CAMPUS PROFILE: Laurel Devitt

 Laurel Devitt understands the pressure students feel as the year draws to a close and finals begin to overwhelm them.

But, while students' are focusing on this semester, Devitt's pressure comes from preparing for next year.

"It can get pretty wild right about now with registration," Devitt said. "There really isn't a second to stop with people constantly stopping by my desk, e-mailing me or calling me."

Devitt works in the College of Liberal Studies as an assistant to the dean. She is the person students see if they need to get an override, change their major or minor, or apply for admission to a specific program. She also works with the teaching certification paperwork for all the education majors. Lastly, she helps to ensure that if a student takes a class at another school the class will transfer for the correct credit at UW-L. 

Despite the hectic periods and mountains of paperwork, Devitt seems to enjoy her job. She said her favorite parts are the people she works with and the student contact.

"The people I work with are just great," Devitt said. 

Devitt graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in English and started her career at UW-Whitewater before taking 13 years off to raise her three boys. She returned to UW-Whitewater and worked with the marketing department, minority programs, pre-college programs and the political science department. 

Devitt transferred to La Crosse five and a half years ago to take care of here 85-year-old mother. Devitt appreciates La Crosse for the abundance of outdoor activities such as walking, kayaking and swimming. She also commented on the beautiful scenery due to the bluffs and the river. 

When not outdoors, Devitt spends a great deal of time writing. During the 13 years she took off she said she wrote a lot of poetry. She has had numerous works published and won a few awards. One of the most interesting works she had published was a story about the Pathfinder on Mars. The story was called "S.T. Writes Home," and NASA published it. Devitt chose the title as a play on "E.T. Phone Home" because the Pathfinder was named Sojourner Truth.

Devitt said she also has a passion for Buddhism and meditation. Her interest in the subject started at UW-Whitewater. When she came to La Crosse she attended the Diamond Way Buddhist Center and said she enjoys it because of the nice people she has met. Devitt encourages any interested student to attend the Monday night meetings on campus to learn more about Buddhism.