1. Making waves: UWL research vessel could hit the water later this year

    Photo of the Research Vessel Prairie Springs — a 32-foot, state-of-the-art, aluminum vessel supporting UW-La Crosse's River Studies Center — which is expected to be completed this summer. Construction of the vessel is funded through a nearly $500,000 gift from Prairie Springs: The Paul Fleckenstein Trust to the La Crosse Community Foundation. Pictured is the Cass Street Bridge in La Crosse, Wisconsin, which crosses the Mississippi River. (UWL University Marketing & Communications)

    A research vessel that will transform aquatic science education in Wisconsin is getting closer to hitting the water.  Faculty from the UW-La Crosse River Studies Center visited Seattle recently to meet with officials from Munson Boats, the company manufacturing the Research Vessel Prairie Springs — a 32-foot, state-of-the-art, aluminum vessel expected to be completed this summer. “We’re thinking not only about safety and how usable […]

  2. UWL, Viterbo students connect for hands-on health simulations

    Photo of some of the UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University students in health professions who met last year to participate in a hands-on simulation to work collaboratively with goals of helping patients meet their health goals.

    UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University students in health professions plan to make an “IMPACT” during an upcoming training. The 7th annual Interprofessional Model of Patient Care Training (IMPACT) runs from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 30, in part at the Health Science Consortium, 1300 Badger St. With more than 150 students participating, some will be at Viterbo […]

  3. Challenge champions: UWL Eagle Battalion emerges victorious in Northern Warfare Challenge

    Photo of cadets who completed several challenges at Fort McCoy — rifle marksmanship, knot-tying, treatment of a hypothermic casualty and fire-starting — before ending with a 17-mile ruck march through La Crosse’s Hixon Forest trail system.

    The Eagle Battalion at UW-La Crosse outpaced 45 other teams to claim victory in the Northern Warfare Challenge Feb. 24 and 25. Teams from throughout the Midwest traveled to the Coulee Region to compete in what organizers describe as “the hardest race in ROTC.” This year’s event began with several challenges at Fort McCoy — […]

  4. Research relationship: Mayo, UWL collaboration successful in furthering health research in the Coulee Region

    Photo of UW-La Crosse Exercise and Sport Science Department students Anna Jacobson, left, and Makenna Carpenter who are two of the students who have participated in the Seed Grant Program in cooperation with Mayo Clinic Health System. Led by teams of physicians and scientists from both institutions, seed grants often launch promising new research projects and provide valuable preliminary data to attract more substantial funding from external sources. (UWL photo)

    Since its launch in 2019, a collaboration between Mayo Clinic Health System and UW–La Crosse has advanced health research in and beyond the Coulee Region. Through the relationship, Mayo Clinic Health System providers, university faculty, and students work together on research that will improve health and medical care, while providing valuable experience for learners who […]

  5. Breaking the ice: UWL police, international students build bonds through ice fishing

    Photo of Senior Executive Chef Robb Hanson, from the university’s food service, preparing a classic Wisconsin fish fry for those in attendance.

    A wintertime tradition has brought UW-La Crosse police officers and international students closer together. The two groups recently met for a day of ice fishing at La Crosse’s Pettibone Park — a chance to build mutual trust and understanding, and for international students to experience a staple of Midwestern culture. “The ice fishing program is […]

  6. UWL grads help fuel Kwik Trip’s workforce

    Photo of UWL graduates, particularly those in the sciences, who are critical to Kwik Trip's recruiting efforts in food safety and related fields. This talent pipeline would be strengthened, Kwik Trip leaders say, through the completion of UWL's Prairie Springs Science Center.

    Science alums ‘incredibly important’ for company’s recruiting needs Kwik Trip fuels our vehicles and a large section of the Midwestern economy. The La Crosse-based company owns and operates more than 800 stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan, with nearly 500 alone in Wisconsin.   But what fuels Kwik Trip? It’s the people, says Kwik Trip Vice President Steve Loehr. And […]

  7. Distinctive dress: UWL alum starts business for those with special needs

    Photo of Sarah Burch, ’10, center, started working with individuals with special needs when she volunteered at Special Olympics while attending UWL. She has created Enrich Each Other Apparel, a clothing line that provides meaningful employment opportunities and job skills training to individuals with disabilities alongside peers without disabilities.

    An athlete all her life, Sarah Burch thought about adding coaching to her teaching plans. Instead, she called an audible that not only sparked an interest in working with those with disabilities, but eventually a special clothing business to help them.  Burch started working with individuals with special needs when she volunteered at Special Olympics […]

  8. Reptile read: UWL alum authors book detailing state’s turtles, frogs and more

    Photo of Josh Kapfer, ’99 & ’02, who is the co-author and primary editor “Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin,” a new book offering a detailed look at these organisms. Kapfer is a professor and certified wildlife biologist at UW-Whitewater.

    Growing up in Stoughton, Wisconsin, Josh Kapfer always had an intense interest in wildlife — particularly amphibians and reptiles.  Like many, his first wildlife experiences were capturing turtles and frogs he found outside.    “I also really liked dinosaurs as a kid, and in my young, naïve mind, the closest living thing to a dinosaur was […]

  9. Fantastic fellows: Community Engaged Fellowships a win-win for students, nonprofits

    Photo of UWL's inaugural Community Engaged Fellows (from left to right): Avery Frankl, Gretta Kraus and Samantha Meister. All three say their fellowship experience has provided many valuable lessons.

    As a senior management major, Avery Frankl is getting a solid education at UW-La Crosse. However, Frankl knows that not everything can be learned in the classroom. That’s why she jumped at the chance to participate in UWL’s new Community Engaged Fellowship program, which provides students with high-impact learning opportunities at local nonprofit organizations. “Whereas […]

  10. Back to school: Retirees enjoy opportunity to hit the books — at no cost

    Photo of Linda Kastantin, ’91, who is one of many Wisconsin residents 60 or older taking advantage of a state program that allows them to audit college classes for free. Kastantin is auditing a constitutional law course at UWL — something she has always wanted to do.

    Retirees enjoy opportunity to hit the books — at no cost Linda Kastantin has always wanted to learn more about constitutional law. Now the retired clinic manager from Gundersen Health System has the time. So, she’s heading back to her alma mater — UW-La Crosse — to learn all about it.  Kastantin is one of […]