Campus Connection | UW-La Crosse

Shane Murphy, UWL assistant professor of health professions, lectures on artificial intelligence (AI) ethics during a physical therapy class.

Built for the future Posted 3:13 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 Advancing the College of Science & Health through emerging technologies Read

Current news

UWL is the top-ranked public university for women in the state of Wisconsin.

UWL named Wisconsin’s best public university for women Posted 3:01 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 Newsweek ranking highlights equity, safety, paths to success Read

Falling for their futures Posted 9:44 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 How UWL experiences sparked lifelong love for careers Read

Upcoming events Posted 9:43 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 The Foundation offers ways to engage on campus and in the community Read

UW–La Crosse students engage in discussion during the Benson Management Lecture Series, one of many campus opportunities that prepares students for business careers through direct exposure to management and leadership insights from today’s business leaders.

Types of business degrees Posted 11:51 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 Explore different types of careers and business degrees to find the right fit for you Read

January at UWL Posted 9:26 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 Relive the month through our favorite images Read

Dan Kraeger, '83, will receive the 2026 Graff Distinguished Alumni Award during an award presentation in April.

A doctor making a difference Posted 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 Dan Kraeger to receive Graff Distinguished Alumni Award 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

Red maple leaf with a hint of yellow and orange. Concentrations of diverse molecules in a leaf can make it appear multiple colors.

Why do fall leaves change color? Posted 8:32 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 UWL scientists explain the basic science behind the beauty 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

More news

Announcements Add Announcement

Human Resources News

How to read your vacation balances within Workday Posted 8:22 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 Read for a brief synopsis of University of Wisconsin Job Aid: Time Off Balances and Reports Overview-Employee. Read

Ice Cleat Update! Posted 3:24 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 Vice Chancellor Pope recently sent communication regarding the availability of ice cleats for Faculty & Staff. Read

LinkedIn Learning Highlight | Nano Tips for Improving Email Communications Posted 3:19 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 Learn more about effective email communication via this LinkedIn Learning course Read

Invest in Your Future: Sign up to Join a Virtual Review of the Education Assistance Policy Posted 1:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 Sign up for the EEA policy review session Read

Strengthening Your Commitment to Student Privacy: Join the Virtual FERPA Refresher Posted 1:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 Gain understanding and learn Read

General Announcements

Apply now for CEL course designation

The application window is now open for Community Engaged Learning (CEL) course designations for the fall 2026 semester.

Thanks to generous philanthropic support from Advisors Management Group (AMG), all CEL-designated course sections are eligible to apply for a limited pool of Supplies & Expenses (S&E) funding to support specific course needs such as materials, printing, transportation or other CEL-related costs. S&E awards are based on feasibility and available funding. Preview the CEL proposal. To explore potential community projects, visit the UWL Community Idea Exchange or contact Lisa Klein, director of Community Engagement.

Deadlines:

Round one: Feb. 15, 2026 — The designation will be applied before course registration begins.
Round two: May 15, 2026 — The designation will not appear before registration starts.

Professional development dollars for newly designated Community Engaged Learning course sections will be made available again for the spring 2027 semester. Instructors who receive a CEL designation before academic year 2027-2028 will receive $1,500 in professional development funds. There is a limited number of funds available, and, therefore, the awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. These funds can be used to support your teaching, research, or other professional development activities.

UWL receives 2025 Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention

The Campus Prevention Network (CPN) Seal of Prevention is a trusted signal to students, their families and the community that our campus prioritizes student well-being, safety and success. Seal of Prevention recipients have, on average, an 8.3% higher first-year retention rate and a 9.5% higher on-time four-year graduation rate compared to non-seal institutions.

Recipients of the CPN Seal of Prevention take action to create safer campuses through comprehensive, evidence-based digital prevention education on issues such as sexual assault, alcohol and drug misuse and mental health. The CPN Seal establishes guidelines for discerning quality prevention education and implementation practices, and positions prevention as central to key institutional outcomes such as student success, campus climate and retention.

Learn more about the 2025 CPN Seal of Prevention.

Learn more about universal prevention education at UWL.

I 'Heart' Scholarships

It's time to fall in love with free money! Everyone has the opportunity to apply and earn free tuition dollars via scholarships. Let us — the Scholarship Resource Cente — help you find scholarships that match your unique background and skill set. Soon you will be falling in love with applying to scholarships too!

Free pizza and sweets too!

Introduction to Mindfulness

UWL Counseling & Testing, Wellness & Health Advocacy and Rec Sports have teamed up to provide non-credit "Intro to Mindfulness" courses for the campus community! UWL "Intro to Mindfulness" courses use curriculum designed by the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA).

Mindfulness is simple, but not easy. Our four-week "Intro to Mindfulness" is an introductory class that will teach students 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

Faculty and staff: please consider referring students to attend!

The course is open to UWL students, staff and faculty only. 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. Two sessions are offered for the spring semester, starting Feb. 19 and March 30.

La Crosse Science Café: Why Hibernators are Cool

Join us for our next Science Café of 2026! Scott Cooper, UWL professor of biology, will present "Why Hibernators are Cool" at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at JavaVino, 2311 State Rd., La Crosse, WI 54601. Food and/or beverage purchase is required. Please make sure to arrive early. Make reservations to secure your table and place your order to truly enjoy this experience of world class science!

Visit our Facebook page for information about future events.

Volunteer judges needed

The Wisconsin Civics Games, hosted this year by the Universities of Wisconsin, is looking for volunteer judges for their virtual playoff rounds on April 8-9. Volunteers should be available via Zoom from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and may participate for one or both days. Judges will serve on teams of three or four and will be responsible for asking civics questions, keeping score, monitoring which team “buzzes in” first, and observing teams during the competition to support the integrity of the competition. Please contact Jeanne Tarantino, University Relations Director for Universities of Wisconsin, with any questions.

National Champions Parade - Friday, Feb. 6

This fall, our Men’s Cross-Country team won the NCAA DIII National Championship for the second straight year. We will be having a parade in their honor, along with our other intercollegiate teams who competed in NCAA post-season this fall. We hope you take the time to engage with this event if you are able, and that this can become the start of a fun tradition for years to come.

UWL Athletics Championship Parade

Friday, Feb. 6
Noon – 12:30 p.m.

Teams and coaches will be joined by members of the Screaming Eagles Marching Band, the UWL ROTC Color Guard, and UWL Athletics sponsors. Please also stop by the Union lawn at the time of the parade to have a cup of hot chocolate, provided by Chartwells.

All members of the campus are invited to wear maroon and gray or UWL Spirit attire and join the parade route to cheer and try to grab some sponsor swag or treats as the parade marches by.

UWL In the News

We are happy to welcome back Jeff Kersten from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Join us in learning about the most recent scams that affect not only individuals bank accounts, but also love and romance fraud that leaves hearts broken. Get the insight needed to be safe on social media and when meeting love interests online. You and or someone you know will benefit from this knowledge!

Jeff Kersten, agency liaison for the Bureau of Consumer Protection within WDATCP, travels around the state to educate the public, businesses and law enforcement on privacy protection, data security, identity theft and other areas of consumer protection. Kersten has over 12 years of experience as a police officer and is a prior consumer protection investigator for the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

It makes cents to learn life-skills!

Don't forget! There are two ways to make your time and money count! By attending our events you have the chance to win a $50 scholarship each time. What's even better? Double up your odds to win a $150 scholarship if you attend an event and come in for a financial consultation. Cha-ching!

Enjoy Free pizza at this event too! Yum!

Monday
Where Are They Now? Nevin Heard on Holmes Program Community-Building (profile on UWL's Nevin Heard), EdPrepMatters

Tuesday
What does Pete Buttigieg's visit mean for Western Wisconsin? (quoting UWL's Anthony Chergosky), WXOW
Chergosky on when it’s OK not to tip, Buttigieg’s visit and the mayor’s sway over city council, WIZM

Wednesday
Fundraising reveals party priorities in battle for Wisconsin Legislature (UWL's Anthony Chergosky quoted), WPR

Thursday
UWL professor pens book on the “Golden Girls”, WIZM
New Packers Linebackers Coach, Who Made Own Luck, Is Wisconsin Native (UWL alum), SI.com

Friday
Packers continue to rebuild defensive staff with new linebackers coach, per report (Sam Siefkes is UWL alum), WI State Journa
lSiefkes reportedly joining Green Bay defensive staff (Sam Siefkes is UWL alum), The Freeman
New Packers’ Defensive Staff Has Common Denominator (Sam Siefkes is UWL alum), SI.com

Upcoming events Calendar

Today

Tomorrow

Friday, Feb. 6

Saturday, Feb. 7

Sunday, Feb. 8

Monday, Feb. 9

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Kudos Add Kudos

Copy kudos

Thanks Add Thanks

Trevor Sprague, Admissions & Recruitment thanks Eugenia Turov, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Thanks to Eugenia Turov, Chemistry & Biochemistry, for her support and flexibility with the weather during TREK for new transfer students on Friday, Jan. 23. We successfully welcomed 63 students to campus to help them get a great start to their time at UWL, despite the extreme cold!
— Trevor Sprague, Admissions & Recruitment

Trevor Sprague, Admissions & Recruitment thanks Jason Anfinsen, University Library

Thanks to Jason Anfinsen, University Library, for his support and flexibility with the weather during TREK for new transfer students on Friday, Jan. 23. We successfully welcomed 63 students to campus to help them get a great start to their time at UWL, despite the extreme cold!
— Trevor Sprague, Admissions & Recruitment

Transfer Admissions thanks REC Sports, Eagle Helpdesk, and Academic Advising Center

Thanks to REC Sports, Eagle Helpdesk, and Academic Advising Center for helping make our TREK orientation event for new transfer students a success, despite the extreme cold weather on Friday, Jan. 23. They were all flexible enough to support us in designing a virtual campus tour of their spaces to help connect students directly while keeping everyone safe and warm!
— Transfer Admissions

Remembering

Linda Ann (Vaughan) Perez UWL staff

Linda Ann (Vaughan) Perez, a former program assistant at UWL and UW-Parkside, died Jan. 21. Perez positively impacted the lives of countless students and staff. Her passion for learning and her genuine care for others made her a beloved member of the university community. For more information see the obituary.

William "Bill" Murphy Alumnus

UWL Alumnus William "Bill" Murphy died March 13, 2017. For more information see the obituary.

Susan "Sue" Bramble Murphy Alumna

Alumna Susan "Sue" Bramble Murphy died May 30, 2023. For more information see the obituary.

Thomas John Goltz, '84 Alumnus

Alumnus Thomas John Goltz, '84, died Jan. 18. For more information see the obituary.

Classifieds Add Classified

Epiphone Dot Semi-hollow guitar + Gator case $300 or best offer

This was a used guitar I got in 2010. I wanted to learn how to finish a guitar, and since it's original finish was pretty beat up, I sanded it smooth and refinished with a dark brown. I also modified it with new pickups and a frequensator tailpiece, mostly because I thought it'd look cool. Looking to sell it along with the Gator case I got for it. The guitar itself is really fun to play, I'm just looking to make some room. $300 or best offer. For more information, contact Jake Speer at 608.785.8299 or jspeer@uwlax.edu. View more information about Epiphone Dot Semi-hollow guitar + Gator case.

Campus News