2010 - Third Annual, Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ People

Willem Van Roosenbeek - UW-La Crosse

Willem has been a leader and champion of LGBTQ issues on the UW-La Crosse campus and in the broader community throughout his career.  His advocacy and outreach to students and faculty at UW-La Crosse began during his time as a student and have continued to develop and flourish in his role as the Pride Center Director.  On his campus, he has initiated numerous programs including the Rainbow Graduation Reception, A Day of Silence and Transgender Remembrance Week, UW-La Crosse’s LGBTQ Alumni Organization, and on-going trainings and panels that serve the wider community.  Willem collaborates with the directors of Multicultural Student Services and Disability Resource Services to ensure that UW-La Crosse addresses all the intersectional complexities in students’ lives.  As a founding member of the campus Hate Response Team, Willem helped develop UW-La Crosse’s exemplary “Hate Incident Reporting Form” that has resulted in increased awareness of bias incidents on campus.  Willem has made innovative contributions to the curriculum by co-developing a study abroad program in Paris that focuses on LGBTQ identity issues and is open to students throughout the UW System.  It’s no surprise that the UW-La Crosse Pride Center has gained national recognition for its stellar programming by the Consortium of LGBTQ Educators. 

The UW System Inclusivity Initiative has greatly benefitted from Willem’s expertise.  His pioneering efforts to educate faculty, staff and students on gender identity and expression have led to Board of Regents Policy changes that protect transgender individuals in the entire UW System.  Willem understands that the personal is political and has successfully changed minds by sharing his personal story and experience with systemwide groups, at conferences, and on our campuses.  His workshops and trainings on the multi-faceted meanings and identities of the LGBTQ communities have been inspirational.  Nominated by Chancellor Joe Gow and seen by his peers as “an expert communicator” and “coalition builder,” Will continues to create a welcoming climate for LGBTQ students, staff , and faculty on his campus, throughout System and beyond.