Effigy mounds — mounds of earth sculpted in the shape of birds, bears, and other animals and figures — are concentrated in southern Wisconsin. Built between circa 700 and 1100 A.D., they were often burial places.

While researchers have learned a lot about these mounds, explanations of their meaning remain elusive.

Drawing on archaeological and other anthropological information on Native American religion and worldviews, Robert A.  Birmingham will share the idea that often vast effigy mound arrangements are ceremonial landscapes. Birmingham will present those ideas at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in 3310 Student Union. The event is free and open to the public.

Birmingham, a former Wisconsin state archaeologist, says these ceremonial landscapes reflected a religious movement. This was a movement where key powerful spirits were periodically animated in places spirits dwell to bring blessings to humans by renewing the world and to carry the dead in cycle of death and rebirth. He will also share a hypothesis for why this might have been done in a specific geographic area in the Midwest.

Now retired, Birmingham continues to write public-oriented books on various archaeological and historical and topics.

In an era where civil rights was a major talking point, an Italian bouncer, Tony Lip, and a black pianist, Dr. Don Shirley, form a unique bond during a concert tour where Lip serves as Shirley's driver and protector. Green Book will show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, and 4:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Movie Theater, Student Union.

“Development as a team sport – blending faculty, staff, students and administration together is a recipe for success!”

The Lunch & Learn session will explore the role campus plays in helping engage, cultivate and steward our alumni and friends. Walk away with new tools that can help the fundraising enterprise at UWL. The same presentation content will be offered two different days:

•11-11:55 a.m. Monday, March 4, in the Strzelczyk Great Hall, Cleary Alumni & Friends Center.
•12:45-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, in the Strzelczyk Great Hall, Cleary Alumni & Friends Center.

Register at: https://www.uwlax.edu/foundation/lunch--learn-rsvp/. 

For more information, contact Greg Reichert at 785.8672,  greichert@uwlax.edu or Jeff Meyer at 785.8502,  jmeyer@uwlax.edu.

Are you ready for a soaking-good time? Join UW-Platteville and UW-Stevens Point for a college student-only water party. Students will be locked inside the park between 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Kalahari, Wisconsin Dells. The bus will load at 8:15 p.m. in front of the Student Union and will leave at approximately 8:30 p.m., and return back to UWL around 3 a.m. Tickets are $15 Purchase tickets at Info Center, Student Union or online at: https://www.efoliotickets.com/FolioProd/Events.aspx?VId=37

The Pride Center holds an educational workshop on LGBTQIAAP+ identities, issues facing the community, intersectionality and how to understand privilege and combat oppression from 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in 3120 Student Union.

Enjoy a filling and fulfilling night with the UWL Alumni Association from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. Advance Tickets are $35 for members and $40 for others. Vendors attending include: The Crow, DL Cakery, La Cross Distilling Co., Purple Feet Wine, St. Joe's Country Market/Timmer's Meats, UWL Dining and Vernon Vineyards.

Event registration includes:

• Tastings of wine, beer, spirits, food and dessert from area vendors
• Live entertainment by musical guest Audio Jack
• Photobooth fun
• Raffles and silent auction
• A commemorative tasting glass

Register at: https://www.uwlax.edu/alumni/events/barrels-and-bites/

Spring break is a time to relax and have fun, but spring break can also be expensive. The It Make$ Cents! team will help you plan a spring break budget from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, in 3310 Student Union.

The UWL Track & Field program invites high school and middle school track athletes to a one-day clinic designed to enhance skills in pole vault on Sunday, March 3. This clinic is open to all athletes and all skill levels. Register at http://trackandfield.uwlcamps.com/

The UW-La Crosse Track & Field program invites high school and middle school track athletes to join UWL coaching staff and athletes to a one-day clinic designed to enhance your skills in specific events.  This clinic is open to all athletes and all skill levels. Register at http://trackandfield.uwlcamps.com/

No matter where you are in life, a session with a TIAA financial consultant can help create or plan financial goals. It's no additional cost as a part of a retirement plan. Get answers to these questions and more:

       Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
       Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
       How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

Register for a session at www.TIAA.org/schedulenow or by calling 800.732.8353, weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (ET). 

Sessions are from:

8 a.m.-3 p.m.Tuesday, Feb. 26, in 3130 Student Union
8 a.m.-3 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 27, in 3130 Student Union
8 a.m.-noon Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in 3130 Student Union 

RSVP soon, as space is limited.

Do you know a university staff employee who goes above and beyond in the following categories? 

• performance excellence 
• personal interaction
• initiative and creativity 
• support of the university and its mission 

The award consists of an $800 honorarium to be used for professional development and a UWL recognition plaque. 

Recipients must be UWL university staff who have been employed for a minimum of 12 months. University staff is defined as non-instructional support staff including administrative support, crafts workers and building trades, laborers, and service workers. 

Nominations may come from a college, department, or division unit. Nominations may also come from university staff, academic staff, administrators, faculty, students and self-nominations. University staff who have been previously nominated may be re-nominated. 

Nominations and optional letters of support are due to the selection committee no later than 11:59 p.m. Monday, April 1.  

For additional information about the University Staff Excellence Award and to submit nominations and optional letters of support, visit: https://www.uwlax.edu/university-staff-council/university-staff-excellence-award/ For questions contact the University Staff Excellence Award Committee at useac@uwlax.edu.

UW-La Crosse wrestling: Sawyer Massie ready to defend WIAC crown  Feb. 8

La Crosse Tribune

(Feature story on UWL wrestler junior Sawyer Massie.)

Iowa City West grad Dani Craig found happiness, success with UW-La Crosse women's basketball  Feb. 8

The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines

(Feature story on transfer student Dani Craig, former Iowa City West standout.)

Proposed parking benefit district proposal could provide extra funding for La Crosse neighborhoods   Feb. 8

News8000.com - WKBT

(Campus area is part of paid on-street parking areas test.)

Regents approve tuition hikes at UW-La Crosse, other campuses  Feb. 9

La Crosse Tribune

(UWL tuition for out-of-state undergrads will climb 1 percent increase.)

UW-La Crosse to host archaeologist on elusive history of effigy mounds  Feb.9

News8000.com - WKBT

(Retired archaeologist Robert A. Birmingham to give a talk at UWL.)

Big Band Cabaret set for Feb. 16 at UW-La Crosse  Dec. 9

La Crosse Tribune

(Two 18-piece big bands from UWL will perform sounds and recreate sights of the 1930s and '40s swing era at 32nd annual Big Band Cabaret.)

Economic Indicators event to focus on local economy, value of data  Feb.10

La Crosse Tribune

(UWL set to host economic breakfast.)

Sewer agreements bring up regional discussions in La Crosse area  Feb. 10

La Crosse Tribune

(UWL professor emeritus Joe Heim, founder of United Coulee, discusses regional agreements.)

La Crosse organizations, community members gather to fight gender-based and teen-dating ...  Feb. 11

La Crosse Tribune

(UWL Violence Prevention Social Work Intern Jocelyn O'Neill comments on challenges of gender-based dating.)

New state veterans secretary is first female to serve in that role in Wisconsin  Feb. 11

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

(Secretary Kolar is a UWL alum.)

Getting the Most Benefit From Ab Exercises   Feb. 11

HealthDay

(UWL researchers lead study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise on ab exercises.)

UWL Wrestling wins 18th WIAC Championship  Feb. 13

News8000.com - WKBT

(UWL wrestlers leave Eau Claire with four individual conference champions and the program's third consecutive WIAC title.)

UW-La Crosse grad students squeeze years of research into three pressure-packed minutes  Feb. 14

La Crosse Tribune

(UWL grad students take part in 3-Minute Thesis event.)

Brandon Micech: Teamwork promotes safety at UWL  Feb. 14

La Crosse Tribune

(UWL freshman and former school board representative discusses safety measures of the campus.)

La Crosse groups plan rally Friday in wake of racist graffiti  Feb. 14

La Crosse Tribune

(UWL group among those planning rally.)

Area police brush up on emergency medical skills   Feb. 14

News8000.com - WKBT

(Officers from UWL among those taking part in training.)

Northern Warfare Challenge set for Saturday   Feb. 14

La Crosse Tribune

(UWL ROTC hosts event open to all U.S. universities.)