Campus Connection

UWL Foundation to award scholarships during week-long celebration

The love of La Crosse ran deep in Jeff Bloxdorf. He and his wife, Lisa, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary here. Jeff, affectionately known as “Blox,” also organized an annual weekend get together for his college friends that included a golf tournament and traditional stops around town for about 35 years. Jeff unexpectedly died at the age of 57, but the tradition he worked so hard to maintain continues, because of the friendships he built. At the 2015 event, the group raised more than $25,000 to endow a scholarship in his name — the Jeff Bloxdorf Memorial Scholarship for future UWL finance students. The Jeff Bloxdorf Memorial Scholarship is one of many scholarships to be awarded through the UWL Foundation during the first-ever Eagle Excellence Week, April 24-29. The week-long celebration recognizes the accomplishments of UWL students while distributing scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year. A series of events will highlight hundreds of students and the excellence they have achieved in the classroom and the community. Honoring a friend The Jeff Bloxdorf Memorial Scholarship is for future UWL finance students. It honors Jeff as he was president of UWL’s finance club in college. The contribution also put Bloxdorf’s name on one of the rooms in the new student center opening on campus in fall 2016. For Jeff, it was all about getting as many friends from UWL back together in the city that originally brought them together. “You make some of your best friends in college, even if you don’t realize it at the time,” says Steve Schwager, ‘80. “Thanks to Blox organizing this, we were able to pick up every year like we never left.” Kathy O’Connor, ’80, a longtime friend, says they’ve kept the tradition alive because they love being with each other. “We always played at the same club, had the same tee time and met at the same place Friday night.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CP1I6tvL4I Had the tragedy happened to anyone in the group, they would have rallied in the same way, says Lisa Bloxdorf, Jeff’s wife. Still, she is thankful her friends worked so hard to create this opportunity. “It means the world to me and my children to know he’ll be not only remembered, but never forgotten.” Eagle Excellence Week events — If interested in attending an event, email foundation@uwlax.edu.

• 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, Cartwright Center: School of Education Scholarship.
• 4 p.m. reception, 5 p.m. awards, Monday, April 25, Cartwright Center: UWL Foundation Scholarship.
• 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. awards, Tuesday, April 26, Center for the Arts: College of Liberal Studies Evening of Excellence.
• 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. program, Wednesday, April 27, Cartwright Center:  Accountancy Banquet.
• 4 p.m. reception, 5 p.m. awards, Friday, April 29, Cleary Alumni & Friends Center: College of Science and Health Scholarship.