College of Business Administration (CBA)

Silver Eagles, Quarterly Newsletter (December 2023)

Greetings,

It is my honor to write to my fellow Silver Eagles as your new President of the Silver Eagles Alumni Organization.  I have enjoyed re-engaging with the College of Business and reconnecting with campus since joining the Silver Eagles board in 2021.  As Past President, Joe Chilsen, has wrote previously, the Silver Eagles board has made exciting changes in hopes of increasing membership and increasing engagement through a more informal structure, removing membership dues, adding regional socials, and having a social media presence.

We held our Annual Silver Eagles Meeting in October, in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend.  It is a wonderful time to come back to La Crosse, see the exciting changes continuing on campus, reconnect with fellow alumni, and enjoy the beautiful La Crosse area that certainly is a benefit for anyone attending UWL.  Attached you will find the minutes from the Annual Meeting.  The new Executive Members of the Board include Mandi Hinrichs ('03) – President; Mary Hericks - Vice President; Greg Curti ('85) – Treasurer; Jennifer Walkowiak (‘95) - Secretary; and Joe Chilsen ('87) - Past President.  We elected a new board member, Casey Severson ('19).  Casey works for Fastenal and lives in La Crosse.  We said goodbye to Marlin Helgeson, who has served on the Silver Eagles board for many years, including Past President.  Marlin and his wife, Julie, also hold a scholarship fund for the Silver Eagles.  We thank Marlin for all the work he has done to shape the Silver Eagles.  Two Golden Eagle Awards were presented.  This award recognizes a Silver Eagle member for their efforts to advance and promote the organization.  Congratulations to Amelia Dittman and Dan Braun.  Amelia was an Honorary member of the Silver Eagles and served as Historian for the organization during her tenure.  Dan served as Secretary/Treasurer for 17 years and is in his second year chairing the Take an Eagle to Breakfast committee.  Many thanks to both for their dedication to the Silver Eagles!

We look forward to a new year for the Silver Eagles.  Our focus will continue to increase membership and membership engagement.  We had two socials in 2023.  We met in Brookfield, WI in the spring, and in Trempealeau, WI in fall.  Both brought roughly fifteen attendees together. Our goal for 2024 is a social in the Oshkosh, WI area in winter, a spring social in Chicago, and again in La Crosse in October, in conjunction with the Annual Meeting and Homecoming Weekend.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 5, 2024, next year's Annual Meeting.

As membership is free, much of our income comes from the Take an Eagle to Breakfast (TAETB) event and donations.  The TAETB committee is working hard in preparation for the February 28, 2024, event held on campus in conjunction with the UWL Spring Career & Internship Fair.  You can find more information about the TAETB event HERE. There are sponsorship opportunities and details to attend.  If you prefer to send a donation direct to the Silver Eagles to support our scholarship efforts, we welcome and appreciate gifts of any size HERE! To date, the Silver Eagles have awarded more than $57,000 in scholarships!

Please continue to spread the word about the Silver Eagles.  The more engagement and the larger our membership, the more impactful we can be to the College of Business, students, alumni, and employers.  Stay connected with your Silver Eagles.  Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.  Our website is continually updating, you can visit us HERE.  If you wish to get involved with the Silver Eagles, drop us an email at [email address].  As a Silver Eagle there are several ways to get involved from near and far.

Respectfully,

Mandi (McConnell) Hinrichs ('03)

SILVER EAGLE MEETING CALENDAR

February 28, 2024: Take an Eagle to Breakfast (TAETB)
March 21, 2024: March Board Meeting 
September 12, 2024: September Board Meeting
October 5, 2024: '24 Annual Meeting

2023-2024     Daniel Thiem            $1,000      Helgeson SE CBA Scholarship

2023-2024     Alissa St. Louis        $1,000      Silver Eagles Scholarship

2023-2024     Journey Malacina     $1,000     Silver Eagles Scholarship

2023-2024     Zeina Battah              $1,000     Silver Eagles Scholarship

2023-2024     Amanda Marshall      $1,000     In Honor of Sara Olson

2022 Progress Report to Members on our Scholarship Efforts.pdf

2022-23 Scholarship Recipient Testimonials.pdf

Sliver Eagle GUIDELINES 2023

Silver Eagles Board of Directors

Executive Committee
Mandi Hinrichs, '03, President
Mary Hericks, Vice President
Jennifer Walkowiak, Secretary
Greg Curti,  '85, Treasurer
Joe Chilsen, '87, Past President
TJ Brooks, Dean 

Additional Board Members
Joanna Binsfeld, '01
Dan Braund, '72
Joe Bucheger, '73
Steve Fleis, '74
Jeff Jensen, '70
Susan Pham, '88
David Ring, '84 & '95
Casey Severson, '19
Dan Wettstein, '73

Ex-officio
Taggert Brooks, Dean CBA

University Contacts
Taggert Brooks Interim CBA Dean
Janie Morgan, '85 & '86 Executive Director of Strategic Engagement University Advancement

Silver Eagles Committees

Governance Committee
This committee is a combination of the former bylaws and nominations committees and shall consist of at least three members of the Board, vice-president and the dean. The vice-president shall serve as the chairperson of the governance committee.

Mary Hericks - Chair
Taggert Brooks
Joanna Binsfeld
Greg Curti
David Ring

Marketing Committee
This committee shall consist of a chairperson from the Board, and at least two additional members of the Board, and a webmaster (does not have to be a member). This committee shall have membership, engagement, development and website subcommittees.

Mandi Hinrichs - Chair
Joe Bucheger 
Joe Chilsen
Susan Pham
Casey Severson
Jennifer Walkowiak
Dan Wettstein, '73
CBA Staff- Webmaster

Scholarship Committee
This committee shall consist of the dean (or designee), the Board president (or designee), and at least three members of the Board of directors. The dean (or designee) shall chair the committee. The Silver Eagles Scholarship Committee only makes recommendations regarding awarding scholarships and the Alumni & Friends Foundation has the final approval for all scholarships.

Taggert Brooks - Chair
Joanna Binsfeld
Greg Curti
Steve Fleis
Jeff Jensen

We want you to be as updated as possible on what is happening with the CBA and Silver Eagles. Be sure to follow us on Facebook @UWLCBASilverEagles