Campus Connection

Jungbluths' gifts empower education faculty to innovate, lead

Eric and Kristin Jungbluth have long understood the power of education — not just for students, but for the faculty who shape their academic journeys. 

With their latest gift to UW-La Crosse, the couple is establishing the Jungbluth Faculty Fellowships in the School of Education (SOE). The fellowships provide an annual stipend to two faculty members to pursue innovative teaching strategies, advance educational equity and strengthen teacher preparation programs. 

“The SOE faculty fellowship will give high-achieving staff members the resources needed to further their research and enhance the classroom experience,” the Jungbluths say. “Financial support also helps ensure continuity of staff in the department. These faculty members will receive additional professional development and programming, which we hope will lead to long-term educational advancements at UWL.” 

The fellowships are designed to support faculty in developing a co-teaching model that pairs a general classroom teacher and a special education teacher in partnership. By strengthening faculty development, the initiative aims to improve outcomes for both future educators and the PK–12 students they serve.

“Faculty will work directly with mentor teachers and residents in school settings, allowing for authentic inquiry into instructional practices, teacher development and student learning,” says Marcie Wycoff-Horn, dean of the SOE. “These partnerships generate valuable data on teacher preparation effectiveness and connect UWL’s programs directly with PK–12 schools.” 

The fellowships, Wycoff-Horn adds, bridge theory and practice, giving faculty the resources to innovate in ways that benefit both current and future educators. 

For the Jungbluths, supporting faculty is a natural extension of their longstanding commitment to UWL students. Each year, they provide 12 scholarships of $3,000 to students in the SOE or College of Business Administration, helping ease financial burdens and broaden access to education. 

Eric, ’85, retired CEO of CPG International Inc., credits his finance degree from UWL with laying the groundwork for a successful career. Both coming from small-town Wisconsin families with limited savings, Eric and Kristin remember working hard to support themselves through school — a burden they hope to relieve for current and future students. 

“We’ve been longtime supporters of the business and education programs at UWL through our scholarships,” the Jungbluths explain. “We worked really hard to pay our way through college, and now, we’re really trying to focus on students who have that challenge.” 

Their philanthropy reflects a belief that supporting both students and faculty creates a multiplier effect. Scholarships open doors for students, while fellowships empower faculty to create innovative, impactful learning experiences that prepare those students for the future. 

“We believe that education will continue to serve as the foundation for every student in the future,” the Jungbluths say. “Therefore, we wanted to support the faculty who are teaching our future teachers in order to make sure they have a fulfilling and rich experience at UWL.”