University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

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University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point


Established	1894
Type	State university
Faculty	Over 400
Students	8,700
Location	Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States
Campus	Small town, 400 acres (1.6 km²)
Colors	Purple & Gold
Nickname	Pointers
Mascot	Stevie and Stephanie Pointer
Website	http://www.uwsp.edu

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (also known as UW-Stevens Point or UWSP) is a public university located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System, and grants baccalaureate, associate, and master's degrees.

1 History
2 Radio Station & Trivia
- 2.1 Rules
3 Notable alumni
4 External links

[edit] History

UWSP opened its doors in 1894 as Stevens Point Normal School after securing land and funding from the city of Stevens Point and the county. In addition to teacher preparation, "domestic science" (home economics) and conservation education were offered; the latter formed the basis for the College of Natural Resources, nationally recognized for undergraduate and graduate training in natural resources.

In 1927 Stevens Point Normal School became Central State Teachers College and began offering four-year teaching degrees. When post-World War II enrollment became less centered on teacher training and more focused on liberal arts education, the Wisconsin State Legislature intervened, elevating the school to a Wisconsin State College with the authority to grant bachelor's degrees in liberal arts.

Ever larger numbers of students in the 1950s and 1960s led to construction on campus throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. It was during this period, in 1964, that the college became a Wisconsin State University and began offering graduate degrees. Again in the 1970s the school's name changed from WSU-SP to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point after the two state university systems merged. Lee S. Dreyfus became Chancellor in 1974 before going on to become the state of Wisconsin's 40th Governor. Governor Dreyfus was inaugurated on the lawn in front of Old Main on the UWSP campus in 1979.

Image:UWSP-oldmain.jpg

Old Main is the current Administration Building

Stevie Pointer, the UWSP mascot.

UWSP has graduated over 70,000 students since opening its doors. Over 40,000 of these alumni live in Wisconson.

[edit] Radio Station & Trivia

WWSP is the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's alternative radio station. It is the largest student operated radio station in the entire Midwest. It broadcasts commercial free on 89.9FM 365 days per year from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. (with summer hours of 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.)

WWSP hosts the world's largest trivia contest, which was founded in 1969 and has since become a long-standing tradition for both the university and the entire community. Hundreds of teams with thousands of members participate in the contest every year, usually in April.

[edit] Rules

Representatives of each trivia team register at the 90FM studios from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday from Noon until 6, the week of the contest. There is a small registration fee, but teams can be of any size. At the time of registration, teams are given a unique identification number used during the answer phone-in, and two copies of the "New Trivia Times". The New Trivia Times contains information about the contest, advertisements and weekend specials on food from area businesses.

Description of the contest: The contest starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and goes continuously to 12:00 midnight Monday morning. Eight questions are asked over the 90FM airwaves each hour. Teams are limited to one attempt to phone in their answer, and have the length of two songs to do so. A pari-mutuel system is used to distribute points: all teams that respond correctly are given an equal share of the 2000 points that a question is worth, with a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 500 points. There are two hours during the contest when only four questions are asked. This allows the trivia staff to read all of the team standings.

A movie is played the Friday and Saturday before the contest at midnight for contestants to watch, and the events are kicked off with a parade two hours before the contest actually starts in which teams may participate in.

Running Questions: The Running Questions are given at specific locations in Stevens Point at 7:00 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Teams are asked to gather information within "running" distance of the meeting site. Locations for the Running Questions are given in the New Trivia Times.

Trivia Stone: The Trivia Stone is a rally, of sorts. During the contest, teams are instructed to follow a certain group of clues. These clues lead teams throughout the city and countryside, and at three times are instructed to get their Trivia Times booklet stamped. The stamps are then turned in at 6:30 Sunday evening for points. One stamp earns 50 points, two stamps 150 points, and three stamps 300 points. The first clue is given in the New Trivia Times.

Music Questions: The three music questions are comprised of collection of eight snippets of different songs. The music questions are very valuable; there are three music "questions", but each of the eight snippets of each question is equivalent in point value to one regular trivia question. Blank answer forms and turn-in times are located in the New Trivia Times.

Picture Questions: Questions regarding the photos, drawings, and other pictures located in the New Trivia Times are asked at various times throughout the contest.

Trophies for the top three teams are donated by Stevens Point Brewery/Premium Brands. Trophies for fourth through tenth place are donated by Point Trophy. Each of the teams will be sent a certificate acknowledging their team name, place in the contest, and point total after the contest.

[edit] Notable alumni

Mel Laird, U.S. Secretary of Defense (attended)
Lawrence Eagleburger, U.S. Secretary of State (attended)
Terry Porter, NBA player and coach
Andrea Anders, Television Star
Clint Kriewaldt, NFL player (attended)
Brad Soderberg, Men's head basketball coach, Saint Louis University
John A. List, University of Chicago economist
Michael Dombeck, Former U.S. Forest Service Chief (currently teaches)
Tim Bedore comedian
Kathy Kinney, Television star, most notable for portraying Mimi on the Drew Carey Show
Jenny Harter, Second in command for the Noel Compass Scholoars, also a talented Graphic Designer
Kerry Tasch, Donated lots of time and creative effort to help advertise events for the Boys and Girls Club of Portage County
Laura Osnes, Actress, Winner of the role of Sandy in "Grease: You're The One That I Want" (attended)

Former UWSP Coaches, Faculty Members, Athletes, & Students

[edit] External links

Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Gustavus Adolphus^‡ • Hamline^‡ • Lawrence^† • UW–Eau Claire • UW–La Crosse • UW–Oshkosh • UW–Platteville • UW–River Falls • UW–Stevens Point • UW–Stout • UW–Superior • UW–Whitewater • Winona State^‡ ^† wrestling-only member • ^‡gymnastics-only member

University of Wisconsin System
Eau Claire • Green Bay • La Crosse • Madison • Milwaukee • Oshkosh • Parkside • Platteville • River Falls • Stevens Point • Stout • Superior • Whitewater