The Southeast Asian countries of Vietnam and Laos are exceptionally rich both culturally and biologically. The lush forests, productive farmlands, and other natural resources of this area attracted French colonialists, played important roles in the Vietnam and Secret Wars of the 1950s to 1970s, and are currently the subject of international investment and global commodity trading. Interactions with the United States and other countries have left an indelible mark on the politics, environment, and people of Vietnam and Laos, and the impacts of war have affected individuals and shaped populations in the U.S., including La Crosse. In May, 2025, I joined two Hmong-American colleagues on a research trip to Vietnam and Laos, in preparation for a UW-La Crosse faculty-sponsored study program (open to both UWL students and outside participants) that will begin in summer, 2026. In this presentation, I will describe how our intersecting histories and research areas, as well as a deep network of partnerships with non-governmental organizations and academic researchers doing critical humanitarian and environmental work in Vietnam and Laos, led to life-changing insights in ourselves and a unique study and service program that promises to positively change the lives of its participants.

Dr. Todd Osmundson, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biology at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. A geneticist, mycologist (fungal biologist), and conservation biologist by training, Dr. Osmundson studied at Carleton College, the University of Montana, Montana State University, Columbia University, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley before coming to UWL in 2013. He has conducted international field research in Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, French Polynesia, Guatemala, Mexico, Svalbard, Thailand, and the United States, in tropical, temperate, arctic, and alpine habitats, in an attempt to better understand the global distributions, evolutionary and migrational histories, and ecology of fungi. 

Bill Soper has been part of the YMCA movement for over 40 years, beginning as a day camp counselor and youth sports coach at the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties in Fargo, North Dakota. 

Since 1995, Bill has served as CEO of the La Crosse Area Family YMCA, working with a mission-driven team focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. During this time, the La Crosse Y has grown from 4,400 to 24,000 members, expanded to two full-facility branches, and developed strong partnerships across the community—including a strong and robust relationship with Emplify Health.

Paula Lofstrom, Founder and Operations Director, for International Health Partners will be speaking at a number of Rotary Meetings and Church Services in the La Crosse area in October. Rotary Clubs throughout the U.S. have supported International Health Partners for over 20 years helping to open three health care facilities in Tanzania, East Africa and now IHP is building a fourth hospital. 

 

All are invited to attend any of the events listed below. The story is truly inspirational.

• Tuesday Oct. 14, 5:30 pm- Rotary Club After Hours Rotary - La Crosse, The Main
• Wednesday Oct. 15, 7:30 am - La Crosse Valley View Rotary, Onalaska YMCA
• Friday Oct. 17, 7:00 am - La Crescent Rotary Club, Corky's Pizza, La Crescent, MN
• Sunday Oct. 19, North Presbyterian Church, La Crosse, regular service