Governors and hospital heads call for completion to UWL science project

Where are the future doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals for western Wisconsin coming from? 

Many of them might study at UW-La Crosse, which could attract more students with another science building being proposed for the campus. 

Governor Tony Evers and former Governor Tommy Thompson joined local lawmakers and hospital leaders at UWL yesterday to push for the second phase of the Prairie Springs Science Center. 

Gundersen CEO Scott Rathgaber said science training will help “to provide the next generation of health care professionals for Wisconsin, in Wisconsin, keeping our talent here.” more workers for the local medical centers.

The first Prairie Springs building opened in 2018, on what used to be the Cowley Science Hall parking lot.  The state building commission and the legislature have to approve the remainder of the science project.       

State rep Jill Billings says renovating Cowley, built in the 1960’s, won’t work for 21st century science classes.    

Evers looked back on his early career, as a science teacher.

“I had probably better facilities in 1969 in Plymouth (Wisconsin) High School than I see on our University of Wisconsin campuses.”

Evers says the state can afford the project, anticipating possible resistance from the Republican-led legislature.