Summer 2006 - Digitized Resources Murphy Library University of ...

‘Take charge’ 

Retiring Dean Mike Nelson challenges 

action among higher ed supporters 

T 

o many people in Wisconsin, higher education 

is confusing, and is out of touch with reality. 

Michael Cohen and James March, in their book 

on the College Presidency, described universities as 

organized anarchies: “We do not know what the 

American University is doing. Its goals are either 

vague or in dispute. Its technology is familiar, but not 

understood. Its major participants wander in and out. 

These factors do not make a university a bad 

organization or a disorganized one, but they do make it 

a problem to describe, understand and lead.” 

I certainly argue this belief over generalizes and 

trivializes higher education. However, numerous 

governmental leaders, individuals and organizations 

seem not to understand higher education in Wisconsin, 

and believe public universities have run amuck, 

especially in these times of economic belt tightening. 

Therefore, UW-L must respond in the very near future 

in a positive and proactive manner. To paraphrase the 

philosopher Socrates, I cannot advise that UW-L 

remain where it is. The opportunities are here and we 

must mobilize to take charge of the changes, and to 

manage our own accountability. 

“Broad changes sweeping through Wisconsin have 

created unprecedented opportunities for UW-L; 

the ‘rubber has hit the road.’ Faculty, staff, 

students and friends must step in, grab the bull 

by the horns, and meet these challenges head on.” 

— Michael E. Nelson 

UW-L has entered into an era of needed revision 

that is unprecedented in the history of the university as 

we simply cannot afford to cling to policies and 

methods because “that’s the way they’ve always been 

done.” The University must adapt to the challenges put 

forth by the governor and legislature, and the general 

public, or we will become passive bystanders to 

governmental and societal changes. We must 

reorganize ourselves into the university of the future. 

We must demonstrate a renewed commitment to 

students, progress, quality, accountability, innovation, 

and continual transformation. 

As for faculty and staff, we must become more 

politically active. This action can take a variety of 

forms from letter writing and personal contacts to 

locating and backing political candidates supportive of 

higher education. I have long suggested a linking of 

arms as we march around the Wisconsin State House. 

Michael E. Nelson 

The University also must present a better case for 

higher education to the general public. A recent public 

opinion poll indicates that many Wisconsin citizens 

believe the university is over funded, over staffed and 

has too many administrators. This perception problem 

can only be addressed if all staff members, and friends 

of the university, better demonstrate the value of our 

work, and clearly communicate our mission and vision. 

As for our Wisconsin leaders, I ask that you have a 

positive vision for the future of higher education, and I 

challenge you to state, in a public forum, the following: 

The University of Wisconsin System is a tremendous 

asset to the state. The governor and the legislature are 

committed to working with the UW System to help 

overcome the budget difficulties and to make the 

System even stronger. 

Broad changes sweeping through Wisconsin have 

created unprecedented opportunities for UW-L; the 

“rubber has hit the road.” Faculty, staff, students and 

friends must step in, grab the bull by the horns, and 

meet these challenges head on. If we all work together, 

all work in a smart fashion, then we are going to win, 

and the UW-L community will be much richer for the 

experience. 

Michael E. Nelson 

Nelson is leaving UW-L in June after 36 years in higher 

education, including the last eight as dean of the College of 

Science and Health. He offers this advice to the incoming 

dean and the faculty.

Band debuts uniforms at Lambeau 

The Screaming Eagles unveiled new uniforms during a pre-game 

performance Dec. 11, 2005, for the Packers/Lions game at Lambeau 

Field. The Eagles were supposed to play at a Monday night game in 

November, but the marketing office double booked the halftime 

performance. Packer officials offered the Sunday gig, plus a halftime 

performance this fall. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” said Band 

Director Tammy Fisher about the band’s performance with new 

uniforms in front of 70,000. 

10 Healthy programs 

In 1994 when the UW Board of Regents met on campus, System President 

Katharine Lyall declared La Crosse “the western hub of allied health.” Just over a 

decade later, that prophetic plan has come to fruition. 

12 A lasting pride in UW-L 

When prospective student Ernie Hanson visited campus in 1934, he met 

La Crosse State Teachers College President George Snodgrass. With only $10 to 

his name, Hanson asked for Snodgrass’ assistance. The president helped Hanson 

enroll and find a way to financially plan for two years of college before he 

transferred to Madison to become an attorney. Hanson hasn’t forgotten 

Snodgrass and other campus faculty who helped him realize his dreams. 

16 Three alumni honored 

Alums from the ’90s joined one from ’69 as distinguished alumni for 2006. Jay 

Hertel, ’93, a respected athletic trainer, and Michelle Schry, ’92, general manager 

of the People’s Food Co-op in La Crosse, received the Rada Distinguished 

Alumnus Award. Duncan Cameron, ’69, past chair and CEO of Vanguard 

Distributing in Bettendorf, Iowa, received the Maurice O. Graff Distinguished 

Alumnus Award. 

26 Grad makes a name in the long run 

Don Fritsch, ’80 & ’93, had a challenge when he took over a highly successful 

cross country program on campus. He’s answered the call — and the Eagles are 

still leading the pack. Fritsch has guided the Eagles to two National Collegiate 

Athletic Association Division III titles, including one last November. 

Departments 

2 What’s happening 

on campus 

16 Especially for 

alumni 

24 Foundation update 

26 Athletics 

22 La Crosse ties 

41 Coulee Coda 

UW-La Crosse Alumnus/Summer 2006 

1 

Photo by Jim Jorstad, Instructional Technology

What’s happening on campus 

Chancellor Hastad leaving; Hitch is interim 

Chancellor Doug Hastad worked 

at UW-L through May and will 

begin a new position in July as 

president of Carroll College in 

Waukesha. UW System President 

Kevin Reilly has named Provost 

Elizabeth Hitch as interim 

chancellor. 

“Chancellor Hastad has 

positioned UW-La Crosse as a 

vibrant place to live and learn,” 

says Reilly. “Provost Hitch has the 

leadership, experience and 

devotion to UW-La Crosse 

necessary to provide excellent 

interim leadership for the 

campus.” 

Alumnus 

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 

Summer 2006, Vol. 32, No. 2 

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 Advancement 

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

(608)785-8572, quarberg.brad@uwlax.edu 

Editor 

Brad Quarberg, ’85 

Associate Director of University Relations 

University Advancement Office 

Art Director 

Sue (Sullivan) Lee, ’82 & ’87 

Publications Editor/Agency Print Manager 

University Advancement Office 

Staff Writers 

Amy Hufford, ’06 

Dave Johnson, ’92 



Bob Seaquist, ’71 & ’78 

Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86 

Photography 


Bob Seaquist, ’71 & ’78 

Additional Editorial Assistance 

Florence Aliesch 

Director of Publications 

Kenna Christians 

Assistant Chancellor 

Cary Heyer, APR 

Director of University Relations 

Ginger Jentz 

Program Assistant University Advancement 

Jeff Kerkman, ’86 

Alumni Representative 

Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86 

Executive Director of UW-L Alumni Association 

www.uwlax.edu 

View previous issues at 

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

2 UW-La Crosse Alumnus/Summer 2006 

Doug Hastad Elizabeth Hitch 

Hastad arrived on campus in 

1989 as dean of the College of 

Health, Physical Education and 

Recreation. He served as dean 

until being named interim provost 

in 1998. He was appointed provost 

in June 1999. He became interim 

We all have them — people who make 

a difference in our lives. 

Most of us are fortunate enough to 

be blessed with good family members. 

When we headed to school, we not 

only made friends, but also had an 

opportunity to learn from teachers — 

some who became extra special to us. 

That held true throughout our Brad Quarberg, ’85 

educational experience into college when 

we were lucky enough to be mentored by true professionals 

who thoroughly love what they’re doing and 

helping others find their calling. 

In March, I had an opportunity to talk with Ernie 

Hanson, an alum from the ’30s, about his experience on 

campus. His story of caring educators and support staff 

on campus is one I’ve experienced myself as a student at 

UW-L, and one that I continue hearing as a staff member. 

Whether you attended UW-La Crosse in its early days 

or just a few years ago, that mentorship with faculty and 

staff has been the core of what makes this campus so 

special. 

Share that story with those around you — especially 

those considering attending college. It’s a special story 

you shouldn’t keep to yourself. 


Alumnus editor 

chancellor a year later, following 

the resignation of Chancellor 

Judith Kuipers. He was appointed 

to the position full time in March 

2001. 

Hitch came to UW-L in July 

2002 as provost and vice 

chancellor for academic affairs 

after seven years as dean of 

education and professional studies 

at Eastern Illinois University. Prior 

to that, she was director of teacher 

education at Central Michigan 

University. 

Professor Emeritus Ron Rada 

has been named interim provost. 

Who were your favorites?

UW-L Professor Emeritus Rob Wessler, center, with some of his Chinese teaching colleagues while teaching English at Guangxi 

Normal University in 2005. Wessler, who retired in 2000, continues to teach and travel. 

P 

rofessor Emeritus Rob 

Wessler didn’t put away 

his baton after retiring 

from teaching in the 

university’s music department for 

28 years. Since retiring in 2000, 

Wessler has directed music at an 

Illinois church, coordinated 

student internships for UW 

students studying in Scotland, 

directed a boy choir in Haiti, and 

taught English at a university in 

China. 

“Retirement hasn’t been the 

end of work for me,” notes 

Wessler, who calls his jobs since 

retirement simply “the continuation 

of a wonderful life as a 

teacher.” 

Wessler strongly advocates 

overseas studies and teaching, 

something he has embraced 

throughout his career. “One is 

never the same after spending a 

semester or two outside the 

country,” he notes. “These are 

life-changing experiences. 

Intellectual and social growth are 

enormous benefits that last a 

lifetime. I see it in my students 

and friends; and, I see it in 

myself.” 

His latest overseas trip 

included two semesters in Guilin, 

China, where he taught English at 

Guangxi Normal University in 

2005. The experience helped 

Wessler realize what living in a 

Communist country is like after it 

has just opened its doors to the 

West. “I could not have felt more 

welcome and loved than I did 

during my living in China,” he 

notes. 

In nearly all his teaching 

experiences, he has met up with 

UW-L administrators, students 

and alumni. Among those in 

China visiting were Sandra 

Blaney Sullivan Alderman, ’64 & 

’71, who created a scholarship in 

Wessler’s name years earlier. 

Wessler says it’s not all work 

and no play when teaching 

abroad. In China, he hiked the 

Great Wall and visited Hong 

Kong and other sites. He also 

took a two-week side trip to 

Vietnam, revisiting an area from 

the year he spent in the Air Force 

in Saigon. 


3

Nicki Robinson, ’05, completed her sports administration studies with an internship at the Olympic Training 

Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The experience quickly turned into her first full-time job. 

An Olympic opportunity 

Sports administration grad working at 

Olympic Training Center in Colorado 

by Amy Hufford, ’06 

Nicki Robinson knew she 

needed an internship to 

finish a master’s degree 

in sport administration. But she 

didn’t know what area of sport 

to try. 

And she didn’t expect an 

internship at the Olympic 

Training Center in Colorado 

Springs, Colo., would quickly 

turn into her first full-time job. 

While interning, Robinson 

began applying for jobs around 

the facility. “I still had maybe a 

month or two months left to 

intern, and I thought, ‘I don’t 

think I’m ready to go back to 

Wisconsin, yet,’ “ she says. 

After graduating in December 

2005, Robinson was hired as a 

center operations specialist. 

During her internship, she was 

involved in the nitty gritty of 

running the facility, including 

organizing housing, transportation, 

meals and venue use 

4 


While interning at the Olympic Training 

Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nicki 

Robinson, left, worked with Olympic 

athletes such as eventual five-time 

medalist Apolo Anton Ohno. 

for short-term athletic programs. 

Now, as dorm supervisor for the 

Olympic women’s wrestling 

team, “I have a pretty unique 

setup here,” she says. “The job 

I’m currently in includes housing 

and meals. It’s similar to maybe a 

college setup. I’m sort of like an 

RA (resident assistant).” 

Robinson has made friends in 

Colorado, but misses those in the 

Midwest. She hopes to get a 

doctorate and teach at the 

university level. “In my head I’ve 

thought I’d end up back in the 

Midwest for that part,” she 

explains. 

But she loves her job. “Being 

given the opportunity to work 

with Olympic sport really is 

something that I never thought 

was even possible,” she says. 

Eventually, she hopes to reach 

an upper level of management in 

the facility and accompany 

athletes to the games. “Now I’ve 

just gotten my foot in the door 

and hopefully I’ll be able to 

continue to move up,” she says. 

She couldn’t have done it 

without UW-L. “The professors in 

the grad program at UW-L were 

amazing,” she says. “They cared 

about the learning of the students, 

were willing to help in any way, 

and encouraged whatever 

direction you were choosing.” 

“I have a good thing here right 

now,” she says. “I think I’ll ride it 

out and see how long it lasts.”

On-campus living = high GPA 

There’s a good reason mom wanted you to live 

on campus. A Residence Life Office study 

found that students living in residence halls 

have much higher grades then those in houses and 

apartments around campus. On-campus students 

had high GPAs in all class categories, but the 

sophomore statistics appear to be the least skewed 

because nearly an equal number of the class lives on 

campus as those off. On-campus sophomores 

compiled a 3.28225 GPA while off-campus 

sophomores scored a 2.83845 GPA. Why? All halls 

What’s sport administration? 

As the sports industry grows in 

both the public and private 

sectors, so does the need for 

administrators with specialized 

sports training. 

A master’s in sport administration 

is often sought in the 

industry. “This degree is particularly 

attractive for young professionals 

who are driven by 

aspirations of career success as 

well as personal interests in 

athletics,” says Associate 

Professor David Waters, program 

director. UW-L has one of only 27 

master’s degree programs in the 

country approved by the Sport 

Management Review Council. 

The program requires 36 

credits — six of internship, which 

can only be completed after the 

first 30. “This allows for the 

practical application of the 

knowledge gained throughout the 

program’s coursework,” notes 

Waters. Thesis and non-thesis 

options are available. 

UW-L also offers a bachelor’s 

in sport management. Thirty 

students are granted admission 

have study rooms, some schedule educational 

programming and others maintain a “class 

connection,” which lists courses each resident is 

taking so those with the same courses can form 

study groups. Trang Dang (above), a sophomore 

from Hanoi, Vietnam, living in Drake Hall, credits 

hall programming, a sense of community, a “class 

connection” listing and attention paid to 

residents.The hall awards a party to the hall’s cube 

that does the best in grades. 

into the program each year. Along 

with general education, they take 

40 credits of coursework ranging 

from administrative areas of 

expertise to physiology. 

Popular careers for graduates 

are management positions in 

professional sports, intercollegiate 

athletics, facility management, 

campus recreation, sport 

marketing, health and fitness 

management, and public 

relations. 

Get more information at: 

www.uwlax.edu/sah/ess/sa/. 


5

Magazine lists UW-L 

among ‘100 Best Values’ 

Top-flight academics and 

being affordable has placed 

UW-L on Kiplinger’s 100 Best 

Values in Public Colleges. 

UW-L ranked 36 on costs for 

in-state students. While the 

university doesn’t chase 

ratings, Interim Chancellor 

Elizabeth Hitch accepts the 

ranking as a tribute to the 

tremendous job done by 

faculty and students. “We 

have spectacular people working their tails off,” she 

notes. The only other UWs on the list were Madison 

(15th) and Eau Claire (69th.) 

Student loan default rate is low 

The average UW-L graduate faces a debt of about 

$18,378 after a six month “grace” period following 

graduation. And, graduates take their student loans 

very seriously. The loan default rate for UW-L 

graduates is 0.4 percent, according to U.S. 

“I 

always tell students to speak from the 

heart,” says Assistant Professor Kara 

Lindaman, political science and public 

administration. She has first-hand appreciation of 

that advice. The Korea native wrote a scholarship 

essay on the constitutionality of why she could not 


New dean of student 

development named 

Paula M. Knudson has been named the dean of 

student development and academic services. 

Knudson, currently director of student life at 

University of Minnesota-Duluth, begins July 1. 

The 17-year veteran of higher education looks 

forward to the opportunities her new role 

presents. “UW-L’s faculty, staff and students work 

hard to foster a diverse and accepting campus 

that promotes student learning and is open to 

new ideas and collaborative opportunities,” notes 

Knudson. “My first steps will be to gain a 

broader understanding of the programs and 

services offered by UW-L and become familiar 

with the community. My hope is that my collaborative 

nature will help build on existing 

strengths.” She succeeds Petra Roter. 

Department of Education figures. “Notice the 

decimal before the four,” says Diane Schumacher, ’74 

& ’83, executive director of the university’s 

Enrollment Services. The national average default 

rate is 4.5 percent. 

Lindaman named outstanding educator 

be president. That bold essay won her a provost’s 

scholarship that waived four years of tuition at the 

University of Northern Iowa. 

Lindaman’s candor, engaging and personal 

teaching style, and being a role model for students 

of color have resulted in her being named 

Outstanding 

Woman of Color in 

Education for 

UW-L by the UW 

System Women’s 

Studies 

Consortium and 

Office of Diversity 

and Development. 

The annual award 

recognizes the 

recipient's contributions 

to their 

campus, their 

community and 

women of color.

Chancellor Doug Hastad, left, joined by La Crosse Mayor Mark Johnsrud, ’86 & ’87, Veterans Representative Louis Ferris ,’68, 

and UW System Regent Brent Smith, announced the agreement on the naming of Memorial Field. 

Stadium naming agreement announced 

The official name is Memorial Field. During a 

news conference in November, Chancellor 

Doug Hastad said he has officially named 

the football field and surrounding 13 acres of 

practice area as Memorial Field. 

“When people come to campus, they will know 

the importance of the sacrifice veterans have made,” 

he said. “I do this with a great deal of pride.” The 

UW Board of Regents gave its approval to the 

naming in December. 

Hastad called the La Crosse City Council’s 

approval of the proposal that ended controversy 

surrounding the naming of the stadium an 

opportunity for the university, city and area veterans 

Students returning to 

campus in high numbers 

Students are staying with UW-L at high rates. 

Ninety percent of 2004 freshmen returned in fall 

2005 as sophomores. And, the six-year 

graduation rate is 64.7 percent. 

“That is phenomenal, going up every year 

for the cohort beginning in 1999,” notes 

Enrollment Services Executive Director Diane 

Schumacher, ’74 & ’83. She attributes high 

retention to “a lot of little things everyone on 

campus is doing,” ranging from more than 150 

student activities to a master’s program in 

college student development administration 

that helps student service providers see 

themselves as educators. 

to work together. Veterans Representative Louis 

Ferris, ’68, said the compromise is supported by all 

area veteran groups. He said it allows the groups 

and the university to move forward. “Now, we will 

work together as a team,” Ferris said, adding that 

veterans will be involved with planning of future 

stadium renovation or replacement. 

La Crosse Mayor Mark Johnsrud, ’86 & ’87, and 

Regent Brent Smith joined Hastad and Ferris to 

confirm the agreement. The pact also named the 

stadium Roger Harring Stadium, in honor of the 

long-time football coach who was recently inducted 

into the College Football Hall of Fame. 

Missouri educator to 

School of Education 

A distinguished educator from St. 

Louis will head the School of 

Education. Margaret “Peg” Finders, 

a faculty member in the education 

department at Washington 

University in St. Louis, takes over 

for interim director Dick Swantz 

July 1. Finders has had an 

outstanding career in the field of 

Margaret Finders 

education and in teacher 

preparation, says John Mason, Dean of the College of 

Liberal Studies. “We feel fortunate to have Peg join 

our School of Education,” says Mason. Finders says 

teacher education programs at UW-L offer 

outstanding preparation for beginning teachers. “It is 

exciting to become a part of these programs, 

programs clearly connected to the local schools and 

greater La Crosse community,” she says. 

UW-La Crosse Alumnus/Summer 2006 7

La Crosse area youth are 

learning to play stringed 

instruments while UW-L music 

students learn teaching skills. And 

the orchestral program 15 to 20 

years down the road will benefit. 

The university’s String 

Academy, which teaches the 

Suzuki approach, is a unique 

campus program that’s being 

heard favorably in the La Crosse 

area. 

“I love to watch the 

progression from beginner to real 

musician,” says UW-L Symphony 

Orchestra conductor Alden “Buz” 

Hoefer. “Quite a few of the 

students in the UW-L orchestra 

started this way and to see them 

play now as young adults gives 

you an appreciation of the 

importance of this early training.” 

Hoefer says college students 

are benefitting in other ways, too. 

“It also is great training for our 

university music students to get 

this opportunity to teach in this 

system,” explains Hoefer. “It’s 

probably the most popular string 

training pedagogy in the country 

today.” 

The Suzuki Method is based 

on an approach to learning called 

the “Mother-tongue” method. 

Schininchi Suzuki noticed babies 

were able to learn complex 

language patterns as they grew, 

simply by being exposed to that 

language as a background sound 

through their daily lives and by 

having the production of sounds 

modeled to them one-on-one by 

their parents and through the 

child’s efforts at imitation. Suzuki 


noted that the method was 100 

percent effective. So, he 

formulated a method of teaching 

how to play a violin based on 

three principles: listening to music 

you will play, modeling skills in 

lessons and at home, and 

imitating and repeating. 

Alexandra Sanders, director of 

the UW-L String Academy since 

last fall, was raised as a Suzuki 

student, beginning when she was 

4. She attended Suzuki teacher 

training, served as the 2000 

Suzuki Association of Wisconsin 

president-elect, and has been 

teaching the method since 1996. 

UW-L students teaching in the 

program go through a training 

course offered by the music 

department. They teach private 

and group lessons, along with 

helping the youngsters perform 

special concerts. “All UW-L 

students involved in the String 

Academy are paid for their 

teaching hours, learn valuable 

skills which will hold them in 

good stead after graduation, and 

have a unique addition to a 

professional portfolio,” adds 

Sanders. 

For some students, the 

program was the deciding factor 

for them to attend UW-L. 

“We are laying the foundation 

for String Academy students to 

graduate from our program and 

take the next step by becoming 

UW-L music majors,” says 

Sanders. 

For more information, contact 

stringacademy@centurytel.net 

or call (608)784-7196. 

These outstanding seniors were 

honored by the Alumni 

Association May 12. 

The Murphy Awards for 

Academic Excellence recognize 

the university’s top two 

graduating scholars, as chosen by 

the Scholarship and Awards 

Committee. Recipients receive 

$2,000 and $1,000, respectively. 

Daron Williams, Plymouth, 

biology, biomedical science 

emphasis, and Spanish/chemistry. 

My favorite class in college was: 

Professor Hollenback’s “HIS101: 

Global Origins of the Modern 

World.” This 

course, more so 

than any other, 

reshaped the 

way that I see 

the world and 

instilled in me a 

sense of 

compassion for 

those people 

Daron Williams 

who have historically been 

mistreated. 

When I arrived on campus, I was: 

excited because I was about to 

meet many new people. 

When I’m 40, I want to be: 

applying an integrative approach 

to the practice of medicine, 

possibly in the field of (pediatric) 

oncology. 

If I had the chance, I’d take the 

following class over: Jazz 

Ensemble II. Since I have studied 

jazz history after my departure 

from the band two years ago, I 

would now have a new approach 

to improvisation. 

Marisa Comstock, Humbird, 

microbiology/chemistry. 

My favorite class in college was: I 

was immediately fascinated with 

the human immune system’s 

ability to defend itself against such 

a vast array of foreign particles and

disease-causing organisms. I was 

also intrigued by how much is still 

unknown about 

the immune 

system and was 

inspired to 

become 

involved in 

immunology 

research. 

When I arrived 

on campus, I 

was: nervous and 

Marisa Comstock 

excited, but quickly reassured that 

I had made an excellent decision to 

attend UW-L when I saw all of the 

friendly returning residents of my 

hall ready to help me move in and 

feel comfortable. 

When I’m 40, I want to be: doing 

something I enjoy with great 

people around me. 


following class over: Advanced 

Immunology, because I feel I 

would get even more knowledge 

out of it a second time. I may also 

retake Honors 100, because as a 

freshman I really didn’t take full 

advantage of the unique 

experience the class offered. 

The Jake and Janet Hoeschler 

Award for Excellence 

recognizes a College of Business 

Administration graduate for 

academic accomplishment and 

qualities of leadership 

demonstrated in campus and 

community activities. Recipients 

receive $1,500. 

Meagan Kempen, Bruce, 

marketing/professional writing. 


Buyer Behavior because it made 

marketing make sense. To this day, 

it is the one class in my college 

career that I refer to in everyday 

life. 


excited to make new friends and 

experience college life and also 

because 

La Crosse is 

about 50 times 

bigger than my 

home town. 

When I’m 40, I 

want to be: the 

CEO of a 

Fortune 500 

Meagan Kempen 

company, married 

and able to spend time with my 

family. 


following class over: “ESS100 

Golf” because I actually think I got 

worse, not better. 

The Strzelczyk Award in 

Science and Allied Health 

recognizes an outstanding senior 

in the universities College of 

Science and Allied Health for 

academic achievement and service 

to the campus and community. 

Recipients receive $1,000. 

Bernadette O’Reilly, Donnelly, 

Minn., biology/chemistry. 


mycology because I have always 

found mushrooms fascinating and 

learning all 

about them was 

very fulfilling. I 

also enjoyed 

going on class 

forays where 

we would go to 

Hixon Forrest to 

collect and 

identify 

Bernadette O’Reilly 

mushrooms. 


excited to be starting college, but a 

little overwhelmed with all the 

new people. 

When I’m 40, I want to be: a 

university professor teaching 

mycology. 


following class over: Analytical 

chemistry because I didn’t 

understand a lot of the class 

because I hadn’t taken enough 

statistics yet. I think now I would 

get more out of it. I’ve also seen 

how important some of the 

laboratory techniques are in my 

own research and would like to 

understand them better. 

The John E. Magerus Award 

for the Outstanding 

Graduating Senior from the 

College of Liberal Studies 

recognizes an outstanding 

graduate for academic 

accomplishments, leadership, and 

involvement in the campus and 

community. Recipients receive 

$1,000. 

Patricia Zanski, Lac du Flambeau, 

philosophy and English/women’s 

studies. 


Women & Agriculture and 

Language 

Studies because 

they both 

changed my 

perspective on 

life, were made 

up of a 

community of 

learners that I 

will never forget 

and introduced 

me to an array of important 

Patricia Zanski 

writers that I will continue to read 

throughout my life. 


red in the face, terrified, sweaty 

and nervous because it had been 

so long since I was in school. 

When I’m 40, I want to be: 

organizing people to create a high 

school of philosophy. 

If I had the chance, I'd take the 

following class over: Spanish, 

because I didn’t try hard enough. 


9

UW-L’s reputation as being the campus to do undergraduate research 

in science is one of the reasons for the increase in students studying 

chemistry and other science courses. 

Wby Bob Seaquist, ’71 & ’78 

hat would Milford Cowley think 

of the building bearing his name 

and the activity within it? Cowley, 

who taught chemistry at the university from 

1933-74, enjoyed the building’s fine laboratories 

and comfortable offices before his 

retirement. He commented on the spacious 

facilities even as the building was new in 

1965 and about half its present size. 

Now Cowley could prowl the hallways 

and find “his” building busy just about any 

time between dawn and dusk, and well into 

the night. 

“The good news is that we have a lot of 

majors; the bad news is that we have a lot of 

majors,” jokes Mark Sandheinrich, chair of 

the biology department. 

The popularity of the sciences at UW-L 

means biology handles a crush of students as 

they find their way through the university’s 

general education requirements or biology 

and health sciences major requirements. 

The College of Science and Health timeline 

University opens as the 

Second campus 

Board of Regents 

La Crosse Normal School. 

building — Wittich 

authorizes granting of 

Among program offerings: 

Hall — completed 

bachelor of arts and 

Undergraduate 

biology, chemistry, geography, to house physical 

bachelor of science 

majors in biology, 

mathematics and physics. 

education. 

degrees in the liberal arts. 

math established. 

1909 1920 1951 1958 

1913 1946 1956 1965 

Physical education 

teaching training 

program authorized. 


The right 

prescription 

Stellar science programs 

expand health initiatives 

Division of health, physical 

education and recreation 

established. 

Undergraduate majors in 

chemistry, geography, 

medical technology and 

physics established. 

Mitchell Hall 

and Cowley Hall 

construction 

completed.

For sure, there has been a shift from the 

biology department dealing with large 

numbers of its own majors to now also 

teaching students eagerly pursuing the health 

sciences. It is the prospective occupational 

therapy, physical therapy, radiation therapy, 

physician assistant and pre-med students 

exerting pressure on Cowley Hall facilities. 

“Our growth agenda concerns me because 

many programs in the sciences are full and 

overflowing,” says College of Science and 

Health Dean Mike Nelson. He quickly notes 

that it is a great problem to have: “UW-L is 

bucking a national trend in the basic sciences 

as our enrollment continues to spiral in an 

upward direction.” 

“The good news is that we have 

a lot of majors; the bad news is 

that we have a lot of majors.” 

—Biology Department Chair Mark Sandheinrich 

A stroll to room 112 Cowley Hall anatomy 

and physiology lab is evidence what science 

is doing at UW-L. “We’ve had a 100 percent 

increase in enrollment for BIO 310 since 

2000,” notes Sandheinrich as he opens the 

door to a lab full of students. “This lab runs 

from 7:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.,” he says. It is also 

open nights for study sessions. 

Chemists are also doing their best with the 

throngs of students working their way 

through chemistry’s basic and advanced 

offerings. “General chemistry II is running 

What’s Happening on Campus 

Science classes continue to become more popular. The bio-chem minor 

has grown from no participants to 80 minors in three years. 

Undergraduate majors 

Graduate program in 

Mitchell Hall addition 

completed. University 

Graduate 

in nuclear medical 

biology established. 

merger changes name 

program in 

technology, recreation 

Cowley Hall addition 

to University of 

health education 

established. 

completed. 

Wisconsin-La Crosse. 

established. 

1966 1969 1971 1974 

1968 1970 1972 1976 

First classes offered 

in computer science. 

Undergraduate major 

in health education 

established. 

Undergraduate 

majors in computer 

science, physical 

therapy established. 


in community health 

education established. 


11

from 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.,” says 

chemistry department Chair 

Aaron Monte. “We’re booked 

non-stop and at capacity.” 

Monte and Sandheinrich agree 

that very busy Cowley Hall 

laboratories are good news. “Part 

of UW-L’s success is its reputation 

as being the campus to do 

undergraduate studies in science 

and the health professions,” notes 

Monte. “I would much rather be 

in the position of having very full 

classes and crowded labs than 

not.” 

Accompanying the apparent 

explosion of students in the 

sciences is a new faculty. They are 

stepping into the positions held 

by respected teachers who were 

hired when Milford Cowley was 

still working. “In the past 10-year 

period of replacing those who 

have retired we have hired the 

best and the brightest scientists 

from the best programs in the 

nation,” observes Monte. “We 

have a relatively young staff 

committed to working with 

undergraduates and delivering 

cutting-edge knowledge.” 

Cowley Hall scientists — those 

new to campus and those who are 

familiar faces — have found the 

abundance of students to be 

uniting. “You think in terms of 

Graduate program in physical 

College of Science and Allied Health 

education-human performance 

created. UW System President 

established. School of Health, 

Council of Education for Katharine Lyall declares La Crosse 

Physical Education and Rec- 

Board of Regents 

Public Health accredits “the western hub for allied health.” 

reation renamed College of 

names microbiology 

the master’s of public Programs in nuclear medical 

Health, Physical Education and and physical education 

health in community technology, occupational therapy 

Recreation. 

Centers of Excellence. 

health education. and physician assistant planned. 

1981 1988 1992 1994 

Graduate programs in adult 

fitness/cardiac rehabilitation, 

recreation established. 



in microbiology 

established. 

Bucking a national trend 

Basic science popular at UW-L 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

Biology 

Major 780 735 697 688 763 821 

Minor 56 52 52 56 62 93 

Graduate 38 47 44 44 46 54 

Total 874 834 793 788 871 968 

Chemistry 

Major 95 101 130 155 174 206 

Minor 307 318 307 325 353 344 

Total 402 419 437 480 527 550 

Source: Fall statistics, College of Science and Health 

“We have a relatively young staff committed to 

working with undergraduates and delivering 

cutting-edge knowledge.” 

‘science’ and not just ‘biology,’” 

comments Sandheinrich. He says 

faculty think beyond their own 

departments. 

The global thinking has 

resulted in collaborations that 

include the new bio-chem minor 

that closely affiliates faculty from 

biology and chemistry. “There’s 

synergy,” says Sandheinrich. 

Master’s degree in public 

health in community 

health approved. 

—Chemistry Department Chair Aaron Monte 

1978 1984 1990 1993 

Growing from no participants 

to 80 minors in three years, the 

bio-chem minor is proving very 

popular. “It’s a happy marriage of 

chemistry and molecular 

biology,” notes Monte. 

“The huge demand for science 

at the university is something we 

all can be proud of,” concludes 

Monte. 

The La Crosse 

Medical Health 

Science Consortium formed. Members 

along with UW-L: Franciscan Health 

System, Gundersen Clinic, Lutheran 

Hospital, Skemp Clinic, Viterbo College 

and Western Technical College.

Kerrie Hoar, left, a lecturer in the biology department, leads an 

anatomy and physiology lab in Cowley Hall. Labs have 

become very busy due to an increase in enrollment in sciencerelated 

classes. 

The physical therapy 

The state-of-the-art 

program changes from 

$29 million Health 

a bachelor’s degree 

Master’s of 

Science Center 

program to a master’s 

occupational therapy 

opens its doors. 

degree program. 

program approved. 

1996 2000 2004 

1995 1997 2003 2005 

The university joins 

with Gundersen and 

Mayo clinics to 

establish a physician 

assistant baccalaureate 

degree program. 

Occupational therapy 

program established. 

Interested in what’s happening in 

the College of Science and Health? 

Be sure 

you’re signed 

up for the 

college’s new 

e-newsletter! 

The college is 

creating a 

periodic 

electronic 

newsletter to 

keep alumni 

updated 

about what’s 

happening on campus. Access the newsletter 

and make sure you receive a copy by signing up 

at www.uwlax.edu/sah/alumni. 

Master’s of physician 

assistant program 

approved. 

College is officially renamed the 

College of Science and Health; doctor 

of physical therapy program approved. 


A proud alum 

’30s-era alum recalls university’s early past 

by Brad Quarberg, ’85 

Ernie Hanson fondly recalls walking into 

La Crosse State Teachers College President 

George Snodgrass’ office in 1934. The young 

Viroqua man had spent the first 13 years of his life 

with his Norwegian pioneering parents on the plains 

of Montana. Eager to begin college, Hanson had only 

$10 in his pocket to put toward tuition. 

Hanson had already received his teaching 

certificate from Vernon County Normal School, but 

couldn’t find work when rural superintendents were 

looking for women teachers. The Normal School 

superintendent encouraged Hanson to go to college. 

When Hanson told him he had no money, the 

superintendent replied, “Well, work your way 

through college.“ 

“When he said that, it just opened the door that I 

could actually pursue a college education,” recalls 

Hanson. He had dreamed of becoming an attorney 

since his childhood days in Montana. 

So in President Snodgrass’ office, Hanson detailed 

his idea to attend school in La Crosse for two years, 

finishing his degree in Madison where he could 

study law. “I wanted to put my small amount of 

money down,” explains Hanson. “And he said ‘Why 

of course we can work this out.’” 

Snodgrass sent him down the hall to visit Dean of 

Women and School Physician Sarah Bangsberg. With 

no money and no ties to La Crosse, Hanson walked 

with Bangsberg as she helped him find a room to 

stay. She let him wash windows and do odd jobs 

around her house for extra cash, and helped him find 

other jobs. 

Seven decades later sitting in his La Crosse law 

office remembering that visit, Hanson vividly recalls 

Snodgrass’ kindness and willingness to help a poor 

He remembers them fondly 

E 

rnie Hanson praised the teachers 

he had while on campus from 

1934-36. “They were thoughtful 

people and they were just good 

teachers,” he recalls. Among those 

he had: 

O.O. White, English — “He 

was a very interesting and precise 

man.” 


Clayton Whitney, geography — 

“When you were talking to him, 

you got the impression you were 

talking to a very important 

person.” 

William Laux, civil government — 

“He was very intelligent and 

inspiring. He did a wonderful job 

Ernie Hanson, who attended UW-L in the 30s, fondly recalls 

his time on campus. 

kid from Viroqua who didn’t even plan on 

graduating from his college. “He took me for my 

benefit, even though I was only going to be here for 

two years,” recalls Hanson. It was just the beginning 

of the dedication and thoughtfulness he would find 

among faculty and staff of the small teacher’s 

college. 

“The teachers were all inspirational. They were 

organized,” notes Hanson. “They were thoughtful 

people, and they were just good teachers. They all 

knew what they were there to do, and they were 

doing it well.” 

teaching the basics of civil 

government.” 

Myrtle Trowbridge, history — 

“She made her students work hard, 

and she made the boys wear 

neckties in class.”

Attend UW-L? 

Then, you’re part 

of the UW-L family 

You don’t have to graduate 

from UW-L to be an alumnus. 

If you attended classes on 

campus, you’re an alum and part of 

the UW-L family! 

Often, those who attended — but 

didn’t graduate — don’t give 

themselves the alumnus title, says 

Al Trapp, vice president of administration 

for the UW-L Foundation. 

“They don’t think they belong to our 

family, but they do,” he explains. 

Trapp says the university 

impacts all who attend it. “You talk 

to these alumni and they typically 

say they were so well prepared for 

completing their degree somewhere 

else — and eventually their 

profession — all because of their 

experiences at UW-L,” notes Trapp. 

We would like to hear from 

those who attended UW-L, even 

though they didn’t graduate. Drop 

us a line at alumni@uwlax.edu. 

After two years, Hanson left 

La Crosse for Madison in 1936. All 

60 credits he earned transferred to 

UW-Madison. By 1940, he 

returned to La Crosse with a law 

degree for a required six-month 

apprenticeship at the law firm of 

Quincy Hale and Tom Skemp. 

Hanson became their partner. 

This is where he’s been 

practicing law the last 65 years — 

minus four in the military during 

World War II. And now the firm is 

called Hale, Skemp, Hanson, 

Skemp and Sleik. The Hanson in 

the firm’s name is his. 

Now 90, Hanson still looks 

fondly at UW-La Crosse, which 

opened the door for his dream to 

become an attorney. “I’ve always 

been very proud of the college 

because of the nice teachers and 

students I encountered there,” 

says Hanson. 

UW-L Chemistry Professor Aaron Monte discussed at an April news conference 

the collaborative process used to discover the anti-infective agents in a plant used by 

the Ojibwa. The research team included Monte and former student Leah DeFoe, 

UW-L Microbiology Professor Marc Rott, and UW-L Microbiology Associate 

Professor William Schwan. 

UW-L’s first patent: 

anti-infective agents in Native American plant 

Aplant Native Americans 

have used for years 

was the cure for the 

university’s first-ever patent. A 

team of two faculty and an 

Ojibwa Indian undergraduate 

student discovered antiinfective 

agents from the Native 

American plant, Comptonia 

peregrina. 

Professor Aaron Monte, 

chemistry; Associate Professor 

Marc Rott, microbiology; and 

former student Leah Defoe were 

recognized for the discovery, a 

product of 10 years of research 

sparked by a desire to look for 

drugs in plants that were used 

by generations of Native 

American ancestors. 

Defoe, an Ojibwa, was one of 

the co-authors on the patent and 

shares rights to the discovery. 

“This is a landmark 

achievement for UW-L, our 

faculty and students who were 

involved,” says Vijendra (V.J.) 

Agarwal, associate chancellor 

for academic affairs. “Like the 

research itself, the award of a 

patent has far-reaching 

potential. It is an enthusiastic 

endorsement of our 

commitment to teaching and 

learning, as well as continued 

scientific discovery.” 


Rada Distinguished Alumnus Award 

Jay Hertel, ’93, left, is 

known and respected for 

his research on the 

prevention, assessment and 

treatment of ankle injuries. 

‘The’ athletic trainer 

Jay Hertel known for ankle research, working with students 


Jay Hertel remembers sitting 

in Professor Ron Rada’s class 

his first semester on campus. 

“I remember his ability to 

break down complex biological 

processes into logical steps that 

were easy to understand,” Hertel 

recalls. “He taught a large class 

but was very approachable. That 

was great to experience my first 

semester on campus.” 

Less than two decades later, 

Hertel, ’93, will receive an honor 

named for that caring professor 

who helped shape Hertel’s 

teaching style. 

Hertel is known and 

respected for his research on the 

prevention, assessment and 

treatment of ankle injuries. His 

research has focused on 

relationships between ankle 

injuries and neuromuscular 

control of an athlete’s lower 

extremity. “I would like to think 

that my research has led to 

changes in clinical practice that 

have ultimately helped athletes 

with ankle instability,” he notes. 

Yet, he refers to working with 

students as the most satisfying 

part of his job. “For me, there is 

no greater accomplishment than 

seeing students mature and 

develop their critical thinking 


“For me, there is no greater accomplishment 

than seeing students mature and develop their 

critical thinking skills over time.” —Jay Hertel 

skills over time,” Hertel notes. 

“My goal in the classroom and 

the lab is to get students to think 

critically so they will be prepared 

to solve real-life clinical 

problems. It’s very satisfying to 

see the level of inquiry develop 

in students as they mature 

professionally.” 

Hertel became interested in 

athletic training while in high 

school. On campus, he found 

mentors who took interest in his 

professional development. One 

was professor Karen Toburen. 

“She opened up the world for me 

in terms of research and 

The Jay Hertel file 

• Assistant professor in the 

human services department, 

athletic training/sports 

medicine specialization, 

University of Virginia since 

2004 

• Doctor of philosophy, Penn 

State University, 1999; master 

of education, University of 

Virginia, 1994 

pursuing an academic career,” 

explains Hertel. “I’m forever 

indebted to her for setting me on 

my career path.” 

Another was Patrick Sexton, 

an instructor and athletic trainer. 

“He was a master at helping 

students to bridge the gap 

between the classroom and 

clinical practice,” Hertel notes. 

Others were Mark Gibson and 

Jane Shimon. “I could not have 

asked for better mentorship than 

what I received from those four 

individuals,” Hertel concludes. 

Along with stellar faculty and 

staff, Hertel says an “amazing 

cohort of students” in the 

program provided a unique 

learning opportunity. “We were 

always challenging each other to 

understand as much as we could 

about athletic training, but we 

had a great time socially outside 

of school as well,” he recalls. 

Hertel met his wife, Tammy 

(Jandrey) Hertel, ’93, at UW-L. 

She is a lecturer in the University 

of Virginia’s Spanish department. 

They have a son, Reese (4), 

and a daughter, Sonia (1).

The right recipe 

Psychology major is store’s general manager 


Michelle Schry watched 

her grandparents close 

their Wisconsin dairy 

farm in the ’70s. Since, she’s seen 

the continued demise of family 

farms. Now as general manager 

for the People’s Food Co-op in 

La Crosse, she’s doing something 

about it. 

One of the downtown 

La Crosse store’s many specialties 

is selling locally-grown products. 

It not only promotes local 

business, but also connects 

shoppers with farmers growing 

the products. “We’re playing a 

part to keep the region’s family 

farms going,” notes Schry. “It’s 

nice to put the rubber to the 

road.” 

Schry, ’92, has done much to 

connect people to help them 

discover more about themselves, 

what’s around them, and what 

they want in a job — and in life. 

It’s easy to see that this 

psychology major is using what 

she learned in the classroom as a 

successful business person. 

A first-generation college 

student and farm girl, Schry 

wasn’t afraid to get to work when 

she arrived on campus in the late 

’80s from rural Berlin. She 

worked through college, doing 

restaurant work and clerking at 

People’s Food Co-op when it was 

a small, house-sized store on 

Adams Street. 

After graduating, her biggest 

concern became paying her 

student loans. Schry turned to the 

service industry, where she had 

experience. She landed jobs as 

store manager for Kwik Trips in 

Stoughton and Oregon, Wis. 

But the work quickly became 

more than just a source to pay off 

student loans. With a district 

manager who continuously 

“We’re playing a part to 

keep the region’s family 

farms going.” 

—Michelle Schry 

challenged Schry, she learned a 

lot about business and running a 

retail operation. “Having jobs in 

businesses where people tend to 

look down at you teaches you 

quickly to have a sense of self and 

humility,” she notes. 

Schry remembers an epiphany 

one day while outside cleaning 

trash cans and wondering about 

her career. She realized those who 

lined up outside her store at 

5 a.m. were there for more than 

just coffee. “Some came looking 

for a friendly smile and someone 

to talk to,” she recalls. “It meant 

something to them that I cared 

enough to learn their names and 

what was happening in their 

lives.” 

Schry put her psychology 

studies to use. She thrived among 

customers and staff. She helped 

solve staffing and business 

problems, and quickly became a 

turnaround specialist. With the 

success, she was hired by Magic 

Mill Natural Foods Market in 

Madison in 1998. 

The Michelle Schry file 

• National Cooperative Grocers 

Association Board of 

Directors, since 2002 

• National Cooperate Business 

Association Board of 

Directors, beginning 2006 

• Pride Along the Mississippi 

Organizing Committee 

Member, 2003 

Rada Distinguished Alumnus recipient 

Michelle Schry, ’92, is known for her 

work in and dedication to the cooperative 

grocery industry. 

After improving profits and 

personnel issues there, she was 

recruited by Concord Food Co-op 

in New Hampshire in 1999. She 

returned to the Midwest and the 

La Crosse food co-op in 2001. 

Upon becoming general manager, 

Schry tackled a 87 percent staff 

turnover rate. Within three years, 

it dropped to 27 percent. 

Schry also began an extensive 

expansion plan. Since remodeling, 

sales grew $2 million to $8.3 

million annually. Transactions 

have increased 35 percent. Staff 

has grown from 64 to 117. And, 

co-op membership has increased 

to nearly 3,000 members, up from 

1,500 in 2001. 

Schry’s success hasn’t gone 

unnoticed. She assists other 

cooperatives worldwide and 

serves on national co-op boards. 

Yet, she hasn’t lost touch of her 

roots. She takes pride in 

supporting students who work at 

the co-op — just like she did. 

See more about People’s Food 

Co-op at: www.pfc.coop. 


Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumnus Award 

Brewed success 

Duncan Cameron earns 

distinguished alum honor 


Been there; done that. 

That’s what Duncan 

Cameron could say about 

working up through a company’s 

ranks, taking over ownership of 

the business, making it extremely 

successful, and then selling it to 

take an early retirement. 

Cameron, a 

1969 graduate 

with a major in 

economics and a 

minor in 

geography, has 

done it all — but 

he’s not planning to stay retired 

for very long. He may do it all 

over again. 

The La Crosse native worked 

his way through college, 

planning his classes around his 

work schedule at the city’s 

brewery and doing other jobs. 

Two years out of college, he was 

selling cars when Roy Kumm, 

owner of G. Heileman Brewing 

Co., asked Cameron to create a 

marketing plan for the company’s 

product in college towns. It was 

Cameron’s introduction into the 

business side of brewing, and a 

start to a more than three-decade 

career in the field. 

Cameron headed downriver in 

1982 to work at Jack’s 

Distributing Co. in Davenport, 

Iowa, agreeing to purchase the 

business in 15 years. But, 

Cameron was so successful, he 

was asked to buy the business 

after just 15 months. 

With a “character loan” from a 

Davenport banker, Cameron took 

over the business April 1, 1984, 

and changed the name to 

Vanguard Distributing Corp. 

Vanguard means the leading 


position in a field of endeavor, 

notes Cameron. “That’s what I 

wanted to be.” 

And Cameron was that. 

Despite taking over the business 

with a recession in rural America 

and high interest rates, Cameron 

helped the company’s sales 

increase each year. “It was my 

“I’m motivated by an opportunity 

to put a business together, put a 

management team together, and help 

people along the way.” —Duncan Cameron 

strong customer service,” he 

explains. “I let them know that I 

genuinely appreciated their 

business.” 

Cameron attributes much of 

that way of doing business to his 

perseverance, a value he learned 

from his Lutheran upbringing 

and his years in Boy Scouts. 

College was also important to 

his success, he says, exposing him 

to people of different cultures 

and backgrounds. “It made me 

open my eyes a lot more to the 

fact that we’re all individuals in 

this life and we need to be more 

tolerant of one another.” 

The Duncan Cameron file 

• Prominent businessman, 

active community citizen, 

philanthropist 

• Past chair and chief executive 

officer of Vanguard 

Distributing in Bettendorf, 

Iowa. Past president of the 

Iowa Wholesale Beer 

Distributors Association 

• Leader in community 

organizations 

Dubuque businessman Duncan 

Cameron, ’69, says college was an 

important ingredient in his success. 

Now a successful 

businessman, Cameron knows 

the importance of giving back to 

those who helped him. Through 

gifts to the Health Science Center 

and, most recently $1 million for 

a new academic building, 

Cameron has impacted student 

learning for decades. “I am big 

on bricks and mortar,” he 

explains. “These projects provide 

job opportunities during 

construction and the buildings 

themselves provide educational 

opportunities for students for 

hundreds of years to come.” 

Cameron has also given back 

to the Quad Cities community 

where he has lived for nearly 30 

years. When he sold his business 

in 2004, he donated $1 million to 

the Community Foundation of 

the Great River Bend. 

Even though he has sold his 

business, Cameron is anything 

but retired. He’s evaluating 

business opportunities in the 

Quad Cities. He plans to build a 

company the same as he did 

Vanguard. “It’s the chase that is 

fun,” he notes. “I’m motivated by 

an opportunity to put a business 

together, put a management team 

together, and help people along 

the way.”

The UW-L Alumni Association is one of the 

first groups committing support to the UW-L 

Foundation’s Centennial Campaign. 

Association President Jim Warren handed a $50,000 

commitment check to Foundation President Kenna 

Christians Feb. 8 during an alumni gathering in 

Madison. 

“Facilitating partnerships, is one of our core 

values,” explains Warren. “We believe it’s important 

to partner with students, alumni and friends of 

UW-L.” 

The Alumni Association board voted 

unanimously to support the Centennial Campaign 

by pledging $50,000. The campaign is in its 

beginning phases to support teaching and learning 

at the university in conjunction with the university’s 

100th anniversary in 2009. 

“UW-L means so much to the Alumni Association 

Board, it seems only fitting that they are one of the 

first groups to pledge their support for the comprehensive 

campaign,” says association Executive 

Director Janie Spencer. “This committed group of 

alumni builds and maintains relationships with 

students, alumni and friends of the university. I am 

proud to work with such a great group of 

volunteers.” 

Kenna Christians, assistant chancellor for 

advancement and president of the the UW-L 

Foundation, says the purpose of the campaign is to 

provide resources for UW-L to continue to attract 

and retain bright students and talented faculty. 

Especially for Alumni 

Alumni Association pledges $50,000 

to university’s Centennial Campaign 

Interested in nominating 

a distinguished alum? 

K 

now a classmate or another alum who should be honored 

by the university? Then nominate the person for one of 

the Alumni Association’s distinguished alumni awards. 

The Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumnus Award honors 

alumni who attended UW-L more than 20 years ago and have 

brought honor and distinction to the university. 

The Rada Distinguished Alumnus Award honors living alumni 

who have graduated within the last 20 years from UW-La Crosse 

and have met at least one of four criteria of the award. 

Get complete details about the awards at: 

www.uwlalumni.org/awards.htm 

To nominate an alum, contact Janie Spencer at 

spencer.jane@uwlax.edu or (608)785-8495. Simply forward the alum’s 

name; the Alumni Association contacts nominees. 

UW-L Alumni Association Executive Director Janie Spencer, 

left, association Vice President Ron Stadler, middle, and 

Chancellor Doug Hastad display a “check” showing the Alumni 

Association’s $50,000 pledge to the UW-La Crosse Foundation’s 

Centennial Campaign. The capital campaign will raise funds for 

a variety of campus projects in conjunction with the university’s 

100th anniversary. 

“Clearly the funds are important, but the 

commitment of the Association Board this early in 

the campaign sends a strong message to our alumni, 

friends, parents and the La Crosse community about 

the importance of raising private contributions to 

enhance teaching and learning at UW-L,” notes 

Christians. “I am thrilled that the Alumni 

Association is a partner in our pledge to make a 

world of difference for our students.” 

Alumnus receives award 

The Alumnus has been 

recognized as a top 

alumni magazine among 

Great Lakes colleges and 

universities. The Alumnus 

earned a Bronze Medal in the Council 

for Advancement and Support of 

Education (CASE) District V “Pride of 

CASE V” competition. 

“The award recognizes the hard 

work and dedication of the entire 

University Relations and Alumni 

Office staff,” says Brad Quarberg, ’85, 

Alumnus editor. “We’ll continue to 

look for creative ways to help our 

alumni keep in touch with this great 

university.” 


Rep. Jennifer (Ehlenfeldt) Shilling, ’92, 

La Crosse, attended the annual reception 

for political science alumni and others 

in Madison. 

Alumni honored 

at Madison event 

Ask most working in 

Wisconsin government at 

the state capitol about 

UW-L and you’ll find they’re 

graduates — or they probably 

know someone who graduated 

from La Crosse. 

Each February, a Madison 

reception salutes the university’s 

many friends and alumni involved 

in state government and 

recognizes UW-L’s role in 

political science and public 

administration. 

Elected alumni honored this 

year included: Assembly Speaker, 

Rep. John Gard, ’86; Rep. Jennifer 

(Ehlenfeldt) Shilling, ’92; Rep. 

Suzanne (Youle) Jeskewitz, ’62; 

Sen. Dan Kapanke, ’75 & ’87; Rep. 

Terry Musse; Sen. Joe Leibham; 

Rep. Marlin Schneider, ’65; Rep. 

Gregg Underheim, ’72; and 

honorary alum, Assembly 

Majority Leader Rep. Mike 

Huebsch. 


Tentative Schedule 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2006 

Open Recreation All day Recreational Eagle Center 

Silver Eagles 

Annual Meeting 

10 a.m. Cleary Alumni & Friends Center 

Silver Eagles 

Take an Eagle to lunch 

11 a.m. Cleary Alumni & Friends Center 

Campus tour 4 p.m. Campus 

Family Weekend registration 4-6 p.m. Cartwright Center 

Fish Fry 5-7:30 p.m. Forest Hills 

Pep Fest 7 p.m. Hoeschler Clock Tower 

All alumni social/ 

happy hour/dessert bar 

7:30 p.m. Cleary Alumni & Friends Center 

Theatre production 

“Marisol” 

7:30 p.m. Center for the Arts 

Casino Night/Bingo 8:30 p.m. Cartwright Center 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2006 


Class of ‘56 8 a.m. Courtyard by Marriott 

“Remember When” breakfast 

Beta Sigma Chi breakfast 8:30 a.m. Cartwright Center 

Captains’ breakfast 9 a.m. Cartwright Center 

Legacy breakfast 9 a.m. Cleary Alumni & Friends Center 

Pre-game festivities 10 a.m. L-Club tent 

Class of ‘56 brat fry 10 a.m. L-Club tent 

Campus tour 11 a.m. Cleary Alumni & Friends Center 

Football game vs. 11:30 a.m. Roger Harring Stadium 

UW-Eau Claire at Memorial Field 

Class of 1956 reunion 5 p.m. Cleary Alumni & Friends Center 

Class of 1976 reunion 5 p.m. Cartwright Center 

Multicultural Alumni 

Awards reception 

6 p.m. Cartwright Center 

Residence Life staff 

alumni club reception 

6 p.m. Cartwright Center 


“Marisol” 

7:30 p.m. Center for the Arts 

Reuter Hall open house TBD Reuter Hall 

Women’s volleyball TBD Mitchell Hall 

Women’s soccer TBD Soccer Field 

Gamma Sigma Sigma 

reunion 

TBD 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2006 


Athletic Wall of 

Fame brunch 

10:30 a.m. Cleary Alumni & Friends Center 

Family brunch 10:30 a.m. Whitney Center 

Residence Life 

Staff brunch 

10:30 a.m. Cartwright Center 


“Marisol” 

2 p.m. Center for the Arts 

For more information, 

alumni@uwlax.edu 

toll free (877)UWL-ALUM

As alumni, we share an important 

bond. Other universities may have 

something similar, but being part of 

the “La Crosse Experience” is truly something 

special. 

Do you remember ... 

• Hiking up Grandad Bluff? 

• Stopping at Mr. D’s for a late night 

donut? 

• Hanging out at The Cellar in 

Cartwright Center? 

• Watching the Oktoberfest parade on a 

cool, fall afternoon? 

• Participating in intramural sports? 

• Learning to dance in Bernadine 

Kunkel’s class? 

• Living in the residence halls? 

• Cramming for a test at Murphy 

Library? 

These and other memories are an 

important part of the La Crosse Experience. 

The Alumni Association works to keep these 

memories alive and to create new ones. 

Each summer, alumni are asked to join or 

renew their Alumni Association membership 

to maintain the La Crosse Experience. You can 

join for as little as $35. Benefits include access 

to the online directory, discounts on insurance 

products and special events, invitations to 

programs throughout the world, and 

subscriptions to the Lantern, e-Alumnus and 

the Alumnus. Membership helps provide 

programs and services to current alums and 

also offers opportunities for future alums. 

Those joining through June 29, 2006, have 

an opportunity to win a trip to Lake Como 

and Lake Lucerne (details below). 

A lakeside sojourn on Como and Lucerne 

Breathtaking scenery with snow-capped 

mountains, green meadows, picturepostcard 

villages, ornate villas, colorful 

gardens and boats sailing on clear blue lakes are 

featured in a trip to Italy and Switzerland. The 

Alumni Association tour includes Lake Como, 

Lake Maggiore and Lake Lucerne, along with 

European cities and mountains. The Sept. 21-29 

trip offers additional tours or travel time for 

yourself. Make reservations early; space is 

limited. Cost is $2,138 for double occupancy. 

For details contact Go Next at (800)842-9023. 

Want to win the trip to Switzerland 

and Italy? Join today! 

Especially for Alumni 

Membership vital in keeping campus memories alive 

Alumni Association is key to the “La Crosse Experience” 

Join the UW-L Alumni Association at 

www.uwlax.uwlalumni.org/join.php. 

“Graduating from UW-La Crosse 

was one of the highlights of my life. 

Why wouldn’t I stay connected?” 

If you join or renew Alumni Association 

membership by June 29, you’ll have 

the chance to win this exciting trip. 

Memberships for the 2006-07 fiscal 

year received through June 29, 

2006, will be entered into the 

drawing. Get contest rules, 

join or renew at 

www.uwlalumni.org or call 

toll free (877)895-2586. 

—Christina Trombley, ’95 


21

UW-L representatives visited with alumni in 

Tampa and Ft. Myers, Fla., as well as Denver 

and Colorado Springs, Colo., this spring. 

“These events were planned to provide an 

opportunity for us to share campus news and for 

alumni to reconnect with each other,” notes Janie 

Spencer, executive director of the Alumni 

Association. Evening receptions brought together 

alumni from seven decades and various majors. 

“It’s so much fun to hear their stories,” says 

Spencer. “Alums have fond memories of their time 

on campus and are willing to share these with each 

other. Many comment on a favorite class or 

professor, some about their involvement on an 

athletic team or club, and some share recollections of 

the La Crosse community. The one common theme is 

that UW-L is a special place.” 


1 

2 

Catching up in Florida, Colorado 

Have a great time golfing while 

helping the university. Mark your 

calendars for Wednesday, Aug. 16, 

for golf at Cedar Creek Country Club in 

Onalaska. Proceeds from the event will 

benefit student scholarships, special 

learning opportunities, alumni 

programming and other important 

1 

Tampa alumni gathered at Buca Di Beppo for happy hour 

Feb. 25. From left, Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86; Terry Pohlers, 

Mike Pohlers, ’77; Margaret Ewert, ’70; Angie Lee, UW-L 

admissions counselor; Christine Hanjian, ’83; and Jay Hanjian. 

2 

Margaret Toennies, Florence Malizola, ’61; and Carol 

Dobrunz, ’57; were among the 20-plus Florida alumni and 

friends gathering in Ft. Myers. 

3 

Members of the Jones family gathered in Denver for a small 

family reunion as well as the UW-L reunion. From left, 

Dana Jones Hornecker, '85; Mary Jo Jones, '84; Bob Jones, '83; 

and Barb Jones, ’88; celebrated with other alums at Rock Bottom 

Brewery. 

4Six friends on the UW-L ski team left La Crosse after 

graduation and moved to Colorado. They joined alumni at 

the Rock Bottom Brewery to make new friends from UW-L. 

From left, Kristi Lautenschlager, ’02; Tristen Rogers, ’02; Aaron 

Eliason, ’00; Nick Svoma, ’02; Shaun Smith, ’02; and Heather 

Woodward, ’02. 

Chancellor’s Golf Classic set for Aug. 16 

educational endeavors on campus. 

Cost is $125 per person, with a fiveperson 

shot gun format. Sponsorship 

opportunities are also available. 

For more information, contact Chris 

Oganowski, oganowsk.chri@uwlax.edu, or 

Janie Spencer, spencer.jane@uwlax.edu. 

3 

4

Members of the Paris Alumni & Friends tour gathered in front of Notre Dame for a group photo. 

Row 1: Sandy Melbye. Row 2, from left: David Roberts, Barb Jacobs, Cheryl Bradley, Jenny Vondrashek, Cathy 

Markwiese. Row 3: Darrel Jacobs, Julie Schwingel, Janie Spencer, Rose Vondrashek, Betty Roskos, Steve Tietz, Amy 

Melbye. Row 4: Frank Vondrashek, Nick Vondrashek and Roland Roskos. Missing from photo: Kathy Gresens, Lynn 

Drecktrah, Carol Gundersen and Jean Helliesen. 

Twenty travelers enjoyed the spring excursion 

sponsored by the UW-L Alumni Association. Julie 

Schwingel, 85, shared some diary entries. 

Saturday, April 1 — Arrived at our hotel after a 

seven-hour flight in time to freshen up, get our 

bearings and attend an evening reception to get to 

know one another. We’re a diverse group, but we 

quickly bonded. Our knowledge of the French 

language varied. Many of us were happy to learn 

and pronounce “bon jour” (hello), pardon, and 

merci’ (thank you). 

Sunday, April 2 — Selected an optional tour, a 

city sightseeing adventure. Stops included the Eiffel 

Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Invalides, Montmartre and 

Notre Dame. After viewing the sites, we all felt like 

we were really in Paris! The monuments were big as 

life, well maintained, quite old (relatively speaking), 

and made for some great photos. 

Monday, April 3 — Visited the Paris Opera House 

(home to the Phantom of the Opera story), the 

Louvre (home to such famous pieces as the Mona 

Lisa and the site of a part of “The DaVinci Code).” 

Tuesday, April 4 — Boarded a bus and traveled 

to Normandy. The stories, artifacts, and monuments 

made for a tremendous experience for history buffs. 

The rest of us became history buffs! I will never 

forget the beauty and peacefulness of 

the American cemetery. 

Wednesday, April 5 — Another optional trip, 

these tours to Versailles Palace (a hunting area for 

Louis XIV and others) and Giverny (Monet’s home). 

It was a real treat to see the gardens and pond at 

Monet’s home, the subjects of many of his famous 

paintings. 

Thursday, April 6 — Many of us experienced the 

TGV, high speed train to Chateau country. The high 

speed train was quite an adventure! 

Friday, April 7 — Our last day of sightseeing 

included a trip to champagne country. We made a 

stop in the town of Rheims and viewed the Notre 

Dame cathedral, also known for its smiling angel 

statues. Champagne country included a visit to 

Mercier and a tour of its champagne cellars. No 

champagne tour would be complete without a 

tasting; it was wonderful! 

Saturday, April 8 — After a week of 

unforgettable adventures and experiences, we 

boarded a plane for the nine-hour flight back to 

Detroit. The memories of the trip and the new 

friends made will be held in our hearts for a very 

long time. To experience Paris in spring is truly a 

dream come true. I can’t wait for a return trip to this 

magical city. 


23

Foundation Update 

Campus site 

named for chancellor 

The large, green area on campus has 

been officially named for the 

chancellor who initiated the idea of 

planting trees to make the area forest-like. 

Kennneth Lindner, chancellor from 1970-79, 

started the tree-planting project in the grassy 

area between Graff Main Hall and Morris Hall. 

In his Graff Main Hall office, Lindner grew tired 

of trying to conduct business with the Marching 

Chiefs blasting nearby outside. So, he had trees 

planted in the green area where the band 

practiced. The band moved practices to Coate 

Hall Field. 

Over the years, the trees have grown and a 

gazebo has been added. Last summer, friends 

Funds created will make a difference 

The following funds have been established with the 

UW-La Crosse Foundation since Oct. 30, 2005: 

• UW-L Alumni Association Building The Future 

Custodial Fund, created by the association to 

provide continued support for programming. 

• UW-L Alumni Association Life Membership 

Custodial Fund, created by the association to 

provide continued support for programming. 

• Burton and Norma Altman Learning in 

Retirement Fund, established by Professor 

Emeritus Burt Altman and his wife to support a 

distinguished service recognition wall and provide 

supplemental funding for field trips and speakers 

or programs for the university’s Learning in 

Retirement Program. 

• Gayle A. Anderson Scholarship Fund, an 

endowment established through this 1964 

graduate’s estate plan to fund scholarships for 

undergraduate students with majors in liberal arts. 

• Christians Family Scholarship Fund in Radiation 

Therapy, established by Kenna Christians, 

assistant chancellor of University Advancement 

and UW-L Foundation president, and her family to 

support students studying radiation therapy. 

• Carol A. Dobrunz Endowment Fund, supports 

non-tenured teaching faculty and staff participation 

at national conferences within their 

discipline. 

• Enrollment Services Scholarship Fund, supports 

the recruitment of entering freshmen. 


and colleagues of Lindner donated money to 

revitalize and maintain the area. And, with a 

plaque, the area has been officially designated 

as “Lindner Forest,” a name given the area after 

the tree-planting began. 

Lindner resigned as chancellor in 1979 to 

become the Secretary of the Department of 

Administration under Gov. Lee Dreyfus, a 

longtime friend and fellow chancellor at UW- 

Stevens Point. Completing his service with the 

Dreyfus administration in 1982, he returned to 

campus until retiring in 1988. He lives in Black 

River Falls. 

• Enrollment Services Restricted Fund, supports 

the programs and mission of the university’s 

Enrollment Services Unit. 

• Federated Insurance Scholarship Fund, provides 

scholarships for students majoring in the College 

of Business Administration. 

• Joseph and Linda Kastantin Accountancy 

Scholarship Fund, provides scholarships for 

students majoring in accountancy. 

• Learning in Retirement Restricted Fund, supports 

the programs and mission of the university’s 

Learning in Retirement Program. 

• Esther and Sam Levy Memorial Scholarship 

Fund, established by James Lewis in memory of 

his mother and step-father, the fund supports 

scholarships for students majoring in the health 

sciences. 

• Department of Philosophy Fund at UW- 

La Crosse, provides support for the mission, 

purposes and programs of the university 

philosophy department. 

•UW-L Strength Center Fund, provides support for 

the programs and mission of the UW-L Strength 

Center. 

To contribute to a fund, or for information about 

establishing a fund, contact Al Trapp, director of 

planned giving, at trapp.alle@uwlax.edu, visit 

www.foundation.uwlax.edu, or call the UW-L 

Foundation at (608)785-8489.

H 

e only attended UW-L six months before 

leaving to fight in World War II. But, that 

brief stay was enough for La Crosse native 

James Lewis to understand what kind of an 

outstanding education the university offers. 

The La Crosse Experience left such an impression 

that more than 60 years later, Lewis endowed a 

scholarship through the UW-La Crosse Foundation 

as a memorial to his mother and step-father. The 

Esther and Sam Levy Memorial Scholarship is 

awarded to an upperclassman student majoring in a 

health-science related major. 

Lewis knows the reputation of La Crosse’s two 

medical facilities and has read about the university’s 

expanding allied health programs. 

Being that both his mother and 

step-father died of heart complications, 

Lewis made the 

endowment in hopes of improving 

health care. 

“I always felt that kids today 

deserve help with the cost of 

tuition and I’d like to help those 

planning to go into the health 

field,” explains Lewis, who turns 

80 in July. “With all the new things 

happening in the area of health, I’m hoping 

recipients will be able spend more time discovering 

advances in health rather than worrying about 

paying for college.” 

The Levy’s, long-time residents of La Crosse, 

owned the Levy News Agency from the 1930s-50s. 

The wholesale distributorship for magazines, 

paperback novels and books, comic books and outof-town 

newspapers serviced area newsstands, drug 

stores and other businesses. When Nearby Fort 

McCoy surged in population because of WWII, the 

agency distributed around 12,000 newspapers daily. 

The Levys sold the business in 1952. Both were 

involved in service organizations and were major 

contributors to the Congregation Sons of Abraham 

Synagogue construction. Sam died in 1956; Esther in 

1977. 

Lewis, who attended classes on campus after 

graduating from La Crosse Central High School in 

January 1944, enlisted in the navy that August. 

When he returned in August 1946, he attended 

UW-Madison, graduating with a bachelor’s degree 

in journalism and advertising in 1949. Lewis moved 

to Texas in 1953 where he worked for the Houston 

Post until 1959 and the Chronicle from 1960 until 

retiring in 1989. 

Foundation Update 

Campus experience inspires endowment 

Esther Levy in 

December 1975 

“With all the new things 

happening in the area of 

health, I’m hoping 

recipients will be able 

spend more time 

discovering advances in 

health rather than 

worrying about paying for college.” 

—James Lewis 

“I knew La Crosse State Teachers College had a 

wonderful reputation and I loved my time there,” 

Lewis says. “It was a wonderful school and the 

teachers were outstanding.” 

Al Trapp, vice president of administration and 

planned giving for the UW-L Foundation, says 

Lewis exemplifies those who have had the La Crosse 

Experience, whether graduating or not. “We’re very 

appreciative of Jim Lewis and his generous 

endowment of the scholarship honoring his mother 

and step-father,” says Trapp. “Jim sets an example of 

the love for this campus by those who attended 

UW-L and didn’t graduate for one reason or another. 

Anyone who has attended here has been positively 

impacted and thanks to Jim, students for years to 

come will be impacted, too.” 

Sam Levy, left, dropped off James Lewis at the train depot in 

La Crosse July 23, 1956, so Lewis could visit relatives in 

Chicago. Levy died three days later of a heart attack. 


26 

Athletics 

In the long run 

Fritsch making a name for himself 

by Dave Johnson, ’92 

When head men’s cross country coach Don 

Fritsch took over for long-time head coach 

Phil Esten, ’65, in 1999, he looked forward 

to the challenge of keeping the Eagles ahead of the 

national pack. Fritsch still has the harriers there. 

“Following a revered legend like Phil Esten was 

not easy,” admits Fritsch, an assistant coach for the 

Eagles’ cross country and track and field teams for 

six years before becoming head coach. “I felt like I 

had to get the job done in terms of maintaining the 

integrity of the program.” 

Fritsch, ’80 & ’93, completed his eighth season as 

head coach in 2005. He has guided the Eagles to two 

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III 

titles, including one in November. His harriers also 

captured the national crown in 2001. 

“I had a lot to prove to the people who had hired 

me, that they had chosen the right person,” says 

Fritsch. “And, I had a lot to prove to the cynics who 

doubted I could maintain our program’s competitive 

level as a conference, regional and national power.” 

Fritsch defines UW-L’s success as a wonderful 

tradition of excellence and great students willing to 

work hard and sacrifice. It’s something he calls the 

“La Crosse Secret.” 

“I’m simply the captain of a great ship that was 

built and sailed by men like cross country coach Phil 

Esten and track coach Buck Jones over 30 years ago,” 

explains Fritsch. “The student-athletes are the ones 

providing the energy and power to keep UW-L’s 

ship at full steam.” He’s continued the trend of 

leading the team to a top-seven finish at nationals, 

now a feat for 32 consecutive years. 

Fritsch says the team goals are the same every 

year: win the conference title, qualify for the 

nationals and bring a trophy home from nationals. 


The Fritsch numbers 

2 NCAA III championships 

5 Wisconsin Intercollegiate 

Athletic Conference titles 

5 WIAC Coach of the Year 

honors 

2 NCAA III Coach of the Year honors 

8 Top-seven national finishes in eight years of 

coaching 

11 All-American cross country runners he’s 

coached (also several on the track and field 

team) 

1 Inducted into the Wisconsin Cross Country 

Coaches Association Hall of Fame, January 

2004 

He went out for cross country as a high school 

freshman and immediately started running varsity. 

At UW-L Fritsch ran to All-WIAC and NAIA district 

honors. 

Fritsch began coaching in 1980 while student 

teaching in La Crosse. After relocating to Stevens 

Point, he created a 10-year cross country dynasty at 

Pacelli High School. He was named Wisconsin 

Independent Schools Athletic Association Coach of 

the Year four times and coached the boy’s and girl’s 

programs to 15 championships. He also guided the 

girl’s track and field team to two state times and 

coached 15 individual state champions. 

Along with his coaching at UW-L, Fritsch teaches 

health and physical education at Longfellow Middle 

School in La Crosse, a position he has held since 

1994. He says UW-L’s graduate school has provided 

a ready source of graduate students who are willing 

to volunteer their time to help out with the program. 

Don Fritsch, ’80 & ’93, has guided the Eagles to two 

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III 

titles. Fritsch is proud to carry on the “La Crosse Secret.”

1 st 

in more ways than one 

Grads recall winning the university’s 

first women’s national championship 

They didn’t break any glass 

ceilings, but they came 

close to breaking some 

glass backboards. 

The 1980-81 women’s 

basketball blazed its way down 

the court and into history when it 

won a national championship. It 

was the first of what has become 

many national titles earned by the 

university’s female athletes. 

That was 25 years ago. Four 

members of the title team — Ann 

Mahnke, ’86; Mary (Stusek) 

Miller, ’84; Darcia (Davies) Torres, 

’81; and Lorraine (Tetzlaff) Torrey, 

’81 — were on hand for the 

celebration Jan. 21 when the 

Eagles hosted UW-Eau Claire. 

UW-L captured the 1980-81 

Association for Intercollegiate 

Athletics for Women (AIAW) 

Division III national championship 

with a 79-71 victory over 

Mount Mercy College March 28, 

1981, in Mitchell Hall.The Roonies 

(as women’s teams were called 

then) had defeated Pittsburgh- 

Johnstown 70-62 in the national 

semifinals. 

The team finished the season 

with an 11-game winning streak 

and went 25-6 overall, including 

17-2 on the road. “I’m sure our 

reputation had a great deal to do 

with our success,” says Torres 

about the road record. “If we 

didn’t win, it was a long ride 

home. Plus our coaches would 

bribe us with extra good food if 

we did well. For example, every 

30 second shot clock violation the 

other team recorded meant fudge 

cake for dessert.” 

Torrey says the team was so 

balanced opponents couldn’t 

focus on stopping one or two 

players to shut the team down. 

“We were an unselfish team,” she 

recalls. “We passed well and 

found the open player.” 

The Roonies had finished 

second in the nation in 1979-80 

and were ready for a drive to the 

national title. “Most of us played 

together the previous year,” said 

Mahnke. “Not a single person 

thought that losing was an option. 

We had very competitive 

individuals that understood the 

word ‘team.’” 

Torres recalls the team effort, 

too. “We were successful because 

Members of the 1980-81 women’s basketball 

team that won the national title 

Cheri Brooks 

Paula Dodge, ’84 

Kris Jansen 

Ann Mahnke, ’86 

Donna (Freese) Miller, ’84 

Mary (Stusek) Miller, ’84 

Members of the 1981 AIAW National Championship were honored this winter during 

halftime of a basketball game. 

Amy (Nickel) Miller, ’85 

Kim (Greene) Redman, ’84 

Darcia (Davies) Torres, ’81* 

Lorraine (Tetzlaff) Torrey, ’81* 

Coach: Mary Hansen, ’79 

*Team captains 

we believed in each other, we had 

‘Roonie’ pride, and we were not 

afraid of working extra-hard,” 

says Torres. “We actually were 

great friends and some of us were 

roommates. We were close on and 

off the court and had great 

chemistry. There was no doubt 

our team was in the best physical 

condition of any Division III team 

that we met. We worked hard at 

practice and we were dedicated 

year round.” 

An upstart network, ESPN, 

broadcast the championship 

game. “I guess I didn’t even 

realize we were on national 

television,” notes Torrey. “To play 

at home in front of your own fans 

is a definite advantage. It was 

unbelievable how many people 

were there and it really got the 

team fired up and ready to go.” 

Torrey says the group was 

happy to be back on campus 25 

years later. “It was exciting, to be 

recognized for something 

accomplished 25 years ago and to 

meet up again with teammates 

that I hadn’t seen for many 

years,” she says. She also enjoyed 

seeing the 2005-06 version of the 

UW-L women’s basketball team 

which eventually finished at 19-8, 

its most successful season since 

going 22-7 in 1987-88. 


Athletics 

Men’s 

Basketball 

The men cagers 

finished 20-8 

overall and 10-6 in 

the WIAC. The 20 overall wins 

were the most since 1982-83 (20-7) 

while the 10 conference victories 

were the most since 2001-02 (10- 

6). The Eagles made their first 

ever appearance in the NCAA III 

tournament, falling 79-71 to 

Calvin College. 

Women’s 

Basketball 

The women cagers 

had a breakthrough 

season, 

finishing 19-8 overall and 9-7 in 

the WIAC. The 19 overall and 

nine conference wins were the 

most since 1987-88. The Eagles 

finished fourth in the WIAC — 

their best conference finish since 

1987-88. The team received its 

first ranking on D3hoops.com. 

Eagles third 

in national 

cup 

standings 

Near completion of the winter 

sports season, UW-L ranks 

third place in the U.S. Sports 

Academy Directors’ Cup 

Division III standings. The 

Eagles have 479.0 points. The 

College of New Jersey leads 

with 626.25. UW-L holds seven 

top-10 finishes in the 10 years 

of the competition. 


Women’s Indoor 

Track and Field 

The Eagles finished 

seventh at the NCAA 

III championships in 

March, earning 22.0 team points. 

UW-Oshkosh was first with 44.0 

points. The Eagles were second at 

the WIAC. 

Men’s Swimming 

and Diving 


second at the WIAC 

Championships. Karl 

Richters (500, 1650 freestyle) and 

Anthony Schmidt (200 

backstroke, 400 I.M.) both won 

two events for the Eagles. 

Women’s 

Swimming and 

Diving 


17th at the NCAA III 

championships in 

March. The Eagles finished with 

62.0 team points, marking the 

school’s eighth top-20 finish . 

UW-L placed second at the 

WIAC championships. 

Wrestling 


second at the NCAA 

III championships in 

March. Seven studentathletes 

earned All-America 

honors. The second-place team 

finish and seven individual All- 

America honors each tied school 

record. The grapplers captured 

their ninth consecutive WIAC 

title. Head coach Nate Skaar was 

named the WIAC Coach of the 

Year for the second straight 

season. 

National championships ... 

earned by UW-L athletic teams 

in the 2005-06 academic year: 

• Men’s Cross Country — p. 26 

• Men’s Indoor Track and Field 

— p. 31 

• Women’s Gymnastics — p. 31 

Get complete season info 

www.uwlax.edu/athletics3. 

(as of April 30, 2006) 

2 The men’s wrestling team’s finish at 

the NCAA III championships in March. 

6 Consecutive national championships earned 

by both the men’s track and field indoor team (NCAA) 

and women’s gymnastics team (NCGA). 

19 Overall wins the women’s basketball team posted for 2005-06, 

the most since 1987-88. 

20 Overall wins the men’s basketball team posted for 2005-06, the 

most since 1982-83. 

479 Points UW-L has collected in the U.S. Sports Academy 

Directors’ Cup Division III competition.

Football field is tops 

The UW-L football team is known statewide for conference — and national — championships. Now the 

field they play on has earned recognition, too. The Wisconsin SportsTurf Managers Association- 

Wisconsin Chapter has named Memorial Field the state’s 2005 Football Field of the Year. Pete Bemis, ’77 

& ’82, assistant director of facilities management and landscape architect, says the annual award 

recognizes exceptional maintenance and management of one natural turfgrass field in the state. Along 

with the UW-L games, the field has football games for La Crosse Central and Aquinas high schools, 

along with other events such as the university’s convocation. 

Grad in Super Bowl 

Sam Ramsden, ’92, didn’t play 

in Super Bowl XL, but he’s part 

of the reason the Seattle 

Seahawks did Feb. 5, 2006. 

Ramsden is the Seahawks’ head 

athletic trainer, a job he’s held 

since the 2004 season. Ramsden 

served six seasons with the 

Green Bay Packers as an 

assistant athletic trainer and 

was a member of the Super 

Bowl XXI championship team. 

He joined the Seahawks staff as 

an associate athletic trainer in 

February 1999. The Seahawks 

fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 

21-10. 

L-Club has successful first year 

The newly-formed L-Club, which combined all athletic fund-raising 

efforts, is finding success just like the athletic teams it’s supporting. 

The goal during its first year was to increase fund raising by at 

least 25 percent, says Mike Desmond, ’76 & ’87, L-Club executive 

director. By spring, the club had raised $138,000 — up 84 percent 

over all the individual team fund raising from the previous year. 

“The goal seemed realistic because the greater La Crosse 

community was in full support of this new structure,” notes 

Desmond. 

The increase will help the athletic teams maintain their 

excellence, says Desmond. L-Club membership is still available. For 

details, contact Desmond at desmond.mich@uwlax.edu. 



The beauties meet 

the beasts ... 

The gymnastics and wrestling teams hosted a 

unique event Jan. 27 in Mitchell Hall. Both hosted 

a meet at the same time. In front of a crowd of 824, 

the gymnastics team defeated UW-Eau Claire and 

the wrestlers outscored UW-Oshkosh. “The night 

was a smash hit from the wrestling team’s 

perspective,” says UW-L head coach Nate Skaar. 

”There was so much energy in the gym and our 

wrestlers were feeding off it all. I would like to see 

this as an annual event. We can’t wait to do it all 

again next year.”

Sixth straight 

national titles for ... 

Men’s Indoor Track and Field wins 

with record points 

The men’s track and field 

team captured its sixth 

straight NCAA Division 

III Indoor Championship March 

11. UW-L finished with 78.0 team 

points. Lincoln University was 

second with 31.0. The 78.0 team 

points is a championship meet 

record, as is the Eagles’ 47-point 

winning margin. 

“If there is a perfect meet to 

have, this may have been it,” says 

UW-L head coach Mark Guthrie. 

“The athletes were outstanding 

all weekend.” 

This was the Eagles’ 13th 

indoor national title in school 

history, the most in NCAA III 

history. With nine outdoor track 

and field national titles, UW-L has 

now won a NCAA III record 22 

track and field championships. 

Get a complete recap of the 

season at 

www.uwlax.edu/athletics/mtrack. 

“If there is a perfect meet to have, 

this may have been it.” 

Women’s gymnastics vaults in record fashion 

Women’s gymnastics 

captured its sixth 

straight National 

Collegiate Gymnastics Association 

(NCGA) Championship March 24. 

UW-L finished at 186.250, ahead of 

second-place finisher Ithaca 

College (N.Y.) at 183.800. The 

Eagles have now won a record 11 

NCGA titles. 

Barb (Derouin) Gibson, ’78, 

completed her 21st season as head 

coach. She has led the Eagles to all 

11, as well as 14 Wisconsin 

Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 

titles. 

Individually, seniors Nina 

Schubert and Jenna Houle 

captured individual national titles. 

Schubert became the second 

gymnast in NCGA history to win 

three uneven parallel bars titles. 

See the season recap at: 

www.uwlax.edu/athletics/wgymnastics. 

—UW-L head coach Mark Guthrie 

National Champion 

Nina Schubert 

National champion distance medley 

relay team member Mike Herlihy 

DZs plan 

reunion 

Athletics 

Delta Zeta-Zeta 

Omicron, on 

campus from 1961 

through the mid 

’80s, will hold its 

second reunion Aug. 4-6, 

2006, in La Crosse. Activities 

include: a La Crosse Queen 

Riverboat ride, golf 

tournament, hike, ceremony 

and banquet/karaoke party, 

and Sunday luncheon. The 

first reunion in August 2003 

drew 78 sisters. Former DZs 

wanting more information 

should contact Heidi 

(Mierendorf) Ludkey at 

hludkey@yahoo.com or Beckey 

(Robinson) Romenesko at 

baromo@juno.com. 

UW-La Crosse Alumnus/Summer 2006 31 

Mark Foos photo

La Crosse Ties 

Class notes 

’32 

Doris (Wolf) Ravnum, ’32 & ’42, and her husband, Norm, have 

moved to Lyndon Station to live with their daughter. 

’44 

Eunice (Dibley) Burns, Ann Arbor, Mich., is “sort of retired” 

while still selling real estate and serving on six area committees. 

She would like to hear from any other ’44 grads at 

elburns@mac.com. 

’50 

Allegra Silberstein Jostad, Davis, Calif., says retirement is 

wonderful. She has been designing dances and performing with a 

world music group. Her new poetry chapbook, “In the Folds,” 

was published by Rattlesnake Press in November 2005. 

’51 

Karen (Sorensen) Jensen, River Falls, has published her second 

Native American historical novel, “Return of the Navajo.” Having 

lived in Gallup, N.M., Jensen emphasized Navajo history in the 

book. To order a copy, contact Jensen at karenleejensen@aol.com. 

John Schumann, Sheboygan, will have a gym at Sheboygan 

South High School named for him. Richard and Kristin Bemis of 

Bemis Manufacturing donated $300,000 to the Sheboygan Area 

School District for the right to name community gyms at the 

North and South high school field houses. Schumann retired from 

coaching in 1981. 

’52 

Richard Thiel, Sr., Kenosha, continues to teach for UW Extension 

and Gateway Technical Institute. He has been a copywriter for a 

U.S. government study plan. 

’53 

Carolyn B. Anderson, Madison, was featured in a “Know Your 

Madisonian” column in the Wisconsin State Journal. She is a retired 

school teacher who taught for 45 years in the Madison School 

District. Anderson lists the day she could live over as: “The first 

day of every school year, which were filled with excitement.” 

’56 

Harold Biebel, Sheboygan, retired from teaching 38 years in the 

Sheboygan Public School System in 1996. He took a part-time 

appointment at UW College-Sheboygan as a mathematics 

professor in 1998 and planned to retire again in December 2005. 

Did 


know? 

... two UW-L students received the 

prestigious 2006-07 Goldwater 

Scholarship, the premier award given 

to only 323 science-related majors 

nationwide. 

Did 

know? 

... Amber Juris of Amherst, cadet 

battalion commander of the UW-L 

ROTC program, was recognized as 

one of the best future Army officers 

in the country. Juris, ranked 19 out of 

3,838 cadets, was named to the 2006 

National Order of Merit List for 

Future U.S. Army Second Lieutenants. 

Virginia (Gittens) Dockweiler, ’56 & ’76, La Crescent, Minn., 

is retired. She and her husband, Eugene, moved into a new condo 

in August. 

John A. and Barbara A. (Fisler) Thomas, both ’56, have 

moved back to the Midwest, re-settling in Fishers, Ind. John 

retired as vice president and professor of pharmacology and 

toxicology from the University of Texas Health Science Center- 

San Antonio, but remains professionally active on governmental 

panels and corporate boards. Since relocating, he has been 

appointed adjunct professor at the Indiana School of Medicine 

and to the FDA’s newly-formed Committee on Drug Safety. He 

currently is a member of the FDA’s Science Advisory Board. 

’59 

Arlen A. Evenson married Marsha Hanson Sept. 10, 2005. They 

live in Burnsville, Minn. Arlen is retired. 

Joseph Putsch, Janesville, owns Putsch Arms, a firearm retail 

business, and the Anti2-Tradr, an antique store. Putsch travels for 

big game and fly fishes throughout the country. He enjoys 

making bamboo fly rods, as well as maple syrup each spring. He 

and his wife, Mary have been married for 43 years. 

’60 

Michael J. Hennessy, North Riverside, Ill., has been practicing 

law in the Chicago area for 41 years. His law firm, Hennessy and 

Cihak, recently purchased the former North Riverside Library 

and has remodeled it into a law center. Despite a busy work 

schedule, he finds time to golf with former UW-L classmates. 

“Never did I anticipate or realize the life journey UW-L was 

preparing me for, and I will also be eternally grateful,” he says. 

’62 

Sandra “Vassar” Braun, Fall River, married William Braun in May 

2005. She teaches swim classes for the Beaver Dam YMCA. 

’66 

Nancy B. Weber, Dallas, retired after 17-plus years as a forensic 

drug chemist, including analyzing the evidence in the “fake drug 

scandal” in Dallas, where innocent immigrants were set up by 

confidential informants. She now volunteers for several organizations 

and finds time to travel. 

’68 

Gale (Huse) Tanger, Wauwatosa, was a ladies figure skating 

judge at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. She is 

first vice president of U.S. Figure Skating and oversees the 

country’s athletes and international programs in the sport. She

serves with the International Skating 

Union as world and olympic judge and 

referee, technical controller, and officials 

assessment commission. 

’69 

Daniel W. Diener, Austin, Texas, has been 

selected by the Small Business 

Administration as the 2006 San Antonio 

District and five state Regional Financial 

Services Champion. He will be considered 

for a national award. He is the chief 

financial officer of the Business Success 

Center, a virtual incubator for owners of 

existing businesses. 

Mary (Tornowske) Lubner, Grafton, 

received her fourth degree Black Belt in 

Taekwon Do, July 16, 2005. She is 

spending retirement volunteering for 4-H, 

teaching Taekwon Do and coaching a 

destination imagination team. 

Mary O’Brien, Elgin, Ill., has been 

inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of 

Fame. O’Brien was Larkin High School’s 

girl’s volleyball coach for 28 years and as 

of September 2005 had 529 career 

victories, ranking her 18th in Illinois high 

school history. She retired from teaching in 

2004, but will continue to coach through 

2006. 

’70 

David K. Roberts, ’70 & ’78, Indianapolis, 

was promoted to full-time men’s and 

women’s head coach in cross country and 

track at Marian College effective July 1, 

2005. He had been assistant dean and 

director of Career Services for 27 years as 

well as part-time coach. 

’71 

Patricia “Trish” Weyenberg, Tarrytown, 

N.Y., has been promoted to vice president 

of Paperback Sales at Penguin Group 

USA. 

’72 

John R., ’72 & ’73, and Janet (Lorentz), 

’73, Schultz live in Manitowoc. John has 

joined the Holy Family Memorial Wellness 

Center as an exercise physiologist. His 

primary responsibility is to perform health 

assessments and provide exercise 

prescriptions for new members. Janet is 

currently the aquatic coordinator at the 

Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA. 

’74 

Bruce Rawlins, Normal, Ill., is an 

advanced planning consultant for State 

Farm Insurance in the Agency department 

which provides advanced investment and 

estate planning assistance to State Farm 

agents. 

’75 

Sue (Lawless) Budisch, Hartland, 

received a master’s of instructional 

leadership from Marquette University in 

May 2004. She’s married to Mike Budisch 

who works for Merton Community 

School. Their daughter, Kelly Budisch, 

’04, was expected to receive a master’s in 

child development from the Chicago 

Erickson Institute in May 2006. 

William J. Kraemer, Willington, 

Conn., received the University of 

Connecticut’s highest research award, 

“The Provost’s Research Excellence 

Award” and medal. Kraemer, a professor 

of kinesiology, has been at UConn since 

2001 after 10 years at Penn State. 

Frederick G. Lautz,’75 & ’80, 

Waukesha, has been selected a Wisconsin 

Super Lawyer by Law & Politics. He is a 

mergers and acquisitions attorney for 

Quarles & Brady LL in Milwaukee. 

Keep in touch with us, and we’ll keep in touch with you! It’s easy: 

• Alumni Association phone: (608)785-8489 1(877)-UWL-ALUM 

• 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 

• Fax: (608)785-6868 • E-mail: alumni@uwlax.edu 

• Web: www.uwlalumni.org 

He likes the Minnesota Vikings so 

much, he’s made it into the NFL’s 

Hall of Fame. John Velek, who attend 

classes on campus from 1979-80, is 

featured in the fan exhibit as the 

“Ultimate Vikings Fan” in Canton, 

Ohio. A stock broker in the Twin 

Cities, “Vman” has followed the team 

all his life. “I have every Vikings 

football card ever made and almost all 

of them are signed,” he notes. Skol, 

Vikings! 

’76 

Barbara (Smith) Anderson, La Crosse, has 

worked as a medical social worker for 30 

years. She is serving her third term on the 

Board of Directors for Catholic Residential 

Services. 

Thomas S., Jr., ’76 , and Sandy (Reis), 

’78, Horne, live in Valparaiso, Ind. Tom 

recently retired from football coaching and 

is now a sales rep for Gilman Gear and 

enjoying time with the family. Sandy was 

recently promoted to vice president of 

Human Resource/Community Relations 

with WiseWay Foods. She has worked for 

this seven-store independent retailer in 

Northwest Indiana for the past seven 

years. They have three grown children and 

are planning their oldest daughter’s 

wedding in October. 

’77 

Nancy Lowe Banach, Naperville, began 

teaching adapted physical education in the 

Naperville School District 203 in 

November 2005. 

Thomas G. Enwright, Sauk City, has 

been named business editor of the 

Wisconsin State Journal in Madison. 


Bob Metcalf, ‘87, displayed about 50 photos of the 

Auschwitz concentration camp during a Viterbo 

University Fine Arts Center exhibit. 

34 


Alum 

displays 

Auschwitz 

photos 

In late October 2003, 

Bob Metcalf became 

one of the over 25 

million people to have 

visited the Auschwitz- 

Birkenau Museum and 

Memorial near Oswiecim, 

Poland. 

He spent two weeks 

there photographing the 

camp grounds. Although 

he wasn’t commissioned 

to do the work, he did 

the project because of the 

importance of the subject 

matter and his deep 

interest in the Holocaust. 

This past February he 

displayed over 50 of his 

images at Viterbo 

University’s Fine Arts 

Center, in conjunction 

with the D.B. Reinhart 

Institute for Ethics in 

Leadership sponsored 

symposium on the 

Holocaust. Metcalf hopes 

to double the number of 

photos in the display and 

put them up again later 

in the year. 

Since graduating in 

1987 with a mass 

communications major 

and a minor in 

photography, Metcalf has 

made a career in 

photography and opened 

his own shop, Bob 

Metcalf Commercial 

Photography, in 1993. 

You can contact him 

by phone at (608)796-0220 

or by e-mail at 

bmetcalf@adlmail.com. 

’79 

Gregory L. Holley, Woodbridge, Va., has 

been promoted to a senior executive 

position with the Treasury Inspector 

General for Tax Administration. As 

Deputy Inspector General for 

Investigations, he oversees all criminal 

and administrative investigations 

throughout the country. He provides 

oversight for eight field divisions, 72 

offices and more than 300 special agents. 

’80 

Mark Barosko, Novato, Calif., recently 

accepted a position with Washington 

Mutual in San Francisco. He works in the 

credit card marketing group and leads a 

team responsible for new customer 

acquisitions. After a job-related move from 

Minneapolis to Austin, Texas, and then to 

Las Vegas his wife, Liz, and kids Will (14) 

and Elanor (12) hope dad doesn’t get the 

moving bug any time soon. 

Bill Moran, Chatham, Ill., has left the 

pharmaceutical business to start a 

consulting business dealing with vaccines 

and vaccine issues. His Web site is: 

www.vaccineconsulting.com. 

’81 

Nelson H. Hassell, Florence, has been a 

private-practicing optometrist for 20 years 

since graduating from the University of 

Missouri School of Optometry in 1986. He 

is president of NHH Vision Group, with 

practice locations in Florence and 

Shawano, and Kingsford, Mich. He was 

recently elected to a second term as a 

member of board of directors of State Bank 

of Florence. He enjoys skiing — summer 

and winter — and boating with wife, 

Jenny, of 16 years, and daughters, Shelby 

(10) and Emily (3). 

Nancy Vittone Paddison, Pearland, 

Texas, decided to pursue a mid-life career 

change after nearly 20 years in marketing 

and public relations. She is now in the 

physical therapist assistant program at San 

Jacinto College South in Houston, Texas, 

where she received the 2005 PTA Program 

Peer Award. She also received the 2005 

Kevin McIntire PTA Scholarship from the 

Southeastern District of the Texas Physical 

Therapy Association. 

’82 

Kathryn “Kathy” O’Neill Topel, Fort 

Atkinson, has worked at Highsmith Inc. 

for 16 years where she is currently a buyer. 

She and her husband, Mike, have a 

daughter, Mariah (13), and a son, Sean, 

(10). 

’83 

Mark, ’83, and Debra Lee (Wantock), ’84, 

Johnson moved to Atlanta in June 2005. 

The family loves the warm weather, 

fantastic jobs, and great people of the 

South! But, they are desperately missing 

the Packers, Badgers and, obviously,

Oktoberfest. Mark would appreciate if 

someone watches over his brother, Leo 

Johnson,’82 & ’84, who could get Leo to 

campus to visit “Uncle Howie.” EIEIEIO! 

David Roth has been named general 

director of the Kentucky Opera. Roth will 

work with the board of trustees to oversee 

the artistic and administrative well-being 

of the opera. He had been director of 

finance with the Fort Worth (Texas) Opera. 

’84 

Rex K. Mehlberg, Green Bay, was named 

the director of parks, recreation and 

forestry for the Village of Ashwaubenon in 

June 2005. He and his wife, Kelly, have a 

toddler son, Rhett. 

Cheryl A. Nitz, Aurora, has been 

teaching special education for students 

with significant needs at Barrett 

Elementary School in Denver since August 

2001. She received a master’s in special 

education from the University of Northern 

Colorado in May 2003. She has lived in 

Colorado since 1986 and has a son, Devyn 

(9), who keeps her “very busy.” 

Gail Stenstad, Telford, Tenn., had a 

book published, “Transformations: 

Thinking After Heidegger.” She is a 

professor and chair of the department of 

philosophy and humanities at East 

Tennessee State University. 

Todd Vande Hei, St. Louis, is the 

regional manager for Spicers Paper Inc. in 

St. Louis. Since graduation, Vande Hei has 

worked in the paper industry, living and 

traveling on the East Coast and in the 

Midwest. 

’85. 

Kurt E. Hitzemann, Spring Hill, Fla., was 

appointed county judge in Hernando 

County, Fla., by Gov. Jeb Bush Oct. 7, 2005. 

Amy (Bernhardt) King, Prairieville, 

La., resigned her position with Ryder 

Transportation Services in May after 20 

years in the corporate world. She entered 

the Teach Louisiana Consortium, an 

alternative teaching certification program, 

and is currently teaching first grade at an 

inner-city school in Baton Rouge. Amy 

and her husband, Christopher, have two 

daughters, Hayley (9) and Mallory (5). 

“The girls are being raised as proper 

Packer fans!” she reports. 

Michael Stevenson, Las Vegas, has 

been named 2005 National Alliance Youth 

Coach of the Year by the National Alliance 

for Youth Sports. 

Adrian Thomas, Sidney, Ohio, 

recently completed the year as CEO of the 

Sidney-Shelby County YMCA located in 

Sidney. Major facility renovations and 

membership improvements highlighted 

the year. It marked Thomas’ 20th year as a 

YMCA professional. 

’86 

Carolyn “Kelly” (Lawrence) Ottman, Van 

Dyne, has been awarded UW-Milwaukee’s 

Teaching Excellence Award for 2005. She 

teaches in the School of Business 

Administration. 

’87 

Todd Lager, Holmen, has been named 

branch manager of the newly-opened 

Advantage Credit Union branch in 

Holmen. He has worked for Advantage 

since 2000. 

Steve Lepse, Virginia Beach, Va., has 

joined UBS Financial Services Inc. as a 

financial adviser after earning an MBA 

and spending 15 years as a financial 

manager and consultant with 

PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM. He has 

developed a successful financial advisory 

practice out of UBS’s Norfolk office and 

works primarily with wealthy individuals, 

business owners and those in transition. 

Jean (Pelegrin) Van Den Brandt, 

Appleton, has been named director of 

marketing for SECURA Insurance. 

Did 

know? 

... around half of the 

nearly 500 volunteers for 

the community-wide 

“Neighbors-helping- 

Neighbors” Day in April 

were UW-L students. 

’88 

Robert C. Kenneth, Portland, Ore., earned 

a master’s in history at the University of 

Oregon in 1990. As a student activist, 

Kenneth has served as art director for 

Willamette Week, a Portland alternative 

newsweekly, and as publisher of 

Metropolis Monthly, an acclaimed journal 

for under-represented writers, artists, 

designers and architects. He was art 

director and production manager for Pry 

Publishing, which produced six 

community newspapers in Portland. He 

was a senior marketing-communications 

specialist for Standard Insurance Co. from 

1995 to 2004. He is currently the communication 

and education manager for the 

Death with Dignity National Center. 

David B. Stockwell, Maple Valley, 

Wash., is the manager of REI’s Computer 

Service Desk, even though he admits that 

he dropped out of computer science. He is 

on the board of directors for Help Desk 

Northwest, a local tech support managing 

group, and the board of Help Desk 

Professions. He works with horses helping 

to recover an endangered breed of 

German draft horse. He plays bass and is 

practicing his blacksmithing and denting 


terra firma as he masters the finer points 

of mountain biking. He encourages those 

in the Pacific Northwest to look him up. 

“I’ll buy ya dinner at one of the best 

seafood eateries in the nation,” he says. 

’89 

Renae Bauer married Joshua Diedrich, 

Oct. 7, 2005. They live in Green Bay. Renae 

is employed by the Catholic Diocese of 

Green Bay. 

Wendy Kerner, Fairplay, Colo., has 

written a book for children, “The Last 

Wild Elephant.” 

A teacher in 

Fairplay, Kerner’s 

inspiration for 

the book came in 

2003 after she 

volunteered at 

the Elephant 

Nature Park in 

Thailand. Find 

out more about 

the book at 

www.thelastwildelephant.com. 

Jodi Ruhland 

and Michael Reisinger were married May 

14, 2005. They live in New Berlin. 

’91 

Diana Elena Moran, El Paso, Texas, is a 

senior lecturer at the University of Texas at 

El Paso in teacher education and 

Chicano/a studies. After graduating from 

UW-L, she did graduate and doctoral 

work at UW-Madison. She enjoys working 

with pre-service and master teachers, 

families, and the diverse communities 

along the U.S./Mexican border. Moran has 

five children, Nicholas (20); Alejandro, 

(12); Ismael (10); Olivia Elena (5); and 

Cuauhtemoc (4). 

’92 

Angie (Hamm), ’92 and Dan Kellogg, ’01, 

have moved to Plover. Dan became 

registrar for UW-Stevens Point in June 

2005. Angie plans to finish her dissertation 

later this summer and is looking at 

positions available at UWSP. Their sons, 

Jordan and Ryan, are in elementary 

school. 

Kerry Sherman, Milwaukee, has been 

named director, assistant controller, of U.S. 

Operations at Manpower Inc. 

’93 

Mark G. Wahlstrom, Centennial, Colo., 

has been named principal of Laredo 

Middle School in the Cherry Creek School 

District. Laredo Middle is in Aurora and is 

one of nine middle schools in the district. 

’94 

Daniel L. Ritzke, Wenatchee, Wash., has 

taken a position with Wenatchee 

Orthopedics as a physician assistant. He 

reports he and his family love all the 



outdoors activities Wenatchee has to offer 

and it’s a short drive over the mountains 

to Seattle. They are building a new house 

that was scheduled to be ready in spring 

2006. He and his wife, Billie, have two 

boys, Jake (4) and Zach (6). 

’95 

John and Susan (Cozad) Amann, both 

’95, live in Hammond. John teaches 

history at Hudson High School; Susan 

works part time as director of children’s 

ministry at Hudson United Methodist 

Church. They have two children, Kirsten 

(6) and Nathan (2). 

Samantha J. Cairo married James 

Toby Oct. 22, 2005. They live in San 

Francisco. Now Samantha Cairo-Toby, she 

currently is a part-time consultant for 

Special Collections at the Western 

Michigan University Libraries in 

Kalamazoo. 

Amber (Lundskow) Engle, Kenosha, 

has been named alumni and development 

activities coordinator at UW-Parkside. 

Debra (Arnold), ’95, and Gabriel, ’05, 

Leis, have relocated to De Pere. Upon 

earning a master’s in anesthesia, Gabe 

accepted a position at Bellin Health and 

moved with their three children, Zavier 

(9), Arianna (6) and Gabriella (3), to a 

suburb of Green Bay. Debra has retired 

from teaching after 10 years and is a stayat-home 

mom. 

Ryan C. Olson married Jennifer 

Mikunda, July 9, 2005. They live in 

Holmen. Ryan works for Re/Max First 

Choice. 

’96 

Matt Lawrence 

(see photo), 

Baraboo, has been 

promoted to 

assistant general 

manager of Great 

Wolf Lodge in 

Wisconsin Dells. 

’97 

Matt Lawrence, ’96 

Scot Eber, ’97, married Nicole Carpiaux, 

’02, Sept.10, 2005. They live in Avon, Ind., 

a suburb of Indianapolis. They both work 

for Fastenal Co.— Scot is a training 

manager; Nicole, a regional marketing 

specialist. 

Rebecca (Robinson) Korzyniewski, 

Wadsworth, Ill., was recently named the 

2005 Illinois Park and Recreation 

Association Young Professional of the 

Year. She is currently the cultural arts 

supervisor for the Gurnee (Ill.) Park 

District. 

Samuele Marcora, Bangor, United 

Kingdom, studied for a doctorate 

following earning a graduate degree in 

1997. He is currently a lecturer (equivalent 

to an associate professor) in exercise 

physiology at the School of Sport, Health 

and Exercise Sciences of the University of 

Wales-Bangor in the United Kingdom. He 


has fond memories of La Crosse, other 

international students, his American 

friends and host family. “They are 

wonderful people! Ciao, a tutti (hi, 

everybody)!” 

Damian Olson married Stephanie 

Shumway Oct. 28, 2005. They live in 

Onalaska with their two children, Michael 

(7) and Luke (5) Shumway. 

Erik Rudrud, married Stephanie 

Delyea, Oct 21, 2005. They live in North 

Tustin, Calif. Erik is employed by 

California Expanded Metal Co. 

’98 

Rita (Vitale) Gibson, Oshkosh, has 

enjoyed a career at Blended Waxes Inc. as 

sales and marketing manager since 2000. 

She and her husband, Jay, have a son, Jack 

Tyler, born in July 2004. 

Ryan Kotowski married Amanda 

Scheider Oct. 22, 2005. They live in 

Franklin. Ryan works for Superior Die Set 

Corp. 

Matt Lehmann, Holmen, has been 

promoted to assistant vice president of the 

Midwest Region for Citibank’s Student 

Loan Corp. 

’99 

AnnMarie E. Brehmer married Eric Dahl 

Sept. 24, 2005. They live in Onalaska. 

AnnMarie is employed by the School 

District of Holmen. 

Matt Greenberg, Madison, is a 

graduate student at UW-Madison in 

educational leadership and policy 

analysis. 

Kristin Ponto, married Daniel Wilkins 

Aug. 6, 2005. They live in Aurora, Colo. 

Kristin works in the traffic department of 

the city of Aurora. 

Nathan J. Voigtschild married Sarah 

A. Maloney, July 30, 2005. They live in 

Monterey, Calif. Nathan works at Alisal 

High School in Salinas, Calif., as a health 

teacher and varsity tennis coach. 

’00 

Amy L. Flume, ’00 & ’02, La Crosse, 

completed a master’s in fine art, studying 

painting and photography, from the 

Florida State University, Tallahassee, in 

April 2006. 

Derek Hillestad, Litchfield Park, Ariz., 

recently took a position with Global 

Spectrum as operations manager of the 

new Arizona Cardinals Stadium in 

Glendale, Ariz. The facility will host all 

home games for the NFL’s Arizona 

Cardinals, the 2007 BCS National 

Championship Game and the 2008 NFL 

Super Bowl. He is engaged to Kelli 

Reihsen of Clio, Calif., and plans to marry 

in June 2007. 

Kelley P. Miller, Aberdeen, Scotland, 

works for Scottish Natural Heritage, a 

division of the Scottish executive 

government. Miller oversees all of the 

recreation and access (paths and 

waterways) in northeast Scotland, called 

Did 

know? 

... it’s easy to get a copy 

of your transcript? Call 

the Records and 

Registration Office at 

(608)785-8576. Copies 

are $5. 

Grampian. When not working, Miller 

enjoys traveling. Miller is working on a 

master’s at the University of Aberdeen. 

Heather (Roets) Skinner, St. Paul, 

Minn., had been working as a Spanish 

publicist at a St. Paul book publisher for 

three and a half years until September 

2005 when she made a career switch to 

television. She is currently working for 

Edelman Productions in Minneapolis as 

the post production coordinator for the 

HGTV program “Decorating Cents.” 

’01 

Joel and Katie (Culp)Crane, both ’01, live 

in Dane. Joel recently graduated from the 

Indiana University School of Dentistry 

with a doctor of dental surgery. He is 

practicing in Lodi. Katie teaches Spanish 

at Monona Grove High School. 

Tricia (Oldenburg) Sendelbach, 

Racine, works for M&I Trust Co. 

Joseph L. Shermak, ’01, married Erin 

E. Merkel, ’02, Oct. 1, 2005. They live in 

Albany, Minn. Joe is an admissions 

representative at Rasmussen College; Erin 

is a junior high school counselor. 

Jesse R. Smith, Philadelphia, is a 

financial specialist at Wachovia Bank. 

Smith had been a branch manager at 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car. 

’02 

Aaron T. Armbrust, ’02, and Kirsten 

A.Geerdts, ’03, were married July 9, 2005. 

Aaron is in his final year of law school at 

Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.; 

Kirsten is a 7th grade health teacher with 

the Inver Grove Heights (Minn.) 

Community Schools. They live in Eagan, 

Minn. 

Scott K. Swanson, Black River Falls, is 

an attorney with the Sherman Law Offices 

in Black River Falls. 

’03 

Kristin (Miller) Blint, Muskego, has been 

promoted to human resources manager at 

the Wisconsin Athletic Club. She has 

received national company recognition for 

implementing new job descriptions.

Alum makes 93-day trek through the 

Arctic Circle 


Karen Stanley, ’04, thinks living in 

the real world is hard. Having to 

worry about careers, bills, taxes 

and such is nuts, she says. 

So after graduating, she 

embarked on a 93-day 

(May 28-Sept. 1, 

2005),1,200-mile canoe trip 

through Canada and into 

the Arctic Circle. “Being in 

real life is much more difficult 

than being out there,” she says. 

The trip was a fund raiser for 

Camp Manito-wish YMCA in 

Boulder Junction, Wis. Stanley 

and four friends had attended 

Manito-wish as children and were 

touched by the experiences and 

the friends they made there. They 

wanted to give something back. 

But as recent college graduates, 

they weren’t exactly able to 

donate large amounts of money. 

Stanley and her co-canoeists 

are giving presentations about 

their trip throughout Wisconsin 

and the country. “The way we 

could give back was by inspiring 

others to give,” Stanley explains. 

Stanley and her friends 

prepared for the trip by spending 

hours mapping out a route and 

canoeing on whitewater rapids. 

They also learned how to use 

equipment like a GPS tracker, a 

locator beacon, a 12-gauge 

shotgun and a bear banger, a pensized 

instrument that, when fired, 

works like a flare gun and is used 

to scare away bears. 

“If there was a herd of 10 bears 

standing in the middle of the river, 

we’d wait them out.” — Karen Stanley 

Stanley’s bear banger was put 

to use early in the trip when a 

black bear wandered into the 

campsite. “We were setting up for 

dinner and he decided he was 

going to join us,” she recalls. The 

girls clapped, banged pots to 

scare the bear away, but that 

didn’t stop it from destroying one 

of their tents first. 

“We’re fairly calm people, but 

in hindsight we probably should 

have been a little more scared,” 

she says. 

But Stanley and the others 

weren’t prepared for the ice they 

encountered. The first half of the 

trip was only about half canoeing. 

The other half was chopping 

through a frozen lake or dragging 

the canoes on top of the ice, dog 

sled style. 

The group wasn’t discouraged 

by unforeseen difficulties. “We 


Karen Stanley, ’04, was one of the 

five young women who ventured 

through the Arctic Circle on a 93day 

canoe trip to support a 

northern Wisconsin camp. 

just did whatever we had to do to 

get from point A to B,” Stanley 

notes. “I think most groups 

would (give up), but not with this 

group of women. If there was a 

herd of 10 bears standing in 

the middle of the river, we’d 

wait them out.” 

That attitude landed the 

girls in Gjoa Haven, 

Canada, on the Arctic 

Ocean, their final 

destination point, 93 days later. 

There they waited, slightly 

nervously, for five days before 

they were picked up by aircraft 

and brought home. 

Stanley was happy to be able 

to reconnect with family and 

friends, even though now she has 

to live in the real world again. She 

recently moved to North Carolina 

to work seasonally at a YMCA 

camp while she continues to look 

for a full-time job. 

She’s also happy to be able to 

shower with warm water again. 

On the trip, the best the girls 

could do was bathe in the frigid 

river. Or, as Stanley puts it,“You 

run in, you scream, and you run 

out.” 

Learn more about the expedition 

and view a log of their experience 

at www.borealispaddlingexpedition.com. 



Josh Doll, Fitchburg, works for NSI, a 

branch office of West Bend Mutual 

Insurance Co. in Middleton. He supports 

the telephone, security, computer and 

network systems. 

Natalie (Babler) Jacobson, Shakopee, 

Minn., is a marketing specialist for 

Conklin Co. in Shakopee. 

Diana Kuykendall and Matthew 

Crysler were married Sept. 17, 2005. They 

live in Columbia, Md. Diana is employed 

by Johns Hopkins Clinical Exercise Center 

in Lutherville, Md. 

Class of 20?? 

Katherine Hartline-McMahon, ’86, and 

Terry McMahon, Lodi, a daughter, Gianna 

Grace, Sept. 26, 2005. She joins siblings 

Benjamin, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Molly, and 

Michelle. Katherine is a full-time mom and 

part-time piano instructor. 

Kristine (Kuen), ’88, and Chuck 

Mangold, Mary Esther, Fla., a daughter, 

Emily VictoriaAnn, Aug. 25, 2005. She 

joins a sister, Grace (2). 

Sandra (Mauer), ’90, and John 

Finnegan, Burlington, a son, Brogan John, 

Nov. 13, 2005. He joins sisters Maille (9) 

and Maisie (8). Sandy is a reading 

teacher/reading recovery teacher in the 

Waterford Graded School District. 

Brian, ’90, and Krista Granger, Dacula, 

Ga., a son, Shea Camden, March 16, 2005. 

Brian is employed by Dekalb Public 

Schools. 

Elizabeth Faulkner Bock, ’92, and 

Paul Bock, Portland, Ore., a daughter, Jane 

Olivia Bock, Aug. 5, 2005. Elizabeth is a 

voice talent for Internetjock.com and 

represented by In Both Ears Talent Agency 

voicing regional and national TV and 

radio commercials, Web presentations and 

industrial films. 

Jennifer (Miller), ’92, and Steven 

Burks, Gilbert, Ariz., a daughter, Avery 

Annabelle, June 13, 2005. She joins a 

brother, Cade, (7.) Jennifer is employed by 

Higley Unified School District. 

David, ’92, and Christina Johnson, 

La Crosse, a daughter, Hannah Christina, 

Nov. 30, 2005. She joins sister Meghan (2). 

Roger J. Pflieger, ’92, and Terera 

Galvin, Sparks, Nev., a son, Aidan 

Matthew, June 19, 2004. Roger and Terera 

will celebrate their 10th wedding 

anniversary in July. 

Vicki (Mullikin), ’92, and Bruce 

Waller, Prairie du Chien, a son, Ryan 

Michael, June 10, 2005. He joins a brother, 

Andrew (7), and sister, Kaitlyn (5). Vicki is 

the district accountant for the Wauzeka- 

Steuben School District. 


Shawna Lusk, Lafayette, Ind., has 

been promoted to senior associate director 

of student access, transition and success 

programs at Purdue University. 

Tyler Zunker, Appleton, is a 

firefighter with the city of Appleton. 

’04 

Kelly Courtney and Brian Wallace, both 

’04, were married Oct. 21, 2005. They live 

in Holmen. Both are pursuing master’s 

degrees in exercise and sport science at 

UW-L. 

Dee (Shepherd), ’93, and David 

Bainbridge, ’94, Franklin, twin sons, 

Alexander John and Sean Gavin, March 11, 

2005. They join a brother, Jacob (4). 

Annette (Chadwick), ’93, and 

Thomas, ’95, Fechner, La Crosse, twin 

daughters, Kate Tommie and Emily Dee, 

Oct. 19, 2005. They join sister Mikayla, (5). 

Annette is a claim representative at State 

Auto Insurance in Onalaska; Thomas is a 

nuclear medicine technologist at 

Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse. 

Jennifer L. (Mehlberg), ’93, and Owen 

Warr, East Troy, a son, Liam Hunter, 

April 21, 2005. He joins a sister, Emma 

Marie, (4). The family is building a new 

home in Muskego, closer to where Jennifer 

works as a fifth grade teacher. 

Sandra (Breunig), ’94, and Joseph 

Glotfelty, Fairfax, Va., a son, Thomas 

William, Sept. 5, 2005. 

Karen (Walker), ’94 & ’00, and 

Dwayne “Dewey” Wunschel, ’98, 

Menomonee Falls, a daughter, Kelci Lynn, 

Oct. 16, 2005. She joins a sister, Kylee (5). 

Karen is a middle school physical 

education teacher in Germantown; 

Dwayne is a recreation specialist at the 

Jewish Community Center in Whitefish 

Bay. 

Dean, ’95, and Kristine (Wickersham), 

’96, Geier, Milwaukee, a son, Erik Blake, 

Feb. 8, 2006. Dean works for the Elmbrook 

School District in Brookfield; Kristine for 

Milwaukee Public Schools. 

Amy R. (Holmes), ’95, and Chris 

Goray, Aurora, Ill., a daughter, Katherine 

Veronica, June 21, 2005. She joins a sister, 

Sophie (4). Amy is a social worker at 

Edward Hospital in Naperville. 

Brenda (Ebben), ’95, and Gregory 

Kohl, Appleton, a daughter, Anna Rose, 

Sept. 2, 2005. She joins a sister, Jenna. 

Paul Bremel and Amy Miller-Bremel, 

both ’96, Fish Creek, a daughter, Meridian 

Eve, Nov. 11, 2005. She joins brother 

McKinley (3) and sister London (4). Paul is 

a math teacher at Gibraltar High School; 

Brett Mack, Eau Claire, works for 

Menard’s. 

Christo Nielsen, Racine, is a 

marketing consultant for Mazda in 

Milwaukee. 

Jessica M. Roberts, Aberdeen, N.C., is 

engaged to Mark Hanson, a graduate of 

the Air Force Academy. 

’05 

Beth A. Buege, Holmen, is an account 

manager at Main Street Ingredients in 

La Crosse. 

Did 

know? 

... in fall 2005 the 

American Association of 

State Colleges and 

Universities named 

UW-L as one of 12 

colleges nationwide 

that excels at student 

success. 

Amy is development director at HELP of 

Door County. 

Kathryn (Kastelic), ’96, and Marcus 

Davies, Hubertus, a son, Charles Eugene, 

Nov. 2, 2005. He joins sister Allie, (2). 

Kathy is a dentist at the Hartford Dental 

Group. 

Season (Bolton), ’96, and Jason 

Rosinski, Janesville, adopted a son, Paul 

Jason, born March 14, 2005, in South 

Korea. He arrived in the United States 

Sept. 14, 2005. 

Lisa, A. (Ehret), ’97, and Preston 

Ames, Milton, a son, Levi Edward, Aug. 

10, 2005. He joins a sister, Ella, (2). 

Julie (Perlberg), ’97, and Jim 

Kazmierkoski, Eden Prairie, Minn., a 

daughter, Mikayla Annette, Jan. 14, 2006. 

Mindy R. Kriefski, ’97 and Matt 

Goudy, Frankfort, Ill., a daughter, Caelen 

Rae, Aug. 17, 2005. She joins a sister, Riley, 

and brother, Nolan. 

Stacey (Anderson), ’97, and Ryan 

Westrum, Hudson, a daughter, Greta 

Lynn, April 11, 2005. 

Brenda (Peters), ’98, and Ryan Grass, 

West Bend, a son, Brendyn Michael, April 

18, 2005. He joins a sister, Makenzie, (2). 

Brenda is a Spanish teacher with the 

Hartford Joint 1 School District. She has

taken a one-year child rearing leave to be at home with her two 

children. 

Sandra J. (Slatter), ’98, and Dave Helfrich, La Crosse, a 

daughter, Isabella Rose, Oct. 31, 2005. She joins sister, MacKenzie, 

(4) and brother, Jarryd, (2). Sandra is employed by Mary Kay Inc. 

Christine (Dolesy), ’99, and Gordon Gargulak, Black River 

Falls, a son, Travis John, Nov. 1, 2005. Christine teaches adult 

basic education and vocational classes at the Black River 

Correctional Center. 

Cordia (Storrs), ’99, and Chuck Gillette, ’00, Onalaska, a son, 

Noah Storrs, Oct. 27, 2005. Cordial is an assistant athletic trainer 

and lecturer at UW-L; Chuck is a UW-L athletic trainer and is 

going to school to become a surgical technician. 

1927 — Christine (Johnson) Van Tassel, Sheboygan. 

1929 — Juanita (Wehnke) Webb, Cincinnati. 

1930 — Harold W. Corrigan, Sun City Center, Fla. 

1930 — Dorothy (Runge) Nelson, Stoddard. 

1931 — Anna (Matson) Hanson, Chaseburg. 

1932 — John D. McConaughey, La Crosse. 

1934 — Frieda Kitak, Beach Park, Ill. 

1936 — Vida H. Adam, La Farge. 

1938 — Edna (Spellmeyer) Hill, Tampa, Fla. 

1939 — Jean Lechnir, Prairie du Chien. 

1942 — Arnold W. Wilhelm, Ithaca. 

1944 — Edna P. Schenzel, Merrill. 

1945 — Arnold “Arnie” W. Wilhelm, Ithaca, N.Y. 

1949 — Norman Espe, Green Bay. 

1949 & 65 — Lovell “Mac” McCulloch, Markesan. 

1950 — Richard R. Linnell, Orangeville, Ill. 

1952 — Andy Popa, Jr., Yucaipa, Calif. 

1952 — Mary J. Weinard, Hartford. 

1953 — Robert Sumner Pickering, Oshkosh. 

1953 — Joann (Aberg) Turner, Middleton. 

1955 — Erwin “Buss” Henschel, Clinton, Iowa. 

1956 — Roger Barstad, Eau Claire. 

Former university leader remembered 

The leader of 

UW-L from 

1965-1970 has 

died. Samuel 

G. Gates, 

president of 

then 

Wisconsin 

Samuel G. Gates 

State 

University- 

La Crosse, died Jan. 24, 2006, in 

Estes Park, Colo. Gates took 

pride in his efforts to improve 

campus and community 

relations during his administration 

which saw enrollments, 

faculty numbers and tempers 

soar. He refused to allow 

Students for a Democratic 

Society to organize and hold 

speeches because of the group’s 

communistic beliefs. His actions 

were backed by faculty and the 

board of regents. The American 

Civil Liberties Union took the 

issue to court and lost. Gates 

resigned to become director of 

the Wisconsin State University 

System, which he held for more 

than a year before being enticed 

back to his home state of 

Colorado to serve as executive 

director of the Trustees of 

Colorado State Colleges, a 

position he held until he retired 

to Estes Park in 1976. 


Melissa (Taylor) and Eric Mayfield, both ’99, Minneapolis, a 

daughter, Madeline Taylor, March 10, 2005. She joins a brother, 

Noah Jonathan (4). Melissa works at the Best Buy headquarters; 

Eric owns Lyn Lake Chiropractic. 

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

Bay, a son, Kade, Aug.11, 2005. 

Angel J.A. (Miller), ’02, and Cameron O. Olson, ’03, Eau 

Claire, a son, Cameron Douglas “CJ,” Sept. 6, 2005. He was 

welcomed home by sister Madison. Angel is a stay-at-home mom; 

Cameron works for Eau Claire Anesthesiologists. 

Sarah (Stratz), ’02, and Joshua Raml, Sheboygan, a daughter, 

Hannah Lynn, Sept. 25, 2005. Sarah works at Aurora Memorial 

Sheboygan Hospital. 

1956 — Kathryn Hamilton, Greendale. 

1957 — Janice Mae (Roseland) Breitenbach, Nekoosa. 

1958 — Patrick Condon, Sussex. 

1959 — Joseph Michalke, Macomb, Ill. 

1960 — Frederick Miller, Kirkwood, Mo. 

1961 — Ray E. Jostad, Green Bay. 

1964 — Marguerite Griffin, Tomah. 

1964 — Warren Selck, Lake Mills. 

1970 — Pamela (George) Hueslien, La Crescent, Minn. 

1972 — Sallie M. Henry, Blacksburg, Va. 

1972 — Darrel R. Lulling, Monona. 

1974 — Timothy Kruschek, Puyallup, Wash. 

1974 — Craig M. Lindsley, Perryville, Mo. 

1976 — Paul Schlies, Denmark. 

1983 — Daniel Gillespie, Genoa. 

1986 — Kyle L. Schultz, Hartland. 

1988 — Paul Pederson, Janesville. 

1992 & ’01 — Steve Wiltinger, La Crosse. 

1994 — Derek Horn, Evansville. 

1998 — Andrea (Hunziker) Bashaw, La Crosse. 

2002 — Erin Melin, Madison. 

Helen (Markos) Buschmann, a 

long-time housemother on 

campus, died Oct. 27, 2005 in 

La Crosse. She was 93 years old. 

Buschmann, a 1934 graduate of 

then La Crosse Normal School, 

returned to campus in 1963 to 

become a housemother in Reuter 

Hall. She also served as 

housemother in Wilder and 

Trowbridge halls until retiring in 

1977. She is survived by a son, 

John, and daughter, Mary. 

Laura Schuh, La Crosse, a 

professor emeritus of biology, died 

Jan. 16, 2006, in La Crosse. She 

was 90 years old. Schuh taught on 

campus from 1957-1983. She is 

survived by three sisters and two 

brothers. 


JUNE 

2 Membership Committee meeting, campus 

9 College of Business Administration golf 

outing, Wisconsin Dells (Contact Pat Stephens, 

(608)785-8153) 

9 Geography reunion, campus 

9-10 Alpha Kappa Lamba reunion, La Crosse (David 

Turner, limgoon@charter.net) 

13 Communications Committee meeting, campus 

17 UW System Big Reunion II - Milwaukee Brewers 

game, Milwaukee 

19 L-Club golf outing, Fox Hollow, La Crosse 

22 Iowa Cubs game, Des Moines, Iowa 

22 Twin Cities Alumni Club event at Canterbury Park, 

Shakopee (Greg Natyshak, (952)938-0501) 

29 Drawing for Switzerland and Northern Italy trip 

JULY 

7 Membership Committee meeting, campus 


12 Milwaukee Alumni Club River Walk Boat tour, 

Milwaukee 

13 Milwaukee Alumni Club meeting, Bastille Days, 

Milwaukee 

AUGUST 

4-6 Delta Zeta-Zeta Omicron Chapter reunion, 

La Crosse (Contact Heidi Ludkey, 

hludkey@yahoo.com, or Becky Romenesko, 

baromo@juno.com) 

8 Freshmen Send-Off, Twin Cities 

9 Freshmen Send-Off, Milwaukee 

10 Freshmen Send-Off, Madison 

16 Chancellor’s golf outing, Cedar Creek, Onalaska 


Alumni Calendar 

Get involved 

Alumni Association has a variety of events planned 

SEPTEMBER 

1 Student Alumni Ambassador’s loft delivery, campus 

2 Move-in Day Ice Cream social, campus 

2 Football at South Dakota State University, 

Brookings, S.D. 

5 First day of fall semester classes 


21-29 Switzerland and Northern Italy alumni and friends 

tour 

23 Football at Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, Calif. 

29 Alumni Band practice for Oktoberfest parade, 

campus 

30 Football at UW-Stevens Point 

30-7 Oktoberfest 

OCTOBER 

7 Football vs. UW-Platteville, campus 

14 Football at UW-Whitewater 

20-22 Homecoming & Family weekend (See tentative 

schedule, page 20) 

21 Football vs. UW-Eau Claire, campus 

28 Football at UW-Stout 

NOVEMBER 

4 Football vs. UW-River Falls, campus 

11 Football at UW-Oshkosh 

14 Communications Committee meeting, 

campus 

For more info, call the Alumni Association 

at 877-UWL-ALUM. 

Help us stay in touch! 

We’d love to keep in touch with you. Today, often 

the easiest and most economical way to do that is 

via e-mail. Give us your e-mail address and we’ll 

send you only the info you need to know. (No 

spam here!) Update your information at: 

www.uwlalumni.org/whatsnew.htm.

It makes brown eyes turn 

Alum discovers the 52 most depressing songs 


When Tom Reynolds, ’83, got his second book deal, 

he was excited. That makes sense, after all. Book 

deals are a big thing. 

But after the experience, Reynolds is lucky to be alive. 

It all began when Reynolds was contacted by an editor in 

England. He said, “Tom, we have this challenge for you. We 

want you to spend a year, minimum, and listen to as much 

depressing music as you possibly can and find 50 of the most 

depressing songs, the ones that really make you want to kill 

yourself.” 

Reynolds replied: “OK, sounds like fun.” 

“I was working on a reality show at the time, so I was 

pretty much depressed anyway,” he recalls. The result was his 

book “I Hate Myself And Want To Die: The 52 Most 

Depressing Songs You’ve Ever Heard.” It was first released in 

Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland in 2005. 

It was set to be released in the United States in May 2006. 

Reynolds locked himself in his study every night listening 

to music, averaging 60 to 70 songs a day. He took notes and 

judged his internal level of depression. “I’m somewhat 

lachrymose right now,” he’d scribble. 

But Reynolds needed a barometer to decide if a song was 

actually depressing or merely sad. “There’s a difference,” he 

The Book 

Reynolds’ book, “I Hate Myself and Want to Die: The 52 Most 

Depressing Songs You’ve Ever Heard,” is divided into several 

different sections. A few: 

• “I Was a Teenage Car Crash,” (popular in the ’60s, says Reynolds) 

• “I Had No Idea That Song Was So Morbid” 

• “I'm Trying To Be Profound and Touching But Really Suck At It.” 

Reynolds expects backlash from artists featured in the book. “I would 

actually be honored if they were upset,” he says. 

notes. “In sad songs you have to 

bring something to it. People 

listen to sad songs when they’re 

feeling sad.” 

A depressing song is different. 

“A depressing song is you won the 

lottery, bought yourself a 

Lamborghini, you’re driving down 

the freeway feeling really great, 

and “Seasons in the Sun” (by 

Terry Jacks) comes on and you say, 

‘I’m going to go crash the car and 

die right now,’” he explains. 

He jokes about it now, but at 

the time, listening to all that 

depressing music really got him, 

well, depressed. “I was walking 

around with circles under my eyes 

and mumbling a lot,” he recalls. 

Fortunately, in addition to his 

English major, Reynolds had a 

music minor. “I thought, ‘If I’m 

Coulee Coda 

Tom Reynolds, ’83, has 

written a book about 

depressing songs. It 

was set to be released 

in the United States 

in May. 

Workin’ with the stars 

Reynolds worked briefly 

in Texas before moving 

to Los Angeles. His first 

big break came as 

technical director for a 

comedy studio, 

Groundlings. There, he 

worked with “Saturday 

Night Live” cast 

members (Phil Hartman 

and Will Ferrell to name 

just two). Reynolds says 

Will Ferrell is every bit 

as funny as you’d expect 

him to be and Paris 

Hilton is, well, “a piece 

of work.” 

going to get through this, I can’t get emotionally involved,” 

he recalls. To distance himself, he began dissecting songs from 

a musical theory perspective, such as analyzing based on key 

changes and bridges. 

It wasn’t all bad. “Some of (the songs) I sort of enjoyed. 

They grew on me, even though they were depressing songs,” 

he says. 

Reynolds has found success with well-known shows like 

“elimiDATE” and “Arrest and Trial,” and his first book, “Wild 

Ride,” about motorcycle subculture and based on his A&E 

special, “The Wild Ride of Outlaw Bikers.” 

He hopes to continue writing, perhaps with bigger projects 

such as film and television. 

And he’s hoping he'll land another book deal — with a 

cheerier topic.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 

1725 State St. 

La Crosse, WI 54601 

The view looking north at Pearl and Fourth streets in a revitalized 

downtown La Crosse offers nostalgia and modernism. 

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 or alumni@uwlax.edu. 

This publication was funded by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Foundation. 

This publication was not produced at taxpayer expense. 

Non-profit Org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

La Crosse, Wis. 

Permit No. 545

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