From the President: The Future Looks Bright
On Sunday, May 16, I and many of my colleagues will again be greatly inspired and reminded of the importance of our collective effort. On that day, Viterbo will honor its spring graduates at two commencement ceremonies at Copeland Park.
It’s wonderful hearing the plans of our graduates and what they’ve learned during their time here. I know they are well equipped to achieve success in their chosen field and fulfillment in their lives. This always happy occasion will be extra special as it marks a return to an in-person event, instead of the virtual affairs that have become all too familiar but necessary because of the pandemic.
Supporting today’s college students and other of the nation’s youth is a tremendous investment in the future of any society, and one of which we should all be very proud. At Viterbo University, we perpetually continue that investment in the form of campus improvements, adding and revamping our academic programs to meet the needs of the region, and expanding and strengthening our community partnerships. You can read more about some of these initiatives in this newsletter.
It is our plan to hold the fall Board of Advisors meeting in-person on Thursday, Nov. 18. This semester has been very successful in regard to COVID-19 safety, with a small number of positive cases, and an ever-increasing total of administered vaccinations. We will continue the gradual return to normal this fall.
Thank you again for your support of Viterbo University. I hope you have a great summer.
A Message from Jerry Berns, Board President
Someone recently sent me a cartoon of Snoopy and his little bird friend, Woodstock, both dancing on top of Snoopy’s doghouse in a downpour. The caption: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
The cartoon brought to mind our March 25 Board of Advisors meeting, where we learned about the latest storm for Viterbo, an intentionally set fire in a dorm that prompted firm and deliberate action from the administration.
We know that this current storm will indeed pass, and there is so much to celebrate today on the Viterbo campus. Need inspiration? Take a walk through Viterbo’s Assisi Courtyard and pause at the Dancing Francis statue. Francis represents the joy we experience in God’s creation, even when it storms. The joy Francis portrays is evident in Viterbo’s core values, which weave themselves into the fabric of the lives of students and staff alike.
Just as Snoopy has a stalwart partner in Woodstock, Viterbo depends on its partners to weather storms, too. At the March meeting, the Board of Advisors were challenged with the question of advancing additional partnerships with the greater La Crosse community.
Discussion identified possible new or enhanced partnerships, including:
- A stronger alliance with the Diocese of La Crosse for faith formation
- A connection with Onalaska Luther High School like the one with Aquinas
- Internships with area legislators at the Wisconsin Capitol
- Engineering partnerships with companies like Trane, Dairyland Power, and Chart Industries
- Even stronger ties with Western Technical College
It’s clear that Viterbo can point to a long list of accomplishments and celebrate enduring partnerships even as the university seeks additional and expanded partnerships in the future. As the Board of Advisors, we are a vital Viterbo partner, and we must help the university keep dancing through storms.
Viterbo Has Big Campus Improvement Plans for 2021-22
The beginning of the year marked the 80th anniversary of the first classes conducted in Murphy Center, the jewel of Viterbo University’s campus. This summer, the building will be lavished with the kind of attention befitting an 80th birthday, getting improvements inside and out and top to bottom.
New Academic Programs Are Strategic Investments in Future
Just as investors have portfolios, universities have portfolios of their own made up of academic programs. So when Viterbo adds new academic programs, it’s like making new investments designed to keep the university’s portfolio healthy and ensure the institution can keep going strong.
Viterbo, Boys & Girls Clubs Joint Ventures Keep Growing
Viterbo University has joined forces with many community partners over the years. The partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse has paid especially good dividends, with new joint ventures holding promise for great return on investment for the university, the club, and the community.Saint John XXIII Awards Update
The Saint John XXIII Awards ceremony and dinner will return in 2021 and will recognize recipients from both 2020 and 2021. The official recognition will be held Sept. 16 and will move to the La Crosse Center to accommodate the number of recipients. Watch for further information in the months ahead.
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