Campus Connection

Alum funds scholarship after successful IT career

At UWL in the early ’70s, Gregory Staat developed life goals, perspective and preparation for a career in the computer industry’s early years. He graduated in three years in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science honors degree in business administration and computer science That’s why Staat, a successful IT professional turned entrepreneur, decided to give back to UWL with an estate gift. He and his wife, Carolyn, set up The Gregory A. Staat Endowed Scholarship Fund that will provide scholarships to future UWL computer science majors. [caption id="attachment_50697" align="alignright" width="237"] Greg Staat pictured in the 1974 La Crosse yearbook. Image courtesy Murphy Library, Special Collections, UWL.[/caption] Staat came to campus as a recent veteran of the U.S. Air Force with experience working with early computers on classified military projects. Those computers were very large-filled with vacuum tubes and housed within large buildings. His military experience and encouragement from UWL professors led him to use his degree to enter the business world where computers were becoming smaller, faster and more accurate — providing great career opportunities. “The first five years out of college, I saw a rapid career advancement,” says Staat,’74, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “My UWL education along with my extracurricular activities provided the right career foundation.” Staat was profiled in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges,” an annual publication of outstanding students nationwide. In college he was a member of Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, Professional Business Fraternity, Homecoming Committee, Student Senate and UWL Veterans Club. This story appeared in the summer 2017 Lantern alumni magazine. Read the issue.