Campus Connection

Gow stresses importance of university’s call to ‘search for truth’ during campus address

As the state’s higher education and legislative leaders discuss changes to UW shared governance and tenure policies, it’s important to keep in mind the mission of the UW System, UWL Chancellor Joe Gow said Wednesday. Gow spoke to a crowd gathered at the Brian and Lori Hesprich Auditorium in Graff Main Hall for the bi-annual Chancellor’s All-University Address. The System’s mission isn’t just about job and workforce preparation. It is much more profound, Gow explained as he read it to the group. The last line reads, “Basic to every purpose of the system is the search for truth.” “Obviously we are about getting people ready for careers. There is no doubt about it,” Gow said. “But there is a lot more to what we do here.” Gow said an excellent example of that search for the truth was a video UWL students created for their Ethnic and Racial Studies senior capstone project, “Patterns: Examining American Indian Imagery in La Crosse.” Gow showed the video at the end of his address. The video demonstrates the sophisticated work that happens at UWL and the tremendous potential the university has when faculty, staff and students put their minds together, he said. “I sometimes have to remind people that we are a state agency — that’s true. But we are a very special state agency,” said Gow. “We are in the business of searching for the truth… I would think citizens would want to support that fully.” The crowd applauded when Gow said regardless of what legal changes are made related to shared governance and tenure, UWL will continue the way it always has. Decisions about programs will be made by the faculty, staff and students in those areas and not by the administration. “I don’t think it is appropriate for the campus administration to be making decisions that it traditionally does not make,” explained Gow. “At the end of the day that search for the truth is best done by all of us and people who’ve dedicated their lives to that particular area.” Gow also shared the news of UWL offering its second doctoral degree in Student Affairs Administration, plans to launch a website that will aid in connecting the university and community, as well as the upcoming April 2016 reaccreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission. Gow also gave an update on the strategic planning process the university will undergo in 2016. A consultant is in place and a steering committee has been selected. A group of about 70 members of the campus community will participate in a day-long "kick-off" event in May. In planning for the future of the university, money will very likely be tight, said Gow. The strategic planning process will help the university better understand what it will become moving forward considering factors such as finances, diversity, compensation, size, enrollment, sustainability and more. “If the process works well, we will attain 'tertium quid' — the notion that you put things together and get more than simply the sum,” said Gow. Throughout his address Gow shared the following updates and accomplishments:

New chief of police

Scott McCullough will become UWL’s next chief of police starting Feb. 1. McCullough has been serving as Interim Chief of Police since October 2014.

New president of the UWL Foundation

UWL Vice Chancellor of University Advancement Greg Reichert now holds the joint titles of vice chancellor and President of the UWL Foundation.

Scholarship campaign update

The Share the La Crosse Experience scholarship campaign raised $700,000 in December alone, bringing the campaign total to $6.7 million. The $15 million campaign is a combined effort to maintain accessibility to the excellent education offered by UWL for all students.

One particular gift

Gow highlighted one particular financial donation. UWL faculty members Adrienne Loh and Sandra Grunwald established a scholarship fund for the advancement of women in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Loh was the first female tenured professor and Grunwald was the first fully promoted female professor in UW-La Crosse’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. The two said they want to support students and encourage them to become leaders in their field.

Congrats to …

Roger Haro, professor of Biology, who received the Wisconsin Professors of the Year award. Jo Arney, associate professor of Political Science and Public Administration, who will leave UWL for two years to work on a national program with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. A more detailed announcement of the project is expected in February. Tim Dale, assistant professor of Political Science and Public Administration, who is one of six faculty members working with educators across the UW System and the country on the Faculty Collaboratives project.