Summer 2008 - Digitized Resources Murphy Library University of ...

Alumnus 

u n i v e r s i t y o f w i s c o n s i n - l a c r o s s e 

Summer 2008, Vol. 34, No. 2 

From the 

ground up 

‘Centennial Hall’

t h e v i e w f r o m t h e b l u f f 

Jim Wiener 

‘This is a 

time of 

extraordinary 

opportunity 

and challenge 

for UW-L.’ 

An ambitious effort 

Strong support essential for Centennial Campaign 

Sevenyearsago,Iwashonoredtoaccepta 

positionatUW-LaCrosseasitsrst 

WisconsinDistinguishedProfessor.Iwas 

drawntotheuniversitybythequalityand 

characterofitspeople,andcantodayaffirmthat 

thegreatestrewardofmyyearsherehasbeenthe 

interactionwithstudents,staff,andfacultywhoare 

passionateaboutlearning,serviceandscholarship. 

Asaresultoftheircollectiveeffortsand 

accomplishments,UW-Liswidelyrecognizedfor 

theexcellenceandvalueofitseducational 

programs.euniversityhasalsoachieved 

nationalandinternationalrenowninseveralareas 

ofresearch.isisaremarkabletestamenttothe 

qualityandaccomplishmentsofourpastand 

presentstudents,whohaveplayedsuchvitalroles 

inresearchonthiscampus. 

Anditdoesn’tendthere.You—ourgraduates 

—areanimpressive,accomplishedgroup.As 

alumni,yourepresenttheultimatelegacyof 

excellenceatUW-L. 

Prideintheachievementsandpresentstature 

ofouruniversityhasbeenwellearned.Yetthe 

collectiveviewofstudents,faculty,andstaffonthis 

campusisthatUW-Lcanandmustcontinueto 

advanceandimprove—ineducation,scholarly 

research,andservicetosociety.Strongsupport 

fromouralumniwillbeessentialtoachievingthis 

visionandtomeetingtheseworthygoals. 

isUW-LAlumnusfeaturestherecently 

launchedCentennialCampaign,themost 

ambitiousfundraisinginitiativeintheuniversity’s 

history.esuccessofthiscampaignwillbecrucial 

asUW-Lentersitssecondcentury. 

AsamemberoftheLeadershipTeamforthis 

campaign,Iinviteyourparticipation.Financial 

supportisbeingsoughtforthenewAcademic 

Building,undergraduateresearch,student 

scholarships,facultyawardsanddevelopment,and 

otherworthyendeavors. 

Ourmostimmediateneedistosecure$6 

millionincontributionsfortheAcademic 

Building,whichwillprovideastateoftheart 

educationalfacilityforusebyallcollegesand 

departmentsonthecampus.Raisingthesefunds 

willenabletheuniversitytoreceive$38millionin 

statemoniestoproceedwithconstructionofthis 

muchneededfacility.Itisnotsurprisingthatthe 

physicalinfrastructureonourcampusneeds 

updatingandimprovement,consideringthatI— 

nowaseniorprofessor—wasagraduatestudent 

whenthelasteducationalbuildingontheUW-L 

campus(W.CarlWimberlyHall,formerlyNorth 

Hall)wascompletedin1974. 

isisatimeofextraordinaryopportunityand 

challengeforUW-L.Iencourageyoutoreecton 

thepersonalenrichmentandprofessionalgrowth 

thathaveaccruedfromyouryearsonthiscampus 

andtojoinmeinsupportingtheCentennial 

Campaignforagreatuniversity—youralmamater 

—theUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosse. 

JimWiener 

WisconsinDistinguishedProfessor 

UW-LaCrosse

f e a t u r e s 

8 Distinguished alumni shine 

Educators and a scientist make up the university’s 

distinguished alumni for 2008.Find out why these four 

alumni are special — and why they’re being honored. 

17 Time to honor family 

Economics Professor Richard Sylla didn’t go to college 

in La Crosse, but he attributes much of his success to 

UW-L.His father, Ben, a La Crosse Normal 1923 

graduate, went on to have a successful career in 

education.Find out how Richard Sylla is honoring his 

family on campus. 

d e p a r t m e n t s 

What’s happening on campus 3 

Alumni news 12 

Foundation update 16 

Cover story: ‘Centennial Hall’ 20 

Athletics 24 

La Crosse ties 28 

Coulee Coda 42 

w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g o n c a m p u s 

A ‘best value’ 

UW-Lhasbeenrecognizednationally— 

again—for“top-flightacademicsand 

affordablecosts.”Kiplinger’sPersonal 

FinanceFebruary2008issuegaveUW-L 

thehonorbynamingittothe“bestvalue” 

listamongthenation’spubliccolleges. 

Kiplinger’srankedUW-LNo.39nationally 

basedonin-statestudentcostsandNo.38 

forthoseoutofstateamongmorethan500 

public,four-yearcollegesanduniversities. 

SchoolsmakingKiplinger’sTop100listare 

noteworthyforoutstandingacademicqualityplusanaffordableprice 

tag,magazineeditorsnote. 

Lastfall,U.S.News&WorldReportrankedUW-Lthirdbestvalue 

amongMidwestpubliccolleges.TheonlyotherUWstomakethe2008 

Kiplinger’sTop100:UW-Madison,No.19,andUW-EauClaire,No. 

64.Seecompleterankingsatkiplinger.com. 

New provost 

Kathleen Enz Finken 

Politics on Campus 

AformerMinnesotaStateUniversity 

MoorheadadministratorisUW-L’snew 

provostandvicechancellorforacademic 

affairs.KathleenEnzFinkenbeganoncampus 

May19.ShehadbeendeanoftheCollegeof 

ArtsandHumanitiesatMoorheadwhereshe 

wasaprofessorofarthistory.EnzFinken 

earneddoctoralandmaster’sdegreesfrom 

RutgersUniversity,andabachelor’sfrom 

DouglassCollege,Rutger’sresidentialcollege 

forwomen. 

With the race for president in full swing when Wisconsin’s Presidential 

Preference Primary was held Feb. 19, hopefuls — and family members — 

made stops in La Crosse. Republican contenders Sen. John McCain and 

Gov. Mike Huckabee stopped downtown, while Michelle Obama (left) 

and Bill and Chelsea Clinton visited campus. 

u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • s u m m e r 2 0 0 8 • 3

f r o m t h e e d i t o r 

Brad Quarberg 

A centennial 

cause 

Heard the joke about state universities? Years 

ago when they were founded, they were 

state funded. With state funding drying up in 

the ’80s, they became state assisted. Today with even 

tighter budgets, they’re state located. 

The joke may be a little overstated, but not much. 

Students have been paying for more of their tuition 

— especially in recent years. In 1996 resident 

students paid 35 percent of the cost of their 

education. By 2005 that had grown to 51 percent. 

And, the state typically no longer fully funds 

buildings used for educational purposes, not to 

mention other budget cuts. 

That’s why the UW-La Crosse Foundation’s $40 

million Centennial Campaign is so important. Six 

million will fund a new academic building — the first 

since Wimberly (North) Hall was built in 1974. The 

$44 million building will provide needed state-of-theart 

classrooms. 

Other money raised will fund a new outdoor 

sports complex and endowments for undergraduate 

research, scholarships, faculty professorships and the 

annual fund. 

It’s a challenging effort as the university moves 

into it second century. But, it’s necessary to maintain 

the quality of education. 

Pay special attention to the articles throughout 

this issue of the Alumnus. You’ll discover the La 

Crosse Experience is unique. That’s why it’s 

important to become involved as the university 

celebrates its centennial. 

The university’s future depends on us! 

Brad Quarberg, ’85 

Alumnus editor 

4 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • s u m m e r 2 0 0 8 

u n i v e r s i t y o f w i s c o n s i n - l a c r o s s e 

Alumnus 


The Alumnus is published in June and December 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. 

608.785.8572 • quarberg.brad@uwlax.edu 

e d i t o r 


Associate Director of 

University Relations, 

University Relations Office 

a r t d i r e c t o r 

Sanja Dojcinovic 

University Print Manager 

University Relations Office 

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

Sanja Dojcinovic 

Cary Heyer 

Dave Johnson, ’92 

Sue (Sullivan) Lee, 

’82 & ’87 


Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86 

p h o t o g r a p h y 

Brad Quarberg ’85 

Sue (Sullivan) Lee, 

’82 & ’87 

From the 

ground up 

Centennial Hall’ 

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Alumnus 


e d i t o r i a l 

a s s i s t a n c e 

Beth Dummer 

Program Assistant 

Cary Heyer, APR 

Director of University 

Relations 

Jeff Kerkman,’86 

Alumni Representative 

Kelly Nowicki-Van Rooyan 

’98 & ’02 

Alumni Representative 

Al Trapp 

Acting President, 

UW-La Crosse Foundation 

www.uwlax.edu 

View previous issues at http://murphylibrary.uwlax.edu/digital/uwl/Alumnus/index.html 

Production of the Alumnus is supported by grants from the UW-La Crosse Alumni Association 

and the UW-La Crosse Foundation.

Mississippi radio 

series CD available 

Stories of life on the modern-day Mississippi River 

flow off a new CD available from the Oral History 

Project. Eighteen La Crosse-area self-proclaimed 

River Rats share river tales in the two-disc CD 

package, “First Person Wisconsin: Mississippi 

Memories II.” Their stories were first told during 13 

programs airing on Wisconsin Public Radio station 

WLSU in 2006. 

“The programs continue to explore the ways in 

which the big river shapes the lives and memories of those who work on the river, use it 

as a classroom, live on its banks, or find inspiration in its history and ecology,” says 

UW-L History Professor Charles Lee. 

The double CD package is available for $17.77. To order by credit card contact Paul 

Beck, UW-L Special Collections, at 608.785.8511. Or, make a check payable to UW-La 

Crosse at: UW-L Oral History Program, 325 Wimberly Hall, 1725 State St., La Crosse 

WI 54601. 

Growing school spirit 

UW-L student athletes have a whole new 

army of supporters — the Maroon Platoon. 

e new club — open to students, staff and 

alumni —caught on last fall when those 

signing up received a free maroon T-shirt 

with white leering proclaiming 

“MAROON PLATOON.” Around 2,000 

shirts later, the free supply depleted, but 

enthusiasm didn’t. 

“e club had a huge impact on student 

aendance at athletic events,” says Dave 

Johnson, ’92, sports information director. 

“At volleyball and football games you could 

easily see a sea of maroon T-shirts.” 

Head Football Coach Larry Terry, ’77, 

proposed the fan club idea last year. He got 

the idea from his brother, Steve, who helped 

organize UW-Stout’s “Blue Crew” as the 

school’s athletic director. 

e Maroon Platoon board plans to 

continue club activities next season — along 

with recruiting new freshmen and others. 

Local sports store Games People Play has 

added a line of “Maroon Platoon” clothing. 

Maroon T-shirts proclaiming “MAROON 

PLATOON” above the university’s 

athletic logo have been a popular item 

on campus. The new club — open to 

students, staff and alumni — was set up 

as an easy way to support UW-L 

athletic teams. 


We’ll hang the 

lantern … 

Ever since English professor O.O. White inaugurated the 

homecoming lantern tradition in 1931, a lantern has served 

as a beacon for La Crosse alumni. White’s words: “We’ll 

hang the lantern in the old college tower … You won’t need 

to look for the key — the door will be open.” A lantern hung 

above Graff Main Hall’s south stairwell each Homecoming 

(as seen in the above picture) until it moved in 1997 to hang 

year round in the Hoeschler Clock Tower. The “Hanging of 

the Lantern” ceremony continues each Homecoming, along 

with the “Lighting of the ‘L’” on Grandad Bluff. 

did you know … 

… Wisconsin residents can own 

license plates with UW-L logos? 

Visit www.dot.wisconsin.gov/ 

drivers/vehicles/personal/special/ 

universi.htm for details. 



A presidential 

pose 

UW-L Professor Cecilia Manrique with former President Bill 

Clinton during his campus visit in February 2008. 

Political Science Professor Cecilia Manrique, left, talked with 

former President Bill Clinton when he visited campus in 

February campaigning for his wife, Hillary, before 

Wisconsin’s primary. Manrique was invited to a behind-thestage 

reception with the president courtesy of former 

student Katie Berry, ’07. “When he got to me I introduced 

myself and told him that Chelsea was in my classroom two 

days earlier,” says Manrique. “I showed him the picture that 

came out in the newspaper. He thanked me. I asked if he 

would autograph it which he did and then my husband took 

our picture. It was a surreal experience.” A few days later, 

Manrique met Michelle Obama off-stage thanks to a friend 

whose daughter introduced her to the potential first lady. 


Grad earns 

highest score 

A Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT) graduate earned the highest score on the 

2007 certification exam. Andy Hoffman, ’07, took the top score of the nearly 1,700 

students taking the required national test. Overall, UW-L’s 2007 NMT graduates 

average score ranked in the 88th percentile. The UW-L program has a 100 percent pass 

rate over its 40-year history with 658 graduates. 

New registrar 

named 

Chris Bakkum 

A familiar face will sit in the UW-L registrar’s chair. Chris 

Bakkum, ’76 & ’84, was selected to head the Records and 

Registration Office following a national search this spring. 

Bakkum has served in numerous campus administrative roles, 

starting as assistant to the dean in 1984 and most recently as 

interim registrar. Bakkum, who holds a doctorate in 

educational administration from UW-Madison, has more 

than 20 years of experience in curriculum consulting, 

development and implementation. “Chris is an outstanding 

administrator and a wonderful colleague – we’re very 

fortunate to benet from her talents,” says Chancellor Joe 

Gow. Bakkum replaces Diane Schumacher, ’74 & ’83, who 

retired in early 2007. 

Educator honored 

Kent Koppelman 

Retired Educational Studies Professor Kent Koppelman 

received the Iowa State University College of Human 

Science’s 2007 Virgil S. Lagomarcino Laureate Award. The 

award honors graduates for nationally and internationally 

recognized meritorious service or distinguished achievement 

in education. Koppelman taught on campus from 1979 until 

retiring in 2007.

Nuclear Med Tech 

students earn 

national scholarships 

Three UW-L students are among 17 nationwide to earn prestigious 2008 Society for 

Nuclear Medicine scholarships. Amy Beam, Missi Genz and Stephanie Rice received 

Paul Cole Scholarships, presented to the nation’s best nuclear medicine technology 

students. The $1,000 scholarships are given based on financial need, goals, academic 

performance and faculty recommendations. 

Amy Beam Missi Genz Stephanie Rice 

Donation for Benin 

Students living in residence halls came up big for a Peace Corps alum in Benin, West 

Africa. Laura Crawford, ’06, asked Residence Life staff to help gather clothes and 

shoes for children in Benin. She received more than 100 pounds of softgoods Jan. 

16, which she distributed Jan. 25. “The kids were so excited and each received a new 

item to wear and many got complete outfits,” says Crawford, a former resident 

assistant. “I knew I could count on the students to help provide a wonderful treat for 

the 93 kids.” 

Physician Assistant 

grads are tops 

The 2007 graduates of the UW-L-Gundersen Lutheran-Mayo Physician 

Assistant program earned the highest scores in the country on their 

certifying exam. The graduates took top honors among 145 programs 

nationwide. 


Faculty, staff 

retire 

Faculty and staff who retired during 2007-08 were 

recognized in May. They included: 

Lloyd Arenz, Landscape Services 

James A. Batesky, exercise and sport science 

Terry Beck, English 

John Bender, Information Technology 

Gale Buchholtz, Campus Stores 

Louise Campbell, modern languages 

Robert Carney, finance 

Gerry Cox, sociology/archaeology 

Helen Ewoldt, Residence Life 

Margaret Falls, health professions 

Lawrence Forkash, educational studies 

Duane Gabel, Residence Life 

Marilyn Kendhammer, Financial Aid 

Linda Kessler, exercise and sport science 

Judith Lezotte, management 

Gary MacDonald, art 

Jeffrey Maier, Residence Life 

J. Leslie Oganowski, health education and 

health promotion 

David Piehl, communication studies 

Johanna Stephenson, Murphy Library 

Allen Torstveit, Maintenance 

Patrick Verse, Physical Plant 

William Wehrs, information systems 

Dean Wilder, geography/earth science 

Clifford H. Zirkel III, Counseling and Testing 


m a u r i c e o . g r a f f d i s t i n g u i s h e d a l m u n i a w a r d 

Accepting differences 

Educator works to make sure human atrocities aren’t forgotten 

The Maurice O. Graff 

Distinguished 

Alumni Award 

recognizes alumni 

who have achieved 

honor and 

distinction with 

recognition and 

reputations that 

extend well beyond 

the immediate 

environments in 

which they live and 

work. To nominate 

an alum visit: 

www.uwlalumni.org/ 

nominate.php 


By Brad Quarberg, ’85 

She spent most of her life as an English teacher. 

Now she’s a Holocaust educator. Darryle 

(Damon) Clott, ’66 & ’71, planned a short unit on 

the Holocaust in her La Crescent (Minn.) High School 

English class in the ’90s. Eventually she stretched the unit 

out, became the founder of the school’s diversity day, and 

traveled to the Teachers’ Institute on Holocaust and 

Jewish Resistance in Poland and Israel where she talked 

with survivors and visited concentration camps. 

Less than a decade later, Clott — a U.S. Holocaust 

Memorial Museum Teacher Fellow — has become one 

of the country’s leading educators about the Holocaust. 

She was chosen to represent the nation’s Holocaust 

educators in a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum video. 

A year later, she represented the nation’s Holocaust 

educators at the museum’s decade anniversary. 

Clott’s dedication to education doesn’t surprise any who know her. Former 

UW-L Chancellor Judith Kuipers remembers meeting Clott, who was serving as 

Alumni Association president at the time, shortly after she began as chancellor in 

1991. 

“I was immediately struck by her almost unbelievable knowledge, enthusiasm 

and passion for her role as a public school teacher,” recalls Kuipers. “Here was a 

professional who believed all of her students had great capacity to learn and, holding 

each of them to the highest academic standards, made them believe it as well.” 

Since retiring from secondary education in 2004, Clott has extended her 

classroom to include students at Viterbo University in La Crosse, as well as the 7 

Rivers Region. 

“Holocaust survivors are dying and I want my students and the community to 

have the opportunity to see survivors and hear their stories firsthand,” Clott explains. 

“I believe that to meet Holocaust survivors is to touch history.” 

Clott has helped the La Crosse area touch history by bringing Holocaust victims 

to the area. Among them, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel and Emmy Award 

winner Gerda Weissmann Klein have visited. In fall 2008, Clott has scheduled 

Rwandan Genocide survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza to share her story. 

“I understand that the phrase, ‘Never Again,’ that became popular after the 

Holocaust rings hollow,” Clott notes. “Unfortunately, genocide continues all over 

the world and as a Holocaust educator I always include lessons on these other 

atrocities.” 

Clott says during his visit, Wiesel encouraged her to continue educating about 

the Holocaust as long as she is able. She plans to do that. 

“I am very proud of the fact that I have helped develop an interest in our community to 

become more knowledgeable about the understanding of the life circumstances of others 

in order to promote great peace and justice in the world,” says Clott. 

The Darryle 

Clott File 

• Holocaust educator; U.S. 

Holocaust Memorial Museum 

Teacher Fellow. 

• Dedicated lifetime teacher, 

learner and advocate for 

peace, justice and acceptance 

of people’s differences. 

• Brought numerous Holocaust 

survivors to La Crosse for 

presentations. Founder of the 

Midwest Holocaust Education 

Consortium. 

• High school English teacher 

and forensics coach in La 

Crescent, Minn., 1978-2004. 

Instructor at Viterbo University 

since 2003. 

• Earned two degrees from 

UW-L: bachelor’s in English 

and history, 1966; master’s in 

history, 1971. 

• Wife of Marv Clott; mother of 

Hans and Aimee.

t h e m u l t i c u l t u r a l a l u m n i a w a r d 

An excelling educator 

Bernadette Lawson-Williams shares a passion for life 

The 

BerNadette 

Lawson- 

Williams File 

• President and CEO of Blossom 

Sport and Consulting, Columbia, 

S.C. since 2005 

• Chair and assistant professor of the 

health and human performance 

department at Johnson C. Smith 

University 

• Named to Who’s Who Among 

America’s Teachers, 2006. National 

Health and Fitness Association 

Young Professional Award, 2002. 

South Carolina State University 

Department of Health and Physical 

Education Teacher of the Year 

Award, 1999 and 2000. South 

Carolina State University School of 

Education Award of Excellence 

1999. 

• Earned a master’s in exercise and 

sport science from UW-L in 1997. 

Also hold a bachelor’s in physical 

education from South Carolina 

State University (1995) and a 

doctor of sport management from 

the U.S. Sports Academy (2002). 


It’s hard to give BerNadee Lawson-Williams a oneword 

job title. It’s easier to give her many — teacher, 

leader, mentor, author and cheerleader — among 

others. 

Lawson-Williams, ’97, was the rst student from South 

Carolina State University to head to UW-L for a master’s 

degree in exercise and sport science. And, she’s seen to it 

that she’s not the last. Lawson-Williams’ success in 

La Crosse has opened the door for at least eight more to 

earn master’s degrees at UW-L. 

When Lawson-Williams returned to her alma mater 

aer earning her UW-L degree, she taught in South 

Carolina’s health and physical education department. In her 

roles as teacher and leader, she designed and developed two 

degree options in the department: sport communication 

and physical activity management. ey added to the department’s only major, 

teaching of physical education, and have quickly grown to become the 

department’s most popular options. 

A member of South Carolina State University’s cheerleading squad while a 

student, Lawson-Williams also lead the Physical Education Majors Club. She 

renewed that enthusiasm when she returned to teach, serving as assistant coach for 

the varsity cheerleading squad. 

Lawson-Williams honed her mentorship roles through a grant to implement 

an aer-school physical activity and mentoring program for female adolescents. 

e program had a great impact on her undergraduate student employees, not to 

mention adolescents in the program. 

Aer a conversation with a friend, Lawson-Williams added to her author role. 

She and friend Tracie omas wrote “I Don’t Mean to Smash Your Tomatoes, 

Honey!: A Glimpse at Life’s Perspectives from A-Z.” e book features essays 

from 13 writers who provide savvy solutions to many of the dilemmas 

encountered daily by professionals of all ages and genders. 

“Dr. Lawson-Williams truly cares about her students and has a respect for them 

that is rarely seen in the profession,” says Barry Frishberg, professor at South 

Carolina State University. “She lives with the passion to improve her students’ lives 

both in and outside the classroom.” 

The Multicultural 

Alumni Award 

recognizes 

outstanding 

multicultural alumni 

who have graduated 

from UW-L. 

To nominate 



nominate.php 


t h e r a d a d i s t i n g u i s h e d a l m u n i a w a r d 

Mercury man 

Alum is recognized as a top mercury chemistry researcher 

The Rada 

Distinguished 

Alumni Award 

recognizes alumni in 

their early to mid 

stages of their 

careers who are 

making exceptional 

contributions to their 

professions and 

communities. 

To nominate 



nominate.php 

1 0 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • s u m m e r 2 0 0 8 


Chad Hammerschmidt’s drive in life is one given by 

many parents — make the world a beer place. 

at is what he’s doing with his extensive research 

of mercury in the environment. 

Hammerschmidt began his quest for studying 

mercury as a pre-med biology major at UW-L in the mid- 

’90s when he had an opportunity to work in the trace 

metals laboratory in the university’s River Studies Center. 

Eventually, that led to undergraduate and master’s 

research focused on toxicological aspects of 

methylmercury in sh, investigations that were ground 

breaking at the time. 

While pursuing a master’s he quickly realized mercury 

pollution extended far beyond the lakes of Wisconsin. His 

next step was studying the aquatic chemistry of mercury, 

which allowed him to fully examine and address the signicant environmental 

problem. 

When he began his doctoral studies, he worked with the world’s leading 

environmental mercury scientist, William Fitzgerald, a chemical oceanographer at 

the University of Connecticut. His thesis research made several important 

contributions to understanding mercury in the environment on regional and global 

scales. 

“Conducting research and teaching are mechanisms by which we can have the 

greatest positive inuence on other individuals and society,” Hammerschmidt 

notes. “I plan to continue making the world a beer place during my career as a 

university professor.” 

Former professors believe Hammerschmidt will do just that. “Chad is one of the 

top young scientists in the country in the area of mercury chemistry,” says Mark 

Sandheinrich, chair of the UW-L biology department and director of the university’s 

River Studies Center. “He is rapidly advancing our understanding of the 

biogeochemical cycling in the area of this toxic element.” 

Wisconsin Distinguished Professor James Wiener, based at UW-L, agrees. 

“Chad Hammerschmidt is without question the very nest young scholar I have 

ever known,” says Wiener. “I anticipate that he will become one of our most 

prominent alumni in recognition of this scientic research on environmental 

problems at the national and global scales. He is highly skilled in aquatic 

geochemistry, ecotoxicology and oceanography, and has the capabilities essential for 

sustaining a high level of success in the most competitive scientic arenas.” 

Hammerschmidt continues to make the world a beer place at Wright State 

University in Dayton, Ohio. As an assistant professor of earth and environmental 

sciences, he’s not only sharing his knowledge with tomorrow’s scientists, he 

continues researching problems of mercury in the environment. 

The Chad 

Hammerschmidt 

File 

• Currently assistant professor of 

earth and environmental sciences 

at Wright State University, Dayton, 

Ohio. 

• Postdoctoral scholarship, Woods 

Hole Oceanographic Institution. 

• Completed substantial 

biogeochemical research on an 

array of complex ecosystems, 

including temperate and Arctic 

lakes, rivers, estuaries and open 

oceans. 

• Substantive publication record of 

scholarly writings on the 

biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology 

of mercury in water environments. 

• Earned two degrees from UW-L: 

bachelor’s in biology, 1997; 

master’s in biology, 1999. Also, 

holds a doctorate from University of 

Connecticut, 2005.

t h e r a d a d i s t i n g u i s h e d a l m u n i a w a r d 

Adult advocate 

Three-time alum shares love for research, teaching 

The Elice 

Rogers File 

• Worked at UW-L from 1985-1990, 

serving in the offices of Multicultural 

Affairs, Personnel, Admissions and 

Minority Studies. 

• Cyril O. Houle Scholar and 

associate professor in adult 

learning and development at 

Cleveland (Ohio) State University 

since 2000. 

• Recipient of the 2006 UW-L 

Multicultural Alumni Award. 

• Earned three degrees from UW-L: 

bachelor’s in sociology, 1983; 

bachelor’s in business 

administration, 1989; master’s in 

education-professional 

development, 1991. Also, holds a 

doctorate from Northern Illinois 

University, 1997. 


She came to campus in the late 1970s ready to run track 

and cross country. Elice Rogers le more than a 

decade later on a path to become a nationallyrecognized 

adult learning advocate. 

Rogers ran with many aspects of college on campus — 

academic, cultural, political and social. Aer earning two 

bachelor’s degrees (’83 & ’89), a master’s (’91), and holding 

various jobs on campus she found her niche in being a 

proponent for social justice and a cultivator of diverse adult 

leadership. “I aribute my alma mater for serving as a catalyst 

in my young adult years by providing me with solid academic 

training and cultivating within me a curiosity and love for 

research and teaching which would prove to become my 

life’s calling and works,” says Rogers. 

Recognized by the Kellogg Foundation as an emerging 

scholar in her eld, Rogers completed a two-year study of “e women of the 

congressional black caucus as political leaders and adult learners” through a 

Kellogg grant. 

Rogers has co-authored two text books, along with writing refereed 

publications that have appeared in books, journals and conference proceedings. 

One of the texts “Adult education in urban context: Problems, practices and 

programming for inner-city communities “ is used in colleges and universities 

worldwide. 

Along with writing, Rogers has been active in various honor societies and 

professional organizations. 

Former Northern Illinois University professor and colleague Alfonzo 

urman credits Rogers for empowering women. “In many of these organizations 

she has served as a mentor to younger individuals, participated in commiees and 

engaged in other meaningful ways,” says urman, ’71, currently dean of the 

School of Education at UW-Milwaukee. 

It’s a role Rogers played while she worked at UW-L in the 1980s. “As a 

freshman student, I had always admired her ability to lead, advocate and mentor 

those students under her,” says Greg Ware, ’88 & ’06, an educational program 

consultant with the Milwaukee Urban League. “As an upperclassman, Elice always 

positioned herself to help create change and stability for all students, but 

particularly students of color.” 

Her impact on others is strong too. “As a woman in higher education and 

mentor to many, she has raised the bar for young women,” says Antoiwana 

Williams, ’00 & ’04, director of the UW-L Upward Bound Office. “She has 

encouraged women like myself to believe anything can happen.” 

u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • s u m m e r 2 0 0 8 • 1 1

o u t s t a n d i n g s e n i o r a w a r d s | a l u m n i n e w s 

Graduating 

seniors 

honored 

Six graduates from 2007-08 were honored with the 

university’s distinguished alumni in May. They included: 

John Lauermann, majoring in geography and 

economics, and Gustav Borstad, majoring in physics 

(optics emphasis) and mathematics (applied 

emphasis), The Murphy Awards for Academic 

Excellence, which recognize the university’s top two 

graduating scholars as chosen by a committee. 

Ryan VanLoo, majoring in management (human 

resources emphasis), The Jake and Janet Hoeschler 

Award for Excellence, which recognizes a College of 

Business Administration graduate for academic 

accomplishment and leadership on and off campus. 

Bjorn Bergman, majoring in biology (environmental 

science concentration) and minoring in chemistry, The 

Strzelczyk Award in Science and Health, which 

recognizes an outstanding senior in the College of 

Science and Health. 

Hollie Nyseth, majoring in sociology and political 

science with minors in international studies and 

Spanish, The John E. Magerus Award for the 

Outstanding Graduating Senior from the College of 

Liberal Studies, which recognizes an outstanding senior 

in the college for academic accomplishments, 

leadership, and involvement in the campus and 

community. 

Mary Jo Michels, master’s of public health, 

UW-La Crosse Graduate Thesis Award, which 

recognizes a graduate student who has written the 

best graduate thesis, based on originality, impact and 

written quality. 


John Lauermann 

Gustav Borstad 

Ryan VanLoo 

Bjorn Bergman 

Hollie Nyseth 

Mary Jo Michels 

Centennial 

alumni 

directory 

Find old friends you promised never to forget! e 

UW-L Alumni Association will compile a centennial 

alumni directory as part of the university’s 100th 

anniversary. e 

directory will have an 

expanded classnotes 

section, as well as a 

photo gallery where 

alums can submit 

favorite photos. 

Look for a 

questionnaire in 

September to 

verify your 

contact 

information via 

mail or e-mail 

from Harris 

Connect. Reply so you’ll be 

included in this historical record. e directory will 

be printed and ready for distribution in summer 

2009, just in time for the university’s centennial 

celebration. e last directory (pictured above) was 

published in 2000. 

Refer questions to Harris at 800.877.6554or 

the Alumni Association at 877.UWL.ALUM. 


… Murphy Library’s gate 

count jumped more than 

10 percent from 2005-06 to 

2006-07 — despite easy 

access to e-resources?

Explore Ireland 

or Greece with 

UW-L alumni 

Looking to get away? Two opportunities are available for 

UW-L alums to travel abroad this fall. 

“Enchanting Ireland” is scheduled Sept. 19-27, 2008. e trip 

includes four nights of rst-class accommodations in Killarney 

and three nights in Kilkenny. e land package is $1,599 per 

person. An airfare package is available for an additional $1,199. 

e land package includes a full Irish breakfast daily, scenic 

transfer between Kilkenny and Killarney, and the services of a 

professional tour guide. Optional excursions to the Dingle 

Peninsula, Kinsale, Blarney, Dublin and the Waterford Factory 

are also available. For more information, contact Go Next at 

800.842.9023 or visit www.uwlalumni.org/travel.php. 

e second opportunity is “Affordable Greece” featuring 

Greek Isles cruising. For $2,735, receive round-trip air 

transportation from Minneapolis departing Nov. 4 and returning 

Nov. 12. Fourteen meals and services of a professional tour 

manager are included. Departing from Athens, the four-day 

cruise includes stops in Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos and Piraeus. A 

variety of optional excursions are available, including the 

Acropolis of Lindos, Temple of Athena and the ancient city of 

Ephesus. For details, contact Mayower Tours at 800.728.0724. 

a l u m n i n e w s 

Stadium construction 

changes football, 

soccer sites 

With construction of the new 

Veterans Memorial Field 

Sports Complex, home 

football and soccer contests 

will move off campus. Soccer 

matches will move across town to the 

Fields for Kids in La Crosse. Football will 

move upriver to Winona (Minn.) State University. Get more 

information at: www.uwlax.edu/athletics. See the construction site at: 

www.uwlax.edu/stadiumcam. 

Trip winner 

tours Spain 

Christa Baldridge, ’99, 

and her husband, Bill, 

enjoyed the Plaza de 

Espana in Sevilla in 

Spain (where Lawrence 

of Arabia was filmed). 

Baldridge won the 2007 

Alumni Association 

membership trip giveaway 

and traveled to 

Spain in April. 


a l u m n i n e w s 

Chancellor for a day 

Craig Gerlach 

Spending the day with Chancellor Joe Gow was a great 

incentive for UW-L alums to join or renew their 

memberships in the UW-L Alumni Association. Craig 

Gerlach, ’85, was the lucky recipient for 2007-08. 

Gerlach, a high school superintendent, spent the day 

shadowing Gow. The two welcomed a Milwaukee High 

School group visiting campus, attended two communication 

studies classes, and were entertained and inspired that 

evening by the Awareness Through Performance group. 

Chancellor’s golf 

outing is Aug. 13 

The 19th annual UW-L Chancellor’s Golf Outing will be held Wednesday, 

Aug. 13, at Cedar Creek Country Club in Onalaska. Alumni, faculty, staff, 

and students are encouraged to participate. 

“Even though I’m not a golfer, I’ll be on hand to support the event and 

provide a little musical entertainment during the social hour,” says 

Chancellor Joe Gow. 

This event has a long tradition of keeping alumni, faculty, staff and 

friends connected while supporting various programs on campus. This 

year’s proceeds will support legacy scholarships, student programs such as 

the Etiquette Dinners and Move-In Day Ice Cream social, and alumni 

activities including Celebrate UW-L! Family, friends and Alumni weekend, 

the Alumnus magazine, reunions and more. 

Registration for the five-person scramble is $125 per person and 

includes lunch, 18 holes of golf with cart, registration gift, beverages on the 

course, special hole events, games, dinner and a raffle with great prizes. 

The field is limited to 145; register early to secure a space. 


It’s time to pay 

it forward 

Remember the movie “Pay It Forward,” starring Kevin 

Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment? Pay it 

forward was a concept that took the country by 

storm. Osment played Trevor McKinney, a boy who 

performed good deeds to help others. When asked what they 

could do for him, he replied, “Pay it forward.” 

Today, we are asking you to pay it forward and join 

thousands of UW-L alumni who have joined the Alumni 

Association from across the country and around the world. 

e education you received at UW-L has helped you 

become the person you are today. Now we need your help to 

pay it forward, and support UW-La Crosse. 

e Alumni Association membership program supports 

a growing list of UW-L student and alumni programs such as 

the Etiquee Dinners, Alumni Awards, Legacy scholarships, 

Move-In Day ice cream social, Freshmen Send-Offs and 

alumni reunions, just to name a few. Our program allows 

students to participate in many events and programs that 

would not be possible without the nancial support from 

you, through the Alumni Association. 

For just $35, you can join your UW-L Alumni 

Association and receive the Alumnus magazine; invitations 

to alumni events around the world; discounts on home and 

auto insurance; access to the online directory, Murphy 

Library and Recreational Eagle Center; as well as discounts at 

La Crosse-area merchants. 

Membership in the Alumni Association is the best way to 

stay connected while supporting programs that strengthen 

UW-L. Pay it forward and join today! 

Sincerely, 

Sharon Bornheimer Bryant, '79 & '88 

Membership Chair 

Janie Spencer, ’85 & ‘86 

Executive Director

Celebrate UW-L! Family, Friends & Alumni Weekend 

2008 schedule of events (tentative) | visit www.uwlalumni.org for updates 

Monday-Friday, Oct. 13-17 

• Medallion hunt, all day 

Thursday, Oct. 16 

• Student Alumni Ambassador Spirit Day, 

11a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Friday, Oct. 17 

• Silver Eagles annual meeting, 10 a.m. 

• Take an Eagle to Lunch, 11 a.m. 

• Fish Fry, 5-8 p.m. 

• Clock Tower Kick-Off (Hanging of the Lantern and 

Lighting of the ‘L’), 7 p.m. 

• Alumni social, 7:30-10 p.m. 

• Theatre — “The Deviners,” 7:30 p.m. 

• Music, TBA 

Saturday, Oct. 18 

• Beta Sigma Chi breakfast, 8 a.m. 

• Chancellor’s Run, 8:30 a.m. 

• Football Captains breakfast, 9 a.m. 

• Campus tour, 10 a.m. 

• Drews Neubauer CC invitational, 10:30 a.m. 

• L-Club pre-game festivities, 11:30 a.m. 

• Football vs. UW-Platteville, 1 p.m. 

• Class of ’58 reunion, 6 p.m. 

• Family entertainment, 7 p.m. 

• Bingo, 7 p.m. 

• Theatre — “The Deviners,” 7:30 p.m. 

• Music, TBA 

Sunday, Oct. 19 

• Athletic Wall of Fame brunch, 9 a.m. 

• Residence Life staff brunch, 10:30 a.m. 

• Family brunch, TBA 

• Theatre — “The Deviners,” 2 p.m. 

• Packers vs. Indianapolis Colts, 3 p.m. 


a l u m n i n e w s | f o u n d a t i o n u p d a t e 

UW-L 

Alumni 

Association 

Events 

June 

25 Madison Alumni Network Social, 

Capital Brewery, Middleton 

July 

9 Milwaukee Alumni Club Boat 

Cruise, Milwaukee 

26-27 Art Fair on the Green, campus 

August 

5 Twin Cities Freshmen Send-Off, 

Maplewood 

6 Milwaukee Area Freshmen 

Send-Off, West Allis 

7 Madison Area Freshmen 

Send-Off 

13 Chancellor’s Golf Outing, Cedar 

Creek Golf Club, Onalaska 

23 Alumni Association Board 

Meeting, campus 

25 Skemp Golf Outing, Cedar Creek 

Golf Club, Onalaska 

30 Move-In Day Ice Cream Social, 

campus 

September 

2 Classes start 

26 Oktoberfest — Sept. 26 - Oct.4 

October 

17-19 Celebrate UW-L! Family, Friends 

& Alumni Weekend, campus 


Time to honor family 

NY professor establishes endowment 


Economics Professor Richard Sylla holds 

three Harvard degrees. Yet, the Henry 

Kaufman Professor of the History of 

Financial Institutions and Markets at New York 

University’s Stern School of Business since 1990 

aributes the groundwork of his success to 

UW-L, even though he didn’t go to college in 

La Crosse. 

Sylla’s father, Ben, 

was born on a 

Trempealeau County 

farm at the turn of the 

century. Aer high 

school, the secondgeneration 

American 

went to La Crosse 

Ben Sylla 

Richard Sylla 

Normal, graduating in 

1923. Ben became a 

teacher and principal in 

Campbellsport, Wis., 

before moving to 

Chicago Heights. 

When Richard 

Sylla was born, his 

father was school 

superintendent in 

Chicago Heights. 

Richard says he and his 

older brother, Jim, 

received excellent 

public school educations before heading to 

college — Jim at Cornell and Richard at 

Harvard. When his brother died in a plane crash 

at age 53 in 1987, he was president of energy 

giant Chevron U.S.A. 

“My brother and I had many advantages in 

our lives and our careers,” notes Richard. “I oen 

think the groundwork for those advantages we 

enjoyed began to be created when our father 

went to La Crosse for college.” 

Richard Sylla had been discussing with 

UW-L Economics Professor Mike Haupert, a 

longtime friend and colleague, his intent to 

express gratitude for his father’s college 

education. en, Haupert asked Sylla to present 

in the 2007 CBA lecture series. It was the 20th 

anniversary of Jim Sylla’s death. So, Richard Sylla 

decided to create the Ben A. and James R. Sylla 

endowment fund to benet the CBA — an initial 

cash gi with arrangements through his will to 

create a fund with more than $100,000. 

“My dad had taken some economics classes 

at La Crosse and recommended the discipline to 

me,” he explains. “Jim had a distinguished career 

in business. And, I teach at an excellent business 

school. It all came together in 2007.” 

Sylla says he enjoyed returning to campus to 

see where his dad earned a degree. “Walking 

about the campus, I could visualize my father 

tramping about the campus long ago,” he says. 

“He loved the place.” 

Sylla hopes his gi inspires others. “I hope 

that my gi, and my reasons for making it, will 

encourage others who have a warm place in their 

hearts for CBA, UW-L, the Coulee Region, 

Wisconsin and our country to consider joining 

me in making their own gis.” Sylla says. 

“Together we can make a big investment in the 

quality of UW-L education in the years and 

decades ahead. 

He’s sure that would please Ben and 

Jim Sylla too. 

Sylla funds support scholarships, activities 

The Ben A. Sylla and James R. Sylla Fund supports scholarships and other College of Business 

Administration activities. Scholarship recipients, open to undergraduate and graduate students, 

must be enrolled full time in the CBA and in good academic standing. Awards will be at least 

$1,000 and can be renewed. Activities targeted for support include student and faculty research, 

guest lectures, and travel expenses for students and faculty to attend research conferences.

Super service 

Pat Stephens receives Chamber award 

By Sue (Sullivan) Lee, ’82 & ’87 

UW-L Director of Collegiate Gis Pat Stephens, ’71, was 

honored at the 140th annual La Crosse Area Chamber of 

Commerce recognition dinner in March. He received the 

Chairs Community Service Award recognizing of years of work with the 

chamber and community. 

Stephens was the driving force behind Rotary Lights, Airfest and 

Irishfest, and is actively involved with Riverfest and Chamber 

Ambassadors. e award, given annually since 1947, recognized 

Stephens for more than 36 years of work. 

“Pat Stephens has helped create La Crosse as a destination,” says 

Past Chamber Board Chair and commiee member Deb Carlson. “I 

nominated him because he’s been a role model for me and has goen 

me involved in the community. He’s been an inspiration to me and to 

others. Stephens has been a remarkable leader.” 

Stephens has always been comfortable in leadership, he says, 

recalling his rst leadership position as president of his Milwaukee 

neighborhood clubhouse in second grade. roughout high school — 

he was class president three years — and college, he was always 

involved. “I’ve always liked being involved and trying to improve 

situations,” he says. 

Stephens acknowledges he’s an extrovert who gets energized by 

being with people, leading meetings, and hearing different approaches 

to solve problems. 

Stephens is known for enticing friends and acquaintances to 

volunteer. His family is no exception. ey traditionally spend 

Christmas day at Rotary Lights, a food pantry fundraiser over 2.2 million 

lights in La Crosse’s Riverside Park. 

His daughter Dr. Kelley Bahr admits it’s easy to be lured into helping 

with dad’s projects. “You see the time that Dad has spent giving and its 

impact, so it’s easy to be in his shadow and help out. He has such a big 

heart. He’d do anything for anyone at anytime,” she says. 

“Being involved and helping and trying to make a difference has 

been my way to pay back the community,” says Stephens. “I love 

La Crosse.” He had never been to La Crosse before aending UW-L. 

Stephens graduated in 1971 with a secondary education degree and a 

business minor. He was a founding member of Delta Sigma Phi, the 

largest and longest-existing campus fraternity. 

Stephens’ involvement in the community helps him in his role as a 

UW-L fundraiser. He has been involved with fundraising since he was 

hired in 1979 as director of planned giving and has aained the 

designation Certied Fund Raising Executive, the primary credential for 

career fundraisers. 

f o u n d a t i o n u p d a t e 

Pat Stephens’ family helped celebrate with Stephens, ’71, at the 140th annual La Crosse 

Area Chamber of Commerce recognition dinner in March when Stephens received the 

Chairs Community Service Award. From left, daughter Dr. Shannan Stephens Linse; son 

Sean Stephens; Pat Stephens, ’71; wife Joanne, ’79; daughter Dr. Kelley Bahr; and son 

Casey Stephens. Photo by Janet Loeffler, Chamber of Commerce of Greater La Crosse Area. 

Stephens sees himself as a bridge uniting community members and 

alumni to UW-L. “Some people still see UW-L as an island,” he explains. 

“It helps if they have a name and a face they know here.” 

He personalizes all communications he makes on behalf of UW-L 

and seeks to know individuals by name and face. “People never give to 

strangers,” he notes. 

“Pat has always understood that fundraising is not about money; it’s 

about people,” says Al Trapp, acting president of the UW-L Foundation. 

“People give because they believe in a cause, they believe you’re doing a 

good job with their money, they trust you and giving helps them 

accomplish something good and important that they want done.” 

UW-L’s College of Business Administration Dean Bill Colclough 

has worked closely with Stephens, who has helped the college with 

restricted giving since 1994. ey seek to enhance educational 

experiences for UW-L students and expand contacts with alumni, the 

business community and students. Students, alumni and the business 

community all win, says Colclough. “People value the ability to interact 

with students and gain a sense of contribution to the educational 

mission,” he explains. 

Stephens’ enthusiasm about UW-L and his commitment to campus, 

along with his extensive network, Colclough says, are central to 

enhancing internship placements for students as well as private and 

corporate support. 



Fund brings relief to 

flood victim 

Heavy rains and floods hit the Coulee Region in mid August 2007. Houses slid off the bluffs, a 

train derailed and people were stranded or forced to evacuate. Lives were lost and devastated. 

For one UW-L graduate student, waters and mud wrecked her La Crosse apartment, 

ruining her laptop which contained the only copy of the master’s thesis she was working on. 

Word of her plight made it to UW-L’s Development Specialist Mike Desmond, ’76 & 

’87, the university’s Guardian Angel contact. UW-L’s Guardian Angels anonymously gave 

the student a new laptop. 

UW-L’s Guardian Angel Fund was started two years ago when the Foundation learned 

of a student whose mother’s medical issues were preventing him from continuing school. 

UW-L modeled its fund after one Desmond developed at La Crosse’s Aquinas High 

School, where he previously worked. The funds are used solely for unanticipated crises in 

students’ lives. Anonymous donors contribute to help victims deal with the unexpected. “If 

you can think of it, it’s probably happened,” says Desmond, who has seen many students 

helped by Guardian Angels over the years. 

It’s not the only guardian angel fund on campus. The Maurice O. Graff Guardian Angel 

Fund also provides grants to students who many not be able to continue their education 

because of hardships. To learn more to or become a UW-L Guardian Angel, contact 

Desmond at desmond.mich@uwlax.edu. 

And the free tuition 

goes to … 

Freshman Jackson Pattermann. He’s the winner of UW-L 

Foundation’s spring tuition raffle. Pattermann’s fall 2008 tuition 

will paid by the Foundation, which holds a tuition raffle each 

semester for underclassmen. Pattermann has a double major in 

physics and engineering through UW-L’s Dual Degree 

Program, which allows students to earn a bachelor’s of science 

in physics at UW-L, then complete a bachelor’s in engineering 

at UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Platteville or the 

University of Minnesota. 


Jackson Pattermann 

New funds 

The following funds were recently established 

through the UW-L Foundation: 

• The Center for the Advancement of Teaching 

and Learning Endowment Fund, provides 

support for the Provost Office program. 

• Roger Grant Scholarship Endowment Fund, 

supports scholarships for students studying 

photography. 

• Hillel Jewish Education and Programming 

Fund, provides support to enrich Jewish student life 

on campus and increase campus-wide and 

community awareness of Judaism to build bridges 

between the Jewish community and other religious, 

ethnic, multicultural and international organizations 

on campus and the community. 

• James R. Parker Scholarship Fund, provides 

student scholarships for students of color. 

• The Sloan Book Fund, supports the purchase of 

art-related items, but not meant to be exclusive, for 

use and/or for the Murphy Library collection. 

• Environmental Science Education and 

Research Fund, supports environmental research 

and education by faculty, students and staff to 

promote awareness about the need for adopting 

environmentally sustainable lifestyles. 

• Peter J. Talen Memorial Scholarship Fund, 

provides scholarships for students pursuing a 

theatre arts degree. 

• Maurice O. Graff Guardian Angel Fund, provides 

grants to students in such dire need and 

extraordinary circumstances that, among other 

hardships, the continuation of their education is 

threatened. 

• Let Freedom Ring Honor Flight Fund, honors 

area veterans by funding arrangements for them to 

visit veterans memorials in Washington, D.C. 

For information on these funds, or to find out how to 

establish a fund, contact the UW-L Foundation at 

608.785.8489.

Happy raffle 

winner enjoys 

Packer game 

Somebody always wins a raffle, and for the UW-L 

Foundation’s drawing last fall it was Julie Johnson. She won 

tickets to a Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field. The 

raffle didn’t only benefit Johnson and her family, but also 

benefited UW-L student-athletes through the 

L-Club. Posing with Julie, second from left, was, from left, her 

husband, Marc, daughter, Jillian, and Jillian’s friend, Daniel 

Laurent. Jillian and Daniel are current students at UW-L. 


Good call! 

Phonathon finding success 

Alumni and friends have been answering the call. 

The annual UW-L Foundation Fall Phonathon had exceeded its $225,000 goal 

when alumni pledged $229,772 last fall. That’s up from a year earlier when 

$203,860 was collected. 

This spring, callers brought in $103,276 in pledges for specific campus programs 

and colleges. That’s down from $108,000 a year ago, but was pledged with one less 

week of calling. 

“We’re very pleased alumni and friends are responding to our student callers by 

pledging to donate so generously to the annual fund and funds dedicated to specific 

programs,” says Aaron Bonnett. “These dollars are needed for many projects that 

enhance campus life and learning for our students.” 

Among projects funded through the annual fund are student scholarships; 

grants to faculty and staff for research projects as well as professional and program 

development; building projects and much more. 


… more than 500 UW-L students studied abroad in 

2007-08, up from 407 students a year earlier? 

UW-L is in the Top 20 colleges and universities 

nationwide for the proportion of our students who 

study abroad according to the Institute of 

International Education. (Opendoors report) 

Half million handed out to students 

More than 500 students will benefit from the hundreds of awards and scholarships funded 

through the UW-L Foundation. Among them is Robert Anderson, right, a sophomore from West 

Salem majoring in information systems, who received the UW-L Alumni Band Scholarship Fund 

in Memory of Dr. John L. Alexander. Lisa (Jernander) Butterfield, ’83, represented the alumni 

band at the annual scholarship reception on campus in April. Butterfield and others helped to 

establish the scholarship to honor the former director of bands. Next academic year, the 

Foundation will give nearly $508,000 through 569 awards in the 2008-09 academic year. 

Find out more at www.foundation.uwlax.edu/sch.html. 


c o v e r s t o r y 

‘Centennial Hall’ 

$44 million project is centerpiece of largest fundraising appeal 

in UW-L history 

By Cary Heyer and Natalie Olsen, ’01 

Here’s a pop quiz — no pencil necessary. What is the last 

academic building at UW-L to be supported with state funds 

and when was it built? 

If you said “North Hall in 1974,” you’re right. And if you answered 

“W. Carl Wimberly Hall,” it’s quite likely that you graduated aer 

2000, when the building was renamed to honor the academic vice 

chancellor who served the campus from 1953-1992. 

As the university approaches its 100th birthday in 2009, the UW-L 

Foundation is launching the public phase of its Centennial Campaign, 

the largest single fundraising appeal in its history. is comprehensive 

appeal includes six initiatives: the annual fund, faculty awards and 

development, scholarships, undergraduate research, a new Veterans 

Memorial Field Sports Complex, and a new academic building. 

Of those, it is the laer — descriptively called “Centennial Hall” 

— that is of foremost importance to the campus. e proposed $44 

million facility will include 44 classrooms, two auditoriums, six study 

rooms, three conference rooms, and a Hall of Nations. Each will 

incorporate advanced design with the needs of today’s students in 

mind. 

Ask Jim Leonhart, ’68, chairman of the UW-L Foundation board 

of directors, to dene the signicance of the new academic building 

and he offers an answer without hesitation. “It is the single most 

important building project in campus history,” Leonhart says. “e 

iconic Graff Main Hall represents UW-L’s rst 100 years of 

extraordinary accomplishments. Centennial Hall will herald a new 

century of opportunity, discovery and achievement.” 

While he acknowledges the primary focus of this capital campaign 

is the construction of Centennial Hall, “We must look beyond the 

bricks and mortar to the exceptional students who benet from the 

education they receive at UW-L, the talented faculty and staff who 

support them, and a community of loyal friends and alumni who 

consistently advocate the university’s mission,” Leonhart says. 

“Together, they reect the strength and character that is part of the 

UW-L experience.” 

e project, he says, is a necessary investment. “We can’t expect to 

continue UW-L’s tradition of quality without demonstrating an 


unwavering commitment to aract and retain top talent — faculty, 

staff and students — and providing whatever tools and facilities they 

need to succeed.” 

‘It’s our turn’ 

For the rst time in 34 years, UW-L will receive $38 million that 

has been tagged for new construction by the State of Wisconsin. ere 

is a string aached, though: e UW-L Foundation must raise 

$6 million in private funds, including $3 million by Aug. 31, to secure 

the leer of credit needed to proceed with the project. 

Al Trapp, acting president of the Foundation, leans forward when 

he explains the prospect of a return on investment that’s beer than 

seven-to-one. “is is a rare opportunity for UW-L to receive 

substantial state funds for a project dedicated to teaching and learning. 

e university has waited far too long. It’s our turn to move to the front 

of the line.” 

While the prospect of raising $3 million by the end of August may 

seem daunting, it’s worth noting that the university already has one, 

$1 million pledge in hand from alumnus Duncan Cameron, ’69. e 

Foundation recently launched a campus appeal for faculty, staff and 

emeriti employees, with a goal of 100 percent participation. 

“One of the rst questions a prospective donor asks is, ‘What is the 

level of involvement from your employees?’” Trapp said. He hopes a 

strong, shared commitment from UW-L faculty and staff will send a 

clear message to prospective donors of the urgent need to support the 

Centennial Campaign. 

At press time, 34 percent of UW-L faculty and staff have pledged 

their support for the effort. “We feel good about the progress we’ve 

made and expect that number to ascend signicantly now that Spring 

Semester is behind us.” 

The need, now 

To unveil the decits of the current classroom situation on 

campus, one needn’t be a student, professor or building inspector. 

An observant eye will do. 

Today, many UW-L students aend classes in dated rooms 

continued on page 23

By the numbers 

Total Square Feet: 180,000+ 

Classrooms: 44 classrooms seating 40-70 students each 

Auditoriums: Two auditoriums seating 250 

Footprint: 1 city block 

Occupancy: 5,000 

$44 $38 $6 

Total Project Cost 

State Support 

$3 

$3 

UW-L Foundation 


Additional $3 million 

to be raised for the 

project 

$1.5 million more 

needs to be raised 

by Aug. 31, 2008 

$1.5 million raised 



For floor plans and more, visit www.uwlax.edu/campaign 

2 2 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • s u m m e r 2 0 0 8

continued from page 20 

without adequate seating. Makeshi spaces that have been hastily adapted to 

accommodate popular course offerings do not provide the infrastructure 

required for emerging educational techniques. Add to that the impact of UW-L’s 

Growth, Quality and Access agenda, which will allow the university to admit 500 

additional students over time and add faculty and staff positions to support 

them, and the need for more space becomes increasingly evident. 

However, providing an effective learning environment extends beyond 

providing adequate space. e manner in which lessons are delivered — and 

how students receive them — has changed. e proposed Centennial Hall will 

feature exible seating that adapts to interactive teaching methods, small group 

discussions and project work. 

ough some might suggest that the genesis of the Digital Age is the 

epicenter of the current revolution in classroom learning, those who have been 

around for a while are quick to point out that today’s innovations may be relics of 

the next revolution — whenever that will be. 

e namesake of Wimberly Hall itself, who taught his last American 

Government class in 1966, fondly recalls the advent of the audio-visual 

revolution he witnessed during his time as a professor. 

“We made great use of the blackboard, but that meant we had to turn our 

backs to the students,” Wimberly remembers with a smile. “at was replaced by 

overhead projectors and transparencies. at was the audio-visual age as we 

knew it!” 

Much has changed since then, of course. Even now, the long-term usefulness 

of the internet as a method of abeing education is being questioned. “ere are 

so many changes (in technology). I can only imagine the challenges those who 

are planning the building are facing,” Wimberly empathizes. 

Advanced technology shapes how lessons are delivered 

Among those experienced in designing the learning environments in the 

new academic building is Jim Jorstad, ’78, UW-L’s director of educational 

technologies. 

While he acknowledges that the traditional approach to delivering lessons — 

a professor delivering a lecture to a group of students — is appropriate in some 

circumstances, the emergence of mobile devices and high-speed data transfer 

have had a profound inuence on shaping the way students learn. 

“Being mobile and having the capacity to access information and resources 

worldwide is a major shi in how we learn and teach,” Jorstad explains. 

“Technology allows us to learn anytime, anywhere. Students don’t stop learning 

at 5 p.m. Being able to provide access to students and faculty 24/7 is the new 

learning landscape in which we exist.” 

Providing experiences that promote interaction and collaboration between 

students and faculty are most conducive to learning, Jorstad contends. Webcasts 

of presentations, electronic response systems that permit students to interact 

with professors in real time, tablet PCs that permits students to take notes with 

digital ink, and teleconferencing that allows students, faculty and staff to connect 

to anyone in the world with a click on a computer screen are among the 

technologies that will be part of the new facility. 

“Centennial Hall will provide us with a unique opportunity to blend 

innovative teaching and learning environments with techniques that promote 

collaborative experiences,” Jorstad says. “It’s our chance to create a legacy of 

innovative teaching and learning that will celebrate UW-L’s excellence.” 

Conceiving learning environments that promote interactivity and inquiry, 

continued on next page 

How to give 


Every alumnus of UW-L shares an 

inextricable link to a place that values 

integrity, embraces intellectual 

challenges, rewards innovative 

approaches to solving problems, and 

respects the contributions offered by 

individuals of different backgrounds and 

perspectives. 

The $6 million campaign for Centennial 

Hall represents the most ambitious 

academic initiative the UW-L Foundation 

has attempted. If we are successful, we 

will receive $38 million from the State of 

Wisconsin to construct a building that 

will help to ensure that today’s and 

tomorrow’s students will continue to 

experience all that UW-L has to offer. 

It is, by all measures, a once-in-acentury 

opportunity to establish a legacy. 

Supporting this historic campaign is 

easy. You can contribute via check, credit 

card or EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer). 

Or, if you prefer, you can be billed in 

regular increments by the UW-L 

Foundation. 

To make a pledge or to give online, visit 

www.uwlax.edu/campaign. Or simply 

mail your gift in the attached envelope. 

Many employers have matching gift 

plans. Check to see if your workplace 

offers such a program and how you can 

use it to leverage an even larger gift for 

UW-L. Payments on pledges are 

deductible for income tax purposes as 

provided by law. 

If you would like more information or 

have questions, contact: 

Al Trapp, Acting President, 

UW-L Foundation 

trapp.alle@uwlax.edu | 608.785.8496 


c o v e r s t o r y / a t h l e t i c s 

continued from previous page 

and anticipating future advancements in technology, is also part of Jorstad’s 

view. “Creating environments that promote exibility and interaction are 

high priorities of this project,” he notes. “In the end, we are designing effective 

classrooms of the future, today.” 

Sustainability is important consideration 

e Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green 

Building System is a third-party certication program that establishes a 

worldwide standard for measuring sustainability. Projects that are LEED 

certied demonstrate they are environmentally friendly and adhere to green 

building practices. 

It is anticipated that Centennial Hall will meet LEED Silver Certication 

and will be approximately 35 percent more energy efficient than is required 

by the existing energy code, due in large measure to a C-shaped design with 

exterior walls and more windows that maximize the use of sunlight. 

Plans also call for sustainability features such as multiple rain gardens for 

catching storm water runoff, energy recovery devices that reduce the amount 

of heating and cooling energy needed for building mechanical systems, solar 

panels to heat water, and an enhanced process that assures that all building 

systems are working in concert in the most energy-efficient manner. 

“We expect this building to be around when UW-L celebrates its 

bicentennial,” says Ma Lewis, campus planner and director of facilities 

management. “Environmental sensitivity is of great importance to everyone 

on campus, so we’re examining every aspect of this project and assessing its 

impact on how it will inuence the environment today and for generations to 

come.” 

Using non-toxic paints that do not release signicant pollutants, building 

with products that contain recycled materials, and placing as many bike racks 

around the building as possible are among the ideas Lewis and his colleagues 

are considering that will minimize the ecologic impact of the project. 

A high-stakes proposition 

It’s no secret that the fundraising appeal for Centennial Hall concurs with 

a much-publicized campaign for a new Veterans Memorial Field Sports 

Complex. While Trapp concedes that some will wonder whether the 

ongoing appeal for the sports complex will impact donations given to the new 

academic building, he is condent the UW-L Foundation will be successful in 

its quest to raise the $6 million it needs to secure $38 million from the state. 

“is is a different project,” Trapp says. “e new Centennial Hall is 

about providing students with the tools they need to navigate comfortably in 

a global community. Teaching and learning are central to our mission. e 

motivations of those who contribute to the campaign for Centennial Hall are 

similar, yet different than those who give to the sports complex. Both projects 

are a vital part of our campus. Neither can stand alone.” 

His reasoning makes sense. Aer all, UW-L’s moo is Mens Corpusque 

— mind and body. 


National champs 

Men’s Indoor Track & Field 

e men’s track and eld team captured its 14th NCAA Division III 

Indoor Championship in March. e Eagles nished with 43 team 

points; Monmouth College (Ill.) was second with 33. 

ose 14 titles are the most in NCAA III history. UW-L, which has 

won seven of the last eight indoor titles, has captured a nation-leading 

25 national championships overall. It was the rst track and eld title 

for interim head coach Don Fritsch, ’80 & ’93. 

UW-L junior Bobby Riley won the shot put title (55-7) for the 

second straight year aer placing seventh in 2006. He became the 

third athlete in Division III history to win at least two indoor shot put 

championships, joining UW-L’s Terry Strouf , ’90, (1986, 1987, 1988) 

and Concordia-Moorhead’s Aaron Banks (1995, 1996). e Eagles’ 

4x400-meter relay captured the national championship for the sixth 

straight year in 2008. 

UW-L also won its seventh straight conference indoor 

championship. It is the Eagles’ conference record 33rd title in school 

history. Fritsch was named the WIAC Co-Coach of the Year. 


… UW-L welcomed 52 international 

students from 18 countries this spring, up 

from 29 a year earlier? There were more 

than 275 international students on 

campus during the spring semester.

Individual national 

championships 

• Junior Bobby Riley (pictured below) won the 2008 NCAA III indoor shot put title for 

the second straight year. 

• UW-L’s 4x400-meter relay of seniors Dylan Randolph and Jonathon Doble and 

sophomores Alex Rooker and David Kolbe won the national title at the 2008 

NCAA III indoor championships. 

• Senior Josh Chelf (pictured below) was named the 2008 Most Outstanding 

Wrestler at this year’s national championships. It was his second consecutive 

national crown at 174-pounds. (Photo by Jerad Chelf) 

• Sophomore Gabi Hooper (pictured below) won her second straight NCGA vault 

title in 2008. (Photo by Eric Wuennenberg) 

• Sophomore Dan Laurent (pictured below) became the third wrestler in UW-L 

history to win the 285-pound title at the 2008 NCAA III Championships. 

(Photo by Jerad Chelf) 

Dan Laurent 

Gabi Hooper 

Bobby Riley 

Josh Chelf 

a t h l e t i c s 

Gymnasts win 

NCGA 

Championship 

Women’s Gymnastics 

e gymnastics team captured its 12th National Collegiate 

Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championship in 

March. e Eagles nished with a team score of 189.050 

while SUNY-Brockport placed second (188.425) and 

SUNY-Cortland third (188.375). Six teams competed. 

It is UW-L’s seventh title in the last eight years and ninth 

in the last 12. e Eagles’ dozen crowns are the most in 

NCGA history. 

Head coach Barb Gibson, ’78, named the 2008 NCGA 

Co-Coach of the Year along with Jeff Schepers of Ursinus 

College (Pa.), has led UW-L to all 12 titles in her 23 

seasons. She has also guided the Eagles to 16 conference 

championships. 

UW-L set single-season highs on the vault (47.400), 

balance beam (47.600) and oor exercise (47.550). e 

Eagles’ team score was also a season high. 

In individual competition, sophomore Gabi Hooper 

captured her second consecutive NCGA vault title. Hooper 

tied for rst with a score of 9.675. Hooper, who tied for rst 

on the vault in 2007 with LaFleur, is the rst gymnast in 

school history to win two national vault titles. She is the 

seventh athlete in school history to win at least two national 

individual crowns. 

UW-L also captured its 12th straight WIAC 

championship and sixth consecutive NCGA West 

Regional title. 



Title holder 

Freshman is world 

powerlifting champ 

UW-L freshman Kevin Mc Cusker earned the 2007 International 

Powerlifting Federation Sub-Junior 125+kg World title in France last 

summer. 

UW-L has had its share of champions over the years. Collegiate 

teams have brought home more than 50 national titles. Track star 

Andrew Rock won an Olympic gold medal in 2004. And now, 

the campus has an international powerlier. 

Kevin Mc Cusker, a freshman from Osceola, Wis., won the 

2007 International Powerliing Federation Sub-Junior 125+kg 

World title in France last summer. 

Mc Cusker became involved in the sport before high school, 

somewhat by accident. “My offensive line powerliing coach in 

high school got me involved in powerliing in 8th grade,” he 

explains. “He gured it would help a lot for football and it did. But, 

I wound up being much beer than either of us thought.” He 

aributes that early powerliing success to his high school coach, 

Jeff Hahn. 

Mc Cusker not only earned the world title, he took the 2007 

Wisconsin 275-pound State Title and the 2007 High School 

National 125 kg title to earn the overseas trip. 

Mc Cusker says the university’s microbiology major drew 

him to UW-L; his powerliing helped him decide his 

concentration: strength and conditioning. He continues to li 

weights four days a week and is a UW-L Weightliing Power 

Bodybuilding Club member. UW-L Powerliing Coach Phil 

Paulson helps him prepare for competition. 

Professor Mike Winfrey says Mc Cusker’s world 

powerliing title is the rst for the department. e freshman’s 

adviser notes that Mc Cusker’s step brother, Joe Anderson, was a 

microbiology major who earned a doctorate in microbiology. 

“Kevin said that while growing up, Joe was able to beat him up, 

but he can’t do that anymore,” notes Winfrey. 

Find out more about IPF at www.powerliing-ipf.com. 


Individual national 

championships 

Seniors Dan Thour (men’s cross country), Josh Chelf (wrestling) and Kasey 

Clausen (gymnastics) were selected Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 

Scholar-Athletes for 2007-08. The male scholar-athlete award is named after Max 

Sparger, the female award, Judy Kruckman. To be nominated, student-athletes 

must have a 3.25 GPA minimum, be in their last year of competition or on schedule 

to graduate in the academic year, and have competed for at least two years. 

Dan Thour Josh Chelf Kasey Clausen 

Schumacher is 

top coach 

Illinois Wesleyan University track and field coach Chris 

Schumacher, ’91, was named 2008 national women’s 

indoor track Division III “Coach of the Year” by the U.S. 

Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. 

He was also named Midwest Region “Coach of the Year” 

for the 2008 Division III indoor season. 

In his 10th season at Illinois Wesleyan, Schumacher 

coached the Titans’ women to their first-ever College 

Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin track championship. 

At UW-L, Schumacher was an All-American for three 

Chris Schumacher 

years in track, competing on teams that won three national 

championships. In 2006 he was inducted into the UW-L Wall of Fame and in 2002 

earned the UW-L Multicultural Alumni Award.

Classmates 

lead teams to 

boys state 

tourney 

ree Class of 1978 graduates led their boys basketball teams to 

the WIAA Boys Basketball Tournament in March. And two 

took home state titles. e three: 

• Rich Roginskiled his Eleva-Strum Cardinals over 

Randolph, 61-45, in the state seminals, avenging a loss to the 

Rockets in the 2007 state title contest. e Cardinals beat Suring, 

62-58, in the 2008 WIAA Division 4 championship game to 

nish 27-0 on the season. Roginski completed 23 years as head 

coach for Eleva-Strum, compiling a 383-146 career record, and 

retired at the end of the 2007-08 academic year. He was chosen 

the 2008 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) 

and Associated Press (AP) Coach of the Year. Roginski was also 

named the 1990 UW-L Alumni Coach of the Year. 

• Dave Scheidegger led New Berlin Eisenhower to the 

WIAA Division 2 title with a 54-41 victory over Adams- 

Friendship. e Lions defeated Monroe in the state seminals, 

53-49, and nished the year 23-4. Scheidegger completed his 

18th season as head coach. 

• Rick Giller nished his ninth year as head coach for the 

Luck Cardinals in 2008. Luck advanced to the WIAA Division 4 

seminals, falling 57-45 to Suring. e Cardinals nished 23-3 

overall. 

2007-08 winter sports final standings 

2007-08 Winter Sports Final Standings W-L Season Finish WIAC/NCAA 

Men’s Basketball 11-15 Tied 5th/Did not qualify 

Women’s Basketball 14-12 5th/Did not qualify 

Gymnastics 26-1 1st/1st (NCGA) 

Wrestling 21-2 1st/2nd 

Women’s Swimming & Diving 4-0 1st/13th 

Men’s Swimming & Diving 3-1 2nd/Did not qualify 

Women’s Indoor Track & Field* 0-0* 1st/4th 

Men’s Indoor Track & Field* 0-0* 1st/1st 

Totals 

*No win-loss record 

79-31 


Back on the hardwood 

Former NCAA Division III All-American student-athlete Joe Werner, ’06, who had a 

short stint with the Green Bay Packers last fall, is continuing his basketball career down 

under. Werner is playing for the Club Kilsyth Cobras in the South East Australian 

Basketball League, Australia’s Premier Winter Basketball 

League. The league plays its regular season March through 

July with the playoffs through August. 

In the first 10 games, Werner averaged 20 points and 15.4 

rebounds per game while shooting 54.8 percent from the 

field. He ranked second in team scoring and first in 

rebounding. He scored in double figures in all 10 contests 

and recorded at least 10 rebounds in nine. 

The 2006-07 WIAC Player of the Year, Werner was a 

three-time all-conference first team choice and one of 10 

Joe Werner finalists for The Jostens Trophy for the NCAA III Player of 

the Year. 

Photo courtesy of Scott Paulus, Milwaukee Brewers 

Brewers 

watch 

Former UW-L baseball standout Vinny Rottino, 

’02 is in his sixth professional baseball season, all 

with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was named the 

2004 Brewers Minor League Player-of-the-Year. 

Rottino is currently the starting catcher for the 

Nashville Sounds, the Brewers' Triple A affiliate. 

Other winter stats … 

All-America Honors 56 

All-Conference Honors 104 

WIAC Athletes of the Week 30 

Conference Team Titles 5 

WIAC Scholar-Athletes 2 

WIAC Coaches of the Year 3 


’43 

Harris Grabow, Watertown, was featured as 

a “Living Legend” in the Watertown Daily 

Times. Grabow, a three sport letter winner in 

college, was a long-time successful coach 

and athletic director in his hometown of 

Watertown. 

’54 

Thomas Rosandich (pictured), Daphne, Ala., 

received the prestigious 

Ellis Island Medal of 

Honor in May. The 

medal, presented by 

NECO (formerly the 

National Ethnic 

Coalition of 

Organizations), 

honored U.S. citizens of 

various ethnic 

backgrounds in 

homage to the immigrant experience. 

Rosandich is president and CEO of the United 

States Sports Academy. 

’56 

Emelyn Burdick Kalinowski, Lincoln, Calif., 

retired in 2003 after 30-plus years in physical 

education, the last 22 years in adapted 

physical education. She currently supervises 

teachers in elementary physical education for 

California State University Sacramento. 

’58 

Edwin Steinbrecher, Evergreen, Colo., 

retired as executive director of the American 

Education Finance Association last year. He 

was honored at the association’s annual 

conference in April with a luncheon and was 


Classnotes 

To learn how to keep in touch, go to page 37. 

made a lifetime member and executive 

director emeritus. He is a past president of the 

Association and a past recipient of the 

Outstanding Service Award. 

’67 

Dean T. North, Madison, plans to retire July 

25. 

’68 

James R. Christensen, Oak Hill, Va., has 

retired from the U.S. Secret Service after 30 

years as a supervisory special agent. The last 

eight years he was assistant chief, deputy 

chief, and chief with the International Criminal 

Police Organization, INTERPOL in the U.S. 

Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. As 

part of his secret service duties, he was 

assigned to President Nixon in San Clemente, 

Calif., and worked closely with four other 

presidents while assigned to the Los Angeles 

office for 13 years. On duty, he visited nearly 

every country. He enjoys being retired. 

’69 

Brian S. Foster retired in 2001 and moved to 

the Sierra Foothills, near Auburn, Calif. Foster 

is having a great time playing golf, tennis and 

“just playing.” He and his wife, Diane, will 

celebrate their 25th anniversary this fall. 

Mary (Tornowske) Lubner, Cedarburg, 

retired from Grafton Public Schools in 2004. 

She has a 4th degree Black Belt in Taekwon 

Do and continues to take seminars for 

knowledge advancement. She teaches TKD 

on a regular basis. In December 2007, Lubner 

was a delegate to China with the People to 

People Ambassador program. She volunteers 

many hours to 4-H and will chaperone youth 

to Korea this summer. And, she attends the 

local YMCA and occasionally subs for the 

senior classes. 

’71 

John O. Schwenn became president of 

Dalton State College in Dalton, Ga., March 1, 

2008. His wife, Judy (Casberg) Schwenn, 

also ’71, planned to move to Georgia in June 

after her semester at Emporia (Kan.) High 

School was complete. 

’72 

Sue Kuhn, ’72 & ’88, La Crosse, has retired 

from Southern Bluffs Elementary in La Crosse 

after 32 years of teaching. She was Wisconsin 

Teacher of the Year in 1990. Her husband, 

Joe Kuhn, ’72, is a retired art education 

instructor. 

’74 

Cheryl Kasuboski, Clintonville, is retiring 

June 2008 from Iola-Scandinavia School 

District. She taught 30 years at I-S, plus two 

years each at Lac du Flambeau and Elk 

Mound as a physical educator, health 

educator and athletic coach. 

Bob Nelson, Manitowoc, has been inducted 

into the Lakeshore All-Sports Hall of Fame. 

Mark Thibodeau, Nekoosa, Adams County 

District Attorney, is currently the longest 

serving DA in Wisconsin. He has held the post 

since March 1978. 

Cathy (Rynders) Walsh, Greenfield, retired 

from the IRS in June 2005 after working for 25

Service adds up 

Alums recognized for volunteering 


Two alums are being recognized for their 

community work. The CPAs are 

featured in a statewide Wisconsin 

Institute of Certified Public Accountants 

advertising campaign. 

Randy Dummer, ’87, and Matt Cody, ’06, 

are featured in separate full-page ads 

promoting CPAs by the organization 

scheduled to run throughout 2008. Dummer’s 

feature proclaims “CPAs lead the way.” Cody’s 

touts “Exceptional commitment.” 

They are two of seven certified public 

accountants featured in the campaign to raise 

awareness of roles CPAs play in their 

communities. The seven were selected from 

the institute’s 8,200 members, targeting CPAs 

involved in community projects other than 

treasurer of an organization. 

Dummer, a Holmen native, has been 

involved in community projects since joining 

4-H at age 9. 

He nurtured a community service interest 

on campus, serving as a band officer for the 

Marching Chiefs’ Orange Bowl trip in 1985. 

An auditor for Virchow, Krause & Co. in 

Appleton, Dummer says there are many 

benefits to giving back. “Not only are you able 

to assist others who want or need assistance, 

but it also helps you appreciate the blessings in 

your own life,” he notes. “Beyond that, the 

friendships you make when getting involved in 

community service are very special.” 

His WICPA ad focuses on his involvement 

as treasurer of the Gardens of the Fox Cities. 

But, Dummer is also on the board of the 

Volunteer Center of East Central Wisconsin, a 

Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce committee 

member, a Junior Achievement classroom 

volunteer, a Cub Scouts master, and a frequent 

blood donor. 

Cody says his college years helped 

reinforce his belief in helping others. “Many 

professors and organizations around campus 

made volunteering something easy to get 

involved with, and encouraged everyone to do 

something outside of their regular education,” 

explains the Beaver Dam native. “The 

environment of the UW-L campus made 

volunteering a fun activity to participate in.” 

Like Dummer, Cody was active in the 

marching band. He also helped tutor 

accountancy students, volunteered with Safety 

UW-L alums Randy 

Dummer, ’87, left, 

and Matt Cody, ’06, are 

featured in a statewide 

CPA advertising campaign. 

l a c r o s s e t i e s 

on Our Sidewalks, and organized Roncalli 

Newman Center events. “Community service 

has always been important to me,” he notes. 

“Almost every activity that has made me who I 

am today would not have been possible 

without volunteers and individuals willing to 

donate their time to a good cause.” 

Cody, a staff accountant at Ritz, Holman, 

Butala, Fine in Milwaukee, was selected for his 

involvement with My Good Mourning Place, 

a grievance support center for children. A 

center board member, he runs a monthly 

bingo fundraiser. 

“I became involved with this board because 

I wanted to find a different outlet to help 

people outside of my job,” Cody says. “My 

Good Mourning Place was looking for 

someone with a financial background, and I 

thought this would be a good way to put my 

knowledge and skills to good use.” 

The ads ran in spring and will run in fall in a 

variety of business-related statewide 

publications. 



Helping out 

By Sanja Dojcinovic 

Patty Krarup, ’75, has been a 

successful business owner for years. 

So successful that her business — 

PLK Insurance and Financial Services in 

Janesville — has been a 22-year member of 

the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). 

MDRT, a prestigious organization of 

less than 1 percent of the world’s top life 

insurance and financial services 

professionals, has more than 35,000 

members (368 Wisconsin members) in 76 

countries worldwide. These top performers 

have to reapply annually to renew their 

membership by meeting the organization’s 

strict standards, both in business 

performance and ethical conduct. 

The MDRT Foundation, the 

philanthropic arm of the organization, 

provides funds for eligible charitable 

organizations throughout the world, as well 

as an opportunity for members to get 

involved and give back to their 

communities. 

Krarup, who earned degrees in French 

and business administration, has been the 

foundation trustee since 2000 and its 

president since September 2007. “I’ve been 

in the business for many years and I decided 

it was time to give back,” Krarup explains. 

“My mother was always volunteering, 

always helping out.” 

Krarup also found inspiration while a 

UW-L student. “Robert Burns, a former 

English professor and an adviser for the 


Patty Krarup, ’75 

Alumna is president of Million Dollar Round 

Table Foundation 

Sigma Pi fraternity, where I was a little sister, 

had a young family, but devoted so much 

time to his volunteer work.” 

MDRT members benefit from the 

organization. “Members can apply for grants 

to be awarded to an organization of their 

own choice,” Krarup explains. Members get 

to help out non-profit organizations close to 

home and ones they are personally invested 

in. 

In the last 18 years, the MDRT 

Foundation has given more than $82,000 in 

grants to Wisconsin charities. Some of the 

credit goes to Krarup, an 11-year cancer 

survivor, who understands the importance 

of getting involved with groups that mean a 

lot to her. One MDRT Foundation grant 

made it to the Rock County’s YWCA 

cancer support group. 

Members are also encouraged to go 

directly where help is needed. They travel 

on their own dime, rolling up their sleeves to 

get the work done. One of those efforts was 

a house building project for Habitat for 

Humanity in post-Katrina New Orleans. 

A current project is construction of a 

children’s playground in Toronto through 

Kids Around the World organization. 

“MDRT members are committed to their 

charity,” notes Krarup. “A lot of our 

members become quite involved.” 

To learn more about MDRT and its 

foundation, go to www.mdrt.org. 

years in various positions: tax specialist, tax 

auditor and disclosure specialist. She earned 

a bachelor’s in accounting from Lakeland 

College in 2001. Walsh was an elementary 

education teacher from 1974-79 and has been 

on the Greenfield School Board since 1992, 

currently serving as treasurer. Also, she has 

been treasurer of CESA #1 Board of Control 

since 2006. Her husband Michael, who 

attended UW-L from 1970-73, retired as a 

Greenfield police officer in December 2005. 

’75 

Gayna (Schulz) Gaber, Presque Isle, retired 

from a 33-year teaching career in June and 

has moved to northern Wisconsin. She taught 

math in Wisconsin Rapids and Hartford before 

spending the last 27 years at Watertown High 

School. 

’78 

Vince Megna, Lake Worth, Fla., moved to 

south Florida in 1982. He is an area sales 

executive in the major accounts division for 

ADP. 

’79 

Diane (Thode) Turek, Bloomington, Ill., 

received the 2008 “Outstanding School 

Orchestra Teacher” award for Illinois from the 

American String Teacher’s Association. She 

has taught orchestra for the Unit 5 School 

District for 29 years. Along with being the 

director of orchestras at Normal Community 

West High School, Turek teaches beginning 

fifth grade string players at six elementary 

schools and assists at three middle schools. 

She continues to play violin in the faculty 

string quartet. She and her husband, Jeff, 

have been married for 25 years. They have a 

son, Alex, a high school senior. 

Laurie Littel Zdon, Naperville, Ill., went back 

to school to become a nurse following a 

successful career in journalism and public 

relations. After five years part-time school, she 

has completed a bachelor of science-nursing 

degree from the University of St. Francis in 

Joliet, Ill. She was recently inducted into 

Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing 

honor society, and has accepted an RN 

position at Advocate Christ Medical Center in 

Oak Lawn, Ill.

’82 

Gary G. Bloesl, Pretoria, South Africa, is a 

commanding officer with the U.S. Marine 

Corps Embassy Security Group, Region 6, in 

the Sub-Sahara and Eastern Africa. 

David Rusch, Hartford, received the Positive 

Influence of Coaching Award from the Football 

Coaches Association. He is the inaugural 

recipient of the award which will be given to 

an active football coach in Wisconsin every 

year. Plaques of him will be displayed at 

Lambeau Field and at Camp Randall Stadium. 

Rusch’s two daughters attend UW-L, Natalie 

is a senior, Alexis, a freshman. He teaches 

and coaches at Waukesha South High. 

Mike Starling, Milwaukee, composed music 

selected as background music for the 

Biography Channel’s program on Bill Cosby. 

The network selected Starling’s “Funkee 

Monkee” from the album “Didjeriblue, Vol. 1” 

James Weisel, Lawrenceville, Ga., is a 

professor of accountancy in the School of 

Business at Georgia Gwinnett College, the 

first new state college in Georgia since 1965. 

’83 

Kathy Moen, 

(pictured), La Crosse, 

executive director of the 

United Fund for the 

Arts and Humanities in 

La Crosse, was named 

2007 Outstanding 

Professional Fundraiser 

by the Upper 

Mississippi Valley 

Chapter of the international Association of 

Fundraising Professionals. 

John Klang, ’79 

Klang 

honored for 

heroic act 

Kim Neal Nofsinger, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 

has been tenured and promoted to full 

professor at Middle Tennessee State 

University where he is director of the dance 

program. 

’84 

Kurt Evenson, Houston, Texas, has been 

promoted to director of business operations in 

the department of medicine at Baylor College. 


Fraternity sets reunion 

Golf is just one of the many activities held 

during the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity 

reunion. Members of the fraternity, mainly 

from the classes of ’68- ’80, hold their next 

reunion June 20-22, 2008. Events will include 

golf, fishing and biking, along with a Friday 

dinner and a Saturday banquet in downtown 

La Crosse. For more info about the group’s 

reunions, contact Peter Jansen, ’74, at 

pjansen19@sbcglobal.netor Bill Bilot, ’75, at 

billyb9090@aol.com. 

Sheri (Fickau) Watkins, Mukwonago, keeps 

in touch with her Danish family she met 

participating in a Danish international 

exchange program during college. She has 

kept in touch with her host parents and 

visited them. In April, they spent time in the 

U.S. visiting three students they had 

sponsored. With Watkins’ family, they spent 

time with her two daughters at school, visited 

Home Depot and learned about baseball. 

The alum who lost his life disarming a troubled student has received a 

Carnegie Medal recognizing his extraordinary heroism. John Klang, ’79, 

principal at Weston High School in Cazenovia was fatally shot by a 

student in September 2006. (See Winter 2007-08 Alumnus.) The medal 

is awarded to those in the U.S. and Canada who risk their lives trying to 

save others. The Klang family received $6,000. 



More than breakfast 

Saturday morning middle school group led by alumni finding success 


Call them the “Breakfast Team.” Just 

don’t confuse them with the “Breakfast 

Club” — the five Shermer High 

School students in the 1985 movie who met 

for detention. 

Three alumni from three decades are 

heading up PIVOT, a unique Saturday 

morning group at Longfellow Middle School 

in La Crosse. They’re helping middle 

schoolers improve their grades while providing 

a path for a school-free summer. 

For three years, Longfellow students have 

voluntarily given up two hours on 10 Saturday 

mornings to catch up on schoolwork. The 8th 

graders — around 20 of them this spring — 

have one thing in common: a failing grade. 

And, if they don’t improve their scores by the 

end of the academic year, they’ll have to take 

summer school. 

Longfellow Principal Penny Reedy, ’84, 

says the program’s track record is good. 

Typically 75 percent of those taking part 

dramatically improve their grades — not to 

mention their academic habits and attitude – 

and don’t have to worry about spending 

summer at school. 

“It’s a win-win situation all around,” Reedy 

explains. “If they come and get their grades up, 

they don’t have to go to summer school. It’s a 

lot less costly to run this Saturday morning 


program than sending them to summer 

school.” 

Paul Holman, ’92, an elementary physical 

education instructor in the La Crosse School 

District, is the brainchild behind PIVOT, 

which gets its name from the quick turn 

around students make. 

“For me, it was an opportunity to meet kids 

I would otherwise never meet” says Holman. 

“As an elementary physical education teacher, 

I’m used to seeing students who are motivated 

and excited. It was a side of education I had 

never seen before.” 

Each 8 a.m. session opens with a group 

activity, which gives the students teambuilding 

experience and a chance to know one 

another better. There are high school mentors 

— alumni from earlier years — who assist 

with the program and give the middle 

schoolers firsthand examples of what it’s like in 

high school. Other Longfellow teachers help 

the students get their unfinished projects done 

and provide conduit to the regular school day. 

“By having teachers attend, the students 

get a relationship with them that they don’t get 

during the regular school day,” notes Holman. 

“We’re kind of making a smaller school inside a 

big school.” 

Randy Ketelhut, ’07, is the third alum 

involved in running the PIVOT program. 

Far left: Paul Holman, ’92, an elementary 

physical education instructor in the 

La Crosse School District, is the brainchild 

behind a middle school program that gets 

students to quickly change their study habits 

and prepares them for high school. 

Left: Randy Ketelhut, ’07, is one of three 

alums involved in “PIVOT,” a program for 

La Crosse middle school students who 

received a failing grade. 

Ketelhut did his student teaching at the school, 

and has been a coach and long-term sub there. 

He volunteered with PIVOT last year and 

quickly saw its impact. 

“Often you find out that a little 

organization is all they need,” Ketelhut says. 

“Sometimes it’s as simple as cleaning out their 

locker.” 

Ketelhut also likes the direct contact. “You 

get an opportunity to work one-on-one with 

students who really need that,” he explains. 

“They don’t thrive in a large classroom.” 

Holman is impressed by the commitment 

students make to the program — getting up 

early on Saturday and applying themselves. 

“None of these kids are forced to be here,” he 

notes. “Yet, they come each Saturday and are 

ready to get to work.” 

Holman admits he probably gets as much 

from the sessions as the students do. “These 

kids have taught me a lot,” he says. “If you 

personalize education, it works well.” 

Eighth grade teacher Marci Kline, ’99, is 

one of the Longfellow teachers who work with 

the students. “You build stronger relationships 

with them and they see that you care,” she says. 

“It’s another way to make a connection with a 

student.”

Two alums 

appointed 

to technical 

college 

board 

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has 

appointed two alums to the Wisconsin 

Technical College System Board. Stan 

Davis, ’94, and Terry Erickson, ’72, will 

serve on the board that oversees the 16 

technical college districts in the state. 

Davis is a partner at Axley 

Brynelson, LLP, and has worked as the 

Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff and 

Chief Legal Counsel. He and his wife, 

Jessica, live in Sun Prairie with their two 

daughters. His term expires May 1, 

2009. 

Terry Erickson was executive 

director of the Boys and Girls Club of 

Greater La Crosse for 35 years before 

retiring in 2007. He is currently 

pursuing a master’s in education at 

Winona State University. Erickson and 

his wife, Sue, live in La Crosse. His term 

expires May 1, 2011. 

They tailgated before a Brewers game where 

the American hosts explained the rules. 

Watkins says her Danish family now includes 

her host parents, two brothers, their wives and 

five nieces and nephews. “Hopefully we will be 

able to visit them again soon to see the new 

house they are building,” says Watkins. 

’86 

John Prue, Kenosha, has been promoted to 

installation program director responsible for 

the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) 

Department at Naval Station Great Lakes, 

home to approximately 22,000 active duty, 

dependents and civilian employees. MWR 

employs more than 325 people and operates 

on a $18 million budget to offer recreational 

facilities and programs. Prue has a master’s in 

management from Webster University in St. 

Louis. From his internship to his new position, 

Prue has spent his 22-year career at the 

station. 

’87 

James L. Reaves, Indian Head, Md., moved 

to Washington, D.C., in June 2007 and works 

with the Department of Homeland Security as 

chief of intake and problem resolution with the 

Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services 

Ombudsman. He had been a supervisory 

adjudication officer with U.S. Citizenship & 

Immigration Services in Detroit from October 

2001 to June 2007. 

’88 

Rodney Gabriel, Fredonia, is the senior 

systems administrator and infrastructure 

architect at United Financial Services where 

he began working in September 2002. 

Lauren J. Lieberman, Brockport, N.Y., is a 

professor of adapted physical education at 

SUNY Brockport where she has worked for 13 

years. The 2007 Rada Distinguished Alumnus 

recipient runs Camp Abilities, a developmental 

sports camp for children who are visually 

impaired, blind or deafblind. 

’90 

Lt. Col. Randall Kastberg has been awarded 

the Bronze Star Medal for his service in 

Operation Iraqi Freedom. Also, he was 

awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge for 

work with an improvised explosive device. 

Tom Mitchell, De Forest, remains the caddie 

for pro golfer Steve Stricker. Mitchell first 

carried Stricker’s bag when he won the 2001 

Match Play Championship in Australia. 

’92 

Lee Hoffman, Clovelly Park, South Australia, 

is completing a doctorate in chemistry at 

Flinders University of South Australia. 


Eagle flag 

flies in 

Kuwait 

An eagle has landed in Kuwait. An Eagle 

flag, that is. Lt. Col. Lynn San Nicolas, 

’86, received a Christmas present of a 

UW-L flag and pennant to hang in the 

huge warehouse where she works. Maj. 

Kurt A. Mueller worked with the UW-L 

Alumni Association to arrange for 

maroon and gray to fly in Kuwait. 

“I didn’t want to do this since I am a 

UW-Oshkosh graduate, but it is only fair 

since she outranks me,” admits Mueller. 

He says many schools are represented in 

the warehouse, but many jealous troops 

remain because “their schools are 

holding out on them.” 



Annique (Gilbert) London, Minneapolis, has 

opened a marketing consultancy practice, 

called “London Marketing Group.” 

Kerri (Anderson) Thompson, Austin, Texas, 

has been working for the city of Austin Parks 

and Recreation’s Aquatic Division for almost 

14 years. She was a member of a team that 

won the NRPA “Excellence in Aquatics” twice. 

The department has also won top NRPA 

honors and recently became nationally 

accredited. She is the only staff member who 

graduated from a nationally-accredited 

university program. Thompson has two sons, 

ages 3 and 5. 

’93 

Anne Heck, Elkhorn, associate principal at 


Elkhorn Area Middle School, was named 2008 

Wisconsin Associate Principal of the Year. 

Keri (Kreinbrink) Lawson, Dubuque, Iowa, 

teaches physical education and health at 

Cuba City High School. In her 11th year as 

head volleyball coach, her team won the 2007 

WIAA Division III State Volleyball 

Championship. 

’94 

Vanessa (Glewen) Griffin, Hawthorn Woods, 

Ill., has started a documentary photography 

business specializing in children and families. 

(See www.vanessagriffin.com) She thanks 

Professor Gary McDonald and his 

photography classes for the venture. “In every 

single communications job I’ve ever held, I 

’68 grad rests his case as 

Washington jurist 

William G. Knebes started his career as a high 

school history and social studies teacher in 

Onalaska after graduating in 1968. He ended 

it in March as one of Washington state’s most 

respected family court commissioners. 

Drafted by the military, the La Crosse 

native left Wisconsin shortly after marrying 

Carol (Johnson), ’70, eight credits short of a 

master’s in education administration. After 

relocating to Seattle and serving for two years, 

he went to Puget Sound Law School. He 

began his law career in Port Angeles as deputy 

prosecutor for Clallam County in 1975. 

Three years later Knebes started his 

private practice, doing family law until being 

appointed Superior Court Commissioner in 

1990. Since, he has set the standard for the 

Unified Family Courts in the state. He 

established one of the model family law courts 

and helped write the bench book on domestic 

violence and the law. 

“I really like this job,” Knebes told the 

Peninsula Daily News after announcing his 

retirement in 

January. “It really 

was tailor-made for 

me. There’s not a 

day I don’t enjoy 

going to work.” 

Knebes became 

a legend for his 

many contributions 

to families and 

William G. 

juveniles in the legal 

Knebes, ’68 

system. Often he 

helped juveniles in 

court with their 

educational needs by buying books and 

supplies without the children knowing the 

benefactor. 

“He would be the first to say his strong 

work ethic and sound values came from his 

upbringing and excellent education in his 

hometown of La Crosse,” says his wife, Carol. 

have put to use the skills he taught; he 

inspired a love for photography that has really 

stayed with me,” Griffin explains. She and her 

husband, Christopher, have two children, 

Maeve Catherine (5) and Owen Vance (1). 

Griffin is working part-time so she can spend 

time with the kids while building a business to 

expand when they’re in school. 

’96 

Eric A. Hagen, Las Vegas, earned the 

Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is 

an investment manager at Wells Fargo Bank 

in Las Vegas. 

Tony Jennison, Farmington, Minn., was 

named head football coach at Macalester 

College in St. Paul, Minn. He had been 

defensive coordinator for the Scots the last 

two seasons. 

’97 

Vincent Purpero, ’97, and Betsy Maloney, 

’01, were married May 31, 2008. They live in 

Minneapolis. Vincent is a postdoctoral 

researcher in biochemistry at the University of 

Minnesota; Betsy is an academic adviser at 

Capella University. 

Tony Soika has sold his business, “Sports 

Performance Advancement,” to return to active 

duty with the Army. He reported to Iraq May 

12 and will be promoted to 1st Lieutenant 

Aug. 4. 

Jennifer Sullivan-Hadsall, Cedar Rapids, 

Iowa, became an academic adviser for Upper 

Iowa University in November. She had been 

Admissions director at Mount Mercy College 

in Cedar Rapids. 

’98 

Brooke Croshier married Joe Sidebotham 

Aug. 11, 2007. They live in Akron, Ohio. 

Brooke is the athletics facilities and operations 

manager for The University of Akron athletics 

department. 

Matthew Lehmann, Holmen, has been 

named National Senior Marketing Associate 

for Great Lakes Higher Education Corp., 

Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Inc. 

and affiliates.

’01 

Casey Sambs, Milwaukee, has received CFA 

Charterholder status. He was recognized by 

the CFA Institute in a Wall Street Journal ad. 

’02 

Sara Lynn Lassig, St. Paul, Minn., graduated 

with a master’s in social work and a doctorate 

in family social science from the University of 

Minnesota in May 2008. 

Wendy Biese, ’02, and Marc McVay, ’03, 

were married Oct. 27, 2007. They live in 

Appleton. Wendy is a clinical pharmacist for 

Theda Care, Marc is a claims representative 

for SECURA Insurance. 

Justin D. Ross, ’02, and Nicole A. Austin, 

’04, are engaged and plan to marry in May 

2009. Both live in Denver. Justin graduated 

from the University of Denver in August 2007 

with a doctorate in psychology. He works for 

The Children’s Hospital in Denver and recently 

opened his own practice, MindBodyHealth, 

LLC. Nicole is an account manager for 

IQNavigator. 

Tracy (Ginsbach) and Greg Weber, both ’02, 

live in Oregon. Tracy, a medical device 

representative for Johnson & Johnson, was 

named National Sales Rep of the Year. 

’03 

Kelly Berens, Washington, D.C., is an 

advance staffer for Speaker of the House 

Nancy Pelosi. 

Jennifer Cerutti, Sioux City, Iowa, graduated 

from Creighton University School of Law in 

2006. She was admitted to the bar in 

Nebraska and Iowa. In October 2007, Cerutti 

became a staff attorney with Iowa Legal Aid in 

its Northwest Regional Office in Sioux City. 

Nicholas Ziarek, Oak Creek, has received 

CFA Charterholder status. He was recognized 

by the CFA Institute in a Wall Street Journal 

ad. 

’04 

Judson Beeskau, Saint Louis Park, Minn., 

began working as a financial adviser at New 

England Financial in Minnetonka in December 

2007. 

A new NASA 

Five years after launching NASA, 

alum is still its biggest booster 

By Cary Heyer 

We’re not talking about that 

NASA, of course, though one 

could rightfully argue the 

mission of the other organization that shares 

those initials is equally lofty. 

The NASA founded by Tony 

Christnovich, ’73 and ’81, is the North 

American Squirrel Association. Sure, the 

name is goofy. But the good work this 

organization does is anything but. 

Christnovich, who earned a bachelor’s in 

exercise and sports science/physical 

education and a master’s in elementary 

physical education had dedicated his life to 

sports and recreation. When the former 

defensive line coach for the UW-L football 

team and head coach for La Crosse Central 

High School wasn’t teaching, he was doing. 

After retiring in 2003, the avid sportsman 

purchased Schafer’s Boat Livery, a popular 

bait and tackle shop on Lake Onalaska’s 

Brice Prairie. 

That’s when it became clear there was a 

need to provide outdoor opportunities for 

those with physical limitations.“There was 

an obvious void that many physically 

challenged and elderly people had when 

trying to enjoy the outdoors,” Christnovich 

says. “Many people would love to go golfing, 

hunting or skiing but are unable because 

they don’t have the adaptive equipment that 

allows them to do so. NASA exists to help 

them enjoy the opportunities that enhance 

the quality of their lives.” 

NASA started five years ago with a 

buddy system to take elderly people and 

those with physical challenges squirrel 


Tony Christnovich, 

’73 & ’81 

hunting. “We started with a wheelchair and 

a handful of dedicated volunteers who were 

willing to offer a little help,” Christnovich 

explains. 

Today, thanks to the generosity of 

corporate and private donations, NASA has 

purchased a pontoon boat, an ice shanty, an 

ATV equipped for hunting, and an adaptive 

golf cart. The organization also works in 

partnership with Mt. La Crosse, the YMCA 

and the YWCA to offer specialized ski 

equipment and recumbent bicycles. 

“NASA has brought the elderly and 

physically challenged back in touch with the 

wonders of the outdoors,” Christnovich 

shares. “Some of them thought they 

wouldn’t be able to participate again, and 

others are enjoying new experiences they 

never thought possible.” 

While Christnovich’s name has become 

synonymous with NASA, he recoils when 

others give him credit for starting it. “NASA 

is successful because many volunteers have 

stepped forward to make dreams come 

true,” he says. “With the help of local and 

state organizations such as the Department 

of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife 

Service, local government agencies and 

countless, big-hearted people who have 

been able to offer many outdoor activities 

free of charge to those who deserve to enjoy 

them.” 

Learn more about NASA at 

www.nasasquirrel.org or contact 

Christnovich at schafers@charter.net. 



Alum to 

head 

Chippewa 

campus 

Tim Shepardson, 

’79 & ’83 

Tim Shepardson, ’79 & ’83, has been 

selected to head the Chippewa Valley 

Technical College’s Chippewa Falls 

campus. Admissions and financial aid 

manager at CVTC since 1998, 

Shepardson will now lead CVTC 

efforts in Chippewa Falls and 

Neillsville. 

“What we offer now can be just the 

start,” says Shepardson. “There’s 

tremendous potential for ongoing 

learning, service to business and 

economic development. I’m looking 

forward to working on new 

partnerships.” 

Shepardson began working at 

Western Technical College in La 

Crosse in 1984. He left in 1988 to 

become assistant director of Career 

Planning and Placement at UW- 

Green Bay, leaving there in 1998 for 

CVTC. 


Matthew Gottfredson married Sarah Hutjens 

Aug. 4, 2007. They live in Kenosha. He is 

employed by the Kenosha Unified School 

District. 

Felicia Daul and David Petroff, both ’04, 

were married Aug. 24, 2007. They live in 

Greenfield. Felicia earned a jurist degree in 

May 2007 from the University of Minnesota 

Law School and was admitted to practice law 

in the state of Wisconsin in October 2007. 

Dave is a fund accountant at US Bank. 

Dan Sutton, West Bend, finished 34th at the 

2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Men’s 

Marathon. His time was 2:18.59; 104 runners 

finished the race. He is a medical student at 

UW-Madison. 

Sara Weisenbeck married Patrick Cotter 

Sept. 29, 2007. They live in St. Paul. Sara 

works at the College of St. Catherine. 

Bridesmaids in the wedding included Erin 

Bong and Lisa (Evenson) Bloomer, both 

’04. 

’05 

Dustin Ammerman, Holmen, is a staff 

accountant with Hawkins, Ash, Baptie and Co. 

in La Crosse. 

Emily Geyer (pictured), 

Minnetonka, Minn., 

participated in the 

Rotary International 

District 5960 Group 

Study Exchange to 

Brazil in May. She is a 

marketing project 

manager with U.S. 

Bank. 

Amy Turkowski, Madison, is a kindergartenfirst 

grader teacher at Franklin Elementary 

School in the Madison Metropolitan School 

District. 

Alum duo 

leading 

Rotary 

district 

One of the three Rotary districts in 

Wisconsin will get a double dose of 

UW-L alum leadership. Dean 

Dickinson, ’68, left, and Tom Marshall, 

’64 & ’68, will serve as Rotary District 

#6250 governor — Dickinson in 

2009-10 and Marshall in 2008-09. 

The international service organization 

has nearly 3,405 members in District 

#6250, which stretches from the Illinois 

border to northern Wisconsin in the 

western and central part of the state, 

along with part of southeastern 

Minnesota.

’06 

Paul Bagniefski 

(pictured) La Crosse, 

has earned his 

Certified Public 

Accountant 

designation. He is a 

tax accountant with 

Hawkins, Ash, Baptie 

& Co. 

Melissa (Keough) and Timothy Ruder, both 

’06, live in Memphis, Tenn. Tim has finished 

his first semester of optometry school at the 

Southern College of Optometry. Melissa is 

teaching Spanish at Kirby High School in 

Memphis. 

Rachel Schaeffer married Brian Marcouiller 

Aug. 18, 2007. They live in South Saint Paul, 

Minn. Rachel has been a language arts 

teacher at Wayzata East Middle School in 

Plymouth, Minn., for the past nine years. 

Vanessa (Hedquist) Sedlmayr, Durand, is a 

first grade teacher in the Wabasha-Kellogg 

(Minn.) School District. 

’07 

Megan Stroinski, Milwaukee, has joined the 

Milwaukee-based accounting firm of Ritz, 

Holman, Butala, Fine LLP. 

Class of 20?? 

Alumni announce new arrivals to their families. 

Don Lounsbury, ’82, Murray, Utah, a 

daughter, Lena, June 20, 2007. 

Joan (Farber), ’88, and Patrick Griffiths, 

Bartlett, Ill., a son, Colton Patrick, April 16, 

2007. He joins sister Lucy Cosette (8.) 

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

Lake Mills, a son, Griffin Walker, Aug. 1, 2007. 

He joins brother Brennan (8) and sister 

Kailey (3). 

Gregory, ’89, and Laura Pfaff, Milwaukee, a 

daughter, Scarlett, Dec. 14, 2007. She joins 

sister Sophia (3). Gregory is a senior vice 

president of UBS Financial. 

Michael S., ’94, and Virginia Doherty, 

Greendale, a son, Sean Michael, Sept. 20, 

2007. He joins brother Harrison. 

Sandy (Breunig), ’94, and Joseph Glotfelty, 

Fairfax, Va., a daughter, Sarah Marie, Sept. 

26, 2007. She joins a brother, Thomas. 

Julie (Marsh), ’94, and Eric Lemon, 

Onalaska, a son, Zachary Ronald, Sept. 17, 

2007. 

Nikki (Ferguson), ’94, and Nathan 

Pederson, Avondale, Ariz., a son, Kyle, March 

17, 2007. Nikki is a physical education teacher 

in Glendale. 

Jason and Shannon (Johnson) Gonnion, 

both ’95, Stillwater, Minn., a daughter, Anabel 

Mary, April 19, 2007. She joins brother Max 

(7) and sister Macy (3). 

Tricia (Schindler), ’95, and Chad Van Lanen, 

New London, a daughter, Abigail, Nov. 15, 

2007. Tricia is a human resources specialist 

for the Transportation Security Administration 

in Green Bay. 

Jon D. ’96 & ’07, and Tammy L. (Powell), ’97 

& ’03, Larson, La Crosse, a son, Jacob Jon, 

Feb. 24, 2008. He joins sister Emily (2.) 

Season (Bolton), ’96, and Jason Rosinski, 

Janesville, a daughter, Ivy Therese, born Nov. 

30, 2006, and adopted from Vietnam May 28, 

2007. She joins brother Paul Jason, born 

March 14, 2005, and adopted from South 

Korea Sept. 14, 2005. 

Jessica (Edwards), ’97, and David Hermsen, 

Lancaster, a son, Zachary, March 24, 2008. 

He joins sister Ava (2). 

Poppie (Bergere), ’97, and Christian 

McNierney, Ashburn, Va., a son, Liam Orion, 

Aug. 24, 2007. He joins sister Keira Lane (2). 

Damian, ’97, and Stephanie Olson, 

Onalaska, a daughter, Lauren, Aug. 4. 2007. 

Jennifer (Streit), ’97, and Scott Rekdal, 

Andover, Minn., a son, Edward Scott, May 15, 

2007. He joins a sister, Sophia (4). 


Keep up your 

La Crosse pride! 

Keep in touch with us, and we’ll keep in 

touch with you! It’s easy: 

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 

Online alumni directory 

http://directory.uwlalumni.org 

Design your own UW-L clothing 

www.mygarb.com/UWLaCrosse 

Nominations for alumni awards 

www.uwlalumni.org/awards.htm 

Join the UW-L Alumni Association 

www.uwlalumni.org/join.php 



Above: Liz Gray, Jen Connors, ’08 and Ashley Connors cheering on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. 

Above right: Jen, Liz and Ashley tailgaiting before a Packers game. 

Red hot at the ‘Frozen Tundra’ 

Packers Bikini Girls have UW-L ties 

By Sanja Dojcinovic 

been a family tradition for six 

years,” says Jen Connors. Each year 

“It’s 

Connors, her sister, Ashley, and 

cousin, Liz, throw on bikini tops under heavyduty 

parkas and brave painfully freezing 

temperatures of a Wisconsin winter during 

game breaks at Lambeau Field. The Green 

Bay Packers Bikini Girls — their unofficial 

name — strip off their winter coats while 

holding up a homemade sign cheering on their 

team — in particular, Brett Favre. 

Two years ago they got their first taste of 

fame when ESPN featured them in a highlight 

video. Their photo also made it into an issue of 

Sports Illustrated. 

This year, however, things really took off. 

“I’m not sure why it’s been crazy this year, but 

all of a sudden everyone wanted to talk to us,” 

explains Connors. 

A media blitz ensued in January following 

the Packers’ loss to the eventual Super Bowl 

champion New York Giants. The women 


took as many as eight interviews a day the first 

week. Things slowed during the next two 

weeks when they averaged a “mere” five 

interviews per day from various radio and TV 

stations, magazines, newspapers, and others. 

Connors says the UW-L campus 

community’s response was overwhelmingly 

positive. “Students would recognize me 

sometimes,” she says. “Most thought it was 

cool.” 

The experience has been more than that. 

“This has been a great learning experience,” 

adds Connor. “It’s taught me a lot about 

dealing with different people, making contacts 

and being under pressure. I definitely feel more 

confident.” 

And it has taught that with good comes 

bad. Bloggers and Web site readers posted 

offensive comments about the trio. “I had to 

stop reading the comments on the different 

sites and blogs,” says Connors. “Some people 

got really vicious. I guess it’s taught me how to 

handle the negative stuff too.” 

Connors, who graduated in May in 

marketing and communications with an 

emphasis in public relations, is working on 

post-graduation plans. “I am considering 

anything that could come as a result of this 

experience,” she explains. 

The three women are even considering 

developing their own brand. “We got so much 

positive feedback on our swimsuits,” she 

explains. “We’d like to work on developing that 

further.”

Aaron and Alicia (Singstock) Stratman, 

both ’97, Franklin, a daughter, Alexa Rae, 

June 8, 2007. She joins sister Avaree (3). 

Tamara N. (Bishop), ’98, and Chad W. 

Johnson, Burnsville. Minn., twin daughters, 

Erica Rose and Morgan Lynn, Feb. 27, 2008. 

Rebecca (Schicker), ’98, and Nicholas 

Kerkenbush, Jefferson, a son, Jacob Daniel, 

Jan. 14, 2008. 

Jennifer (Bonlender), ’98, and Gregory 

Reilley, Waupun, a son, Patrick, March 11, 

2008. 

Nicole (Boyer) and Donald Lang, both ’00, 

Marshfield, a daughter, Taiya Katherine, May 

30, 2007. She joins sister Tessah (2). Nikki 

works part-time as a clinical lab scientist in 

microbiology at Marshfield Laboratories. 

Donald teaches math at Marshfield Middle 

School and is head varsity wrestling coach at 

Marshfield High School. 

Joel, ’00, and Kelly (Christensen), ’01, 

Gregozeski, Green Bay, a daughter, Emma, 

February 2008. Joel has a new job as leisure 

services director with the Village of Bellevue. 

Thomas J., ’00, and Nicole M. (Joas) 

Hooper, ’03, Eau Claire, a daughter, Lillia 

Claire, June 4, 2007. Thomas works for 

Marshfield Clinic in Eau Claire; Nicole for St. 

Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls. 

Amy DuPont, ’01, and Erich Zwicker, 

Onalaska, a son, Bryce Erich Zwicker, Nov. 

20, 2007. It’s their first child. DuPont is anchor 

of La Crosse TV station WXOW’s “Daybreak” 

which received the “Best Morning Newscast” 

award from the Wisconsin Broadcasters 

Association in April. 

Ryan (Plier), ’01, and Michael J. Smith, 

Waterford, a son, Grayden Robert, Sept. 20, 

2007. He joins brother Thatcher. 

Robin (Brett), ’00, and Benjamin J. 

Chambers II, ’06, Rochester, Minn., a son, 

Benjamin James III, Jan. 28, 2008. 

Josh, ’02, and Misty (Kratt), ’03, Bindl, 

Marshall, a son, Drew Frederick, Oct. 24, 

2007. 

Great Google-y 

moogly 

Alum’s propensity for facts and 

figures continues to draw 

attention 

By Cary Heyer 

Remember Brad Williams? H e’s the 

“Human Google” whose penchant for 

tucking mostly useless bits of 

information deep into his limbic system for 

years and summoning it at the will of an 

inquisition was first reported in the Alumnus 

last summer. Not long after the feature was 

published, the 1977 UW-L alum and reporter 

for Mid-West Family Broadcasting in La 

Crosse and subject of a closely watched UC- 

Berkeley memory study has found himself on 

the other side of the microphone. 

A La Crosse Tribune article was picked up 

by the nationwide Associated Press newswire. 

Then a Swedish TV station called, followed 

by a story on “NBC Nightly News.” Williams 

has also appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning 

America” and CNN. Next month, Williams 

will speak at the annual meeting of Mensa 

Dustin and Mandy (Bachmann) Checkai, 

both ’02, Sun Prairie, a son, Lincoln Paul, Nov. 

4, 2007. Dustin works for Virchow Krause & 

Co.; Mandy at the Wisconsin Alumni Research 

Foundation. 

Alison “Ali” (Frei), ’03, and Dan O. Baker, 

Maple Grove, Minn., a daughter, Keira Elaine, 

April 2, 2008. 

Libbe (Stankowski), ’03, and Mark Slavin, 

Mosinee, a daughter, Ella Ruth, April 2, 2007. 

Libbe is a health educator for the Children’s 

Hospital of Wisconsin. 


Brad Williams, ’77 

International, and Esquire magazine plans to 

feature a story about Williams’ über-ability to 

recall peculiar facts, like the three dates on 

which thoroughbred Seattle Slew won the 

Triple Crown or which celebrity guests 

witnessed Tiny Tim’s wedding to Miss Vicky 

on the “Tonight Show.” 

The frequency with which he can cough 

up this stuff makes him only one of three 

people in the world who have been diagnosed 

with hyperthymesia, or “superior memory.” 

He isn’t always right. But, neither is 

Google. 

Williams is scheduled to return to 

California in August for more research. To 

follow his journey and witness his unique skill 

first-hand (“Brad Versus the Internet is 

particularly impressive), visit 

www.unforgettabledoc.com. 

Michael, ’04, and Sarah (Jaworek), ’05, 

Cummings, Waterloo, a daughter, Kaia 

Sophia, April 22, 2008. She joins a sister, 

Karis. Michael is employed by Zenith Tech. 

Inc.; Sarah, the Lake Mills School District. 

Kelly (Corcoran), ’06, and Charles 

Raymond, ’07, Fitchburg, a son, Ian Sayre, 

Nov. 9, 2007. Charles works at Covance Inc. 

in Madison. Kelly is a busy a stay-at-home 

mom. 



booknook 

A true story, 

a love story 

Professor emeritus Ken Becker pens 

book about wife’s battle to live 


Aretired health education 

professor gets liver cancer. To 

live, she needs a new liver. A 

former student hears about it and 

donates part of her liver to her former 

professor. With the new organ the 

professor — and those close to her — 

experience the many ups and downs of 

living with a transplanted organ and 

caring for someone struggling to live. 

It’s a story that’s been real for UW-L 

professor emeritus Ken Becker, who 

taught in the health education 

department for more than 27 years. He’s 

sharing the story about his wife, Peg 

Dosch, ’64 & ’75, and their former 

student, Gretchen Beckstrom, in a 183page 

book, Transplanted: A Love Story. 

Dosch, who taught in the health 

education department from 1975 until 

retiring in 1998, was diagnosed with 

cancer in 2001. ree years later, she was 

given two months to live unless she 

received a transplant. at’s when 

Beckstrom, a ’79 and ’94 UW-L 

graduate, stepped in. 

Dosch was one of Beckstrom’s 

health professors in the late ’70s. ey 

became friends. Without Dosch 

knowing, the Eau Claire teacher started 

the process to see if she could be a 

candidate for the liver donation. Aer 

four months of tests, Beckstrom was 


accepted. “It was overwhelming for her 

to come forward,” notes Becker. 

e successful transplant took place 

Dec. 22, 2004, at Mayo Clinic in 

Rochester, Minn., giving Dosch another 

chance at life. ree years later, Dosch’s 

cancer returned. She died March 18, 

2008, in Green Valley, Ariz., where she 

and Becker lived. 

roughout the transplant, Becker 

updated friends and family on the Web 

site CaringBridge. “It’s really wonderful 

because you can update your site at any 

time,” Becker explains. “And because it’s 

on a Web site, you don’t have to respond 

to 50 different people, you only have to 

write once.” Friends, family and others 

can leave messages on the site too. 

Becker wrote on the site almost daily. 

Many complimented him on his writing, 

so he decided to put the story in a book. 

e book was published in August 2007. 

Becker says most buying the book 

aer its release were friends and relatives. 

Since, word about it has spread and its 

audience is growing. “I’m geing very 

positive feedback about the book,” he 

says. 

Find out more about the book and 

how to order it at Transplanted- 

ALoveStory.com. 

“A liver transplant was the furthest 

thing from our minds when this all 

began. At every step of the way, we 

optimistically expected a cure. Surely 

some treatment would be available. 

Not a single one was, and three-anda-half 

years later we found ourselves 

in the Transplant Center at Mayo 

Clinic. 

This is the story of that journey. It is a 

story that I recorded daily on the 

Web site CaringBridge. It is our 

story. It is a love story. It is a true 

story. It only feels like a dream.” 

— excerpt from Transplanted: A Love Story 

by UW-L Professor Emeritus 

Ken Becker

Faculty/staff 

obituaries 

Merrill H. Barnebey | Merrill H. Barnebey, died Dec. 28, 2007 in Ashland, Ore. He taught in 

the mathematics department from 1965 until retiring in 1983. He was known for distributing free 

Christmas trees from his Holmen farm to friends and co-workers. He is survived by two sons. 

Kurt Billmeyer | Kurt Conrad Billmeyer, 52, died at his home in Pocatello, Idaho, April 18, 

2008. He was an assistant professor in communication studies since 2004 before resigning in 

2007 to battle prostate cancer. Upon progression of his illness, he and his wife, Cynthia, and 

daughter, Allison Marie, returned to Pocatello. 

Clifton ‘Cliff’ DeVoll, ’46 | Clifton ‘Cliff’ H. DeVoll, 87, died March 17, 2008 in La Crosse. 

DeVoll earned a bachelor’s in biology, with a minor in physical education, from UW-L in 1946 

before earning master’s and doctorate degrees from Indiana University. In 1952, her returned to 

La Crosse to teach anatomy and physical education and coach basketball and tennis. In 1967, 

DeVoll became associate dean of the College of Physical Education, Health and Recreation; he 

later returned to teaching and directed the adult physical fitness program. DeVoll is survived by 

his wife, Diana, and two children. Memorials may be given to the Cliff and Diana DeVoll 

Scholarship for Teaching in Physical Education or the La Crosse Exercise and Health Program 

through the UW-L Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, WI 54601. 

Margaret “Peg” Fuller Dosch, ’64 & ’75 | Peg Dosch died March 18, 2008 in Green 

Valley, Ariz. Dosch received two degrees from UW-L — a bachelor’s in physical education (1964) 

and a master’s in health education (1975). She taught in the health education and health 

promotion department from 1975 until retiring in 1998. She is survived by her husband Kenneth 

Becker, who taught on campus from 1971-1998. (See article on previous page.) 

Margaret L. Hocker | Margaret L. Hocker, 94, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, in La Crosse. She 

was a campus librarian from 1950 until retiring in 1978, serving as chair of library science from 

1967-1976. She is survived by nieces and nephews. 

John ‘Jack’ Mitchem | John ‘Jack’ Mitchem, 85, died Sept. 1, 2007 in Humble Texas. Mitchem 

was dean of the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation from 1981-88. He is 

survived by his wife, Anna Maria, and two children. 

Herman L. Nelson | Herman L. Nelson, 92, died in Rochester, March 27, 2007. Nelson taught 

in the geography earth science department from 1968-1979. He is survived by his wife, 

Margaret. 

Howard Rose | Howard Coburn Rose died Jan. 25, 2008, in Rochester, Minn. Rose served as 

dean of the College of Education and Graduate Studies from 1974 until retiring in 1987. He is 

survived by his wife, Clarice, a daughter and two sons. 

Norman Schein | Norman John Schein, 83, Galesville, died May 2, 2008. He taught in the 

School of Education from 1962 until retiring in 1987. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Schein; 

and eight children. 

E. Keith Swanson | E. Keith Swanson, 82, of La Crosse died Nov. 28, 2007. Swanson was a 

professor of mathematics from 1957 until retiring in 1990. He had been a farmer in southern 

Minnesota since retiring. In addition to his wife, Joyce, he is survived by three children. Memorials 

may be sent to the UW-L Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, WI 54601. 

Ronald Weinkauf | Ronald A. Weinkauf, 71, died Oct. 23, 2007, at Mulder Health Care Center 

in West Salem. He taught in the UW-L geography/earth science department from 1979-99. 

Weinkauf is survived by his wife, Gayle, and two children. 

For complete obituaries of most faculty members, visit www.lacrossetribune.com and click on 

“Obituaries” under “News.” 

In memory 


1931 — Loretta (Panke) Walling, Pinehurst, N.C. 

1932 — Esther (Flugstad) Bakke, Westby. 

1932 — Doris (Wolf) Ravnum, Lyndon Station. 

1934 — Philip Dyer, La Crosse. 

1934 — Ruth (Vanakkeren) Holtan, Saint Paul, Minn. 

1935 — Esther (Christensen) Poehling, Clearwater Fla. 

1935 — Florence Woods Howarth, Beloit. 

1936 — Elizabeth J. McGinness, Sheboygan. 

1936 — Geraldine Marie (Grove) Pralle, Ashland. 

1939 — Gwen Cobleigh, Wisconsin Rapids. 

1940 — Virginia “Ginny” L. (Holmlund) Erickson, La Crosse. 

1942 — Donald “Don” T. Gardner, Platteville. 

1942 — Margery (Hughes) Rittmann, Warwick, RI. 

1945 — Gladys (Hougstad) Iverson, Tucson, Ariz. 

1947 — Doris (Beedy) Golz, Bremerton, Wash. 

1949 — Ludwig F. Kroner, La Crosse. 

1949 — Raymond “Ray” Sauer, La Crosse. 

1949 — Alice M. Shoman, Manhattan Beach, Calif. 

1950 — Ray D. Griepentrog, Milwaukee. 

1951 — Clarice (Grindle) Pfaff, Mindoro. 

1955 — James Robert Burns, La Crosse. 

1957 — Robert L. Erickson, Westby. 

1957 — Diane (Wikum) Weinstock, Racine. 

1963 — Vivian (Scherz) Barney, Rochester. 

1963 — Brig Konecke, Waupaca. 

1963 — Joy (Varo) Sullivan, Morton, Ill. 

1964 — Donald R. Atkinson, Santa Barbara, Calif. 

1964 — Barbara (Rabuck) Kraiss, Madison. 

1965 — Dorothy Lind Erickson, Coon Valley. 

1967 & ’68 — Dorothy Althaus, Onalaska. 

1967 — Audrey (Knox) Cline, Richmond, Ind. 

1968 — Thomas W. Adams, La Crosse. 

1969 — Verna M. Chambers, Tomah. 

1970 — Michael S. Poja, Milwaukee. 

1970 — Rhoda Sarah White, Madison. 

1971 — Lillian (Cosgrove) Daines, La Farge. 

1972 — Norma (Mueller) Appold, White Marsh, Md. 

1972 — Margaret Ann (Johnson) Grelle, La Crosse. 

1972 — Bruce Novey, Prairie du Chien. 

1973 — Steven “Jud” N. Justinger, Tomah. 

1975 — Ronald W. Neuman, Mequon. 

1981 — Kerstin Anke-Marino, Raleigh, N.C. 

1981 — Rodney Cooper, Leawood, Kan. 

1982 — Mark Phillip Dawson, Prior Lake, Minn. 

1982 — David K. Hotaling, Palm Coast, Fla. 

1984 — Judith K. (Bangart) Slagle, Greenville. 

1989 — Stefanie Ann (Williams) Levesque, Cheshire, Maine. 

1991 — Daniel Babcock, Appleton. 

2005 — Tim Forsyth, Racine. 

2006 — Tammy St. Peter, Fredonia. 


c o u l e e c o d a 


Alumni 

‘matriarch’ 

honored 

Eleanor Kennedy recognized for 

association’s beginning 


In 1964, campus President Rexford Mitchell handed Eleanor Kennedy a box 

of 3” x 5” cards with 5,000 names. His charge to her to start an alumni 

association was simple: “Go for it!” Kennedy did. 

Lile did the non-traditional student and mother of four who had just 

graduated from Wisconsin State College La Crosse know the impact she would 

leave. From that humble beginning with a “beat- up typewriter” (Kennedy’s 

description) and a box of index cards, the Alumni Association has grown to a 

computer database with 64,721 names. 

In April family, friends, colleagues and fellow alums returned to campus to 

honor the woman who humbly referred to herself as a “friend-raiser.” It’s clear — 

that is what she was. 

“When I count my blessings, I count Eleanor,” said Darryle Clo, ’66 & ’71, 

former Alumni Association Board president and organizer of the event. Shortly 

aer joining the board Clo and Kennedy became friends. 

Clo says three words describe Kennedy. e rst: lady. “At all times she is a 

lady,” noted Clo. e second: class. “Every alumni event and everything she

touched had class,” she said. And the third: grace. “Eleanor Kennedy is 

pure grace,” explained Clo. 

“ank you for all that you did for UW-L,” Clo told Kennedy. “And, 

thank you for being my friend.” 

Others who worked with Kennedy on alumni projects agreed. 

Among them: 

• Ernie Gershon, ’37, recalled approaching Kennedy about involving 

Beta Sigma Chi, which had held Homecoming breakfasts since the 

’30s, in the new Alumni Association. “She said, ‘Well, it’s simple; just 

call it the Beta Sigma Chi Alumni Club,’” Gershon recalled. 

• Karen (Currie) Hoel, ’66, was one of the rst students to work for 

Kennedy in the small, Graff Main Hall Office. Aer Hoel graduated, 

she joined the Peace Corps and traveled to Nigeria. Aer four months 

of living in the bush, she was becoming homesick until the mail 

arrived with an alumni newsleer. “How you found me, I don’t 

know,” Hoel said. “But, the homesickness went away.” 

• Howard Mills, ’68, recalled going on one of the Alumni Association’s 

rst tours, a trip to Hawaii. e group of nine had so much fun that 

they stayed in touch with one another since. “at group still gets 

together today,” he said, aributing the friendships to Kennedy. 

Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86, current executive director of the Alumni 

Association, said while Kennedy didn’t have the advantage of modern 

technology — e-mail, voice mail, the Web and online directory — there is 

one constant in their work: alumni. 

“You and I have met alums young and old, in our own backyard and 

continents away. We have met famous and not so famous alums,” 

explained Spencer. “e one thing that we all have in common is this place, 

this campus. As alumni and friends of UW-L we share an important bond. 

Other universities may have something similar, but being part of the 

‘La Crosse Experience’ is truly something special.” 

Kennedy, who turns 92 in June, said she was given “the ultimate in 

retirement parties” when she retired 20 years ago. “But this is certainly the 

frosting on the cake,” she noted. 

Kennedy, who also earned a master’s from UW-L in 1976, thanked 

those aending for helping her achieve her goals. “I have this opportunity 

to thank UW-L,” she said. “It gave me a challenge and a purpose. 

I’m privileged to live to continue to see the progress and growth here 

at UW-L.” 

Deep 

roots, a 

branch 

c o u l e e c o d a 

Alumni Association President Jennifer 

(Ehlenfeldt) Shilling, ’92, called April 8, 2008 

“unofficially Eleanor Kennedy Day” on campus. 

“You by no doubt are the matriarch of the 

Alumni Association,” said Shilling. “You’ve got 

deep roots and you’ve branched out to touch 

many.” The association will honor Kennedy by 

planting a tree near the Cleary Alumni & 

Friends Center.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 

1725 State St. 

La Crosse, WI 54601 USA 

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

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

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

Production of the Alumnus is supported by grants from the UW-La Crosse Alumni Association and the UW-La Crosse Foundation. 

For the 

birds 

The hunt for one of the La Crosse 

herons ends on campus. The large, 

fiberglass bird on the corner 16th and 

State streets is one of 35 in the city’s 

“Herons of La Crosse.” Students Erin 

Woida, Nichol Schoen, Patty Bindley, 

Beth Crook, Carly Dilworth and Megan 

Rhodes worked on the “Found Object 

Heron.” They got their inspiration for 

the six-foot tall heron from Spanish 

architect Antoni Gaudi, known for his 

trencadis structures throughout Spain. 

The UW-L Foundation funded the 

university’s sponsorship in the heron 

project, which like Chicago’s “Cows on 

Parade” aims to promote art and 

tourism through late October. 

Non-profit Org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

La Crosse, WI 

Permit No. 545

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