Thanks to a $5.2 million anonymous gift, Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) is expanding its dedicated science building, creating a sports performance and training center, and enlarging the college’s fitness center.
Over the past 10 years, WLC’s enrollment has grown by more than 70 percent. For the current academic year, the college reported its highest-ever first year enrollment, which represents a 26 percent increase compared with 2017-2018.
WLC recently established a College of Health Sciences to support the rapidly growing health care industry. Approximately 30 percent of WLC students are pursuing careers in the health and life sciences. To meet this increased demand, the lower level of the college’s dedicated science building, Generac Hall, will be outfitted with additional classrooms designed to encourage teamwork and utilize interactive teaching technology. New anatomy and physiology labs will offer more space and maximize hands-on collaboration. A Sport and Exercise Science suite will provide students with active and participatory lab experiences. Students will use the same equipment for assessment and analysis as they will in the field. The expansion also includes two student gathering spaces.
Forty-five percent of WLC students participate in the college’s 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate varsity sports. An increase in student-athletes necessitates a build-out of the Recreation Complex. The new Sports Performance Center offers an enlarged, comprehensive weight room and a dynamic exercise area. New dedicated spaces for golf, baseball, and softball will focus on year-round training and include state-of-the-art simulators and practice spaces. The expanded fitness center will contain the latest equipment to increase workout options for students.
As part of several separate gifts, WLC also will be restoring its running track at Raabe Stadium. The newly named Catalyst Track will be completed this summer.