Summer 1998 - Digitized Resources Murphy Library University of ...

A VIEW FROM THIS
COULEE
International Experience
Re""arding
O
ne of the most exciting and
. rewarding experiences tha.t .ever
occurred in my life was my
participation in the Denmark
International Studies Program
(DIS) in Copenhagen. During,. the spring
semester of 1983, I had the unique opportunity
to study in the beautiful city of Copenhagen.
Thanks to Gary Lang, currently Assistant to the
Dean in the College of Science and Allied
Health, who was the director of the DIS
program at that time, I became exposed to the
wonderful world of international education.
Certainly studying abroad is not a new
phenomenon. Howeverj··.·····asfar··-as·-I-·was
concerned, being a young man from Milwaukee
North Division High School, and a recent UW-L
graduate in political science, studying' in
Copenhagen was truly an adventure and
amazing experience. As a participant in the DIS
program, I had the opportunity to study the
social, educational, and political structures of
the Danish society. I 'also learned to understand
and appreciate Danish culture by living with a
Danish family and by traveling to other cities in
Denmark. While in Denmark, I visited cities in
Iceland, Sweden, England, Holland and
Germany.
One fascinating aspect of
my DIS experience involved
playing basketball with a
Danish team. I played in
various tournaments during
my stay. Two years later I
was offered a working
permit to return to Denmark
as a coach/trainer. DIS
provided the opportunity for
me to develop an
international network, which
allowed me to return to
Denmark as an employee.
R. Sentwali Bakari, '82, is currently
afull-time second year doctoral
student in College Student
Personnel Administration at the
University ofNorthern Colorado.
Previously, he was director of
UW-L's Multicultural Student
Services.
The DIS program has certainly enhanced
my consciousness as well as my appreciation of
culture, language and international education.
Studying and traveling abroad has also
enhanced my career in student affairs by
sharpening my awareness of others cultures and
by improving my ability to adapt and be flexible
in a variety of environments and work
situations. International education has had a
profound impact on my life. I strongly
encourage students to participate in DIS or any
other international education program. It will
certainly enhance their career and give them a
new perspective on life.

ALUMNUS
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Summer 1998
Vol. 24, No.2
The Alumnus is published
March, June, September 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
and External Relations Office,
UW-La Crosse, 1725 State St.,
La Crosse, WI 54601.
Phone: (608)785-8572
E-Mail: quarberg@maiLuwlax.edu
Editor
Brad Quarberg, '85
Associate Director ofUniversity Relations,
University Advancement and
External Relations Office
Art Director
Connie Soballe
Publications Editor,
University Advancement and
External Relations Office
Writers
Todd Clark
Brad Quarberg, '85
Bob Seaquist, '71 & '78
Terry Smith, '99
Janie Spencer, '85 & '86
Editorial Assistance
Lou Markwith
Assistant Chancellor
Steve Stach, '77
Director ofUniversity Relations
Janie Spencer, '85 & '86
Director ofAlumni Programs
Bob Seaquist, '71 & '78
University Relations
Todd Clark
Director ofSports Information
Ginger Jentz
Program Assistant
University Advancement and
External Relations Office
Shelley (Steinmann) Fahey, 75
Jeff Kerkman, '86
Alumni representatives
http://www.uwlax.edu
CONTENTS
2
4
7
10
14
17
24
Moving?
Going Global
Programs give students an international
perspective
Alumni Profiles
Alumni Julia Metternich Olson, Jerry Ebner, and
Ahmed Samatar are profiled.
Foundation News
Phonathon computers • Scholarships. UW-L
Foundation awards grants
On Campus
By the numbers • Looking back at Homecoming •
Ground broken for the Health Science Center
Sports Highlights
Recruiting at UW-L • Winter sports results •
Sports Briefs
La Crosse Ties
Class Notes • Alumni Briefs • Births, marriages
and deaths • Marketplace
Back Cover
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is an
affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and
is in compliance with Title IX and Section 504.
Whenever you change your address ­
permanently or to get away for a prolonged
vacation - tell us! With a recent change in postal
regulations, it costs the Alumni Office over $1 for
each address correction when the Alumnus can't be
delivered. When you change your address, please let us know. Here's how,
either:
- call us at (608)785-8495
- fax us at (608)785-6868
- e-mail us at alumni@mail.uwlax.edu
- write us at UW-L Alumni Office, 1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 54601
UW-La Crosse Alumnus / Summer 1998 1

!'I
ALUMNI NEWS
BY JANIE SPENCER, '85 & '86
New Alumni Association president praises UW-L
1'18CI811.lv8rsllJ"
Terry Erickson always knew
he wanted to work with
young people. And, he
.. .. .knows the importance of role
models. He had great role
models who helped guide
him through his college years at UW-L.
"Dr. Vivian Munson opened my
eyes to the world of history and the
relevance it has today," notes Erickson,
'72. "Also, Dr. Bill Merwin and Dr.
Richard Rogers were instrumental in
encouraging me to complete my degree."
Now as the president of the UW-L
Alumni Association, Erickson says it's
time to return some favors to his "special
university." He became involved in the
Alumni Association board in 1989 to
show his appreciation for the university
and its mentors, and to finally get
involved in "extracurricular activities."
While attending college, Erickson
held three jobs to pay for tuition so he
was unable to participate in many
extracurricular activities. The Alumni
Association allows him to do that, and
more. "This is an opportunity for me to
give something back to the university,"
explains Erickson. "I wanted to become
more active in the University and I
encourage other alumni to do the same."
Since joining the Alumni
Association, Erickson has been involved
with many committees and served as first
8 UW·La Crosse Alumnus I Summer 1998
vice president from 1996-98. He has set
three primary goals:
et()""ork cooperatively with the UW-L
Foundation to provide support for
the university.
e to educate faculty and staff about the
Alumni Association.
e to reach out to alumni to educate
them on the progress and
improvements made at UW-L.
"The university is a huge asset to
this community," says Erickson. "Part of
our job is to communicate that to the
public and let them know the resources
that are available."
Erickson's favorite Alumni
Association activity is Homecoming. "I
enjoy seeing fellow alumni at the
breakfast and the football game," he
notes. "It's also a wonderful time to make
newfriendsJ;mdget reacquainted with
others."
Erickson remains impressed with
what UW-L offers not only to its
students, but also the community. "I am
committed to this university and am
especially proud of the huge part it plays
improving the quality oflife in this
community. As Executive Director of the
Boys and Girls Club, the University is
very important as most of our part-time
staff are UW-L students. The quality of
those people through fheyearsTs one of
the reasons our Club has been so
successful. I really want people to
appreciate what UW-L has done for the
LaCrosse area."
IIII call
The UW-L Alumni Association
Board includes:
President - Terry Erickson
1st Vice President - Barb Pretasky,
2nd Vice President - Bruce Friell
Chair of Board - Gary Schettle
Directors:
Michael Cox, Shelley Fahey, Steve
Fleis, Laura Henkes, Steve Mader,
John Olson, Todd Poss, Marv
Ramsay, Cole Warner, Al
Wehrenberg, and Deb Zillmer
William Carlson
California Alumni Club
Ralph Christ
Rochester Alumni Club
Jean Ristow
Alpha Phi Alumni Club
Steve Rudolph
Madison Alumni Club
Chico Rudrud
Beta Sigma Chi Alumni Club
Brian Stephan
Delta Sigma Phi Alumni Club
Terry Stephens
Milwaukee Alumni Club.

With a recent change in postal regulations, it costs the Alumni Office over $1 for each address correction when the Alumnus
can't be delivered. When you change your address - permanently or to get away from winter cold or summer heat - let
usknowl
1) call us at (608)785·8495
2) fax us at (608)785-6868
3) e·mail us at alumni@mail.uwlax.edu, or
4) drop us a line at UW·L Alumni Office, 1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 54601.
UW-La Crosse Alumnus / Summer 1998 9

Homecoming parades
popular
Alaalll
I.e.·
Homecoming parades were popular at
La Crosse in earlier years, and
townspeople turned out in large
numbers with the students to watch
them. This photo, thought to be taken
around the late '50s, shows a
Homecorningfloatin a parade before
the big game.The "Get the Point" slogan
on the back suggests that the game was
against Stevens Point.
A Homecoming parade was held
last fall, and preliminary plans call for
another this fall Saturday, Oct. 17, when
the Eagles host UW-Platteville.
Ground has been broken for the $26.8 million
, . Health Science Center. Construction on the La
. Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium
. building began in spring.
. Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson helped
turn the first shovels of dirt at the site March 4.
"It's an idea that germinated here and everybody in the
community bought into it," said Thompson. "There aren't
many people who together can find solace in one idea, but this
was one."
The five-story building, expected to open January 2000,
will be jointl)' owned and operated by consortium members,
If readers can identify the year or person
in the '50s photo; theMurphy Library
Special Collections·would like to hear
from you. Special Collections holds
around 140,000 photographs, including
the nation's largest collection of inland
river steamboat pictures. The
welcomes donations of
photographs and paper material relating
to the university, as well as photographs
of towns and villages, family life, and
daily and working life. Contact Special
Collections Department, UW-La Crosse
Murphy Library, 1725 State St., La
Crosse WI 54601, or at (608)785-8511.
which along with UW-L include Gundersen Lutheran,
Franciscan Skemp Healthcare - Mayo Health System, Viterbo
College and Western Wisconsin Technical College.
Half of the cost of the new facility, $13.4 million, will be
covered by a state grant. The other half, to be funded by the
consortium, will include $1.75 from WWTC in land and
equipment, $3.65 million approved by western Wisconsin
voters in 1996, and $8 million from corporate initiatives,
private foundations and national grant agencies. A national
and regional campaign underway has already raised $2
million.
UW·La Crosse Alumnus I Summer 1998 11

AWARDS FOR ALUMNI
I wish to nominate in the class of for the following award(s):
o Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumnus Award
(honors those who have distinguished themselves through their lives and brought distinctiOIl to UW'L)
o College of HPER Excellence
(recognizes HPER alumni who have distinguished themselves in their profession and faculty who have made outstanding contributions to their profession)
o Wall of Fame
(honors former athletes and coaches who have brought distinction to UW-L athletics)
Full criteria for all awards available from the Alumni Office.
nominee's address
city
List nominee's personal and professional accomplishments
Attach more information, if necessary
Submitted by Class of
------------
Address ------------------------------------------
state
zip
Phone
Return to: Alumni Office, UW-La Crosse, 1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 564601 or fax us at (608) 785-6868
12 UW-La Crosse Alumnus / Summer 1998
phone

SPORTS
I
magine that you're the center of
• • attention, the top athlete on your
high school team. Phone calls
and letters from college coaches
become part of everyday life,
each conveying your athletic
ability will help their program.
Now, imagine yourself as a college
coach. How do you attract studentathletes
who could bring the
opportunity to achieve the success
everyone expects of your program?
UW-L does not award athletic
scholarships as a NCAA III member
program, but that doesn't mean the
stakes aren't as high when recruiting.
The effort and philosophy are the same
at any level- get the best players
possible.
"Recruiting is critical. You can't
have good teams without the
ingredients," says Mark Guthrie, UW-L's
head men's track and field coach. "You
could have the greatest coaching
knowledge in the world, but you'll only
get so far if you don't have the talent to
work with."
And that is true with any sport.
Cheryl Kennedy, UW-L's head women's
basketball coach, agrees. "You will not
be successful if you don't have good
players; it's above what a coach can do,"
she explains. "It is all about having
talent."
As different as recruiting is
between scholarship and nonscholarship
schools, ways of identifying
recruits is common. Leads to find
recruits are gathered from several
sources including conversations with
high school coaches, alumni, parents,
former athletes, the admissions office,
the recruits themselves and by attending
camps or state championships.
14 UW-L. Crosse Alumnus / Summer 1998
STORY BY TODD CLARK
In track and field where times and
distances are objective, a lot of the guess
work is taken out of recruiting. "We're
looking for the people who can perform
at the highest level in critical situations
out of high school."
In team sports; evaluations are
much more subjective. The volume of
potential athletes is immense, and a
Division III programs are more regional.
Most of UW-L's recruits hail from
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.
Because the area is centralized for
Division III, a program's and a college
coach's reputation is critical in
maintaining integrity with the prep
coaches within the region..
UW-L Head Women's Basketball Coach Cheryl Kennedy takes a break from recruiting to
organize a program for La Crosse area girls. Kennedy says establishing a relationship with
prospective players is a key in getting them to attend UW-L.
process is needed to optimize efficiency.
Recruiting also differs among coaches.
Mo.t recruit. hail from
Midwe.t
A significant difference among
colleges is the area in which coaches
target prospects. Division I schools
pinpoint athletes nationally, while
"This is where I recruit all the
time," says Sheila Perkins, head
volleyball coach at UW-L. "If I make a
mistake or am dishonest and make
people upset, I've alienated my entire
recruiting base."
In turn, for high school coaches to
help their student-athletes and maintain
credibility with college coaches, they

should be honest when it comes to
evaluating and referring their athletes.
"I think some high school coaches
haven't been out to watch the level of
play in our conference," Perkins notes.
"If they (players) have been successful in
highschool, the coaches think they can
play Division III and the kids think they
can too;sotthinkthere is an t:l.nrealistic
view of,how competitive we are in our
conference."
After identifying recruits, most
UW-L coaches mail an introductory
letter with a questionnaire that athletes
complete and return if they are
interested. Information is put on a data
base and communication is maintained
with the prospect until a decision is
.made, which for Division III, can be
drawn out.
"The tough part about recruiting at
Division III is you have to recruit them
all the way in the door; where in
Division I and II, you can have them
sign a letter of intent," said Guthrie.
"I spend more time and energy
maintaining a relationship at Division III
even though it may be a futile effort in
the end, hoping we'll have a couple of
thetop kids say 'UW-La Crosse is the
school forme based on academics:" said
Kennedy;
Tradition a key at LaCrosse
Without scholarship dollars, many
Division III coaches mt:l.st find other
methods of attracting prospective
student-athletes.
"UW-La Crosse recruits itself very
effectively," said Kennedy. "It has a
. wonderful tradition in athletics,
tremendous academic integrity within
the state system, and I sell the chance to
play in the best women's basketball
_.r SPlins RIISIIIII
Division III conference in the country."
•"The biggest thing that helps us
recruit in men's track and field at UW-L
is the tradition," said Guthrie. The proof
is in the performance through the years.
UW-L has won more NCAA III men's
trackafidfieldchampibfiships than any
other institution.
-EvelfWithin DiviSion III, private
schools can offer financial help. They
can provide scholarships not
specifically identified with athletics. "If
private schools choose to be marginal in
their ethics when it comes to awarding
scholarships and grants, they can have a
pretty good financial package," notes
Guthrie.
With all UW-L has to offer a
stt:l.dent-athlete, it is an attractivesell to
prospects. Bt:l.t it isn't always that easy.
UW-L's academic entrance requirements
are high and prospects, who put off
committing with hopes of receiving a
scholarship, may be left out with UW-L's
early application deadline.
"The day is gone where you can
applYTafeinfheyear and get in at UW­
La Crosse:' said Perkins. "Our academic
standards are higher than other state
institutions, and our admissions close
sooner."
Football Head Coach Roger
Harring and Kennedy agree. "If high
school athletes don't get after their
studies, they're not going to get in here:'
Kennedy said, "but Division I and II are
a little more receptive on letting kids in."
Favorite recruiting
anecdotes
All the time, all the miles and all
thepersonal contacts recruiting come
and go throughout a coaching career,
but there are some recruiting stories too
vivid to forget.
Guthrie recalls recruiting Chip
Tancil from Glen Ellyn, Ill. Planning an
evening home visit, he stopped by an
all-you-can eat restaurant prior to the
visit. When he arrived at the Tancils', he
was greeted with an invitation for
dinner, which they prepared for his visit.
Not wanting to disappoint, he accepted.
"I had to eat again and make it
look like I was really hungry and eat all
my food," he remembers. "It almost
killed me recruiting him because I
couldn't not eat it." By the way, he said
they had great dessert, too.
Kennedy may leave the office, but
she'll find someway to keep in contact
with a top-notch recruit. "I call kids
from the oddest places," she says. "I've
called kids from a pay phone on a golf
course in Palm Springs. I've called kids
at halftime of the Final Four so they can
hear what it sounds like. I've even called
a prospect when I was teaching on a
cruise in Bermuda."
And, Wisconsin sights become
familiar. "I count the number of deer on
Highway 21 as I drive home at night,
and I'm so tired I think see deer on the
road, but they are really mailboxes with
the reflectors," she says;
Recruiting is the prelude to
success. UW-L'scoaches work long and
hard to attract student-athletes to help
their programs. UW-L's athletics
tradition and academic reputation,along
with the beauty of the area, make their
jobs just a little easier.
SPORT WIAC NATIONALS
UW-LaCrosse Alumnus / Summer 199& 15

Class
. Notes
Briefs
FacultY'emeritus dies
Alumnus and faculty emeritus Kenneth
R. Fish died Jan. 15, 1998, in La Crosse.
Fish, 84, earned a bachelor's of
education from La Crosse State Teachers
College in 1948. He taught in the
university's elementary education
department from 1995 until retiring in
1978. During retirement, he continued
supervising UW-L student teachers in
over 60 school districts across the state.
Be is survived by his wife, Margaret,
iindtWo children. Memorials may be
sent to the Kenneth and Margaret Fish
Scholarship Fund in Elementary
Education at the UW-L Foundation, 615
East Ave. N., La Crosse WI 54601.
Moving?
Whenever you change your address ­
permanently or to get away from
Wisconsin's winter cold or summer heat
- tell us! With a recent change in postal
regulations, it costs the Alumni Office
over $1 for each address correction
when the Alumnus can't be delivered.
When you change your address, please
let us know. Here's how, either:
-call us at (608)785-8495.
-fax us at (608)785-6868.
-e-mail us at
alumni@mail.uwlax.edu
-drop us a line at UW-L Alumni
Office, 1725 State St., La Crosse
WI 54601.
20 UW-La Crosse Alumnus / Summer 1998
'39 grad receives
national book honors
Weeds usually cause problems for
people, but for LeRoy Holm, '39,
they've
brought
notoriety. '
Holm is
recognized
.!l1tE!T!lCl,tigl1ally
for his
specialized
study of weeds
and their effect
on food
production.
His incentive:
to assure
sufficient,
wholesome food
for the
impoverished.
Now,he's
been recognized
in the 1997
Association of
American
LeRoy Holm, '39, 1991
Graff Distinguished
Alumnus Award
recipient, has been
recognized in the 1997
Association of
American Publishers
22nd Annual Awards
Program for Excellence
in
Professional/Scholarly
Publishing.
PublishersTwentySec:oIld Annual
Awards Program for Excellence in
Professional/Scholarly Publishing.
Holm and four others won the award in
.biological science for his book, "World
Weeds: Natural Histories and
Distributions."
Holm, a retired UW-Madison
professor, is a 1991 recipient of the
university's Maurice O. Graff
Distinguished Alumnus Award. He's the
first UW-L graduate to receive this
coveted award in scholarly and
professional publishing in America.
Anention school
health education
graduates
Chet Bradley, '63, Wisconsin Department
of Public Instruction health education '
consultant, would like to know where
UW-L school health education
graduates are currently working in
Wisconsin public or private schools.
Bradley is working on a national project
which could be beneficial to a Wisconsin
teacher with a major in school health
education. UW-L Foundation Office
records have only identified a limited
number of graduates working in the
state. Health education alumni working
in Wisconsin schools are asked to return
the address inforIIlation below:
Name ofHealth Education Graduate
School District
-School Name
Mailing Address
Work phone
Work Fax
Return to: UW-L Foundation, 615 East
Avenue N., 108 Cleary Center,
La Crosse, WI 54601
Fax (608)785-6868
WHAT'S NEW WITH YOU?
name (maiden if applicable)
class of
employer
address 0 check if new
city
information
state
spouse's name (maiden if applicable)
class of
employer
phone
your e-mail address?
Return to: Alumni Office, UW-La Crosse, 1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 54601. Or fax us at
(608)785-6868. Or e-mail us at: alumni@mail.uwlax.edu
o I would like information on joining the UW-L Alumni Association and promoting UW-La Crosse!
zip
o 0

A student locks her bike outside Cowley Hall earlier.this spring. Biking is
still the main means for transportation for many students- especially when
the weather turns warm. Photo by UW-L student John Olsen.
IUW-LI
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
1725 State Street
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
Attention Parents -
If the address label lists a son or daughter who no
longer lives here, please send the UW-L Alumni Office
the correct address. Send to: UW-L Alumni Office,
1725 State Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601.
Non-profit Org.
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La Crosse, Wis.
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