From the President: Viterbo Is Moving Forward
As announced earlier this month, Viterbo is joining our La Crosse higher education counterparts in a return to on-campus classes for the fall semester.
I want to reiterate that our decision and plans for the fall semester are the result of great consideration and care by many at the university, and at the heart of the Moving Forward @ Viterbo plan is the implementation of key measures designed to keep all our community members safe. The plan will continue to be reviewed by health officials, and will change if the situation warrants.
We recently held a virtual town hall with parents. We received many good questions, and I can report that overall, students and parents are ready for a return to on-campus classes and residency. Our preliminary enrollment and housing numbers are clear evidence of this.
Another important news item shared recently was the decision to delay university-sponsored public events at the Fine Arts Center until 2021. This is in keeping with health recommendations and with the opinion of the majority of patrons contacted by FAC staff members.
For more information about the fall semester and safety measures at Viterbo, check out this announcement of our plans. We will continue to be as transparent as possible regarding our response to COVID-19.
Thank you for your service on the Viterbo Board of Advisors. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Glena
A Message from Jerry Berns, New Board President
It has been my good fortune to be named president of the Viterbo Board of Advisors, succeeding outstanding recent presidents, Bill Berg and Patt Boge. Bill and Patt are gifted communicators and leave a legacy of outstanding accomplishments and good will. I thank them for their leadership and know that I can seek their counsel in a role that I could not have imagined 31 years ago when I first arrived on campus to know and serve four Viterbo Presidents.
My endearing history with Viterbo began in 1989, when I was invited by university President Bob Gibbons to open my office in Murphy Center. I had been appointed executive director of La Crosse Deanery Catholic Schools, which included seven elementary schools and Aquinas High School.
It was a joy being on campus interacting with students and staff. I was offered beautiful office space on fifth floor of Murphy Center where I could view Granddad Bluff and the courtyard below. I distinctly remember the day of the dedication of the “Dancing Francis” statue that stands in the courtyard. I occasionally stop to admire the statue having heard from the artist how he came to depict Francis.
I helped prepare the groundwork for the Aquinas schools consolidation. While at Viterbo some of my accomplishments included the development of Aquinas Middle School and the inception of the La Crosse Mardi Gras celebration that continues to this day. Viterbo’s Tom Reinert and his wife, June, served as the first Rex and Queen. They were the perfect choice and role models for all Rexes and Queens that followed.
I credit Tom Thibodeau for his recommendation that I serve on the Board of Advisors. I realize the board composition includes outstanding area leaders and accomplished business people. I am confident that all can provide much feedback from our La Crosse community that is helpful to President Temple and the administration.
My goal as board president is to continue to reach out to the community to enable Viterbo to maintain its important positive influence in our city and area by providing quality education. I recognize that our support for Viterbo is especially important during this time of the pandemic.
I admire President Temple and Viterbo administration and staff for taking on the current challenges. I pledge my best efforts to bring out the best insights from our accomplished Board of Advisors.
Enrollment Outlook for Fall Semester Looking Strong
Michelle Kronfeld | Vice President, Enrollment Management
Recently, I was reflecting upon the intensity of last summer: renovating Reinhart Center for the Skogen Family Welcome Center, a massive overhaul of the viewbook, hiring a marketing content manager (a new position), launching the value proposition and affordability work, among other projects, planning, and yielding. Little did I consider that this summer would be more intense!
The enrollment team—from application processing to marketing and recruitment, including faculty, financial aid, coaches, and many other partners throughout our university—has stepped in and stepped up in innovative ways to engage with prospective students and their influencers alongside remote work, self-isolation, physical distancing, and masks. I couldn’t be prouder of and more grateful for their dedication.
The fall metrics reflect this good work, as well. Traditional undergraduate and most graduate enrollment metrics look strong, even showing signs of growth. Retention of traditional undergraduates looks solid, as well. Some declines in graduate-level education licensure programs are likely and the U.S. visa and travel hurdles could have profound impacts on international enrollment (new students and returning students alike).
Enrollment yielding efforts will continue to be intense through August. I’m confident there is a strong team in place to maximize enrollment, even in such an unprecedented environment.
Murphy Windows, COVID Updates Top Summer Projects
Summer break is always busy for physical plant staff, but COVID-19 made it busier. Adapting classrooms, residences, and common spaces became a priority, in addition to working on the FSPA Prayer Garden, an expanded VAC strength training facility, and replacement of Murphy Center windows.
Strategic Plan Process Helps Viterbo Deal with New Challenges
Nobody planned on a pandemic that would force a campus shutdown and nationwide unrest over racism and social injustice when Viterbo University launched its strategic planning process last year. As it turns out, the plan is well suited to changing priorities to deal with these new issues.
Viterbo Athletics Program on Track for Fall Semester
If Viterbo classes are conducted in person on campus as planned, the fall V-Hawks athletics schedule will proceed, too, with adaptations, alterations, and new policies and procedures to ensure the health and safety of all involved.
Viterbo Launches New Leadership Structure
With the departure of the academic affairs VP, a new leadership structure has been set up to strengthen the connection between academic affairs and student afffairs, with Rick Trietley as interim provost and Sara Cook as interim associate provost for 2020-21.
Saint John XXIII Award and Scholarship a Great Tradition
The Saint John XXIII program is one of the major projects supported by the Viterbo Board of Advisors and includes a prestigious award and an endowed scholarship fund for Viterbo students that has presented $19,000 in scholarships since its inception.