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<strong>Alumnus</strong><br />
u n i v e r s i t y o f w i s c o n s i n - l a c r o s s e<br />
Winter 2008-09, Vol. 35, No. 1<br />
Global<br />
Growth<br />
International education is rapidly expanding
t h e v i e w f r o m t h e b l u f f<br />
Hong Rost, ’94<br />
‘It would<br />
have been<br />
impossible for<br />
me to turn<br />
down what has<br />
become a<br />
dream job.’<br />
Just like family<br />
Decision to return to campus was simple:<br />
The people<br />
Many people like to get away from home. But for me, I wanted to come home<br />
— to my new home. After graduating from UW-L in 1994 with a master’s in<br />
education in college student personnel, my first job was at North Park<br />
<strong>University</strong> in Chicago. But when a position as assistant director in the UW-L Office <strong>of</strong><br />
International Education was <strong>of</strong>fered to me only a year later, there was one simple<br />
reason I jumped at the chance to return — the people.<br />
I had had such a wonderful experience coming from China only four years earlier.<br />
I made so many lasting friends and received so much help, guidance and personal<br />
attention from UW-L faculty and staff, especially those in the Office <strong>of</strong> International<br />
Education, as well as the La Crosse community. It would have been impossible for me<br />
to turn down what has become a dream job.<br />
As assistant director, I work with the same wonderful people who helped me so<br />
much. And, I have a wonderful opportunity to help students who have chosen my<br />
same academic path by coming to UW-L.<br />
When I broke my hip in a sledding accident my first semester, I learned very<br />
quickly that people at UW-L didn’t just have a pr<strong>of</strong>essional interest in me. They<br />
had a personal interest as well. Many students, faculty and staff came to visit me in<br />
the hospital.<br />
The International Student Organization hosted a fundraiser to help with hospital<br />
bills. I was surrounded by healthcare pr<strong>of</strong>essionals whose care and concern went far<br />
beyond anything I had ever experienced.<br />
I will never forget frequent hospital visits <strong>of</strong> the Rev. Armin Heidmann <strong>of</strong> Lutheran<br />
Campus Ministry. He was the first to tell me <strong>of</strong> the love <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ.<br />
Also, help from my classmates enabled me to physically return to classes. The<br />
patience <strong>of</strong> college student personnel faculty accommodated me with my special needs<br />
while I recovered.<br />
I have found that UW-L is not so much an institution as it is a place where people<br />
have gathered for a common purpose to help students follow their dreams — and<br />
work toward achieving their goals in life. I’m grateful to be part <strong>of</strong> that.<br />
Hong Rost, ’94<br />
Assistant Director, UW-L Office <strong>of</strong> International Education
f e a t u r e s<br />
Snowy Wittich<br />
An early winter snowfall dresses up Wittich<br />
Hall on campus. Built in 1916, the original<br />
physical education building was listed in the<br />
National Register <strong>of</strong> Historical Places April<br />
11, 1985. The building is named for Walter<br />
Wittich, who taught in the university’s physical<br />
education department from 1916-1953.<br />
10 For the love <strong>of</strong><br />
teaching<br />
Five generations <strong>of</strong> the Bices have been linked<br />
to UW-L. Find out how and why.<br />
42 A lasting honor<br />
Todd Olson, ’92, was stationed at Patrol Base<br />
Casino in Samarra, Iraq, with around 100<br />
soldiers from Wisconsin, including other UW-L<br />
alumni. When he was killed in the line <strong>of</strong> duty, the<br />
base was named after him. Get the whole story.<br />
w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g o n c a m p u s<br />
d e p a r t m e n t s<br />
What’s Happening on Campus 3<br />
Foundation Update 9<br />
Alumni News 12<br />
Cover Story: Global Growth 22<br />
Athletics 28<br />
La Crosse Ties 30<br />
Coulee Coda 42<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 3
f r o m t h e e d i t o r<br />
Brad Quarberg<br />
A traveling<br />
education<br />
Imagine marching past London’s Big Ben<br />
while playing “Beer Barrel Polka” and “On,<br />
Wisconsin.” As a person who loves marching<br />
bands, I never expected to have that overseas<br />
opportunity, but that’s what I did during<br />
Christmas break during my first year <strong>of</strong> college.<br />
It was 1981 when I came to UW-L fresh out<br />
<strong>of</strong> high school. UW-L <strong>of</strong>fered my major. It had a<br />
great marching band. And it provided an<br />
opportunity to travel overseas — after only one<br />
semester into college.<br />
Traveling internationally during college was<br />
much more <strong>of</strong> a novelty back then. Today, it’s<br />
something much more common. And I dare<br />
say, relevant.<br />
This issue provides a look at global growth on<br />
campus. More international students are now<br />
sitting in UW-L classrooms, and students from<br />
the U.S. are heading overseas in record numbers.<br />
Students not only take trips halfway around<br />
the world, they also spend a semester or more<br />
taking classes. And when they return, the classes<br />
usually count toward their degree.<br />
International expansion is just another reason<br />
your alma mater continues to receive high<br />
rankings in national publications. And, it’s just<br />
one more reason to speak with pride about<br />
UW-La Crosse.<br />
Brad Quarberg, ’85<br />
<strong>Alumnus</strong> editor<br />
4 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
<strong>Alumnus</strong><br />
u n i v e r s i t y o f w i s c o n s i n - l a c r o s s e<br />
Winter 2008-09, Vol. 35, No. 1<br />
Global<br />
Growth<br />
International education is rapidly expanding<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin-La Crosse <strong>Alumnus</strong><br />
Winter 2008-09, Vol. 35, No. 1<br />
The <strong>Alumnus</strong> is published in June and December for alumni<br />
and friends <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin-La Crosse.<br />
Deadline for copy is April 1 and Oct. 1. Readers may submit<br />
news items to the editor in the <strong>University</strong> Relations Office,<br />
UW-La Crosse, 1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 54601 USA.<br />
608.785.8572 • quarberg.brad@uwlax.edu<br />
e d i t o r<br />
Brad Quarberg, ’85<br />
Associate Director <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> Relations,<br />
<strong>University</strong> Relations Office<br />
a r t d i r e c t o r<br />
ˆ<br />
Sanja Dojcinovic´<br />
<strong>University</strong> Print Manager,<br />
<strong>University</strong> Relations Office<br />
s t a f f w r i t e r s<br />
Cary Heyer<br />
Dave Johnson, ’92<br />
Sue (Sullivan) Lee,<br />
’82 & ’87<br />
Brad Quarberg, ’85<br />
Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86<br />
p h o t o g r a p h y<br />
Mark Beckerjeck, ’88<br />
Sue (Sullivan) Lee,<br />
’82 & ’87<br />
Jim Lund<br />
Brad Quarberg ’85<br />
e d i t o r i a l<br />
a s s i s t a n c e<br />
Cary Heyer, APR<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> Relations<br />
Keli Highland<br />
Program Coordinator,<br />
Alumni Association<br />
Jeff Kerkman,’86<br />
Alumni Representative<br />
Kelly Nowicki-Van Rooyan<br />
’98 & ’02<br />
Alumni Representative<br />
Sara Olson<br />
Computer Systems Manager,<br />
UW-L Foundation<br />
Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86<br />
Executive Director,<br />
UW-L Alumni Association<br />
Al Trapp<br />
Acting President,<br />
UW-La Crosse Foundation<br />
www.uwlax.edu<br />
View previous issues at http://murphylibrary.uwlax.edu/digital/uwl/<strong>Alumnus</strong>/index.html<br />
Production <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Alumnus</strong> is supported by a grant from the UW-La Crosse Alumni Association.<br />
On the cover: Students participated in the 2007 inauguration procession<br />
with flags representing countries <strong>of</strong> homelands <strong>of</strong> those enrolled from<br />
overseas.
Computer Science<br />
department turns 40<br />
It was 40 years ago this past fall that Jack Storlie, right, taught the first computer science<br />
classes on campus. Now, it’s one <strong>of</strong> the campus’ most popular majors. In late 2007,<br />
Chancellor Joe Gow, left, presented a plaque to Storlie that was mounted outside<br />
Room 6 in Wing Technology Center. The room, called the John “Jack” Storlie Computer<br />
and Technology Classroom, was dedicated to Storlie for his many contributions to<br />
campus. Hired as an associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor in chemistry in 1959, Storlie saw his research<br />
convince him computers were more than business machines. He saw their value in<br />
research. Storlie, the creator <strong>of</strong> the computer science department, was first director <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Data Processing Center, now known as Information Technology Services.<br />
Computer Science department in<br />
recent years:<br />
2001 — Master <strong>of</strong> S<strong>of</strong>tware Engineering (MSE) program initiated<br />
2004 — Computer Science/Engineering Dual Degree Program with the<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Engineering at UW-Madison begins<br />
2006 — MSE collaboration with South Central <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Nationalities<br />
2007 — Department receives the W. Carl Wimberly Founder’s Award for<br />
International Partnerships by the UW-L Office <strong>of</strong> International Education for<br />
outstanding contributions to advancing international education<br />
2007 — Department awarded $526,000 National Science Foundation grant<br />
to fund scholarships during a five-year period for full-time MSE students<br />
2007 — Computer Science/Master <strong>of</strong> S<strong>of</strong>tware Engineering Five-Year Dual<br />
Degree Program inaugurated<br />
w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g o n c a m p u s<br />
UW-L’s<br />
rank climbs<br />
to No. 2<br />
UW-L again ranks among the Midwest’s<br />
best universities. UW-L placed No. 2 in<br />
U.S.News & World Report’s 2009<br />
“America’s Best Colleges.”<br />
UW-L tied with the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Northern Iowa for the No. 2 spot in the<br />
Midwest among public universities <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Last year,<br />
UW-L was No. 3. When public universities<br />
and private colleges were combined, UW-L,<br />
Northern Iowa and North Central College<br />
(Ill.) are No. 17 among Midwest institutions.<br />
This is the second time UW-L was No. 2.<br />
In 2006, the campus also tied with Northern<br />
Iowa among Midwest campuses in the same<br />
category. The university has appeared on the<br />
U.S.News list each <strong>of</strong> the past 10 years and<br />
has been among the top three since 2002.<br />
In addition, the report notes in its “Great<br />
Schools, Great Prices” survey <strong>of</strong> Midwest<br />
master’s campuses that 62 percent <strong>of</strong> seniors<br />
who graduated from UW-L carried an<br />
average debt load <strong>of</strong> $12,145 — secondlowest<br />
on its “Debt Load, Class <strong>of</strong> 2007” list.<br />
U.S.News rankings system relies on<br />
quantitative measures that education experts<br />
have proposed as reliable indicators <strong>of</strong><br />
academic quality, as well as a nonpartisan<br />
view <strong>of</strong> what matters in education.<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 5
w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g o n c a m p u s<br />
More<br />
bang for<br />
the buck<br />
Kiplinger’s lists UW-L<br />
a “best value”<br />
Kiplinger’s magazine has again<br />
recognized UW-L for “top-flight<br />
academics and affordable costs.”<br />
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance updated<br />
its list <strong>of</strong> the nation’s 100 best value public<br />
colleges and universities in November,<br />
ranking UW-L No. 38 for in-state students<br />
and No. 30 for out-state students. Both are<br />
an improvement <strong>of</strong> the magazine’s 2008<br />
rankings, which listed UW-L No. 39 for<br />
in-state and No. 38 for out-state.<br />
Schools that make Kiplinger’s Top 100<br />
list are recognized for outstanding<br />
academic quality plus an affordable price<br />
tag, magazine editors note. Rankings are<br />
among more than 500 public, four-year<br />
colleges and universities nationwide.<br />
The only other Wisconsin schools to<br />
make the 2009 Kiplinger’s Top 100: UW-<br />
Madison, No. 14 for in-state students, and<br />
UW-Eau Claire, No. 65.<br />
Complete rankings are available at<br />
www.kiplinger.com/tools/colleges/.<br />
6 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
Transfer degree with<br />
Western Tech approved<br />
The UW Board <strong>of</strong> Regents have<br />
approved a collaborative associate <strong>of</strong> science<br />
degree between UW-L and Western<br />
Technical College in La Crosse. The<br />
transfer agreement gives Western students<br />
who earn a two-year associate <strong>of</strong> science<br />
degree eligibility to transfer to UW-L, or any<br />
other four-year UW campus, with junior<br />
standing.<br />
“The faculty and staff at both institutions<br />
have been intimately involved in developing<br />
the curriculum for this degree,” says<br />
Chancellor Joe Gow. “The result is a<br />
transfer option that maximizes the higher<br />
educational resources in the western<br />
Wisconsin region.”<br />
An eagle eye<br />
New stadium coming into full view<br />
Former chancellor<br />
to retire<br />
Judith Kuipers, UW-L chancellor from 1991-2000, is retiring.<br />
Kuipers, the president <strong>of</strong> Fielding Graduate <strong>University</strong> since leaving<br />
campus, will retire in June 2009. Kuipers was instrumental in<br />
promoting technological improvements in classrooms and worked<br />
with the state and private donors to fund the Health Science Center,<br />
Recreational Eagle Center and renovate <strong>Murphy</strong> <strong>Library</strong>.<br />
The degree will be phased in over several<br />
years beginning in spring 2009 with a limit<br />
<strong>of</strong> 30 students. Considerable effort will be<br />
placed on academic advising with the goal <strong>of</strong><br />
student success upon transfer.<br />
Students will enroll in the degree<br />
program through WTC and will complete<br />
about two-thirds <strong>of</strong> the courses at Western<br />
and one-third at UW-L. UW-L will provide<br />
courses in the arts, humanities, history,<br />
diversity, and modern languages where<br />
there is existing capacity for new students.<br />
Students completing the associate degree at<br />
Western will need to meet the transfer<br />
admission requirements.<br />
Want to keep up with progress <strong>of</strong> the<br />
new Veterans Memorial Field Sports<br />
Complex? Get an eagle-eye view <strong>of</strong> the<br />
$16.6 million project by clicking on<br />
www.uwlax.edu/stadiumcam.<br />
The site <strong>of</strong>fers up-to-the second<br />
progress, along with construction photo<br />
galleries and info about the project, part<br />
<strong>of</strong> the UW-L Foundation’s Centennial<br />
Campaign. Dedication <strong>of</strong> the complex<br />
is Sept. 12, 2009.<br />
Judith Kuipers
No. 1 in the class<br />
Educator Greg Wegner receives kudos<br />
Educational Studies Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Greg Wegner, ’71, has been recognized for his<br />
outstanding teaching. Wegner received the 2008 Wisconsin Richard T. Ferrell Teacher<br />
<strong>of</strong> Merit Award. He was one <strong>of</strong> eight nationwide given a PBS Teacher <strong>of</strong> Merit Award,<br />
cited for his work with National History Day in western Wisconsin for the past 15 years.<br />
Wegner has taught at UW-L since 1989.<br />
New funds<br />
established<br />
The following funds were recently established through the UW-L Foundation:<br />
• The Kathy Andrews Madrigrano and John & Dorothy Andrews Scholarship Fund<br />
provides scholarships for students in the School <strong>of</strong> Education.<br />
• The Jim Mack Scholarship Fund for Public Policy and Advocacy provides<br />
scholarships for students with majors in political science, public administration or<br />
economics.<br />
• The Nuclear Medicine Technology Alumni Scholarship Fund provides scholarships<br />
for students in the nuclear medicine technology program.<br />
• Dr. & Mrs. Larry Nutter Scholarship in Chemistry funds scholarships for students<br />
who major in chemistry.<br />
• The Thomas & Shahaireen Pellett Scholarship Fund in Biology provides<br />
scholarships for biology majors.<br />
• Donald P. Weber Veterans Memorial Scholarship supports Wisconsin veterans who<br />
wish to attend UW System institutions <strong>of</strong> higher learning.<br />
For information on these funds, or to find out how to establish a scholarship, contact the<br />
UW-L Foundation at 608.785.8489.<br />
w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g o n c a m p u s<br />
Money in<br />
their<br />
pockets<br />
The average debt <strong>of</strong> UW-L graduates is<br />
the lowest in the state.<br />
A Chronicle <strong>of</strong> Higher Education released<br />
report says the average debt <strong>of</strong> UW-L<br />
graduates in 2007 was $12,145. That’s the<br />
lowest in the state. In comparison, the<br />
average debt <strong>of</strong> students who graduated from<br />
UW-Madison was $21,018. Graduates <strong>of</strong><br />
Truman State (Mo.), consistently ranked<br />
one notch ahead <strong>of</strong> UW-L by U.S.News &<br />
World Reports, carried $17,091 in debt. The<br />
survey included public four-year institutions<br />
and private, non-pr<strong>of</strong>it four-year campuses.<br />
Chancellor Joe Gow says the report<br />
affirms what many already know: UW-L is an<br />
exceptional value. “Affordability is certainly<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the most important factors considered<br />
when selecting a university,” he notes.<br />
“People take notice when a prestigious<br />
publication like The Chronicle <strong>of</strong> Higher<br />
Education releases a survey that shows an<br />
education at UW-L is a great buy.”<br />
The report followed UW-L being listed<br />
No. 2 among Midwest master’s campuses in<br />
U.S. News & World Report’s “Great Schools,<br />
Great Prices” survey.<br />
According to the report, students who<br />
graduated from colleges in Iowa had the<br />
highest average debt, $26,208, while those in<br />
Utah had the lowest, $13,266.<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 7
w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g o n c a m p u s<br />
College<br />
student pros<br />
Student affairs degree goes online<br />
You’ve likely heard <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional students.<br />
But, did you know there are student<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals — those who like college, stay<br />
on campus and get paid for it?<br />
For more than 40 years, the UW-L Student<br />
Affairs Administration (SAA) in Higher Education<br />
graduate program has prepared those who like<br />
campus life and want to help students thrive in<br />
college. They are pr<strong>of</strong>essional staff members in a<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> campus student service <strong>of</strong>fices, such as<br />
Admissions, Advising, Career Services, Deans <strong>of</strong><br />
Students, Financial Aid, International Education,<br />
Multicultural Services, Registrars, Residence Life<br />
and Student Unions.<br />
Since the mid-’60s, more than 500 graduate<br />
students have come to campus to earn master’s<br />
degrees in the two-year program. But since May<br />
2007, students have had the option <strong>of</strong> earning their<br />
degree online. In fact, the online program,<br />
accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in<br />
October 2007, is one <strong>of</strong> the only accredited online<br />
8 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
www.uwlax.edu/100years<br />
student affairs programs<br />
nationwide.<br />
“Our online<br />
curriculum is geared<br />
toward individuals<br />
currently working in a<br />
higher education setting<br />
as demonstrated by our<br />
class discussions, activities and assignments,”<br />
explains SAA Program Director Jodie Rindt. “Our<br />
current students have indicated that a strength <strong>of</strong><br />
the online program is the sharing <strong>of</strong> information<br />
and experiences from other campuses and the<br />
engaging presence <strong>of</strong> our faculty.”<br />
The first online class <strong>of</strong> 12 students will pick up<br />
their degrees in spring. It includes students from all<br />
over the country (Alaska, California, Maine and<br />
Virginia to name a few states) as well as Germany.<br />
While the new, online program is <strong>of</strong>f to a successful<br />
student, others still opt for the more traditional<br />
program based on campus. It is aimed at those who<br />
It’s<br />
time to<br />
celebrate<br />
Old Main opened its doors for the first time in<br />
fall 1909. Next fall, it’s time to remember the<br />
university’s history. A variety <strong>of</strong> activities are<br />
planned for the celebration, culminating with<br />
special events during Family, Friends and<br />
Alumni Weekend, Oct. 23-25, including a gala<br />
that “will immerse you in the past 100 years.”<br />
Watch for details!<br />
The following UW-L groups and organizations plan to attend the Centennial Celebration: Class <strong>of</strong> ’59,<br />
football team <strong>of</strong> ’59, Silver Eagles and Beta Sigma Chi Alumni Group. If you would like your campus group<br />
to join the Centennial Celebration, please call the Alumni Association at 608.785.8490.<br />
Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education Program on-campus<br />
student Kristin Van Vleet, ’08, left, is doing a graduate assistantship in<br />
the program’s Graff Main Hall Office with Program Director Jodie Rindt.<br />
In May 2007, the program began <strong>of</strong>fering an online option in addition to<br />
the 40-year-old traditional on-campus studies.<br />
have little or no experience in higher education<br />
settings.<br />
“You get to know your classmates well and<br />
work together as a group,” notes Kristin Van Vleet,<br />
’08, an on-campus student who is doing a graduate<br />
assistantship with program director Rindt. “All our<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essors hold jobs in their fields, so they bring a<br />
very relevant aspect to the program.”<br />
Applications for the online program are<br />
accepted through Feb. 1, while those for the oncampus<br />
program are due Feb. 15. Get more<br />
information about the program at<br />
www.uwlax.edu/saa.
Students in UW-L’s Symphony Orchestra<br />
get to play some <strong>of</strong> the best instruments<br />
in the world, thanks to the generosity <strong>of</strong><br />
one <strong>of</strong> the finest trumpeters in the world.<br />
In 2007, Adolph “Bud” Herseth, principal<br />
trumpeter in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra<br />
from 1948 to 2001, donated three instruments<br />
to UW-L’s orchestra — a trumpet in C, a<br />
piccolo trumpet and a cornet — all made at one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the leading manufacturers in the world,<br />
Chicago’s Schilke Music Co.<br />
Herseth is Alden “Buz” Hoefer’s former<br />
father-in-law and donated the instruments after<br />
his retirement from the Chicago Symphony<br />
Orchestra. Hoefer was UW-L’s Symphony<br />
Orchestra conductor from 1991 to 2000 and<br />
2004-06.<br />
“Bud is considered the best trumpet player<br />
<strong>of</strong> the second half <strong>of</strong> the 20th century,” notes<br />
Hoefer. “He was a principal trumpet player <strong>of</strong> a<br />
major symphony orchestra longer that anyone<br />
in history. He was the first trumpet player<br />
elected to the trumpet hall <strong>of</strong> fame.”<br />
Herseth was the central figure <strong>of</strong> “Trumpet<br />
Fest,” held at UW-L in May 2005, that brought<br />
trumpet players from all over the country to pay<br />
tribute to Herseth’s contribution to trumpet<br />
performance.<br />
f o u n d a t i o n u p d a t e<br />
Adolph “Bud” Herseth, principal<br />
trumpeter in the Chicago<br />
Symphony Orchestra from 1948<br />
to 2001, donated three<br />
instruments to the orchestra.<br />
Among the UW-L group going to<br />
Chicago’s Schilke Music Co. to<br />
get the instruments and meet the<br />
donor were, from left, front:<br />
Schilke Music Co. President<br />
Andrew Naumann; Herseth;<br />
former UW-L student Steven W.<br />
Ehrhardt and UW-L student Jacob<br />
Leonard, both trumpeters in<br />
UW-L’s 2006-07 Symphony<br />
Orchestra. Back row, from left,<br />
Jon Faddis, trumpet player and<br />
music director <strong>of</strong> the Chicago<br />
Jazz Ensemble; Alden “Buz”<br />
Hoefer, UW-L Symphony<br />
Orchestra conductor from 1991-<br />
2000 and 2004-06; and Enaldo<br />
Oliveira, music director and UW-L<br />
Symphony Orchestra conductor<br />
since 2006.<br />
Big talents, big hearts<br />
Continuing a legacy <strong>of</strong> excellence<br />
By Sue (Sullivan) Lee, ’82 & ’87<br />
Enaldo Oliveira, UW-L’s Symphony<br />
Orchestra conductor and music director since<br />
2006, appreciates the value <strong>of</strong> the instruments,<br />
as well as the prominence <strong>of</strong> the donor. “Bud<br />
Herseth defined what it is to play trumpet,” he<br />
explains. “He was one <strong>of</strong> the leading trumpet<br />
players in the world.”<br />
In May 2007, a group from UW-L traveled<br />
to Schilke to receive the instruments. Oliveira,<br />
along with Hoefer and two UW-L students met<br />
Herseth, Schilke Music Co. President Andrew<br />
Naumann, and Jon Faddis, considered one <strong>of</strong><br />
the best trumpet players in Chicago.<br />
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f o u n d a t i o n u p d a t e<br />
To learn more about UW-L’s Centennial<br />
For Campaign and the new academic building,<br />
visit www.uwlfoundation.org.<br />
Above, top: Daisy Bice, a 1912 graduate <strong>of</strong> the<br />
La Crosse Normal School, started a family tradition.<br />
Since she attended classes on campus, 11 other<br />
Bice family members have attended UW-L.<br />
Above: Myrtle Bice, ’16, a Wonewoc, Wis.,<br />
elementary school teacher is the person the Bice<br />
family credits with being the matriarch who fostered<br />
a zeal for learning and discovery. The family is<br />
honoring her with a $10,000 contribution to fund a<br />
study area in the university’s new academic<br />
building, “Centennial Hall.”<br />
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the love<br />
<strong>of</strong> teaching<br />
Bice family honors 1916 graduate with<br />
$10,000 gift to Centennial Hall<br />
By Cary Heyer<br />
For five generations, the name “Bice”<br />
has become inextricably linked to<br />
UW-L. Small wonder why.<br />
Starting with Daisy Bice, a 1912<br />
graduate <strong>of</strong> the La Crosse Normal School<br />
and aunt <strong>of</strong> veteran Wisconsin Legislator<br />
Raymond Bice, Sr., 12 members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Bice family have attended UW-L. Of<br />
those, nine have pursued careers in<br />
education, including Ray Jr., who alone<br />
taught 27,000 students over 60 years at<br />
Charlottesville (Va.) <strong>University</strong>.<br />
Teaching, one may rightfully conclude,<br />
is part <strong>of</strong> the Bice family’s DNA.<br />
So it’s not surprising that the Bices<br />
stepped forward with a $10,000<br />
contribution to fund a study area in the<br />
new academic building in honor <strong>of</strong><br />
mother and grandmother Myrtle Bice, ’16.<br />
The Wonewoc, Wis. elementary school<br />
teacher and wife <strong>of</strong> Ray Sr. is the person<br />
the family credits with being the matriarch<br />
who fostered a zeal for learning and<br />
discovery.<br />
However, Myrtle’s grandson Phil Bice,<br />
who teaches accounting at UW-L, is quick<br />
to point out that Grandfather Ray played<br />
an important role in instilling the value <strong>of</strong><br />
higher education among his descendants.<br />
“He was a very successful individual<br />
but was unable to attend high school in<br />
1910 because <strong>of</strong> work and family,” Phil<br />
recounts. “He did not obtain a GED until<br />
his youngest son graduated from high<br />
school in 1943. I am sure during that time<br />
he was raising his family and observing his<br />
wife, a (La Crosse) Normal School<br />
graduate, advance his children<br />
academically. He was convinced <strong>of</strong> the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> education.”<br />
All four <strong>of</strong> Myrtle and Ray’s children<br />
went on to receive a master’s degree and<br />
one holds a doctorate. The next<br />
generation finds three <strong>of</strong> six grandchildren<br />
— and many <strong>of</strong> their spouses — in front<br />
<strong>of</strong> the classroom.<br />
Their gift is a tangible expression <strong>of</strong> the<br />
value the Bice family places in education.<br />
“The new academic building will help<br />
fulfill UW-L’s educational mission and be<br />
a much-needed update to the university<br />
property dedicated to academics,” Phil<br />
says. “The classrooms <strong>of</strong> the next century<br />
will be much different than our first, and<br />
these differences will require continued<br />
investment by all <strong>of</strong> us.”
A lasting<br />
tribute<br />
Scholarship honors local PT pioneer<br />
By Brad Quarberg, ’85<br />
The respect and friendship <strong>of</strong> a<br />
fellow soldier and prominent<br />
La Crosse doctor led a<br />
Norwegian physical therapist to the<br />
Coulee Region. And his love for the<br />
La Crosse area will allow his story to<br />
live on as part <strong>of</strong> a scholarship<br />
endowed through the UW-La Crosse<br />
Foundation.<br />
Carsten Christiansen met Thorolf<br />
Gundersen when they served together<br />
in a World War II ski battalion. The<br />
99th Infantry Battalion was unique. It<br />
consisted <strong>of</strong> native-born Norwegians<br />
or those with a working knowledge <strong>of</strong><br />
the Norwegian language. And they had<br />
to know how to ski and snowshoe.<br />
The 99th was trained to drop in the<br />
mountains <strong>of</strong> Norway to overtake an<br />
expected Nazi invasion. But when the<br />
invasion didn’t materialize, the 99th<br />
was sent into action in Belgium, France<br />
and Germany. One-third <strong>of</strong> the<br />
original unit was killed in action.<br />
When soldiers returned to the<br />
United States, Gundersen encouraged<br />
Christiansen to join him at the<br />
Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse.<br />
Christiansen started the clinic’s<br />
physical therapy department in 1946.<br />
He stayed there until retiring<br />
in 1962.<br />
Christiansen’s wife, ZeDona, has<br />
honored her husband who died in<br />
1984 by establishing a scholarship for<br />
phsycial therapy students at UW-L.<br />
The Carsten and ZeDona Christiansen<br />
Memorial Scholarship for Phyiscal<br />
Therapy will award a deserving<br />
sophomore or junior at least $500.<br />
“We’re very fortunate and grateful<br />
for the family’s generosity for this<br />
endowment,” says Al Trapp, interim<br />
president <strong>of</strong> the UW-L Foundation.<br />
“It’s a wonderful way to honor such a<br />
prominent local physical therapist and<br />
his wife. And it has a story that will<br />
inspire deserving students for years and<br />
years to come.”<br />
ZeDona Christiansen died Aug. 15,<br />
2008. But she and her husband’s<br />
stories live.<br />
f o u n d a t i o n u p d a t e<br />
Carsten Christiansen, a physical therapist at<br />
Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse from 1946-1962,<br />
helped thousands <strong>of</strong> patients during his career. A<br />
memorial scholarship established by his wife,<br />
ZeDona, will help UW-L physical therapy students<br />
for years to come.<br />
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a l u m n i n e w s<br />
Generous gift<br />
Alumni Association pledges $25,000 for “Centennial Campaign”<br />
The UW-L Alumni Association was one <strong>of</strong> the first groups to commit to the<br />
UW-L Foundation’s Centennial Campaign. Now, the association’s Board <strong>of</strong><br />
Directors has approved a second pledge <strong>of</strong> $25,000 to support the new<br />
academic building, “Centennial Hall.”<br />
“Facilitating partnerships is one <strong>of</strong> our core values,” notes Janie<br />
Spencer, ’85 & ’86, executive director <strong>of</strong> the association. “The association<br />
believes in partnering with the university, foundation, students, alumni and<br />
friends <strong>of</strong> UW-L. This pledge reaffirms the Alumni Association’s<br />
commitment to UW-L, to public higher education, to our students and the<br />
alumni <strong>of</strong> this great institution.”<br />
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Pay it forward<br />
Membership campaign going strong<br />
Thousands <strong>of</strong> alumni<br />
have already joined. Many<br />
have shared personal<br />
stories <strong>of</strong> UW-L’s impact<br />
on their lives. Some alums<br />
have volunteered to help<br />
Tracy Machtan, ’07 with events. Others have<br />
sent encouraging messages<br />
to current students.<br />
All are wonderful ways to help your alma mater<br />
“Pay it Forward,” says UW-L Alumni Association<br />
Executive Director Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86. She <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
hears from enthusiastic alums like Tracy Machtan, ’07<br />
from Bloomington, Ill., who recently wrote: “I want to<br />
make sure I’m a member in good standing. In fact, as<br />
soon as I can afford it, I want to purchase a lifetime<br />
membership. It’s the least I can do for the school that<br />
helped me become the person I’ve always wanted to be.<br />
Please let me know if there’s anything I can ever do to<br />
help you, the Association,<br />
or UW-L!”<br />
“Tracy is a recent graduate who understands the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> doing a good deed to help others,” says<br />
Spencer. “Membership in the Alumni Association is the<br />
best way to stay connected while supporting programs<br />
that strengthen UW-La Crosse.”<br />
Spencer encourages you to encourage alums who<br />
aren’t members to join. Find out how at:<br />
www.uwlalumni.org<br />
a l u m n i n e w s<br />
Hawaii<br />
reunion<br />
This group <strong>of</strong> UW-L alumni<br />
recently celebrated the 40th<br />
anniversary <strong>of</strong> their trip to the<br />
Hawaiian Islands in August 1968.<br />
Those who took the trip,<br />
organized by then director <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Alumni Office Eleanor Kennedy,<br />
continue to get together at least<br />
twice a year. In the group were,<br />
from left, Joan Doescher, ’56;<br />
Howard Mills, ’66; Eleanor<br />
Kennedy, ’64 & ’76; Ken<br />
Abraham, ’63 & ’68 and Mary<br />
Abraham. (Not pictured is<br />
Nancy Mills.)<br />
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a l u m n i n e w s<br />
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UW-L Alumni Association<br />
2008-09<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Directors<br />
The UW-L Alumni Association recognizes<br />
those who will serve as its 2008-09<br />
board <strong>of</strong> directors.<br />
Anne Grayson, ’86<br />
Officers:<br />
Anne Grayson, ’86; President, Onalaska<br />
Marlin Helgeson, ’78; Vice President, La Crosse<br />
Julie Schwingel, ’85; Treasurer, Rio<br />
Jennifer Shilling, ’92; Past President, La Crosse<br />
Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86; Executive Director, Holmen<br />
Directors:<br />
Jill Blokhuis, ’88, La Crosse<br />
Jeff Bryant, ’80, La Crosse<br />
Amy DuPont, ’01, Onalaska<br />
Trish Harman, ’95, West Salem<br />
Karrie Jackelen, ’94, La Crosse<br />
Adam Mueller, ’03, La Crosse<br />
Ken Schmocker, ’75, Onalaska<br />
Ron Stadler, ’86, Port Washington<br />
Karla Stanek, ’75 & ’80, La Crosse<br />
Jackie Strutt, ’76 & ’80, Onalaska<br />
Jim Warren, ’75, Onalaska<br />
Antoiwana Williams, ’00 & ’04, La Crosse<br />
Alumni Network Representatives:<br />
Chris Bowron, ’99; Rochester Network,<br />
Rochester, Minn.<br />
Lisa Butterfield, ’83; Alumni Band Network, La Crosse<br />
Jamie Durocher, ’98; Delta Sigma Phi Network,<br />
La Crescent, Minn.<br />
Dave Fink, ’85; Madison Network, Middleton<br />
Paul Hoiland, ’96; ROTC Network, Rockford, Minn.<br />
Fred Monk, ’64; Beta Sigma Chi Network, La Crosse<br />
Greg Natyshak, ’00; Twin Cities Network,<br />
Savage, Minn.<br />
Jim Prudhome, ’70; Silver Eagles Network, La Crosse<br />
Corey Sjoquist, ’96 & ’03; Residence Life Network,<br />
West Salem<br />
Alicia Stratman, ’97; Milwaukee Network, Franklin<br />
Brad Williams, ’77; Theatre Network, La Crosse<br />
Staff/Student Representatives:<br />
Leah Gullickson, Student Alumni Ambassador<br />
Representative, Wausau<br />
Keli Highland, Program Coordinator, La Crosse<br />
Mandy Nogle, ’08, Program Assistant<br />
Al Trapp, UW-L Foundation Liaison, La Crosse
Things to do<br />
The UW-L Alumni Association 2009<br />
Calendar <strong>of</strong> Events<br />
January<br />
9 Membership Committee meeting, campus<br />
15 Finance Committee meeting, campus<br />
23 Executive Committee meeting, campus<br />
26 Classes resume<br />
February<br />
4 UW-L Alumni Association Board meeting,<br />
Madison<br />
4 Political Science & Public Administration<br />
event, Madison<br />
6 Membership Committee meeting, campus<br />
6 UW-L Foundation Board meeting, campus<br />
20 Inverary Classic, Tampa<br />
25 Etiquette Dinner, campus<br />
25 Career Expo, campus<br />
25 L-Club luncheon at Outback Steakhouse,<br />
Onalaska<br />
March<br />
6 Membership Committee meeting, campus<br />
13 - 22 Spring break<br />
25 L-Club luncheon at Outback Steakhouse,<br />
Onalaska<br />
30 Countdown to Commencement, campus<br />
April<br />
3 Membership Committee meeting, campus<br />
16 Finance Committee meeting, campus<br />
17 Executive Committee meeting, campus<br />
22 L-Club luncheon at Outback Steakhouse,<br />
Onalaska<br />
27 UW-L Foundation honors reception,<br />
campus<br />
May<br />
1 Membership Committee meeting, campus<br />
2 UW-L Alumni Association Board meeting,<br />
campus<br />
6 L-Club luncheon at Outback Steakhouse,<br />
Onalaska<br />
15 UW-L Foundation Board meeting, campus<br />
15 Alumni Awards program, campus<br />
16 Commencement<br />
16 Student Alumni Ambassador flower sale<br />
September<br />
12 Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex<br />
dedication<br />
13 Athletic Wall <strong>of</strong> Fame banquet, campus<br />
25 - Oct. 3 Oktoberfest<br />
October<br />
23 - 25 UW-L Centennial Celebration weekend<br />
Get details at www.uwlalumni.org or<br />
by calling 608.785.8495.<br />
a l u m n i n e w s<br />
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We will use this spine layout if your book turns out to be thinner than the larger spine layout.<br />
isconsin La Crosse—Hardbound Edition C<br />
a l u m n i n e w s<br />
Directory coming<br />
Alumni Association to print<br />
centennial edition<br />
A soon-to-be-printed book will<br />
list the university’s alumni, along<br />
with providing a brief historical<br />
overview.<br />
UW-L Alumni Association<br />
Executive Director Janie Spencer,<br />
’85 & ’86, says despite the<br />
popularity <strong>of</strong> the association’s<br />
technology-based resources, it’s<br />
important to publish a printed<br />
directory.<br />
“The Alumni Association is<br />
partnering with Harris Connect to<br />
preserve campus traditions and<br />
create not only an alumni directory,<br />
but also a historical reference book<br />
to celebrate the university’s 100th<br />
anniversary,” says Spencer.<br />
“Alumni Today - Centennial<br />
edition, 1909-2009,” will have an<br />
expanded classnotes section, along<br />
with a photo gallery where alums<br />
can submit their favorite photo. If<br />
you haven’t already replied, please<br />
do and you’ll be included in this<br />
historical record for the campus.<br />
The directory will be printed<br />
and ready for distribution in spring<br />
2009. Refer questions to Harris at<br />
800.877.6554 or the Alumni<br />
Association at 877.UWL.ALUM.<br />
Next stop: Europe<br />
High-speed train tour includes stops in England, France and Belgium<br />
1 6 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
Back Cover Gutter Spine Gutter<br />
Front Cover<br />
Alumni: Today 2009<br />
2009<br />
Alumni: Today<br />
CENTENNIAL ENTENNIAL<br />
EDITION DD<br />
ITION<br />
1909 - 2009<br />
The UW-L Alumni Association’s next tour is<br />
“Europe by Train.” The nine-day trip features stays in<br />
London, England; Paris, France; and Brussels, Belgium.<br />
Travelers will take the Eurostar high-speed train from<br />
London to Paris, and the high-speed Thalys train from<br />
Paris to Brussels. The package includes panoramic<br />
tours in the three cities, along with a full-day excursions<br />
<strong>of</strong> Belgium and to Maastricht, The Netherlands. Nine<br />
meals are included, along with hotel stays. Optional<br />
excursions in each country are available. The cost for<br />
July departure from Minneapolis is $3,408 per person.<br />
For more information, call 877.UWL.ALUM.<br />
C<br />
E<br />
1909<br />
- 20099
Another success<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 132 golfers, along with sponsors and volunteers,<br />
made the 2008 Chancellor’s Golf Outing in August a<br />
success. The event raised more $11,000 to benefit the<br />
UW-L Alumni Association. Mark your calendar for this year’s<br />
golf outing, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009.<br />
A l u m n i n e w s<br />
Top, left: From left, Larry<br />
Lebiecki, ’62, former Chancellor<br />
Ken Lindner and Don Vingers<br />
were among those who enjoyed<br />
a beautiful day on the links<br />
during the Chancellor’s Golf<br />
Outing in August.<br />
Left: The outing’s only<br />
women’s-only team took a break<br />
for this photo. They included,<br />
from left, Deb Veglahn, ’99; Kaye<br />
Schendel, ’04; Karla Stanek, ’75<br />
& ’80; Angie Lee and Paula<br />
Knudson.<br />
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a l u m n i n e w s<br />
1<br />
2 3<br />
‘Homecoming’<br />
highlights<br />
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4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
a l u m n i n e w s<br />
1. TOGETHER AGAIN: Members <strong>of</strong> the Class <strong>of</strong> ’58 enjoy time together at an all-alumni<br />
social. Among them, from left, Linda (Lehman) Kouzes, Delavan; Marilyn (Ocasek)<br />
Sullivan, Breckenridge, Colo.; Carol (Ringhardt) Bantley, La Crosse; and Mary Lou<br />
Thornburg, Needham Heights, Mass. 2. THE CLASS OF ’58: Alumni returning for their<br />
50th reunion took time to pose <strong>of</strong> for a class picture. 3. EAGLE-EYE SUPPORTER: The<br />
UW-L eagle works the sidelines <strong>of</strong> the Homecoming football game, played at Winona<br />
(Minn.) State <strong>University</strong> because <strong>of</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> the Veterans Memorial Field Sports<br />
Complex. 4. UW-L RAH: The UW-L cheerleaders helped lead calls for a UW-L victory over<br />
UW-Platteville. The Eagles won the game, 37-6. 5. SERIOUS TALK: College <strong>of</strong> Business<br />
Administration alumni returned to campus for the annual “Take an Eagle to Lunch” to talk<br />
with students about post-graduation expectations. 6. GET READY FOR SOME<br />
SCREAMIN’:The UW-L Screaming Eagles prepare to take the field for their annual<br />
Homecoming halftime show. 7. A PRESIDENTIAL PITCH: UW-L Alumni Association<br />
President Anne Grayson, ’86, speaks at Friday’s Clock Tower Kick-<strong>of</strong>f. 8. FRIENDS FOR<br />
MORE THAN 50: Class <strong>of</strong> ’50 alumni and their spouses had a good time reminiscing —<br />
and posing for a picture or two.<br />
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a l u m n i n e w s<br />
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Six added to<br />
Wall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />
Six former student-athletes<br />
inducted into university’s<br />
Wall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />
UW-L’s Wall <strong>of</strong> Fame pays tribute to former athletes and coaches for their<br />
exceptional ability and enhancement <strong>of</strong> school tradition. To nominate alumni,<br />
visit: www.uwlax.edu/athletics/traditions/wallfame. Biographies <strong>of</strong> the<br />
2008 inductees:<br />
Gene Conger, ’60<br />
Gene Conger lit up the Memorial Field scoreboard — in football and track. In 1959, the<br />
physical science and physical education major earned Little All-American Team<br />
honorable mention football honors, along with conference scoring and rushing titles.<br />
He was first-team all conference and the team’s MVP. His 24 points scored in a game<br />
still ranked fourth (tied with seven others) in UW-L all-time scoring in a single game<br />
prior to the 2008 season. In track, he finished second in a conference meet long jump.<br />
Conger lettered in both sports all four years. He taught and coached at Park Falls,<br />
Elkhorn, Hortonville and Muskego, where he retired as middle school principal in 1995.<br />
He and his wife, Ginny, live in Oshkosh. They have three grown children.<br />
Stan Johnson, ’85<br />
For more than two decades, Stan Johnson’s 98-yard pass reception from Quarterback<br />
Bob Krepfle has remained the longest passing play in school history. That pass in a game<br />
against UW-Stevens Point in 1984 was just one <strong>of</strong> many Johnson made in a career that<br />
set records and took him to the pros. Entering the 2008 season, Johnson is still second<br />
with the most receiving yards (980) for a season, and third in a game (221 yards) in a<br />
1983 play<strong>of</strong>f game against Occidental College, the largest come-from-behind victory in<br />
NAIA II history (UW-L won 43-42). After graduating, the marketing major was a free<br />
agent for the Chicago Bears in 1985 and the Cincinnati Bengals in 1986. He was the last<br />
receiver cut by both. Johnson played for the Edmonton Eskimos <strong>of</strong> the Canadian<br />
Football League in 1986-87, and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in 1987-88 before<br />
suffering a career-ending knee injury. Johnson, a salesman with Sealed Air Corp., lives in<br />
New London with his wife, Kari, and three sons.
Jennifer Wilson Meyers, ’97<br />
Jennifer Meyers made more than a splash in her four years on the swim team. From<br />
1991-95, Meyers set numerous school record in relays, as well as earning All-American<br />
honors in eight events. She was the 200 freestyle conference champ in ’92-’93, and the<br />
500 freestyle conference champ in ’93-’94. Meyers took the conference Female<br />
Swimming Scholar Athlete <strong>of</strong> the year honor in 1995, served as team captain in<br />
’94-’95, and was team MVP twice. She taught and coached boy’s varsity swimming<br />
for Watertown-Oconomowoc from 1997-2000, helping to advance 14 swimmers to<br />
state. The stay-at-home mom lives in Watertown with her husband, Steven, and their<br />
three children.<br />
Ajamu Olaniyan, ’93<br />
Ajamu Olaniyan is the university’s all-time triple jumper — and holds that honor in the<br />
conference too. Olaniyan, who competed in college as Dean Cash, still owns conference<br />
indoor and outdoor records in the triple jump. He and teammate Bill Schroeder are the<br />
only Eagles to break the 51-feet barrier. Olaniyan holds the outdoor school record in the<br />
triple jump, including the Veterans Memorial Field Complex record. No other jumper at<br />
UW-L has won as many titles in the triple jump. He was part <strong>of</strong> teams that won national<br />
championships in indoor and outdoor events in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He was also on<br />
teams that brought home eight conference titles. Olaniyan is a middle school teacher and<br />
coach with Milwaukee Public Schools. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Karissa, and<br />
their five children.<br />
William Robert Rediske, ’86<br />
William Rediske helped the cross country and track teams outrun the competition in the<br />
early ’80s. The public administration-political science major helped the harriers post<br />
conference championships from 1982-85, including a perfect score <strong>of</strong> 15 at the 1983<br />
conference championship. He and the other runners competed in four NAIA national<br />
meets, finishing as high as second in 1985 and no lower than fourth. Individually,<br />
Rediske finished as an All-American in ’84 and ’85. In track, Rediske helped the team<br />
earn indoor and outdoor conference titles from ’83-’86. He set a school record in the<br />
3,000-meter steeple chase during nationals at Memorial Field, placing fifth overall. He<br />
was an All-American in the event in ’85 and ’86. Rediske is a podiatrist for the U.S. Army<br />
at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He and his wife Kelly, ’91, have four<br />
children.<br />
Angela Elise Riniker, ’95<br />
Angela Riniker came very close to not becoming a national champion — not because <strong>of</strong><br />
ability, but because <strong>of</strong> injury and burn-out. The Sparta High School state hurdle<br />
champion had high hopes <strong>of</strong> collegiate success, but that goal came crashing down when<br />
she was injured her freshman year. The stress <strong>of</strong> collegiate athletics got to her, so she quit.<br />
But after a year, she put her spikes back on at the urging <strong>of</strong> her brother, Wade, and<br />
focused on the 400-meter hurdles and mile relay. In her senior year, that paid <strong>of</strong>f when<br />
she won the 400-meter hurdles NCAA III championship. Riniker also ran to numerous<br />
conference titles in hurdles and relays, and a school record in the 400-meter hurdles at<br />
nationals. The business administration major lives in Woodbury, Minn., where she is vice<br />
president <strong>of</strong> Fenix Metals, and works for Optum Health and Coldwell Banker.<br />
a l u m n i n e w s<br />
u wu- lw a - lc a r co rs os e s sa e l ua ml un mu ns u• s w• i ns tu em r m e2 r 0 02 80 - 0 9 8 • 2 1
c o v e r s t o r y<br />
China. Uganda.<br />
Iceland. Japan. Saudi<br />
Arabia. Those are just five places<br />
UW-L students call home in an ever-growing<br />
global student body.<br />
Education has always aimed to open new worlds<br />
to students. Now, the world is more open to students.<br />
Students used to learn about other countries and<br />
cultures through books. In the digital age, books are passé.<br />
Today, students easily access the Internet to read — or see<br />
— what is going on around the world anytime.<br />
With nearly 400 international students studying on<br />
campus, it’s even easier for UW-L students to strike up a<br />
conversation with one <strong>of</strong> their classmates to find out about<br />
another country.<br />
Or, they head overseas for a semester and return with<br />
credits that count toward graduation and an experience<br />
that changes them forever. Another option, they find an<br />
internship in another country and return with a more<br />
global perspective.<br />
As the end <strong>of</strong> the first decade <strong>of</strong> the millennium nears,<br />
the world is at the doorstep for today’s students.<br />
Early roots<br />
International students have been on campus for much<br />
<strong>of</strong> the university’s 100-year history. In 1962, the first<br />
meeting <strong>of</strong> the International Student Organization was<br />
held. About 20 years later, the university opened an<br />
international education <strong>of</strong>fice and, during its 75th<br />
anniversary in 1984, launched a major drive to strengthen<br />
and expand the international dimensions <strong>of</strong> its educational<br />
programs.<br />
“The significance <strong>of</strong> this action during a time <strong>of</strong> severe<br />
strain on our financial, physical and personnel resources<br />
demonstrates a firm commitment to international studies<br />
and foreign language training as a critical component <strong>of</strong><br />
university education,” said Chancellor Noel Richards at<br />
the<br />
time <strong>of</strong><br />
the expansion.<br />
“It is also a mark <strong>of</strong> our<br />
transition from a normal<br />
school to a comprehensive<br />
university.”<br />
In 1982, the university enrolled 49 international<br />
students. By 1998, that had increased to 140. And by<br />
fall 2008, nearly 400 students from almost 50<br />
countries were enrolled.<br />
A Travel and International Education Committee<br />
report in 1983 listed two university-sponsored study<br />
abroad opportunities — the Denmark International<br />
Study program and the International Student<br />
Exchange Program. By the mid-90s, 121 students were<br />
studying abroad. (See table on page 27.) During the<br />
2007-08 academic year, 510 students headed overseas<br />
to study.<br />
The growth hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Institute <strong>of</strong><br />
International Education ranked UW-L 23rd nationally<br />
for numbers <strong>of</strong> students studying abroad.<br />
Recruiting, national attention spark increase<br />
There’s good reason for the growth in international<br />
students calling UW-L home. “The increase is due to<br />
long-term international recruiting efforts,” explains Jay<br />
Lokken, director <strong>of</strong> International Studies. “We’ve been<br />
very successful implementing a multi-faceted approach to<br />
continued on page 24<br />
Global Gro<br />
International education is rapidly expand<br />
2 2 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
By Brad Quarber
wth<br />
g, ’85<br />
ing
c o v e r s t o r y<br />
“To ignore our<br />
international ties<br />
and needs would<br />
reduce our quality<br />
<strong>of</strong> life. We are not<br />
an island, and<br />
can’t pretend that<br />
we are.”<br />
Marketing Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Stephen Brokaw<br />
2 4 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
continued from page 22<br />
recruiting. We have a recruiter based in China and a strategic<br />
plan for international recruiting.”<br />
Lokken says high rankings in U.S.News & World Report<br />
(No. 2 among Midwest public colleges) and Kiplinger’s (No. 30<br />
for out-state students nationally) have increased UW-L’s<br />
reputation worldwide. Those kudos, along with a smaller<br />
campus atmosphere <strong>of</strong>ten gives UW-L an edge over larger, Big<br />
Ten-sized schools. “We’re able to personalize the relationship<br />
here at UW-La Crosse,” notes Lokken. “We <strong>of</strong>fer a chance to<br />
interact in the daily life <strong>of</strong> a typical Wisconsin family.”<br />
Along with a friendly campus, the La Crosse Friends <strong>of</strong><br />
International Students, an organization that connects local<br />
families and international students, has helped make students<br />
feel at home and adjust to American culture. “The international<br />
students are very curious about American life,” notes Richard<br />
Smith, LFIS president. “Most <strong>of</strong> their ideas about American<br />
lifestyles come from the media. Being a host is a good way to<br />
help present what we really are.”<br />
The open house atmosphere is key for the international<br />
students. “These have been extremely popular with our<br />
international students,” says Hong Rost, assistant director in the<br />
International Education Office. “The community and campus<br />
are really so welcoming to international students.”<br />
But it’s not only more students coming to campus. More<br />
American students are heading overseas too, something Lokken<br />
also attributes to UW-L’s ever-growing reputation. “The<br />
increase in study abroad students is also due to UW-L’s excellent<br />
reputation for being a global university,” explains Lokken.<br />
“UW-L attracts students who are expecting an international<br />
experience as part <strong>of</strong> their undergraduate and graduate<br />
education.”<br />
Lokken says as the world continues to change into a global<br />
economy, first-hand international knowledge becomes even<br />
more important. “Wisconsin students need to be exposed to the<br />
world,” he concludes.<br />
Overseas classes, and more<br />
Students attend colleges overseas in both English-speaking<br />
based institutions, or those in the country’s native language.<br />
Mandy Nogle, ’08, spent five months in 2007 at the American<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Rome. She earned 15 credits in five classes; all<br />
transferred when she returned to La Crosse. While classes were<br />
taught in English, Nogle also took an Italian language class that<br />
allowed her to navigate more easily throughout Italy.<br />
The communication studies major says life in another<br />
country was more than she expected. “To experience a situation<br />
where you’re a minority is very challenging, but rewarding,”<br />
explains Nogle, who grew up in Mondovi, a rural Wisconsin<br />
community <strong>of</strong> around 2,500. “It definitely made me more aware<br />
continued on page 26
1 2<br />
3 4<br />
c o v e r s t o r y<br />
1. AN INTERNATIONAL PARADE: Students carry<br />
flags <strong>of</strong> countries representing the homelands <strong>of</strong> those<br />
enrolled from overseas during the inauguration<br />
procession in fall 2007.<br />
2. AN INTERNATIONAL TASTE: UW-L international<br />
students frequently serve up tastes <strong>of</strong> their homelands<br />
for the campus and local community.<br />
3. DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS WORLD AFFAIRS:<br />
Jay Lokken, director <strong>of</strong> the UW-L International<br />
Education Office, has overseen a rapidly growing<br />
program on campus since the mid-’90s.<br />
4. AN ITALIAN INTERLUDE: Mandy Nogle, ’08, spent<br />
five months living and learning in Rome before she<br />
graduated. Nogle was just one <strong>of</strong> an ever-growing<br />
group <strong>of</strong> students who study overseas for a firsthand<br />
international experience.<br />
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c o v e r s t o r y<br />
Bringing the<br />
world a little<br />
closer<br />
If you live near La Crosse, it’s easy<br />
learn more about worldwide cultures<br />
while helping international students.<br />
The La Crosse Friends <strong>of</strong><br />
International Students organization<br />
continuously looks for host families<br />
for international students attending<br />
UW-L, Viterbo <strong>University</strong> and<br />
Western Technical College. The<br />
students don’t live with residents, but<br />
the American hosts invite them to<br />
their homes occasionally for meals<br />
(especially holidays), provide rides,<br />
or take them on area tours or an<br />
American event.<br />
“The whole idea for the exchange<br />
is to help the international students<br />
experience American culture, and for<br />
the host families to better understand<br />
their international student’s culture,”<br />
says Richard Smith, president <strong>of</strong><br />
LFIS. “It’s a wonderful opportunity<br />
and a great program.”<br />
For more information, contact<br />
Smith at rsmith@acegroup.cc.<br />
2 6 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
continued from page 24<br />
<strong>of</strong> how America is perceived and how it looks on the other side<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world.”<br />
Nogle, who has worked in the <strong>University</strong> Relations and<br />
Alumni Association <strong>of</strong>fices since graduating in August, says the<br />
experience has encouraged her to see more <strong>of</strong> the world. “It<br />
instilled a life-long passion to travel,” she says.<br />
While some <strong>of</strong> the overseas study programs are in traditional<br />
college classrooms, others are more adventurous.<br />
Business education is increasingly emphasizing curriculum<br />
development along the principles <strong>of</strong> sustainability and corporate<br />
responsibility, particularly in developing countries like Tanzania.<br />
Economics Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Donna Anderson believes students should<br />
have an opportunity to learn and experience, if only briefly, how<br />
the rest <strong>of</strong> the world lives. That is why she led a study tour to the<br />
African country in January 2008.<br />
“An international experience is a tremendous opportunity to<br />
learn about other cultures, other perspectives, other people and<br />
about ourselves,” explains Anderson. “It has the potential <strong>of</strong> truly<br />
changing the way we think, which is what a quality education<br />
experience is designed to do. It adds another dimension to what<br />
occurs in the classroom.”<br />
Benjamin Chartier, a sociology major with a minor in<br />
business administration and anthropology, was one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
students traveling. He says learning about the everyday life <strong>of</strong><br />
Africans was eye-opening.<br />
“It taught me not to be so selfish and to put others before<br />
me,” he says. “When I don’t get something I want here, I can just<br />
think about all <strong>of</strong> the things the Africans want and need but can’t<br />
have.”<br />
More than a trip<br />
Getting a global perspective is much more than simply a<br />
chance to travel the world. It has become critical for today’s<br />
students to take part in international studies, says Marketing<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Stephen Brokaw.<br />
“This country has never been self-sufficient,” explains<br />
Brokaw. “We have always relied on trade with others to balance<br />
out our needs. To ignore our international ties and needs would<br />
reduce our quality <strong>of</strong> life. We are not an island, and can’t pretend<br />
that we are.”<br />
Brokaw says students who take part in international<br />
experiences speak highly <strong>of</strong> the opportunities. “On a personal<br />
level most will tell you it was the greatest thing they ever did,<br />
once they got to where they were going,” says Brokaw.<br />
“Pr<strong>of</strong>essionally, it has made all the difference to some <strong>of</strong> them.<br />
Without it, they would not be who they are today.”
An international influencer<br />
Rost works to give campus a global flavor<br />
Hong Rost knows what it’s like moving to a<br />
foreign country as an apprehensive college<br />
student. She was one <strong>of</strong> them — from<br />
central China — in the early ’90s. Now, she helps<br />
bring others from nearly 50 countries to campus<br />
and arranges study-abroad opportunities for<br />
American students .<br />
As assistant director in the International<br />
Education Office, Rost works with campus colleges<br />
and departments to start and expand international<br />
programming. Her work earned her the 2008<br />
Academic Staff Excellence Award from her peers.<br />
Much has changed since Rost began in the<br />
International Education Office as a graduate<br />
student intern.<br />
The number <strong>of</strong> students studying abroad has<br />
grown to more than 500. The university now has 30<br />
exchange partners, up from half a dozen. And the<br />
number <strong>of</strong> international students on campus has<br />
expanded to nearly 400.<br />
The expansion is necessary in a more global<br />
world, explains Rost. “We try to bring the world to<br />
La Crosse,” she explains. “This gives our students an<br />
opportunity to learn about different cultures they<br />
may eventually experience in their careers. It’s not a<br />
luxury anymore, it’s become a necessity.”<br />
International students benefit<br />
campus climate, local economy<br />
UW-L’s international students contributed $6.13 million<br />
to the campus and area in 2007-08 according to a<br />
NAFSA Association <strong>of</strong> International Educators report on<br />
international students’ contribution to the U.S. economy.<br />
Although the economic impact <strong>of</strong> international<br />
student is impressive and critical, UW-L Director <strong>of</strong><br />
International Education Jay Lokken says international<br />
students on campus have an even a greater impact on<br />
ensuring the campus, community and Wisconsin are<br />
internationalized.<br />
“To be competitive in today’s global environment,<br />
organizations must be internationally focused,” Lokken<br />
explains. “Students who aren’t exposed to the world<br />
Rost is proud to be part <strong>of</strong> a team effort by<br />
International Education Office staff. They pick up<br />
students at the airport. They help students when<br />
they become sick. And since 9-11, they make sure<br />
proper paperwork is filed so students don’t find<br />
their stays shorter than expected.<br />
“I understand the difficulty they run into and<br />
what they are going through living in a new<br />
country,” says Rost. “That’s why we’re here, to help<br />
them adjust to the U.S.”<br />
Rost has impacted hundreds <strong>of</strong> students<br />
worldwide — and she has hand-written and e-mail<br />
thank yous to prove it. But she gets much from<br />
them as well. “I love students,” Rost says. “They<br />
enrich my life every day.”<br />
The <strong>of</strong>fice’s team atmosphere provides<br />
groundwork for happy international students and<br />
an ever-growing program. Rost credits <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
colleagues for receiving the Academic Staff<br />
Excellence Award. “There’s no way to achieve this<br />
goal by myself,” she notes. “My <strong>of</strong>fice provided the<br />
teamwork.”<br />
around them are going to find it difficult to compete in<br />
today’s job market, as well as in solving the critical issues<br />
facing the world today. We have an amazing opportunity<br />
to learn from international students and scholars<br />
firsthand about other cultures and languages, and to<br />
learn more about how the world views the United<br />
States.”<br />
The nearly 400 international students and visiting<br />
scholars on campus make UW-L a more culturally<br />
diverse and global environment for learning, he says.<br />
UW-L is the third largest international program in the UW<br />
System, following UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee.<br />
The Hong Rost<br />
File<br />
• Assistant director <strong>of</strong> the Office <strong>of</strong><br />
International Education since 1995.<br />
• Campus service: has obtained<br />
more than $300,000 in grants for<br />
international students; member <strong>of</strong><br />
various Academic Staff Council<br />
committees.<br />
• Community service: La Crosse<br />
Luoyang Sister City Association;<br />
International Committee <strong>of</strong> the City<br />
<strong>of</strong> La Crosse; foreign language<br />
services for area businesses.<br />
• Holds a master <strong>of</strong> science in<br />
education, college student<br />
personnel, from UW-L in 1994.<br />
Also, a graduate certificate from<br />
Luoyang Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology<br />
and a bachelor <strong>of</strong> arts from Henan<br />
Normal <strong>University</strong>, both in Henan<br />
Province, China.<br />
Learning overseas<br />
The number <strong>of</strong> UW-L students who study abroad<br />
grows each year. The numbers:<br />
Academic Year Students studying overseas<br />
1997-98 121<br />
1998-99 170<br />
1999-2000 183<br />
2000-01 275<br />
2001-02 262<br />
2002-03 275<br />
2003-04 262<br />
2004-05 376<br />
2005-06 423<br />
2006-07 396<br />
2007-08 510<br />
Source: UW-L International Education Office<br />
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a t h l e t i c s<br />
Top notch<br />
UW-L studentathletes<br />
tops in<br />
class too<br />
As a UW-L alum, you already know <strong>of</strong> the<br />
university’s proud athletic tradition. Year<br />
in, year out, our student-athletes<br />
traditionally bring home conference<br />
championships, not to mention national<br />
titles. But did you know those same<br />
student-athletes win in the classroom<br />
as well?<br />
According to the Wisconsin<br />
Intercollegiate Athletic Association,<br />
UW-L student-athletes in 2007-08 had<br />
the highest GPA average at 3.198. That’s<br />
above the 3.140 general student body<br />
GPA at UW-L, also the highest among the<br />
nine UWs in the WIAC. And, the 374<br />
student-athletes with a GPA <strong>of</strong> 3.0 or<br />
above was at the top <strong>of</strong> WIAC schools.<br />
Chancellor Joe Gow says the<br />
accomplishment speaks highly <strong>of</strong> the<br />
university’s nearly century-old motto,<br />
Mens Corpusque. “With our mind-body<br />
emphasis, I think we’re doing well,”<br />
he notes.<br />
2 8 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
Former coach honored<br />
Mark Guthrie inducted into national hall <strong>of</strong> fame<br />
Former UW-L track & field<br />
coach Mark Guthrie has<br />
been inducted into the U.S.<br />
Track & Field and Cross Country<br />
Coaches Association Hall <strong>of</strong><br />
Fame. Guthrie took over as head<br />
coach in 1985 and headed the<br />
program for 19 years. He joined<br />
the UW-Madison coaching staff<br />
in 2007.<br />
“It’s really a tremendous and<br />
humbling honor,” says Guthrie.<br />
“You don’t start out in this business thinking<br />
about halls <strong>of</strong> fame and that sort <strong>of</strong> thing,<br />
but to be honored by your peers like this is<br />
certainly a humbling experience.”<br />
Guthrie joins seven other successful<br />
Josh Buchholtz has returned<br />
to campus to become head<br />
men’s track & field coach.<br />
Buchholtz, ’00, will also be an<br />
assistant cross country coach for<br />
the Eagles’ men’s and women’s<br />
squads and work in athletic<br />
administration.<br />
“This is an very exciting time<br />
for me and my family,” says<br />
Buchholtz. “How can someone in<br />
my position not be excited? I<br />
have the opportunity to be part <strong>of</strong> the great<br />
city <strong>of</strong> La Crosse, a thriving and progressive<br />
UW-L campus community, a top-notch<br />
academic and athletic staff and I get to work<br />
with student-athletes from arguably one <strong>of</strong><br />
the nation’s top track and field programs, as<br />
well as cross country programs.”<br />
Mark Guthrie<br />
coaches in the class <strong>of</strong> 2008. In<br />
his 19 years on campus,<br />
Guthrie’s teams won an<br />
unprecedented 22 NCAA III<br />
national titles — 12 indoor and<br />
10 outdoor. Along with the<br />
titles, his teams swept both the<br />
indoor and outdoor<br />
championships in the same<br />
season 10 times. Guthrie<br />
guided the Eagles to 34 WIAC<br />
titles.<br />
Guthrie has coached five Olympic trials<br />
participants. The most notable is 2004<br />
Olympic gold medalist Andrew Rock, a<br />
17-time NCAA III All-American at UW-L.<br />
Another run<br />
Alum returns to coach men’s track and field<br />
Josh Buchholtz, ’00<br />
Buchholtz had been men’s<br />
track & field and cross country<br />
head coach at UW-Stout since<br />
2002. He added the women’s<br />
track & field head coaching<br />
position in 2007. The Blue<br />
Devils had 31 NCAA Division<br />
III men qualifiers under<br />
Buchholtz and 24 women.<br />
Buchholtz returns to UW-L<br />
where runners continue to do<br />
well. In 2008, the men’s track &<br />
field team won the NCAA III Indoor<br />
Championship and swept the WIAC indoor<br />
and outdoor titles. The Eagles’ 14 indoor,<br />
11 outdoor and 25 overall national<br />
championships are all NCAA III records.
More than golf<br />
Alum promotes golfing for youth worldwide<br />
By David Johnson, ’92<br />
He umped pr<strong>of</strong>essional baseball in the<br />
minors. He taught 10 years in middle<br />
school and coached in high school.<br />
Now, Scott Ott is leading teaching and coaching<br />
seminars in the sports travel industry. So far, he<br />
has led American athletes to Scotland, Ireland,<br />
France, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium,<br />
Puerto Rico and Canada.<br />
“During that time, I became enamored with<br />
Scotland and Ireland specifically for their<br />
beautiful landscapes, rich cultural opportunities,<br />
and some <strong>of</strong> the oldest and most hallowed golf<br />
courses in the world,” explains Ott, ’75 & ’88. “I<br />
knew this had to be shared with young golfers<br />
and their families.”<br />
In 2002, Ott created U.S. Junior Tours, an<br />
educational and athletic travel program for<br />
golfers ages 10-18 and their families. Its mission<br />
is to provide worldwide opportunities for young<br />
golfers with passion for the game and a desire to<br />
expand their athletic and cultural experiences.<br />
“With additional requests from golf groups,<br />
alumni groups, college and high school teams<br />
and individual golfers, I quickly realized the<br />
demand for additional tour programs and<br />
developed USJT Golf Travel,” says Ott, who<br />
serves as the USJT Golf Travel executive<br />
director. Since starting the program, Ott has<br />
taken golfers to play the most storied venues in<br />
Scotland and Ireland, including the sport’s<br />
birthplace, Scotland’s The Old Course in St.<br />
Andrews. He says the uniqueness <strong>of</strong> U.S. Junior<br />
Tours is that along with focused practice and<br />
instruction, athletes compete directly against<br />
individuals or teams in the countries they visit in<br />
an atmosphere that fosters learning and<br />
character development.<br />
Along with meeting the age requirement <strong>of</strong><br />
10-18, golfers must have good character. Those<br />
admitted must have a passion for the game, as<br />
well as desire to improve their knowledge and<br />
skill level. And they must be ready to challenge<br />
their mental and physical<br />
attributes.<br />
“Acceptance to the<br />
program is based partially<br />
on athletic ability, yet even<br />
more focus is placed upon<br />
the young golfer’s<br />
dedication to<br />
improvement, personality,<br />
integrity, and eagerness to<br />
travel and experience<br />
other countries and<br />
cultures,” explains Ott.<br />
The program focuses<br />
on three areas:<br />
education/instruction,<br />
competition and cultural.<br />
Participants get golf<br />
instruction from Scottish<br />
or Irish PGA teaching pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, they<br />
compete competitively and get a history lesson<br />
about courses. Families and golfers from 18<br />
different states, South Africa and Hong Kong<br />
have participated.<br />
Programs are limited to 12 golfers, allowing a<br />
6:1 ratio <strong>of</strong> staff to golfers. Ott’s wife, Maureen<br />
Carroll, ’76, a Tomah Middle School English<br />
teacher, accompanies summer programs for the<br />
USJT as staff.<br />
The 2009 tour, “The Birthplace <strong>of</strong> Golf<br />
Program,” travels to St. Andrews in Scotland July<br />
14-23 and July 27-Aug. 5. There’s also an English<br />
Language Immersion and Golf Experience July<br />
13-30 in St. Andrews, designed for golfers who<br />
speak English as a second language.<br />
Areas being considered for future trips<br />
include Hawaii and Wisconsin’s Whistling<br />
Straits and Black Wolf Run, which will hold<br />
upcoming PGA and WPGA championships.<br />
For more information, go to<br />
www.usjuniortours.com.<br />
a t h l e t i c s<br />
Bobby Pena, left, and Jeremy Brostrom, both<br />
<strong>of</strong> La Crescent, Minn., have enjoyed U.S.<br />
Junior Tours. Here, they’re standing in front <strong>of</strong><br />
the Royal and Ancient Building in Scotland.<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 2 9
’33<br />
Beulah Lee Yaney, Minneapolis,<br />
celebrated her 94th birthday in November.<br />
She recalls being very happy when her<br />
parents had enough money to allow her to<br />
attend La Crosse State Teachers College<br />
for a year. She began teaching in a rural,<br />
one-room school with 30 pupils in eight<br />
grades. “My years <strong>of</strong> teaching were<br />
wonderful thanks to UW-L,” she says.<br />
’50<br />
Maurice “Mac” McCauley, Winona,<br />
Minn., is a pr<strong>of</strong>essor emeritus <strong>of</strong> physics<br />
at Winona (Minn.) State <strong>University</strong>. He<br />
has served two terms in the Minnesota<br />
state legislature and has been a Winona<br />
County commissioner.<br />
’52<br />
C. Ashley Ellefson, Cortland, N.Y., a<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> history emeritus at the State<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> New York Cortland, stirred<br />
up discussion with a presentation he<br />
made on “Governor John Seymour and<br />
the Charters <strong>of</strong> Annapolis — 1708” at a<br />
symposium celebrating the tricentennial<br />
<strong>of</strong> the chartering <strong>of</strong> that city in June 2008.<br />
The presentation sparked articles in the<br />
Annapolis Capital, Baltimore Sun and<br />
Chicago Tribune, as well as editorials in<br />
the Capital. The article he based his<br />
presentation is at<br />
http://aomol.net/html/index.html; type<br />
“Ellefson” in the search box.<br />
3 0 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
Classnotes<br />
Keep up to date with your classmates. To learn how, go to page 37.<br />
Local Fitness Champion<br />
Tari Hoeft has set<br />
the pace in Homer, Alaska.<br />
Enthusiastic and energetic, Tari creates an<br />
’66<br />
Gail (Lloyd) Peterson-Ream has retired<br />
after 20 years as administrator <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Camden County Board <strong>of</strong> Elections in<br />
New Jersey. She was an elected <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
for 15 years and Camden County<br />
Republican chairman for five years. She<br />
and her husband, Ken, have sold their<br />
home in Gibbsboro and planned to move<br />
south by the end <strong>of</strong> 2008.<br />
atmosphere in which students feel encouraged to<br />
’71<br />
Mary Ormson, ’71 & ’72, Hot Springs,<br />
Ark., has retired as assistant dean for<br />
Student Services in the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Toledo College her entire <strong>of</strong> Business community.<br />
Administration.<br />
John Schwenn (see<br />
photo), Dalton, Ga.,<br />
became president <strong>of</strong><br />
Dalton (Ga.) State<br />
College in March. He had<br />
been vice president for<br />
academic affairs at<br />
Emporia (Kan.) State<br />
<strong>University</strong> www.healthyfuturesak.org<br />
since 1997.<br />
An Alaska<br />
athlete<br />
participate and have fun. Dividing her time between West<br />
Homer Elementary School and Paul Banks Elementary School, Tari<br />
imparts a variety <strong>of</strong> skills and endless opportunities to help her<br />
young students find their sport. She<br />
organizes an annual youth fun run<br />
and the Orca Olympics, coaches many<br />
afterschool programs, has extremely<br />
high Healthy Futures participation and<br />
genuinely elevates the spirit <strong>of</strong><br />
Fitness Champions are individuals in<br />
Alaska who have made a significant<br />
contribution to keeping Alaska’s children<br />
fit and active. To find out more about<br />
Tari (Hanson)<br />
Hoeft, ’90<br />
Tari (Hanson) Hoeft, ’90, has been<br />
recognized for setting the pace in two<br />
Alaskan elementary schools. The<br />
physical education teacher at Paul<br />
Banks Elementary and West Homer<br />
elementary schools in the Kenai<br />
Peninsula Borough School District<br />
Tari Hoeft<br />
was featured in a large ad in the<br />
Kenai Peninsula Borough<br />
Anchorage Daily School News District, in April. She<br />
Physical Education Teacher<br />
was also highlighted in an article in the<br />
Peninsula Clarion. Hoeft was<br />
recognized for teaching students the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> total body fitness. See<br />
the article at:<br />
www.peninsulaclarion.com/<br />
stories/051308/sch_<br />
278582101.shtml.<br />
’73<br />
what Healthy Futures is doing to get kids<br />
William H. Kiel, Jackson, Mich., has<br />
moving visit www.healthyfuturesak.org<br />
been promoted to vice president <strong>of</strong><br />
development Brought at to Allegiance you by the Alaska Health Association in for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance<br />
Jackson, Mich. Kiel has been named<br />
regional director elect for the Association<br />
for Healthcare Philanthropy’s Midwest<br />
region.
’76<br />
Deanna Lutz-Loewenhagen, Waunakee,<br />
is a certified instructor in negotiations with<br />
the International Right <strong>of</strong> Way<br />
Association. She’s a step-grandmother <strong>of</strong><br />
five and is a 1990 graduate <strong>of</strong> UW-L’s<br />
Clown Camp. Her clown name is Dottie.<br />
’77<br />
Kathy (Jagmin), ’77, and Terry, ’78 &<br />
’81, Teach have relocated to Lenexa,<br />
Kan., a suburb <strong>of</strong> Kansas City. Terry is a<br />
vice president at Grundfos Pumps. Kathy<br />
is a freelance writer specializing in health<br />
care. Married 28 years, the couple’s sons<br />
are both “out <strong>of</strong> the nest.” Their oldest is<br />
in pilot training for the Marine Corps and<br />
the other is a senior at the U.S. Air Force<br />
Academy.<br />
’78<br />
Rich Roginski, Eleva, has retired from<br />
teaching and coaching at Eleva-Strum<br />
Central High School. As coach, his boy’s<br />
basketball teams brought home one state<br />
championship, two runner-up titles and<br />
made four state tournament appearances.<br />
His 23-year record was 383-146. He was<br />
the 2008 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches<br />
Association Coach <strong>of</strong> the Year and 2008<br />
Associated Press Coach <strong>of</strong> the Year. He is<br />
currently an assistant coach for the UW-<br />
Eau Claire men’s basketball team.<br />
’79<br />
Dennis C. Andrewski, Maplewood,<br />
Minn., led the Tartan High School<br />
Wrestling team to the 2008 Minnesota<br />
State Wrestling Tournament for the first<br />
time last March. The team placed sixth<br />
and had six individual state entrants, as<br />
well as second- and third-place individual<br />
finishers. Andrewski is a high school<br />
social studies teacher, and wrestling and<br />
assistant football coach. He and his wife,<br />
Gail, have three children, Robyn (26) Mike<br />
(24) and Denise (21).<br />
Future alums?<br />
Children <strong>of</strong> eight alums from the ’80s, pictured<br />
above, have gathered with their parents the last<br />
four years for a UW-L reunion. While their<br />
parents reminisce about UW-L, the kids<br />
rekindle their new friendships and have fun.<br />
The children’s parents include Jeanne<br />
(Inserra), ’86, and Jerry Dolinsky, Mendota<br />
Heights, Minn.; Katy (Marrinan), ’86, and<br />
Paul Prussing, Juneau, Alaska; Connie<br />
’81<br />
Jill (Julia) Elizabeth Bullis-Thompson,<br />
Boise, Idaho, moved her private practice<br />
to a new location and gave it a new name.<br />
Jill Thompson Physical Therapy is now<br />
Physical Therapy 180°.<br />
’82<br />
Doug Collister, Phoenix, received the<br />
“Golden Gator Outstanding Educator” for<br />
2007-08 from Xavier College Preparatory<br />
<strong>of</strong> Phoenix. It’s the fourth time Collister<br />
has received the recognition.<br />
Catherine (Swanson) Kiener, Port<br />
Washington, received an outstanding<br />
supporter award from The Midwest<br />
Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation for<br />
more than 20 years <strong>of</strong> coordinating the<br />
Official Hospitality Room when the<br />
symposium is in Wisconsin.<br />
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
(Hartung), ’86, and Matt Cottrill, Pittsburgh;<br />
Jane (Klindt), ’86, and Brian Sabrowsky,<br />
Seymour; Amy (Higley), ’86, and Mike<br />
Bartels, ’89, Hudson; and Ellen (Ryan), ’86,<br />
and Mike Kuenster, ’86, Mendota Heights,<br />
Minn. “We all loved UW-La Crosse and have a<br />
blast getting together each summer,” reports<br />
Ellen Kuenster.<br />
Terri (Diekvoss) Silli, Highlands Ranch,<br />
Colo., is a high school health and physical<br />
education teacher for Colorado Virtual<br />
Academy. She and her husband, Mike,<br />
have a 5-year-old daughter, Brooke. They<br />
enjoy Colorado weather and activities.<br />
’83<br />
Kathy (Noel) Moen, La Crosse, was<br />
featured in the September-October 2008<br />
issue <strong>of</strong> “Advancing Philanthropy”<br />
magazine.<br />
’85<br />
Jack Gill, Beloit, has been elected to the<br />
Wisconsin Credit Union League’s Board<br />
<strong>of</strong> Directors as the association’s treasurer.<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 3 1
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
House reunion brings back<br />
memories<br />
Former 1330 Vine St. residents enjoy get-togethers<br />
Attending the 1330 Vine St. Reunion in 2008 were: front, from left, Dean Rosenow, Leona Amundson,<br />
Jim (friend <strong>of</strong> Leona’s) and Toby Ellison; and back, from left, Pete Monsos, Dennis O’Brien and Chuck Bohage.<br />
Graduates from the ’50s and ’60s who<br />
roomed together at a house near<br />
campus have been getting together<br />
for a reunion during the past decade.<br />
It was 1956 when Dick and Leona<br />
Amundson opened their house to seven<br />
UW-L students looking for a place to call<br />
“home.” The house, at 1330 Vine St., was<br />
owned by Dick’s parents who started renting<br />
to students in 1954. Seven men lived with the<br />
Amundsons each year through 1961. Many<br />
came from Blair and Black River Falls. Dick<br />
and Leona owned the Amundson Bakery in<br />
La Crosse. Leona was Mrs. Oktoberfest<br />
in 1975.<br />
In 1995 Leona spoke with Duane<br />
Peterson about starting a reunion <strong>of</strong> her<br />
“boys.” They gathered at her cabin near<br />
3 2 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
Hayward. Peterson, who has since died,<br />
joined with Elwood “Woody” Knutson,<br />
Kenosha, and Dean Rosenow, Bloomington,<br />
Minn., to get the first reunion underway.<br />
Those attending the first year included the<br />
three organizers along with Glen and Pat<br />
Severson, North Fort Myers, Fla., and Leona.<br />
The reunions continue each August.<br />
Friday night activities include a fish fry at a<br />
local restaurant. Saturday morning the “boys”<br />
golf while their wives shop and sightsee. The<br />
afternoon includes happy hour at the cabin,<br />
followed by a cookout or dinner at a<br />
restaurant. Sunday, the group gathers at the<br />
Robin’s Nest for breakfast, more reminiscing,<br />
pictures, and farewells.<br />
The reunion brings a flood <strong>of</strong> memories,<br />
Leona says. “It’s almost like a family reunion,”<br />
she explains.<br />
All <strong>of</strong> the “boys” remember Leona’s “no<br />
girls upstairs” rule, which is recalled annually.<br />
Among those attending the reunion during<br />
the past decade: Leona Amundson, Chuck,<br />
’58, and Doris Bohage; Leonard “Toby,” ’65,<br />
and Marian Ellison; David, ’64, and Joan<br />
Ibinger; Elwood, ‘60, and Roseann Knutson;<br />
Pete, ’65, and Vickie Monsos; Dennis, ’64, and<br />
Diane O’Brien; Wendell and Shirley Olson;<br />
Bonnie Peterson; Dean and Marguerite<br />
Rosenow; Glen and Pat Severson; Harry ’63<br />
& Barb Stai; and Sharon Melby. Along with<br />
Peterson, the other “brother” who has died is<br />
Don Melby.
’86<br />
Christine (Swiggum) Pentecost,<br />
Bozeman, Mont., worked with August<br />
2007 flood victims in Winona (Minn.)<br />
County with Operation Photo Rescue.<br />
Pentecost is president <strong>of</strong> the organization<br />
that digitally restores photographs<br />
damaged in natural disasters. See more<br />
at www.operationphotorescue.org.<br />
’87<br />
Karen Kodzik, St. Paul, Minn., is a<br />
consultant with Cultivating Careers, a<br />
career-consulting company in St. Paul.<br />
See more at cultivatingcareers.com.<br />
Scott Taylor, Cleveland, signed a new<br />
deal to stay with CBS afilliate WOIO<br />
TV-19 Action News in Cleveland. Taylor<br />
is a national award-winning investigative<br />
reporter.<br />
’88<br />
Rod Gabriel, Fredonia, has been<br />
promoted to information technology<br />
infrastructure engineer at United Financial<br />
Services. In October 2007 he accepted<br />
the position as leader <strong>of</strong> the Wisconsin<br />
Area VMware User Group.<br />
’91<br />
Terry Gerba, Parker, Colo., has received<br />
the first Naviance Excellence in<br />
Leadership Award for his work with<br />
“WorkspaceK12.” Gerba works at<br />
Mountain Vista High School in Highland<br />
Ranch, Colo.<br />
Kevin Schloesser, Savage, Minn., is<br />
manager <strong>of</strong> National Accounts Supply<br />
Chain with Toshiba America Consumer<br />
Products. He and his wife, Jennifer, have<br />
two children, Grace (6) and Trevor (3).<br />
MIke Van Veghel, Cottage Grove,<br />
received the Outstanding Athletic Trainer<br />
award from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin<br />
Jerry Kohlbeck, left, longtime Oostburg High School physical education<br />
teacher and coach, poses with area businessperson Gordy Veldboom next<br />
to the field entrance that bears his name.<br />
Hospital Sports Medicine Clinic, where he<br />
works. He also received a 2007 Wisconsin<br />
Athletic Trainers Association<br />
Distinguished Service Award. Van Veghel<br />
and his wife, Annette, have a son, Jake,<br />
and daughter, Ellie.<br />
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
Athletic field named<br />
for alum<br />
Longtime physical education teacher and<br />
coach Jerry Kohlbeck, ’54, was honored with<br />
the dedication <strong>of</strong> a new football/track and<br />
field facility built in his name.<br />
Gordy Veldboom, a local<br />
businessperson who played football for<br />
Kohlbeck, gave the Oostburg (Wis.) School<br />
District $350,000 to build the facility, which<br />
was dedicated during Oostburg High<br />
School’s homecoming football game in<br />
October.<br />
Kohlbeck taught physical education and<br />
coached in the Oostburg School District for<br />
50 years – including coaching track and field<br />
as a volunteer for the last 20 years after his<br />
retirement.<br />
“Obviously, Jerry had a tremendous<br />
impact on Mr. Velbloom as a young<br />
person,” says Oostburg High School<br />
Principal Scott Greupink. “But, (he) also<br />
had a tremendously positive impact on<br />
generations <strong>of</strong> young people in the<br />
community <strong>of</strong> Oostburg.”<br />
Greupink suggests that no educator in<br />
the district has attended more weddings <strong>of</strong><br />
former students than Kohlbeck. “That fact<br />
clearly demonstrates their respect for him,”<br />
he notes. “It’s a quality we’d like our entire<br />
faculty to emulate.”<br />
’94<br />
Susan (Zillmer) Effinger, Altoona, has<br />
been named director <strong>of</strong> the Northwest<br />
District <strong>of</strong> Junior Achievement <strong>of</strong><br />
Wisconsin.<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 3 3
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
’95<br />
Venus Wong, Hong Kong, has started a<br />
new job in LimeTree Capital Advisors<br />
Limited as a regional accountant after<br />
working for six years at the Yahoo! Hong<br />
Kong <strong>of</strong>fice. Wong has traveled a lot,<br />
including a recent trip to Malaysia and<br />
Singapore to visit UW-L international<br />
students.<br />
’96<br />
Chris Finn, San Leandro, Calif., was<br />
nominated to the National Spinal Cord<br />
Injury Association Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame. Finn is<br />
the head coach <strong>of</strong> the USA National<br />
Power Soccer Team.<br />
Family tradition<br />
Three generations <strong>of</strong> UW-L grads<br />
Rachel Schaeffer, ’96, married Brian<br />
Marcouiller Aug. 18, 2007. They live in<br />
South Saint Paul, Minn. Rachel has been<br />
a language arts teacher at Wayzata East<br />
Middle School in Plymouth, Minn., for the<br />
past nine years.<br />
’97<br />
Ivan R. Weiss, Jr., San Antonio, is a<br />
financial adviser for USAA in San Antonio.<br />
’98<br />
Matthew Eckelberg (see<br />
photo) has been hired as<br />
a senior manager at<br />
Hawkins, Ash, Baptie &<br />
Co. in Marshfield.<br />
Three generations <strong>of</strong> the Hinchcliffe family — those who are UW-L alums — posed this<br />
summer while vacationing in northern Wisconsin. They included, from left, Deborah<br />
Hinchcliffe, ’76; Richard A. Hinchcliffe, ’52; Joan (Barwind) Hinchcliffe, ’62; Kelsey<br />
Hinchcliffe, current junior; and Richard A Hinchcliffe, Jr., ’80. “We’re all very glad to be<br />
graduates <strong>of</strong> UW-L,” says Richard Sr. “We are all proud <strong>of</strong> UW-L.”<br />
3 4 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
did you<br />
know …<br />
… you can get license<br />
plates that sport — and<br />
support — UW-La Crosse?<br />
The plates pictured above<br />
are on the truck owned by<br />
Baseball Head Coach Chris<br />
Schwarz, ’02. Find out more<br />
at: www.dot.state.wi.us/<br />
drivers/vehicles/personal/<br />
special/index.htm.<br />
Chris Schmitz married Steven Domser<br />
June 20, 2008. They live in Johnstown,<br />
Pa.<br />
’99<br />
LaToya (Flowers) Harvey, Redford,<br />
Mich., received a master’s in social work<br />
from Eastern Michigan <strong>University</strong> in April<br />
2008. She graduated with a 3.98 GPA<br />
while working full time as a foster care<br />
specialist with the Michigan Department<br />
<strong>of</strong> Human Services. She hopes to work as<br />
a school social worker.<br />
Susan Knaus, ’99 & ’03, married Jerry<br />
Van Den Langenberg April 26, 2008. They<br />
live in Beloit. Susan teaches kindergarten.
Best House reunites<br />
Former roommates from Best House<br />
returned to campus in August. They<br />
included (pictured above), from left,<br />
Sonja (Pfaff) Haske, ’66 & ’90; Andi (Elstad)<br />
Sosalla, ’67; Gayle (Gutknecht) Christensen,<br />
’66; Chancellor Joe Gow; Shirley (Walsvik)<br />
Merrill, ’67; Sue Hickey, ’67; and Darryle<br />
(Damon) Clott ’66 & ’71.<br />
Here’s what the Best House alums recalled<br />
after their campus visit:<br />
“What is wonderful about UW-L<br />
today is that it is well known across the<br />
country and ranked very high as one <strong>of</strong><br />
the best colleges in various<br />
departments. … The growth <strong>of</strong> UW-L<br />
in number <strong>of</strong> students is outstanding —<br />
and much different from our smaller<br />
college <strong>of</strong> years past.”<br />
—Sonja (Pfaff) Haske, ’66 & ’90<br />
“Walking from Old Main, past<br />
Wittich over to Trowbridge still felt<br />
comfortable and as though I still<br />
belonged there. … I loved getting into<br />
Wittich; I couldn’t believe that nothing<br />
had changed over the past 40 years.<br />
Egads!”<br />
— Gayle (Gutknecht) Christensen, ’66<br />
“I was amazed to see how much the<br />
campus has changed. It was fun to<br />
reflect on ‘remember when …’ as we<br />
walked around. UW-L is still probably<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the prettiest campuses in<br />
Wisconsin.”<br />
— Sue Hickey, ’67<br />
“I was impressed with the new<br />
additions to the campus. Even more<br />
thrilled to see the historic buildings still<br />
there. And amazed at the sense <strong>of</strong><br />
community that the present students<br />
and staff <strong>of</strong>fered to us alumni <strong>of</strong> the<br />
past.”<br />
— Andi (Elstad) Sosalla, ’67<br />
“Main Hall looks the same on the<br />
outside but so nice inside. …<br />
Trowbridge Hall used to have a busy<br />
street in front <strong>of</strong> it along with homes<br />
across from the dorm. The homes and<br />
street have been replaced with brick<br />
buildings. … It was amazing to go into<br />
Wittich Hall and remembering all the<br />
physical education classes I had in there,<br />
plus getting my Certification for Life<br />
Saving in the pool.”<br />
—Shirley (Walsvik) Merrill, ’67<br />
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
“I have loved this campus since I<br />
first set foot on it 46 years ago in the<br />
autumn <strong>of</strong> 1962 as a very scared<br />
freshman from Amery. … We did not<br />
have Ipods, PDAs, VCRs, DVDs,<br />
computers or cell phones and had never<br />
heard <strong>of</strong> text-messaging, all <strong>of</strong> which<br />
move my children’s worlds. We wrote<br />
our papers in long-hand and typed<br />
them on typewriters. A few fortunate<br />
students even had electric typewriters.<br />
Long-distance phone calls were<br />
expensive, thus were made sparingly<br />
usually reserved for calls home on<br />
Sunday. Even though many things on<br />
campus have changed, many are still the<br />
same. This is a great university filled<br />
with caring pr<strong>of</strong>essors and staff.”<br />
— Darryle (Damon) Clott ’66 & ’71<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 3 5
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
did you<br />
know …<br />
… you can see old<br />
yearbooks online? <strong>Murphy</strong><br />
<strong>Library</strong> staff have begun<br />
digitizing copies <strong>of</strong> UW-L’s<br />
earliest yearbooks. See them<br />
at http://murphylibrary.<br />
uwlax.edu/digital/<br />
uwl/yearbook. Copies <strong>of</strong><br />
actual yearbooks are<br />
available for viewing in the<br />
library’s Area Research<br />
Center.<br />
’01<br />
Thomas J. Wieme married Lauren Ourt<br />
April 19, 2008. They live in Augusta, Ga.<br />
They both recently graduated from the<br />
Medical College <strong>of</strong> Georgia with degrees<br />
<strong>of</strong> master’s <strong>of</strong> physician assistant where<br />
they both work in family practice <strong>of</strong>fices.<br />
’02<br />
Anne Lindberg married Jake Ingman<br />
June 28, 2008. They live in St. Paul, Minn.<br />
She works at The College <strong>of</strong> St.<br />
Catherine.<br />
3 6 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
Sumanth Reddy, Manhattan, Kan.,<br />
received a William L. Stamey Award for<br />
Excellence from Kansas State <strong>University</strong>.<br />
Reddy is a graduate teaching assistant in<br />
geography.<br />
’03<br />
Amanda L. Converse, Clearwater, Fla.,<br />
has been appointed to the volunteer<br />
position <strong>of</strong> Flotilla Staff Officer-Information<br />
Services for the Coast Guard Auxiliary.<br />
The volunteer version <strong>of</strong> the Coast Guard<br />
works closely with Coast Guard Station<br />
Sand Key with Helicopter Training, C-130<br />
missions and public education.<br />
Rick Henert, North Pole, Alaska, was<br />
named High School Football Coach <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Year in the state <strong>of</strong> Alaska. Henert<br />
coaches the North Pole Patriots.<br />
Erin Pease married Nathan Rivard June<br />
28, 2008. They live in Golden, Colo.<br />
Corey Sorenson moved to New York<br />
after receiving a master’s <strong>of</strong> fine arts from<br />
Temple <strong>University</strong> in Philadelphia. He has<br />
been working as a pr<strong>of</strong>essional actor for<br />
the past two years in theatre, regionally<br />
and <strong>of</strong>f-Broadway. He has made<br />
appearances in the following TV shows:<br />
“The Wire,” “Rescue Me,” “Kidnapped,”<br />
“State <strong>of</strong> Mind” and “Law & Order: SVU.”<br />
’04<br />
Demetrius D. Banks, Onalaska, works<br />
for the Division <strong>of</strong> Vocational<br />
Rehabilitation as a consumer case<br />
coordinator.<br />
Travis Schuld married Mindy Navarre<br />
Sept. 6, 2008. They live in Marshfield.<br />
Travis works for CarQuest Tool &<br />
Equipment.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tball<br />
elite<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tball Hall <strong>of</strong><br />
Fame’s Class <strong>of</strong><br />
2008 includes<br />
UW-L grad<br />
The National Senior S<strong>of</strong>tball Hall <strong>of</strong><br />
Fame in Mustang, Okla., has named<br />
Fran Ebert to its elite corps <strong>of</strong> athletes.<br />
Founded in 1995, the organization<br />
recognizes players, managers, umpires,<br />
directors and sponsors who have<br />
achieved the highest honors in senior<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tball.<br />
Ebert, ’52, graduated with a<br />
bachelor’s degree in physical education<br />
and a minor in mathematics. She<br />
received a master’s in physical education<br />
from Indiana <strong>University</strong>. She was<br />
recognized by the NSSA for her<br />
achievements as head s<strong>of</strong>tball coach at<br />
Western Michigan <strong>University</strong>, where<br />
she posted a record <strong>of</strong> 270 wins, 116<br />
losses, and one tie.<br />
Ebert’s coaching career culminated<br />
with the Senior S<strong>of</strong>tball World Series<br />
Championships in Des Moines in 2002,<br />
2003 and 2004.<br />
Nominees to the National Senior<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tball Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame must be at least 60<br />
years old and have played organized<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tball a minimum <strong>of</strong> 10 years.<br />
Editor’s note: As this issue <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Alumnus</strong><br />
was going to the press, we learned Ebert<br />
died Nov. 7, 2008.<br />
’05<br />
Sarah Wilson married Richard Wood<br />
June 21, 2008. They live in Fish Creek in<br />
Door County. Sarah is assistant manager<br />
at the Pamida Store in Sister Bay.
ooknook<br />
Family Farm is topic<br />
<strong>of</strong> alum’s latest<br />
book Rural<br />
Wisconsin<br />
in the early<br />
1950s is the<br />
setting for a<br />
new novel<br />
by Nick<br />
Cibrario,<br />
’69.<br />
Ten-year-old Adam Montanya is<br />
traumatized by an incident that<br />
occurs on the family farm in the<br />
Badger State. He can’t tell his parents<br />
what happened to him in the barn.<br />
And, everyone in the family is too<br />
’06<br />
Samuel Albertsen, Astoria, N.Y. has<br />
moved to “The Big Apple” to continue his<br />
love for performing. He recently<br />
performed in an <strong>of</strong>f-Broadway play with<br />
the theatre company “Spellbound.” He<br />
also does improvisational comedy at the<br />
New York Comedy Club and is starting his<br />
own Improvisational comedy troupe. His<br />
biggest job has been landing the role <strong>of</strong><br />
Peter Cooper in the historical reenactment,<br />
“Changing Lives: The Peter<br />
Cooper Story,” expected to be broadcast<br />
on TV.<br />
Jake and Ashley (Cance) Colstad, both<br />
’06, live in La Crosse. They recently<br />
started their own business.<br />
Abby (Spiegelh<strong>of</strong>f) Galstad, Los<br />
Angeles, has started her second <strong>of</strong> three<br />
preoccupied with their own secrets,<br />
except for his Italian grandmother.<br />
Adam’s not alone. Most in the<br />
community have secrets. They deny<br />
the consequences <strong>of</strong> World War II<br />
and the horror <strong>of</strong> the Korean War.<br />
For those not old enough to have<br />
lived through the era, this historical<br />
novel can serve as an introduction to<br />
the bygone days <strong>of</strong> the 50s.<br />
See more at:<br />
www.pomelotree.com.<br />
years getting a master’s in fine arts at<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> California Los Angeles for<br />
acting. Galstad is teaching undergraduate<br />
theater classes and works with four full<br />
productions each year.<br />
Kristina Meissen, Chapel Hill, N.C., has<br />
been awarded the 2008 Dorothy Harris<br />
Fellowship by the Women’s Sports<br />
Foundation. The national award honors<br />
women showing dedication to girl’s and<br />
women’s participation in sport.<br />
Nicole Poehling, Eau Claire, is working<br />
with the Student Telefund and Young<br />
Alumni at UW-Eau Claire.<br />
Erin Ruenger, Milwaukee, an assistant<br />
account executive with Zeppos &<br />
Associates, has won a Paragon Award<br />
from the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter<br />
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
Keep up<br />
your<br />
La Crosse<br />
pride!<br />
Keep in touch with us, and we’ll keep in<br />
touch with you! It’s easy:<br />
Phone 608.785.8490<br />
1.877.UWL.ALUM<br />
Fax 608.785.6868<br />
E-mail alumni@uwlax.edu<br />
Web www.uwlalumni.org<br />
Mailing address<br />
UW-La Crosse Alumni Association;<br />
Cleary Alumni & Friends Center;<br />
615 East Ave. N.; La Crosse, WI 54601<br />
Submit news to the <strong>Alumnus</strong><br />
www.uwlalumni.org/whatsnew.htm<br />
Online alumni directory<br />
http://directory.uwlalumni.org<br />
Design your own UW-L clothing<br />
www.mygarb.com/UWLaCrosse<br />
Nominations for alumni awards<br />
www.uwlalumni.org/awards.htm<br />
Join the UW-L Alumni Association<br />
www.uwlalumni.org/join.php<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 3 7
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
booknook<br />
Alum pens book<br />
promoting active<br />
lifestyles for kids<br />
Children shouldn’t be duffers<br />
after reading this book.<br />
BerNadette Lawson-Williams,<br />
’97, has written her first children’s<br />
book, Blossom Bee’s Golf Adventures,<br />
which aims to encourage children to<br />
live healthy and physically active<br />
lifestyles. It tells the friendly and light-<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Public Relations Society <strong>of</strong> America<br />
for work performed in 2007.<br />
Jana K. Schreier, Astoria, N.Y., moved to<br />
New York City in fall 2007. She has been<br />
in an <strong>of</strong>f-Broadway original musical,<br />
“We’ve Got a Problem,” and was recently<br />
cast in “The Full Monty” which will run in<br />
Chicago for three months. In New York,<br />
Schreier is an active member <strong>of</strong> an<br />
improvisational group, Village Playback<br />
Theatre. After the Chicago production,<br />
she plans to return to NYC.<br />
’07<br />
Julie Kinney, Stoddard, was among<br />
seven graduate degree holders from<br />
Wisconsin included in the 2008 edition <strong>of</strong><br />
“Making a Difference: A Selection <strong>of</strong><br />
Graduate Degree Holders and Their<br />
Contributions to the Public Good”<br />
3 8 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
hearted story <strong>of</strong> a charismatic little<br />
girl, Blossom Bee, who encounters<br />
endless adventures while discovering<br />
golf.<br />
Aside from teaching the golf<br />
fundamentals, the book emphasizes<br />
numerous personal wellness concepts<br />
for children. Among them: good<br />
nutrition, positive self-esteem,<br />
personal hygiene, strong family<br />
values, manners and more. It also uses<br />
a poetic and metaphoric style to<br />
engage, entertain and educate readers<br />
<strong>of</strong> all ages.<br />
See more about the book at<br />
www.blossombee.info.<br />
published by the Council <strong>of</strong> Graduate<br />
Schools. She teaches English/literacy at<br />
Logan High School in La Crosse.<br />
Class <strong>of</strong> 20??<br />
Alumni announce new arrivals to their<br />
families.<br />
Megan (<strong>Murphy</strong>), ’92, and Joseph<br />
Cusick, Chicago, a son, Peter Michael,<br />
Oct. 1, 2008. He joins two sisters and two<br />
brothers, Maggie, Cathleen, Joseph and<br />
William.<br />
Jolene (Rathke), ’93, and George H.<br />
Smith III, West Allis, a son, Alexander<br />
Jayden, March 25, 2008. He joins<br />
Matthew (6) and Erin (3).<br />
State<br />
regents<br />
honor<br />
Spencer<br />
Janie Spencer,<br />
’85 & ’86<br />
Executive Director <strong>of</strong> UW-L’s Alumni<br />
Association Janie Spencer received the<br />
2008 Regents Academic Staff Excellence<br />
Award. Spencer, ’85 & ’86, was cited at<br />
the Aug. 22 UW Board <strong>of</strong> Regents<br />
meeting in Madison. The award is the<br />
highest for academic staff from<br />
throughout the UW System. The Regent<br />
Committee selected Spencer’s<br />
nomination from among a select few<br />
candidates “who represent the excellent<br />
and invaluable service provided by the<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional academic staff in the UW<br />
System.” Spencer received $5,000 for<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional development or to enhance a<br />
university program or function. Spencer<br />
was the recipient <strong>of</strong> UW-L’s Academic<br />
Staff Excellence Award in 2007.<br />
Kelly (Kostelecky), ’94, and Chuck<br />
Floeter, Rochester, Minn., a son, Cole<br />
Rodrick, March 27, 2008.
Top<br />
teacher<br />
Beth Oswald<br />
Beth Oswald is known for her ability to<br />
put a spark into the learning environment.<br />
She’s also known as one <strong>of</strong> the best<br />
teachers in the state.<br />
Oswald, a graduate <strong>of</strong> UW-L’s Milton<br />
learning community in 2003, was<br />
selected the 2007-08 Middle School<br />
Teacher <strong>of</strong> the Year for the state. And, she<br />
was selected by the Department <strong>of</strong> Public<br />
Instruction to represent Wisconsin in the<br />
National Teacher <strong>of</strong> the Year program.<br />
“Those who work with you and<br />
students who have you as a teacher feel<br />
very privileged,” noted State<br />
Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster<br />
when announcing Oswald as the state’s<br />
rep. “Your enthusiasm, pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism<br />
and commitment to children and their<br />
learning are representative <strong>of</strong> the very best<br />
in quality teaching.”<br />
Oswald has been teaching world<br />
history in Evansville at McKenna Middle<br />
School since 1996.<br />
Matt, ’95, and Jessica (Groose), ’96-98<br />
attendee, Anderson, Middleton, a son,<br />
Cooper Reid, Sept. 18, 2007. They own<br />
and operate Fleet Feet Sports Madison, a<br />
running, triathlon and walking specialty<br />
store. They opened the store in 2005 after<br />
Jessica worked in the original Fleet Feet<br />
Sports store in Sacramento, Calif., for two<br />
years. Matt was a city planner in<br />
La Crosse from 1997-2000 and in<br />
Sacramento from 2000-02.<br />
Andrew, ’99, and Jennifer Chromy,<br />
Franksville, a son, Andrew Jr., Aug. 7,<br />
2008. Andrew works for the South<br />
Milwaukee School District.<br />
Kraig, ’97, and Jennifer (Gutierrez), ’99,<br />
H<strong>of</strong>f, West Salem, a daughter, Maya<br />
Abigail, Feb. 20, 2008. She joins brother<br />
Keeping in touch<br />
Six college roommates around the turn <strong>of</strong> the<br />
millennium keep in touch with annual gettogethers.<br />
Rochelle (Rydberg) Olson, ’99,<br />
Boyceville, reports a group <strong>of</strong> her classmates<br />
remains close, despite living throughout the<br />
country. In July, five <strong>of</strong> six college roommates<br />
and their children met in Madison. Among<br />
them: Stephanie (O’Gara) Cieciwa, ’99,<br />
Milwaukee, and her two children Jack (2)<br />
and Nora (5 months); Carrie (Pelner)<br />
Schaefer, ’00, Sun Prairie, and her two<br />
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
Payton (3). Jennifer works at Gundersen<br />
Lutheran; Kraig works for the Wisconsin<br />
DNR.<br />
Bill, ’99, and Sarah Moris, Yorkville, Ill., a<br />
daughter, Skyler, May 19, 2008. She joins<br />
sister Madeline (3).<br />
Melissa (Tilton), ’00, and Marcus<br />
Wilhelm, Blaine, Minn., a girl, Madison<br />
Rae, April 29, 2008.<br />
daughters Olivia (4) and Avery (2 months);<br />
Misty (Gorski) Miller, ’99, Chippewa Falls,<br />
and her son Keinin (1); Jen (Porter) Popp,<br />
’99, Boynton Beach, Fla., who is pregnant<br />
with twins. Olson’s children attending were<br />
daughters Ava (5), Harper (4), and Delaney<br />
(1). The missing roommate was Tracy<br />
(Clausen) Hartin, ’00, Wheat Ridge, Colo.,<br />
and her newborn son, Sean. They hope to get<br />
their families together every summer.<br />
The following former roommates met in Madison this summer for a reunion. They<br />
included, from left: Misty (Gorski) Miller, ’99; Stephanie (O’Gara) Cieciwa, ’99; Carrie<br />
(Pelner) Schaefer, ’00; Rochelle (Rydberg) Olson, ’99; and Jen (Porter) Popp, ’99.<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 3 9
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
Extended<br />
family<br />
UW-La Crosse gear traveled back to<br />
Europe after a summer visit to campus<br />
by a Belgian cousin <strong>of</strong> three alumni.<br />
Charles Marchand and his sister,<br />
Marion, sported UW-L gear in Brussels<br />
following Charles’ return to Belgium<br />
after living in the U.S. for part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
summer. While here, his activities<br />
included a campus visit for a youth<br />
program. The Marchands’ cousins who<br />
are UW-L alums include: Denise<br />
Rostad, ’77, Platteville; Aimee (Rostad)<br />
Miles, ’96, Champlin, Minn.; and Kelly<br />
(Rostad) Wachewicz, ’01, La Crosse.<br />
Mardy (Juhl), ’01, and Steven<br />
Goldsmith, Brookfield, a son, Lincoln<br />
Juhl, June 27, 2008.<br />
Christie (Kerr), ’02, and Soren<br />
Gajewski, Sturtevant, a daughter,<br />
Eleanor Rose, May 26, 2008. She joins<br />
brothers Aiden (5) and Shea (4). Christie<br />
graduated from Cardinal Stritch <strong>University</strong><br />
with master’s in reading and literacy<br />
development in August 2008. She has<br />
joined her husband, an elementary school<br />
4 0 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
The UW-L connection<br />
principal in Racine Unified, as a reading<br />
specialist in a middle school.<br />
Mandi (Watkins), ’02, and Michael<br />
Soderlund, Bloomington, Minn., a<br />
daughter, Emilia Mae, Oct. 7, 2008.<br />
Carrie (Meyer) and Dean McFarlane,<br />
both ’03, Marshfield, a son, Beckett<br />
Daniel, May 12, 2008. Carrie has a new<br />
job as a merchandiser with Figi’s; Dean<br />
teaches science at Auburndale High<br />
School where he is head football coach.<br />
Laura (Bethke), ’04, and Jacob Cretens,<br />
Milwaukee, a son, Tye Andrew, Oct. 20,<br />
2007.<br />
You’ve probably been told to “Give<br />
it the old college try.” Well, Kelley<br />
Briceno, ’84, left, gave her old<br />
college a try.<br />
The English teacher from Lake<br />
Worth, Fla., spends summers as<br />
director <strong>of</strong> Global Language<br />
Institute’s summer youth camp in<br />
West Palm Beach, Fla. The camp<br />
needed a live-in camp counselor for<br />
its eight-week program, so Briceno<br />
contacted UW-L recreation<br />
management faculty asking for<br />
candidates.<br />
After an interview, Briceno<br />
hired UW-L student Andrea Olson,<br />
right, for summer 2006. Olson was<br />
“an excellent employee,” says<br />
Briceno. Olson graduated that<br />
December and was promoted to<br />
assistant director in summer ’07.<br />
After returning for a third summer<br />
in ’08, Olson was hired full time by<br />
the institute.<br />
Heather (Du Mez) and Justin Jehn, both<br />
’04, a daughter, Addison Joy, March 18,<br />
2008.<br />
Lisa (Borgstrom), ’04 & ’07, and Mark<br />
Roose, Tomah, a daughter, Makenna<br />
Catherine, May 3, 2008. Lisa is an 8th<br />
grade math teacher at Tomah Middle<br />
School.
In memory<br />
1928 — Ernest N. Schroeder, Wheeling, Ill.<br />
1936 — Olive (Dacey) Gershon, La Crosse<br />
1937 — F. Clark Carnes, Oconto<br />
1940 — Martha (Andra) Peek, Onalaska<br />
1943 — Robert A. Carey, Phoenix<br />
1944 — Maree Frisch Huber, Fond du Lac<br />
1948 — Jerome F. Ahl, Slinger<br />
1946 — Arlene (Plimpton) Turgasen, Manitowoc<br />
1948 — Patricia (Fjelstad) Jorstad, Burlington<br />
1949 — Arthur “Art” Van Aman, Ontario<br />
1949 — Ardell “Ardy” R. Aarstad, La Crosse<br />
1949 —William H. Cross, Oostburg<br />
1949 — Robert “Nudge” Novak,<br />
Langhorne, Pa.<br />
1950 — Maxine (Tournade) Pokrop, Milwaukee<br />
1951 — James Blank, Iowa City, Iowa<br />
1951 — Robert H. Paulson, Reno, Nev.<br />
1954 — Richard “Dick” Peterson, Mt. Horeb<br />
1958 — Clarence Schlicht, Onalaska<br />
1960 — Beatrice M. Van Loon, Houston, Minn.<br />
1961 — Joseph Dahlby, Racine<br />
1962 — Dwight “Duke” H. Kennedy III,<br />
La Crosse<br />
1962 — John Sugar, Ft. Collins, Colo.<br />
1963 — Sandra (Schuning) Hassemer,<br />
Sun City West, Ariz.<br />
1966 — Genevieve (Beardsley) Hansen,<br />
Trempealeau<br />
1968 — Emma Jean (Pierce) Eitland, Viroqua<br />
1968 — Donald Justinger, Wascott<br />
1968 — Nancy (McCoy) Nelson, Galesville<br />
1968 — Christopher Lee Taylor, Leesburg, Fla.<br />
1969 — Geraldine Nordstrom Paulsen, Mondovi<br />
1969 — Angela Kay (Dvorak) Weichert,<br />
Caledonia, Minn.<br />
1970 — Patricia Hundt Simpson, Milwaukee<br />
1970 — Rick Rude, McLean, Va.<br />
1971 — Larry Zirgibel, Boyceville<br />
1973 — Richard Kasten, West Salem<br />
1974 — Mark Arthur “Booner” Morris, La Crosse<br />
1974 — Eleanor Margaret Roraff, La Crosse<br />
1987 — Crystal Linse Moileen, Westby<br />
1993 — Sara (Barrington) Young, New London<br />
1994 — Lori Ann (Hundt) Fincher,<br />
West Salem<br />
Faculty and staff<br />
obituaries<br />
l a c r o s s e t i e s<br />
Ardell ‘Ardy’ R. Aarstad, ’49 | Ardell “Ardy” R. Aarstad, 83,<br />
died June 19, 2008, in La Crosse. After attending UW-L in 1941-<br />
42, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a B-29 pilot until<br />
1946, when he returned to campus. The ’49 graduate was a<br />
member <strong>of</strong> the Beta Sigma Chi. In 1966, he joined the UW-L<br />
faculty as associate registrar, where he served until retiring in<br />
1988. He is survived by his wife, Jane, and two children.<br />
Memorials can be made to the UW-L Foundation, 615 East Ave.<br />
N., La Crosse.<br />
Ernest ‘Ernie’ Hartmann | Ernest Hartmann, 81,<br />
Cottonwood, Ariz., died Sept. 3, 2008. Hartmann taught in<br />
recreation management and therapeutic recreation from 1970-<br />
90. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State <strong>University</strong><br />
and a doctorate from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Utah. He was a WWII<br />
veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy. Hartmann was very active<br />
with Boy Scouts <strong>of</strong> America and was awarded the Silver Beaver<br />
Award. He is survived by his wife, Beth, and two children.<br />
Kerry Nelson | Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Emeritus Kerry Nelson “Doc” died<br />
May 30, 2008, in Madison from pancreatic cancer. Nelson<br />
taught in psychology from 1969-99. He wrote manuals for his<br />
undergraduate and graduate classes, federal grants for<br />
development <strong>of</strong> the graduate program to train teachers to work<br />
with emotionally disturbed students, and provided fellowships for<br />
graduate students. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, and three<br />
sons.<br />
For complete obituaries <strong>of</strong> most faculty members, visit<br />
www.lacrossetribune.com and click on “Obituaries”<br />
under “News.”<br />
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9 • 4 1
c o u l e e c o d a<br />
<strong>Alumnus</strong> Sean Bell, who knew Todd Olson for over a year,<br />
was Olson’s platoon leader in Samarra and was leading<br />
the mission when Olson was killed. Bell is pictured here<br />
at a memorial service the soldiers held for Olson.<br />
Services typically include the soldier’s boots, M4 with<br />
bayonet, dog tags hanging on the weapon and the<br />
helmet on top.<br />
A lasting<br />
honor<br />
Patrol base in Iraq named after<br />
alumnus Todd Olson<br />
4 2 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
By Sue (Sullivan) Lee, ’82 & ’87<br />
Todd Olson, ’92, joined the National Guard in 1987, not only to help<br />
finance college, but because he felt it was his duty. “Todd was a very<br />
patriotic person,” says his wife, Nancy Olson. “He felt blessed to live here<br />
and felt a sense <strong>of</strong> duty to his country.”<br />
Olson’s National Guard unit, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, was<br />
mobilized June 2004, and deployed to Iraq in November following several<br />
months <strong>of</strong> training at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Irwin, Calif. The battalion<br />
served for nearly a year in Samarra. The deployment <strong>of</strong> 680 soldiers represented<br />
the first overseas operational deployment for a Wisconsin Army National Guard<br />
combat arms unit since World War II.<br />
Olson was stationed at Patrol Base Casino in Samarra with around 100<br />
soldiers from Wisconsin, including UW-L alums Sean Bell; Justin Bomkamp,<br />
’06; Jason Spangler, ’04; and Jason Stratman.<br />
Patrol Base Casino, a three-story, split-level old hotel on the Tigris River, is<br />
about 60 miles north <strong>of</strong> Baghdad. Samarra is one <strong>of</strong> the four Islamic holy cities <strong>of</strong><br />
continued on next page
A tile in Todd Olson’s honor will be placed in the Veterans Hall <strong>of</strong> Honor<br />
in the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex when it’s completed in<br />
2009. To find out more about the Veterans Hall <strong>of</strong> Honor, go to<br />
www.uwlax.edu/campaign/sportscomplex.html. To honor a veteran in<br />
the hall, contact Veterans Hall <strong>of</strong> Honor Campaign Coordinator Pat<br />
Stephens at 608.785.8153 or stephens.patr@uwlax.edu.<br />
Iraq. It has been a hotbed <strong>of</strong> fighting between the<br />
Iraqi resistance and U.S. military since the U.S.<br />
occupation <strong>of</strong> Iraq began in 2003.<br />
Spangler, who was also in the 128th Infantry<br />
Regiment and deployed with Olson, served there<br />
just under a year. Initially, they fixed the plumbing<br />
and electrical and “rebuilt the patrol base from the<br />
ground up,” he says. Their primary roles were to<br />
show a presence, gather information, conduct<br />
raids and protect the city — defensive and<br />
<strong>of</strong>fensive postures helping assist local nationals in<br />
their resistance to Al-Qaeda, the international<br />
terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden. They<br />
worked mostly with Iraqi National Forces; police;<br />
the Public Order Battalion, a unit used for intercity<br />
policing and border enforcement; and the<br />
Ministry <strong>of</strong> Interior Commandos who conduct<br />
raids and capture terrorists and gather intelligence.<br />
Within a month <strong>of</strong> being there, Olson was hit<br />
by an improvised explosive device while he was<br />
the point man on a nighttime dismounted patrol<br />
Dec. 26, 2004. He died Dec. 27. Bell, who knew<br />
Olson for over a year, was Olson’s platoon leader<br />
and was leading the mission when Olson was<br />
killed.<br />
“Todd was an amazing man, a family man,”<br />
says Bell. “He was a father figure to me and a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
men. He really looked out for the well-being <strong>of</strong> his<br />
men and did all he could to teach them lifelong<br />
lessons and important lessons for our tour in Iraq.<br />
He had the ability to make everyone laugh, even<br />
in the hardest times, and was very firm when he<br />
needed to be. He was a natural-born leader.”<br />
To honor Olson, the men pushed — and<br />
succeeded — to have Patrol Base Casino<br />
renamed Patrol Base Olson. Most patrol bases<br />
and forward operating bases are named after<br />
soldiers who were killed. Soldiers <strong>of</strong>ten wear<br />
bracelets in their honor. Bell has Olson’s name,<br />
rank and when and where he was killed tattooed<br />
on his left wrist.<br />
Although Olson’s death has been difficult for<br />
his friends and family, thankfulness and time have<br />
helped.<br />
“Todd was a good man and had a good life,”<br />
says Olson’s wife, Nancy. “That’s the way we’ve<br />
dealt with his death. We’re very thankful for<br />
people who are willing to serve,” says Nancy. “It’s<br />
a very selfless act. Living in the U.S. is like winning<br />
the lottery. Nobody else lives like this. It’s possible<br />
because <strong>of</strong> the vets who have served.”<br />
Nancy says it’s the job <strong>of</strong> the U.S. to make the<br />
world a safer place. “We have to look at the longterm<br />
effect, that people will help shape a more<br />
peaceful world,” she says. “That’s my hope, my<br />
prayer.”<br />
The Todd Olson<br />
File<br />
• Born Oct. 26, 1968, in Neillsville<br />
• Graduated from Loyal High School, 1987<br />
• Received bachelor <strong>of</strong> science in finance degree<br />
from UW-L, 1992<br />
• Enlisted in National Guard 1987, 1st Battalion,<br />
128th Infantry Regiment<br />
• Deployed to Iraq November 2004<br />
• Died Dec. 27, 2004<br />
• Military awards include The Bronze Star Medal and<br />
The Purple Heart<br />
• Wife: Nancy<br />
• Children: Trevor, Jesse, Cody, Kasey<br />
• Occupation: vice president and agricultural loan<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficer with M&I Bank <strong>of</strong> Neillsville.<br />
• Adult leader <strong>of</strong> Lutheran League youth group and<br />
school board member in Loyal<br />
• Past president <strong>of</strong> Loyal Lions Club and Loyal<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce<br />
• Founding board member and coach for the Loyal<br />
Pop Warner football program<br />
Within a month <strong>of</strong> being deployed to Iraq, Todd Olson,<br />
’92, was hit by an improvised explosive device while<br />
on patrol, not unlike the dismounted mission pictured<br />
above <strong>of</strong> a platoon leaving Patrol Base Olson in<br />
Samarra, Iraq. Read more about Patrol Base Olson at<br />
www.jeffemanuel.net/guided-tour-<strong>of</strong>-patrol-base-olson.
Winter Wonderland<br />
The beauty <strong>of</strong> Grandad Bluff, seen here after<br />
a fresh snowfall, remains special for every<br />
generation <strong>of</strong> students.<br />
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