Campus Connection | UW-La Crosse

Bob Hetzel, vice chancellor emeritus for Administration & Finance at UWL, died Thursday, Aug. 27, after a long illness. School leaders say his transformative impact will be felt for decades.

Remembering a remarkable leader Posted 3:10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 Hetzel leaves legacy of vision, leadership, generosity Read

Current news

This year's featured ice cream flavor during Maroon Tunes will be Stryker Snack Break, a blend of vanilla ice cream with swirls of honey, homemade chewy oatmeal cookie crumble and crushed chocolate-covered pretzels.

Sweet campus traditions Posted 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 Maroon Tunes blends music, memories and a one-of-a-kind treat Read

Chancellor Beeby will address the campus community prior to the start of the fall semester.

Embarking on a new year Posted 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 Chancellor Beeby to give fall welcome address Wednesday Read

UWL students carry items to their residence halls during move in days in fall 2025.

Heavy traffic expected during UWL move-in days Posted 10:21 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 Students move into residence halls Sept. 2-6 Read

What does your UWL profile look like? Posted 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 Faculty and staff: Now is the time to create or update your UWL profile page information Read

UWL and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences students collaborate on a project that combines virtual learning with an in-person experience in Germany.

Exchanging more than ideas Posted 12:44 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 UWL-Frankfurt partnership opens doors for global connections Read

UWL Dean’s Distinguished Fellows working with Professor Niti Mishra have been using Google Earth Engine extensively this summer to process and analyze large drone and satellite datasets. Both DDF students were funded during summer 2026 through donor gifts: Finn Patenaude, right, from the Prairie Springs Endowment and Anna Neuenfeldt from Elmwood Foundation.

Bringing Earth into focus Posted 7:33 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 New computing power accelerates UWL environmental research Read

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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

2026 Benefit & Wellness Fair, Save the Date

SAVE THE DATE - Annual Benefit & Wellness Fair Posted 2:39 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 Join Human Resources on October 8th, 2026 from 9-2pm for the Annual Benefit & Wellness Fair! Read

Benefit Premium Prepay Enhancements for 9-Month Employees! Posted 9:41 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 Please read the policy updates below related to benefit premium prepays for 9-month faculty & staff. Read

ETF In-Person Retirement Appointments Available Posted 9:42 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 ETF offers in-person group retirement appointments statewide. Read

Employee Well-Being Webinar Opportunities Posted 1:51 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026 To live well, it is important to take care of yourself—physically, emotionally, and financially. One of the ways you can do that is by increasing your knowledge about various aspects of your well-being. Read

LinkedIn Learning August Highlight | Using Feedback to Drive Performance Posted 9:51 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, 2026 Make the most of LinkedIn Learning, improve your feedback skills Read

General Announcements

Deadline approaching for Community Engaged Learning Spring 27 proposals

The window to apply for a Community Engaged Learning (CEL) designation for spring 2027 courses is open. A limited pool of Professional Development funds and Supplies & Expenses funding is now available on a first-come, first-served basis. A preview of the CEL proposal can be viewed here. If you’re looking to connect with a community partner, you can find potential project ideas on the UWL Community Idea Exchange or contact UWL Director of Community Engagement Lisa Klein.

The round one deadline to apply for the spring 2027 semester is September 15, 2026. The CEL designation will be applied to your course by the start of registration. The round two deadline for spring 2027 is January 15, 2027. If you apply by the round two deadline, the designation will not be applied to your course at the start of registration.

The Office of Community Engagement is excited to welcome you to the growing list of CEL instructors at UWL.

Take a Student to Coffee Program

Back for its second year, the Take a Student to Coffee program, supported by the Division of Access, Belonging & Student Engagement, creates opportunities for meaningful, outside-the-classroom connections between students and faculty or staff. The program was extremely popular in its first year and received rave reviews from both students and faculty/staff, who valued the opportunity to connect in a more informal and personal setting.

The program invites faculty and staff to connect with a student over coffee, another beverage, or a snack. Whether the conversation is simply a chance to get to know one another or an opportunity to discuss projects, events, academics, or campus involvement, the goal is to encourage meaningful conversations and help foster lasting connections and mentoring relationships.

Faculty and staff may apply to receive a $10 certificate to use with a student at an on-campus Chartwells dining location. Certificates will be distributed through campus mail, and recipients are welcome to invite any student to join them for a coffee or snack.

More information and the program application are available on the program website. Don’t delay—funding is limited, and certificates are available while supplies last!

Recreational Sports - upcoming adjusted hours

The Recreational Sports Department would like to share upcoming adjusted building/program hours for August, including Labor Day weekend. For more information regarding the Recreational Sports Department and the programs that are offered, visit the Rec Sports website or contact the office at recoffice@uwlax.edu.

Recreational Eagle Center/Fitness Center

Aug. 31: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sept. 1:  8 a.m.-8 p.m. (Fitness Center: 2 -8 p.m.)
Sept. 2:  8 a.m.-10 p.m. (Fitness Center: 2-10 p.m.)
Sept. 3:  8 a.m.-noon, 5-10 p.m.
Sept. 4: 4:30-10 p.m.
Sept. 5: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sept. 6: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sept. 7 (Labor Day): 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Outdoor Connection

Aug. 31-Sept. 4: By appointment only
Sept. 2: Noon-6 p.m.
Sept. 3-4: By appointment only
Sept. 5: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sept. 6: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sept. 7 (Labor Day): Noon-6 p.m.

Climbing Gym

Aug.31-Sept. 2: Closed
Sept. 3-4: 5 -9 p.m.
Sept. 5: 3-6 p.m.
Sept. 6: 5-8 p.m.
Sept. 7 (Labor Day): 4-9 p.m.

EZONE

Aug. 31-Sept. 1: Closed
Sept. 2-3: 5-10 p.m.
Sept. 4: 4:30-10 p.m.
Sept. 5: Noon-10 p.m.
Sept. 6: Noon-11 p.m.
Sept. 7 (Labor Day): 3-11 p.m.

 Pool

Aug. 31-Sept. 3: Closed
Sept. 4: 8-10 p.m.
Sept. 5: Noon-3 p.m.
Sept. 6: 1-4 p.m.
Sept. 7 (Labor Day): Closed

Regular academic year hours will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

UPass tickets available

MTU Flash Passes are available to purchase beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year. The price is $75. (effective Sept.1 - Aug. 31). Visit the UPass webpage for forms and more information.

Questions about the program may be sent to Administration and Finance adminfinance@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8021.

UWL In the News

Monday

American Who Made Headlines for Being the Fastest Confirms Switching Nationalities for LA Olympics (featuring UWL alum), Essentially Sports

UWL football projected second in WIAC under new coach, La Crosse Tribune

If you like cheese, you’ll love data centers — UW-L’s Chergosky tries to make it make sense, WIZM

Tuesday

Common Lies That People Keep Hearing Over And Over Again (quoting UWL's Tony Docan-Morgan), Bored Panda

Wednesday

La Crosse YMCA names Nikki West as CEO, making history with first female leader (West is a UWL alum), WXOW

Thursday

Athletics department announces four staff additions, La Crosse Tribune

Friday

Heavy traffic expected ahead of UWL move-in, WKBT

Upcoming events Calendar

Today

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

Tomorrow

Tuesday, Sept. 1

Wednesday, Sept. 2

Thursday, Sept. 3

Friday, Sept. 4

Saturday, Sept. 5

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Thanks Add Thanks

Graduate & Extended Learning thanks to the many partners who supported our Pizza Project youth program.

Thanks to to the many partners who supported our Pizza Project youth program. Chartwells provided access to the Union pizza oven. Faculty and staff from Microbiology, Art, and University Communications provided instruction. Thank you also to Facilities, which helped us arrange transport for participants from the Boys & Girls Club and for a program field trip. Finally, thank you to Mitchel Weber from Sagra who served as our celebrity chef and facilitated a field trip to Pizza Intermezzo (formerly Uno Venti).
— Graduate & Extended Learning

Remembering

Gary George Priem, '83 Alumnus

Alumnus Gary George Priem, '83, died Aug. 15. For more information see the obituary.

Phyllis Coleen Branson, '51 Alumna

Alumna Phyllis Coleen Branson, '51 died Aug. 21. For more information see the obituary.

David Arne Arneson, '70 Alumnus

Alumnus David Arne Arneson, '70, died Aug. 22. For more information see the obituary.

Audrey Luella (Leo) Bey Alumna

Alumna Audrey Luella (Leo) Bey died Aug. 18. For more information see the obituary.

Charlotte (Hohlfeld) Jones, '66 Alumna

Alumna Charlotte (Hohlfeld) Jones, '66, died April 30, 2024.

Arleen "Peg" (Vickery) Docter Alumna

Alumna Arleen "Peg" (Vickery) Docter died April 8, 2023. For more information see the obituary.

Marjorie E. "Bunny" (Vickery) (Massey) Head Alumna

Alumna Marjorie E. "Bunny" (Vickery) (Massey) Head died Jan. 7, 2019. For more information see the obituary.

Ellis E. Erickson, '62 Alumnus

Alumnus Ellis E. Erickson, '62, died May 25, 2013. For more information see the obituary.

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