UWL ranks among the best; new majors announced; Beeby inaugurated as chancellor

UWL ranks among the best; new majors announced; Beeby inaugurated as chancellor

UW-La Crosse has been ranked among the best public universities in Wisconsin in Niche's 2025 Best Colleges list, an increasingly influential annual ranking of universities nationwide.

This year's list includes over 1,500 colleges and universities, ranked based on a number of factors across the college experience. To develop its ranking, Niche blends key statistics from reliable sources like the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, as well as millions of reviews from students.

In Wisconsin, UWL earned the No. 2 spot among public universities, behind UW-Madison. When considering both public and private institutions, UWL ranks third overall in the state, just behind UW-Madison and Marquette University.

It's further evidence of the strong appeal of a UWL education, and the powerful impact the university has on individuals and communities.

"These rankings underscore UWL's commitment to providing an outstanding experience for our students," Chancellor James Beeby says. "We take great pride in the quality of our academic programs, the strength of our efforts to support and engage students, and the vibrancy of our campus community. All of these factors contribute to UWL's reputation as a university of choice for students in Wisconsin and across the Midwest."

UWL adds two majors

UW-La Crosse is launching new majors in two high-impact fields.

Beginning this fall, UWL will offer undergraduate degrees in engineering physics and data science, bolstering the university's longstanding reputation for excellence in science and workforce development.

The engineering physics major, housed in the Physics Department, will help satisfy the growing need for engineers and scientists particularly in Wisconsin, but also across the country. It is designed to produce career-ready graduates with a wide base of technical, scientific and mathematical knowledge, allowing them to adapt to shifting needs in industry, government labs and academia.

"In today's high-tech world, the boundaries between the traditional engineering disciplines are blurring, producing the need for engineers who are adaptable and have a broad knowledge base," says Eric Gansen, professor of physics. "The new engineering physics program will be a true hybrid of science, mathematics and engineering, and will provide graduates with a unique skillset to tackle cross-disciplinary design challenges."

UWL's new major in data science will help address the increasing demand for skilled professionals in Wisconsin and beyond, with the number of data science jobs projected to grow by 36% nationally over the next decade.

"By integrating mathematics, statistics, programming and communication, the program provides students with a comprehensive skill set to solve real-world problems," explains Jeff Baggett, a professor in the Mathematics & Statistics Department, which will administer the program. "Faculty and students will benefit from hands-on projects and research opportunities supported by strong partnerships with local industry leaders, healthcare systems and government agencies, ensuring a direct connection between academic work and real- world applications."

The addition of these majors illustrates UWL's innovative, forward-looking approach to educating students and meeting the needs of the state.

Notably, 87% of graduates from UWL's College of Science & Health continue to live and work in Wisconsin after earning their degree.

Beeby inaugurated as chancellor

It's officially a new era at UW-La Crosse.

On May 2, James Beeby was inaugurated as chancellor of UWL, becoming the 11th leader in the university's 116-year history. He was recognized during an academic procession through campus, an investiture ceremony with addresses from Beeby and other dignitaries, and a community celebration.

"We must continue to lift others as we climb and take care of one another at this fine university," Beeby told the audience of staff, faculty, students and community members. "Please take joy in this collective endeavor. I ask that you stand by me, with me - together with our colleagues, alums and friends - to work collaboratively to move UWL forward and build a brighter tomorrow."

Beeby, who began his role as chancellor July 1, 2024, outlined the shared vision for the university under his leadership, including:

• Bolstering UWL's reputation for academic excellence
• Supporting the community through innovative partnerships
• Finding new ways to meet the evolving workforce needs of the state.

Hailing from a small village in eastern England, Beeby knows firsthand the transformative power of higher education. He was the first member of his family to attend college, graduating with a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Wales (United Kingdom), and both a master's degree and Ph.D. in American culture studies from Bowling Green State University.

Before coming to UWL, Beeby spent 25 years in various faculty and leadership roles in higher education, most recently serving as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Keene State College in New Hampshire.

Strategic Plan to set path, priorities for UWL

For over a century, UWL has been a pillar of the La Crosse community, continually evolving to meet challenges and embrace opportunities. As we look ahead, we seek to further define our identity and se t aspirational goals by asking: "What will UWL be in the next 5, 10 or 50 years?"

Over the past year, we have engaged campus and community stakeholders to help us craft a Strategic Plan
that will carry UWL from 2025 to 2030 - building upon past initiatives, honoring our rich history, and ensuring both the short- and long-term success of the university.

Based on this input, this fall we will be engaging the UWL community again on the proposed
draft pillars:

• The Driftless Difference - Elevating UWL's identity and impact as a premier
  regional destination
• People as Priority - Fostering an inclusive campus culture where individual voices matter
• Elevating Excellence through Educational Innovation - Harnessing innovation to prepare
  students, faculty and staff for the future
• Mission-Driven Management & Mindful Stewardship - Building a resilient, responsive and
  sustainable institution.

These pillars were crafted using the core principles of community engagement, transparency
and accountability.

This fall and winter, work will continue as we finalize, implement and allocate resources to support the priorities of the Strategic Plan.

We are grateful to those who have given their time and expertise to this important work. And we are excited to share the Strategic Plan with our broader community of alumni, friends and supporters in the months and years ahead.

Learn more about the Strategic Plan.