Successful recreation is much more than simply enjoying the sunset ...

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ALUMNUS University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Winter 2003-04 Vol. 30, No. 1 The Alumnus is published in June and December for alumni and friends of the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. Readers may submit news items to the editor in the University Advancement Office, UW-La Crosse, 1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 54601 (608)785-8572 quarberg.brad@uwlax.edu Editor Brad Quarberg, ’85 Associate Director of University Relations, University Advancement Office Art Director Sue (Sullivan) Lee, ’82 & ’87 Publications Editor/Agency Print Manager University Advancement Office Writers Dave Johnson, ’92 Sue (Sullivan) Lee, ’82 & ’87 Brad Quarberg, ’85 Bob Seaquist, ’71 & ’78 Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86 Lindsay Sorge, ’07 Photography Sue (Sullivan) Lee, ’82 & ’87 Bob Seaquist, ’71 & ’78 Editorial Assistance Kenna Christians Assistant Chancellor Cary Heyer Director of University Relations Florence Aliesch Director of Publications Janie Spencer, ’85 & ’86 Director of Alumni Programs Bob Seaquist, ’71 & ’78 University Relations Dave Johnson, ’92 Director of Sports Information Ginger Jentz Program Assistant University Advancement Office Shelley (Steinmann) Fahey, ’75 Jeff Kerkman, ’86 Alumni representatives www.uwlax.edu 2 8 14 18 Contents 2 Cover Story • Recreation management and therapeutic recreation department’s reputation continues to grow • Graduate program popular, too • Alum: rec program is “The nation’s best” 6 Alumni Profile • University’s plant manager keeps teaching alive, too • Joe Chilsen brings love to teaching 8 Alumni News • Multicultural Alumni Award honors three • Record number of multicultural students • Nominations sought for distinguished alumni awards • New UW-L Alumni Association Web site • Calendar of events 13 Foundation News • Golfing for a cause • Phonathon finding success • New funds created • Ensemble to jazz up France, Germany 14 On Campus • U.S. News & World Report ranks UW-L No. 3 • Accountancy students No. 1 in nation • Out-of-state legacies get break • Students earn Homeland Security scholarships 18 Sports News • Four added to Wall of Fame • Coaches receive awards • New basketball coach 20 Homecoming & La Crosse Ties The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and is in compliance with Title IX and Section 504. Send us your updated addresses The university’s Advancement Office asks alumni with e-mail to send their e-mail address. Forward your e-mail address — as well as new addresses, telephone numbers and other updates — by: • e-mailing us at: alumni@uwlax.edu. • calling toll free at: 1(877)UWL-ALUM • completing the form at: http://foundation.uwlax.edu/whatsnew.html • faxing us at: (608)785-6868 UW-La Crosse Alumnus/Winter 2003-04 1
Cover Story Perfecting play Recreation management and therapeutic recreation department’s reputation continues to grow George Arimond grew up in a family that appreciated recreation. As a family, they canoed and hiked. They went on picnics. They relaxed together. As Arimond grew, his interest in recreation grew, too. At his parents’ urging, Arimond worked in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Following four years in the Marines, he earned a business major, but eventually went back to his earlier calling of recreation. He earned a second bachelor’s degree in the discipline. Today, Arimond is helping others “As faculty, we’re very involved in the profession.” — UW-L Professor Nancy Navar appreciate recreational time — and, he’s helping future generations discover their importance. Arimond, chair of the recreation management and therapeutic recreation department, leads a staff of nine. Five faculty specialize in recreation management — preparing students to work in parks or administer other recreational businesses — while four lead therapeutic recreation — training students to help people with some type of disability improve their quality of life through recreation. Both areas operate under the theory that all people have a right to a quality life and a key to that quality is recreation. “We’re preparing students to provide leisure as an important part of a person’s life,” explains Professor Nancy Navar, director of the therapeutic recreation program. Best review in its history The word is out about the two UW-L programs. The department recently received its best review in 15 years during its national reaccreditation. (See article page 4.) Of the recent therapeutic recreation graduates who took the national test to become Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, 100 percent passed. On the recreation management side, the Certified Park and Recreation Professional 2 UW-La Crosse Alumnus/Winter 2003-04 exam doesn’t allow reporting of those passing by institution. “But, we know anecdotally that more than 95 percent of our students pass in a given year,” says Arimond. That success doesn’t surprise the faculty. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons they are there. Arimond had two offers when he accepted his UW-L position in 1989. He turned down a higher-paying position because he liked what he saw — both in his future colleagues and the students. Navar, who arrived on campus in 1986, saw it, too. “Our faculty really care about our students,” explains Navar. “As faculty, we’re very involved in the profession.” Keith Wadell, director of the recreation management undergraduate program, also came to campus in 1983 because of the department’s history. “What attracted me was the excellent reputation of the department, its outstanding students and the emphasis the recreation administration/leadership program, now the recreation management major, placed on the professional preparation,” says Wadell. Service learning is key Navar says a key to the department’s success lies in the types of experiences students receive along with the comprehensive curriculum offered. With the specialized nature of many therapeutic recreation courses, Navar says students take part in extensive volunteer opportunities that allow hands-on contact with clients. “Service learning has been a part of this program long before service learning was popular,” she notes. The unique service learning emphasis has become something that not only George Arimond, chair of the recreation management and therapeutic recreation department, credits his trips as a child to Minnesota’s Boundary Water Canoe Area to sparking a career in the recreation field. Today, Arimond takes students there to hone their leadership and teamwork skills. faculty expect, students in the program do, too. “My colleagues are envious because our students are willing and ready to do volunteer work in the community,” says Navar. But the learning doesn’t stop there. Many students join the Recreation Majors Club or Therapeutic Recreation Club. Others are inducted into Rho Phi Lambda, the national fraternity of leisure scholars. Some take part in American Sign Language Club, which has helped the area’s deaf community change its view of campus from being non-deaf-friendly, to one of the region’s leaders in assisting those who are hearing impaired. A sign-language class established by Arimond is open to any major on campus.
Page 1: Successful recreation is much more
Page 5 and 6: Cover Story Reaccreditation routine
Page 7 and 8: Alumni Profile Deon Nontelle has re
Page 9 and 10: Alumni News Multicultural Alumni Aw
Page 11 and 12: Alumni News Nominations sought for
Page 13 and 14: December Alumni News 2 Student Alum
Page 15 and 16: On Campus Accountancy Department Ch
Page 17 and 18: On Campus Securing scholars Two stu
Page 19 and 20: Sports News 18 UW-La Crosse Alumnus
Page 21 and 22: La Crosse Ties Class Notes ’35Woo
Page 23 and 24: La Crosse Ties Sorority holds reuni
Page 25 and 26: La Crosse Ties A. James Gersich, Ma
Page 27 and 28: La Crosse Ties Class of ??? Shawn (
Page 29 and 30: Wisconsin Coda Happy Birthday, Harl

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