Wisconsin Union: Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller Will Discuss Exclusion, Punishment Former Prisoners Face During Free Discussion on Nov. 9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 27, 2021    

Contact: Shauna Breneman
Phone: (608) 262-8862
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu

DR. REUBEN JONATHAN MILLER WILL DISCUSS EXCLUSION, PUNISHMENT FORMER PRISONERS FACE DURING FREE DISCUSSION ON NOV. 9

MADISON – Reuben Jonathan Miller, Ph.D., describes the restrictions that people released from prison face as creating a new form of citizenship predominantly focused on exclusion and punishment, which prevent them from gaining employment and places to live.

Miller will speak to audience members during a free moderated discussion and Q&A in Shannon Hall and through a livestream on Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. CST about the barriers former prisoners face after incarceration. The Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) Committee and Just Dane invite all to attend in-person or online. To attend in-person, guests must obtain a free, printed ticket at the Memorial Union Box Office or register to attend the in-person event here and print their tickets at home. A printed ticket is required for entry to the in-person event. Patrons do not need tickets for the free livestream. WUD DLS will make the livestream link available here.

Miller, who is a sociologist, criminologist, and social worker, says that more than 19,000 laws, policies and administrative sanctions prevent people with criminal records from gaining employment. He researches how these and other factors restrict the lives of people released from prison as well as works as an associate professor at the University of Chicago.

He published his debut book “Halfway Home: Race, Punishment and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration” in 2021, which compiled 15 years of his research and field notes on the permanent effects of incarceration on released prisoners’ lives. He conducted hands-on research, including serving as a chaplain at the Cook County Jail in Illinois for five years and following the lives of dozens of formerly incarcerated people.

Miller’s brother Jeremiah experienced the effects of the laws, policies and sanctions affecting formerly incarcerated individuals first-hand when Jeremiah’s parole was delayed, because he could not find housing. He remained in prison months after he was granted parole until he eventually found housing in Michigan. Jeremiah further struggled as he balanced the requirements of his parole and worked to regain his financial footing and find employment during life after prison.

“What I decided to study was what I call the afterlife of incarceration,” Miller said. “So this is the way that prison follows people. It’s like a ghost.”

The WUD DLS Committee brings thought leaders to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to spark thought-provoking conversations. WUD includes 11 student-led committees and six student-led Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that program thousands of events on campus each year.

More information about the upcoming WUD DLS event is available here.

-###-

About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee contributes to the educational experience of University of Wisconsin–Madison students, Wisconsin Union members and community members by bringing engaging and influential people to campus. Founded in 1987, the series aims to expose the campus community to a diverse and vibrant array of people, backgrounds, and ideas. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/dls.
[Note: Click here to download a photo of Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller. Photo by Jonathan Miller.]

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/reuben-miller.

Madison Ballet Partners with American Heart Association to Bring Life-Saving Resources to Their Facility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2021

Madison Ballet Partners with American Heart Association to Bring Life-Saving Resources to Their Facility

Madison, WI – Madison Ballet and the American Heart Association (AHA) are partnering to provide life-saving CPR/AED training to Madison Ballet’s faculty and staff. This partnership coincides with the local nonprofit acquiring their first on-site automated external defibrillator (AED) earlier this month.

Madison Ballet has students of all ages practicing and performing high-impact athletics in their facility. It makes both common and scientific sense to have their faculty trained in CPR, with an AED on site so that they are optimally equipped to respond to emergencies. Implementing additional safety measures is appropriate given the raised health and safety risks as a result of COVID-19.

“COVID has brought with it increased numbers of pediatric patients with abnormal heart rhythms, recovering from varying degrees of cardiac inflammation,” says Dr. Andrea Rock, Pediatric Cardiology Specialist, SSM Health. “Fortunately, the impact of the inflammatory reactions in the heart has been reduced by vaccinating young adults, but the true incidence and long-term impact are still unknown. With so many people affected, there has never been a better time to be conscientious about the safety of the settings where our families are learning and being active.”

Currently, less than 12% of victims survive sudden cardiac arrest, but effective bystander CPR and AED defibrillation provided immediately after cardiac arrest can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival.

“CPR and particularly AED-assisted CPR saves lives. As a pediatric cardiologist, I have witnessed this more times than I ever wanted to. I have seen children and young adults who survived sudden cardiac arrest, and I have worked hard to try to help families find answers after one of their children did not survive. These events happen to physically active, fit people when they are exerting themselves. I have seen cardiac arrests at every age. The most important factor in giving a person a chance at survival is early effective AED-assisted CPR.”, says Dr. Rock.

“We are always grateful for additional resources to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community, a need that has drastically increased with the pandemic,” says Madison Ballet CEO, Jonathan Solari. “The American Heart Association has been an incredible resource as we continue to increase the safety of all those who work, learn, create and inspirein our studios,” says Solari.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 10,000 cardiac arrests happen in the workplace annually. Knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED is a matter of life or death.

“We applaud Madison Ballet for making the health and safety of the community, their performers, and their staff a priority. The addition of AEDs and CPR trainings in organizations and workplaces is an integral part of ensuring successful outcomes should a cardiac arrest occur,” says AHA Executive Director, Carrie Nevins.

Dean Health will be administering the American Heart Association CPR/AED training course for Madison Ballet faculty and staff on November 1st, 1-3:30 pm, and November 5th, 7-9:30 pm. This training will be open to a limited number of journalists. Please contact Lexi Janssen at lexi@madisonballet.org to secure your attendance.

Contact: Lexi Janssen, Madison Ballet Marketing Manager

Phone: (262) 402-2358

Email: lexi@madisonballet.org

###

Tom Olson named ESPN Madison Market Manager

MADISON, WI. (October 26, 2021) – Good Karma Brands (GKB) and ESPN Madison are excited to announce Tom Olson as the new Market Manager of ESPN Madison, effective November 1, 2021. As Market Manager, Olson will be responsible for overseeing the station’s sales, marketing and content strategy and execution. Olson steps into this role as Keith Williams, Vice President and current ESPN Madison Market Manager, segues to ESPN 1000 in Chicago.

Tom Olson has held a variety of roles throughout his career at Good Karma Brands, including managing the company’s business development team, and most recently as the Director of Sales & Marketing at ESPN Madison.

“I’m excited to lead one of Good Karma Brands’ heritage markets,” said Tom Olson, new Market Manager of ESPN Madison. “Madison is an incredible sports town, and I’m looking forward to working with our talented team, as well as local businesses and marketing partners as we build on our years of serving the passionate sports fans.”

“Tom is an exemplary model of a Good Karma Brands teammate who embodies our six core values,” said Keith Williams, ESPN 1000 Market Manager. “His experience in developing teammates, passion for the organization, and commitment to the community make him an ideal candidate for the role.”

Tom began his career with Good Karma Brands in 2011 as an intern and quickly ascended to the leadership team. He is involved in various organizations and committees, including SHARP Literacy’s Board of Directors, Young Professionals Board where he served as President, and a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

###

About Good Karma Brands

Good Karma Brands, LLC (GKB) is a media and marketing company with expertise in leveraging the power of sports and local news to build brands through radio, digital, events, and TV assets. Radio assets include Newsradio 620 WTMJ and 101.7 The Truth in Milwaukee, Wis., seven ESPN affiliated radio stations in Chicago, Cleveland, Madison, Milwaukee and West Palm Beach, and two stations in Beaver Dam, Wis. In partnership with ESPN, GKB also offers local marketing partners geo-targeted advertising on ESPN’s digital platforms. In addition to its radio assets, GKB boasts a number of premium brands, including an events division that produces the Wisconsin Sports Awards, Tundra Trio hospitality houses in Green Bay, Wis., and the Boca Raton Bowl; and a home furnishings and interior decorating business, The Home Market. For more information, please visit www.goodkarmabrands.com. ​

Core Endeavors Coaching & Consulting: Being to Becoming: Your Personal Development Pathway

WPS Health Solutions recognized as one of the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces® Awards ‘Elite 8’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions recognized as one of the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces^® Awards ‘Elite 8’

MADISON, Wis.—Oct. 22, 2021—WPS Health Solutions today announced its recognition as one of the “Elite 8” companies within the 2021 Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces^® Awards, which celebrate the top 50 employers that make engagement, alignment, and recognition central to the employee experience.

The coveted Elite 8 recognition is given to the companies that most exemplify one of Achievers’ Eight Elements of Employee Engagement^™ used to evaluate the most engaged workplaces: Accountability & Performance, Belonging, Equity & Inclusion, Culture Alignment, Manager Empowerment, Professional & Personal Growth, Purpose & Leadership, Recognition & Rewards, and Wellbeing.

“With employee resignations and labor shortages plaguing the workforce, it has never been more important for companies to commit to improving the employee experience,” said Jeff Cates, CEO and president at Achievers. “The number of submissions we received for the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces® Awards proved not only that employers understand this need, but also shows their willingness to put people first during a crisis. The Elite 8 have exemplified what it looks like to be an employee-first company, and I want to congratulate them on both the well-deserved award and their dedication to their employees.”

Sara Siekierski, Talent Development Manager, said, “This award is affirmation of the effort and attention we’ve placed on our culture over the last several years. Our performance-based culture fosters an empowering employee experience where employees contribute to their highest ability and results in a meaningful impact on our business.”

The Elite 8 and Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces^® Award winners were officially recognized during the annual awards gala held virtually on Oct. 21, 2021.

The full list of 2021 Elite 8 winners are:

• Insight Enterprises for Accountability & Performance
• Cadillac Fairview Corporation for Belonging, Equity & Inclusion
• WPS Health Solutions for Culture Alignment
• Herbalife Nutrition for Manager Empowerment
• Discover for Professional & Personal Growth
• Air Canada for Purpose & Leadership
• Meijer for Recognition & Rewards
• Lloyds Banking Group for Wellbeing

For more information about Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces® Awards, please visit achievers.com/engaged. Follow the conversations on Twitter at @Achievers or use the hashtags #Achievers50.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,800 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

About Achievers

Achievers’ employee voice and recognition solutions bring your organization’s values and strategy to life by activating employee participation and accelerating a culture of performance. Achievers leverages the science behind behavior change, so your people and your organization can experience sustainable, data-driven business results. Visit us at www.achievers.com.

©2021 Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. All rights reserved.

###