Campus Connection

United We Learn. United We Lead. United We Live. Those words — and the image of a sun from the university’s seal — are the focus of the “I am UW-L” campaign underway this academic year. More than 50 banners placed throughout campus carry the message of inclusion. “This is the theme that resonated with the campus community,” says Assistant Dean of Students John Palmer. “It allows us to focus on the positive and what we aspire to be.” Palmer and other campus leaders met last spring to develop a campus-wide theme to replace the 2011-12 theme of sustainability. Those on campus will be reminded of the inclusion theme as they walk through campus with banners on light poles. Large banners will soon be installed on the campus mall. Palmer says the theme helps to build campus pride, along with carrying an important message. “We are members of this community and for it to be the best it can be, we all have to be part of it,” he notes. A total of 52 campus departments and organizations funded the banners. Some departments ordered extra banners to place inside their offices. Interest in the project has been positive, says Palmer. “We’re hoping that the theme of inclusion will carry well past the academic year.”