Campus Connection

The Campus Dames at UW-La Crosse voted to disband the organization in June. The organization for wives of university professors was organized Dec. 10, 1925.  Declining number of dues-paying members, sparse attendance at events and lack of members willing to assume leadership positions were reasons behind the group voting to disband. Historical records of the Campus Dames have been given to the University Archives at the Murphy Library Resource Center. Several existing interest groups of the organization plan to function on their own. The Campus Dames Legacy will continue through the Campus Dames Education Fund administered through the UW-La Crosse Foundation. Earnings from this fund are used for awarding scholarships annually on campus. The Campus Dames was organized to promote literacy and social interests of its members, along with assisting student life on campus. For years, members maintained the honor cords worn by students during commencement. The group published a cookbook to mark its 75th anniversary in 2001, with sales proceeds going to the fund for scholarships. Along with 400 recipes, the book contained historical information and photographs of the group. Despite the disbanding of the organization, those interested in supporting scholarships for students in honor of Campus Dames can make contributions to the fund by sending donations to the UW-La Crosse Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse.