Campus Connection

Graduate recalls roadblocks, plans future helping others navigate them With a graduate degree in hand, Ryan Nell prepares for a future helping students navigate the sometimes bumpy transition into college life. Read more »

In this issue: Announcements & Notices Campus Kudos Human Resources In The News Organization for Campus Women Physical Wellness Classifieds

Honoring dedicated mentors to UW-L teacher candidates UW-L Alum Janelle Laufenberg welcomes a new group of about 30 middle school students into her Spanish class every 40 minutes. So it’s no surprise that she’s appreciative of help from a UW-L teacher candidate. Read more »	Chancellor’s selfie is a hit at graduation ceremony College students throughout the country were asked to tuck away their smartphones as they crossed the commencement stage. UW-L Chancellor Gow did the opposite — snapping a selfie at both UW-L graduation ceremonies. Read more »
UW-L Statistical Consulting Center expands to serve off-campus clients Area businesses and organizations looking for help making data-based decisions can now find it at UW-L. Services are also available to on-campus clients. Read more »	New course documents untold La Crosse history Class registration is now open to community members. Read more »
National History Day concluding another successful year Six history projects from the region will represent Western Wisconsin in the National History Day finals in College Park, Md., June 15-19. Read more »	View photos of the Alumni Awards & Reception Four UW-L graduates were named the university’s top alumni for 2014 and six graduating seniors were also recognized for their academic achievement during the Alumni Awards & Reception Friday, May 9. Read more »

UW-L recent grads exhibit artwork at Murphy Library

Show featuring photography, paintings runs through Sept. 10 [caption id="attachment_34354" align="alignright" width="300"] Megan Jensen pictured with her exhibit.[/caption] Two recent UW-L graduates will exhibit their artwork in Murphy Library through September. Megan Jensen, a December 2013 graduate, and Natalie Renier, a May 2014 graduate, will show photography and paintings on the second floor of Murphy Library. “Irish Eyes” and “H²O: An Autobiography” are extensions of the library’s “Art in the Mug” program. Jensen and Renier were selected to exhibit based on the strength of their portfolios and submitted proposals. Jensen’s show, “Irish Eyes,” contains 30 photographs documenting her study abroad experience to Ireland. She describes the show:

“Irish Eyes is a photographic series that captures the wonder I felt while traveling abroad for the first time. Ireland is a place full of life and beauty different from anything I have experienced before. The photographs in this series include images of ancient architecture, local culture, and natural landscapes. With focus on framing, perspective, and portraiture, these color prints feature big-picture subject matter as well as the smaller, detailed elements that I will never forget."

Megan remains in La Crosse since graduating to continue creating work. Her most recent studies have been pushing the boundaries of personal adornment and art photography. She is considering pursuing a master of fine arts. [caption id="attachment_34351" align="alignleft" width="300"] Natalie Renier pictured with her artwork.[/caption] Renier’s exhibition, funded by a university undergraduate research grant, is titled “H²O: An Autobiography.” The exhibition documents her recent exploration of water-based art processes. Renier uses art and science to tell the story of and scrutinize relationships with water. Renier describes her show:

“We see right through what we are most dependent on, taking water’s natural beauty for granted. Breaking water down into its simplest form reveals the unique properties that arise from hydrogen bonds making life on earth possible. My research investigates the story of water through the dual lenses of art and science.”

A biology major with minors in art and chemistry, Renier plans to continue exploring the connection between art and science through a career in scientific illustration.Learn more about the Art in the Mug series.

Campus sidewalk repair begins May 19

Contractors will begin replacement of the sidewalks west and north of Laux Hall Monday, May 19. The work is scheduled to be completed by June 4. The campus is coordinating with the City of La Crosse to close one northbound lane on East Avenue to replace storm drain inlets, curb and gutter. The plan is to keep one northbound lane open at all times. Contractors will also be replacing the sidewalk north of Morris Hall beginning May 19, with completion by June 4. Contact Doug Pearson at dpearson@uwlax.edu or Kim Tiber at ktiber@uwlax.edu with any questions or concerns.

Demolition of former Police Service Building starts May 23

Demolition of the former Police Services Building, located in the northeast corner of lot C-3, will begin on Friday, May 23. Demolition of this building is necessary to prepare the site for the new Student Center, which is scheduled to begin construction this fall. Contact Doug Pearson at dpearson@uwlax.edu or Scott Schumacher at sschumacher@uwlax.edu with questions.

Self-Sufficiency Program celebrates 25 years with thank you social

In celebration of its 25-year history, Self-Sufficiency Program Director Andrea Hansen, photo left, led a program thanking those involved with SSP. The open house was May 15 at the home of Elise Deninger; Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and UW-L faculty emeritus James Parker. Bonnie Pickett, photo right, was honored for her 10 years of service to the program, sharing her writing expertise to help SSP participants hone their writing skills to prepare for college. UW-L faculty emerita Nelda Manter, who was the program's first math tutor under the program's first director, faculty emerta Bets Reedy, also attended. SSP is a free, one-semester program that offers low-income parents an opportunity to discover their academic and career potential. The class meets one or two evenings per week in La Crosse during the fall and spring semester. Free childcare is available on-site during every class. See more photos of the event at http://goo.gl/ntxdMZ. Find out more about SSP at www.uwlax.edu/ssp/. Michael Current, Murphy Library, was a featured interviewee in the April 24, 2014 episode of "ANTIC, The Atari 8-Bit Podcast," a monthly retro-computing podcast. Episode 10 can be found here. Lisa Jicinsky, Coate Hall Director, Student Affairs, had her article "The Online Student Staff Training Experience: A Pilot Year" published in the Summer 2014, Volume 50, Issue 2 of the UMR-ACUHO "Perspectives" magazine.