From the President: Springing Back This Fall
The excitement that built as we neared the Aug. 30 start of the fall semester has turned into gratitude and determination to deliver on our commitment to students now that we’re several weeks into the semester.
The annual return of our students reminds us of our purpose and mission to prepare students for lives of faithful service and ethical leadership. Their education, safety, and well-being remains our top priority in everything that we do. Viterbo employees are committed to student success and meeting the unique needs of each student. This guiding focus and dedication are hallmarks of the Viterbo educational experience and is reflected in the quality of our graduates, as I’m sure many of you as employers can attest.
A long list of campus improvements and renovations were completed over the summer, including continued investment in the historically significant Murphy Center with major updates to the main lobby, a new one-stop student support center, the second-floor hallway, and completion of the second phase of the window replacement project.
In the Varsity Athletics Center, the gymnasium floor, walls, and scoreboard received updated branding graphics, and the lobby received a significant renovation. We pledge to continue our responsible stewardship of resources while investing in key campus facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.
The Military Aligned Student Support Center was constructed in the Reinhart Center, replacing the former veteran’s lounge. The new location offers our veterans and other military aligned students much more space, a large study area, a kitchenette, a streaming-capable television monitor, and offices for Keith Purnell, the director of military aligned student support and recruitment, and a veteran intern.
New academic programs have been announced, including a unique computer science major that will launch in fall of 2022. The Viterbo program will combine a strong foundation of computer science with an additional area of interest the student is passionate about and will lead to numerous career options in a variety of fields. Computer science graduates are in great demand, and I am confident this new major will be a great addition our academic portfolio.
Viterbo remains diligent in the fight against COVID-19. The members of our response team meet twice a week to discuss the latest data, CDC guidelines, and other factors that may necessitate changes to our health and safety policies. We will continue to monitor this situation carefully and implement any changes necessary to ensure the safety of our campus community.
Thank you for serving on the Viterbo Board of Advisors. You provide an important community connection that helps to keep our academic offerings and educational programming relevant and responsive to the needs of regional employers and the public.
Fall Has the Feel of a New Beginning
This fall is like a new beginning for Viterbo University, full of change yet firmly anchored in tradition. Comparing the university today to what it was a year ago is a lesson in how much can change in a year, but the things that form the core of what Viterbo is remain as solid as ever.
Meet the New Business Dean Tonya Wagner
For Tonya Wagner, becoming dean of Viterbo's College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics perfectly meshes her love of higher education with her knack for being a change agent in the business world. The through-line that traces from her days growing up in Seattle to her work at Viterbo, it would be her endless curiosity and thirst for knowledge.
Six Honored with St. John XXIII Awards
Longtime community volunteers and champions for education John and Linda Lyche, Sr. Jean Moore, Bruce Simones, Nola Starling-Ratliff, and Deak Swanson were presented with the Viterbo University Saint John XXIII Award for Distinguished Service at a banquet and ceremony Sept. 16 at the La Crosse Center.
Welcome New Board Members
We are pleased to welcome the following to the Viterbo University Board of Advisors:
- La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds
- La Crosse Schools Superintendent Aaron Engel
- La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam
- La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Neal Zygarlicke
- State Sen. Brad Pfaff
- Chris Palmer, general manager, WKBT
- Jud Beck, general manager, Fox 25/48
Tentative Meeting Dates 2021–22
We are tentatively planning for a return to in person meetings for the Board of Advisors. The plan now is for 3 p.m. meetings at a campus location to be determined on the following dates:
- Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021
- Thursday, March 24, 2022
In Case You Missed Them
May 2021 Board of Advisors Newsletter
January 2021 Board of Advisors Newsletter
September 2020 Board of Advisors Newsletter
July 2020 Board of Advisors Newsletter
April 2020 Board of Advisors Newsletter
February 2020 Board of Advisors Newsletter
December 2019 Board of Advisors Newsletter