When I look back on more than fifty years of my life, I see moments of both darkness and light. Some memories are painful to revisit, while others remind me how deeply the kindness of others can shape a person’s future.

I was only eight years old when my father died in a tragic car accident. His death left my thirty-nine year old mother with the enormous responsibly of raising nine children on her own. Life was often difficult, and there were many days when uncertainty seemed to overshadow hope. Looking back, I sometimes wonder how a boy from such humble beginnings found his way to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and eventually graduated in 1980.

The answer, I believe, lies in the people who entered my life along the way. One after another, they appeared when I needed guidance, encouragement, discipline, or simply someone who believed in me. Twenty-plus of them shared a connection to UW-Platteville. Together, they became beacons of light who helped illuminate my path.

My journey began in middle school with two history teachers, Paul Schoenike ’66 and Gil Jelinek ’67. Paul was a proud Green Bay Packer fan and Cheesehead whose engaging teaching style made history come alive. He was firm and expected obedience, but he also saw something in me and encouraged me to believe in myself. Gil taught alongside him, separated only by a room divider. Unlike Paul, Gil was a Chicago Bears fan and flat lander. Their friendly rivalry became part of the classroom atmosphere.

What impressed me most was not their differences but their friendship. They taught me that people could disagree and still respect one another. Through their lessons, I developed a love for history and creativity. Their high expectations challenged me to do my best, and for the first time, I began to recognize my own potential.

When I entered Monroe High School another group of mentors stepped forward. Ron Roberts ’62 taught woodworking, Wil Klippel ‘62 taught electronics, and Jim Bartholf ’62 taught drafting. Each brought a unique set of skills and expectations to the classroom. From them, I learned lessons that would remain with me throughout my life; attention to detail, respect for deadlines, pride in craftsmanship, and the importance of hard work. Their classes demanded precision and accountability. Those experiences eventually led me to a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology with minors in Industrial Safety and Business Administration.

During my junior year, I enrolled in a twentieth-century history class taught by Fred Simpson ’37. Fred was a former athlete and a strict disciplinarian who expected students to take their education seriously.

Knowing that I was interested in UW-Platteville, he often shared stories about the university and the remarkable people who helped shape it. He spoke of Coach George “Dobby” Dobson, who spent four decades serving as both head football coach and chemistry professor. He told stories about respected librarian Marjorie Hugunin and long-time Chancellor Homer Morrow. At the time, I had no idea that I would eventually live in Hugunin Hall or become part of the university community myself. Yet those stories planted seeds of curiosity and connection long before I arrived on campus.

Football also played an important role in my development. My high school coach, Jerry Schliem ’65, was a UW-P football player who brought energy, discipline, and leadership to the Monroe Cheesemakers football program. He was respected by his players because he demanded excellence while inspiring us to work together as a team. Oddly enough, years later he would become my insurance agent.

In the fall of 1975, an assistant coach named Bill VanderVelden ’75 joined our program as a student teacher. Bill had recently completed an outstanding football career at UW-Platteville and carried himself with confidence and determination. One day, he invited several of us to visit the campus.

That visit changed my life.

As I walked through UW-Platteville for the first time, I felt an immediate sense of belonging. Something about the campus, the people, and the opportunities spoke to me. By the end of the tour, I knew where I wanted to continue my education.

Before leaving for college, however, there was one more important influence in my life.

Katheryn Etter, the district school nurse for 36 years, watched over our family for years. She believed deeply in helping young people succeed. She offered encouragement when it was needed, honesty when it was necessary, and hope when circumstances seemed discouraging.

Shortly before I graduated from high school, she handed me a small piece of paper with a name written on it: Bjarne Ullsvik. “Look this person up when you get to Platteville,” she told me. I slipped the paper into my pocket and thought little about it at the time.

After graduating from high school in 1976, I attended pre-registration at UW-Platteville and met my academic advisor, Howard Brooks ’65. Howard guided me through course selection and expected excellence in everything I did. Over time, our professional relationship developed into a friendship. Years later, I had the privilege of speaking at his retirement celebration, an honor that reflected the impact he had on my life.

When I arrived on campus that fall, another influential figure greeted me. Carmen Hoppenjan, the Hugunin Hall resident director, helped me navigate the challenges of living away from home for the first time. Though small in stature, she possessed remarkable strength, compassion, and leadership. Her guidance helped me adjust to college life and reminded me that genuine leadership often comes through service to others. I was blessed by Hugunin Hall resident assistants, Jim Gardner ’76 and Chris Zwettler ’78, both strong leaders on and off the basketball court.

Then came one of the most surprising moments of my college experiences.

During my freshman year, I enrolled in a mathematics course taught by Bjarne Ullsvik — the very same person whose name Katheryn Etter had written on that slip of paper. When I introduced myself, it seemed as though he already knew who I was. What I later learned made the encounter even more remarkable. Bjarne had served as the tenth chancellor at UW-Platteville for seventeen years. After retiring from that prestigious position, he returned to the classroom as a professor, working from a modest office in the basement of Karrmann Library.

That decision revealed the character of the man. Bjarne was humble, compassionate, deeply committed to helping others. He believed in people. He accepted them where they were while encouraging them to become their best selves. Over time, he became far more than a professor. He became a mentor, an advocate and father figure. He tutored me when I struggled and provided recommendations when opportunities arose. One of my most treasured possessions remains a personal letter he wrote to me. Even after his retirement, I continued visiting him because his friendship meant so much. In July of 1997, UWP honored Bjarne and Lucille, renaming the Student Center, the Ullsvik Center. I was seated with the Ullsvik family at the ceremony.

In 1978, I joined Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, a nother experience that expanded my circle of mentors and friends. The fraternity advisor, Dr. Jerry Strohm, was a biology professor who dedicated decades of service to the university. He was demanding yet approachable, disciplined yet caring. I had the honor of speaking at his retirement.

Through the fraternity, I also met individuals whose friendships have endured for decades. Men such as Greg Knoke ‘67, John Saarinen ‘69, Steve Pickett ‘73, Larry Beer ‘77, Jim Ryan ’77, and Bert Zipperer ‘78 became part of a lifelong network of support and encouragement.

My involvement in campus organizations introduced me to many other university leaders, including Dean of Students Lloyd Linden ‘55, chemistry professor Dwight Klaassen, Alumni Director Barb Daus ‘71, and Vice President Steve Zielke ‘66. Each demonstrated what it meant to serve a community with dedication and integrity.

Looking back now, I am amazed at how these individuals entered my life at just the right moments. What seemed like isolated encounters at the time eventually formed a connected story spanning more than half a century.

Each person contributed something unique. Some taught discipline. Others taught leadership. Some offered friendship, while others provided guidance and opportunity. Together, they gave me confidence, direction, and hope.

Most importantly, they taught me the value of helping others. Whenever someone is struggling, they need more than advice. They need hope. They need someone willing to believe in them until they can believe in themselves. That is what these people did for me.

I arrived at UW-Platteville uncertain about my future and unsure of my place in the world. I left with faith, confidence, and a clearer sense of purpose. The university became far more than a place where I earned a degree. It became a community of mentors whose influence shaped the course of my life.

Their light continues to shine through the lessons they taught and the example they set. Because of them, I learned that while success may be measured by what we achieve, a meaningful life is measured by what we give to others.

As Sir Winston Churchill famously said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

— Louie Bunker is a lifelong Monroe resident and UW-Platteville graduate.