Campus Connection | UW-La Crosse

At right, Junior Finn Patenaude, a geography major with GIS concentration, presents maps on optimal sites for wildlife crossings and the mass migration of monarch butterflies during UWL’s Geography & Environmental Science Department reverse career fair where students shared their projects with employers. The GIS classes here at UWL give us the tools that both unlock our imagination and allow it to run wild. Showing our creative side in addition to our academic and technical skills allows us as students to share what makes us special and unique with potential employers, he says.

Mapping what matters Posted 3:20 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 Students explore commerce, data center suitability, wildlife protection and other real-world questions through GIS Read

Current news

Upcoming events Posted 10:04 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 The Foundation offers ways to engage on campus and in the community Read

Abigail Stafslien-Dumale is graduating from UW-La Crosse with a master's degree in public health. She will then go on to medical school to pursue a career as a physician.

Graduating with fresh perspective Posted 9:17 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 December grad Abigail Stafslien-Dumale credits UWL for holistic view of healthcare Read

November at UWL Posted 2:05 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 Relive the month through our favorite images Read

Find out all you need to know before UWL's winter commencement Sunday, Dec. 14.

Winter commencement set for Dec. 14 Posted 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 UWL to recognize nearly 700 new graduates Read

Two climbers on a mountain, with one helping the other up near the summit.

Why now is the time to build leadership skills Posted 8:43 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 Experts predict critical need for leadership capabilities by 2030 Read

Sophomore biology major Andrew Smerz, right, enrolled in History Professor Gita Pai’s chocolate-themed history course for his love of chocolate. But he soon learned chocolate’s story stretches far beyond flavor, linking La Crosse to a much larger global history.

Unwrapping chocolate Posted 11:18 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 Students explore the complex, global history of chocolate from Mesoamerica to today 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

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

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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

The SWIB Podcast on What A.I. Means for the WRS Posted 8:37 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 Public pension systems have always balanced two big priorities: delivering secure retirements to members and safeguarding assets for the long term. Now, artificial intelligence, or AI, is entering the picture. Read

LinkedIn Learning December Highlight | Improving Your Mental Health at Work Posted 8:34 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 Learn more about "Improving Your Mental Health at Work" via this LinkedIn Learning course Read

December Policy Review | Personal Holiday and Legal Holiday Administration Posted 8:31 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 Review of the Personal Holiday and Legal Holiday Administration policy Read

Telecommuting Policy review Session | Sign up now Posted 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 Join Us for a Telecommuting Policy Review Session – December 16 Read

Action Required | Connect LinkedIn Learning Account Posted 3:43 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 Take action by November 30th to ensure your LinkedIn Learning history stays with your profile Read

General Announcements

UWL gives

Did you know that Great Rivers United Way (GRUW)-funded programs are used once every 33 seconds?

This doesn’t happen without you. For more than 75 years, the Greater La Crosse community’s support has collectively allowed GRUW to fund programs to help those in need.

From Dec. 1-12, UWL is hosting an employee workplace campaign to benefit the GRUW grants program, as well as a food drive for the GRUW and Rotary Lights annual non-perishable food collection, which helps benefit UWL’s Food Pantry.

Your gift to Great Rivers United Way’s Community Investment Fund through UW-La Crosse’s workplace campaign ensures that your donation is invested where the need is greatest. Payroll deduction allows you to spread your gift out in smaller, more manageable amounts that make a big difference. Thank you for considering a donation between Dec. 1-12.

In addition, UWL is once again teaming up with the GRUW and Rotary Lights to collect non-perishable food items. Items are being collected at the Information Desk at the Student Union on the first floor.

Donation instructions: Please make a pledge online.

Critical Thinking Colloquium

The Economics Department Critical Thinking Colloquium (CTC) is an end of semester event for students to present projects of investigation they conducted in their 300+ level economics courses to multiple faculty and other students from other economics classes.

Recreational Sports - finals week/winter break hours

The Recreational Sports Department would like to share building/program hours for fall semester finals and winter break, Dec. 11-Jan. 1. 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.

REC/Fitness Center

Thursday, Dec. 11: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14:  8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 15: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 17: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

EZONE

Thursday, Dec. 11:  3 p.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12: 3 p.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13:  noon-10 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14:  noon-10 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 15: 3 p.m.-10 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16: 3 p.m.-10 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec.17: CLOSED

Outdoor Connection

Thursday, Dec.11: noon-6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12: noon-6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14:  11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 15: noon-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16: noon-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 17: CLOSED

Climbing Gym

Thursday, Dec. 11:  4 p.m.-9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12:  4 p.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13:  3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 15: 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 17: CLOSED

Mitchell Hall Pool

Thursday, Dec. 11: 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12:  noon-12:50 p.m.; 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13: noon-3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 15: noon-12:50 p.m., 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16: CLOSED
Wednesday, Dec.17: CLOSED

Hetzel Fieldhouse Open Rec

Sunday, Dec. 14: CLOSED

The Recreational Eagle Center and Mitchell Hall Pool will be closed Dec. 18 - Jan. 1.

Community Engaged Learning Proposals are now being accepted for fall 2026

The window to apply for a Community Engaged Learning (CEL) designation for fall 2026 courses is now open. A limited pool of Professional Development funds and Supplies & Expenses funding is now available on a first-come, first-served basis. View a preview of the CEL proposal. 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 fall 2026 semester is Feb. 15, 2026. The CEL designation will be applied to your course by the start of registration. The round two deadline for fall 2026 is May 15, 2026. 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.

Upcoming events Calendar

Today

Tomorrow

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Thursday, Dec. 11

Friday, Dec. 12

Saturday, Dec. 13

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Thanks Add Thanks

Valerie Krage, Educational Studies thanks Taylor Cole Miller, Communication Studies

Thanks to Taylor Cole Miller, Communication Studies, for Inviting my ECE 216 students to the CAML and teaching them the ins and outs of producing a podcast.
— Valerie Krage, Educational Studies

Karolyn Bald, International Education and Engagement thanks Amanda Abrahamson, Kara Ostlund, Zach Moffett and Macy Carty, Student Life,

Thanks to Amanda Abrahamson, Kara Ostlund, Zach Moffett and Macy Carty, all Student Life, for their strength, compassion and unwavering support during an incredibly challenging semester. Our hearts extend to all of you as you navigate challenging and sometimes tragic events with care and dedication toward our students and UWL community. You are appreciated!
— Karolyn Bald, International Education and Engagement

Remembering

Thomas John Kinney UWL student

Thomas John Kinney, a senior at UWL, died Nov. 25. Kinney will posthumously receive a degree in finance from UWL. "He was proud to be an Eagle and embodied their mission every day through his inclusivity, generosity, and passion in giving back to the community. TJ was honored to be on the social chair committee and part of the mentoring program at Delta Sigma Pi, UWL’s business fraternity," according to the obituary. For more information see the Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care obituary.

Joan Lynn Henthorne, '72 Alumna

Alumna Joan Lynn Henthorne, '72, died Nov. 14. For more information see the obituary.

Carol J Pesch, '83 Alumna

Alumna Carol J Pesch, '83, died Nov. 18. For more information see the obituary.

Gale Sanders, '75 Alumnus

Alumnus Gale Sanders, '75, died Nov. 19. For more information see the obituary.

Robert “Bob” William Bush, '70 Alumnus

Alumnus Robert “Bob” William Bush, '70, died Nov. 21. For more information see the obituary.

Mary Kay Skemp, '79 Alumna

Alumna Mary Kay Skemp, '79, died Nov. 23. For more information see the obituary.

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Campus News

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Share your news suggestions

Currents

Light Reads

Announcements Add Announcement

Human Resources News

General Announcements

UWL gives

Critical Thinking Colloquium

Recreational Sports - finals week/winter break hours

Community Engaged Learning Proposals are now being accepted for fall 2026

Upcoming events Calendar

Kudos Add Kudos

Thanks Add Thanks

Remembering

Classifieds Add Classified