Sara Hafften, photojournalist 16 September 2020
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse interim dean of the College of Business Administration (CBA) Dr. Taggert J. Brooks, a former professor of economics, chair of the economics department and chair of the finance department, describes his enthusiasm for the newly renovated Wittich Hall. According to the Wittich Hall Renovation Preservation Plan, “[In 1909] La Crosse State Normal School emerged as a latecomer in Wisconsin’s history of ‘normal schools’ or teacher training and preparation schools.” The physical education program at La Crosse was the first state-funded program of its kind in the nation. To house this program, the physical education building was built. “In 1926, under Physical Education Director Walter Wittich, a four-year physical education program was introduced, and by 1931 a student could obtain a physical education degree with an academic minor.” After Walter Wittich’s death in 1953, the college renamed the building Wittich Hall, in memory of his 37 years of service to the physical education program. Wittich Hall was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Today, instead of housing a gym, track or pool, Wittich is the center of the College of Business Administration. Prior to the two-year renovation of Wittich Hall that began in 2018, the CBA and Small Business Development Center were located in Wimberley Hall. Five of the college’s six offices were scattered on the third and fourth floors. According to Brooks, some goals for the renovation of Wittich Hall were to give the CBA a “unique space to have its own identity”, a place for students to gather, and much-needed offices for faculty and staff – all while new features are mixed while honors historical aspects of the building. Due to the registration in the national register of historical sites, the facade of the building could not be changed, but was instead taken back to its historical origins. All the wood around the building has been reused from the old one e track. You will find the old gymnasium floor integrated with office space and is a nice aspect that separates the building. On the second floor of the management department, an installation will be added, dedicated to Walter Wittich, and will be a variant of a “museum” where students can learn about the building’s past. Asked about new features in the building for students, Brooks said that “Although there are no classrooms in the traditional sense, there are many learning spaces for students. It is Kaplan Finance Lab for example. When you enter the main entrance from the Centennial side, the first thing you see is a stock market mark. In that room, there are students who are in investment classes, perhaps able to do stock market research – it is an important place on campus that did not exist before. We have a collaborative lower-level learning computer space where students can share their screens and work with professors. ” Brooks also looks forward to students presenting themselves in the many rooms in the building and holding receptions in the new courtyard outside Wittich Hall. Although most of the renovation has been completed, some construction is still underway. Due to covid-19 complications, the production of glass decreased. This led to delays with the walkway upstairs, since it is not finished yet. It should be completed within the next month. Hopefully, the newly renovated Wittich Hall will be a place for the CBA to fulfill its mission of “promoting academic excellence, career success and community involvement through enriching, interactive experiences”.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse interim dean of the College of Business Administration (CBA) Dr. Taggert J. Brooks, a former professor of economics, chair of the economics department and chair of the finance department, describes his enthusiasm for the newly renovated Wittich Hall.
According to the Wittich Hall Renovation Preservation Plan, “[In 1909] La Crosse State Normal School emerged as a latecomer in Wisconsin’s history of ‘normal schools’ or teacher training and preparation schools.” The physical education program at La Crosse was the first state-funded program of its kind in the nation. To house this program, the physical education building was built. “In 1926, under Physical Education Director Walter Wittich, a four-year physical education program was introduced, and by 1931 a student could obtain a physical education degree with an academic minor.”
After Walter Wittich’s death in 1953, the college renamed the building Wittich Hall, in memory of his 37 years of service to the physical education program. Wittich Hall was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Today, instead of housing a gym, track or pool, Wittich is the center of the College of Business Administration.
Prior to the two-year renovation of Wittich Hall that began in 2018, the CBA and Small Business Development Center were located in Wimberley Hall. Five of the college’s six offices were scattered on the third and fourth floors. According to Brooks, some goals for the renovation of Wittich Hall were to give the CBA a “unique space to have its own identity”, a place for students to gather, and much-needed offices for faculty and staff – all while new features are mixed while honors historical aspects of the building.
Due to the registration in the national register of historical sites, the facade of the building could not be changed, but was instead taken back to its historical origins. All the wood found around the building has been reused from the old track. You will find the old gymnasium floor integrated with office space and is a nice aspect that separates the building. On the second floor of the management department, an installation will be added, dedicated to Walter Wittich, and will be a variant of a “museum” where students can learn about the building’s past.
Asked about new features in the building for students, Brooks said that “Although there are no classrooms in the traditional sense, there are many learning spaces for students. It is Kaplan Finance Lab for example. When you enter the main entrance from the Centennial side, the first thing you see is a stock market mark. In that room, there are students who are in investment classes, perhaps able to do stock market research – it is an important place on campus that did not exist before. We have a collaborative lower-level learning computer space where students can share their screens and work with professors. ” Brooks also looks forward to students presenting themselves in the many rooms in the building and holding receptions in the new courtyard outside Wittich Hall.
Although most of the renovation has been completed, some construction is still underway. Due to covid-19 complications, the production of glass decreased. This led to delays with the walkway upstairs, since it is not finished yet. It should be completed within the next month.
Hopefully, the newly renovated Wittich Hall will be a place for the CBA to fulfill its mission of “promoting academic excellence, career success and community involvement through enriching, interactive experiences”.