Campus Connection

Web Coordinator Maren Walz opens the door to campus worldwide carrying the UWL banner. Walz tells friends that when she became the university’s web coordinator in 2010, she thought she was coming to UWL to paint the house maroon. “But it turns out, my job was to ask the village if they might all be willing to paint their houses maroon,” she explains. Walz, who had previously worked in the corporate world, was quickly introduced to shared governance. That difference from the private workforce didn’t slow her down. She built cohesion and eventually oversaw the migration of 15,000 webpages into a unified content management system in a year — something that typically takes up to five years. Walz attributes that progress to her University Communications colleagues, who assisted with deciphering code, developing a branding identity and effectively telling the university’s story. “Of all the amazing challenges that have been presented, the greatest has been to articulate the value of presenting our village as a strong, cohesive community,” she says. “I’m just one piece in the big puzzle of what people are seeing and proud about.” College life greatly impacted Walz, and she kept an eye open for opportunities to return to a collegiate setting professionally. “It’s such a transformative time in our life,” she explains. “I realized it’s not just professors who have that impact, but staff as well. I wanted to be part of that.” Now, Walz heads an army of 300+ Web editors across campus. The work is important — the sites often serve as the first impression for the more than 20 million hits www.uwlax.edu gets annually. “The Web team tries to support these editors in sharing their story online,” she says. Walz didn’t expect to be nominated for the Academic Staff Excellence Award, which typically recognizes those who’ve had many years of service. It was uncomfortable for her to “boast” about her half decade on campus, but she completed the application to honor her nominator. She was especially humbled to receive the award. “I was surprised and honored,” Walz says. The Maren Walz file

• Web Coordinator since 2010. Previously market research coordinator, technical writer and Web editor in private industry.
• Bachelor of arts in education, sociology and psychology, UW-Parkside.
• Campus service: Academic Staff Council representative, Inclusive Excellence Strategic Planning Committee, Information Security Committee.
• Community service: Church council vice president, parent school volunteer, webmaster for numerous non profits, UWL Choral Union.
• Fun Fact: Played rugby for 11 years following high school.

Academic staff to honor Walz Maren Walz, University Communications, will receive the 2015 Academic Staff Excellence Award during the annual Academic Staff Council Kickoff Meeting from 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, in the Cameron Hall of Nations, Centennial Hall. Friends and colleagues are welcome. The UW-La Crosse Academic Staff Excellence Award is given to an academic staff member who has excelled in performance and service. Excellence in performance is the primary criterion, but outstanding service to the campus community and beyond enhances a nomination. Award winners receive $750 in professional development funding. Recipients are selected by a committee of peers. Academic Staff Excellence Award recipients — 1994—Mary Torstveit 1995—Grace Smith 1996—Chris Bakkum 1997—June Reinert 1998—Jim Jorstad* 1999—Dianne Morrison and Larry Ringgenberg 2000—Jon Hageseth and Sara Slayton 2001— Brad Quarberg 2002—Nelda Manter and Lori Petersen 2003—Joe Chilsen and Deon Nontelle* 2004—Jan VonRuden 2005—Marcia Johnson-Sage 2006—Diane Schumacher 2007—Janie Spencer* 2008 — Hong Rost 2009 — Sue Wrobel 2010 — Debbie Veglahn 2011 — Karla Stanek 2012 — Carla Burkhardt 2013 — Mo McAlpine 2014 — Terry Wirkus 2015 — Maren Walz *Recipient of the UW?System Board of Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award the following year. Read more about the award at http://www.uwlax.edu/Academic-Staff-Council/Excellence-Award/