Campus Connection

Eagle Battalion is region’s best

A decade ago, UWL’s ROTC Eagle Battalion was in danger of being disestablished. 

On April 20, it was recognized as the best battalion in the Midwest’s Third Brigade — 42 military science programs in all college sizes in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. 

“This is a huge day for our program. This will be long remembered as the year we won the MacArthur Award,” says Lt. Col. Erik Archer, Military Science Department chair. “I’m OK foot-stomping that and being proud of that, because it was earned. It’s not a short-term thing. The power and the potency of this award is that it was earned through the long game. This award is for our cadets because they’ve done incredible things.” 

Archer attributes the Eagle Battalion’s success to its 70-plus cadets who have strong GPAs and physical training scores, and excel in competitive summer training and community service. Cadets in the battalion are also from Viterbo University and Winona (Minn.) State University.

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New collaboration boosts La Crosse as river studies leader

A new partnership means full steam ahead for UWL River Studies and water research.

The Mississippi River holds answers to numerous questions about freshwater bodies, invasive species, even climate change. But a lack of funding has hindered scientists’ abilities to research those answers. A community partnership funded through the La Crosse Community Foundation is changing that — and boosts La Crosse as a river studies hub.

The collaboration will produce academic, environmental and scientific benefits for years. Prairie Springs: The Paul Fleckenstein Trust has given nearly $500,000 to construct a new research vessel. La Crosse’s J.F. Brennan Co. will store, moor and maintain the vessel.

Be an advocate

The College of Science and Heath needs help in landing more advocates to promote Prairie Springs Science Center Completion/Cowley Hall Demolition project. Be part of the PSSCII Crew: uwlax.edu/pssc2crew

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New CBA Dean: Brooks takes the reins

TJ Brooks is dean of the College of Business Administration after filling the role on an interim basis for nearly two years. Brooks, selected after a national search, began April 1. 

“As the interim dean, I was always careful when working with faculty and staff to make decisions for the organization that didn't handcuff the next dean of the CBA,” Brooks says. “The thing I'm looking forward to the most is being able to take the handcuffs off and help the college make some important strategic decisions. Our future is bright, and I'm honored to be a part of it.” 

Brooks joined UWL in 1999 and was a professor and chair in the Economics and Finance departments. He became interim dean in August 2020, succeeding the retiring Laura Milner.

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In memory: Former chancellor Kenneth Lindner

Former chancellor Kenneth Lindner has died. Lindner, 99, died Dec. 4, 2021. 

Lindner joined the UWL Chemistry Department in 1956. He next served as head of Academic Affairs for the Wisconsin State University System in Madison.

Lindner returned to campus as president in 1971 and then chancellor. He was appointed Secretary of Administration under Gov. Lee Dreyfus in 1979. After four years he returned when the Board of Regents appointed him a Distinguished Professor. 

After retirement from the UW System, Lindner was provost at Texas Chiropractic College, president of Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut and interim president of Marycrest University, Iowa.

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