Campus Connection

[caption id="attachment_6151" align="aligncenter" width="685"] Author Brett Champan, ‘00, held a book signing for his latest novel, “Ride With Me,” during the grand opening of the new bookstore in the UWL Student Union. The building opened in January.[/caption]

UWL alumni author holds book signing during UWL’s new bookstore opening

Alumnus Brett Champan says pivotal college moments influenced his life — and his fiction writing. Champan, ’00, an accountant and author of three books, fittingly returned to his alma mater for the book signing of his third book, “Ride with Me,” in conjunction with the grand opening celebration for UWL’s new bookstore in the new Student Union Jan. 27. Champan, who currently resides in Chicago, says his love for writing traces back to the first grade. A humorous short story he read aloud in class yielded laughter and a mighty applause from his classmates and teacher. “That was a defining moment,” he says. “I realized the personal satisfaction that writing gave me.” Champan later remembers picking up a novel from the back shelf of his fifth grade classroom and telling himself he would one day write his own novel. But, in college, Champan decided not to take the writing route. He majored in accountancy instead — a decision he sometimes questioned because of his “creative bent” and passion for words and literature. But, in time, Champan realized that his accounting skills complemented writing quite nicely. A strong sense of business has helped him build budgets, formalize contracts and ultimately launch his own small publishing entity to publish his first three books. The rigorous accounting program coursework also challenged him to be disciplined and think critically, which turned out to be important skills when it comes to writing too, he adds. Champan says college life also gave him plenty of writing inspiration. People he met in La Crosse and places like the Mississippi River have helped him develop characters and set scenes, particularly for his first book. “I often say that my writing is influenced by an active imagination and ‘slices of life’ meaning real life — whether events that happened directly to me or to others,” says Champan. “Life is hard and can be confusing and disillusioning at times, but amidst all that, I believe there are always reasons to keep pressing on and making a difference. There remains much good and meaning out there, and my desire is to reveal this to others. And few things have the power to influence as much as a story.” Champan came back to UWL as his university’s story is also evolving. UWL’s newest building, The U, opened in early January. Champan also returned to UWL in 2011 for a book signing for his first book. Watching the growth on campus in recent years is encouraging, he says. “Things either go backward or forward, and it seems UWL is going in the right direction,” he says. “Over the years, I’ve become aware of the value and impact of strong leadership, and it seems that UWL has this.” ----- More about Champan’s books Champan’s stories carry themes of romance, faith and adventure. His love for the outdoors comes through in his Northwoods settings. His first three books are “Rearview Sunset,” “Fingerprints of God” and “Ride with Me.” To learn more about Champan and his books, visit www.brettchampan.com [caption id="attachment_6153" align="alignright" width="155"] Brett Champan’s his third book, “Ride with Me.”[/caption] Champan’s latest book “Ride with Me” Earl Timmings is a hardworking young man graced with deep character and a zeal for life — and fishing. But nothing would be the same for him after stepping into the old country store one spring afternoon and meeting Ruth, a beautiful girl from Iowa who would steal his heart. Weeks later, when Ruth returns to the small town for good, a sweet summer romance begins. But when their relationship blossoms into something more, World War II threatens to cut it short. As Earl ships out for the Pacific front, they will soon discover that few things ever stay the same. Join Earl and Ruth as they ride together through the storms of war, life and love.