Campus Connection | UW-La Crosse

Krista Shulka, '93, academic department associate, has spent 27 years serving the Theatre & Dance Department. Her work has included leadership roles and numerous recognitions, including the YWCA Woman of the Year Award in Arts Administration and multiple CASSH Recognition of Excellence awards.

The heart backstage Posted 2:06 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026 University staff award winner provides decades of dedication to UWL Theatre & Dance Read

Current news

John May, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, is the 2026 recipient of the Eagle Research & Creativity Mentoring Excellence Award.

Shaping students into scientists Posted 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2026 John May receives Eagle Research & Creativity Mentoring Excellence Award Read

Kevin Zabel, associate professor of psychology, is one of six faculty to receive a 2026 Eagle Teaching Excellence Award.

Making psychology click Posted 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Kevin Zabel receives 2026 Eagle Teaching Excellence Award Read

Class Notes Posted 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026 Check in with fellow alumni Read

Upcoming events Posted 10:47 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026 Connect with us online, on campus or in the community Read

Photo featuring a collage of clues from around UW-La Crosse with the title Trivia Challenge.

UWL alumni trivia challenge Posted 11:48 a.m. Monday, June 29, 2026 Test your knowledge of campus history and alumni Read

Caroline Thompson performs in Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really as a UWL student. Thompson entered college planning to study psychology but discovered a passion for pursuing theatre professionally. Photo courtesy of David Harlan.

Talent, trust and opportunity Posted 1:16 p.m. Friday, June 26, 2026 Theatre alumni reflect on hands-on learning that unlocked their futures Read

Share your news suggestions

Submit your news suggestions using UWL Share by no later than noon on Wednesdays preceding the next Monday's edition.

For more information, contact University Marketing & Communications at 608.785.8487.

Currents

Brian Kumm- Schaley, associate professor of Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy, is a musician who has used his understanding rhythm to explore a way of life in uncertain times.

Find your rhythm Posted 10:14 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026 UWL leisure expert explores a musical philosophy for living in uncertain times Read

More news

Light Reads

An aerial view looking east to the bluffs over the La Crosse State Teachers College with athletic field and fair grounds in the background ca. 1939. Photo courtesy UWL Murphy Library, Special Collections/ARC.

UWL history quiz Posted 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 Take this short quiz spanning UWL’s 114-year history Read

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Announcements Add Announcement

Human Resources News

Join Our Upcoming Performance Management Q&A Session Posted 8:59 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026 Bring your performance management questions to this virtual session Read

Criminal Background Check Requirements & Policy Training | Sign up Posted 8:56 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026 Learn about the CBC policy and process by signing up now Read

Annual Vacation Banking Opportunity Posted 8:47 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Please read below for information on when & how to bank Vacation in WorkDay. Read

Policy Review | UW System Administrative Policy 1254 Performance Management Posted 8:58 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2026 Understanding & managing your performance reviews Read

ETF Retirement Webinar Opportunities Posted 2:22 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2026 If you are curious to learn more about the Wisconsin Retirement System, consider attending a Webinar! Read

General Announcements

Summer memberships at the Recreational Eagle Center (REC)

Is your current gym overcrowded? Why not take advantage of the slow summer months and low-cost memberships at the Recreational Eagle Center (REC)? During the summer months the REC is your oasis of fitness.

Memberships to the REC are available to faculty and staff for as low as $25 per month during the summer months. Membership includes:

Access to the Fitness Center, track-side cardiovascular and strength equipment, 200 meter track, hardwood courts, racquetball court, multipurpose room and multi-activity courts

Reduced rental and trip rates at the Outdoor Connection

Ability to sponsor guests (up to three per visit) for appropriate guest fee

Ability to rent a locker and purchase towel service

Academic year only

- Access to the Climbing Gym

- Access to EZONE Esports & Gaming

- Access to the Mitchell Hall Pool

- Ability to purchase a group fitness membership

- Eligibility to play intramural sports

- Access to the Hetzel Fieldhouse during scheduled open rec hours

Rec Sports is offering a one-time, 15% discount to all new, first-time faculty/staff/affiliate members until July 18. Use the promo code SAVE15% to get your discounted price.

If you are still deciding on purchasing a membership, Rec Sports offers a one-week free trial membership for all current UWL faculty, staff, affiliates, retirees and emeriti for the opportunity to try out the facility and its amenities. The one-time free trial can be used any time throughout the year. To request a free trial membership, visit the REC Information Counter or purchase it online by using the promo code “FREEWEEK”.

Current UWL faculty and staff may purchase a membership online with a credit card payment (payroll deduction not available online). Payroll deduction, retirees, emeriti and spouse/partner memberships (spouse/partner eligibility verification required) must be purchased in person at the REC Information Counter. Payment options at the REC include check, credit and debit.

Please reach out if you have any questions! We are available at recoffice@uwlax.edu or 608.785.5225.

The Food Pantry wants your bags!

Do you have extra plastic grocery bags? The Campus Food Pantry is running low and wants your bags. Drop them off at the COVE front desk anytime. Thank you!

Find more information about the UWL Food Pantry.

UWL surplus auction to be held through July 13

UW-L will conduct a sale of surplus property in partnership with the online auction site www.wisconsinsurplus.com running through July 13. Pre-registration and a bidder number is required prior to bid submittals. Terms and conditions of sale, along with contact information can be found on the auction’s website.

Julius Erlenbach celebration of life

Former UW-La Crosse Provost Julius Erlenbach — who went on to serve as chancellor of UW-Superior — will be remembered at a celebration of life Saturday, July 18. The event will run from 2 to 4 p.m. in Swenson Hall on the UW-Superior campus. All are welcome to attend and share memories of Erlenbach’s life and career.

Find more information at uwsuper.edu/event/chancellor-julius-erlenbach-celebration-of-life-2026-07-18/.

T-shirts needed

The Leadership & Involvement Center is hosting a volunteer project during NSO where we are making dog toys from old T-shirts. Everything will be donated to local animal shelters.

If you have old (clean) T-shits to donate, please bring them to the COVE front desk.

Reach out to Amanda Krafft (akrafft@uwlax.edu) with any questions.

Free, non-credit 'Intro to Mindfulness' class

UWL Counseling & Testing, Wellness & Health Advocacy and Rec Sports have teamed up to provide non-credit "Intro to Mindfulness" courses for the campus community!

Mindfulness is simple, but not easy. Our four-week "Intro to Mindfulness" is an introductory class that will teach the skill of mindfulness. It will also help you build the habit of using it in your life on a regular basis. Positive outcomes include:

Less self-judgment

Manage stress

Increased self-compassion

Better sleep

Increased calm

We are offering a summer session of the course over the lunch hour for students, faculty and staff to attend this summer. The session starts on Thursday, Aug. 6 with a registration deadline of Sunday, Aug. 2.

There is no fee to attend; however, attendees must register in advance by the deadline. More information and registration are available on the Rec Sports Intro to Mindfulness webpage.

UWL Dining

Patio Days begin this week!

Patio Days have returned for the summer! Join us for outstanding food, awesome people and beautiful weather! You can't beat lunch on the patio!

Upcoming events Calendar

Today

Tomorrow

Tuesday, July 14

Wednesday, July 15

Thursday, July 16

Friday, July 17

Saturday, July 18

Apply Now for CEL Course Designation Midnight-11:30 p.m.

Kudos Add Kudos

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Thanks Add Thanks

UWL START Committee thanks all the staff, faculty, and current students

Thanks to all the staff, faculty, and current students for for their assistance and support of the START Program. START is a campus wide initiative and we appreciate all the hard work and effort put in to welcome our incoming class of first year students to UWL!
— UWL START Committee

Remembering

Richard Dungar, '74 Alumnus

Alumnus Richard Dungar, '74, died April 10. For more information see the obituary.

Charles "Chuck" Zimmer, '80 Alumnus

Alumnus Charles "Chuck" Zimmer, '80, died June 17. For more information see the obituary.

Joshua Layne Wallace, '01 Alumnus

Alumnus Joshua Layne Wallace, '01 died June 24. For more information see the obituary.

Daniel P. Cavadini Alumnus

Alumnus Daniel P. Cavadini died June 19. For more information see the obituary.

David A. Path, '94 Alumnus

Alumnus David A. Path, '94, died Oct. 30, 2025. For more information see the obituary.

Mary (Nicki) N. (Niquette) Drake, '51 Alumna

Alumna Mary (Nicki) N. (Niquette) Drake, '51, died July 11, 2025. For more information see the obituary.

Nancy "Nan" (Hanson) Bartheld, '51 Alumna

Alumna Nancy "Nan" (Hanson) Bartheld, '51, died April 14, 2021. For more information see the obituary.

Lee Myddleton Harwell, '69 Alumnus

Alumnus Lee Myddleton Harwell, '69, died June 11. For more information see the obituary.

William “Bill” Lee Engaas, '63 Alumnus

Alumnus William “Bill” Lee Engaas, '63, died June 17. For more information see the obituary.

William E. Hansen, '76 Alumnus

Alumnus William E. Hansen, '76, died June 28. For more information see the obituary.

Dale A. Lawrence , '69 Alumnus

Alumnus Dale A. Lawrence , '69, died May 2, 2024. For more information see the obituary.

Pamela D. (Blake) Lawrence, '67 Alumna

Alumna Pamela D. (Blake) Lawrence, '67, died Jan. 27, 2022. For more information see the obituary.

Betty J. Rohde, '49 Alumna

Alumna Betty J. Rohde, '49, died July 1, 2022. For more information see the obituary.

William H. Larson,' 60 Alumnus

Alumnus William H. Larson,' 60, died Jan. 13, 2021. For more information see the obituary.

Roderick Lewis Ostrem, '81 Alumnus

Alumnus Roderick Lewis Ostrem, '81, died July 2. For more information see the obituary.

Thomas J. Quinn, '75 Alumnus

Alumnus Thomas J. Quinn, '75, died July 2. For more information see the obituary.

Classifieds Add Classified

3-4 bedroom/1 bath apartment $2,000 per month

3-4 bedroom/1 bath apartment — Rent $1,500-2,000/month depending on occupancy. Fresh and bright upper unit of duplex. One mile south of campus. Recently renovated kitchen and bath. Hot water heat and hardwood floors throughout. Laundry and off street parking available. Apartment available Aug. 1, possibly sooner. For more information, contact Sheldon Wagner at 608.785.5179 or swagner@uwlax.edu.

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