University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Alumnus - Digitized Resources ...

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Alumnus 

Centennial Issue, Vol. 35, No. 2

“As my 

opportunity to 

serve as 

president 

comes to an 

end, I want to 

assure you 

you’re not 

forgotten when 

you’re gone. 

Your 

connections to 

UW-L are the 

heart and soul 

of the Alumni 

Association.” 

t h e v i e w f r o m t h e b l u f f b y a n n e g r a y s o n , ’ 8 6 

A memorable 

opportunity 

‘Don’t forget me when I’m gone’ 

Iremember it like yesterday. It was during my 

senior year in a small house just blocks off 

campus. Two of my closest friends (and 

roommates) and I spent a few minutes one lazy 

afternoon singing Glass Tiger’s 1980s hit “Don’t 

Forget Me When I’m Gone” full-tilt atop the 

kitchen counter, using cooking utensils as 

microphones. 

I was thinking about how much I would miss 

them when we parted after graduation. I had no 

idea how fitting the lyrics would be today — more 

than 20 years in the future. 

Over the past several weeks I’ve been 

surrounded by alumni, students, faculty and 

friends of the university making sure they’re not 

“forgotten when they’re gone.” 

At events like the April UW-L Foundation 

Honors Reception, alumni, faculty and friends 

provided students with much-needed scholarships 

to help them continue their studies. 

Next, at the May Athletic Honors Reception, 

graduating seniors with phenomenal athletic and 

academic talents filled the La Crosse Center 

ballroom and solidified their legacies as they 

accepted scholar athlete awards, national 

champion recognition, all-American kudos and 

other accolades. 

Then in mid-May, distinguished alumni 

accepted honors for their standout contributions 

since graduation. 

All are part of the UW-La Crosse experience, 

and society is tremendously better for it. 

As my opportunity to serve as president comes 

to an end, I want to assure you you’re not 

forgotten when you’re gone. Your connections to 

UW-L are the heart and soul of the Alumni 

Association, so I’ll close with our heartfelt motto: 

For you. For La Crosse. For a Lifetime. 

We hope to hear from you soon! Warmest 

regards, 

Anne Grayson, ’86 

Former President, UW-L Alumni Association 

P.S. In the coming months we’ll embark on one of the most exciting times on campus: our centennial 

year and the 40th anniversary of the Alumni Association. Oct. 23-25 is a great time to plan a trip back 

for the official celebration. The new stadium and construction of the new academic building are just 

two changes you’ll notice as you stroll down memory lane. See you there!

It wasn’t that long ago … 

Around 1916, members of the La Crosse State Normal band pose for a picture on the lawn outside 

of Main Hall. In the background construction of the physical education building, the school’s second 

building, is underway. The building was later named Wittich Hall and was listed in the National 

Register of Historical Places during the school’s 75th anniversary in 1985. 

100 years of memories 

It’s time to take a look back. For a century, UW-La Crosse has been helping those 

seeking a higher education with the education they need. Take time reminisce with 

fellow alumni and others on why this place is special. On pages 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15. 

f e a t u r e s 

Worthwhile worldwide 

UW-L has become one of the top Peace Corps colleges nationally, ranking 

No. 24 among medium colleges and universities in number of Peace Corps 

volunteers. Meet some of UW-L’s Peace Corps alums. See pages 12 and 13. 

u w - l a l u m n u s 1 0 0 • s u m m e r 2 0 0 9 • 3

A time to reflect 

I can remember my first visit to campus as a 

prospective student like it was yesterday. It was a foggy, 

cool December day in 1980. But the weather didn’t 

dampen my spirits about coming to the campus the 

following fall. 

The extremely friendly Vanguard leading my 

campus tour and the faculty I met more than made up 

for the chilly welcome by Mother Nature. Little did I 

know the campus would not only serve as my college 

stomping grounds, but also the place I’d eventually call 

my working home. 

Brad Quarberg, ’85 

UW-La Crosse has been a home to thousands since 

the doors to old Graff Main Hall swung open in 1909. 

In fact, 65,937 had collected diplomas before the Class of 2009 crossed the 

stage in May. Each one of them holds unique memories of this great 

institution. 

This special edition of the Alumnus will take you back — and give a peek 

forward — of your alma mater. Reminisce about your college roommates. 

Smile about the prank you fell for as a freshman. Toast Third Street. 

Enjoy the memories and make plans to come back to campus to make 

more. 

Proud to be a UW-L alumnus, 


Alumnus editor 

Online directory 

service ending 

Decreased demand caused the end of alumni online directory service June 30. 

“When we launched the directory several years ago, we had hoped it would be 

widely used, especially by our young alumni,” explains Janie Spencer, executive 

director. “With the advent of social networking, alumni stay connected to each 

other in different ways.” 

But, alums can still get help finding a friend or former classmate. Simply 

contact the Alumni Association at alumni@uwlax.edu, or (toll free) 

877.UWL.ALUM. 

Stadium kudos 

The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce gave its Regional Progress Award 

to UW-L and the UW-L Foundation for successful efforts to replace the 

university’s aging outdoor sports complex. Chancellor Joe Gow and Acting 

President of the UW-L Foundation Al Trapp accepted the award at a March 

dinner. 

4 • u w - l a l u m n u s 1 0 0 • s u m m e r 2 0 0 9 


Centennial Issue, Vol. 35, No. 2 

The Alumnus is published annually for alumni and 

friends of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. 

Deadline for copy is April 1 and Oct. 1. Readers 

may submit news items to the editor in the 

University Relations Office, UW-La Crosse, 1725 

State St., La Crosse, WI 54601 USA. 

608.785.8572 • quarberg.brad@uwlax.edu 

e d i t o r 

Brad Quarberg 

Associate Director of 

University Relations, 

University Relations Office 

s t a f f w r i t e r s 

Cary Heyer 

Dave Johnson, ’92 

Sue (Sullivan) Lee, 

’82 & ’87 

Mandy Nogle, ’08 


Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86 

p h o t o g r a p h y 

Sue (Sullivan) Lee, 

’82 & ’87 

Mandy Nogle, ’08 

Brad Quarberg ’85 

e d i t o r i a l 

a s s i s t a n c e 

Florence Aliesch 

Director of Publications, 

University Relations Office 

Cary Heyer, APR 

Director of University 

Relations 

Jeff Kerkman,’86 

Alumni Representative 

Mandy Nogle 

Program Assistant, 

UW-L Alumni Association 

Kelly Nowicki, ’98 & ’02 

Alumni Representative 

Al Trapp 

Acting President, 

UW-La Crosse Foundation 

www.uwlax.edu 

For previous issues of the Alumnus go to 

http://murphylibrary.uwlax.edu/digital/uwl/Alumnus/index.html 

Production of the Alumnus is funded by the UW-La Crosse Alumni Association. 


Summer 2009, Vol. 35, No. 2 

a r t d i r e c t o r 

ˆ 

Sanja Dojcinovic´ 

University Print Manager, 

University Relations Office

Benson named 

dean of CLS 

Ruthann Benson becomes dean of the College of Liberal Studies July 1. 

Benson had been interim dean of the college since June 2007. 

“Dr. Benson has been a strong advocate for enhancing and supporting 

diversity at UW-L, as well as a driving force in the ongoing 

internationalization of the campus,” says Provost Kathleen Enz Finken. 

“She is a knowledgeable administrator and has been a leader in fostering 

an environment which promotes outstanding scholarly research in the 

college.” 

Benson joined the UW-L faculty in 1994. She served as associate dean 

and director of the university’s School of Arts & Communication from 

1997-2007 and was director of theater from 1994-97. 

NMT students 

excel nationally top: Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Bob Hetzel, left, and 

UW-L’s nuclear medicine technology (NMT) majors are tops in the 

Chancellor Joe Gow, third from left, joined Baird Hall residents at a farewell party 

nation. Graduates have a 100 percent pass rate on required national 

in May. Pictured, from left, Hetzel, Baird Hall Director Lore Vang, Gow and 

certification exams over the program’s 40-year history, which numbers 

resident assistants Patrick Burns, Jamie Whitehead, Abby Lund, Bob Tolson and 

around 700 graduates. The 2008 NMT grads not only all passed, their 

Mike Malloy. above: Baird Hall alums reunite one last time before the building 

average score ranked in the 99th percentile nationwide. More than 1,700 

comes down. Learn more on page 30. 

students took the national exam in 2008. Find out more at: 

www.uwlax.edu/nmt. 

Mascot named 

Eagle is now “Colbert” 

The UW-L Eagle has a new name. 

It’s “Colbert” (kohl-BEAR), named 

after Comedy Central host Stephen 

Colbert who tried unsuccessfully this 

spring to get a room in the 

international space station named 

after himself. 

It’s actually the second name 

given to the mascot. The first was 

“Eddie” following a campus contest 

earlier this year. But that was shot 

down by the National Rifle 

Association who threatened a lawsuit 

because its safety mascot holds the 

name and is trademarked. 

When the contest re-opened, a 

student started a “Colbert” 

campaign, which eventually beat out 

five other names in a week-long 

campaign. 

Fond farewell 

Baird Hall goodbye is bittersweet 

The consensus is in: Baird Hall will be missed. So will Trowbridge 

and Wilder. 

Those who lived in Baird said goodbye in May just before the 

hall was torn down to make way for Centennial Hall, the new 

academic building. 

Mike Malloy, a student living in Baird, said the hall will be 

remembered for its friendliness. “Baird has a very unique 

atmosphere,” he explained. “Everyone accepts each other.” 

Students attending the farewell party agreed. 

A favorite memory was at the beginning of the school year 

when students from Pakistan, Lebanon, China and the U.S. — 

from all over the world — were hanging out in front of the 

residence hall. Patrick Burns recalled it was fun to be there with 

arrivals from different backgrounds. First-year Residence Assistant 

Abby Lund agreed. “This is a great place to learn,” she explained. 

“So many people are always willing to share their cultures with you 

and answer your questions.” 

When they’re gone, Baird, Trowbridge and Wider will still hold 

a special place in the hearts of those who lived there. The three 

halls are coming down this summer. Construction of a new 500bed 

residence hall on Coate Field begins in fall and should be 

completed by June 2011. 


UW-L Favorite Memories 

“Whenever I was walking through campus and I heard the 

clocktower chime, I would pause from whatever I was doing — 

stressing over the amount of homework I had, rushing to 

class, or just on my way to meet with friends — take a deep 

breath, look up at the bluffs, and think to myself ‘I love it 

here!' It was my little stress-relieving ritual. It helped me 

keep things in perspective, especially when I felt like I was 

drowning in my list of things to do. It reminded me how lucky 

I was to be at UW-L.” 

— Kristen Gardner, ’07, Wales 

“My favorite memories revolve around training for the 

Oktoberfest Half-Marathon (and anything else we could run 

in) with the guys from Wentz Hall.” 

— Steve Morley, ’81, McKinney, Texas 

“My fondest memories of UW-L include wonderful years in the 

residence halls. Who could ever imagine that living in block 

buildings, with no A/C, in a tiny space — often sharing a 

room, could be such a great experience! The wonderful 

activities planned fostered wonderful friendships and 

memories!” 

—Annique London, ’92, Minneapolis 

“I was a member of student government then called Campus 

Controls Council. Dr. Voight, a true gentleman and scholar, 

was our adviser. Women were not allowed to wear pants to 

class back then, and one of my crowning achievements was 

getting an amendment passed allowing women to wear pants 

to class — on Fridays. I also have fond memories of being a 

pom pon girl. We performed at pre-game and half-time shows 

throughout football and basketball seasons with the Marching 

Chiefs and marched in Oktoberfest parades. We thought our 

gray-pleated skirts to be quite ‘risque’ back then due to their 

shortness. The funny thing is a few years 

ago I found my pom pom skirt, and it 

came down to the middle of my knees so 

by today's standards, it wasn't short at 

all.” 

—Darryle Clott, ’66 & ’71, La Crosse 


Conference concert 

Chancellor joins in performance 

UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow, left, jammed with UW-L alums and Grammy Award 

winners Bill Miller, guitar, and Terry Nirva, on drums, and the rest of Miller’s band 

for the blues song “Stormy Monday” by T-Bone Walker April 16 in the 

Recreational Eagle Center. Miller performed a free concert and was one of four 

plenary speakers at this year’s National Conference on Undergraduate Research 

held on campus. The event boasted 2,128 student presentations by the 

approximately 2,600 attending from nearly 300 institutions representing 34 states, 

D.C., Puerto Rico and three Canadian provinces. 

Spring campaign 

successful 

Telemarketing students bring in $106,000 

Alumni and friends answered the call this spring when students asked them to 

contribute to the UW-L Foundation. Student callers garnered $106,000 from 

February through early May. 

“We’re excited about this amount because even in these challenging economic 

times, our alumni and friends have come forward with phonathon donations 

greater than a year earlier,” says Aaron Bonnett, director of annual giving. “We’re 

very proud our donors are excited and supportive of the university’s strong 

academics and new projects.” 

Donors pledged $37,000 to Centennial Hall, with the remaining dedicated to 

university departments and programs. Money raised during the spring phonathon 

is restricted to various campus programs and projects, while funds raised from fall 

calls go to the Foundation’s unrestricted account for pressing university needs. 

Find out more at: www.foundation.uwlax.edu.

Lafky Loan created 

Jim Lafky’s friends and family create an emergency loan 

for UW-L minority students 

“Jim made a great 

contribution to this 

world,” says Rita 

Oldenburg, ’82 & ’86. 

She was talking about 

her friend and Faculty 

Emeritus Jim Lafky 

who died Thanksgiving 

Day 2008. To honor 

his life and work, 

Lafky’s friends and 

family have established the Lafky Loan, an 

emergency loan through the UW-L 

Foundation for UW-L minority students. 

Lafky came to UW-L in 1961 as an 

English teacher interested in civil rights. He 

introduced the first minority literature class 

on campus and taught English until retiring in 

1987. 

In 1986, Lafky received the first Outstanding Human Relations Educator 

Award from the Wisconsin State Human Relations Association. The award 

honors a state educator who has been “working toward a positively valued 

multicultural, non-sexist, non-racist and humanistic society.” 

Friends, former students and others continue to support the fund. To 

donate, send a check to the UW-L Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, 

with Lafky Loan in the memo. Or donate online at: 

www.foundation.uwlax.edu. 

Journal tribute 

Alum remembered with special edition 

MORE NEW FUNDS 

The Lafky Loan isn’t the 

UW-L Foundation’s only new 

fund. The Kathy Andrews 

Madrigrano and John and 

Dorothy Andrews Scholarship 

has been established to 

support School of Education 

majors. To establish or 

support a fund, contact the 

UW-L Foundation at 

877.UWL.FUND. 

Kenneth McElroy, ’00, had worked at the 

University of California Davis for just over a 

year when he died in 2001 at the age of 26. 

But, his scientific work on Clear Lake 

California has left an impact. 

McElroy was honored in a dedicated 

special issue of Ecological Applications, a 

journal of the Ecological Society of America. 

The special issue, “Mercury Cycling and 

Bioaccumulation in Clear Lake,” was 

organized and edited by Tom Suchanek, 

who led the Clear Lake mercury 

investigation on which McElroy worked. 

(See the issue at 

www.esajournals.org/toc/ecap/18/sp8.) 

Suchanek came to campus to tribute 

McElroy in an April ceremony attended by the McElroy family. The journal’s 

tribute: “In Memory: This publication is dedicated to Ken McElroy (1975-2001), 

who loved the lake and loved life. Ken contributed greatly to ecological studies at 

the UC-Davis Clear Lake Environmental Research Center during 2000-2001 and 

was an inspiration, both personally and academically, to all who knew him.” 

“Taking moonlit walks in Myrick marsh with Robyn Hietpas. 

We would listen for the beavers to slap their tails on the 

water. It was so simple and yet so magical, just like our time 

together attending UW-L!” 

—David Wambach, ’81, Lake Mills 

“Meeting my wife in biology lab over a dead cat!” 

— Glenn Schwanberg, ’50, Holmes Beach, Fla. 

“I had several great memories from UW-L from 1983-88 — 

football games at Memorial Field; dorm life (I lived in Angel 

and Baird halls); great fun, great people, great memories; 

classes in the Fine Arts Building. My professors were 

awesome! Dr. Tom Wirkus. Thanks, UW-L!” 

—Susette Brandner Alsteens, ’88, Oregon, Wis. 

“Protesting on the UW-L mall in the spring, summer and fall 

of 1990 against Bush senior’s economic injustices favoring 

the wealthy and the eventual invasion of Iraq on false 

pretenses! Oh yeah, roasting Professor Bob Freeman will 

always be a good memory as well.” 

— Tim A. Bowes, ’90, Red Wing. Minn. 

“Our sorority Alpha Phi Pi (now known as Alpha Xi Delta) 

needed a truck for our homecoming float. Heileman’s Old 

Style Lager let us use one of their flat bed trucks. We cleaned 

it all up after the parade, but didn’t have to return it until 

Sunday. I drove my sorority sisters to church in the truck, so 

you can imagine the looks we got when parking that 

morning. We did return the truck safe and sound! The guys 

at the brewery taught me how to double clutch the truck so I 

could drive it. I will never ever forget that! Thank you again, 

Heileman’s for helping us out!” 

— Anita Jacobson Lange, ’57, 

Breckenridge, Colo. 



Top honors 

Top graduating students honored prior to spring commencement 

MELISSA SANDS (APPLETON) 

Biology: biomedical concentration; 

Pre-Medicine 

Murphy Award for Academic Excellence, recognizes 

the university’s top two graduating scholars as 

chosen by committee. 

When I’m 40, I want to be: “Practicing as a 

pediatrician for underserved populations and 

working in community health.” 

JOHN AWOWALE (HILLSBORO) 

Biology 

Strzelczyk Award in Science and Allied Health, 

recognizes an outstanding senior in the College of 

Science and Health. 

When I arrived on campus: “I was nervous because 

I was the oldest and the first of my siblings 

attending college. Being humbled my first semester 

of college was one of the best experiences because 

I realized to get what you want, you need to put in 

the time and effort regardless of who you are or 

where you come from. ” 


RACHEL KRAMER (MANITOWOC) 

Spanish 

Murphy Award for Academic Excellence, recognizes 

the university’s top two graduating scholars as 

chosen by committee. 

When I’m 40, I want to be: “A professor of Latin 

American literature, a published author, and a cool 

middle-aged lady with a neat house full of books 

and artwork from around the world, a lady who 

makes great cookies, has a garden, and is a 

mentor and friend of her young cousins and the 

neighborhood children.” 

NATASHA MUSALEM-PEREz 

(PROVIDENCE, R. I.) 

Archaeology 

The John E. Magerus Award for the Outstanding 

Graduating Senior from the College of Liberal 

Studies, recognizes an outstanding CLS senior for 

academic accomplishments, leadership, and 

involvement in the campus and community. 

My favorite UW-L staff were: “The people from 

Campus Climate, MVAC, and the sociology and 

archaeology departments. They made my stay at 

UW-L more significant.” 

MARK MAGRUDER (RACINE) 

Marketing 

Jake and Janet Hoeschler Award for Excellence, 

recognizes a College of Business Administration 

graduate for academic accomplishment and 

leadership on and off campus. 

My favorite class was: “Speech (CST 110) because 

our class was a riot. There were more crazy and 

obscure personalities in that class than any other 

course I’ve ever taken. There were times when 

some of my classmates spoke I would struggle to 

stay in my chair because I was laughing so hard.” 

LyNN HRABIK (OCONTO FALLS) 

Master in Public Health - Community Health Education 

Graduate Thesis Award — recognizes a graduate 

student who has written the best graduate thesis, 

based on originality, impact and written quality. 

When I’m 40, (five years away): “I hope that I am 

living and working in a 100 percent smoke-free 

state, that my advocacy efforts continue to 

decrease the profits of the tobacco industry, and 

that every woman has the education and support 

she needs to breastfeed her babies.”

join/renew today 

As UW-La Crosse celebrates 100 years of teaching and learning, 

membership in the Alumni Association is the best way to stay connected to 

each other and the university. 

Your membership keeps you informed through the Alumnus magazine; 

awards scholarships for children of alumni; provides discounts at area 

merchants and on auto, home and long-term care insurance; and, most 

importantly, supports programs that strengthen UW-L. 

“My membership in the Alumni Association allows me to meet and develop 

relationships with others who share great pride in UW-L,” says Marlin 

Helgeson, ’78. No matter if you live just down the street or continents 

away, you'll always be part of “The La Crosse Experience.” 

> 1. Renew online at www.uwlaumni.org 

>> 2. Call toll free 877.895.2586 

Visit www.uwlalumni.org for all the latest alumni information. 

ALUMS, yOU MAy NOT RECOGNIzE ALL OF THESE, SINCE FADS HAVE COME AND GONE THE PAST 100 yEARS. FOR THOSE WHO 

AREN’T ALUMS, OUR APOLOGIES TO yOU FOR NOT GETTING “THE LA CROSSE EXPERIENCE!” 

1-20: 

1. Graff Main Hall 

2. Grandad Bluff 

3. Sunrise over the bluffs viewed from campus 

4. Sunset viewed from Riverside Park 

5. Rushing the Rivoli 

6. Day-old doughnuts from Mr. D’s 

7. Oktoberfest 

8. The Marching Chiefs 

9. Rocky’s Pizza 

10. Rudy’s Drive-in 

11. The view from Grandad Bluff with someone 

special 

12. A walk through the La Crosse River Marsh 

13. The view of the bluffs from Veteran’s Memorial 

Field on a sunny fall day 

14. Homecoming snake dance 

15. Hanging of the Lantern 

16. Lighting of the ‘L’ 

17. “Beer Barrel Polka” played 

by the UW-L Marching Chiefs or Screaming 

Eagles 

18. Lilacs on the campus mall 

19. Hoeschler Tower 

20. The Mississippi River 



“The Medieval dinners the music department put on 

were the absolute best! I was a member of the small 

chamber choir group that got to sit at the head table as 

royalty. We had cheesy lines all through the dinner and 

it was a blast. The guests ate off of bread plates and the 

concert choir members acted as servers. Parents and 

others came as guests. Everyone dressed up in costume, 

played along and had a wonderful time, drinking wine 

(or juice) out of ceramic mugs. We sang beautiful songs 

and really got everyone in the mood for the upcoming 

holiday season. I would love to someday relive this 

event.” 

— Michelle Gurn Schlicht, ’81, Milwaukee 

“I’ll never forget the first year class registration was not 

a manic manual process held in Mitchell Hall in the heat 

of August. I’m sure many of you remember the lines, 

the heat and the either relief or disappointment 

experienced when you reached the front of the line to 

see if there was a card left for the class you wanted. In 

the late ’80s we went high tech, baby, actual computer 

registration! Mind you this was a time when even many 

computer science majors didn’t own a PC, but worked in 

labs.” 

— Mike White, ’89, Green Bay 

“I always look back at my years at UW-L in a fond 

manner. While I don’t have a specific memory, what 

stands out most in my mind is how much my educators 

genuinely cared about my well-being. I was blessed to 

have many wonderful teachers, but most pale in 

comparison to Rollo Taylor. He took a vested interest in 

me and offered me guidance and friendship whenever I 

needed it. I will forever be indebted to the university, 

but especially to Rollo! He touched the lives of many, 

many students. Rollo Taylor is what I miss most about 

being a college student in God's Country. In a way, he 

was my guardian angel and I'm not 

embarrassed to admit it!” 

— Tim Devine, ’84, Eau Claire 

1 0 • u w - l a l u m n u s 1 0 0 • s u m m e r 2 0 0 9 

100 

years. 

Oral history project illuminates UW-L’s past 

One hundred years. One hundred oral histories. That’s what History Professor 

Charles Lee, executive director of UW-L’s Oral History Program, set out to 

do. He and independent historian Eric Wheeler interviewed and recorded 

100 people who attended UW-L — alums from every decade since 1909, spanning 

every discipline — for a UW-L Centennial Project. 

After 100 interviews, Lee says he cannot pinpoint any one standout interview. He 

did, however, garner several overall impressions. 

Lee asked about the experience of getting an education at UW-L, including 

coursework, what they learned, and life on campus and in La Crosse. 

Over the years, the majority of students attending UW-L have been women — a 

theme that has spanned over 

the decades. 

“Overwhelmingly,” Lee says, To find out more, visit Murphy 

“people came to UW-L 

because of a family or family Library-Special Collections in 155 

friend’s connection. It was Murphy Library. Or, see an online list 

almost entirely a personal 

connection.” 

of those interviewed at: 

Those who attended 

UW-L just prior to World War www.uwlax.edu/murphylibrary, 

II seemed especially 

find Information, click on books 

appreciative of the UW-L 

experience, Lee says. “History (Library Catalog) and perform a 

Professor Myrtle Trowbridge 

“simple search.” 

was a remarkable figure on 

campus,” he notes. “She was a 1. Enter Search Term(s): “Centennial 

rather large figure around 

campus in many ways.” Project” (with the quote marks) 

Trowbridge, described as 2. Search type: Keyword(s) with 

“a rather rotund woman,” 

corresponded throughout the Relevance 

war with soldiers who had 

3. Quick Limits: Oral History Interview 

UW-L’S ORAL HISTORy PROGRAM 

Murphy Library-Special Collections, in cooperation with the UW-L history department 

and the Oral History Program, stores and maintains over 3,000 hours of taped oral 

histories. The current collection and interviewing program focuses on two major 

themes: community and UW-L history. The collection is regionally and nationally 

significant in several areas, including the Hmong refugee experience, European 

ethnic groups, turn of the century small city manners and daily life, Midwestern rural 

life and culture, women’s experience, and the university itself. The program’s 

collection includes over 1,200 reels of taped interviews, many of them transcribed. 

Tapes and transcripts are housed in Special Collections, 155 Murphy Library.

By Sue (Sullivan) Lee, ’82 & ’87 

Baccalaureate Sunday in 1936 in Graff Main Hall. 

interviews. 

attended UW-L. Personal connections are what is 

appreciated and remembered over the years, notes Lee. 

Prior to World War II, a rooming house culture 

prevailed with no campus residence halls. There are lots 

of fascinating stories regarding how rooming houses 

were named, Lee says. 

“Campus social life was also fascinating,” Lee 

explains. “And not just in terms of campus events, such 

as the L-Bar-X Dancers (a popular campus square 

dance organization founded in 1953). Throughout 

UW-L’s history, there was a well-established gay life on 

campus.” 

As the recordings reveal, UW-L has prided itself on 

welcoming students from throughout the world and 

from all walks of life. 

“C-S 340 was known as a class that can turn 

computer science majors into business 

majors (no offence business majors!) It was 

the first C-S class that touched on complex 

problem solving issues and not just 

programming. As a C-S major in 2002 I was 

forced to take this class with the infamous 

Dr. Kenny Hunt, known to break many 

students. After skimming by with Ds in the 

first two assignments I thought for sure I 

was doomed. At the beginning of the class 

after our first exam Dr. Hunt, in his 

unyeilding monotone voice, told me ‘Mr. 

Dockter, I’d like to see you after class.’ For 

55 minutes I sat in my chair, certain I was 

about to receive a speech set to convince me 

to go speak to someone in business about 

changing my major. After class I 

approached Dr. Hunt as sheepishly as my 

6’2” frame would allow. Instead of a terse 

lashing, I was asked if I could help the C-S 

department by being a C-S Club officer. 

Thankful for not being verbally abused, I 

accepted. Dr. Hunt has not only taught in 

the classroom, he effectively tricked a shy 

student who commuted from out-of-town 

into becoming more involved. Dr. Hunt 

brought me out of my shy shell. To this day 

I owe him greatly for the teamwork and 

communication abilities I learned as a C-S 

Club officer for three years. I may forget all 

the nights of going downtown and the 

lunches at The Cellar. I may even forget 

walking across that stage on graduation 

day with honors, but I’ll never forget those 

grueling 55 minutes in that chair, 

wondering what Dr. Hunt had planned for 

his D student. Thanks Dr. Hunt!” 

— Matthew Dockter, ’04, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 


u w - l a l u m n u s 1 0 0 • s u m m e r 2 0 0 9 • 1 1

Worthwhile 

worldwide 

UW-L listed among nation’s ‘Top 25 Peace Corps’ campuses 

Increasing global opportunities have helped 

UW-L become one of the top Peace Corps 

colleges. 

UW-L ranks No. 24 among medium colleges 

and universities nationwide (5,000-15,000 

undergraduates) in number of Peace Corps 

volunteers. Currently, UW-L has 19 

undergraduate alumni and two graduate alums 

serving worldwide. 

“With the knowledge and training acquired 

at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, these 

volunteers are making a positive contribution to 

the lives of people in developing countries,” says 

Joshua Becker, Regional Recruiter for UW-L. 

Karla Stanek, director of UW-L Career 

Services, says the ranking illustrates the value 

students place on global education. “Each year, 

as our students become more aware of how 

global issues affect them, interest in the Peace 

Corps increases,” Stanek explains. “Students 

who participate as Peace Corps volunteers 

develop critical thinking skills and learn how to 

apply their education and skills to improve the 

lives of people around the world. They discover 

that individuals can make a difference.” That, she 

notes, is the real value of the program.” 

Here are some of UW-L’s Peace Corps alums 

making a difference. 

Brienne Schreiber, ’07: 

Tree nurseries in Guinea 

“I am an agroforestry volunteer and the majority 

of my work, thus far, has been starting tree 

nurseries with community members and local 

agricultural groups. The trees in the nurseries are 

mostly for reforestation, as deforestation is a 

huge issue, but there are fruit trees as well. 

Encouraging the use of local and sustainable 

resources to start the tree nurseries is a huge part 

of my work. Most often people who would like 

to start tree nurseries are unable to afford and 

obtain the formal, black plastic bags to plant the 

trees. This tends to be a huge obstacle. However, 

there are other options, such as using the plastic 

bags in which water is sold. Those plastic bags 

work just as well and can be collected around 

town for free! 

I have also been promoting the Moringa tree. 

Not only is the Moringa hardy, fast growing and 


By Brad Quarberg, ’85 

“I have been promoting the Moringa tree — a 

hardy, fast-growing tree, great for live fencing. 

Women can also prepare a sauce out of the 

vitamin and mineral rich leaves. “ 

— Brienne Schreiber, ’07 

Major: Sociology 

Minor: International 

Studies 

Country: Guinea 

great for live fencing, but women can prepare a 

sauce out of the leaves, which are full of vitamins 

and minerals, to put on rice. This is important in 

communities where malnutrition is a problem. 

About a year ago a local agricultural group and I 

started a Moringa tree nursery and were then 

able to distribute the Moringas to individual 

families and the village health center. Not only 

did this promote planting trees and taking care of 

the environment, but good nutrition and health 

as well. People were very receptive to the idea 

and loved having a tree that is so versatile.” 

Erik Lindquist, ’06: 

Much more than Monkey business 

“I am working in the Small Enterprise 

Development (SED) program in Ghana. I act as 

a technical advisor to the tourism management 

board of the Boebeng Feima Monkey Sanctuary 

located in the Brong-Ahafo region in Ghana. I 

also have been teaching a few of the youth basic 

computer skills such as typing, using the internet 

and setting up e-mails. 

I am fortunate enough to have been placed in 

a country of extremely friendly and welcoming 

people. Ghanaians are happy to take you in and 

make you feel comfortable. 

My community is quite small and is located 

in the center of the country. It is a popular tourist 

site for both Ghanaians and foreigners. The idea 

behind the tourism is to promote community 

development and conservation of the 

surrounding forest and the protection of the 

wildlife, including the two monkey species, 

Lowe’s mona monkey and the Western blackand-white 

colobus. The sanctuary is unique in 

that the mona monkeys often come into the 

community to steal food from houses and even 

sleep in the rafters. It is also one of the few places 

in West Africa where the population of the 

colobus monkey is increasing. Lastly, it is the 

only known place in Africa where you can easily 

view these two species of monkeys sharing the 

same habitat.” 

“I am fortunate enough to have been placed in 

a country of extremely friendly and welcoming 

people. Ghanaians are happy to take you in 

and make you feel comfortable.” 

— Erik Lindquist, ’06 

Major: Economics 

Country: Ghana

Stefanie Benesh, ’06: 

Her teaching is far reaching 

“I am a youth development volunteer and work 

in the children, youth and families sector in the 

Philippines. I teach literacy at a home for boys 

where my students are out-of-school males aged 

7-16 who are abused, abandoned, orphaned, or 

in conflict with the law, and live at a 

governmental residential center. I also work with 

a community outreach non-governmental 

organization (NGO). 

I conduct life skills and English classes for 

students, facilitate informal educational tutorials 

in reading, writing, and math to street children 

“I feel that Filipinos here and the friends I have 

made have taught me much more than I have 

been able to give.” 

— Stefanie Benesh, ’06 

Major: Sociology 

Country: Philippines 

and out of school youth in the city plaza at 

nighttime, conduct staff trainings and adult 

learning tutorials to build capacity at a residential 

NGO for street children, conduct HIV/AIDS 

awareness classes in high schools, and hold a 

weekly arts and crafts class for disabled residents 

at a governmental center. 

Also, I regularly work with other Peace Corps 

volunteers facilitating workshops and holding 

youth immersions and with Peace Corps 

program implementation. I enjoy being a 

volunteer and recommend it for those looking 

for challenge and complexity. 

Being a Peace Corps volunteer takes 

motivation and determination, but the lessons 

learned and practical skills acquired outweigh the 

obstacles. The challenges encountered are part 

of the adventure and life is exciting. I feel that 

Filipinos here and the friends I have made have 

taught me much more than I have been able to 

give. The experience of working for the Peace 

Corps has been a rewarding one for me.” 

Jennifer Devlin, ’04: 

Marketing — and more — in Malawi 

“Under the Community Based Natural 

Resource Management program, I work 

alongside a Department of Forestry Extension 

Agent. Together, we help area villages with tree 

nurseries and beekeeping. 

There also is a group of women in the 

community who I have been helping make and 

market their peanut butter. They are currently 

writing a proposal with me to start pressing oil 

from peanuts and sunflowers to diversify dietary 

needs as malnutrition is a major problem in 

Malawi. The profits from peanut butter sales are 

being saved to further start a village savings and 

loan as bank loans here are basically impossible 

for the average villager. 

The local primary school has a very active 

Wildlife Club that has been enjoyable for me to 

work with. We have been beekeeping, raising 

fruit tree seedlings, starting permaculture plots, 

and are currently planning a trip into the Forest 

Reserve near our village. Students within this 

group also meet once a week to form a Listening 

Club, where the children listen to a program on 

the radio that educates them about peer pressure 

and HIV/AIDS awareness. We also have started 

a Nditha Sports (“I Can!”) soccer club to teach 

the children about teamwork and healthy life 

choices. 

21-40: 

21. The Coon Creek Canoe Races 

22. Third Street 

23. Polka dancing at Oktoberfest 

24. Semi-Homemade’s Sandra Lee 

25. The alma mater 

26. The Maple Leaf Parade 

27. Concerts at the La Crosse Center 

28. Songfest 

29. Winter Carnival 

30. Homecoming 

“When anyone has a problem, they know they 

can come to me, and I can help them getting 

started in the right direction. I can also find 

something to keep me busy!” 

— Jennifer Devlin, ’04 

Major: Marketing 

Country: Malawi 

The Edzi/Toto Club at the school has also 

been keeping me busy. The children in this club 

help local people who are ill to do chores around 

the house. We also do many activities about 

HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. Children 

from this club have recently started to become 

pen pals with some children back in America, so 

I am also helping with their English skills. 

If I have free time, I go help at the 

Malnutrition Clinic at our health center and chat 

with the mothers about water sanitation and 

obviously nutrition. On other days, I help out at 

the nursery school helping teach the children 

English. I also spend time at my demonstration 

plot, showing the people different techniques of 

farming. I’m really just a helpful resource in the 

community. When anyone has a problem, they 

know they can come to me, and I can help them 

getting started in the right direction. I can also 

find something to keep me busy!” 

31. Chancellor Richards tapping the Golden Keg in 

the Cellar 

32. Recreational Eagle Center 

33. Cartwright Center 

34. Textbook Rental 

35. The Cellar 

36. The Screaming Eagles 

37. The Eagle Eye Medallion Hunt 

38. Ribbon V 

39. Wittich Hallow 

40. Winter snow storms 



“When I look back at my years at La Crosse, choosing one 

great memory is hard. So many special events and good times 

fill my memory of my college era. I wish I could do it all over 

again. But if I really had to choose, one special memory sticks 

out over all the others — the gymnastics team won Nationals at 

home in 1997. It was my senior year on the team; my last meet 

of my career. La Crosse got the bid to host the national meet. It 

was big! The stands were full, the energy was running on high, 

and we won! What a way to end a 16-year run in a sport you 

loved. I consider myself lucky to have had that opportunity. I 

will always remember that feeling that day! It was awesome!” 

— Kerri (Ariens) Gleesing, ’98, Milwaukee 

“The most memorable events I had took place while playing in 

the marching band at UW-L. The most memorable was 

marching across the London Bridge and looking at Big Ben 

while we marched in a parade in London.” 

— Lisa (Jernander) Butterfield, ’83, La Crosse 

“Drinking at the Eagles Nest, on Third Street or in the 

basement pub at the Union.” 

— John Olson, ’94, Tempe, Ariz. 

“I had many wonderful experiences at UW-L, leading to 38 

years as a primary teacher. I remember how (the late) Dean 

Maurice Graff encouraged me to to come to La Crosse, that I 

would be the first female student from Hawaii to enroll. (There 

were male students from the islands at the time and previous 

to 1956.) My very first experience (and a memorable, if not 

scarey, one at that) was arriving at Wilder Hall on a COLD 

Sunday noon in January 1956 being literally stranded on the 

sidewalk at the end of 17th and Vine streets — dropped off by 

a taxi driver — luggage and all! What to do next? Thank 

goodness for my roommates (Suellyn Arneson and Phyllis 

Elmer) and others, who anticipated my 

arrival, gave me a WARM welcome and 

helping hands, along with our housemother, 

Miss Mary Hamilton Klos. Thank you all!” 

— Kimiko (yatogo) Lucksted, ’59, Onalaska 


A new 

scholarship 

Jim Mack comes back for Honors Reception 

Jim Mack, ’57, returned to campus 

to see firsthand who would benefit 

from a scholarship he established 

through the UW-L Foundation for 

students in a public policy major. 

Mack, left, Allison Boldt and 

Chancellor Joe Gow posed for a 

picture to mark the occasion at the 

annual Honors Reception in April. 

Following the event, Mack took his 

sister, Boldt, her proud parents and 

his old debate coach, Vice 

Chancellor Emeritus Carl 

Wimberly, to dinner. Mack, from 

Arlington, Va., recently retired from 

SCHOLARS’ STORIES 

the government-relations 

department of the Association for 

Manufacturing Technology. He 

established the James H. Mack 

Scholarship Fund for Public Policy 

Advocacy in 2008. 

Despite a slumping economy 

forcing endowment earnings down, 

the UW-L Foundation has awarded 

400 scholarships totaling $360,000 

for 2009-10. The Foundation 

typically awards around 600 

scholarships valued at $540,00. 

The stories behind many of UW-L Foundation scholarship donors are special. 

Watch some of them at: www.uwlax.edu/edtech/2009scholars.

A centennial 

celebration 

Plan now to return to campus for a centennial celebration! 

Mark Oct. 23-25, 2009 on your calendar. 

That’s when UW-L hosts the 100th 

anniversary edition of Family, Friends and 

Alumni Weekend. It’s an ideal opportunity to 

visit campus, rekindle acquaintances, and 

celebrate campus traditions. 

UW-L is planning a variety of special 

activities, including the first Homecoming 

football game at the new Roger Harring 

Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports 

Complex, followed by a Centennial 

Celebration. Make plans to attend now — it’s a 

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

REUNION GROUPS RETURNING FOR THE CENTENNIAL GALA 

They include: 1959 Football Team, Beta Sigma Chi, Class of 1959, Delta Sigma Phi, 

Football Captains, Political Science & Public Administration, Silver Eagles, Student Affairs 

Administration and Student Association. 

Get event details and dates, along with other university history at: www.uwlax.edu/100years. 

“By luck of the draw freshman year, fall 

1998, I met my roommate, my best friend, 

my bridesmaid, my soul-sister. The first 

week of school; fond memories of the 

“Eagle round-up,” my older sister telling 

me to yell “tray!” when placing my lunch 

tray on the cafeteria belt (what a cruel 

cruel trick), and my original assigned 

roommate packing up and heading home 

before classes started. That blissfully quiet 

first week came to an end as I headed to 

Chicago for my oldest sister’s wedding. Late 

Saturday night I came back to my Hutch 

Hall room expecting it to be as empty as I 

left it, but was shocked to see that someone 

else had moved in! Looking at the dozens 

of new pictures up on the walls I couldn’t 

figure out which happy face belonged to 

my new roommate. Early the next morning 

I woke up for church and cautiously peered 

down over my bunk-bed to meet another 

curious set of eyes. ‘Hi, I’m Julia,’ she said. 

Do you believe you should be friends with 

those who make you a better person? 

Through our four blissful years at La 

Crosse, Julia and I experienced life’s ups 

and downs together: sibling weddings, 

nephews being born, and the deaths of 

those we loved most. The night that stands 

out most was Jan. 27, 2002, the night my 

dad died. During the middle of the night, I 

got a call from home saying that my dad 

had finally lost his tenacious 10-year battle 

with cancer. Julia and I held each other in 

only a way that best friends could. I believe 

God has a plan for us all. I believe in the 

concept of Karma. I will forever treasure my 

time in La Crosse, for those truly were some 

of ‘the best days of my life.’” 

— Holly Wesson, ’02, DeKalb, Ill. 



THE MAURICE O. GRAFF DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD 

THE RADA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD 

Samatar File 

• Senior Fulbright Research Scholar, 

educator, author, geographer. 

• Top scholar specializing in southern and 

eastern Africa; regular commentator on 

PBS, the BBC and Voice of America. 

• Supporter of Amoud University in Somalia; 

promoter of peace agreement in Somalia. 

• Professor, University of Minnesota and 

University of Iowa. 

• Holds a doctorate from the University of 

California, Berkeley; master’s from Iowa 

State University. Graduated Summa Cum 

Laude with a bachelor’s in geography from 

UW-L in 1978. 

Finn File 


ALUMNI AWARDS 

An African advocate 

Abdi Samatar is one of the top experts on Africa in U.S. 

He was key to transforming the premier social 

science think tank in South Africa. Now, Abdi 

Samatar is working to improve social conditions 

in Somalia. 

Known as one of the top African scholars in 

the United States, Samatar, ’78, is a full professor 

at the University of Minnesota’s Department of 

Geography, the third-ranked geography graduate 

program in the nation. The distinguished 

geographer specializing in studying relationships 

among politics, state and development in east and 

south Africa has published two path-breaking 

monographs challenging stereotypes about 

developing Africa. But his achievements extend 

far beyond academics and the classroom. 

In the early 1990s Samatar went to South 

Africa to work with the Human Science Research 

Council. A think tank for the apartheid 

government, the council used social science to 

help justify the dehumanization of the country. 

Samatar brought his intellect, leadership and 

commitment to research excellence to transform 

the council into a respected agency that no longer 

supported segregation, but based findings on 

intellectal studies. 

“Professor Samatar was a highly valued and 

respected colleague,” says Vincent Maphai, 

executive director of the council’s Social 

Dynamics Group. “He left behind him an 

immense sense of appreciation and enormous 

respect.” 

Samatar has done much to help his native 

Somalians and east African immigrants adjust and 

flourish in the Twin Cities for two decades. He is 

devoted in his efforts to support and develop 

Amoud University, a fledging institution in 

politically unstable Somalia. Recently, he has 

consulted at a European Union-sponsored 

conference in Nairobi that’s working toward a 

peace agreement in Somalia. 

Often Samatar is sought by PBS, the BBC, the 

Voice of America and others to comment on the 

continually evolving crisis in east Africa. 

“His contributions beyond the Ivory Tower 

dwarf his achievement within it,” notes UM 

Geography Professor Eric Sheppard. “He does 

things because he thinks they are necessary, not to 

advance his career. And, he does them with great 

effectiveness.” 

An inspirational player 

Soccer player Chris Finn doesn’t let physical challenges 

slow him down 

Chris Finn could have easily given up. While a 

senior in college, he literally woke up a 

quadriplegic. 

The physical education major was with friends 

at Big Al’s on Third Street in 1995, went to the 

restroom, the stall door closed and somehow he 

• Advocate for people with disabilities. Worldwide leader in power soccer. 

• Vice chair and commissioner to the Oakland (Calif.) Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities. 

• Power soccer coach for the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Programs. 

• Successful athlete. Member of 2007 World Cup Soccer championship team. Named to USA National Power 

Soccer team, voted Defensive MVP for Power Soccer World Invitation and Powerchair Football World Cup 

Champion. 

• Nominated as inductee into the National Spinal Cord Injury Association Hall of Fame. 

• Holds a master’s in educational psychology/school counseling from UW-Milwaukee, 2000. Earned a bachelor 

of science in therapeutic recreation from UW-L in 1996. 

fell down. The next thing Finn remembers is lying 

on the floor and unable to move. After an eighthour 

operation, a spinal cord fusion, a 

drug-induced haze and more, Finn was a 

quadriplegic, but didn’t stay down. 

After returning home to Whitefish Bay near 

Milwaukee for extensive rehabilitation, Finn 

transferred to UW-Milwaukee. But his goal was to 

return to UW-L. He did, changed his major to 

therapeutic recreation and graduated in 1996. 

The fall made him unexpectedly what he is today 

— a nationally respected athlete. 

Following graduation, Finn returned to UW- 

Milwaukee where he earned a master’s in 

education psychology and school counseling. He 

worked as a counselor there till moving to 

Oakland, Calif., where he currently is the Bay Area 

Outreach and Recreation Program coordinator. 

In California, Finn turned to his childhood 

dream of playing soccer despite his physical

A healthy profession 

Robert Synovitz leads national health education efforts 

Health educators in Illinois can thank Robert 

Synovitz — and so can others throughout the 

country. 

For more than two decades, Synovitz, ’53, was 

the leader in promoting health education in public 

schools throughout the Land of Lincoln. Arriving 

at Western Illinois University in 1968 as professor 

and chair of the department of health sciences, 

Synovitz went on to build the university’s school 

and community health program into one of the 

nation’s finest. 

“It was his administrative leadership that 

resulted in the department’s phenomenal 

development and growth becoming the 

outstanding undergraduate health education 

program among Illinois institutions of higher 

learning,” explains Western Illinois University 

Professor John Leach. “Our department’s faculty 

conducted courses and workshops around the 

state to improve the health preparation 

background of public school teachers of health 

education.” 

When the department earned honors, Synovitz 

made sure colleagues and students from the 

department received recognition as well. “He was 

challenge. In 2002, he became a player and coach 

in Bay Area’s power soccer team. Power soccer is 

an indoor version of the outdoor game played by 

people using wheelchairs. 

Finn excelled at his newly-found sport. He was 

named defensive most-valuable-player at the 

national tournament in 2005. Later that year, he 

was selected ambassador of the sport for the U.S. 

delegation traveling to Portugal for an 

international summit. 

Power soccer has become more than just a 

game for Finn. He has played a part in 

standardizing the game’s rules and he’s authored 

the international “Laws of the Game.” His work 

hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

“[Chris] is an inspiration to all of us who work 

and play with him, but most especially to athletes 

with disabilities,” says Christine Calabrese, City of 

Oakland ADA coordinator. “The impact of his 

coaching goes well beyond the field.” 

so competent and capable he didn’t worry about 

receiving recognition and honors,” Leach notes. 

But Synovitz didn’t stop at the Illinois border. 

Along with two other Ball State University faculty 

members, he conceived and organized Eta Sigma 

Gamma, a national health honorary society. “As a 

founder, Bob showed the vision that the health 

education profession needed an honorary society 

to promote excellence in the profession and to 

provide a home for those individuals who excelled 

in our profession,” notes Dana Davis, executive 

director of the Oklahoma Dental Association. “He 

worked diligently to establish over 100 student 

chapters of Eta Sigma Gamma throughout the 

country.” 

Colleagues praise Synovitz as an educator of 

the highest class, always teaching and bringing 

others through the complexities of new ideas. 

“You knew he was always there for 

encouragement and support when needed,” says 

Eastern Kentucky State University Professor 

Emeritus Carl Peter. 

AWARDS 

ALUMNI AWARDS 

The Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award 

recognizes alumni who have achieved honor, 

distinction, recognition and reputations that 

extend beyond their work and home 

environments. 

The Rada Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes 

graduates within the last 20 years who have made 

exceptional contributions to their professions and 

communities. 

Find out more about alumni awards and nominate 

someone at: www.uwlalumni.org/awards.php 

Synovitz File 

• Educator, author, administrator. 

• National leader in school health and health 

education. Leader in promoting health 

education in Illinois public schools. 

• Professor, Eastern Kentucky State University, 

Ball State University and Western Illinois 

University. 

• Founder of Eta Sigma Gamma, the professional 

health science honorary for health education 

professionals.Leader and member of the 

American School Health Association. 

• Recipient of the 1999 UW-L Health, Physical 

Education and Recreation Excellence Award. 

• Holds a doctorate and master’s from Indiana 

University. Earned a bachelor’s in physical 

education, school health education and general 

science from UW-L in 1953. 

THE MAURICE O. GRAFF DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD 


THE RADA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD 

THE MULTICULTURAL ALUMNI AWARD 

Shilling File 

• State representative for the 95th Assembly District, representing most of the city 

of La Crosse, since 2000. 

• Congressional aide for Rep. Ron Kind, 1997-2000. 

• Chief-of-staff and research assistant for State Rep. Mark Meyer, 1992-97. 

• Served on the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors during junior and senior 

years of college, 1990-92. 

• Active member of the UW-L Alumni Association Board of Directors; president 

2007-08. 

• Recipient of numerous state awards, including 2007 Independent Living 

Legislative Advocacy Award, 2006 Scales of Justice Award, 2006 Gaylord Nelson 

Human Services Award, Friend of Agriculture and Outstanding Leadership in 

Conservation of the Mississippi River Award, among others. 

• Holds a B.A. in political science and public administration from UW-L in 1992. 

Downs File 

ALUMNI AWARDS 

A leading legislator 

Jennifer Shilling is an effective state representative 

She has earned respect of legislators, lobbyists, 

advocates and others in Madison. It didn’t take 

long for those at the state capitol to discover that 

Jennifer (Ehlenfeldt) Shilling is an effective state 

legislator. 

“Whether they be legislator, lobbyist, staffer or 

advocate, I believe that it is a widely held belief 

among those who participate in our political 

process in Madison that 

Jennifer Shilling stands 

out as one of the best 

legislators in Madison,” 

says former state Rep. 

Mark Meyer, ’88. “I 

don’t offer those words 

lightly. She really is the 

kind of legislator that is 

respected on both sides 

of the aisle.” 

Shilling, ’92, started 

to earn political respect 

before leaving college. In 

1990 when she was 

junior, Shilling was 

elected to the La Crosse 

County Board of 

Supervisors. Despite 

Pinch hitter 

Michael Downs continues to impact others 

Michael Downs was given a second chance 

when he began classes at UW-L in fall 1978. 

Downs entered as a non-traditional married 

student with several years of work experience in 

public relations. Transferring from 

UW-Waukesha, he was the first African 

American baseball player recruited by Head 

Coach Bill Terry. 

Although he 

never got the 

chance to play 

• News director, anchor, reporter and talk show host at various radio and TV stations in 

Spartanburg, S.C., Columbia, S.C. and Sailsbury, Md., 1983-1992. 

• Director of community relations for the Milwaukee Brewers, 1992-2001. 

• Recipient of the Black Image Award from the Jeannetta Robinson Community youth Center, 

Milwaukee; the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award. 

• Currently a graduate student in leadership studies at the University of San Diego. 

• Earned a bachelor of science in mass communications from UW-L in 1983. 


collegiate ball, 

Downs, ’83, 

quickly found 

success in 

academics and 

extra-curricular 

activities. And 

knowing the 

importance of 

being the youngest on the board, she quickly 

earned respect among the board members. 

Following graduation, she became Chief of 

Staff for Meyer, the City of La Crosse’s newlyelected 

state representative. After four years in 

Madison, Shilling returned to La Crosse to 

become a Congressional aide for newly-elected 

Congressman Ron Kind. She spearheaded Kind’s 

work with state and federal programs to foster a 

working partnership between the state and the 

Ho-Chunk Nation in the co-management of the 

Kickapoo Valley Reserve. 

When Meyer vacated his seat to run for State 

Senate, Shilling threw her hat into the ring of state 

politics. She was elected to La Crosse assembly 

seat, winning nearly 55 percent of the vote. 

UW-L Political Science Professor Joe Heim 

says Shilling has become an outstanding 

participant in Wisconsin government and serves 

the area well. 

“Her commitment to educational quality and 

excellence at the University of Wisconsin-La 

Crosse has been strong, consistent and 

unwavering,” notes Heim. “She is a warm, caring 

individual who goes out of her way to help others. 

She is clearly a role model for others; she is 

admired and respected by all who know her.” 

giving people another chance, Downs continues 

to pass that gift on to others. 

Downs admits his academic, social and 

professional development happened later in life. 

He grew up in a family of an uneducated mother 

and father who raised four sons and one 

daughter on welfare. His mother had 

rheumatoid arthritis. His father battled 

alcoholism. Downs eventually became the 

family’s only college graduate. 

As a student-athlete, married and challenged 

academically, Downs found himself “forced to 

stay focused.” Radio station WLSU listeners 

enjoyed his popular jazz show, “Night Music,” 

from the late ’70s through the early ’80s. And he 

and his wife, fellow student Lynn Downs, ’81 & 

’83, served as group home parents for Barlow 

Shelter from 1981-84. 

“During my last three years in school, I 

interned on and off campus, kept a marriage

ALUMNI AWARDS 

More than semi-popular 

Sandra Lee is known worldwide for her culinary ideas 

When Sandra Lee was attending UW-L in the 

mid-’80s no one — including her — had any idea 

what Lee was cooking up for a career. But, in the 

two decades after she left campus Lee is now a 

worldwide household name for her Semi- 

Homemade® philosophy. 

Faced with a home decorating dilemma of 

decorating with a limited budget, Lee invented 

quick and easy ways to re-create her home from 

the inside out. She invented her own line of home, 

garden and craft products, and launched her first 

company, Kurtain Kraft. 

In 1993, she began hawking the products on 

the QVC Shopping Network-USA. After 

immediate success, she launched craft and home 

decorating for QVC in the United Kingdom and 

Germany. That success led her to produce a home 

improvement video series, released in 1994, that 

sold more than a million copies. 

After attending Le Cordon Bleu, a leading 

culinary art institute, Lee applied her semihomemade 

philosophy and savvy shortcuts to the 

kitchen. She quickly became a New York Times 

best-selling author and TV host on the Food 

Network. 

Lee’s trademark 70/30 Semi-Homemade® idea 

together and ran a group home with my wife for boys and girls 

as house parents,” Downs explains. “For me, it was more than I 

could handle, but because of supportive faculty members and 

professors, I was able to finish college.” 

Downs and his wife moved to Maryland where he worked 

in radio and TV for nearly a decade. In 1992, he began a nearly 

10-year stint in community relations for the Milwaukee 

Brewers. While promoting baseball throughout Wisconsin, he 

helped organize and supervise youth camps and baseball 

leagues. Following the death of his wife after a brief illness with 

brain cancer, Downs and his two sons moved to San Diego. 

Currently, Downs is enrolled in the master’s program in 

leadership studies at the University of San Diego, with an 

emphasis in higher education. He hopes to have an 

opportunity to impact students, especially those who 

experienced “hard knocks” as he did. As he’s getting his degree, 

Downs is doing just that as a graduate assistant adviser. 

“I’m enjoying this new adventure and feel life is just 

beginning,” he says. 

combines 70 percent ready-made products with 

30 percent fresh and creative ones. She singlehandedly 

propelled the savory tactic that allows 

anyone to take 100 percent credit for something 

that looks, feels and tastes as if it were completely 

made from scratch. 

Lee has penned 16 books and sold more than 

2.3 million copies since 2005. Her Emmynominated 

program, “Semi-Homemade Cooking 

with Sandra Lee,” celebrated its fifth year on the 

Food Network — and its 200th episode — in 

2008. She has been a frequent guest expert on 

many TV shows, among them: “Good Morning 

America,” “Weekend Today,” “The View,” “Fox 

News Channel” and “Ellen.” 

“After Sandra’s time at UW-La Crosse, she 

went on to be a very successful business person 

and TV personality,” says Janie Spencer, Executive 

Director of the UW-L Alumni Association. “To 

date, no other UW-L alum has such a high 

celebrity profile.” 

All are reasons that make Lee the university’s 

first honorary degree holder, granted to those who 

exemplify the ideals of UW-L through their 

significant achievements and contributions. 

AWARDS 

The Multicultural Alumni Award 

recognizes multicultural alumni for 

their outstanding contributions to their 

profession and society. 

The UW-La Crosse Honorary Degree is 

bestowed to those who exemplify the 

university’s ideals through significant 

achievement and contributions. 

Find out more about alumni awards 

and nominate someone at: 

www.uwlalumni.org/awards.php 

Lee File 

• World-famous chef. TV series host. Author. 

• Attended UW-L from Sept. 1984 to Dec. 1987. 

• Enrolled with an interest in a physical therapy 

major, but changed to business. Excelled in 

accounting and marketing. 

• Achieved worldwide celebrity status as host of 

“Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee” on the 

Food Network. 

• Her 70/30 Semi-Homemade ® philosophy 

combines 70 percent ready-made products 

with 30 percent fresh and creative ones. 

• Author of 16 cookbooks and a memoir. 

• Recipient of the International French 

Gourmand Award for Best Easy Cookbook. 

THE UW-L HONORARy DEGREE 


years of architecture 

Can you name these buildings? Test your campus architecture knowledge. Answers on page 22. 

1 2 

2 0 • u w - l a l u m n u s 1 0 0 • s u m m e r 2 0 0 9

8 9 10 

5 6 7 

3 4 


100 

years of architecture 

1W. Carl Wimberly Hall (1974) — formerly 

North Hall, the building houses instructional and 

administrative facilities for the departments of 

English, history, political science/public 

administration, sociology/archaeology and women’s 

studies as well as the departments of accountancy, 

economics, finance, management and marketing in 

the College of Business Administration. 

2Cowley Hall of Science (1965, 1969, 1970) 

— houses the River Studies Center and departments 

of biology, chemistry, geography/earth science, 

mathematics, microbiology and physics. In addition 

to classrooms and laboratories, the building has 

research facilities, a greenhouse and a planetarium. 

3Wittich Hall (1916) — the original physical 

education building, contains gymnasia, a weight 

training room, a swimming pool, and offices. It was 

listed in the National Register of Historical Places 

April 11, 1985. 

4The Center for the Arts (1973) — houses art, 

communication studies, music, and theatre arts 

department offices, classrooms, rehearsal rooms, art 

studios and theatre facilities. The building also has the 

University Art Gallery, Toland Theatre and Annett 

Recital Hall. 

UW-L Timeline 1905-1939 

1905: La Crosse State Sen. 

Thomas Morris sponsors a 

bill to locate a normal 

school in La Crosse. The 

legislature is convinced 

and allocates $10,000 to 

purchase a site. 

1909: Fassett A. Cotton 

named first president of 

La Crosse Normal School, 

which opens its doors for 

the purpose of training 

public elementary and 

secondary school teachers. 


1911: The basketball team 

takes the State Normal 

School crown. The first 

yearbook, “The Racquet,” 

published. The annual keeps 

that name until 1931 when it 

changes to “The La Crosse.” 

1923: La Crosse 

Normal celebrates 

its first 

Homecoming, 

defeating Lawrence 

University, 14-9. 

1926: George 

M. Snodgrass 

becomes the 

third 

president. 

1928: 

Accredited by 

North Central 

Association as 

a teachertraining 

institution. 

1931: College divided into divisions of elementary 

education, secondary education and physical education. 

Homecoming’s “Hanging of the Lantern” tradition begins 

over the south entrance to Graff Main Hall at the 

suggestion of English teacher Orris O. White who said, 

“We’ll hang the lantern in the old college tower … you 

won’t need to look for the key — the door will be open.” 

’05 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’20 ’23 ’25 ’26 ’27 ’28 ’31 

’34 ’37 ’39 

1908: 

Main Hall 

constructed. 

1910: The first 

campus 

newspaper, 

called “The 

Racquet,” is 

published. 

1912: Physical 

Education Club 

formed, the longest 

continuous 

organization in the 

school’s history. 

5Reuter Hall (2006) — the newest and most 

modern residence hall on campus, featuring a 380bed, 

suite-style layout. It replaced the original Reuter 

Hall which was one of the oldest residence halls 

(built in 1957) and the university’s first all-male hall. 

Eppstein Uhen Architects of Milwaukee received an 

Excellence in Architectural Design Award for the 

new building. 

6Cleary Alumni & Friends Center (1994, 

1995) — serves as a welcoming center and is 

designated for multiple use by alumni, faculty, 

students, parents and community. The building 

includes a university-wide information center, a 

conference center, exhibit areas, meeting rooms, 

social programming areas, special university guest 

rooms, telemarketing center, reference library and 

offices. The center was built by the UW-L 

Foundation with contributions from alumni and 

friends. It is named for Russell and Gail Cleary, 

alumni who made a generous financial contribution 

to the building. 

7Graff Main Hall (1909) — the original 

building on campus, remodeled in 1980, contains 

offices of the chancellor and administrative staff, a 

787-seat auditorium, classrooms, and specialized 

instruction areas for psychology, school psychology, 

modern languages and philosophy. It was designated 

a historic site by the city of La Crosse in 1984 as part 

of the university’s 75th anniversary and was listed on 

the National Register of Historic Places March 14, 

1985. 

1920: 

Construction of 

Wittich Hall 

completed. 

1925: Ernest A. 

Smith becomes 

the second 

president. 

1927: La Crosse 

Normal renamed La 

Crosse State Teachers 

College, authorized to 

grant four-year 

teaching degrees in 

physical education and 

secondary education. 

8Mitchell Hall (1965, 1971) — houses the 

departments of exercise and sport science and health 

education and health promotion, and intercollegiate 

athletics. Facilities include a swimming pool, three 

basketball courts, wrestling room, dance studio, 

racquetball courts, and a 3,800 square foot strength 

training room. The fieldhouse provides an eighthmile 

track, broad jump pit, and nets for tennis and 

volleyball. A human performance laboratory, athletic 

training/sports medicine area, resource and learning 

centers, and computer lab are also in the building. 

9Thomas Morris Hall (1939, 1966) — 

remodeled in 1996, the hall is home to the College of 

Liberal Studies, educational studies department and 

the Continuing Education and Extension Office. The 

building is home to the newly remodeled Frederick 

Theatre and a distance education classroom. 

10Murphy Library Resource Center 

(1969, 1995) — contains over 550,000 volumes in 

open stack collections. Additional holdings include 

the university archives, rare books, oral histories, 

photo collections, books on Wisconsin history, and a 

regional depository for State Historical Society 

records. 

1934: The 

college 

celebrates its 

25th 

anniversary, 

enrollment is 

645. 

1937: Students 

adopt the 

name 

“Indians” for 

athletic teams, 

which is 

retained until 

1989. 

1939: Rexford S. Mitchell 

becomes the fourth 

president. The Campus 

School opens. Students 

help move equipment 

from Main Hall to the new 

building, later renamed 

Morris Hall.

In the Top 10 

La Crosse among ‘Best Places to 

Live for 2009’ 

For more than a decade, U.S.News & World 

Report has ranked UW-L No. 2 or 3 in the 

Midwest. Now the national weekly 

newsmagazine has named La Crosse one of the 

top 10 cities in the country. 

La Crosse placed on the magazine’s 10 “Best 

Places to Live for 2009.” Its paragraph about the 

city included a quote by a UW-L graduate 

student: With a population of about 50,000, 

1941: School year 

shortened from 

40 to 33 weeks to 

help answer the 

need for wartime 

workers. 

1956: First 

master’s of 

science 

degree 

offered. 

1951: La Crosse State Teachers 

College becomes Wisconsin State 

College, La Crosse. Wilder Hall 

becomes the first campus 

residence hall. Regents authorize 

granting bachelor’s of arts and 

bachelor’s of science degrees in 

the liberal arts. 

1958: Reuter 

Hall, the first 

residence 

hall for men, 

opens. 

1961: First 

institutionwide 

general 

education 

program 

takes effect. 

41-60: 

41. Radio Station WLSU 

42. Intramurals 

43. Wing Technology Center 

44. The campus sundial 

45. The “La Crosse” fight song 

46. The Cleary Alumni & Friends Center 

47. The Racquet 

48. The La Crosse yearbook 

49. (A quiet) Murphy Library 

50. The Library (the one on Third Street) 

1962: White 

Hall, a 

residence 

hall for men, 

opens. 

1957: Students and faculty work 

“all day and into the evening” 

Feb. 4 for Operation Booklift, a 

line carrying books from Graff 

Main Hall to the university’s first 

library, the Florence Wing 

Library, named for the school’s 

first librarian. 

La Crosse, Wis., is a great staging ground for 

exploring the natural wonders of the upper 

Mississippi River area. Although winters can be 

bitterly cold, friendly Midwesterners and the nearby 

ski slopes will keep your spirits high. The spring 

opens an active outdoor culture of camping, hiking, 

hunting, and fishing that brings more than a 

million visitors to the area each year. Explore the 

mighty Mississippi on a riverboat tour, or try your 

luck with the northern pike in Lake Onalaska. 

“Great people, fun town,” says Dave Lueck, a 36year-old 

graduate student at the University of 

Wisconsin-La Crosse. “It’s not too big, not too 

small.” And with a 2008 median home sale price of 

$113,000, it's also an affordable destination. 

See the complete listings at: www.usnews.com/articles/business/real-estate/2009/06/08/best-places-to-live-2009.html. 

1963: Regents 

authorize a master’s 

in elementary 

education. Baird 

Hall constructed as a 

residence hall for 

women. 

1959: 50th anniversary. 

Enrollment at 1,821. Cartwright 

Center constructed (additions built 

in 1964 and 1984.) Trowbridge Hall 

opens as a women’s residence hall. 

Presidential candidate John F. 

Kennedy speaks to a packed Graff 

Main Hall Auditorium. 

51. The Cigar Bowls 

52. The World’s Largest Six Pack 

53. Rope your Scope 

54. National Championships 

55. An open parking spot 

56. Streaking 

57. Indian Summer Daze 

58. The fraternities 

59. Howie’s 

60. The Stagg Bowls 

1941-1970 UW-L Timeline 

1966: Samuel G. Gates 

becomes the fifth president. 

Whitney Center construction 

completed. Residence halls 

— men’s Coate Hall, and 

women’s Angell and Drake 

halls — open. 

1967: 

Sanford Hall 

for men and 

Hutchison 

Hall for 

women open. 

’41 ’51 ’56 ’57 ’58 ’59 ’61 ’62 ’63 ’64 ’65 ’66 ’67 ’69 ’70 

To compile the rankings, U.S.News took a 

thrift-conscious approach: “We looked for 

affordable communities that have strong 

economies and plenty of fun things to do. The 

cities we selected are as distinct as America itself 

— ranging from a quaint suburb to a live-music 

mecca. But whether you prefer hiking through 

the Rocky Mountains, pulling a fish out of the 

Atlantic Ocean, or grilling hot dogs at a college 

football tailgate, here are 10 places that will fill 

up your daybook without emptying your 

wallet.” 

Sounds good. But, we prefer brats for our 

tailgate party! 

1964: College designated a state 

university; its name changes to 

Wisconsin State University- 

La Crosse. Laux Hall constructed as a 

men’s residence hall; Anna Wentz 

Hall as a women’s residence hall. 

Ralph Wahl becomes band director 

and forms the Marching Chiefs. 

1970: The Student Coordinating 

Committee established as the new 

student government. The former 

library building renovated and 

renamed Wing Communication 

Center, housing audiovisual and the 

mass communications department. 

1965: 

Mitchell Hall 

and Cowley 

Hall 

completed. 

Faculty 

senate 

established. 

1969: On April 14, 

more than 60 staff 

and students move 

the university 

library to the new 

$2.5 million 

Eugene W. Murphy 

Library.

Tech 400 

From blackboards to whiteboards, film to video 

have found a video of Tony 

Little,” Brian Udermann chuckled. “I 

“Ishould 

love that guy.” Udermann is about 10 

minutes into his general education course, 

“Creating a Healthy and Active Lifestyle,” in the 

100-year-old Graff Main Hall Auditorium. 

Little, the buff fitness guru and TV pitchman, 

comes up as Udermann walks students through 

a PowerPoint slide flashed on a large screen 

about the virtues and pitfalls of home gym 

equipment. 

As the class of 500 settles in, Udermann has 

already effortlessly navigated between Power 

Point and a couple of YouTube videos, all with a 

click of the mouse. The class moves quickly with 

Find more about classroom tech at UW-L at: 

www.uwlax.edu/edtech. 

student demonstrations of inexpensive home 

exercise equipment and a half dozen more visits 

to YouTube. “I’m not a big technology guy, to 

be honest with you,” he explains. “Students 

many times don’t like the latest and greatest, all 

the bells and whistles. Some of the students like 

that, but not all.” 


1971: Through merger, the university becomes part of 

the University of Wisconsin System. The name changes 

to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Kenneth E. 

Lindner becomes the sixth president and then the first 

chancellor. The School of Business created under the 

College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences. Campus radio 

station WLSU goes on the air at 2 p.m. Jan. 4. 

1972: Mitchell Hall adds a track, pool, 

dance studios, human performance lab, 

offices, tennis courts, and handball courts. 

Laux and Drake Halls become the first coed 

residence halls. The first campus 

minority studies conference held. The first 

“Campus Previews,” today known as 

“Campus Close-Ups,” held for recruiting. 

1973: Last year of operation for the 

Campus School. Building renamed 

Thomas Morris Hall and becomes the 

center of elementary and secondary 

education programs. Cardiac 

rehabilitation program started as a joint 

effort with the medical profession. 

1974: The Marching Chiefs perform at the Orange 

Bowl. Construction completed on the Fine Arts 

Building, later renamed the Center for the Arts, 

and North Hall, later renamed Wimberly Hall. 

More than 1,500 students gathered in “the pit” 

between Angell and Hutchison halls see a group 

of people run by in nothing but sweat socks and 

tennies, a “Streaking” fad in spring. 

By John Davis, ’88 

Brian Udderman Carl Wimberly 

Much more than chalk and talk 

While not all students are technology fans, it’s 

hard to avoid in today’s classroom, which is 

much different than it was for the grandparent 

or even parent of the modern student. Chalk 

and a blackboard was all Carl Wimberly needed 

when he taught political science and economics 

at UW-L between 1953 and 1966. “The chairs 

were all in appropriate rows, and for the most 

part, the classes were lecture classes.” Wimberly 

See more about how technology impacts 

classroom education at: 

www.nosignificantdifference.org. 

1975: UW-L Student 

Association forms to succeed 

the Campus Controls 

Council. Master’s degrees in 

business administration and 

education-professional 

development offered. 

1979: Noel R. 

Richards 

becomes the 

second 

chancellor, the 

institution’s 

seventh 

leader. 

1980: The School of 

Business and the 

School of Health, 

Physical Education 

and Recreation 

reorganized into 

individual colleges. 

’71 ’72 ’73 ’74 ’75 ’79 ’80 ’81 ’84 ’85 ’86 ’88 ’89 ’90 

1981: With the addition of 

land to the north in the 

marsh, campus acreage 

enlarges. The American 

Assembly of Collegiate 

Schools of Business 

accredits the College of 

Business Administration. 

recalls. “There was lots of discussion, but the 

discussion took off from the lecture.” 

It’s not that technology didn’t exist 50 years 

ago, but it was often unreliable and in 

Wimberly’s view, not trusted. Films could break 

and there was no one to fix them. “I would write 

on the chalkboard early in the semester,” he 

says. “I would turn around and say now observe 

this carefully because this is the only concession 

I intend to make to audio-visual methods. 

Wimberly became dean of Arts, Letters and 

Sciences in 1960 and served as vice chancellor 

from 1973 until he retired in 1992. Despite his 

reluctance to use early technology in the 

classroom, he was witness to many of the early 

changes. Audio-Visual Services started on 

campus in 1958. 

“One of the main features of Cowley Hall 

when it was built (opened in 1965) was that 

each of the classrooms was plugged into the 

audio-visual center,” he says. 

A computer center began on campus in 

1966. Wimberly traveled to California in the 

early ’60s to learn how to write computer 

programming at an IBM workshop, 30 years 

before the popularity of the personal computer 

started to take off. “There were a lot of people 

who seriously questioned, what am I going to do 

with computers?” he remembers. “The 

1985: Reuter 

Hall, the last 

traditional 

all-male 

residence hall 

on campus, 

goes coed. 

1984: UW-L 

celebrates 

75 years 

with 

enrollment 

of 9,109. 

1988: The Board of Regents 

names the physical 

education and microbiology 

programs as centers of 

excellence. Veterans 

Memorial Stadium purchased 

from the city for $1. 

1986: The 

university 

enrolls a 

record 

9,659 

students. 

1989: After 

lengthy 

debate, the 

name for 

men’s athletic 

teams changed 

to “Eagles.” 

1990: Women’s athletic 

teams adopt the Eagles 

nickname. The 

marching band 

becomes the 

“Screaming Eagles” to 

reflect the name change 

of athletic teams.

machinery we first got here from IBM took up a 

whole room in the basement of Wing. In fact 

our first air conditioning came because we had 

to air condition the computer space.” The early 

computer was used on campus for everything 

from accounting, administrative support, 

research by faculty and students and grading 

tests. 

Technology key for students, faculty 

In 2009, UW-L will offer 100 internet courses. 

Udermann is not only an associate professor in 

the department of exercise and sports science, 

but is also director of Online Education. He 

provides resources and support for faculty who 

teach online courses. His goal is to make sure 

students and faculty have a positive experience 

in the rapidly growing option. 

While younger UW-L faculty members have 

either taught or taken a course online, 

Udermann said more experienced faculty 

members are more resistant to Internet 

education. “But every semester we have faculty 

members who are going to retire in a year or two 

and they are wanting to teach an online course 

for the first time,” he says. Udermann also 

teaches “Creating a Healthy and Active 

Lifestyle” to a smaller class of 25 on the Internet. 

While the content is similar, students in the 

1991: Judith L. Kuipers 

becomes chancellor, the 

institution’s eighth leader 

and first woman at the 

helm. Reorganization of 

the general education 

program takes place. 

’91 ’92 

1992: The university becomes one of 

the founding members of the La Crosse 

Medical Health Science Consortium, a 

collaboration with Viterbo University, 

Western Technical College, Franciscan 

Skemp Healthcare and Gundersen 

Lutheran to provide medical education, 

research and training. 

1993: The university receives 

reaccreditation in the College of Business 

Administration by the American 

Assembly of Collegiate Schools of 

Business and of the teacher education 

programs by the National Council for 

Accreditation of Teacher Education. 

’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’00 

1994: Under 

Chancellor Kuipers’ 

strategic plan, 

“Forward Together,” 

the university 

reorganizes. First 

World Wide Web site 

goes online. 

online course are able to download podcasts of 

his lecture. They also get some lectures via 

technology known as Mediasite . 

Udermann videotapes his lecture at 

Educational Technologies on campus and 

students are able to see the lecture and the 

corresponding power point slides on the same 

screen. “Some students really like that,” he 

notes. “They can see the content and the 

information and they can actually see me 

talking.” 

1995: Cleary 

Alumni & Friends 

Center opens; 

Murphy Library 

addition and 

remodeling 

completed. 

1996: 

Women’s 

sports and the 

College of 

Business 

Administration 

celebrate 25 

years. 

Get a look at one of the videos Brian Udermann 

downloaded for his class at: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI. 

Students who take the online class are also 

required to participate in weekly discussion 

boards. Tests, quizzes and assignments are done 

on their own time. “They (online students) can 

take your material and access it when their 

schedule permits,” Udermann explains. 

Research suggests students learn just as well 

in a Web-based course as they do in the 

traditional classroom setting. A Google search 

of the no significant difference phenomenon is 

offered by Udermann as proof to doubters. The 

1991-2000 UW-L Timeline 

1997: Undergraduate research program 

implemented with a $20,000 starting fund. 

Hoeschler Tower finished, becomes the new home 

for the Hanging of the Lantern during 

Homecoming. Main Hall renamed the Maurice O. 

Graff Main Hall, honoring the long-time retired vice 

chancellor. Recreational Eagle Center opens. 

2000: La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium 

opens. Chancellor Kuipers resigns to become president 

of The Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, Calif. Grand 

opening of the Archaeology Building and Laboratories, 

a $380,000 renovation of the campus’ original power 

plant. North Hall becomes W. Carl Wimberly Hall, 

honoring the longest-serving academic vice chancellor 

in the UW System (1953-1992.) 

Web page shows hundreds of research projects 

about the effectiveness of internet and other 

non-traditional teaching methods. 

As Wimberly reflects on the way the 

classroom used to be, he wonders whether the 

text book is taking a back seat to the computer 

screen. But he also recognizes the generational 

differences that have occurred in learning. Both 

the old school and new school faculty agree a 

good college education has little to do with the 

physical setting and more to do with the 

connection between the student and teacher. 

“You can have all kinds of technology, not 

have good content and not have a passion for 

what you’re teaching and not really care for the 

students and they’ll pick up that right away,” 

Udermann explains. 

SEE yOU AT THE CENTENNIAL GALA! 

For details on the Centennial Gala, visit 

www.uwlax.edu/100years.

A fall dedication 

New Stadium to officially open in September 

61-80: 

61. Friday afternoon Heileman tours 

62. The sororities 

63. Murphy’s Mug 

64. La Crosse Squares 

65. Valhalla 

66. The Tribe 

67. Mr. Wizard 

68. F. Wing Communications Center’s green walls 

69. Myrick Park 

70. L-Bar-X 


2001: Provost Douglas N. Hastad named the university’s ninth leader. University 

athletic teams earn four national championships — NCAA III indoor track and 

field, outdoor track and field, and cross country, and the women’s National 

Collegiate Gymnastics Association title. Flood waters cancel baseball and softball 

games on the university’s diamonds during the Mississippi River’s third-highest 

crest of 16.41. The $9.9 million renovation to Wing Technology Center dedicated 

Sept. 13, two days after students, faculty and staff respond to terrorist attacks in 

New york City and Washington, D.C., by holding an evening candlelight vigil. 

’01 

2002: Men runners accomplish the “triple 

crown” by earning three more NCAA III titles — 

cross country, fall 2001; indoor track and field, 

winter 2002; outdoor track and field, spring 

2002. The women’s gymnastics team earns 

the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association 

title. For the first time, grades available 

exclusively on the Web or by telephone. 

2006: Chancellor Hastad 

resigns to become 

president of Carroll 

University in Waukesha. 

The new Reuter Hall, a 

suite-style residence hall, 

opens to upperclassmen 

returning for fall classes. 

2007: 

Joe Gow 

named the 

university’s 

10th leader. 

’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 

’07 ’09 

2003: Accountancy students rank 

No. 1 nationally among those 

taking the Certified Public 

Accounting exam in November 

2002. Students register for classes 

for the first time using TALON, an 

online system that replaces touchtone 

phone registration. 

2004: Senior Andrew 

Rock, Stratford, Wis., 

becomes the university’s 

first student-athlete to 

compete in the Summer 

Olympics — and earn a 

gold medal (men’s 

4x400 relay.) 

2009: Construction 

of $16.6 million 

Veteran’s Memorial 

Field Sports Complex 

completed. The 

university celebrates 

its 100th 

anniversary. 

2005: Reuter Hall demolished, 

work on a new $22.3 million 

residence hall begins. The click 

of a mouse replaces No. 2 

pencils when faculty submit 

final grades using a userfriendly 

Web site. 

71. The Rustic Inn 

72. The price (low tuition) 

73. The Alumni 

74. Pettibone beach/park 

75. Two words: Old Style 

76. The U-Bar 

77. The Red Lantern 

78. Rosie’s, Marge’s and Fayze’s for breakfast 

79. Homecoming King, Queen and court 

80. Theatre productions 

The new Roger Harring Stadium at the new Veterans Memorial 

Field Sports Complex opened this spring with track and field 

events, but the big party is this fall. 

The Wisconsin State High School Track and Field Meet 

inaugurated the $16.6 million complex in early June when 

thousands filled the stands to cheer on runners and field events. 

Expect even more excitement Saturday, Sept. 12, when the 

university holds the first football game in the stadium when the 

Eagles take on Azusa Pacific University (Calif.). 

The dedication begins a morning ceremony, reception and 

special tours. Events conclude Sunday with the Wall of Fame 

brunch, which includes induction of long-time former UW-L 

Men’s Track and Field Coach Mark Guthrie and other former 

student-athletes. 

Get updates about the dedication at www.uwlalumni.org. 

See the complete football schedule — featuring six games on 

the Eagle’s home turf, at: www.uwlax.edu/athletics/ 

mfootball/schedule/index.asp. 

MORE? 

For a more complete timeline, visit 

www.uwlax.edu/100years/timeline.htm.

Stellar sports 

Athletes hold more than half as many titles as university’s years 

The record is remarkable. In UW-La Crosse’s 

100 years, student-athletes have brought 

home 58 national titles. (Not to mention 

countless conference titles.) 

The national titles have come in nine difference 

sports — and 24 of them have come since 2001. 

Among the successes: 

UW-L has won 26 men’s track & field titles, 

the most in NCAA III history. The Eagles have 

won 15 indoor and 11 outdoor championships, 

both rank first in the nation. With national 

indoor and outdoor titles in 2006, the Eagles 

have swept the indoor and outdoor titles in the 

same season 10 times — 1988, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’97, 

’01, ’02, ’03, ’04 and ’06. 

Mark Guthrie led the 

UW-L men’s track and 

field team to 22 NCAA 

III championships before 

being named as assistant 

men’s track and field 

coach at UW-Madison in 

2006. In Guthrie’s 19 

years as head coach, 

UW-L swept indoor and 

outdoor national titles in 

Mark Guthrie 

1988, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’97, 

’01, ’02, ’03, ’04 and ’06. The Eagles captured 12 

indoor and 10 outdoor championships under 

Guthrie. 

Guthrie was named the Mondo Division III 

National Coach of the Year by his U.S. Track 

Coaches Association peers in 1994, ’97, ’98, ’99, 

’01, ’02, ’03 and ’05. And, he was voted regional 

coach of the year by the organization in 1994, 

’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, 2000, ’01, ’02, ’03 and ’05. 

Under Guthrie, UW-L won 34 Wisconsin 

Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. 

UW-L won the NCAA III “triple crown” in 

2001-02, claiming the men’s cross country, 

men’s indoor track & field and men’s outdoor 

track & field championships. With the national 

titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track 

and field, UW-L holds the distinction of being 

the only NCAA III institution to win the “triple 

crown.” 

The Eagles also captured the 2005 NCAA 

III Cross Country title, the third in school 

history (1996, 2001). 

UW-L has won eight of the last nine 

National Collegiate Gymnastics Association 

(NCGA) Championships. The Eagles have 

won a record 13 NCGA titles (1986, ’88, ’95, 

’97, ’99, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’08 and ’09.) 

Barb Gibson, ’78, 

has led UW-L to all 13 

of its national 

gymnastics titles in her 

24 seasons as head 

coach. She also led the 

Eagles to 17 WIAC 

titles, 13 straight. 

Gibson has been named 

conference coach of the 

Barb Gibson 

year six times and 

received the NCGA 

Coach of the Year Award four seasons. 

National championships started in 1950 

81-100: 

81. The “UW-L Chant” 

82. The faculty 

83. Burgmaiers 

84. Homecoming parade floats 

85. Dorm life 

86. Formals 

87. Band in the Pit 

88. Lawn parties 

89. Move-in weekend 

90. Masquerades 

By David Johnson, ’92 

with the football title in the Cigar Bowl. UW-L 

defeated Valparaiso 47-14. The university also 

shared the Cigar Bowl title in 1953 and UW-L 

later won three national football crowns (1985, 

’92, ’95) under 31-year head coach Roger 

Harring. 

Football Head 

Coach Roger Harring, 

’58, led UW-L to the 

1985 NAIA II title and to 

NCAA III national 

championships in ’92 and 

’95. The university 

became the first in college 

football to win an NAIA 

II and NCAA III title. 

The program made 14 

Roger Harring, ’58 national playoff 

appearances under 

Harring, compiling an overall record of 23-11. 

He was named the conference coach of the year 

seven times and earned national coach of the 

year accolades in ’92 and ’95. UW-L won 15 

conference titles under Harring. He was 

inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame 

in 2005. 

NATIONAL CROWNS 

See a complete list of national crowns at: 

www.uwlax.edu/athletics/traditions/ 

nationaltitles. 

91. Ice cream cones from The Pearl and Ranison’s 

92. Homecoming bonfires 

93. Concerts on campus 

94. The friendly people of La Crosse 

95. The Eagle’s Nest 

96. The La Crosse Queen 

97. Road trips on I-90 

98. Kul Dul 

99. John’s Bar 

100. Commencement! 


Men are No. 1 indoors 

Track and Field team earns 15th national title 

Gymnasts 

are No. 1 

Women capture 

8th national title 

Women’s gymnastics team captured its 

13th National Collegiate Gymnastics 

Association (NCGA) championship 

March 20 at Hamline University. The 

Eagles finished with a team score of 

186.875. SUNY-Brockport placed second 

(184.950) and UW-Whitewater third 

(184.850) among seven teams. 

The national crown was UW-L’s eighth 

in the last nine years and 10th in the last 

13. The Eagles’ 13 overall national crowns 

are the most in NCGA history. 

Head coach Barb Gibson, ’78, has led 

UW-L to all 13 titles in 24 seasons. Also, 

she has guided the Eagles to 17 WIAC 

championships, 13 consecutive titles. Ten 

Eagles earned All-America honors. 


2009 Calendar of Events 

July 

2: “Hair” theatre reunion, campus 

8: Wine tasting boat trip, sponsored 

by UW-L, Milwaukee Alumni 

Network 

16: Alumni event at Iowa Cubs game, 

Des Moines, Iowa 

20: Golf Committee meeting, campus 

25-26: 51st Annual AAUW Art Fair on the 

Green, campus 

August 

7: Membership committee meeting, 

campus 

10: Golf Committee meeting, campus 

12: Alumni & Friends golf outing, 

Cedar Creek, Onalaska 

22: Alumni Association board meeting 

26: Alumni event at Chicago Cubs 

game, Chicago 

TBD: Michael Skemp Memorial golf 

outing 

The men’s track and field team captured its 15th NCAA III 

Indoor Track and Field Championship March 14 in Terre 

Haute, Ind. The Eagles and UW-Oshkosh tied for the national 

crown with 32.0 points. A total of 73 teams scored points. 

UW-L has now captured eight of the last nine indoor 

championships, including two straight. The 15 overall titles 

are the most in NCAA III history. The Eagles also have a 

nation-leading 26 national titles overall (15 indoor, 11 

outdoor). 

The Eagles’ Bobby Riley captured his third consecutive 

national indoor shot put title, becoming the second studentathlete 

in NCAA III history to win three shot put 

championships, joining UW-L’s Terry Strouf (1986, 1987, 

1988). Riley was seventh in the shot put in 2005. 

UW-L won its eight straight WIAC indoor title and 34th in 

school history. Eagles Coach Josh Buchholtz, ’00, was selected 

the men’s coach of the year while runner Brad Peterson was 

named the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete. 

September 

12: Veterans Memorial Field Sports 

Complex dedication, campus 

12: Football vs. Azusa Pacific, campus 

13: Athletic Wall of Fame brunch, 

campus 

25: Foundation Board of Directors 

meeting, campus 

25: Alumni band practice for 

Oktoberfest Maple Leaf parade, 

campus 

25- Oct. 3: Oktoberfest 

October 

3: Football vs. UW-Oshkosh 

10: Football at UW-Platteville 

17: Football at UW-River Falls 

23-25: UW-L Centennial Celebration and 

Family, friends & alumni weekend 

24: Football vs. UW-Stevens Point 

31: Football vs. UW-Stout 

November 

7: Football at UW-Eau Claire 

14: Football vs. UW-Whitewater 

GET MORE INFO AND EVENTS AT WWW.UWLALUMNI.ORG

Another birthday 

UW-L Alumni Association celebrates 40th anniversary 

The year 2009 is a special for UW-L for at least two reasons. The 

Alumni Association will celebrate its 40th anniversary while the 

university celebrates its centennial. 

The Alumni Association Board of Directors shares time and 

talents with the university and association in many ways. At its annual 

meeting, the 2009-10 board of directors was elected to serve you, our 

alumni. Members of the board include: 

Officers 

• Marlin Helgeson, ’78; President, La Crosse 

• Amy DuPont, ’01, Vice President, Onalaska 

• Jeff Bryant, ’80, Treasurer, La Crosse 

• Anne Grayson, ’86; Past President, Onalaska 

• Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86; Executive Director, 

Holmen 

Directors 

• Jill Blokhuis, ’88, La Crosse 

• Andre Deer, ’95, McFarland 

• Trish Harman, ’95, West Salem 

• Karrie Jackelen, ’94, La Crosse 

• Kevin Mahoney, ’76, Winona, Minn. 

• Adam Mueller, ’03, La Crosse 

• Ken Schmocker, ’75, Onalaska 

• Ron Stadler, ’86, Port Washington 

• Karla Stanek, ’75 & ’80, La Crosse 

• Jackie Strutt, ’76 & ’80, Onalaska 

• Jim Warren, ’76, Onalaska 

Alumni Network 

Representatives 

• Chris Bowron, ’99; Rochester (Minn.) Network 

• Lisa Butterfield, ’83; Alumni Band Network, 

La Crosse 

• Jamie Durocher, ’98; Delta Sigma Phi Network, 

La Crescent, Minn. 

• Dave Fink, ’85; Madison Network, Middleton 

• Paul Hoiland, ’96; ROTC Network, Rockford, 

Minn. 

• Fred Monk, ’64; Beta Sigma Chi Network, 


• Greg Natyshak, ’00; Twin Cities Network, 

Savage, Minn. 

• Corey Sjoquist, ’96 & ’03; Residence Life 

Network, West Salem 

• Alicia Stratman, ’97; Milwaukee Network, 

Franklin 

• Kelly Nowicki, ’98 & ’02; Silver Eagles 

Network, La Crosse 

Student/Staff 

Representatives: 

The Alumni Association serves as the primary liaison to the largest 

constituency of the university — alumni. The association facilitates 

gifts of time, talent and treasure and is responsible for communicating 

what the university is today to our alums. In addition, it maintains 

university traditions and history, and promotes allegiance to campus. 

For you. For La Crosse. For a lifetime. To learn more, contact the 

association at www.uwlalumni.org or 608.785.8495. 

• Keli Highland, Program Coordinator, La Crosse 

• Al Trapp, UW-L Foundation Liaison, La Crosse 

• Ed Bremberger, SAA Representative, Sussex 

university of wisconsin-la crosse 

20 years 

of good 

golf 

Alumni & Friends 

Golf Outing 

set for Aug. 12 

university of wisconsin-la crosse 

Reconnect with alumni and 

friends while raising funds for 

important university initiatives on 

the links in August. 

Join the 20th anniversary event 

Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Cedar 

Creek in Onalaska. The unique 

five-person scramble format 

includes: lunch, 18 holes of golf 

with cart, registration gift, team 

photo, beverages on the course, 

special hole events, dinner and a 

raffle with great prizes. Space is 

limited; register early. Last year, 

more than 125 alumni and friends 

participated. 

Proceeds from the 2009 UW-L 

Alumni & Friends Golf Outing 

will support the Alumni 

Association’s legacy scholarships, 

the Alumnus, the Centennial 

Celebration, reunions and more. 


A great farewell 

Baird Hall alums reunite one last time before demolition 

Luck of the draw 

Foundation’s tuition raffle expands 

due to popularity 

Hope Eike 

Students now have an extra chance to win free 

tuition. The UW-L Foundation’s popular 

tuition raffle has expanded to two contests 

each semester. Annual Giving Director Aaron 

Bonnett says the chance for a free semester of 

tuition is even more attractive as education 

costs rise. “We added an additional drawing 

each semester because parents and others 

wanted to take part in the raffle,” he says. 

Letters and tickets — $10 each or six for 

$50 — are sent to students and parents 

offering them the chance to win a semester’s 

tuition. This year’s early spring raffle, with a 

March drawing, raised about $18,000, while 

the late spring raffle, with a May drawing, 

brought in around $23,000. 

Hope Eike was the lucky winner of the 

UW-L Foundation’s March tuition raffle. The 

junior from Neenah will receive free tuition — 

around $3,000 — for the fall 2009 semester. 

The funds from the raffles go to the 

Foundation’s unrestricted account for 

scholarships, emergency student loans, 

research, on-going programs and new campus 

projects. 

See more at www.foundation.uwlax.edu. 

Corey Sorenson, ’03 


TV screen success 

Alum Corey Sorenson appears 

in CBS’ ‘Numb3rs’ 

Baird Hall alumni returned to campus April 

18 to visit the hall one last time before it’s 

torn down to ready the space for Centennial 

Hall. Kneeling, from left, Mike Brown, ’90, 

Onalaska; Lori (Kempf) Lotz, Manitowoc; 

Todd Lotz, ’07, Manitowoc; Pamela 

(Roehl) Merrilees, ‘88, Wilmette, Ill.; Katie 

(O'Donnell) Schricker; Ilynn (Vandre) 

Brown, ’90, Milwaukee; Susan (Noah) 

Bieno, ’90, Oregon; Janet (Mueller) 

Hathaway, ‘89, Thiensville; Connie 

(Kohlbeck) Greenwald, ‘90, Marshfield; 

Joan (Whalen) Brunner, ‘89, New Albin, 

Iowa. Standing, from left, John Laurent, ‘87, 

Middleton; Heidi (Van Meter) Schmit, ‘89, 

Appleton; John Sill, ‘87, Edgerton; John 

Hoppe, ‘90, Appleton; Theresa (Serdan) 

Narveson, ‘90, West Bend; Michael Imse, 

‘98, St. Paul, Minn.; Jerry Kiel, ‘87, Loyal; 

Doug Krause, ‘88, Marshfield; Gregg 

Greenwald, ’86, Marshfield; Theresa 

(Tomczyk) Kiel, ‘88, Loyal; Mary Beth 

VonDissen, ‘90; Susan (Hamann) Kieffer, 

‘85, Sheboygan; Leigh Scheibe, ‘89, 

Marshfield; Joseph Tuschl, ‘87, Waunakee; 

Debra (Jackson) Tice, ’91, Schofield; and 

Andrea (West) Kowalski, ‘90, La Crosse. 

Corey Sorenson, ’03, is a name familiar to UW-L 

and La Crosse area theatregoers. Now, national 

TV viewers are getting to know it too. 

Sorenson graduated with aspirations to make 

it in the acting world. He added a performance as 

Greg Silver in the Feb. 13, 2009, TV episode of 

CBS’ “Numb3rs” to his portfolio. Sorenson, who 

lives in Los Angeles, has also had roles in “Law 

and Order: SVU,” “Greek” and “Rescue Me.” 

At UW-L, Sorenson, a La Crosse native, 

performed in “Oedipus Rex” in 2001, “A 

Christmas Carol” in 2002 and “The Trip to 

Bountiful” in 2003. Find out more about 

Sorenson’s UW-L experience at “Testimonies 

from Alumni & Current Students” at 

www.uwlax.edu/Theatre/testimonies.html. 

See also, the Feb. 8, 2009, La Crosse Tribune 

article “UW-L graduate Corey Sorenson plays a 

villain in CBS drama” at www.lacrossetribune. 

com/articles/2009/02/08/etc/01etcetera.txt. 

Sorenson wrote and produced a new Web site, 

“The Circuit,” which provides a “Mock 

Documentary of a Working Actor.” On the site, 

Sorenson plays the role of actor Chris Johnson 

who auditions for roles on “The Circuit.” The site 

also has a blog and won a film festival award in 

Oregon. See it at www.thecircuit-series.com.

Top dog 

Winston, a two-year-old Great 

Dane owned by UW-L 

graduate Melisa, ’05, 

(Grunewald) Ruppert and her 

husband, Matt, ’04, was 

chosen as Milk-Bone’s 

SpokesDog from thousands 

who entered the competition. 

Dog of UW-L alums named Milk-Bone ‘spokesdog’ 

Winston, a two-year-old Great Dane owned by Matt, ’04, and Melisa, ’05, 

(Grunewald) Ruppert, Kronenwetter, has been named the first-ever 

SpokesDog for Milk-Bone. 

Del Monte Foods named the SpokesDog in honor of the brand’s 100th 

anniversary. Winston won the national contest searching for moments of joy 

that strengthen the bond between pets and their owners. 

Owners uploaded a photo or video, combined with a short story about 

how they and their dog shared a Milk-Bone Moment. Winston received the 

most votes online by the November 2008 deadline. His Milk-Bone 

Moment: A “Great” Dane Gift: “Winston was a gift from my husband on our 

one-year wedding anniversary. He (Winston, not my husband) is such a 

clown. Not a day goes by that he does not make us laugh. Winston brings 

tremendous joy to our lives and is full of Milk-Bone moments!” 

Along with his new-found fame, Winston receives a $100,000 contract. 

He will be featured on packaging later in 2009 and take part in several 

marketing initiatives. Winston will also serve as an advocate for the Milk- 

Bone Canine Heroes program. Read more at milkbone.icmodus.com. 

First view 

Alum Barbara Martin-Stanley attends 

inauguration 

Three friends got together in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 

inauguration of Barack Obama. They included, from left, Roberta 

Stevens, Barbara Martin-Stanley, ’06, and Regina Siegel, viewing the 

setup for the inauguration the day before. 

UW-L Transfer Admissions Counselor Barbara Martin-Stanley, 

’06, was one of the thousands who saw Barack Obama sworn in as 

the 44th U.S. president — the first African-American to hold the 

office — on Jan. 20. Martin-Stanley was UW-L’s recipient of the 

UW System’s Woman of Color in Education in 2008 award. 

For photos and more on Martin-Stanley’s trip see: 

www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/profiles/Martin- 

Stanley2.html. Download her PowerPoint presentation at 

www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/images/2009/profiles/ 

martin_stanley/2009InaugurationB.ppt. 

Inverrary meets 

Members of the UW-L Inverrary 

alumni group gathered in the 

Tampa, Fla., in February. The group 

typically meets in La Crosse, but 

headed south this year where a few 

members live. Those attending 

included: front, from left, Karen 

(Kesser) Harlos, ’80; Jane 

(Johnston) Smith, ’81; 

Kathie (Schroeder) Ward, ’80; 

Kathy (Pandl) O’Connor, ’80; Steve 

Schwagger, ’81; Steve Ward, ’74; 

second row, from left: Tim Gensmer, 

’80; John Duda; George Eissler; Tim 

Guth; Mark Ruffalo; Bill Harlos; 

Jeffrey Bloxdorf, ’79; Steve Muldoon; 

Bob Grieb; Curt Brown; and Dick 

DeMarsh (attended ’76-’77); third 

row, from left, John O’Connor, ’79; 

Tom Kelly, ’80; Peter Daily; Jim 

Kallies, Mike Welsh ’79; Lyndon 

Schmidt; James Bornfleth, ’80. 


’43 

Maxine Nobiensky, Janesville, reports that after 

65 years, she finally has a family member attending 

UW-L! Her grandson began classes in spring. “I 

hope he loves it as much as all of us in the Class of 

’43 did,” she says. 

’56 

Roger L. Nichols, Tucson, Ariz., will be a guest 

social scientist in the history department at the 

University of Muenster, Germany, this summer. 

Nichols is completing his 20th book, “Paths to War: 

The US and the Indians, 1790-1890” for the 

University of Oklahoma Press. It is due out in 2010. 

Also, he recently signed his 21st book contract with 

Paradigm Press. “Indians and Invaders in English 

Speaking North America” is due in 2011. 

’62 

David Spencer, ’62, and Mary Ulrich Spencer, 

’63, live in Oak Park Heights, Minn. David retired 

from the faculty at Indiana University in 1995. Since 

moving to Minnesota, David has worked for the 

Twin Cities Area Labor Management Council. He 

works as an ad hoc instructor for the Labor Studies 

Program in the Carlson School at the University of 

Minnesota. They enjoy retirement in a continuous 

care retirement center at Boutwells Landing where 

they keep involved in activities and by volunteering. 

’69 

Barbara (Bronson) Strauss, Cleveland, was 

recently appointed assistant director for Technical 

Services at Cleveland State University Library. She 

is also active in the local foods movement in 

Cleveland with business partners through their 

EcoVillage produce urban farm. 

’71 

Andrew Pilch, Park Falls, was inducted into the 

Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 

October 2008. Pilch has taken four teams to the 

state tournament and has more than 400 wins. He 

teaches and coaches at St. Anthony’s in Park Falls. 

’72 

Joseph and Susan Kuhn, both ’72, are retired 

and living in La Crosse. Joseph had an exhibition of 


Classnotes 

Keep up to date with your classmates. To learn how, go to page 37. 

Golf game keeps them 

up to par 

Mass communications alums get together annual for a weekend of golf and to share stories of 

the past. “It’s a blast and we look forward to it every year,” says Brad Heinkel, ’83, one of the 

alums getting together for the past decade. The 2008 event included: back, from left, Bill 

LaRue (La Crosse resident and UW-L alum wannabe); Mark Thorn, ’84; Jay Novak, ’82; Scott Olson 

(another UW-L alum wannabe); Heinkel; and Greg Anderson, ’83. Sitting, from left, is Tom Highum, ’84; 

Bob Masewicz (another La Crosse resident and UW-L alum wannabe); Greg Sroka, ’82; and Jim 

Schroeder, ’82. 

paintings at the Pump House Regional Arts Center 

in La Crosse during April. Get a glimpse of his work 

at www.joekuhnart.com. 

’73 

Thomas W. Davenport, Heidelberg, Germany, 

recently celebrated 20 years with the Department 

of Defense Dependent Schools. He is currently 

teaching at Heidelberg American High School. 

Elizabeth Andrew Trautsch, Eastman, retired 

from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in 

December. 

’74 

Robert J. Pielhop, Chippewa Falls, reports he and 

his wife, Judy, became grandparents for the first 

time with the birth of Charlotte Crane. 

’77 

Sue Maier Friedmann, South Glastonbury, Conn., 

works in the world of sports coverage and features 

at ESPN. She is production manager of “E:60,” a 

show that profiles people and places you won't 

normally see on any other show on the network. 

She reports the show’s staff has grown and the 

show is doing well. “This is a hand-in-glove fit for

me based on the many years I spent creating story 

ideas and executing them for radio and TV,” she 

reports. Sue has been at ESPN for 13 years. She 

and her husband, John, have been married for 14 

years. 

’79 

Kern W. Brogan, has retired from Akzo Nobel and 

moved with his wife, Noreen, to Houston, Texas. 

’81 

Carol Miller, Fargo, N.D., has been elected 

president-elect of the National Association of 

College Stores, the professional organization for 

collegiate retailers nationwide. Miller received the 

profession’s certification, Certified Collegiate 

Retailer, in 2006. She has been director of North 

Dakota State University Bookstore in Fargo since 

1999. Previously, she was assistant director and 

book department manager at the UW-Milwaukee 

Bookstore. 

’84 

Bonnie J. Duncan Milligan, Crossett, Ark., 

received a master's of divinity from Lousiville 

Presbyterian Seminary in 2001. She is pastor of 

The Presbyterian Church of Crossett. 

’85 

Craig Hulce, Fond du Lac, was named an 

assistant professor and program director of finance 

and economics at Marian University in August 

2008. He had been a finance instructor at 

Marquette University and for the University of 

Phoenix Wisconsin campuses where he was 

named “Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty 

Member of the Year.” Hulce has 17 years of 

experience in investment management and 

financial data processing and served as the 

president and CFO of a Wisconsin-based 

investment advisory and financial planning 

business. He was a portfolio manager for six 

mutual funds and numerous private client accounts 

and was a registered investment adviser at several 

other major investment firms. Also, he worked as a 

product manager for a large financial data 

processing firm. He is an advocate of socially 

conscious investing. 

Sarah B. Scott, Monkton, Md., has changed 

careers after 20 years. Recently, she became 

employed by Harford County Public Schools as a 

library media specialist. 

John Smalley became editor of the Wisconsin 

State Journal in Madison Dec. 15. He had been 

editor of the La Crosse Tribune. 

’86 

Kelly J. Becker, La Crosse, received a master’s in 

library science in December 2008 from the 

University of North Texas-Denton. Becker works at 

the La Crosse Public Library. 

Their ‘excellent 

adventures’ 

Dave Whisner, ’68, left, and Gary Gardiner, 

’69, checked off another dream from a 

list they hatched as roommates while 

attending UW-L. The dream: fly fishing for trout on 

New Zealand’s South Island. They marked the 

adventure off their list in early February 2009. 

David Coenen is an account manager for Coca- 

Cola Enterprises. He lives in Appleton with his wife, 

Terri, and their three children, Sierra, Mitchell and 

Cade. 

’87 

Randy Dummer, Appleton, was one of 10 winners 

of the American Institute of Certified Public 

Accountants (AICPA) 2008 Outstanding Discussion 

Leader Award. In addition to being an audit partner 

with Virchow, Krause & Co. in Appleton, he has 

been teaching continuing education seminars for 

the AICPA since 2003 and has taught CPAs from 

firms and state CPA societies in 21 states. Dummer 

teaches 10-15 seminars annually on auditing 

employee benefit plans. The AICPA has 

approximately 250 discussion leaders nationwide. 

David Hey, ’87 & ’93, San Luis Obispo, Calif., after 

five years working for the military and Homeland 

Security (North Dakota and Nevada respectively); 

Hey has landed on the California Central Coast 

teaching in Cal Poly’s kinesiology department. The 

university has established the Emerging Center for 

Obesity Prevention and Education (eCOPE) to 

conduct research to help reduce obesity rates in 

California. Hey encourages UW-L students and 

alums interested in obesity research to contact him. 

c l a s s n o t e s 

Among their other checked adventures: 

skydiving, playing Pebble Beach and retiring early, 

says Whisner, who wore a new UW-L alumni Tshirt 

in the most recent trip. They try to get 

together annually, sometimes getting visits in 

during business trips. 

Judy (Vandehey) Ries, Coon Rapids, Minn., is a 

physical Education/health education teacher for 6th 

and 8th graders in the Coon Rapids Middle School 

- Anoka - Hennepin School District #11. 

’88 

James E. Schmidt, Mt. Horeb, a financial 

professional with AXA Advisors LLC in Madison, 

has earned a Certificate in Retirement Planning 

from The Wharton School of the University of 

Pennsylvania. Schmidt is one of a select group of 

financial professionals nationwide to complete the 

retirement planning education program. 

’90 

Patrick Peyer, ’90 & ’95, Rockford, Ill., is director of 

Student Retention and Success at Rock Valley 

College. He and his wife, Courtney, have three 

children, Nolan (5), Brooke (3), Quinn (11 months). 

’91 

Juliene Renee (Riffel) Hefter, West Bend, was 

recently named to the “Power 25” by Aquatic 

International. She is one of the top 25 individuals 

in the aquatic world. Also, Hefter was named 

Aquatic Professional of the Year for 2009 for the 

National Recreation and Park Association. 



’92 

John, Jr. and Mary (Vander Plas) Corcoran both 

’92, live in Holmen. John is a sales representative 

for De Bauche Truck and Diesel. Mary is store 

manager-vice president of Macy’s at Valley View 

Mall. They have a son, John “Jack” Francis (2). 

State Rep. Jennifer (Ehlenfeldt) Shilling, 

La Crosse, has been appointed to serve on the 

Joint Committee on Finance. 

’93 

Kennette Brueggeman married Gouverneur “Guv” 

Mitchell Sept. 6, 2008, in the midst of Hurricane 

Hanna. They live in Columbia, Md. Kennette works 

at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented 

Youth. 

Robin Paine married John Tracy Aug. 16, 2008. 

They live in Grand Forks, N.D. Robin received a 

doctor of physical therapy in January from MGH 

Institute of Health Professions. She has worked at 

the University of North Dakota for 15 years as a 

physical therapist and instructor in the athletic 

training program. 

Radtke House 

stays in touch 

Antonne Samuels, Chicago, is the student 

advocate at Hyde Park High School and coaches 

basketball at Senn High School. Samuels would not 

change time at UW-L for “nothing in the world. I met 

some life long friends and recieved a great 

education. A lot I learned at UW-L has helped me 

in life,” Samuels says. 

’94 

Jean M. Broadwater, West Bend, is middle school 

principal at Silverbrook Middle School in West 

Bend. Broadwater will become superintendent of 

the Kewaunee (Wis.) School District July 1, 2009. 

Michael Messerole, Omaha, received a 2009 

University of Nebraska Omaha Alumni Outstanding 

Teaching Award. He teaches health, physical 

education and recreation in the university’s College 

of Education. 

’95 

Cindy (Nerbun) Burgos and her husband, Ulises 

Burgos, are going on their fifth year in Curitiba, 

Brazil. They are expecting another son at the end of 

July to join their first son, Diego, who is now 2. She 

has been active in the International Women’s Club 

They may have graduated 50 years ago, but that hasn’t stopped them from getting together and 

writing a Christmas newsletter since graduating. Class of ’59 members from Radtke House who 

got together in 2008 included, from left: Rae Thelen, La Crosse; Diane (Schwandt) Mickelson, 

Rio; Marilyn (Hills) Meyer, Slinger; Kay (Schultz) Schmoll, Stevens Point; Carol (Henrich) Weber, Irma; Jan 

(Strek) Bailey, Rhinelander; Elizabeth (Krueger) Wahlstrom, Rhinelander; Beverly (Thompson) Jolbitado, 

Windsor Mill, Md.; and Sheila (Pusch) Schaff, Mesa, Ariz. House members not pictured include Nancy 

Allen, Pat Haun and Nan (Hudson) Roe. Eleven of them still call the Badger state home. Members who 

have died are: Jan Bostetter, Bonnie (Beitz) Miller and House Mother Vera Jenks. 


of Parana since arriving in Brazil, a 

charitable/social organization for foreign women in 

Curitiba, and is currently serving as its president. 

She’s also been teaching piano lessons and began 

oil painting. Some of her pieces have been 

exhibited locally and she is beginning to sell 

originals and prints. 

Jon A. Bushman, West Point, N.Y., has been 

promoted to assistant professor in the Department 

of Geography and Environmental Engineering, 

where he as taught since June 2006. He is in his 

last year at the U.S. military academy. In June 2009 

the Army plans to send him for more schooling at 

the National Defense Intelligence College in 

Washington, D.C. 

Matthew Jurvelin, ’95 & ’01, became assistant 

campus dean for Student Services at UW- 

Baraboo/Sauk County Jan. 1, 2009. He had served 

as director of Testing and assistant director of the 

Advising Center at UW-Whitewater from 2002-08. 

Anthony Wildman, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, earned 

an MBA from Kent State University in December 

2004. He has been a vice president and general 

manager with Huntington National Bank since 

2000. He and his wife, Gretchen, have three 

children: Dillon (5), Danny (3) and Heidi (1). 

’96 

Jonathan Delagrave, Racine, worked as the 

director of economic support for Racine County 

before being promoted to administrator for the 

Racine County nursing and physical therapy facility 

in December. 

Neil Hauger, Houlton, was recently promoted to 

national sales director for Medafor Inc., a medical 

device manufacturer established 1988. He 

manages more than 20 independent representative 

groups with nearly 60 sales reps throughout the 

Midwest. 

’97 

James E. Berry lives in Milwaukee. After receiving 

the “Funny Bone” Award on the UW-La Crosse 

campus, he has become a stand-up comedian who 

is currently touring nationwide. Find out more — or 

book him — at berryfunny.com. 

Kevin Svobodaq, Addison, Ill., has expanded his 

private practice of outpatient 

orthopedic/neurological physical therapy to two 

sites: Optimal Health Institute in Addison, Ill., and 

Fox Valley Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists 

in Naperville, Ill. 

Ivan Weiss, Jr., San Antonio, Texas, has been a 

financial adviser for USAA in San Antonio for just 

over a year.

Proud 

alums 

This large group of alums from the 

women’s gymnastics team was on 

hand when the Eagles won their 13th 

National Collegiate Gymnastics Association 

championship at Hamline University in March. 

The crown was the team’s eighth in the last 

nine years. The 13 titles are an NCGA record. 

Sarah M. Wolff, Rhinelander, recently returned 

working as a catalog copywriter at Drs. Foster & 

Smith Inc., America's largest catalog marketer of 

companion pet supplies. Wolff worked there from 

2002-04 before returning to UW-L for grad school. 

After adventures in Milwaukee and St. Paul, she 

was given the opportunity to return to DFS in 

October 2008 when her former supervisor 

contacted her to see if she'd like her old job back. 

Wolff couldn’t refuse a generous offer and is now 

happier than she’s been in years — dodging deer 

and livin’ it up in Wisconsin's northwoods. She 

writes for six of the company’s catalogs — small 

pet, ferret, caged bird, wild bird, reptile and pond. 

No chance I'll be bored any time soon. Fond 

memories of earning two degrees remain, from 

whoopin’ it up on Concert Choir tours to studying at 

Cartwright Center. 

’99 

Anthony Emerson, Spencer, Iowa, is a 

development officer with Buena Vista University in 

Storm Lake, Iowa. 

Katie (Walicki) Paulse, Scottsdale, Ariz., has been 

named Enterprise program manager at LiveOps. 

’01 

Sandy Jensen (see photo), 

La Crescent, Minn., has been 

promoted to manager with 

Hawkins, Ash, Baptie & Co. in 

La Crosse. She works with notfor-profit 

audits and has worked 

with the company since 2001. 

Jason Nieminski, Peshtigo, is the Lead 

Generation Coordinator for Sports Floors at Aacer 

Flooring. He coaches track and volleyball, and does 

speed and agility training during the off seasons. 

’02 

Adam Miecielica, Raritan, N.J., recently became 

technical director of the Shakespeare Theatre of 

New Jersey in Madison, N.J. 

Madison 

meeting 


More than 80 alumni and friends 

attended a reception in Madison 

Feb. 4. Acting President of the 

UW-L Foundation Al Trapp, right, welcomed 

guests, along with, from left, state legislators 

Rep. Mike Huebsch, honorary alum; Rep. 

Jennifer (Ehlenfeldt) Shilling, ’92; and Sen. 

Dan Kapanke, ’75 & ’87. The reception 

honors alumni and friends involved in 

Wisconsin government and recognizes the 

university’s role in political science and public 

administration. It was the 19th year for the 

event, sponsored by the UW-L Foundation 

and UW-L Alumni Association. 

Nicole (Owen) Schaus, Waukesha, reports she is 

a retired CPA and is currently a stay-at-home mom. 

Like grandfather, like 

granddaughter 

UW-La Crosse is a special place for Jack Vanden Boogaard, ’52, and his 

granddaughter, Sara Olson, ’06. They are the two family members who have 

graduated from the institution. Vanden Boogaard is retired and living in 

Menasha; Olson is in Flagstaff, Ariz. It looks like the legacy will grow. Olson’s brother, 

Eric, is currently a senior at UW-L. 



’03 

Lisa Bendall, Mayville, completed National Board 

Certification in late January and was notified Nov. 

21, 2008, that she had earned the certification in 

adolescence and young adulthood mathematics. 

She is among 75 Wisconsin educators to earn the 

honor in 2007-08. 

Russ Braby, Cedarburg, has been named 

assistant director of UW-Platteville's Study Abroad 

Office. 

Amanda Converse, Clearwater, Fla., was recently 

promoted to production manager for the 

FrontRunner Ad Group agency. 

Theresa Emmons, ’03 & ’06, and Brian 

Hornberg, ’05, were married Oct. 11, 2008. They 

live in Peoria, Ill. Brian works for Firefly Energy. 

Kristin Kalpinski moved from Madison to 

Hattiesburg, Miss., in spring 2009 to work for a 

non-profit called Youth Villages. Its mission is to 

help youth and family live successfully through 

strength-based motivation programs. 

Craig Pauls graduated from Palmer College of 

Chiropractic in October 2006. He married Kiley 

Schulta July 7, 2007. They moved to Freeport, Ill., 

booknook 

and purchased chiropractic practice, Family Health 

Quest, in August 2008. 

’04 

Brian Jackson, Morrisville, N.C., works for Lenovo, 

a personal computer manufacturer currently ranked 

fourth worldwide by volume. Jackson has been 

promoted from internal audit team leader to 

director of Worldwide Plans & Controls where he 

manages internal audit projects. He moved to North 

Carolina in December 2006 after two years as a 

staff accountant at Virchow, Krause & Co. in 

Madison. 

Corinna Studnicka, Muscoda, is in her third year 

at the Cassville School District in southwest 

Wisconsin. She is 45 percent elementary physical 

education and 50 percent district media specialist. 

’05 

Kelly deLongpre has married Adam G. Miller. 

They live in Coon Rapids, Minn., with their two 

kittens. Kelly works for Metro Cardiology 

Consultants. 

Tim Steenlage lives in Newport, Minn., where 

he works for Anchor Builders leading a 

construction crew. 

College sports 

scholarship guide 

Potential college student-athletes have an 

“insider’s guide” to getting a scholarship 

thanks to Dion Wheeler, ’63. Wheeler 

recently published “The Sports 

Scholarships Insider’s Guide: Getting 

Money for College at Any Division,” an 

updated 2nd edition. 

“The truth is: 80 percent of all college 


athletic opportunities are located outside 

(NCAA) Division I,” writes Wheeler on back 

of the book. He encourages college 

athlete wannabes to take control of their 

own recruiting process and offers — 

despite the institution NCAA division. 

The books sells for $16.99 at 

www.sourcebookscollege.com. 

’07 

Katie Jo Du Mez married Davis Chance Dec. 27, 

2008. They live in Gilbert, Ariz. Katie Jo teaches 1st 

grade at East Mesa (Ariz.) Imagine School. 

Dana Floberg, La Crosse, works with customer 

relations for Xcel Energy in La Crosse. She really 

enjoys living in the La Crosse area and likes seeing 

all the new projects going on around campus. “This 

city and university never cease to amaze me,” she 

says. Floberg continues to seek employment in a 

field that better suits her, but plans to continue to 

call La Crosse home. 

Andrew Hughes, Cashton, is project 

manager/client relations specialist with Interact 

Communications, a national marketing company 

that specializes in two-year schools. 

Alexandra Lucas, Plymouth, Minn., is pursuing 

master’s in marriage and family therapy at St. 

Mary’s University of Minnesota. 

Nicole Palmer, Random Lake, has been named 

marketing and project coordinator for Ebenezer 

Child Care Centers in Milwaukee. 

Camille A. Thomas, Minneapolis, founded a 

scholarship for African American and Latino 

graduates of Minneapolis Public Schools. Thomas 

is pursuing her master’s degree in holistic health in 

the College of St. Catherine’s Henrietta Schmoll 

School of Health. 

’08 

Isaac Bray, Port Edwards, joined the Wisconsin 

Timber Rattlers in the group sales department. 

He had interned with the Pittsburgh Pirates where 

he assisted with the club’s Florida operations. 

The Rattlers are a class A affiliate with the 

Milwaukee Brewers. 

Abby Tyjeski (see photo), 

Fayetteville N.C., has been 

named an event coordinator for 

Cheer Ltd. Inc. She will provide 

promotional and support for 

more than 50 Cheer Ltd. events 

across the country. She interned 

with the company, along with 

the Fayetteville Swampdogs.

A ‘White House’ reunion 

These seven didn’t have to travel to 

Washington, D.C., to view the White 

House; they simply returned to La Crosse. 

Roommates from “The White House,” located at 

1322 Pine St., got together for a reunion in 

October 2008. They included, from left, Carol 

(Hamilton) Pflughoeft, ’72, Mc Farland; Carol 

(Romenesko) Keuh, ’72, Hartford; Sue (Oros) 

Kuhn, ’72, La Crosse; Louise (Taylor) Fosdick, 

attendee; Linda (Longseth) Kraemer, ’71, Plain; 

Mary (Hoof) Puza, ’72, La Crescent, Minn.; and 

Kathy (Roth) Fleege ’72, Hartford. Two 

roommates unable to attend — Wendy (Barber) 

Bertacinni, ’72, Oro Valley, Ariz.; and Carol 

Class of 20?? 

Kirstin (Hansen), ’89, and William Dolwick, Lake 

Mills, a son, Griffin Walker, Aug. 1, 2007. He joins 

brother Brennan (8) and sister Kailey (3). 

Tori Lee (Knispel), ’89 and Michael Lemire, 

Fountain City, a daughter, Karis Adele, July 24, 

2008. She joins six sisters, Lael (14), Lasha (13), 

Shiloh (11), Azrielle (9), Moriah (7) and Tirzah (3). 

Tori still enjoys playing basketball at the Y and 

looks forward to seeing any former teammates or 

players at the UW-L Alumni Game. 

Dan, ’91, and Vickie (Wallner), ’93, Hall, 

Temecula, Calif., a daughter, Kami Lynn, May 28, 

2008. She joins two sisters, Sydney and Carley. 

Amy (Evenson), ’92, and Christopher Carrier, 

Cary, Ill., a son, Evan Robert, March 18, 2009. He 

joins a sister, Elise. 

(Johnson) Nelson, ’72, Dixon, Ill. — were 

represented by their pictures in the photo. The 

former first ladies from 1969-1972 reconnected 

through the Internet. “We had fun touring the 

campus, reminiscing about former classes and 

professors, and noticing the wonderful changes 

at UW-L,” says Fleege. “All the roommates 

enjoyed catching up with each other’s lives, and 

sharing pictures of children — in some cases 

grandchildren.” Fleege says all agreed that UW-L 

gave them a great education to be successful. 

“It was a great place to live and it’s always fun to 

return,” she notes. They are planning another 

reunion. 

Peter, ’94, and Tanya (Erstad) Kolar, ’95, 

Nekoosa, a son, Brekken, June 2008. He joins 

brothers Kendrick (6) and Anders (2). 

Melissa (Franke), ’95, and Tim Shirk, Prospect, 

Va., a son, Carson Robert, Jan. 5, 2009. He joins 

sisters Alana (2) and Kiley (4). Melissa enjoys 

being a full-time mom. She and her husband, a 

building contractor, are always working on 

renovating or building something together. 

Brian, ’96, and Jodi Dahl, ’99, Fairfax, Va., a son, 

Brady Robert, Jan. 29, 2009. 

Eric, ’96, and Jessica Penn Molstad, Springdale, 

Ark., a son, Maddox “Max” Jesse, Dec. 1, 2008. He 

joins a brother, Michael. Eric is a category manager 

for Schweppes-Dr. Pepper in Rogers, Ark. 

Jennifer (Foelker), ’97, and Don Hahn, Poynette, 

a daughter, Nov. 27, 2008. 


Julie (Perlberg), ’97, and Jim Kazmierkoski, Eden 

Prairie, Minn., a daughter, Sophia Lynn, March 29, 

2008. She joins a sister Mikayla (3). 

Ryan and Kristin (Nagrocki) Skoraczewski, 

both, ’97, Gurnee, Ill., a daughter, Quinn Madelyn, 

Jan. 21, 2009. She joins a brother, Owen, (3). 

Andrew E. , ’99, and Jennifer Chromy, Franksville, 

a son Aug. 7, 2008. Andrew works for the South 

Milwaukee School District. 

Tori (Zimmer), ’99, and Brian Morrow, Muskego, a 

daughter, Lauryn Emma, Sept. 3, 2008. She joins 

sister Kaelyn Marie (3). Tori is a manager-financial 

planning and analysis with Rexnord Industries. 

Keep in 

touch 

Phone 608.785.8490 

1.877.UWL.ALUM 

Fax 608.785.6868 

e-mail alumni@uwlax.edu 

Web www.uwlalumni.org 

Mailing address 

UW-La Crosse Alumni Association; 

Cleary Alumni & Friends Center; 

615 East Ave. N.; La Crosse, WI 

54601 

Submit news to the Alumnus 

www.uwlalumni.org/whatsnew.htm 

Nominations for alumni awards 

www.uwlalumni.org/awards.htm 

Join the UW-L Alumni Association 

www.uwlalumni.org/join.php 

u w - l a l u m n u s 1 0 0 • s u m m e r 2 0 0 9 • 3 7 -


Kristin (Ponto), ’99, and Daniel Wilkins, Aurora, 

Colo., a son, Devin James, Dec. 31, 2008. 

Heidi (Hipenbecker), ’01, and Ryan, ’02, Meyer, 

New Lisbon, a son, Marshall Richard, Jan. 27, 

2009. He joins sisters Megan (5) and Madison (3), 

and brother Mason (1). 

Jennifer Waters, ’02, and David Plemon, ’05, 

Arpin, a daughter, Addison, born Jan. 9, 2009. 

Jennifer works at Marshfield Clinic, David at Direct 

Supply. 

Carmen (Papen), ’04 and Don Daley, Jr., 

Waukesha, a son, Landon James, April 13, 2008. 

Carmen has a new teaching position at Whitnall 

Middle School as a 7th grade special education 

teacher. She graduated with a master’s in special 

education from Cardinal Stritch University in 

December. 

Adrian, ’05, and Lynn Shepard, Indianapolis, a 

daughter, Zoe Nadia, Oct. 28, 2008. 

In memory 

1937 — Christine (Oakland) Nelsestuen, 


1948 — Marian Dolezel, La Crosse 

1949 — Darrell Sylvester Larson, La Crosse 

1952 — Russell Warren Kroner, Sr., Onalaska 

1953 — Thelma (Jacobus) Mydland, Cashton 

1955 — Oscar Winger, Union Grove 

1956 — Jeanettek (Thune) Gilbec, Cashton 

1956 — Florence (Johnson) Thronson, Houston, 

Minn. 

1958 — Emil Hoeft, Sparta 

1960 — Willard Eickhorst, Racine 

1960 — Margaret “Peg” Joan (Riley) Hilliker, Lodi 

1961 — Robert Stueland, San Benito, Texas 

1962 — Peter A. Smaby, Marquette, Mich. 

1966 — Michael G. Bahr, Merrillan 

1968 — Thomas Ninneman, Tomah 

1968 — Louis G. Tollackson, La Crosse 

1969 — Imelda (Jostad) Lilla, Trempealeau 

1974 — Mike F. Felber, Forth Worth, Texas 

1974 — Craig Fiedler, Neenah 

1974 — Anita L. (Oliphant) Jones, Rockland 

1976 — Randall Gene Larson, La Crosse 

1979 — Kevin Callen, La Crosse 

1980 — Phil Ottney, Glenwood City 


Brewing to meet 

Alums from southwest Wisconsin gathered at the Potosi Brewery for a networking social April 30. 

Among them, from left, Shawn Thiele, ’91; Alecia Thiele, ’91; Jessica Hermsen, ’97; Corrina 

Studnicka, ’04; Neil Winchell, ’66; Lynn Raley, ’80; Laura Collins, ’89; Russ Braby, ’03; Janie 

Spencer, ’85 & ’86; and Mandy Nogle, ’08. Similar gatherings will be planned each year. To plan a 

UW-L social in your area, contact the Alumni Association at 877.UWL.ALUM (877.895.2586). 

Maureen Smith-Gaffney 

Accountancy Professor Maureen Smith-Gaffney died after a short illness 

March 8, 2009, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She joined the CBA 

faculty in January 2009 from the State University of New York Institute of 

Technology in New York. She earned a doctorate from The Ohio State 

University and taught at Michigan State, Minnesota, Oakland, Grand Valley 

State and Bowling Green State universities before coming to La Crosse. She 

is survived by her husband, Dennis, daughter, Honora, and son, Tim. Services 

were in Youngstown, Ohio. 

A. Vincent Weber 

Professor Emeritus A. Vincent Weber, 83, died Dec. 28, 2008, in 

La Crosse. Weber joined the UW-L faculty in fall 1956, serving as professor 

of biology, director of the School of Heath and Human Services and 

associate dean of The College of Arts, Letters and Sciences over a period of 

33 years. He served on the board of directors of the Mississippi Valley 

Archaeology Center for many years and represented the Center on the United 

Fund For the Arts and Humanities Board of Directors for five years. 

Weber is survived by his wife, Janet, and three sons. Memorials may be given 

to the Weber Scholarship Fund through the UW-L Foundation, 615 East Ave. 

N., La Crosse WI 54601. 

For complete obituaries on most faculty and staff members, search 

www.lacrossetribune.com.

Eight of the Super Bowl buddies returned to campus this 

winter for a game of football on Coate Field before the real 

Super Bowl the following day. They included, front, from 

left, Steve Thompson, Russell Mann, Jeff Barnes, and John 

Gessert. Back, from left, Robb Westphal, David Butz, Greg 

Thompson and Dave Pedro. 

A super 

(bowl) 

party 

Hutch buddies keep 

in touch through 

football 

By Brad Quarberg, ’85 

For these alums the annual Super Bowl is a 

super way to have fun and stay in touch. 

Since most of them graduated in 1984, 15 

former Hutchison Hall residents have gotten 

together each Super Bowl weekend. They hold 

the event in a different city throughout the 

country every year, usually where one of them 

lives. The weekend consists of a “round up” 

Friday night, a touch football game Saturday, 

followed and watching the Super Bowl Sunday. 

“When everyone graduated, or in my case 

left, we decided to have a mandatory 

attendance Super Bowl party the next year in 

La Crosse to ensure we would not lose touch,” 

explains Steve Thompson who attended from 

1980-81. “Originally, it was guys only, but we 

have since loosened up the rule to include 

spouses.” 

Thompson cites three reasons for the 

group’s longevity. “The core group has similar 

interests such as watching and participating in 

sports,” notes Thompson. “We all take our 

professional lives seriously, but really enjoy our 

leisure —our beer — time.” 

Thompson says those in the group care 

about each other and want to stay current. 

c o u l e e c o d a 

“And, we all agree that La Crosse is one of the 

best places we could have gone to college,” he 

says. “It was a great time in all our lives and we 

want to keep those memories alive.” 

In 1986, the group initiated an MVP — 

Most Valuable Partier — trophy to be awarded 

to the person who pumps the most energy into 

that year’s event. That winner keeps the trophy 

for the year and is responsible for engraving it 

and bringing it back next year. “In the 

beginning, the trophy was awarded for pretty 

wild behavior, but as the years go on the criteria 

for winning the award has dropped 

considerably,” admits Thompson. “Last year’s 

winner got it for breaking his leg in our football 

game.” 

Along with Thompson, those attending the 

event held in La Crosse in February included: 

Jeff Barnes, ’84; John Gessert, ’84; David Butz, 

’84; Russell Mann, ’84; Robb Westphal, ’85; 

Mike Sanfelipo, ’84; Hogan Strom, ’84; Scott 

Boyce, ’84; Cory Moore, ’84; Greg Thompson, 

’88-’90 attendee; and Wade Martin, ’81-’82 

attendee.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 

1725 State St. 

La Crosse, WI 54601 USA 

Attention: If the address label lists someone who no longer lives here, 

please send the correct address to: UW-L Alumni Office, 

1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 54601 USA. 

Production and distribution of the Alumnus is funded by the UW-L Alumni Association. 

Recognize this 

building? Go to pages 

20 and 21 to test your 

knowledge of campus 

architecture! 

Non-profit Org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

La Crosse, WI 

Permit No. 545

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Alumnus - Digitized Resources ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?