Beth A. Partleton '79

Beth Partleton has served in volunteer leadership positions at the UWM School of Architecture & Urban Planning. She wished to make a commitment that honored both her relationship to UWM and her late husband’s passion for the great lakes. In addition, Beth Partleton established the Vernon C. Vice Fellowship in memory of her late husband and the lives they shared together filled with experiences on the Great Lakes. According to Ms. Partleton, “Vern and I began our married life on a boat – motoring up to Mackinaw Island to get married in the summer of 1992. Vern’s experience on the water started earlier as he was an avid boater most of his life. Some of his favorite places on the Great Lakes included the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, the North Channel in Lake Huron, and all the waters surrounding Door County.” Their boat, Escape, was truly that, a chance to escape from their cares to a beautiful, watery environment. Most summer weekends found them outdoors and on their boat. Retirement gave them even more time on the water. But Beth and Vern became aware of the problems facing the Great Lakes as well, including invasive species and the great damage caused to the ecosystem. They hoped there could be a way to improve the lakes and protect them for future generations.