to help English students
with tuition assistance.
Buggs grew up in Central Wisconsin, and
attended Central State College (now
UW-Stevens Point) in the late-1950s. While
on campus, she was a member of Mu Chi
Omega sorority, editor-in-chief of the Pointer,
and was named Homecoming Queen in 1959,
the year she graduated. She went on to teach
at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in the midFor information on creating a legacy at UW-Stevens
Point or creating one for a friend, mentor or loved
one, please contact Tony Romano at 715-346-3406
or email tony.romano@uwsp.edu. Thank you for your
consideration.
Spring 2014 COLS Newsletter.indd 2
1960s and earned her M.S.T. (English) from
UW-Stevens Point in 1966, focusing on the reading interests
of adolescents. Buggs began to teach at the
university that fall and later completed her Ph.D.
from UW-Milwaukee.
She taught several courses including
composition, literature for adolescents, nature
literature and 19th-century American literature.
Her accomplishments included developing a
widely used instrument for grading composition
and chairing the Coordinating Council of
Women in Higher Education, a statewide
organization promoting affirmative action. She
was passionate about helping students, reading books,
sharing books and suggesting books to read.
Her passion for helping students succeed will continue
with the first scholarship awarded this spring.
2/18/2014 9:35:31 AM
From the desk of Dean Chris Cirmo
This issue of the COLS newsletter highlights some of the ways we are fulfilling our
UW-Stevens Point Strategic Plan. In all our activities, classes, meetings and events, we
are guided by principles that benefit our students and our community. Jenna Cava has
demonstrated how we Advance Learning through field work opportunities that eventually
led to a new scientific discovery. The “Finding the Middle Way” effort shows how we
Enhance Living by promoting greater understanding of Hmong culture in our community.
Caitlin Lindsay is a wonderful example of how a successful student is getting the most out
of her educational experience. By Leveraging Resources, she is gaining valuable work
experience on campus to prepare her for a career in administration. And finally, we will
Honor Legacy by recognizing the many contributions of Justus Paul (retired COLS Dean)
and the late Mary Jo Buggs (English). These principles serve as a roadmap that has
proven invaluable as the College-at-the-Core fulfills its critical role in serving our students
and our community.
Getting Involved is Key to College Success
By Sydney Inks
One of the keys to having a complete college
experience is involvment with activities, events and
people who will test your strengths and encourage you
to test yourself. Caitlin Lindsay is a prime example of how
students can get involved, network and apply valuable
life skills in any activity she does. Lindsay appreciates
students, professors and faculty alike as mentors and
inspiration to help her achieve higher success.
“We kind of challenge each other to outdo the other
one. If one of them graduates with high honors, our
goal is to graduate with highest honors. It’s friendly
competition,” said Lindsay, regarding her competitive
relationships with her friends. She has been involved with
numerous extra-curricular
activities, ranging from Greek
life to working at the Student
Affairs office.
As Lindsay’s college career
has progressed, she has strived
to relate to everyone she
encounters as she has done in
Delta Phi Epsilon, the sorority
she serves as president.
“Sororities are made up of a
wide range of majors and that
has really helped me to look at
things in different perspectives
Caitlin Lindsay
because you talk to your sisters
about everything,” said Lindsay. “You have to learn to
respect other peoples’ opinions and present yours in a
respectful way.” Spring 2014 COLS Newsletter.indd 3
Lindsay strongly believes getting involved is beneficial
in many forms, and resume building is crucial for post
graduation plans. Her resume is certainly fulfilling as she
is currently working three jobs: two in the Admissions
office and interning for the Vice Chancellor of Student
Affairs, shadowing leaders of different departments
within student affairs, attending meetings for budgeting,
and performing various other tasks. She is also president
of the White Rose of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity
and has participated in the Student Alumni Association,
Multicultural Leadership Conference, and several other
clubs and organizations.
However, it is not just about listing another activity on
her resume; the experience of being active on campus
and active with the area community are truly valuable.
“These activities are a chance to relieve stress and see
which processes of relaxation can do that for someone
as an individual,” said Lindsay.
The General Education Program (GEP) at UW- Stevens
Point has also opened Lindsay to a variety of new
interests or career paths. Although she has declared
a double major in sociology and social work, she still
enjoys topics she had not previously pursued. The GEP
introduces students to different fields of studies through
required credits in basic subjects. This is especially useful
to undecided majors since the exposure can spike
interests in unknown careers.
Lindsay’s involvement is representative of a student body
willing to get involved to better the university, their fellow
peers and themselves. Lindsay is thriving in a community
at UW-Stevens Point that encourages students to be
adventurous and learn through experience.
www.uwsp.edu/cols
2/18/2014 9:35:32 AM
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College of Letters and Science
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Stevens Point, WI 54481
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News Briefs
Renowned
scholar Alek
Toumi (Foreign
Languages)
presented the
keynote address
at a Middlebury
College event
celebrating the
100th birthday
of French Nobel
Prize winning
author, journalist and philosopher,
Albert Camus. Toumi earned his
Ph.D. from UW-Madison specializing
in 20th century literature on CamusSatre and has published three books
on Camus.
Jennifer Collins
(Political
Science) gave
the keynote
address titled
“Giants for
Justice” at the
Martin Luther
King Jr. Day
Community
Celebration held
at the Stevens Point Area Senior High
School.
Sydney Inks, Newsletter Editor
Retired College of Letters
and Science Dean Justus
Paul will be honored with
the Academy of Letters and
Science Community Award
on April 26. In
addition to
his longtime
leadership,
Paul authored
several books
chronicling the
history of
UW-Stevens
Point and
the state of
Wisconsin.
Thirty-four students and two
faculty members will also be
honored at the event.
UW-Stevens Point
was awarded a
$150,000 grant from
the United Soybean
Board for research
led by Associate
Professor of Biology
Devinder Sandhu.
The plant geneticist
is renowned for
work to improve
soybean yield and quality. At least
10 undergraduate students will work
with Sandhu on this project aimed at
improving genetic traits in soybeans.
Sandhu was part of a group of scientists
from all over the world who sequenced
the entire soybean genome in 2010.
COLS Community Lecture Series
●● April 8, 2014 – 6:30 p.m.
“Importance of Indigenous Languages:
Ojibwa and Runasimi (Quechua)”
Elia Armacanqui-Tipacti and Sonny Smart
●● May 6, 2014 – 6:30 p.m.
“Finding the Middle Way: The Hmong
People of Portage County”
Tori Jennings and Maysee Herr
Portage County Library (Pinery Room)
www.uwsp.edu/cols.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.
Spring 2014 COLS Newsletter.indd 4
2/18/2014 9:35:34 AM