Posted 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025
Beeby shares campus achievements, ambitions during fall welcome address
Chancellor James Beeby shared how UWL continues to thrive and innovate despite an uncertain landscape in higher education during his welcome address for the fall semester.
Speaking to a crowd of staff, faculty, students and community partners in The Bluffs ballroom in the Student Union, Beeby shared how recent developments — among them the bipartisan state budget agreement signed into law this summer — have positioned UWL for success.
The biennial budget agreement includes a base funding increase for the Universities of Wisconsin, as well as funding to construct the second half of the Prairie Springs Science Center.
“We have seen a $256 million investment in higher education in the state of Wisconsin, and that is fantastic news for higher ed and for our students,” Beeby said, noting that UWL’s share of that investment is still being determined. “Many states across the country are going in the opposite direction in terms of supporting higher ed. In Wisconsin, we didn’t do that, and that’s (something) to celebrate.”
Beeby also thanked those who advocated for the completion of the Prairie Springs Science Center, including local state representatives, business and community partners, and other advocates on campus and throughout the La Crosse region.
The project, set to begin in spring 2026 and be completed in fall 2028, will have a transformative impact on not just UWL, he said, but the entire state.
“I cannot tell you how important this is to this campus, to this region, to our students and our faculty, and allowing us to continue to be an academically excellent institution and train the next workforce and meet the needs of the state,” Beeby said. “It is absolutely vital.”
Separate from the budget, at the campus level, UWL has spent much of the past year brainstorming and developing a new Strategic Plan that will carry the university to 2030 and beyond.
In his address, Beeby introduced the draft pillars that were crafted after a thorough review of feedback provided by the campus community:
- The Driftless Difference: Elevating UWL’s identity and impact as a premier regional destination
- People as a Priority: Fostering an inclusive campus culture where individual voices matter
- Elevating Excellence through Educational Innovation: Harnessing innovation to prepare students, faculty and staff for the future
- Mission-Driven Management & Mindful Stewardship: Building a resilient, responsive and sustainable institution.
More information about the draft pillars is available online. There will be further opportunities to provide feedback this fall before the Strategic Plan is finalized and implemented in early 2026.
One initiative already underway is a compensation plan that will bring UWL’s minimum hourly wage from $16 to $18 — part of the university’s efforts to prioritize people and improve recruitment and retention.
The university is aiming for 80% parity with the salaries reported by the College and University Professional Association (CUPA) by 2026, and 85% parity with CUPA by 2027. More information about the compensation plan, as well as new avenues for career progression, will be shared at a later date.
Throughout his remarks, Beeby shared his enthusiasm for the year ahead and his sense of a prevailing positive energy on campus, even as challenges persist across higher education.
UWL continues to be in a position of strength, he said, and is poised to continue building upon its strong foundation.
“Despite all the challenges that are out there, this campus has stayed focused on our mission, stayed focused on being community-engaged, and stayed focused on being the best we can be in a caring community,” Beeby said. “It is really important that we continue to focus on our mission despite all the things that are going on around us. We have to remain a destination institution where people want to come because of our academics, our university spirit and this wonderful region and city that is La Crosse.”
Award recipients
During the address, Provost Betsy Morgan introduced this year's award recipients among faculty and staff:
- University Staff Excellence Award: Julie Schumacher, Business Services
- Academic Staff Excellence Program Award: International Education & Engagement
- Academic Staff Excellence Award: Mic Nauman, Academic Advising Center & Career Services
- Eagle Excellence in Teaching Awards:
- Eagle Excellence in Research & Creativity Mentoring Award: Dan Bretl, Microbiology
- Eagle Excellence in Academic Advising Award: Noel Wilbur, Accountancy