Campus Connection

UW-L researchers explore effects of mercury contamination on fish, wildlife

Over the last three years, UW-L researchers have measured the level of mercury and other contaminants in fish and other aquatic life in national parks of the Great Lakes region. Read what they've found out so far.

AAUW art fair July 28-29 supports local scholarships

The 54th annual AAUW Art Fair on the Green runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 28, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 29, on the campus mall at 16th and State streets at UW-L. More than 20 La Crosse area students will have financial assistance this school year thanks to last year's event.

K-12 teachers use river valley as their laboratory to explore archaeology

A National Endowment for Humanities Summer Institute for Teachers at UW-L is helping 25 K-12 teachers from throughout the country understand how cultures have adapted to the environment over time.

Kids on campus for summer Youth Programs

  [caption id="attachment_13454" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="Girls track down the source of an epidemic in the biology session "Havoc in Hogville" at this year's Girls in Science camp June 23-24."][/caption] Area youth are taking advantage of summer Youth Programs at UW-L. UW-L held its 14th annual "Girls in Science" and its second annual "Boys Science Exploration Camp" on campus June 23-24. "Girls in Science" brings middle school girls to campus for hands-on exploration in science and mathematics. "Boys Science Exploration Camp," a similar program was introduced last year for middle school boys. UW-L's College of Science and Health and Continuing Education and Extension facilitate the programs. The programs are directed by Karen DeSchepper and Beth Theede, both Continuing Education and Extension; Sandy Grunwald, Chemistry; and Susan Kelly, Mathematics. Students live on campus for the weekend and attend two-hour workshops taught by UW-L faculty and staff with help from UW-L student teaching assistants. This year's workshops  and instructors were:

• "Physics in Action" — Eric Gansen and Seth King, both Physics and Astronomy
• "CSI" and "Havoc in Hogville"  — Faye Ellis, Biology
• "Ranger Bungee and Barbie Bungee" — Heather Mathison, Mathematics
• "Movie Production" —Kenny Hunt, Computer Science
• "Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend" — Janet Kirsch, Chemistry
• "When Light and Matter Collide" and "There’s Chemistry" — Kendric Nelson, Chemistry
• "Lovely Lips" — Nadia Carmosini, Chemistry
• "Catch a Flying Car" — Susan Kelly, Mathematics

Student teaching assistants and resident assistants were Mariah Borgschatz, Sasha Chihak,  Tanner Culpitt, Sarah Gagnon, Kindra Grossmeier, Ryan Kacvinski, Bryan Krueger, Joseph Krueger, Rebecca Lemminger, Leah Morgan, Alicia Rivera, Luke Sadergaski, Lauren Sedbrook, Patrick Swanson. Kyle Vara and Rebecca Werren. "Girls in Science" and "Boys Science Exploration Camp" are just two of many camps and workshops for youth at UW-L this summer. Children are honing basic cooking and baking skills in "Kids Culinary Academy."  Youth will use LEGOs to learn about engineering in "LEGO® University" classes. They'll be immersed in the sights, sounds, tastes and experiences of the Spanish-speaking world at "Spanish Exploration Camp." They'll explore how Native Americans used stone tools and learn about artifacts recovered from area excavations in "Archaeology Workshops." To find out more about the programs, visit www.uwlax.edu/conted/youth/index.html or contact Susan Kelly, Continuing Education and Extension, at skelly@uwlax.edu. [caption id="attachment_13455" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="Boys Science Exploration Camp.: Left: Seth King and Eric Gansen, both Physics and Astronomy, demonstrate a hover craft with student volunteers in a biology workshop. Right: Boys measure velocity and use it to determine where a flying hot-wheels car will land in the "Catch a Flying Car" workshop. "][/caption]  

McNair scholars to present summer research July 26

McNair scholars will present their summer research projects from noon-2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, in 337 Cartwright Center. The McNair Scholars Program prepares low-income, first-generation college students or members of traditionally underrepresented groups for graduate school. Light refreshments will be served at the summer presentations. Presentations include:

• 12:15 p.m. — Chris Bloomingdale, Biology. Mentor: Rob Tyser, Biology
• 12:30 p.m. —  Andrew Prudhom, Physics and Mathematics. Mentor: Eric Gansen, Physics
• 12:45 p.m. — Nicole Lomeli, Psychology. Mentor: Betty Deboer, Psychology
• 1 p.m. — Amanda Hall, Sociology. Mentor: Enilda Delgado, Sociology
• 1:15 p.m. — Yessica Garcia, Psychology. Mentor: Carol Miller, Sociology
• 1:30 p.m. — Brian Manske, Biology and Psychology. Mentor: Tom Volk, Biology
• 1:45 p.m. — José Rubio-Zepeda, Spanish and Political Science. Mentor: Kelly McDonough, Spanish
• 2 p.m. — Dewayne Wrencher, Art. Mentor: Donald Sloan, Art
• 2:15 p.m. — Cassandra Jens, Computer Science. Mentor: Thomas Gendreau, Computer Science

Jeans Day is July 27; wear you LIVEMAROON gear!

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, July 27.  You may contribute even if you don’t wear jeans. Let’s show our community how generous we can be! In June our campus raised $40. Also, the campus community is encouraged to wear their LIVEMAROON T-shirts or other maroon clothing. The charities receiving the July contributions are:

• United Fund For the Arts – this organization enhances the cultural life of this area by encouraging and providing opportunities for businesses, foundations and professionals to invest in the programs of local arts and humanities organizations in an efficient and effective way.  UFAH is an umbrella fundraising organization for 10 organizations.
• Pump House Regional Arts Center – They enhance the quality of the life in the region by maintaining the historic Pump House as a cultural center; and by promoting a wide range of educational, visual and performing arts activities including participation, performance, and appreciation.

Drop $1 donations off with one of the following building contacts:

• Cindy Curran, 212 Cartwright Center
• 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 Technology Center

If there isn't a contact in your building, you can forward your donation to Jeans Day Coordinator Vickie Bain, Small Business Development Center, 120 Wimberly Hall. To become a building coordinator, contact Vickie Bain at vbain@uwlax.edu or 785.8646.  

UW-L's alumni and friends golf outing goes global

Registration for UW-L's Alumni & Friends Golf Outing, set for Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Cedar Creek Golf Club in Onalaska, is booked full. But if you haven't registered or you live too far away, you can still participate via UW-L's "Golf Goes Global." Golf with friends and colleagues on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at your home course. For a $50 registration fee per person, participants receive UW-L gear and support legacy scholarships. Registration includes a special edition UW-L polo shirt, a bag tag and a raffle ticket for a $250 VISA gift card. Download a brochure of the event at www.uwlalumni.org/uploads/GlobalGolfBrochure.pdf. Contact the UW-L Alumni Association at 608.785.8489 or alumni.@uwlax.edu for more information. Follow events on Twitter: UWLGoesGlobal     Tim Suchomel, graduate student in ESS-Human Performance, received the master's level Graduate Student Research Award for his poster presentation of his thesis "The Kinetic Comparison of the Power Development Between the Hang Clean, Jump Shrug, and High Pull" at the National Strength & Conditioning Association's National Conference in Providence, R.I. July 11-14. His advisers were Dennis Kline, Rec Sports; Tom Kernozek, Health Professions, Physical Therapy; and Glenn Wright, Exercise and Sport Science.

No state centered exams in October

The OSER-Exam Vault is going to be remodeled, therefore October monthly centered exams there are cancelled. Pre-registration for the Saturday, Aug. 11, exam will be from Friday, July 20, to Wednesday, Aug. 1; and pre-registration for the Saturday, Sept. 8 exam will be from Friday, Aug. 20, through Wednesday, Aug. 29. Plan for this change so exam scores do not expire and you do not lose out on a promotional opportunity. Exams that are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 11, on UW-L campus include: Custodian Lead, Facilities Repair Worker & Advanced, Medical Program Assistant and Office Support.

New employees

Amanda Hoylman, Residence Hall Director, White Hall, July 15 Ariel Powers-Schaub, Residence Hall Director, Laux Hall, July 15    

For sale

Harley 2003 XL 1200C, excellent condition, extra chrome, detachable windshield, blue anniversary color, 13,000 miles, $5,200. Wayne at 608.385.5968. Advent On-The-Go Bike Trailer, great condition, $45, maximum load 100 pounds, lightweight foldable frame for easy storage, two-in-one canopy with bug screen and weather shield, safety harnesses for two children, tip resistant coupler attachment fits most bicycles. Call 785.6800 or 781.2774. Small two-bedroom house with one bath at 425 Franklin St., Tomah. Nicely decorated. Kitchen has newer cabinets, built in microwave oven and laminate flooring. Comes with refrigerator, electric range and air conditioner. Has a one-car garage with lots of storage space, new cement floor and garage door opener. Lot size is 50' x 150'. Driveway recently cemented. Small deck on front with 4-foot ramp leading to front door. Shirley at 608.343.4415.

For rent

Large three-bedroom apartment in downtown La Crosse, 14-foot ceilings, brick center wall, approx. 1,600 square feet. $1,500 a month. Email khouser@uwlax.edu.