Eagle Connection - May 13-22, 2009

Diploma and mortar board

Spring commencement ceremonies set

The university holds its 100th annual Spring Commencement Saturday, May 16, in the Mitchell Hall Gymnasium. A total of 1,560 students are expected to graduate, including 1,207 receiving undergraduate degrees and 353 receiving graduate degrees.

The ceremonies include:

  • 9 a.m. — College of Business Administration. All undergraduate and graduate students.
  • 11 a.m. — School of Arts and Communication (art, communication studies, music, theatre arts) and educational studies department, including reading, special education and Master of Education-Professional Development. All undergraduate and graduate students — includes teacher certification students who have majors in art and music.
  • 1:30 p.m. — College of Liberal Studies, social sciences and humanities departments of English, history, modern languages, philosophy, political science and public administration, psychology, sociology and archaeology. All undergraduate and graduate students — includes teacher certification students who have majors in these areas including broadfield social studies.
  • 4 p.m. — College of Science and Health departments of exercise and sport science, health education and health promotion, recreation management and therapeutic recreation. All undergraduates and graduate students — includes teacher certification students who have majors in these areas.
  • 6:30 p.m. — College of Science and Health departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, geography, health professions, mathematics, microbiology and physics. All undergraduates and graduate students — includes teacher certification students who have majors in these areas including broadfield science.

Ceremonies will be streamed live at the time listed (Central Standard Time) Saturday, May 16, and archived for later viewing. Watch ceremonies online at www.uwlax.edu/edtech/graduation.

All graduation ceremonies are cablecast live on Charter Cable Channel 989, as well as on Channel 96 in La Crosse. The UW-L Cable TV channel is available to Charter subscribers in La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen, Oakdale, Tomah, Warrens, Black River Falls, Melrose, Mindoro, Sparta, Rockland, Bangor, Barre Mills, St. Joseph's Ridge and West Salem, as well as in La Crescent, Winona, Stockton, Lewiston and Rollingstone, Minn. Graduation ceremonies also are live available on Channel 6 on UW-L campus cable TV in classrooms and residence halls.

 

Eagle mascot
Colbert is the new name of the Eagle mascot.

Eagle mascot gets new name

The votes are in. The new name of the UW-L Eagle mascot is Colbert. Colbert received 1,408 of the 3,161 votes cast. Here are the vote results:

Colbert 44% (1408 votes)
Ernie 14% (459 votes)
Edgar 11% (337 votes)
Screech 11% (333 votes)
Talon 9% (288 votes)
Write-ins 6% (184 combined)
Baldy 5% (152 votes)

Baird Hall farewell is bittersweet

Article and photo by Mandy Nogle, University Relations/Alumni Association.

The consensus is in: Baird Hall will be missed. The UW-L campus community and alumni who lived in the beloved Baird Hall will soon say goodbye in order to make way for Centennial Hall, the new academic building.

Group in front of Baird Hall.

Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Bob Hetzel, left, and Chancellor Joe Gow, third from left, joined Baird Hall residents at a farewell party May 2. Pictured from left, Hetzel, Baird Hall Director Lore Vang, Gow and resident assistants Patrick Burns, Jamie Whitehead, Abby Lund, Bob Tolson and Mike Malloy.

A farewell party was hosted May 2 for alumni and current students for one final hurrah. Mike Malloy, a student living in Baird, said the hall is known for its friendliness. “Baird has a very unique atmosphere. Everyone accepts each other,” he says. A number of students attending the farewell party agreed. 

A favorite memory was during the beginning of the school year when people from Pakistan, Lebanon, China and the U.S. — from all over the world — were hanging out in front of the residence hall.  Student Patrick Burns says that it was fun to be in one place when everyone was coming from different backgrounds. First-year Residence Assistant Abby Lund agrees. “This is a great place to learn," she says. "So many people are always willing to share their cultures with you and answer your questions.” 

Even when it's gone, Baird Hall will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of those who lived there.

Baird and Trowbridge halls are coming down this summer. A new 500-bed residence hall on Coate Field is slated to be completed by June 2011.

Class interviewing veterans.
A UW-L class interviewed two World War II veterans for class project: Lorenz Pinski, left at table, and Vernetto Fisch.

Class interviews World War II veterans

Professor Gregory Wegner and students from his class on the methods of teaching history and social studies interviewed two World War II veterans in Wing Technology May 4.

Vernetto Fisch is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and 1940 graduate of Bangor High School. She served in quartermaster supply at El Toro Airbase in California from 1943-45.

Lorenz Pinski of La Crosse, a 1942 graduate of La Crosse Central High School, enlisted for the Army in Main Hall of the La Crosse Teachers College February 1943. Pinski served as an engineer in the 84th Infantry Division. In December 1944 on the eve of the Battle of the Bulge, Pinski was wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans.

This legacy project on World War II is inspired by the Library of Congress Veterans Oral History Project. To see the interview, visit www.uwlax.edu/edtech/vets.

Gov. Doyle records message on Centennial Web site

While in La Crosse in April, Gov. Jim Doyle recorded a video message for UW-L's Centennial Web site following a speech he made at the La Crosse Center.

“We are trying to link to our external audiences through a variety of technologies to create involvement in our Centennial Celebration,” says Jim Jorstad, Educational Technologies.

Watch the Centennial Web site for more surprise guests and updates and connect to UW-L's Ning social network at www.uwlax.edu/100years.

Majewski gathering is May 15

The health professions department will honor Kathy Majewski for working eight years with the physician assistant program with a farewell gathering from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, May 15, in the fourth floor atrium of the Health Science Center.

Clow farewell reception set for May 15

A farewell reception for Billy Clow is set for 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, May 15, in the Center for the Arts lobby. Clow, served as interim associate dean for the College of Liberal Studies and director of the School of Arts & Communication. Clow began his career at UW-L in 1996 and was chair of and a professor in the theatre arts department, as well as scenic and lighting designer. Clow is leaving UW-L this summer to become the dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Montevallo in the Birmingham, Ala., metropolitan area.

Spring Shred Day is May 16

A Spring Shred Day runs from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 16, at the Altra Federal Credit Union parking log, 2715 Losey Blvd. Bring up to 100 pounds of paper to be shredded and enter a drawing to win a personal shredder. This free event is open to the public. Donations will be accepted and will go to Crime Stoppers. To find out more, visit www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/images/2009/spring/may/ShredDay.pdf.

Prefix for photography courses now ART in WINGS

Photography courses are now listed with the prefix ART, rather than APH as listed in the 2007-09 catalog. Also, ART 160 is a pre-requisite for photography minors beginning the program in fall 2009. For more information about courses in the photo minor, contact the art department at 785.8230 or Tina Connelly at connelly.tina@uwlax.edu.

Kudos

 

 

 

Physics group

Physics students inducted into Physics Honor Society

Nine UW-L physics students were inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society, at a function held in 201 Cowley Hall Wednesday, April 29. Chancellor Joe Gow congratulated the inductees and handed out certificates and membership pins. Pictured, front, from left, Marsha Swatosh, T.A.K. Pillai, Chelsey Koehler, Mike Olson, Brooke Baldwin, Shauna Sallmen, Gubbi Sudhakaran. Back, from left, Eric Gansen, Joe Lanska, Chancellor Joe Gow, Katlin Genthe, Daniel Brogan, Tim Lopez, Brad Hartl and Eric Barnes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UW-L well represented at La Crosse Fitness Festival

UW-L was well represented at La Crosse's First Fitness Festival May 2 and 3. The event drew about 2,300 registered participants and staged La Crosse’s first marathon in more than a quarter century. Some of those representing UW-L included:

  • Garth Tymeson and Felix Manny running.
    Garth Tymeson and Manny Felix, both exercise and sport science, near mile 10 of the 13.1 mile half marathon May 2 in the La Crosse Fitness Festival. Photo by Larry Sleznikow, Educational Studies.
    Karry Auby, mathematics, half marathon, 637 out of 705.
  • Dave Bange, mathematics emeritus, race director for marathon and half marathon.
  • Taggert "TJ" Brooks, economics, bicycle criterium race participant.
  • Marathon participants: Nick Downey, biology; 80th out of 335. Corporate marathon team of chemistry professors, including Curt Czerwinski, Laura Roessler, Rob McGaff and Paul Miller ("Three Men and a Lady") fifth place.
  • Alumna Nikki Cahen, first place 5K women.
  • Half marathon participants included exercise and sports science faculty Manny Felix, placing 160, and Garth Tymeson, placing 179, out of 705 participants.
  • Jim Jorstad, Educational Technologies, in top 25 of 5K run out of 500 runners, third in the male 50-54 division.
  • Maurine "Mo" Mcalpine, recreational sports, 35th overall and second in the female 45-49 division.
  • Mick Miyamoto, Student Life, 194th in the 5K run.
  • UW-L sophomore Travis Pernsteiner, completed marathon in under three hours, 20 minutes.
  • Larry Sleznikow, Educational Technologies, course marshal for the marathon Sunday.
  • Brian Udermann sixth in marathon mixed team event.
  • Terry Wirkus, Educational Technologies, 5K walk participant.
  • Ron Thompson, Physical Plant, marathon, 124 out of 320.
  • UW-L cheerleaders.

For more photos, visit www.uwlax.edu/edtech/fitnessfestival2009/index.html. Read more about the event, including race results at www.lacrossefitnessfestival.com/.

More kudos

Softball and women's and men's outdoor track and field teams all won Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championships. This is the first WIAC championship for the softball team, while our men's and women's track teams won their, respective, 45th and 25th overall conference titles.

Jenna Ahnen, a UW-L sophomore; Rachel Croak, a UW-L junior; and Kaylyn Von Glah, a UW-L senior; have been named to the 2009 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Softball First Team in a vote by league coaches. Katie Pietrowiak and Heather Schultz, both UW-L sophomores, were selected to the 2009 All-WIAC Honorable Mention Team. Bergen Schaller, a UW-L senior, was named to the All-WIAC Sportsmanship Team.

Curt Czerwinski, Rob McGaff, Paul Miller and Laura Roessler, all chemistry, won the corporate team relay at the La Crosse Marathon May 3 in just over three hours and 47 minutes.

Tammy Fisher, music, was recently nominated as an inspirational leader on behalf of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education. A Celebration of Honored Educators was hosted by the UW-L chapter of Kappa Delta Pi May 2. 

Vincent Her, sociology/archaeology, received the 2009 Teacher of the Year Award at the 14th Annual Hmong National Conference Program April 3-5 in Appleton. The Hmong National Development’s Community Leadership Awards recognize the dedication of Hmong community members to further developing their communities.

Robert Richardson, educational studies, received the Educator of the Year Award from the La Crosse Chapter of the Phi Delta Kappa professional association.

Terry Wirkus, Educational Technologies, was a guest presenter at the ITMC - Information Technology Management Council Spring Meeting in Green Lake April 20. Wirkus delivered his presentation without leaving campus by using the technology he was discussing. His session, "Sustainability and Cost Savings for the UW System Through Online Technology" shared different ways that technology can be used to reduce costs and enhance classroom instruction. View the presentation at www.uwlax.edu/edtech/emtc.

Continuing Education

 

 

 

Summer needle felting class for youth set at UW-L

A UW-L class will help youth learn the art of needle felting.

“Needle Felting: The process of taking raw dyed wool and creating paintings or sculptures” runs from 2-4 p.m. Mondays, June 15 and 22, in Morris Hall. Needle felting is the process of taking raw, dyed wool and creating paintings or sculptures using a barbed needle. Felting has been around for 2,500 years, but it was not until the 1980s that it was used as an art form.

Registration for the non-credit program is $35. There is an additional $15 supply fee for students needing wool and needles. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. To register or for more information, contact Continuing Education at 785.6500 or www.uwlax.edu/conted.

UW-L summer class to let youth explore art

A UW-L class will introduce youngsters to a variety of art forms. “Exploration, Expressions and Art for Youth” runs from 8:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays, June 16, 23, 30 and July 7, 14, 21, in the UW-L Center for the Arts.

In the six-week course, youth ages 6-12 will explore multiple forms of two-dimensional media in making art through individual expression. Each week, students will be introduced to a new media discipline beginning with drawing, moving into painting, printmaking and collage.

Registration for the non-credit program is $75 plus a $10 supply fee. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. To register or for more information, contact Continuing Education at 785.6500 or www.uwlax.edu/conted

E-mentor group
Twenty-one students from five area middle and high schools attended the E-Mentor Program at UW-L May 1. Pictured, front Jon Hasenbank, mathematics, mentor; Adam Hasenbank; Susan Kelly, mathematics, mentor, program coordinator; Peg Maher biology, mentor; Olivia Susaki; and Emily Culver. Second row, from left, Ma Yang; PhanYang; Malia Thao; Kiswana Robinson; Sandy Grunwald, chemistry, mentor; and Cynthia Berlin, geography/earth science, mentor. Third row, from left, Rylan Schauf; Bruce Riley, mathematics, mentor; George Xiong; Shamial Ahmed; Chancellor Joe Gow; Maya Agata; Krista Greengrass; and Emily Hoar.

E-Mentor Program pairs youth with faculty

The final campus visit of the E-Mentor Program was held May 1. The program pairs youth with faculty mentors from the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields to encourage interest in these fields and help students prepare for college while they are still in high school.

This visit featured a workshop on occupational therapy and a visit to the planetarium. Vickie Sanchez, Admissions Office, provided information on making good academic choices in high school and on the admissions process. After Chancellor Gow welcomed them back to campus, students joined mentors, parents and college students for a supper meal.

The program was funded by a Diversity Program Development Initiative grant from the UW-Extension Division of Continuing Education and E-Learning. Sandra Grunwald, chemistry; Andrea Hansen, Continuing Education and Extension; Roger Haro, biology; Susan Kelly, mathematics;and Ned Reese, Office of Multicultural Student Services; coordinated the project.

Twenty-one students from five area middle and high schools attended. Mentors and their departments are:
  • Mike Abler, biology
  • Sue Anglehart, microbiology
  • Cynthia Berlin, geography/earth science
  • Faye Ellis, biology
  • Sandy Grunwald, chemistry
  • Roger Haro, biology
  • Jon Hasenbank, mathematics
  • Kenny Hunt, computer science
  • Susan Kelly, mathematics
  • Peg Maher, biology
  • S.N. Rajagopal, microbiology
  • Bruce Riley, mathematics
  • Kris Rolfhus, chemistry
  • Mao Zheng, computer science

Thank you to the coordinators of the program, as well as faculty mentors who provided guidance, support and information to these students.

Gerontology certificate graduation ceremony planned for May 13

UW-L's Continuing Education and Extension is hosting a graduation ceremony for gerontology certificate program participants from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, in the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. Sara Slayton will present “What My Mother Never Told Me.” This year's program included nine graduates. It is the program's 12th graduating class. To attend, RSVP by Tuesday, May 12, to langaard.kare@uwlax.edu.

In the news

 

 

 

 

National

"A larger Kindle could upend textbooks, periodicals," USA Today, May 5. Amazon.com is widely expected to unveil a new Kindle electronic book device with a larger screen Wednesday, which would be geared for textbooks, magazines and newspapers and possibly shake up the economics of multiple industries at once ... Full story: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/books/2009-05-05-kindle_N.htm

"How a student-friendly Kindle could change the textbook market," Chronicle of Higher Education, May 6.
Rumors that Amazon will introduce a wide-format Kindle have the news media and bloggers speculating about whether the new gadget will spark an electronic-textbook revolution and lighten backpacks nationwide. This week The Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon plans to work with a handful of universities on a pilot project featuring Kindles loaded with textbooks. Officials at the institutions named in the article — Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, Pace University, Princeton University, Reed College, and the University of Virginia's business school — refused to reveal details, citing nondisclosure agreements ... Full story: http://chronicle.com/free/2009/05/17550n.htm

Murphy Library

 

 

 

Swine flu 1976: What did we learn?

Murphy Library has a number of historical government documents that shed light on how the nation responded in 1976, the last time a popularly-named swine flu visited the U.S. These documents include books, hearings, reports to Congress, magazine articles and more. Some facts gleaned from these documents include:

  • In February 1976 there was a flu epidemic at Fort Dix in New Jersey. One U.S. Army recruit died.
  • Officially named A/New Jersey/76, the new "swine flu" virus strain was deemed similar to the "Spanish flu" pandemic of 1918 that caused tens of millions of deaths around the world.
  • The federal government determined that the U.S. population should be vaccinated against the new swine flu as soon as a vaccine could be developed.
  • By October 1976, 45 million people, 25 percent of the U.S. population, had been vaccinated.
  • While there was only the single U.S. death from the 1976 swine flu, 32 Americans died from complications related to the vaccine.
  • The immunization program was officially halted Dec. 16, 1976.

The documents themselves are currently on display near the entrance to Murphy Mug. They may be viewed there or checked out. The library also has a Web page that points to these documents and other resources related to the 1976 as well as the 2009 flu outbreaks. That Web page is highlighted on the Murphy Library home page or is accessible directly at www.uwlax.edu/murphylibrary/events/flu.html. For questions or comments about these or other government information resources, contact Government Information/Public Services Librarian Michael Current at current.mich@uwlax.edu or 785.8739.

Murphy Library hours

The library has special hours during finals week and the week following. From Sunday through Tuesday, May 10–12, extended study is available from midnight to 2 a.m. From May 16–25 the library will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and will be closed weekends. Regular summer hours go into effect Tuesday, May 26. Check the "Hours" link on the library home page for specifics (see: www.uwlax.edu/murphylibrary/hours/index.html).

Oral defense

 

 

 

Chris Treml, master of software engineering candidate, "A Web-based Medical Image Viewer," 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 345 Morris Hall. Adviser: Kenny Hunt.

Brad Zebell, master of software engineering candidate, "Defect Analysis and Data Collection Software for an Iron Foundry," 8:30-10 a.m. Friday, May 15, 102 Wing Technology Center. Adviser: Kasi Periyasamy.

Yiping Li, Liya Qin and Xiaobo Wu, master of software engineering candidates, "An On-line Scholarship Application," 10:30 a.m. noon Friday, May 15, 102 Wing Technology Center. Advisers: Kasi Periyasamy and Mao Zheng.

Juding Duan, Liang Wu, and Xiang Dai, master of software engineering candidates, "Simulator for Parallel Programs Using Concurrency Constructs," 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, 345 Morris Hall. Advisers: Dave Riley and Kenny Hunt.   

Jeff Powell, master of software engineering candidate, "A Web-based Scheduling Utility," 2:30-4 p.m. Friday, May 15, 345 Morris Hall. Adviser: Kenny Hunt.

Classified

 

 

 

For rent

Large, two bedroom apartment. Upper flat. Large, screened porch. Newly carpeted and painted. Laundry. Cats OK. Near UW-L in quiet, residential neighborhood. Month-to-month lease. Available now. $575 a month, does not include heat. Days at 785.8520 or evenings at 784.8201.

For sale

Golf clubs and stand bag (junior set), $20. Fifty-five gallon aquarium on stand, with accessories, $100. Call Diana at 785.8295.

One bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1000 sq/ft downtown condo. Secure building with heated parking. Community and guest rooms, as well as rooftop terrace all included in monthly association dues. High-end finishes throughout. $217,000. 792.9591.

Pioneer multi-compact disc player, $25. Zony stereo cassette deck, $25. Dell laptop computer (in original box), $200. 17" computer monitor, complete with anti-glare screen, $20. All items are in excellent condition and can be seen at N1938 Wedgewood Dr. E. or call 788.8371.

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