Medallion is found!

Senior Nicole Bottelson finds it after 4^th clue

[caption id="attachment_27770" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Nicole Bottelson, a senior from Baraboo, found the Eagle Eye Medallion under a pine tree near Reuter Hall after the fourth clue.[/caption] After reading the fourth clue for the Eagle Eye Medallion Hunt Thursday morning, Nicole Bottelson had a pretty good idea where it might be. Her challenge: she had class until noon and then had to work in the College of Science and Health office until 2 p.m Bottelson headed out shortly after that toward Laux and Sanford halls. She had a hunch Friday’s clue, the final one, would be about Hans Reuter, so she narrowed her search in the area surrounded by the three residence halls named for the professors. In about a half an hour, she found the elusive medallion on the ground under the branch of a pine tree on the west side of Reuter Hall. “I was really excited when I found it,” says the senior from Baraboo. “I did a lot of searching on campus history to figure it out.” Bottelson, a psychology and pre-physician assistant major, transferred from the University of Minnesota Rochester last fall, so she wasn’t very familiar with the campus and its history. She found campus history on the university’s website and through Google. While she had participated in scavenger hunts before, it was her first attempt in a medallion hunt. Bottelson says the game sparked a historical interest. “It got me interested in reading more about the history of campus,” she says. “I think I know what I’ll be doing during winter break.” For finding the medallion, Bottelson won lifetime membership to the UW-L Alumni Association, a $50 gift card to the University Bookstore courtesy of an anonymous donor, and a $50 gift certificate to University Dining. University Communications and the UW-L?Alumni Association sponsored the contest.   Here are all the clues for the 2013 hunt:  

Clue #1 – for release Monday, Oct. 21

The time is here for more campus sleuthing and fun, Read each clue carefully to get the job done; Buildings, historical figures and trivia can lead the way, Pay careful attention so you don’t tumble astray.  

Clue #2 – for release Tuesday, Oct. 22

“We’ll hang the lantern in the old college tower,” Became a tradition and a way to empower; A look east gave inspiration to write, About the bedrock for another traditional light.  

Clue #3 – for release Wednesday, Oct. 23

Started with Romance but turned to history, Helped craft the university’s emblem of glory; For 45 years known for a wry sense of humor, A sporting partner to President Mitchell where they often heard “fore!”  

Clue #4 – for release Thursday, Oct. 24

A pioneer in his early collegiate path, Came to La Crosse following a capital and the oldest higher ed aftermath; Wrote some textbooks on American history, As well as the early La Crosse County story.  

Clue #5 – for release Friday, Oct. 25

“Exercise on the Apparatus, Tumbling and Stunts” was among his writing, A 30-plus career as Mr. Perfection included archery and folk dancing; Look near the second named in his honor; Reach down under the shade of a west-side conifer.

Here is the key to the clues for the 2013 hunt:   Clue #1- The search is underway; buildings and former faculty will be key, along with faculty who worked with tumbling. Clue #2- Orris (O.O.) White began the lantern tradition for Homecoming which has become a symbol for alumni. He also wrote a tribute to Grandad Bluff, where the university’s other Homecoming tradition – The Lighting of the “L” takes place.  A place attributed to White (White Hall) is near the location of the medallion. Clue #3- The professor who started teaching Romance languages and later switched to history was William M. Laux. During his 45 years on campus was known for his humor, and playing golf with University President Rexford Mitchell.  A place attributed to Laux  (Laux Hall) is near the location of the medallion. Clue #4- Albert H. Sanford attended Platteville Normal School before heading to UW-Madison and Harvard for graduate studies. The long-time history professor authored several books on history, including the first major book about La Crosse County. A place attributed to Sanford (Sanford Hall) is near the location of the medallion. Clue #5- Physical Education Professor Hans C. Reuter was known as Mr. Perfection, holding demonstrations in phy ed classes well into his 70s. His book with Walter Wittich helped distinguish the physical education program nationally. You’ll find the medallion under a pine tree located on the western side of present-day Reuter Hall, the second residence hall built and named in his honor.

Eagle Eye Medallion Hunt begins Oct. 21

The Eagle Eye Medallion Hunt gets underway on campus Monday, Oct. 21. It’s an opportunity for students, employees and alumni to have fun and learn some

university history as they search for the elusive medallion — and a chance to collect prizes valued at $500. There will be five clues given, one a day through Friday, to help sleuths find the medallion. By 9 a.m. each day, a clue will be posted via the homepage, www.uwlax.edu. General rules for the contest are — the medallion: • is located within the boundaries of the university’s campus • is never buried in the ground • is never inside a building • is accessible 24 hours a day • fits in a person’s hand • may be camouflaged. The search is open to staff, students and alumni. The website will post notification when the medallion is found. The successful seeker must return it to University Communications, 115 Graff Main Hall, during regular business hours, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. Instructions for the finder will be on the medallion. The lucky finder wins a prize package that includes a lifetime membership to the UW-L Alumni Association ($400 value), a $50 gift card to the University Bookstore (courtesy of an anonymous donor) and $50 gift certificate to University Dining. The contest is sponsored by the UW-L Communications Office.