Founded in 1909, UWL is a public university based in the La Crosse. The city itself is based in southwestern Wisconsin on the Mississippi river, which acts as a state border with Minnesota.
Academic study at UWL is divided between Business Administration, Liberal Studies, and Science & Health, and the schools of Arts & Communication, and Education. La Crosse is regarded as a health centre for the region, and UWL utilises these local facilities through courses such as an undergraduate major in clinical laboratory science. There are a wide range of graduate courses both taught on campus online, and UWL offers the only long-distance master’s course in medical dosimetry nationwide.
The study of Theatre Arts offers students both a classroom education and experience in theatrical production, with performances held at the Toland Theatre, a 429 seat arena with modern lighting design.
Athletics teams at UWL are known as the Eagles, and compete in the NCAA Division III. There are eight men’s sports programmes and nine women’s, including volleyball and softball. Roger Harring Stadium can seat 6000 spectators, and hosts American football and track and field events.
Notable alumni include edged weapons expert Ernest Emerson, children’s television presenter Don Herbert, television chef Sandra Lee, Olympic gold medallist Andrew Rock, and Catholic bishop Frank Spencer. The UWL motto translates as ‘Mind and Body’.
The Hanging of the Lantern is a tradition started in 1913 by students hanging lanterns in the windows of their halls, and in the modern day a large lantern is situated at Hoeschler Tower and lit during Homecoming Week.
