Campus Connection

Morgan named interim provost at UW-La Crosse

UW-L Professor Betsy Morgan has been named Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Fair Trade sale set for Nov. 28-29

With the holiday season approaching, several student organizations are promoting an alternative to holiday shopping — a Fair Trade Sale.

Sounds of the season

Celebrate the holiday season with UW-L bands and choirs. Five upcoming UW-L concerts feature traditional carols, new yuletide music and some of UW-L’s new directing talent.

Campus Connection schedule for balance of 2011

The Campus Connection will be published the following remaining Mondays in 2011:

• Dec. 5 -- Deadline to submit information is noon Wednesday, Nov. 30
• Dec. 12 -- Deadline to submit information is noon Wednesday, Dec. 7

The Campus Connection will resume publication Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. The deadline to submit information is noon Wednesday, Dec. 28. Be sure to email information for submission or to refer questions to connectx@uwlax.edu. — Thank you. Campus Connection Editor Sue Lee, University Communications [caption id="attachment_7926" align="alignright" width="300" caption="This is the architect’s rendering of the new campus ministry building being constructed at the corner of Pine and 14th streets. The building will feature a coffee bar with sandwiches and snacks open to the public."][/caption] New ministry center going up

Center will house Lutheran Campus Ministry, Crossroads

A new building will combine two long-time campus ministries — and offer another java and lunch stop. Lutheran Campus Ministry is heading up construction of a new center on the corner of Pine and 14th streets, across the street from the residence hall parking lot between Angel Hall and the Health Science Center. Construction began in early November. “We’re excited to offer this new facility at a location that will be so readily available to many more students and staff than our current location,” says Rev. Paul Petersen. “This new building will help us open our ministry door to all, whether they consider themselves religious or not.” The building is cooperative venture of the Lutheran Campus Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Crossroads United Campus Ministry that represents the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, Episcopal Church, American Baptist Church and United Church of Christ. Along with serving UW-L students, the center will reach out to those from Western Technical College and Viterbo University. The ministries swapped their current locations, the corners of State and 17th streets, for the lot where the $1million center is being constructed. All but $90,000 has been raised by local congregations and parishioners. A new feature for the ministries at the new location will be a coffee bar with sandwiches and snacks on the first floor that will be open to the public. That area will also serve as meeting and worship space. And, the building will contain ministry offices and a five-bedroom apartment. The facility is expected to open by the end of January. Film on homeless LGBT Milwaukee-area youth to be shown Nov. 30 A film that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender homeless young adults in the Milwaukee area will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, in 337 Cartwright Center. "Out of Respect: A Story of Five" by Tess Gallun captures the social resistance and family-neglect that several homeless young adults face, as well as their strength to overcome constant adversity. For accommodations to the free showing, call 785.8874.

Folktale created by UW-L students to be featured at Dec. 2 colloquium presentation

Students in the "World Literatures: Migrations of Folklore" class created the folktale that will be featured at the next English Department's William J. and Yvonne Hyde Colloquium Series presentation. "Triplets, Sidewalk Chalk, and Squirrels: A UW-L Folktale" will be presented from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in 113 Wimberly Hall. It features squirrels, sidewalk chalk and a princess in distress. The event is free and open to the public. To arrange for disability accommodations, email english@uwlax.edu or call 785.8295. For more information click here. Album Encounters multimedia light and laser show set for Dec. 2; 'Winter Wonders' presented throughout December Visit the university Planetarium in 18 Cowley Hall for UW-L’s Album Encounters at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. The multimedia light and laser show features Rolling Stones’ “Leed Guitars … T.V. Stars.” Admission is $3. The Planetarium will also present “Winter Wonders” at 1 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Admission is $2 for students and $3 for others. To find out more, contact Bob Allen at allen.robe@uwlax.edu or 785.8669. Find out more about the Planetarium. UW-L’s popular Swinging Yuletide concert is Dec. 3 Celebrate the holiday season with UW-L music groups at the popular Swinging Yuletide Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, UW-L Jazz Ensembles, and the LaX Jazz4tet join to play big band and vocal jazz holiday favorites during the annual event at Valhalla, Cartwright Center–Gunning Addition. This year’s performance marks the return of “The Nutcracker Suite” from the Les Brown Orchestra. Other selections include those from American Jazz Musician Glenn Miller, Big Phat Band, The Airmen of Note, and a number of new and seasoned artists. Cabaret seating and beverage service is available. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also make an appearance. For tickets call 785.8415. Tickets are first come, first serve. General admission is $5 for students and $10 for others. Reserved seating is $20. If you go — What: Swinging Yuletide Concert When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 Where: Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Tickets: Call 785.8415. General admission is $5 for students and $10 for others. Reserved seating is $20.

Deadline to register for Dodgefest is Nov. 29

There's still time to enter a team in Dodgefest before the 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, deadline, says UW-L graduate student Katie Ulezelski who is helping organize the Western Technical College/Viterbo University event. Dodgefest is an annual dodgeball tournament to raise funds for the Place of Grace Charity and the Mathy Boys and Girls Club. The tournament begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Viterbo's Mathy Center and is open to anyone 18 years old. There is a $20 team registration fee. To find out more and to register, click here or call 796.3126.  

Films exploring effects of pornographic messages and sex and alcohol to be shown week of Dec. 5

The Violence Prevention Office and Wellness Resource Center are presenting a week of film showings and discussions. View and discuss the film "The Price of Pleasure" and explore how pornographic messages help shape gender and sexual identities and affect relationships. The film will be shown and discussed at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 5 and 6, in 2211 Centennial Hall. View and talk about "Spin the Bottle: Sex, Lies, and Alcohol" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, in 1400 Centennial Hall. The video looks at the phenomena of sex and alcohol in everyday society. Free popcorn and beverages will be served at the showings. Psychology Club collecting donations for New Horizons UW-L's Psi Chi Psychology Club is collecting paper products and nonperishable food items to donate to New Horizons. Paper products needed include toilet paper, paper towels, tissues and napkins. Drop off donations until Wednesday, Dec. 7, in the Psychology Department, 335 Graff Main Hall. [caption id="attachment_7039" align="alignright" width="134" caption="Kathleen Enz Finken"][/caption]

Farewell reception for Kathleen Enz Finken set for Dec. 12

A farewell reception for Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Kathleen Enz Finken will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, in the Cameron Hall of Nations, Centennial Hall. Enz Finken is leaving UW-L to become provost at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Her last day on campus will be Tuesday, Dec. 20. Enz Finken came to UW-L in May 2008 from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. During her time as the leader of Academic Affairs, 75 new faculty and 20 new staff positions were added as part of the Growth, Quality and Access Initiative. Enz Finken served as the interim director of the School of Education and established the Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning with eight staff members. She also developed mission and vision statements, and initiated and served on various task forces and committees, including the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creativity and an Academic Affairs Task Force to assess Graduate Education. She also helped develop various initiatives including the Inclusive Excellence Initiative, a university-wide, longterm initiative to support and maintain an excellent campus climate, and enhance recruitment and retention of faculty, staff and students. "Those who had the pleasure of working closely with Kathleen agree that she is an outstanding leader and mentor," says Bob Hoar, Academic Affairs and Mathematics. "She has a truly amazing work ethic and a great sense of humor and she will be missed."

Fall 2011 Peerspectives now available online

Fall 2011 Peerspectives is now available online. Click here to download PDF.

Campus completes United Way campaign

More than $5,500 raised

Thanks to UW-L faculty, staff and retirees more people in the Coulee Region will LIVE UNITED! Forty-eight employees and retirees pledged $5,636.50 to this year's Great Rivers United Way as of Nov. 22. The Great Rivers United Way funds more than 60 programs in Houston, Trempealeau, Monroe, Vernon and La Crosse counties. Programs range from area disaster relief to credit counseling. If you would still like to make a donation, send your pledge or donation to University Communications, 115 Graff Main Hall, or directly to United Way. Thank you to all who donated and made this year's drive a success! Those donating will receive special coupons for a discount from the University Bookstore. Campus coordinators were Sara Olson, Advancement; Brad Quarberg, University Communications; and Al Trapp, UW-L Foundation.

Travel grants help UW-L students attend WCPA annual conference

Fourteen students in UW-L's Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education graduate program attended the Wisconsin College Student Personnel Association Annual Conference at the Wilderness Resort Oct. 20-21. Twelve of them were awarded travel grants to attend by the Graduate Studies Office, including Richard Anderson, Jennifer Buelow, Colin Burns-Gilbert, Kara Good, Lucas Graff, Jessica Hacker, Kelsey Michels, Anna Morgan, Abby Novak, Miranda Panzer, William Werb and Collin Zimmerman. Eight of the students formed two of the teams in a case study competition, taking first and second place. First-place winners were Kara Good, Abby Novak, Miranda Panzer and Colin Zimmerman. Second-place winners were Jennifer Buelow, Colin Burns-Gilbert, Lucas Graff and Anna Morgen. "The experience was priceless for the students," Mary Beth Vahala, SAA organization adviser, says."Based on the many conversations I have had with the students, they each personally took away new information and ideas that they intend to share on campus in the areas where they have assistantships.” The students have shared the information from the sessions with fellow students at an SAA organization meeting.   Ray Block Jr., Political Science/Public Administration, recently won a College of Liberal Studies (CLS) Small Grant to fund the research project "The Obama Books Boom, Revisited: Understanding America's Fascination With Books Written by, Related to, or Endorsed by Its 44 President." Mark W. Chavalas, History, spoke on "Women in Law in Ancient Syria: The Context for Women in Mosaic Law," at an L' Abri Christian Fellowship event, in Rochester, Minn., Nov. 18. Joseph Johnson, Educational Studies, along with Robert Reid, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, published "Teacher's Guide to ADHD," 2011, Guilford Press. Carol K. Oyster, Psychology, coedited the book "The Encyclopedia of Women in Today's World" with Mary Zeiss Stange, Skidmore College. The book, published by Sage, was awarded the 2011 booklist Editors Choice award by Booklist Magazine. Gary L. Willhite, Educational Studies, had his book review of "Teaching With Vision: Culturally Responsive Teaching in a Standards Based Classroom" (2011) published in the November 2011 issue of Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries.  

Two open forums to be held this week to meet HR director candidates

There will be two open forums to meet two candidates on campus this week for the Human Resources director position. The candidates and open forums are:

• Rich Petro — 1-2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, Hall of Nations, Centennial Hall
• Laurie Textor — 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, Port O’ Call, Cartwright Center–Gunning Addition

There will be two more open forums for candidates on campus next week. For the schedule and for more information, see http://www.uwlax.edu/af/DirectorofHumanResources.htm.     [caption id="attachment_7961" align="alignright" width="288" caption="From left, Honorary Golden Key member Kaye Schendel, and Golden Key officers Kristine Peterson, David Schimenz and Katie Dercks, with donations at the Campus Food Pantry. Thanks to residence hall donors for trick-or-treat for cans contributions."][/caption] Carla Burkhardt, College of Science and Health; and Cecilia Manrique, Political Science/Public Administration; together with the officers of the Golden Key International Honor Society, thank the residence halls donors who participated in, and contributed to trick-or-treat for cans. The boxes full of canned goods and food were brought to the Involvement Center for the Campus Food Pantry. Thank you for your generosity.

Lost and found

Found a Chevrolet key Nov. 21. Claim in 103 Center for the Arts.