Alumni

As President of the Silver Eagles let me be the first to welcome you to our website. The Silver Eagles are an alumni group from UW-La Crosse’s College of Business Administration. We include two groups, one that are alumni from at least 25 years ago (Silver Eagles) and one that are alumni that have graduated more recently (Associate Eagles). If you ask any of the members, you will most likely hear of the special place UWL and the CBA hold in their hearts. A special place that you may have in your heart also.

When the Silver Eagles were established in 1996 it was with the mission of assisting the CBA, and more specifically, the students of that College in becoming as well prepared as possible as they entered their professional careers. We all hoped to give students our attention and experiences to further their education from a source not necessarily available to them via the classroom. This brought about conversations, internships, and employment opportunities that were beneficial to both the students and Silver Eagles, giving benefit to many Silver Eagles and their organizations.

For 25 years our organization has been a great way for alumni to make connections and for Silver Eagles to find great talent as we give back to our alma mater. I find that as I age my focus become laser sharp on a lone point: What have I done to help others? And, has my life been worthwhile? I have determined that the Silver Eagles are going to be a large part of how I will impact my world and leave my mark on history. I encourage you to come with me on this (ad)venture by joining us in the Silver Eagles. It’s easy! You are already here on the website click on the join button and make your mark on history, I assure you that the benefits will be tremendous.

Best Regards,
Joe Chilsen ‘87
President
UWL Silver Eagles

P.S. An added benefit is that this year we will be celebrating our 25th year as part of the CBA’s celebration of 50 years.

Why join the Silver Eagles message goes here.

Save The Date

Please join the Silver Eagles for Take An Eagle to Breakfast (TAETB)

Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022

In conjunction with the UWL Spring Career Fair, the Silver Eagles TAETB is a networking opportunity with some of the best and brightest CBA students at UWL. Networking skills will be extremely important as students begin their job search and throughout their careers. This is also an opportunity for employers to meet potential interns and future employees.

Please look for an invitation that will include an opportunity to sponsor students.

Silver Eagles TAETB Committee, 

Dan Braund  
Joe Chilsen 
Janie Morgan
Karla Stanek
Dennis Vogel

Dear Silver Eagles Members:

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, I want to thank you for all you do for our UWL CBA Students.

I am pleased to share with you that as part of our mission, we have funded 50 scholarships totaling $48,550. Members like you made these scholarships possible. Our students appreciate your support and are full of gratitude for your generosity.

We want you to be an active member of the Silver Eagles. Invitations to events such as Take an Eagle to Breakfast scheduled in conjunction with the Spring Career Day on February 23, 2022 will be posted on the website.

Please call me at any time at 608-790-1119 if you have questions, would like an update on what we're doing, or wish to volunteer.

Again, thank you!

Best Regards,
Joe Chilsen ‘87
President
UWL Silver Eagles

2021 Progress Report to Members on our Scholarship Efforts.pdf

Scholarship Recipient Testimonials.pdf

THE SILVER EAGLES BYLAWS   (Amended 7/15/21)

PREAMBLE

WE ASSEMBLE THIS ORGANIZATION WITH THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A TRADITION OF DUTY TO THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE.  LET THE WORD GO FORTH THAT BY DETERMINATION AND WTH DISTINCTION WE HAVE SET UPON A COURSE TO CREATE A TRADITION OF HONOR, DIGNITY AND SERVICE.  WE DO THIS BY INSTALLING A SOCIETY OF ALUMNI THAT RESPECT AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE TENETS OF THIS TRADITION.  WE FURTHER BELIEVE THAT OUR MISSION IS TO CARRY OUR TRADITION FORWARD IN THOUGHT, DEED AND RESOURCE.

ARTICLE I:  NAME

Section 1:  The name of this organization shall be “THE SILVER EAGLES.”

ARTICLE II:  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

Membership shall consist of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse College of Business Administration baccalaureate and graduate alumni who have earned their degrees and show a desire to participate in the activities of this organization.  Additional membership shall consist of graduates of what was known as the Department of Economics and Business Administration during the years 1963-1970, who also show a desire to participate in the activities of this organization.  Additionally, all University of Wisconsin-La Crosse alumni who show a desire to participate in the activities of the organization are eligible to be Associate Eagles.

Section 2:  Membership categories shall be as follows:

ASSOCIATE EAGLE – A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse College of Business Administration program for less than 25 years, and all other University of Wisconsin-La Crosse alumni.

SILVER EAGLE – A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse College of Business Administration program of 25 or more years.

HONORARY EAGLE – awarded to administration, staff and faculty members of the College of Business Administration, and any individual affiliated with the organization nominated and approved by majority vote of the Board prior to the annual meeting.

CHARTER EAGLE – Silver Eagle members inducted in the charter year, 1996.

Section 3:  Dues

Associate Eagles - Associate Eagles may join Silver Eagles at the 25 year mark by paying the dues designated by the Board.  Associate Eagles who paid dues when joining the organization are grandfathered and automatically become Silver Eagles at the 25 year mark, and are not required to pay any additional dues at that time.

Silver Eagles – dues are life-time and paid when joining the organization at that level.  The fee structure can be changed by the authority of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III:  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 1:  Number of Board of Directors

There shall be at least ten, but not more than twenty-one, directors of which no more than seven (7) may be Associate Eagles.

Section 2:  Officers

There shall be four officers:  President, Past President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.  President, Past President and Vice President must be members at the Silver Eagle level of membership; Secretary/Treasurer may be an active Associate Eagle.

Section 3:  Duties of Officers

The president shall:

                Preside at all Board meetings and the annual meeting

                Preside at all executive committee meetings

                Consult with the Dean of the College of Business Administration

                Execute other responsibilities as determined within the bylaws

                Be an active member of the Silver Eagles and attend as many CBA sponsored events as possible

                Represent (or appoint a designee) the organization at UW-L Alumni Association meeting

The vice-president shall:

                Attend all Board meetings and executive committee meetings

                Preside at any meetings of the Silver Eagles in the absence of the president

                Execute other responsibilities as determined within the bylaws

                Be an active member of the Silver Eagles and attend as many CBA sponsored events as possible

                Act as the chairperson of the nominations committee

The past president shall:

                Attend all Board meetings

                Execute other responsibilities as determined within the bylaws

                Be an active member of the Silver Eagles

                Assist and advise the president of the Silver Eagles

The secretary/treasurer shall:

Attend and record the minutes of the annual meeting, all Board meetings, and executive    committee meetings

Prepare the treasurer’s report for all Board meetings, executive meetings and the annual meeting

Be an active member of the Silver Eagles

ARTICLE IV:  ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

 Section 1:  Board of Directors Elections

1. Organization membership, excluding honorary membership, shall constitute voter eligibility.
2. Directors shall be elected to a three-year term by the membership at the annual meeting each year.  Directors may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.  Former Directors may be elected to the Board after at least a one year absence.
3. Nominations for elected directorships shall be made by a nominations committee.

Section 2:  Officer Elections

1. The term of office for the president, vice president and secretary/treasurer and past president shall be two years.  Officers shall be elected from and by the Board of Directors.
2. The president and vice president shall be elected on the even-numbered years.
3. The secretary/treasurer shall be elected on the off-numbered years.
4. Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors prior to the annual meeting and assume office at the annual meeting.
5. The officers and the dean shall constitute the executive committee, which may conduct business on behalf of the Board and organization.
6. The dean shall appoint a faculty liaison.

ARTICLE V:  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 Section 1:  The elected directors of the organization shall constitute the Board of directors.

Section 2:  The Board shall be the governing body of the organization, and conduct any and all business as set out in the bylaws and any actions approved of those in attendance at an annual meeting.

Section 3:  All fees and charges shall be set by the Board pursuant to expenses incurred.

Section 4:  The dean, faculty liaison, and historian shall be ex-officio members of the Board.

Section 5:  The board shall have the power to establish committees deemed necessary for the success of the organization.  Chairs of all committees shall be named by the Board.

Section 6:  In the event that a Board member is unable to fulfill their term, the executive committee shall nominate a replacement, who must be confirmed by the Board.

ARTICLE VI:  MEETINGS

 Section 1:  The organization shall hold an annual business meeting, and that meeting shall be held during homecoming (or other university designated alumni weekend).

Section 2:  More than fifty percent of the Board shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the Board.

Section 3:  The Board shall meet at least twice (February and September) a year.

Section 4:  Notification of the annual meeting shall be communicated to the membership and new inductees at least one month prior to the annual meeting date.

Section 5:  The president shall retain the power to call additional meetings.

ARTICLE VII:  AMENDMENTS

 Section 1:  Amendments to the bylaws may be made by a two-thirds majority vote of either the members present, at any annual meeting, or directors of a Board meeting.  If a change is being proposed, the organization shall provide notice of any meeting of the Board at which an amendment is to be approved.  The notice shall be in accordance with s.181.0822(3) of state statutes.  The notice must also state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider a proposed amendment to the bylaws, and contain or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the amendment or state the general nature of the amendment.

ARTICLE VIII:  STANDING COMMITTEES

Nominations:  This committee shall consist of the out-going Board members who are facing an expiring term, the vice-president, and the dean.

Bylaws:  This committee shall consist of a chairperson from the Board, and at least two additional members of the Board of directors.

Scholarship:  This committee shall consist of the dean (or the dean’s representative), the Board president, and three members of the Board of directors.

Marketing:  This committee, containing subcommittees in membership, recruitment, retention, website, shall consist of at least one Silver Eagle, two Associate Eagles, and a webmaster (does not have to be a member).

All committees (current and future) may have additional members beyond the requirements listed above.  Additional members may be any member of the Silver Eagles, or other individuals with an interest in furthering the mission of The Silver Eagles organization.

Silver Eagles Board of Directors

Joe Chilsen, '87, President
Marlin Helgeson, '78, Vice-President
Dan Braund, '72, Secretary/Treasurer
Joanna Binsfeld, '01
Joe Bucheger, '73
Amelia Dittman, '73, Historian
Greg Curti, '85
Steve Fleis, '74
Mandi Hinrichs, '03
Jon Holthaus, '12
Jeff Jensen, '70
Kevin Mahoney, '75
Karla Stanek, '75
Dan Wettstein, '73

Ex-officio
Taggert Brooks, Interim Dean CBA
Amelia Dittman, Historian

University Contacts
Taggert Brooks Interim CBA Dean
Janie Morgan, '85 & '86 Executive Director, UWL Alumni Association
Keli Frigo, Assistant Director, UWL Alumni Association

Nominations Committee
Joanna Binsfeld
Taggert Brooks
Amelia Dittman
Greg Curti
Marlin Helgeson
Kevin Mahoney
Karla Stanek

Scholarship Committee
Joanna Binsfeld
Taggert Brooks, CBA Dean (or designated representative)
Joe Chilsen
Greg Curti
Steve Fleis

Marketing Committee
Joe Bucheger 
Joe Chilsen
Marlin Helgeson
Mandi Hinrichs
Jon Holthaus
Keli Frigo (Webmaster)

Bylaws Committee
Amelia Dittman
Greg Curti
Marlin Helgeson