Hometown: Delano, MN
Year: Junior
Major: Psychology

What activities/organizations are you involved in?
Campus Ambassadors, Psych Club, Alpha Lambda Delta-Phi Eta Sigma, and Intramural Sports.

The organization that I am most involved in on campus is Blugold Beginnings, which is a program that provides mentors/tutors for underrepresented students in the local elementary, middle, and high schools.  The goal of the organization is to promote higher education for these students and to assist them in reaching their fullest potential. I also participated in the National Student Exchange during the fall semester of my sophomore year.  I traveled to Buffalo, NY and had an amazing experience!  It was incredible to explore the culture in an entirely different region of the United States.  I was also able to travel to Niagara Falls and Toronto, both of which are places I hope to visit again soon!  I think NSE is a fantastic opportunity, and with over 200 schools to choose from, there is a perfect match for everyone!

What's something that you’ve discovered about UWEC that you didn’t know when you got here as a freshman?
There is absolutely no place better to be during the springtime than on Towers Field.  As soon as the weather gets nice, everyone grabs their towels and blankets and heads out to the field to spend the rest of their day working on homework, taking a nap, or just soaking in the sun with their friends.  You’ll always be able to find sand volleyball games going on as well as pick up games of soccer, Frisbee, football, and even Quidditch!

Where’s your favorite local hotspot?
A local hotspot that my friends and I recently discovered is an awesome sandwich place called Chedd's, located near campus on Water Street.  They specialize in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and have an incredible menu to choose from, but if none of those sandwiches catch your eye, you have the option of creating your own! 

What do you think about the footbridge/campus hill?
The footbridge is one of my favorite spots on campus (when it’s not cold or windy out!) because it provides such an amazing view of both lower and upper campus.  I also love that it serves as a connection to the Eau Claire community because I think the interaction between community members and UWEC students is really special.  The hill is definitely a blessing in disguise.  I actually really love it, not just because it gives me an awesome workout everyday, but also because it provides the perfect separation of my home life and my academic life.  It is so nice to have the feeling like you’re going home after a long day of classes.

Finish the following sentence: YOU feel Blugold pride when….
I’m giving a tour or talking with a prospective student.  I love answering questions that families have because it gives me the opportunity to help them out while also showing them why I love this school and community so much.