WAUKESHA – Two English faculty members from the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha have come up with an idea to show students the connection between community and education, establish ties between students and their professors and staff, and kick off the new year with some fun. The first “Immersion Excursion” will take place this Friday, September 10, with nine groups of students accompanied by faculty and staff venturing out on field trips. Approximately 130 students, mostly in their first year, will participate, and some had to be turned away because there was not enough room.
Associate professor of mathematics Shubhangi Stalder and associate professor of history Jane Crisler will take their students to the Hindu temple in Waukesha. They will tour it, learn more about the Hindi, and enjoy some Hindu foods.
One of the two organizers, assistant professor of English Ellyn Lem will take her students to the VA hospital at Wood. They will meet with Joe Campbell, the Vietnam veteran of the year, and with other war veterans. One student in the class who recently returned from Iraq is very eager to meet with comrades from former wars, Lem says. Lem hopes to establish a letter-writing exchange with the students and veterans.
Another assistant professor of English, Cassie Phillips will travel with her students to a local nursing home, where they will read to the residents and interview them on their reading habits.
Associate professor of Spanish Cecilia Rodriguez and math specialist Pedro Valadez will be going with their students to the El Rey grocery store, where they will learn about foods and preparation in the Mexican culture.
The other organizer of “Immersion Excursion,” assistant professor of English John Allen will get his students involved in yard work and minor repairs at homeless shelters in the area. Allen has written a book, Homelessness in American Literature: Romanticism, Realism, and Testimony (2003).
Tom Pugh, a lecturer in chemistry, and Gail Vojta, a senior lecturer in chemistry, will take students to a hospital laboratory, where they will observe tests being done and can ask questions.
Associate lecturer in English Sheila Carmody will go to the Retzer Nature Center with her students. They will do readings of environmental writers and see how the center cares for the environment.
English professor Margaret Rozga will go downtown Waukesha with her students. They will visit with merchants and stop in the Free Trade Store, which sells only items acquired through fair trade agreements.
Finally, assistant professor of art Barbara Reinhart will be doing photography with her students at the Field Station, the last stop on the day’s excursion. All the students faculty and staff involved will enjoy an outdoor barbecue there and have the opportunity to mingle and discuss with each other the lessons of the afternoon immersion experiences.
UW-Waukesha has the highest enrollment among the 13 freshman-sophomore UW Colleges campuses. For more information about admissions, programs, or financial aid, contact the Student Services office at (262) 521-5040 or visit the Web at waukesha.uwc.edu.
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