Hometown: Edina, MN
Year: Junior
Major: Nursing
What activities/organizations are you involved in? University and Nursing Honors programs, Student-Faculty Research in China, Social Chair on the Panhellenic Council and the New Member Orientation Chair in Alpha Xi Delta
Tell us more about your University and Nursing Honors program experience: Both programs are amazing opportunities for students at UWEC. Not only does the honors program give you early registration (a huge bonus) but it also gives you the chance to take interesting and fun classes you’d never take otherwise. I was able to go down South to around 15 cities in 4 states I’d never been to before including New Orleans through an honors class. My research in China came about through a connection I’d made in an honors class with the faculty.
If you work during school, where? I work for the University Activities Commissions as a co-chair of the Festivals Committee.
What do you think of the footbridge? I really love the footbridge because it gives you such a beautiful view of campus and I like that people write messages in the rocks below on the Haas Fine Arts side of the bridge.
You've got a big test this week– where will you be studying for it? I think am one of the few people who studies best in my room. My desk is right next to my bed so I can just spread everything out. To write a paper I'm definitely in the back corner of the library on 1st floor in the reference section. It's so nice having all of the resources you'll need readily available.
What’s an instance of a professor reaching out to help you outside of the classroom? For my sorority's annual philanthropy event, we ride a teeter-totter for 24 hours straight; and Lisa Schiller from the nursing department rode for an hour. It was so touching that she was willing to help even though it was raining the whole time!
Favorite campus event: BOB – Blugold Organizations Bash. It’s a time for all of the organizations on campus to show everyone else what they do. Most of the student body is there and it’s a really fun way to figure out what you’d like to get involved with.
What do you think makes being a student at UWEC unique? The dedication of the faculty and all of the opportunities. I have a very driven friend who started working on research with a professor in August before her freshman year. Those kinds of chances don’t really happen at other universities.
Why did you pick UWEC? I really loved the campus and how much green space there was. The river is gorgeous as well running right through campus. I also wanted a school that was big but not too big.
If you could give a specific piece of advice to a freshman on how to LIVE the Eau Claire advantage, what would it be? Try everything. Find a club you like and go to the meetings, go see a band in The Cabin, get involved in Homecoming, talk to your professors, study abroad or try the National Student Exchange. All of these things can help you meet people and find out what you really like to do.
Think back to a time when you felt really passionate/excited as a college student at UWEC, tell us about it! One was after my last clinical in my first semester of nursing. Clinicals are such a great way for us to practice our skills and watch nurses in action. My patient had a doctor come in and he was a bit nervous so I just sat there and held his hand during the consultation. Afterwards the nurse thanked me for sitting with him and keeping him company. Although my nurse was busy working with other patients that’s when I fully realized that nursing isn’t just giving medications or putting in IVs, it’s about making people feel better in every way. It made me very excited and glad that I’m on my way to becoming a nurse.
What’s one money saver you weren’t expecting coming to UWEC? The "caf" (cafeteria). I didn’t think I’d like the food as much as I do. There is always something to eat and that has saved me a lot of money.
