Barbara & Carl Wimberly

This scholarship was established in 1992 in honor of Dr. Wimberly upon his retirement. In 2008, the fund name was changed to the Barbara and Carl Wimberly Scholars Fund. The life of Carl and Barbara Wimberly and their family centered around UWL.

W. Carl Wimberly, a 65 year resident of La Crosse died Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Carl Wimberly was born June 28, 1924, in Granite City, IL. He married Barbara Haroldson in 1950, in Carbondale, Ill. They were married for 52 years before she preceded him in death in 2002. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, retiring as a First lieutenant, Carl Wimberly earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana. He often expressed his gratitude for the G.I. Bill, which offered him the opportunity to pursue his education.

Dr. Wimberly joined UW-L in 1953, as professor of political science. He taught some of the university ‘s first economics classes in the 1950s. Along with teaching, he held numerous administrative positions, including director and later dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences, before being appointed vice chancellor in 1973. He served as acting chancellor following Kenneth Lindner’s resigna­tion in 1978 until Noel Richards’ appointment in 1979. His remarkable contributions and leadership in this administrative position continued until his retirement in 1992. Wimberly’s profound commitment to UWL warranted the UW System Board of Regent’s decision in 2000 to rename the building formerly known as North Hall after Carl Wimberly. Carl remained active with UWL after his retirement serving on various councils and selection committees. In total, he was with the university for 50 years.

Carl Wimberly was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of La Crosse, for the past 63 years. The extent of his other interests was noteworthy. He was an avid tennis player, walker and reader. He also enjoyed traveling and sports such as softball, basketball, bowling, and golf. He and Barbara were longtime members of various social and scholarly groups. A significant event, which was a continued source of great joy for Carl, was the university celebration of his 90th birthday in 2014.