The ‘Eagle L’ now stands as a permanent symbol of school pride and connection

Posted 9:36 a.m. Friday , June 26 , 2026

The 'Eagle L' now stands as a permanent symbol of school pride and connection

On June 23, UW-La Crosse unveiled a striking new campus landmark - a 10-foot stainless steel "Eagle L" sculpture between Wimberly Hall and the Recreational Eagle Center. More than a piece of art, the sculpture serves as a gathering place where students, alumni and visitors can celebrate, connect and create lasting memories.

Created by artist and alumnus Luke Achterberg, '04, and made possible through the vision and generosity of alumnus Joe Laux, '89, the sculpture pays tribute to UWL and its high-flying Eagle athletic teams.

"This is more than just a single gift to the university. It reflects the pride of the UWL community and embodies the Eagle spirit," says UWL Chancellor James Beeby. "I'm so excited to have this new landmark on our campus - your campus."

"The Eagle in the L" is the spirit logo for UWL Athletics. Originally created in 1989 by UWL alumnus Dave Christianson, '73, the iconic symbol has connected generations of Eagles and has come to embody the spirit, tradition, and identity of UWL.

Watch for more about the "L" in the upcoming issue of the Lantern, coming this fall.