The places that bring you back

Campus landmarks that hold a lifetime of memories

Posted 12:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 2026

Over the decades, the UW-La Crosse campus has changed significantly. New buildings have risen, familiar spaces have been renovated and pathways have shifted with each new generation of students.

Yet for UWL alumni, the places that shaped their college experience remain remarkably unchanged in one important way: the memories they hold.

From late-night study sessions to performances and game-day traditions, campus spaces are more than bricks and mortar. They are places where students found community, discovered purpose and built the stories they carry with them today.

“Some of my fondest memories from La Crosse are rooted in everyday campus life: walking across campus, meeting friends at the Cellar or the coffee shop, dining at Whitney and printing papers at the very last minute at the Wing Technology Center — experiences that will sound familiar to many UWL alumni,” says alumnus Michael Bang.

We asked alumni a simple question: What place on campus takes you back instantly?

Here is where their memories led them.

The Cellar | A little magic underground

For generations of students, The Cellar in Cartwright Center was more than a place to grab a good burger or taco salad. It was a gathering spot where music played, friendships formed and ordinary days became memorable.

"We played as ‘Tyler and Andy’ to what felt like packed crowds of dozens. We thought we were piano-rock gods … and maybe we were.”

—Shawn Dobbins, ’07

“I would get lunch at Cartwright between classes, then sometimes go downstairs to play games. In the evenings, I studied in the large common room with my girlfriend. ... After I graduated in 1995, she became my wife — and we’ve been married for 30 years.”

—Nick Lechnir, ’95

Residence halls | A second home

For many alumni, residence halls were where college life truly began. It was where students stayed up too late, celebrated victories, weathered challenges, formed life-long friendships and discovered a deeper sense of who they were.

"My second year, I lived on the second floor at Drake Hall with a room facing the bluff. The views from that room were spectacular — taking in all the seasons. ... There was a grassy area due east of Drake Hall where on nice days and even not so nice days, we flew kites, threw Frisbees, socialized, studied a little and, yes, got a little dirty playing football."

—Scott Rupprecht, ’81

"Saturday mornings in Baird Hall, being woken up by the Screaming Eagles. … Those drums brought the thunder and made sure everyone knew it was game day."

—Stephanie Wolff, ’99

The Fred | A small stage with big memories

While the Toland Theatre often takes center stage, some alumni found their most meaningful experiences in a much smaller venue. Tucked inside Morris Hall, the Frederick Theatre — known simply as “The Fred” — gave students a place to experiment, perform and grow as artists. For theatre alumna Emily Babcock, it became the setting for one of her proudest accomplishments.

“My favorite memory in The Fred would have to be my senior capstone project. I dedicated my entire showcase to Barbie. I dove into the theme of Barbie being whoever she wanted to be by including many different styles and genres of acting monologues, songs and selections from the pre-existing Barbie movies. ... At UWL, I felt I was given such a strong set of tools to tackle the ever-changing professional acting world.”

—Emily Babcock, ’24

The REC | Movement and meaning

The Recreational Eagle Center has always been about more than exercise. Students remember it as their workplace, their recreation place, their meeting place and, sometimes, the beginning of a love story.

“My now fiancé and I had a shift together at the REC. He could sense I was having a rough day, so while I went to check on something across the gym, he got two sweet treats from the vending machine — one fruity, one chocolate. When I came back to the front desk, he asked, ‘Fruity or chocolate?’ and gave me the sweets to cheer me up. Fast-forward to our wedding in June, and we’ll be having a fruity dessert option and a chocolate dessert option in honor of this memory.”

—Olivia Dineen, ’20

Academic buildings | Where futures were forged

Not every cherished campus memory happened outside the classroom. Academic buildings — filled with classrooms, labs and study corners — are where students crammed for exams, listened to lectures and engaged in deep discussions with classmates and professors. It is the space where their careers began to take shape.

“Trudging all the way up to the top floor of the CFA for some of my Comm classes ....”

—Kayla Hanson, ’10

“North Hall was where I spent so much time — reading The Racquet, studying, using the computer lab to finish papers or just talking with friends between classes.”

—Jolene Rathke Smith, ’93

Campus Connection