Posted 9:06 p.m. Friday, June 15, 2012
This week's news and events.
Late evening fire causes smoke damage to UW-La Crosse’s Wittich Hall
A late evening fire has left smoke damage to the second oldest academic building on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus.UW-L’s 100 international partnerships prepare global citizens
A scholarship takes UW-L student Kaitlyn Banister to China for a year. The top three things Banister is looking forward to during her year abroad:- Climbing the Great Wall.
- Being culturally immersed in a city of 10 million people.
- Getting stuck in a bike jam instead of a traffic jam.
Enthusiasm + devotion to learning = teaching award
UW-L Associate Professor of Mathematics Jennifer Kosiak has earned a UW System teaching award. Kosiak has shown enthusiasm, creativity and devotion to learning. She wants to create new ways for her students to unravel the mystery of math.McNair Scholars Program makes doctoral dreams a reality for underrepresented students
UW-L graduate Elizabeth Lee had a dream of earning her doctoral degree. But her parents came to the United States as refugees after Vietnam War with little formal schooling and she had no one to turn to for guidance.MVAC offers youth classes and public field experiences this summer
The public is invited to join local archaeologists as they explore ancient cultures this summer.The new Miss Wisconsin is a UW-L student
Kate Gorman, who graduated from UW-L in May with a degree in communication studies, is the new Miss Wisconsin. She was crowned Saturday at Oshkosh West High School’s Civil Auditorium. Two fellow UW-L students were named runners up. First runner up, Kathryn Williams, 23, is also a UW-L graduate. Second runner-up Elizabeth Kramer, 22, is a current student. Read the La Crosse Tribune story.
UW-L places 28th in Directors' Cup standings
UW-L finished 28th in the 2011-12 Division III Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Division III standings released June 7.
The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's national finish in up to 18 sports — nine women's and nine men's.
The Eagles recorded 461.50 points while Middlebury College (Vt.) captured its first Directors' Cup in school history with 1,040.75. Washington University (Mo.) placed second with 980.25 points and Williams College (Mass.) was third with 964.50. Williams had captured 13 straight Directors' Cup titles through last year.
Read more at www.uwlathletics.com/news/2012/6/7/GEN_0607124205.aspx
Fritsch retires as men's cross country coach; Stanley named cross country head coach
UW-L's men's cross country coach Don Fritsch announced June 12 that he's retiring after 14 years at the helm of the Eagles' program. Derek Stanley has been named the new head coach of both the UW-L women's and men's cross country teams.
Fritsch retires as one of the most successful coaches in UW-L history. He was named UW-L's head coach in 1998 after serving six years as an assistant coach of both the cross country and track & field programs. Read more at www.uwlathletics.com/news/2012/6/11/MXC_0611121627.aspx
Along with serving as the head cross country coach, Stanley will be an assistant coach for the women's and men's track & field squads and will assist with athletic facilities. Stanley was an assistant men's cross country coach and assistant women's and men's track & field coach for the Eagles in 2011-12. Read more at www.uwlathletics.com/news/2012/6/11/MXC_0611124716.aspx
[caption id="attachment_12740" align="alignleft" width="175" caption="DuWayne Lesperance "]
[/caption]
Lesperance 'Celebration of Life' memorial events set for June 23
Two memorial "Celebration of Life" events for deceased UW-L art faculty member DuWayne Lesperance are set for Saturday, June 23. Lesperance, who taught sculpture and other art classes at UW-L from 1969-95, suffered from Alzheimer's and died Nov. 8, 2011. Services were held in Milwaukee Nov. 12. Lesperance showed his sculpture and paintings around the midwest during his long career as an artist. He was also a musician, playing with numerous local musicians. "Celebration of Life" events include art, music and food from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center, as well as a fundraiser concert for the Alzheimer's Association from 8 p.m.-midnight in the Grand Hotel Ballroom, 207 Pearl St. La Crosse area band Blind Baby Olin and the Workbenches are reuniting to perform. A $10 donation is suggested for the performance. Items are needed for a silent auction at the fundraiser. To contribute or for more information call 779.9770.Gertrude Salzer Gordon Jazz in the Park Concert Series with the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra continues
Two concerts remain after the June 17 Jazz in the Park Concert held in Riverside Park: • Friday, July 13 — 7:30 p.m. Crazy Daze Dance Party by the Pump House, King Street. (Rain site is Grand River Station). • Sunday, July 22 — 3 p.m. Riverside Jazz Party, featuring a special guest artist. (Rain site is Valhalla, UW-L Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition). For more about the series and the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, visit: www.lacrossejazzorchestra.com
James Longhurst, History, published the essay "The Frontiers of a Maturing Environmental History" in the journal History: Review of New Books.
Sheri Ross, Philosophy, presented "Feminist Aesthetics: A Brief Introduction" to Newhamn College's Women and Philosophy group at Cambridge University May 22. She also presented "Aesthetic Akrasia: A Paradox for Competent Judges and Feminist Art Critics Alike" to the autonomy group of philosophy faculty at Sidwick Site Cambridge University May 25.
Jörg Vianden, Student Affairs Administration, presented two research workshops at the national Assessment and Persistence Conference of NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education in Tampa, Fla., June 6-9. The workshops were "Investigating Predictors of Student Loyalty in Persistence Research" and "Critical Incidents in the Student-Institution Relationship: Implications for Retention Management."
New employee
- James Crawford, Groundskeeper, Landscape Services, Maintenance & Stores, June 18
Transfers
- Sue Hengel, Academic Department Associate, Marketing, June 17
- Jim Lawrence to Custodian in Residence Life (Drake Hall) June 17
- Karmin Van Domelen, University Services Associate 2, Campus Climate, June 17
Resignation
- Margaret Hylkema, Administrative Specialist, Institute for Professional Studies in Education, June 15
Tribute to Outstanding Women Award nominees sought
Nominations due July 2 UW-L's Organization of Campus Women Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the 2012 YWCA of the Coulee Region Tribute to Outstanding Woman award. The award recognizes and honors women from the Coulee Region who have demonstrated qualities of outstanding leadership and excellence in their professional and personal endeavors in accordance with the mission of the YWCA. Nominated women should reflect YWCA's mission: “YWCA of the Coulee Region is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women." The award criteria changed in 2009 to include more demonstrated involvement in the assistance in the elimination or reduction of racism. Nominees must be UW-L faculty, academic or classified staff. Awards will honor women’s contributions in the following areas: business/professions, health, education, Young Woman of Tomorrow (college student) and “other,” a category which has included: community development, social justice, sports, trailblazer and activist. Send nominations, along with a brief statement indicating why they are being nominated, by Monday, July 2, to Teri Talpe at ttalpe@uwlax.edu. No self-nominations will be accepted.