Posted 4:23 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019
The UWL Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomes four new members.
The UWL Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomes four new members: Kate Constalie, Ryan Crain, Deb Mirasola and Leanne Poellinger. Meet the new members.
Kate Constalie[/caption]
Major/Minor & Graduation Year:
Public Administration/Political Science, 2012
Job Title & Company/Organization:
Communications Director – State Sen. Jennifer Shilling
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
I have a lot of fun memories both hanging out and studying with friends at Cartwright Center.
In your opinion, what makes UWL so special?
The gorgeous scenery and the amount of recreational activities is a really attractive appeal. I especially loved the campus during fall.
What class or professor did you enjoy the most during your time at UWL and why?
Any class with Professors Jo Arney, Jeremy Arney and Ray Block. I always appreciated the group discussions in their classes, and they had really interesting reading materials.
How did UWL prepare you for your career or shape your goals and ambitions?
UWL Career Services center is the best! They helped me apply for an internship that prepared me for my career in public service and gave me the knowledge I needed to successfully network.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most people do not know?
Winter is my favorite season. I try to spend as much time cross country skiing as possible!
What advice would you give to a current student?
Make sure to utilize Career Services and take advantage of any internships and networking opportunities.
Ryan John Crain[/caption]
Major/Minor & Graduation Year: Business Management, 2018
Job Title & Company/Organization: Shift Supervisor, The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern
What is your favorite spot on campus and why? Wimberly Hall is my favorite spot on campus because I could always find a cozy place to study, and the majority of my professors had an office in the building.
In your opinion, what makes UWL so special? So many things make this place special. For me, the support I received from the Admissions Office before I was ever a student was special. They believed in me and really thought I needed to be a student here. Then, when I was a student, I had professors who cared about my education and helped push me to be the best I could be.
What class or professor did you enjoy the most during your time at UWL and why? There are many professors I built connections with, but Yeonka Kim is someone who stands out. When I needed a professor to be my contact for internship credits, I asked Yeonka and I still remember how excited she was for me. She agreed to take time out of her summer to help me.
How did UWL prepare you for your career or shape your goals and ambitions? I want to be a leader. While at UW-La Crosse, I was surrounded by leaders who inspired me to be better, and they have supported me on that quest.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most people do not know? I love to cook food. It’s satisfying to see raw ingredients turn into a tasty meal.
What advice would you give to a current student? It will go fast, so make the most of your time here. Join a club, attend events and utilize all that is offered to you.
Deb Mirasola[/caption]
Major/Minor & Graduation Year: Double Major in Mass Communications and Psychology, 1987
Job Title & Company/Organization: Director, Communications and Marketing, Dairyland Power Cooperative (La Crosse, WI)
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
If I had to pick one place, it would be Roger Harring Stadium. I have many great memories from the original stadium and the current one. My husband, Joe, was on the 1985 National Champion team under Coach Harring. Our sons, Victor and Tony (both UWL alumni), played high school football there too. We have rarely missed a UWL home game over the years with friends and family.
In your opinion, what makes UWL so special?
One thing that stands out is the close relationships created that last a lifetime. Smaller class sizes, opportunities to be on teams, clubs and to get involved in the community are all very positive.
What class or professor did you enjoy the most during your time at UWL and why?
I had many good professors, but Dr. John Jenks stands out. He was my advisor and a mentor. He was both knowledgeable and encouraging during my time at UWL and afterward.
How did UWL prepare you for your career or shape your goals and ambitions?
Professors in both the communications and psychology programs challenged me to learn new skills and provided opportunities to demonstrate leadership.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most people do not know?
I took photos during UWL football games on the sidelines and printed them in the UWL dark room for players and the Racquet (pre-digital photography era).
What advice would you give to a current student?
College is a great opportunity to broaden your views. Try something new or take a class outside of your normal interests. Get involved and build relationships during your time at UWL.
Leanne (Malgren) Poellinger[/caption]
Major/Minor & Graduation Year: Business Administration, 1986
Job Title & Company/Organization: Marketing & Development Director, Children’s Museum of La Crosse
What is your favorite spot on campus and why? I haven’t spent much time on campus in a while, but I do like the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center.
In your opinion, what makes UWL so special? UW-La Crosse has become a highly-rated and well-respected college. While the academics are top-notch, students also have access to a great balance of safe and healthy outdoor and community activities.
What class or professor did you enjoy the most during your time at UWL and why?
Tom Kuffel was an excellent business teacher because he related real-world experience to what we were learning about business and marketing.
How did UWL prepare you for your career or shape your goals and ambitions? I didn’t know what I wanted to do after college. I received a well-rounded education that would have prepared me well for just about anything.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most people do not know? I like to dabble in painting and mosaic art in my spare time. I also have a “vintage” stand-up jet ski that I love to ride on the Mississippi.
What advice would you give to a current student? Get involved in something you enjoy outside of academics and athletics to help relieve stress, meet new people, and/or help someone else.
Kate Constalie
[caption id="attachment_9162" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Kate Constalie[/caption]
Major/Minor & Graduation Year:
Public Administration/Political Science, 2012
Job Title & Company/Organization:
Communications Director – State Sen. Jennifer Shilling
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
I have a lot of fun memories both hanging out and studying with friends at Cartwright Center.
In your opinion, what makes UWL so special?
The gorgeous scenery and the amount of recreational activities is a really attractive appeal. I especially loved the campus during fall.
What class or professor did you enjoy the most during your time at UWL and why?
Any class with Professors Jo Arney, Jeremy Arney and Ray Block. I always appreciated the group discussions in their classes, and they had really interesting reading materials.
How did UWL prepare you for your career or shape your goals and ambitions?
UWL Career Services center is the best! They helped me apply for an internship that prepared me for my career in public service and gave me the knowledge I needed to successfully network.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most people do not know?
Winter is my favorite season. I try to spend as much time cross country skiing as possible!
What advice would you give to a current student?
Make sure to utilize Career Services and take advantage of any internships and networking opportunities.
Ryan John Crain
[caption id="attachment_9231" align="aligncenter" width="541"] Ryan John Crain[/caption]
Major/Minor & Graduation Year: Business Management, 2018
Job Title & Company/Organization: Shift Supervisor, The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern
What is your favorite spot on campus and why? Wimberly Hall is my favorite spot on campus because I could always find a cozy place to study, and the majority of my professors had an office in the building.
In your opinion, what makes UWL so special? So many things make this place special. For me, the support I received from the Admissions Office before I was ever a student was special. They believed in me and really thought I needed to be a student here. Then, when I was a student, I had professors who cared about my education and helped push me to be the best I could be.
What class or professor did you enjoy the most during your time at UWL and why? There are many professors I built connections with, but Yeonka Kim is someone who stands out. When I needed a professor to be my contact for internship credits, I asked Yeonka and I still remember how excited she was for me. She agreed to take time out of her summer to help me.
How did UWL prepare you for your career or shape your goals and ambitions? I want to be a leader. While at UW-La Crosse, I was surrounded by leaders who inspired me to be better, and they have supported me on that quest.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most people do not know? I love to cook food. It’s satisfying to see raw ingredients turn into a tasty meal.
What advice would you give to a current student? It will go fast, so make the most of your time here. Join a club, attend events and utilize all that is offered to you.
Deb (Wichman) Mirasola
[caption id="attachment_9163" align="aligncenter" width="514"] Deb Mirasola[/caption]
Major/Minor & Graduation Year: Double Major in Mass Communications and Psychology, 1987
Job Title & Company/Organization: Director, Communications and Marketing, Dairyland Power Cooperative (La Crosse, WI)
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
If I had to pick one place, it would be Roger Harring Stadium. I have many great memories from the original stadium and the current one. My husband, Joe, was on the 1985 National Champion team under Coach Harring. Our sons, Victor and Tony (both UWL alumni), played high school football there too. We have rarely missed a UWL home game over the years with friends and family.
In your opinion, what makes UWL so special?
One thing that stands out is the close relationships created that last a lifetime. Smaller class sizes, opportunities to be on teams, clubs and to get involved in the community are all very positive.
What class or professor did you enjoy the most during your time at UWL and why?
I had many good professors, but Dr. John Jenks stands out. He was my advisor and a mentor. He was both knowledgeable and encouraging during my time at UWL and afterward.
How did UWL prepare you for your career or shape your goals and ambitions?
Professors in both the communications and psychology programs challenged me to learn new skills and provided opportunities to demonstrate leadership.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most people do not know?
I took photos during UWL football games on the sidelines and printed them in the UWL dark room for players and the Racquet (pre-digital photography era).
What advice would you give to a current student?
College is a great opportunity to broaden your views. Try something new or take a class outside of your normal interests. Get involved and build relationships during your time at UWL.
Leanne (Malgren) Poellinger
[caption id="attachment_9164" align="aligncenter" width="457"] Leanne (Malgren) Poellinger[/caption]
Major/Minor & Graduation Year: Business Administration, 1986
Job Title & Company/Organization: Marketing & Development Director, Children’s Museum of La Crosse
What is your favorite spot on campus and why? I haven’t spent much time on campus in a while, but I do like the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center.
In your opinion, what makes UWL so special? UW-La Crosse has become a highly-rated and well-respected college. While the academics are top-notch, students also have access to a great balance of safe and healthy outdoor and community activities.
What class or professor did you enjoy the most during your time at UWL and why?
Tom Kuffel was an excellent business teacher because he related real-world experience to what we were learning about business and marketing.
How did UWL prepare you for your career or shape your goals and ambitions? I didn’t know what I wanted to do after college. I received a well-rounded education that would have prepared me well for just about anything.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most people do not know? I like to dabble in painting and mosaic art in my spare time. I also have a “vintage” stand-up jet ski that I love to ride on the Mississippi.
What advice would you give to a current student? Get involved in something you enjoy outside of academics and athletics to help relieve stress, meet new people, and/or help someone else.