Ron Rada reflects on 50 years of service, transformation at UWL

The view from Grandad Bluff

Ron Rada reflects on 50 years of service, transformation at UWL

Professor Emeritus and longtime UWL supporter Ron Rada highlights the university's continued growth and pursuit of excellence.

Posted 1:05 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 2026

"Just because we are a small comprehensive university doesn't mean we can't do great things." That's what my mentor, Dr. Tom Claflin, said when I came to UW-La Crosse in 1975, a time when that sense of possibility was growing across campus.

In the 50 years since, I have had the privilege - as a faculty member, administrator, volunteer and supporter - to participate in that ambitious mindset becoming more deeply embedded in UWL's culture.

It meant remaining open to new possibilities and not being constrained by present circumstances. It meant pushing boundaries and working collaboratively - both within the university and with external partners. It also meant embracing the Wisconsin Idea by extending the university's reach to serve the broader community and state.

This mindset translated into exceptional growth and achievement. UWL has developed into a dynamic university with high-performing programs across STEM, health care, business, the humanities, social sciences, education, athletics, arts and more. Underlying many of these successes since the early 2000s was a rebuilding of campus infrastructure, including innovative renovations and state-of-the-art new construction.

The university has evolved from being good at what it does to becoming a leader in transformative practices such as experiential learning, course-embedded research and community-engaged learning. And it consistently ranks as a top public university for academic quality and value.

These accomplishments have been amplified by strong external partnerships. Collaborators have contributed time, expertise and resources to support curricula, research, internships, workforce development and more. At the same time, alumni and friends have made philanthropic investments that have created life-changing opportunities for students. Together, these contributions have enabled UWL to expand its impact far beyond what it could have achieved on its own.

Looking ahead, I believe the best is yet to come. Sustaining UWL's culture of aspiration - while continuing to strengthen partnerships and philanthropy - will be among the elements essential to growing its legacy and advancing its impact in the years ahead.