Campus Connection

Foundation announces leadership change — and more

The UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation has a new leader.

Allison Ziegelman, ’07, has been selected to serve as interim Foundation president and vice chancellor for Advancement. She succeeds Greg Reichert, who has transitioned into a new role as assistant vice chancellor for Marketing and Communication after a 14-year tenure with the Foundation.

In a message to the campus community in April, current Provost and then interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan thanked Reichert for his stewardship of the Foundation and the strides the organization has made in supporting students through philanthropy.

Reichert has cited health as a key factor in his decision and hopes to eventually relocate to Nebraska to be closer to family.

“My sincere appreciation to Greg for his 14-year commitment to UWL,” Morgan said. “Of particular note is his leadership in the alignment of the Foundation with the Alumni Association, which has resulted in a stronger organization. He is also known for transparent fiscal management and a noted increase in scholarship support for students.”

Ziegelman, who previously served as executive director of development, looks to continue the Foundation’s recent momentum.

In the past several years, the Foundation has launched an annual giving day that continues to grow in popularity, adopted a more effective organizational structure, and secured many substantial gifts that are already making a difference in students’ lives.

This work has put the university in a better position than ever to sustain and strengthen the La Crosse Experience.

Five are distinguished alumni

The UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation awarded graduates from the ’80s through 2015 its top alumni awards for 2024. They were honored for distinguished service and successful careers.  

The distinguished alumni returned to campus Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21, to speak with students, take part in a panel discussion and be formally recognized during a ceremony and brunch.   

Learn more about this year’s honorees: 

Graff Distinguished Alumni Award  

Ronald Sentwali Bakari, Ph.D. ’82 & ’90  

• Vice President of Student Affairs at Adelphi University in New York  
• Previous winner of the Parker Distinguished Multicultural Alumni Award (2010)  
• Has held numerous leadership roles in higher education across the country, from New York to Colorado to Iowa  
• Assistant director and director of UWL’s Office of Multicultural Student Services (1990-96).  

Read the full story.

Altman Teacher Education Award 

Jeanne Halderson, ’92 & ’97  

• Seventh grade English language arts and social studies teacher at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse (1992-present)  
• Highly accomplished teacher and educational leader dedicated to enhancing education for all children and striving to positively impact students, educators and the community through creativity, collaboration and innovation.  

Read the full story. 

Parker Distinguished Multicultural Alumni Award 

Vickie Sanchez, ’07  

• Director of UWL's Office of Multicultural Student Services  
• Nearly two decades of experience in student affairs with a focus on equity, diversity at two UW campuses, UWL (2005-2011, 2022-present) and UW-Stout (2011-2022)  
• Dedicated to recruiting, retaining and developing intercultural programming for BIPOC (Black, indigenous and other people of color)  

Read the full story. 

Rada Distinguished Alumni Award 

Amanda McAllister Novak, ’12  

• Associate Attorney at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, Data Privacy & Cybersecurity (2020-present)  
• Avid volunteer for the Red Cross, Advocates for Human Rights, Native American Service Project and many more.  

Read the full story. 

Morgan Improving Lives Alumni Award 

Shaundel Spivey, ’12 & ’15  

• Executive director of Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (2021-present)  
• Director of UWL Upward Bound (2020-21)  
• Member of the Board of Education for the School District of La Crosse (2019-22).  

Read the full story.

Nominate deserving alumni  

Nominate deserving UWL alumni for the university’s Distinguished Alumni Awards by filling out the nomination form. The Alumni & Friends Foundation will contact nominees.  

Nominations are accepted throughout the year but must be received by Oct. 1 to be considered for the award the following year.

How the Foundation made a difference in 2024