Jungbluths' latest gifts support faculty innovation, student success

Posted 10:15 a.m. Monday , Sept. 15 , 2025

Jungbluths' latest gifts support faculty innovation, student success

Eric and Kristin Jungbluth have long understood the power of education - not just for students, but for the faculty who shape their academic journeys. With their latest gifts to UW-La Crosse, the couple is deepening their investment in both.

The Jungbluths' newest initiatives in the College of Business Administration (CBA) and the School of Education (SOE) include faculty fellowships in each area, aimed at advancing research, innovation and academic excellence on campus and beyond.

"We've been longtime supporters of the business and education programs at UWL through our scholarships," the Jungbluths say. Eric, '85, retired CEO of CPG International Inc., credits his business degree from UWL with laying the groundwork for a successful career.

One of the new gifts, the Jungbluth Faculty Fellowship in Sustainable Business, is designed to elevate one of the CBA's fastest-growing areas by supporting the faculty who build the curricula.

"With this fellowship, we hope the sustainable business program will grow and flourish going forward," the Jungbluths say, noting the importance of understanding the environmental impact of business.

"This generous gift establishes a fellowship that will provide a vital platform for responsible management and sustainability leadership within the College of Business Administration," CBA Dean TJ Brooks adds. "It will empower faculty and students to drive meaningful change. The Jungbluth Faculty Fellow will be instrumental in connecting academic innovation with real-world impact through community engagement and responsible business practices."

The couple is also investing in the SOE through the Jungbluth Faculty Fellowships in Education.

The fellowships will be awarded to two SOE faculty to deepen their research and professional development, with a focus on co-teaching models that promote general and special education instructors working in partnership.

In addition to providing resources, the fellowships are also intended to promote continuity among staff and faculty, the Jungbluths say.

"Ultimately, the fellowship bridges theory and practice in ways that benefit both current educators, future educators and the PK-12 students they serve," says Marcie Wycoff Horn, dean of the SOE.

These new faculty-centered initiatives build on the Jungbluths' longstanding commitment to supporting UWL students.

"We believe UWL is providing an outstanding education at a good value," they say. "By giving back, we want to help students come out of school without too much debt."