Campus Connection | UW-La Crosse

Cover of The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai, co-edited by UW–La Crosse Assistant Professor of Media Studies Taylor Cole Miller and Alfred L. Martin Jr.

'The Golden Girls' revisited Posted 4:32 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 UWL professor’s book explores themes of groundbreaking sitcom Read

Current news

Megan Steffen, ’22, joined her former UWL mentors on a nine-day math education trip to Guatemala, gaining hands-on teaching experience while connecting with students and educators in a new cultural setting.

Culture and connection Posted 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 Alumna joins former mentors on math education trip to Guatemala Read

Students in Jaspreet Kaur’s Conservation Biology course got their hands dirty this fall, working with community partners to restore sections of critical prairie habitat in and around La Crosse. The partnership was part of UWL's Community Engaged Learning program.

Prairie protectors Posted 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 Conservation Biology students partner with community to restore crucial habitats Read

UW–La Crosse Physician Assistant Studies student Sam Weigel

Expanding his scope Posted 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 UWL student returns to grad school, expanding his role in patient care Read

Chancellor James Beeby and other university leaders will give a welcome address for the spring semester Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Kicking off the spring semester Posted 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 Chancellor Beeby to give welcome address Jan. 20 Read

UWL Biology Professor Scott Cooper teaches students advanced molecular biology techniques. In the class, students are conducting course-embedded research for UWL faculty client Sumei Liu.

Research in the classroom Posted 11:11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 Students gain hands-on experience through course-embedded research for over 20 years Read

Elizabeth Evans, '05, will receive the 2026 Morgan Improving Lives Alumni Award during an award presentation in April.

A community cornerstone Posted 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 Elizabeth Evans to receive Morgan Improving Lives Alumni Award 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.

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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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Human Resources News

January Well Wisconsin: 2026 Resources, Incentive Updates, Upcoming Events Posted 3:38 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 Explore Well Wisconsin’s 2026 resources, incentive updates, and upcoming events designed to support employee health and well-being throughout the year. Read

Annual FSA Unsubstantiated Claims Process Posted 2:56 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 Annually, if a health care FSA payment card transaction is not automatically substantiated, you will be notified of an “unsubstantiated claim” that needs to be resolved by substantiation, substitution, or repayment. Read

Accessing Your Tax Documents Posted 2:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 Employees will be notified via Email when W2s are available. Read

2026 Payroll Calendar Posted 12:17 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 All Universities of Wisconsin employees are paid every other Thursday for the prior two week period. Read

Vision Insurance Changes for 2026 Posted 11:35 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 As noted during Open Enrollment, there has been a vision administrator change for 2026. Read

General Announcements

Community Engaged Learning Proposals 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. 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 fall 2026 semester is February 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.

Host families needed for Japanese university students Feb. 27-March 8

International Education & Engagement is in need of families to host Japanese university students from Feb. 27-March 8 for a short-term visiting group from the University of Teacher Education Fukuoka (UTEF).

Online applications are open for families interested in hosting Japanese education majors from UTEF. The goal is to identify 7-14 families who would be willing to open their homes to host 1-2 students.

Requirements of all host families:

- Host students from Feb 27-March 8, 2026
- One to two students per household (two preferred if possible);
- All students need is their own bed but they may share a room;
- Provide breakfast and dinner on days hosted by family and all meals on weekends;
- Transportation to and from campus & activities while students are staying in hosts' homes;
- Complete a successful background check.

Please share with anyone who may be interested as the more the merrier! Questions, please email Miranda Panzer, mpanzer@uwlax.edu.

Seeking nominations for the University Staff Excellence Award!

Second call for nominations for the University Staff Excellence Award:

Do you know a university staff employee who goes above and beyond in the following categories?

Performance excellence
Personal interaction
Initiative and creativity
Support of the university and its mission

The Excellence Award consists of an $800 honorarium to be used for professional development and a UWL recognition plaque.

Recipients must be UWL university staff who have been employed for a minimum of 12 months. University staff is defined as non-instructional support staff including administrative support, i.e. ADAs, custodial services, police services, and facilities workers such as electricians, steamfitters and HVAC.

Nominations may come from a college, department or division unit. Nominations may also come from university staff, academic staff, administrators, faculty, students and self-nominations. University staff who have been previously nominated may be re-nominated.

Nominations and recommended letters of support are due to the selection committee no later than 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 1.

Find additional information about the University Staff Excellence Award and submit nominations and letters of support.

For questions, please contact the University Staff Excellence Award Committee at useac@uwlax.edu

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Remembering

Maggie G Servent Alumna

Alumna Maggie G Servent died Jan. 7. For more information see the obituary.

Michael R. Engan Alumnus

Alumnus Michael R. Engan died Jan. 6, 2024. For more information see the obituary.

Philip C. Olson Alumnus

Alumnus Philip C. Olson died June 27, 2010. For more information see the obituary.

Debra A. (Nerby) Desmonde Alumna

Alumna Debra A. (Nerby) Desmonde died Dec. 29, 2017. For more information see the obituary.

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Community Engaged Learning Proposals now being accepted for fall 2026

Host families needed for Japanese university students Feb. 27-March 8

Seeking nominations for the University Staff Excellence Award!

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