Campus Connection

Chancellor’s address highlights challenges and opportunities

In the next couple years, the UW-La Crosse community will see new faces in key leadership positions and watch new building projects get off the ground.

UW-L alum Reed Grimm wows ‘American Idol’ judges

Reed Grimm is going to Hollywood! Grimm, who studied music and philosophy at UW-L, wowed the judges during an audition on the 11th season of “American Idol” Thursday night on FOX TV.

UW-L chief information officer brings his home country 21st century tools

In Sudan young people are driven to earn a college degree and embark on successful careers, but the country’s lack of 21st century technology makes that goal nearly impossible. Read how UW-L's chief information officer is volunteering with a United Nations program to make a difference.

Walk-in hours available at Academic Advising Center Jan. 23-27

The Academic Advising Center has walk-in hours — no appointment is necessary — Jan. 23-27 for students with general questions about their academic progress and plans. Advisers are available from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Academic Advising Center is located on the first floor in Centennial Hall. For more information click here or call 785.6950.

Open forums for SAH dean finalists begin Jan. 24

The campus community is invited to attend open forums to meet the College of Science and Health dean finalists. The open forums will be from 11 a.m.-noon in Port 'O Call, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Here is the schedule:

• Bruce Riley — Tuesday, Jan. 24
• Don Marshall — Friday, Jan. 27
• Kirsten Fleming — Tueday, Jan. 31
• Mark Anderson — Friday, Feb. 3

For more information on the candidates, click here. For more information about the search, click here. [caption id="attachment_8896" align="alignright" width="184" caption="David Suzuki and Sarika"][/caption]

Year of Sustainability series starts Jan. 26

For the past 30 years, geneticist and science broadcaster, David Suzuki, host of CBC's "The Nature of Things," has been warning television audiences around the world about the dangers of taking nature for granted. He has urged us to change our consumer lifestyles and to put brakes on an economic system that values unlimited growth above all other considerations. The film "The Suzuki Diaries" takes a different path. The film will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in Port O' Call, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Admission is free. Larry Sleznikow, Academic Technology Services, and Rachel Slocum, Earth Science, will lead a discussion after the film. "The Suzuki Diaries" follows Suzuki and his youngest daughter, Sarika, as they travel to Europe to explore what a sustainable future might look like, and to see if two different generations can find reason for hope. As they travel through Germany, Denmark, France and Spain, father and daughter begin to see what is possible as they meet the people who are working toward restoring the equilibrium between human needs and planetary limits. If you go— What: The Suzuki Diaries When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 Where: Port O' Call, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition Admission: Free

Broadcast Club to meet Jan. 24

UW-L's Broadcast Club oversees UWL's student-run internet radio station, RAQ Radio. Students host music shows, talk programs and sports commentary. Students interested in hosting a show or helping the station should attend the Broadcast Club meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, in 205 Wing Technology Center. The club will discuss RAQ Radio programs and new opportunities for shows, and will elect RAQ staff positions. No prior radio experience is necessary. RAQ staff provides training. For more information contact club co-advisers Maureen McCollum at mmccollum@uwlax.edu or 785.8985 or Patricia Turner at pturner@uwlax.edu or 785.8369. Computer security training session to be held Jan. 27 A training session on computer security will kick off the Division of Administration & Finance Spring 2012 Training Series. UW-L's Information Security Officer Jim Treu will lead the session on data security, appropriate use of computing resources, passwords, privacy and other computer security topics. The free session runs from noon-1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, in 102 Wing Technology Center and is open to UW-L faculty, staff and students. A session on DigiCopy and printing services will be Friday, Feb. 3. A session on Campus Parking Services will be Friday, Feb. 10. For more information contact Nizam Arain at narain@uwlax.edu or 785.6494. Jeans Day is Jan. 27 UW-L is one of many local organizations that participate in the monthly “Jeans Day” sponsored by the La Crosse Tribune. One or two local charities or organizations are designated each month to receive our donations. In return for a $1 (suggested donation), UW-L employees may wear jeans to work Friday, Jan. 27. In December UW-L raised $91 for La Crosse Citizen Advocacy and the Alzheimer's Association Greater Wisconsin Chapter. The charities receiving January contributions are:

• Coulee Region Literacy — offers free one-on-one tutoring for adults who need reading help. Coulee Region Literacy has tutored adults in La Crosse, Vernon and parts of Monroe counties for more than 30 years.
• Friends of the La Crosse Library — influence the gift of books and other materials, desirable collections, endowments and bequests to the library through ways approved by the La Crosse Library Board of Trustees. Friends help make funds available for special needs beyond the library budget.

Building contacts for Jeans Day Drop $1 donations off with one of the following building contacts:

• Cindy Curran, 212 Cartwright
• Laurie Collison, 4206 Centennial Hall
• Laurie Malloney, Cleary Alumni & Friends Center
• Karen Ott, 2004 Cowley Hall
• Carol Beckerjeck, Eagle Hall
• Pa Moua-Yang, 115 Graff Main Hall
• Kathy Olson, 203 Mitchell Hall
• Chandra Hawkins, 220 Morris Hall
• Ingrid Iverson, 107 Murphy Library
• Ann Reman, Physical Plant
• Karen Kindschy, Student Health Center
• Vickie Bain, 120 Wimberly Hall
• Josh Kraft, 162 Wing

If there is not a contact in your building, you can forward your donation to Vickie Bain, Jeans Day Coordinator, SBDC, 120 Wimberly Hall. If you would like to be a building contact, call Bain at 785.8646 or email vbain@uwlax.edu. Planetarium to debut release of CD Jan. 26; Album Encounters multimedia light and laser show set for Jan. 27

Visit the university Planetarium at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in 18 Cowley Hall to help celebrate the release of BoyleSoundtArt’s new CD “Auberhalb Der Wurmloch.” Admission is $3.

UW-L’s Album Encounters multimedia light and laser show at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, features Muse’s “Resistance.” Pink Floyd’s “Animals” will be featured Friday, Feb. 3. Admission is $2 for students and $3 for others. UW-L's Planetarium public programs begin with "Journey to the Stars."  The program begins at 1 p.m. Saturdays Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25, in 20 Cowley Hall. Admissions is $2 for students, $3 for others. To find out more, contact Bob Allen at allen.robe@uwlax.edu or 785.8669. Find out more about the Planetarium. Self-Sufficiency Program spring classes begin Jan. 31; applications being accepted UW-L's award-winning Self-Sufficiency Program is a free, one-semester evening program to help low-income adults be successful college students. Applications are being accepted for classes beginning Tuesday, Jan. 31. Free child-care is provided. The program includes classes to:

• Learn how to apply for college admission and financial aid
• Practice college-level work in a supportive setting
• Discover academic and career potential
• Create an education and life plan

To find out more and to apply visit www.uwlax.edu/ssp. Abstracts for student research and creativity celebration due Feb. 29 Students who want to participate in UW-L’s 15th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creativity Friday, April 13, need to submit abstracts of their work to www.uwlax.edu/urc/Presenting/Events/celebration.html by Wednesday, Feb. 29. Students present their findings from 8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. in Cartwright Center in the form of oral, poster and creative displays. Both undergraduate and graduate students present the results of their research and creative projects related to their field of study. Help spread the word and encourage student participation. The Office of Undergraduate Research and Creativity coordinates the event. [caption id="attachment_8862" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Jabali Afrika quartet will perform at UW-L Wednesday, Feb. 1."][/caption]

Jabali Afrika music and dance quartet to perform at UW-L Feb. 1

The Jabali Afrika quartet will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Admission is $2 for UW-L students, $4 for UW-L employees, and $6 for others. Tickets are $2 more on the day of the performance. Jabali Afrika is a dynamic musical quartet from Kenya that combines the past and present. Their award-winning, innovative mélange of traditional spirituals and rock-reggae arrangements are a pillar of world music festivals and college concerts worldwide. The program is part of the university’s Campus Activities Board 2011-12 series. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact the Cartwright Center Information Counter at 785.8898 or visit www.uwlax.edu/cab. If you go— Who: Jabali Afrika What: Dance and Music group When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 Where: Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition Admission: $2 for UW-L students, $4 for UW-L employees and $6 for others. Tickets are $2 more the day of the show. Pre-med advising session planned for Feb. 13 A pre-med advising session will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in 156 Cowley Hall. The event will be held each spring semester. Attendance is required at one of these sessions prior to graduation for those who plan to use the services of the Pre-medicine Committee. For more information about pre-med advising and the Pre-medicine Committee, see www.uwlax.edu/sah/premed/.   Rafique Ahmed, Geography/Earth Science, co-edited the book "Climate Change: Issues and Perspectives for Bangladesh,"published by Shahitya Prakash, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Three chapters were written by four prominent U.S. climate scientists, one by an Indian climate scientist, and the rest of the chapters by prominent Bangladeshi authors. Five chapters have global perspectives. The rest are specific to Bangladesh. Keith Beyer, Chemistry and Environmental Studies; chemistry major Christian Pearson; and alumnus Jason Schroeder, published "Solid/Liquid Phase Diagram of the Ammonium Sulfate/Malic Acid/Water System" in the Jan. 12 issue of the Journal of Physical Chemistry. The research was funded by a five-year grant from the National Science Foundation Atmospheric Chemistry program. Mark W. Chavalas, History, reviewed "Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom," Peter J. Leithart, (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2010), American Theological Inquiry 5/1 (2012) 117-118. Jon A. Hageseth, Student Affairs and Administration, published the first edition of the online Journal of Counselling and Development in Higher Education Southern Africa in January.  Hageseth is one of the associate editors for the new international journal sponsored by several South African universities.

Transfers

• Grant Herling, Custodian, Custodial Services, Jan. 15
• Patrick Timm, IS Technical Services Sr, Information Technology Services, Jan. 15

   

Thanks to those who donated to the OCW food drive; next pickup is Feb. 14

Thanks to everyone who brought non-perishable food items to the Chancellor's All-University Address Jan. 18. The campus community donated 170 items to UW-L’s Helping Our Own food pantry and helped kick off UW-L’s Organization for Campus Women “A Day of Giving” food drive. Bags and boxes labelled “A Day of Giving”  are available throughout campusfor those who want to donate non-perishable food items to the pantry. OCW members will pick up all donations Tuesday, Feb. 14.  

Books selected for spring semester

The OCW Book Club will meet at noon at Mc Caffrey’s Coffee, 1808 State St. The 2012 dates and book selections are: • Thursday, Jan. 26 – “Girl in Translation” by Jean Kwok • Tuesday, Feb. 21 – “Crossing Antarctica” by Will Steger (polar explorer and speaker at UW-L on Feb. 21, 2012) • Thursday, March 22 -“Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Vengese • Tuesday, April 24 – “The Plague Tales” by Ann Benson Participation is open to all faculty, staff and students.     LaMont “Monte” Eide died Jan. 10. Eide worked in UW-L's heating plant and in Maintenance for more than 30 years. He retired in 2009. To see Eide's obituary, click here.    

For rent

Cute one-bedroom apartment, available immediately. One mile from campus, second floor walk up, off-street parking. $450/month, includes all utilities. Call 608.385.0484.