UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow
on the Value of Diversity

“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it – but sail we must, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes

UW-L values diversity both in our programs and in the people who learn and work here. We are committed to ensuring an intellectually challenging, welcoming, and respectful learning environment for all people of diverse perspectives, races, ethnic backgrounds, ages, genders, religions, sexual orientations, abilities, socioeconomic status, family situations, national origins, and other individual differences.

Students, administrators, faculty, staff, and community members learn and work in a physically and psychologically safe environment where they are valued for their similarities and differences. Differences are recognized as valued resources for the academic, cultural, and personal development that has occurred in our country and our world; therefore, they are viewed as essential to an intellectually stimulating environment.

An atmosphere that fosters the exploration of issues from multiple perspectives fosters academic exploration and growth. Because diversity is an integral part of UW-L, students graduate with a commitment to being culturally knowledgeable world citizens.

Joe Gow
Chancellor
UW-La Crosse