Greetings V-Hawk parents and families,

It was my great honor to accept the appointment as Viterbo University’s 10th president in February. It is a post that will receive everything I have. Students have always been at the center of everything we do at Viterbo, and I assure you that this will not change.

I am very passionate about this calling because I personally know the power of a Catholic college education. I was a first-generation college student from a working-class family whose education at St. Bonaventure University was made possible through an ROTC scholarship and the encouragement of the important people in my life. Education changed my life, and for this I will always be grateful.

A little more about me for those of you who might not be familiar. I served 22 years in the U.S. Army, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan. I went to serve as the vice president for student affairs at St. Bonaventure University in New York for nine years before arriving at Viterbo in 2017. I greatly enjoy mentoring and helping young people succeed, and I will continue to use my extensive experience doing just that. My wife, Michele, and I have two grown sons, Richard III and Kyle.

Part of our duty to our students is the solemn commitment to their safety. As in every college neighborhood, there will be incidents to some degree, but they will be dealt with in a professional and highly conscientious manner. We have an excellent campus safety and security team, and your student is very safe here.

I look forward to seeing the parents of graduating seniors at the May 14 commencement. New this year is a candlelight Sending and Blessing Ceremony the evening before graduation. This is one more way we can honor our graduates for their achievements and wish them well as they begin their careers. We know they will be ready.

Sincerely,



Rick Trietley

Two upcoming events will lift up some of Viterbo’s most outstanding students for well-earned recognition.

On April 28–29, our annual Scholars Days event will highlight senior capstone and internship experiences and high-level research projects from both undergraduates and graduate students, as well as offering senior performances, creative works, and multi-disciplinary presentations.

On May 2, the annual Student Recognition Ceremony at the Weber Center will honor students, faculty, and clubs and organizations for their contributions to the Viterbo and La Crosse community.

Other reasons for Viterbo to celebrate this semester include:

►The first Agnes W.H. Tan Science Symposium (focused on drinking water) was held March 25, with a leadoff presentation by environmental activist Erin Brockovich.

►Viterbo was named one of the best colleges in the nation at which to earn an online master’s degree in dietetics by the website OnlineMastersDegrees.org.

►Viterbo was one of only four Wisconsin colleges designated a Top 10 Gold Military Friendly School for 2022–2023.

Viterbo has many longstanding traditions, but spring semester this year sees the start of some new ones.

On March 30, the university honored alumna and former faculty member Thea Bowman, FSPA ’65, and dedicated the Sr. Thea Bowman Center. The mission of the center is to celebrate her life and advance her legacy by providing resources for education and understanding of human dignity and social justice. Sister Thea, a candidate for sainthood, will be honored annually on March 30, the anniversary of her death in 1990.

The Class of 2022 will kick off a new tradition, Senior Soirée with the President, on May 12. Viterbo President Rick Trietley is inviting all undergraduate candidates for graduation to join him for dinner at the Mathy Center.

Finally, the university is starting a new tradition, a candlelight Sending and Blessing Ceremony at Assisi Courtyard that with the Welcome and Blessing Ceremony will bookend the Viterbo experience for students. This inaugural Sending and Blessing Ceremony starts at 8 p.m. Friday, May 13, with a reception to follow. All candidates for graduation are invited to take part, as are parents and other family members.

Marci Iverson, Viterbo University's assistant dean of students and director of the recreation and leadership department, has been with the university for 15.5 years. Over the years her responsibilities have grown and changed, but always at the core is supporting the well-being and personal growth of students.

Read Iverson's Q&A