Tidily nestled between the bluffs of Wisconsin and Minnesota in the Upper Mississippi River Valley, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is among 13 four-year universities that are part of the prestigious UW System.
From storied beginnings in 1909 when it was founded as the La Crosse Normal School with a focus on physical education and teaching, UW-L has grown to serve more than 10,000 students. It offers 91 undergraduate degree programs in 30 disciplines and 21 graduate degree programs and emphases in eight areas of study. The university is divided into four areas: Business Administration; Science and Allied Health; Liberal Studies, which houses the School of Arts and Communication; and the College of Education, Exercise Science, Health and Recreation.Â
In recent years, UW-L has quietly positioned itself as one of the best public universities in the country. U.S. News and World Report ranks UW-La Crosse in the top five among public universities offering bachelor's and master's degrees in the Midwest, the highest ranking of any UW institution in its category. The university is also ranked annually in Kiplinger's list of the nation's Best Values in Public Colleges.
A commitment to excellence exists throughout the UW-L campus. It is the common thread that connects students, faculty and staff. Through our collective efforts, we have become the prominent intellectual engine that educates a high quality workforce for our region, and beyond.
Many of the university's accredited degree programs have earned distinction for excellence. Microbiology and exercise and sport science are designated as UW System Centers of Excellence, the College of Business Administration holds national accreditation, and the 119-acre campus offers Wisconsin's only nationally-accredited degrees in recreation management and therapeutic recreation, the UW System's only nuclear medicine technology program, and the Midwest's only undergraduate archaeology major.
In addition to quality, in-class education, UW-La Crosse offers a wide variety of cultural opportunities - art exhibitions, music performances, theatre, a lecture and concert series, summer camps, athletic contests in 19 sports, and more. The university has won 33Â national championships since 2001. UW-L hosts the country's oldest state high school track and field meet annually. Andrew Rock, a member of the men's track and field team, won a gold medal as a member of the United States 4x400-meter relay at the 2004 Olympic Games.
In short, what makes UW-L such a special place? When asked by a reporter during a news conference to announce this exceptional feat why this world-class athlete chose to attend UW-L, he simply replied, "I came to school here because I wanted a good education and they were interested in my success."
Perhaps that says it all.
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