Executive Committee President: Wayne Thompson, Carthage College President Elect: Carol Miller, UW-La Crosse Treasurer: Leda Nath, UW-Whitewater Secretary: Tim Thornton, UW-La Crosse Sociological Imagination Editor: Tricia Davis, UW-River Falls Spring/Summer 2008 Newsletter Past President: Greg Peter, UW-Fox Valley Fall WSA Meeting at Rockford College: “Sociologists Making a Difference” Important Dates: This year’s fall conference is The WSA/ISA is having an Nath, UW-Whitewater, by jointly sponsored by the Illi- Undergraduate Student Pa- September 15, 2008. Stu- • Fall WSA Meeting at Rockford, IL October 23 - nois Sociological Association per Competition. Students dent Travel Grant and Ses- October 24th, 2008 and the Wisconsin Sociologi- are strongly encouraged to sion Organizer Forms for cal Association. The theme present their projects and the 2008 meeting at Rock- • Paper Proposal Deadline: for this year’s conference submit papers for considera- ford College are enclosed September 15, 2008 “Sociologists Making a Dif- tion. The WSA/ISA meeting with this newsletter. The • Nominations for Student ference,” which will be held is an excellent place for stu- WSA membership form is Paper Competition at Rockford College in Rock- dents to network with fellow included on page three of Awards: September 15, ford, IL, reflects the contri- students and faculty, ex- the newsletter. Please con- 2008 butions of Jane Addams, who change ideas, learn about sider joining or renewing • Student Travel Grant graduated from Rockford in recent activities in the region your membership today by Application Deadline: 1881. Upon completing her and gain valuable experience completing and returning the September 15, 2008 bachelor’s degree, Addams presenting research. form. went on to become a pio- neer social worker, founder To help support student Your attendance and involve- of the Settlement House attendance at the meeting, ment is appreciated and will Inside this issue: Movement, vice-president of WSA is offering four student help keep WSA on track for the National American travel grants up to $100 what should be a great con- Women Suffrage Associa- each. Just return the com- ference this fall and in the tion, organizer of the pleted travel grant form to coming years! Sociologists Mak- 1 Women’s Peace party, a the WSA treasurer, Leda ing a Difference devote labor reformer, and First American woman to President’s 2 win the Nobel Peace Prize. Message Membership Form 3 The WSA/ISA conference will feature a plenary address Feeling Wisconsin 4 by Louise Knight, whose 2005 book “Citizen” focuses 2007 WSA Con- on the life and work of Jane ference Summary Addams. Additionally, we want to showcase faculty and A Future for the 5 student research that dem- WSA onstrates the impact they have on their campus and Sociological surrounding communities. Imaginations Call See the call for sessions and for Submissions papers enclosed with the newsletter or at the WSA website (www.uwrf.edu/wsa) Poster session at the 2007 WSA Conference held at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI Page 2  President’s Message By Wayne Thompson-WSA President Consider getting more involved bright future even though re- and financial records for WSA. in the WSA. In my case it only sources are always strained. As Past-President of WSA, took a personal request to get Greg Peter (UW-Fox Valley) is both myself and my students There are many things that a civic minded environmental more involved. The WSA has compete for attention in our sociologist who wants WSA to made a positive difference for very full lives. Ours is a world be the best state association it me and my students, enriching where folks are often far too can be. Kevin Schanning us in ways that have easily occupied and time is the most (Northland College) can be made our efforts worthwhile valuable thing we do or do not found schlepping the highways for ourselves and for friends have. Please consider the with his students in search of we have made through this benefits of involvement in the WSA and other sociology con- wonderful association. Wisconsin Sociological Associa- ferences. These and other tion in the context of activities members have remained loyal A few years ago I was milling competing for our time and and committed to WSA around the WSA registration energy. As Robert Putnam through tough times and table at Alverno College in emphasizes in his book Bowling tougher times. They also make Milwaukee when then WSA Alone and the French diplomat for encouraging colleagues and President Greg Peter Alexis de Tocqueville pointed provide a dependable informal (University of Wisconsin – Fox out in the 1830s in Democracy support network of sociolo- Valley) asked me if I would be in America, members of our gists at other campuses. interested in being a candidate society must choose which for President of WSA. With involvements are worthwhile I look forward to seeing faculty, some trepidation I indicated an and many choose not to join students and all those who find interest at the suggestion but voluntary associations at all. sociological perspectives and “Ours is a world was not at all sure what to So, why should you get in- research to be useful in their expect. Prior to Greg’s invita- volved in the Wisconsin Socio- work and life journeys at the where folks are tion my involvement with the logical Association? joint Wisconsin and Illinois Wisconsin Sociological Associa- Sociological Associations con- often far too tion was restricted to trekking Consider just a sampling of the ference at Rockford College on with students to present pa- “what and who” that make the October 23 and 24, 2008. occupied and time pers at a few previous WSA WSA worth joining and sup- Think about presenting a paper conferences. Over the years I porting. For one thing, WSA and attending sessions at this is the most had attended some WSA con- has a quality peer-reviewed conference which will be held ferences where I had bumped journal, Sociological Imagination. at the college where Jane Ad- valuable thing we into old friends, made some Carol Miller (UW-La Crosse) is dams received her degree in new ones, heard about some the past editor who ensured sociology. Why attend the do or do not have.” cutting edge research and sat quality and relevant articles conference? Because you will through some really cool ple- covering research and teaching contribute to and learn about nary speeches. Those confer- sociology while providing solid research and viewpoints on ences and the one at Alverno book reviews. Tricia Davis how sociologists are making a hatched a few of my students (UW-River Falls) has done a difference as we look back at into budding sociologists on great job editing the journal the past, at our current world, their way to graduate school or this past year which featured an and into the future. provided a capstone experi- edition jointly produced by ence for their sociology or WSA and the Illinois Sociologi- Peace, criminal justice undergraduate cal Association. Tricia also majors. moved the website to UW- River Falls and has improved its Wayne Luther Thompson I started attending WSA execu- usefulness and accessibility. Carthage College tive committee meetings over Carol Miller and Tim Thornton, the next two years and learned also from UW-La Crosse, have of the struggles, frailties and produced this very readable successes of the association. and lively association newslet- Some folks come once or for a ter. Leda Nath (UW- few years and then drop away Whitewater) has been steadfast while others remain committed in managing and keeping mem- to forging ahead, hoping for a bership, conference attendance Spring/Summer 2008 Page 3 Membership in WSA includes a subscription to the semiannual journal Sociological Imagination, informative WSA Newsletters, and the Roster of Wisconsin Sociologists. Also, please consider making a donation to the WSA Endowment Fund (any amount), which serves as a critical resource for funding student awards, student travel grants, and for meeting rising costs of the publication of Sociological Imagination. Please Type or Print Legibly: This application is for WSA year: Member Information First and Last Name: School/Organizational Affiliation: Complete Preferred Mailing Address for So- ciological Imagination and other business: Phone: E-mail (for newsletters): Membership Fees Total $ Sustaining (supports reduced student $60.00 fees) Regular $30.00 Student $10.00 Retired/Emeritus $25.00 Annual Conference Fees Total (Held October 23/24 at Rockford College) $ Sustaining or Regular Registration $30.00 Retired/Emeritus Registration $25.00 Student Registration $10.00 Thursday Dinner $TBD Friday Lunch $TBD Institutional Journal Subscription Only (e.g., Library) National $40.00 International $50.00 Grand WSA Total: (Make check payable to WSA) $ Optional WSA Endowment Fund Donation: $ (Make a separate check payable to UWSP Foundation) Mail your check(s) and this completed form to: Leda Nath, WSA Treasurer; Soc, Anthro & CJ Dept; UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI 53190 Page 4 Feeling Wisconsin By Carol Miller-WSA President Elect When you turer in Neillsville an- can help them understand think about nounced it’s moving 120 why and, better yet, how to Wisconsin, jobs to Mexico and China, a cope. As sociologists we what comes to lighting manufacturer in have a lot of work to do mind? Cheese Boscobel is moving its 188 here in our own backyard and beer, right? What? You jobs to Jaurez, Mexico, and and getting together at the weren’t thinking sociology? Harley Davidson in Milwau- WSA annual meetings al- It’s true that UW-Madison kee says they’re going to lows us to discuss all the has established a legacy as lay-off workers as well. We great ideas each of us uses one of the centers for so- don’t just need to analyze in our teaching and re- ciological research and and understand social search.