University of Wisconsin–La Crosse: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL or UW-La Crosse) is a public research university located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States. As part of the University of Wisconsin System, it offers a wide array of academic programs and a vibrant campus life. This article delves into the history, campus, academics, student life, and other essential aspects of UWL, providing a comprehensive overview for prospective students, current students, alumni, and anyone interested in learning more about this esteemed institution.

Historical Overview

The Early Years: La Crosse State Normal School (1909-1926)

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was established in 1909 as the La Crosse State Normal School, the eighth of nine state normal schools founded in Wisconsin between 1866 and 1916 for the purpose of teacher preparation. Senator Thomas Morris sponsored the bill in the Wisconsin State Senate that led to the university's creation. Initially, the La Crosse State Normal School was authorized to offer two-year programs to prepare students for the teaching profession.

Expansion and Evolution: La Crosse State Teachers College (1926-1951)

In 1926, George M. Snodgrass became the school's third president, replacing Ernest A. Smith, who had served for only one year. In the same year, the school's programs were expanded, and authorization was given to award baccalaureate teaching degrees. In 1931, the college was divided into separate elementary education, secondary education, and physical education divisions.

Transition to a College: Wisconsin State College-La Crosse (1951-1964)

After the Regents authorized the nine Wisconsin State Teachers Colleges to establish baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts, the college changed its name to Wisconsin State College-La Crosse in 1951. In 1956, the college was authorized to establish graduate programs, which led to the Master of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. A graduate program in physical education was also established at that time.

University Status: Wisconsin State University-La Crosse (1964-1971)

In 1964, the college was designated a university as part of the Wisconsin State University System and was renamed Wisconsin State University-La Crosse. This designation led to the creation of the Colleges of Education, Health-Recreation-Physical Education, and Letters and Sciences. Later, the School of Business Administration was also formed within the College of Letters and Sciences.

Integration into the University of Wisconsin System (1971-Present)

The Wisconsin State University System merged with the University of Wisconsin System in 1971, at which time the university adopted its current name, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and also changed the title for the head of the university from President to Chancellor. Kenneth E. Lindner, who was at the time the university's sixth president, became the university's first chancellor.

Campus Overview

Location and Setting

The 128-acre (52 ha) campus is located in a residential section of La Crosse. The extensive landscape of grassy fields, trees, flowers, and other vegetation gives the campus a distinct park-like feel. The university has limited vehicle traffic on campus. To the east of campus are the La Crosse bluffs, of which the most prominent is Grandad Bluff (mentioned in Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain.

Key Buildings and Facilities

Maurice O. Graff Main Hall: The original building on campus, constructed in 1909, houses the chancellor's office, a 787-seat auditorium, classrooms, and the departments of Philosophy, Psychology, and Modern Languages, as well as other administrative and student services offices.
Wittich Hall: Completed in 1916 as the Physical Education Building, it now houses the College of Business Administration. It contains faculty and staff offices, gymnasiums, a track, multipurpose and meeting rooms, a strength training center, a therapeutic/rehabilitation swimming pool, the Musculoskeletal Research Center, and the Special Populations Exercise Program.
Morris Hall: Originally the La Crosse State Teachers College Training School Building, it houses the instructional and administrative facilities for the School of Education, including the Department of Educational Studies, the Master of Education-Professional Development Program (ME-PD), the Learning Communities Programs, the Office of Student Teaching and Internships, the Office of Continuing Education and Extension, and the Frederick Theater.
Eugene W. Murphy Library: Centrally located on campus, it provides a wide range of resources for students and faculty.
Truman T. Lowe Center for the Arts: Serves as UWL's hub for creative activity, housing the Departments of Art, Music, and Theatre and Dance. It includes the University Gallery, Annette Recital Hall, and Toland Theatre.
Cleary Alumni and Friends Center: Built in 1995, it hosts meetings and events for both the university and the greater La Crosse community.
Centennial Hall: Opened in 2011, it is the first academic building to be open on campus since 1974. It contains 46 classrooms, including two 250-seat auditoriums, various academic and student advising departments, and a Starbucks coffee outlet. The Hall of Nations, with flags from 44 countries, represents the diversity of UWL's international students.
W. Wimberly Hall: Originally called "North Hall", it was renamed in 2000 for former professor and Dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences, W. Wimberly.
Prairie Springs Science Center: The newest academic building, completed in 2018, houses 36 instructional labs and 23 research labs for the university's science programs.

Residence Halls

Students can live in one of the university's residence halls. The newest residence hall, Eagle Hall, opened Fall 2011 and houses 500 students and the Office of Residence Life. Reuter Hall, an apartment-style residence hall, was completed in 2006.

Academics

Colleges and Schools

School of Education: Contains teacher education programs housed in a variety of departments and colleges across the university.
College of Science and Health: Accounts for just over half of UWL's total enrollment. The 11 departments of the college offer 47 undergraduate and 14 graduate degree programs.

Academic Profile

Incoming freshmen average an ACT score of 25 and a median high school class rank in the 80th percentile, the second highest academic profile in the UW System. In fall 2023, 60 high school valedictorians were represented in the incoming freshman class.

Special Programs

The Archaeological Studies Major at UWL is one of the few comprehensive undergraduate degree programs in archaeology in the United States and the only one in the Midwest. Bordering the greatest river system in North America, the UWL River Studies Center prepares experts in freshwater science and river futures.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Student Life

Student Organizations

UW-La Crosse offers over 175 different student organizations in a wide range of areas, including academic, religious, cultural, athletic, political, social, and other organizations. Intramural sports programs are also available to students. Greek life plays a small role at UWL.

Traditions

The Hanging of the Lantern: Dates back to 1913 when UWL students hung small lanterns in house windows near campus. In 1931, Orris O. White began a tradition of hanging one large lantern in the Maurice O. Graff Main Hall tower, above the building's south entrance. Since 1931, a lantern has hung each Homecoming.
The Lighting of the "L": Began after a 1935 college prank when students piled brush in the shape of an "L" on Miller's Bluff and set it on fire.

Athletics

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse maintains programs in several sports including indoor and outdoor track, cross country, gymnastics, and football, competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), which is in NCAA Division III. The UWL football team plays its home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Eagles have won 34 WIAC titles and 3 national titles, the NAIA Division II title in 1985 and the NCAA Division III titles in 1992 and 1995.

In 1989, the university's mascot became the Eagle. UWL men's athletics teams had previously been known as the Indians (1937-1989), Red Raiders, Hurricanes, Racqueteers, and Peds and Maroons. The women's athletic teams were known as the Roonies, derived from the university's school colors of maroon and gray, since the inception of female intercollegiate competition in the early 1970s. They adopted the Eagle mascot a year after it became the university mascot.

Additional Information

Financial Matters

In 1996, students paid 35% of the cost of their education at UWL and the state the remaining 65%. Tuition reimbursement is available to all Academic Staff and Faculty who hold budgeted appointments of half time or greater and University Staff employees who hold project appointments or appointments with an expectation of continued employment.

Wellness Resources

UWL provides numerous resources for student wellness, including emotional, physical, financial, spiritual, social, and academic wellness programs.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Visiting the Campus

UWL offers various campus visit options, including in-person tours and virtual tours. Visitors should check in at the Admissions Office (2320 Student Union) to receive a folder and self-guided campus tour brochure. Complimentary parking is provided for Admissions visitors.

Location Advantages

The campus is in a residential neighborhood in the City of La Crosse (city population ~52,000; metropolitan area pop. 107,000). La Crosse is on the east bank of the Mississippi River below towering bluffs separated by steep-walled ravines known as coulees. The 7 Rivers Region is famous for its exceptional natural beauty. La Crosse is on direct transportation routes between Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Minneapolis-St. Paul. It is served by Amtrack and bus lines, and American Eagle and Delta airlines provide regular passenger service to major midwestern air terminals.

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