Faculty awards define ‘Wisconsin Idea’

The School of Human Ecology at UW–Madison recently presented Excellence in Outreach Awards to faculty for their work in three distinct types of outreach – teaching, research and service.

“Outreach is how faculty and staff support the Wisconsin Idea, bringing the resources of the university to empower communities and individuals throughout the state,” says Lynet Uttal, professor of human development and family studies and chair of the school’s Outreach Planning Council.

“Outreach is more than a university faculty or staff person volunteering at a community event or facility,” Uttal notes. “While voluntarism is important, outreach involves university personnel applying their academic expertise in community settings.”

Stephen Small, professor of human development and family studies, received the Excellence in Outreach Award for Teaching for his work with the Hmong Family Strengthening Project in Eau Claire. Small worked with local organizations and taught local leaders to identify needs and establish programs supportive of Hmong families raising children in a new culture. These programs have become self-sustaining; local groups are now facilitating programs and writing grants to continue to meet family needs.

Judi Bartfeld, professor of consumer science, received the Excellence in Outreach Award for Research for her work on food-related hardships in Wisconsin. Bartfeld worked with county and state organizations, surveying food pantry clients in 27 counties, generating reports used by food security programs in those counties, and pooling data to inform statewide policymakers about hunger at the local level.

Michael Gutter, professor of consumer science, received the Excellence in Outreach Award for Service for promoting financial education. Among his numerous activities, Gutter helped establish the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) in the University Community Partnership Office on South Park Street, served on the Governor’s Task Force on Financial Literacy, and created materials for teachers’ institutes, teleconferences and youth programs.

The Excellence in Outreach recognition carries a $500 award, which is supported in part by the UW–Madison Morgridge Center for Public Service.