Being a student-athlete majoring in biochemistry with a minor in business administration wasn’t going to be easy, but Zach Earll was familiar enough with Viterbo University to know it was the school at which to do it.

“I knew I was going to receive the support needed to balance academics and collegiate athletics,” he said. “What is great about Viterbo is that in times of struggle there is a community of people who are willing to lift you up and help you reach your goals.”

He was right. Despite challenges such as long bus rides to and from games, late night practices followed by early morning workouts, and rigorous classes such as organic chemistry II, Earll graduated from Viterbo in 2021 and is now in his final year of dental school at the University of Minnesota. After earning his DDS in May 2026, he will return to his hometown of Onalaska to practice dentistry.

“The science and business education and the well-rounded liberal arts curriculum at Viterbo gave me the tools I needed to succeed in graduate school and in patient care,” Earll said. “Viterbo not only gave me the foundational knowledge in the sciences, but also framed my mindset as a servant leader.”

Earll had grown up at Viterbo in a sense. His father had taught as an adjunct faculty member, and his uncle Wayne Wagner was the V-Hawk’s basketball coach. Earll and his family were regulars at games.

Earll credited his research mentor Dr. Chris Mayne and other Viterbo science faculty members with helping him explore his love for the natural world and pushing him to learn challenging concepts that taught him to think critically. He also acknowledges retired Dahl School of Business faculty member Todd Ondell for giving him business and life advice he will never forget and the adjunct faculty who brought passion and real-world experience that inspired him.

“All the faculty were truly there to give back to the students and it made a lasting impression on me,” he said.

Earll offered some important advice for current and prospective Viterbo students.

“Get involved with on campus clubs to help build your support network of fellow students and faculty,” he said. “Seek out internships in the field in which you want to work. The La Crosse area is rich in opportunities outside the classroom. Find ways to serve your community. It is in the service of others that you find your true purpose. Most importantly, do not give up. The challenges you face during your college experience are going to shape you into a better version of yourself.”

Explore the Program

Discover how Viterbo’s biochemistry program blends rigorous scientific study with hands-on lab experience. You'll be prepared for careers in healthcare, research, pharmaceuticals, and more, all within a supportive, values-based learning environment.