Spring 1997 - Digitized Resources Murphy Library University of ...

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Construction Set for 1998
Health Consortium
Progressing "Right
On Track"
Efforts for the La Crosse Medical
Health Science Consortium go on.
"Things are progressing right on
track," saysMartin VennelI\an,
executive director of the consortium.
Officials from all five of the
consortium members - Franciscan
Skemp Healthcare, Gundersen­
Lutheran Medical Center, UW-L,
Viterbo College and Western
Wisconsin Technical College ­
remain highly involved in and
committed to the project. Much
effort since the March 1996 referendum
has gone into planning of
the nearly $27 million building to
be built near UW-L.
An architect has been hired
and plans will be submitted to the
State Building Commission in
April. Approval would release
WISTAR funding, with half of the
$26.8 million to be paid back to
the state by the consortium during
the next 20 years. If approved,
construction could begin in spring
1998 and completed around the
year 2000.
Of the $13.4 million funded by
the consortium, $3.65 million was
approvedby western Wisconsin
voters in a referendum, $1.75
million will come from WWTC in
land and equipment, and $8
million will be raised. "Our fundraising
and development initiative
efforts are going strong," says
Venneman.
Consortium efforts have already
begun. The Literacy Development
Center opened in January 1995
and health profession shortages
and health care needs throughout
western Wisconsin, southeastern
Minnesota and northeastern Iowa
are being studied.
One of Top 25 in Nation
NYSP Recognized
A campus summer program for
children has received national
recognition. The National
Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) National Youth Sports
Program (NYSP) committee has
selected the UW-L 1996 summer
program as one of the top 25 in
the country. The "Meritorious
Program" citation put the program
among the top nationwide.
Also, the NCAA awarded
UW-L as one of the 20 colleges
nationwide to offer a NYSP Girls
Sports Clinic on campus during
spring semester '97. The clinics
expose girls to non-traditional
sports, while allowing them to
meet college coaches and studentathletes.
More than 250 area girls
were expected to participate.
WAHPERD lOOth Set for La Crosse
500 ADDED TO
ALUMNI ROLLS
A total of 500 students
graduated during the
university's 32nd
annual midyear
commencement Dec.
22. History professor
James Parker addressed
the graduating class of
445 undergraduates
and 55 master's
degree candidates.
HPER Faculty, Alumni Celebrate Centennial
Members of the Wisconsin Association of Health, Physical
Education, Recreation and Dance (WAHPERD) bring their 100th
anniversary convention to the La Crosse Center Oct. 29-31.
The convention will include a gala presentation of how the
four disciplines have changed over the past century. "The program
will portray a humorous, but historical, look at health
and physical education in our public schools over the last 100
years," says Keith Bakken, WAHPERD executive director.
WAHPERD has nearly 1,000 members, many who either
attended UW-L, or were taught by a UW-L alumni. This year's
association president, John Kading, earned a bachelor's from
UW-L in 1966 and a master's in 1972. Numerous other UW-L
alumni have held offices and have been honored by the organization
over its 100 years of existence.
WAHPERD members will honor former teachers and
colleagues as part of the celebration. For $10, they may honor
a person by listing them in a Commemorative Centennial
Publication. For more information about honoring someone,
or about the convention, callH800)441-4568.
UW-La Crosse Alumnus / Spring 1997 13