Former Chancellor Joe Gow and his wife, Carmen Wilson, are involved in a scandal at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Explicit videos of them were found on porn websites, which led to Gow being fired by the UW Board of Regents. The academic community is shocked. We are learning more about Carmen Wilson’s past and how the couple entered the adult film industry.
Carmen Wilson: From Academic Heights to Adult Film Controversy
Carmen Wilson, 56, had a distinguished academic career at UW-La Crosse, spanning approximately 15 years. She started working in the psychology department in 1996. She eventually became an associate professor. Wilson led the search committee. The committee chose Joe Gow as chancellor in 2006. Wilson worked as Gow’s chief of staff from 2008 to 2011.
After leaving UW-La Crosse, Wilson became a leader at UW-Rock County. She had to deal with budget cuts there. Later, she took on a leadership role at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. Despite her academic achievements, Wilson’s life took a surprising turn. She got married to Chancellor Joe Gow in June 2014. They got married on the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The FurLow Riders and “Chillin’ With the Chancellor”: Public-Facing Roles
The couple, known for their unconventional love story, also shared a passion for music as part of “The FurLow Riders,” a blues-rock band led by Gow. They had public roles at university events. They were often seen at the controversial “Chillin’ With the Chancellor” gatherings. The campus community got used to seeing them there.
“Sexy Happy Couple”: Adult Film Industry Foray Raises Eyebrows
The scandal deepens with the revelation of explicit videos featuring Carmen Wilson and Joe Gow under the moniker “Sexy Happy Couple.” The videos, posted on various porn websites, showcase the couple cooking vegan dishes with adult film stars. Using pseudonyms and promotion on platforms like X and OnlyFans adds another layer of controversy to their already unconventional public image.
Books, Balancing Acts, and Unveiling Secrets
The couple’s dual lives are further exposed by the publication of two books authored by Geri and Jay Hart. In “Monogamy with Benefits: How Porn Enriches Our Relationship” and “Married with Benefits: Our Real-life Adult Industry Adventures,” Wilson and Gow navigate the tension between their public status and private desires, alluding to potential scandal if their peers were to discover their unconventional pursuits.
Aftermath and Free Speech Defense
The scandal climaxes with Chancellor Joe Gow’s termination by the UW Board of Regents. Gow, who is 63 years old, firmly defends free speech. He questions if his firing breaks constitutional protections. The university community and the public struggle with the unique situation and its effect on the institution’s reputation.
The UW-La Crosse academic scandal has shocked and made the academic community reflect. It reminds us that personal lives and public personas are connected.
