Professor represents UW System at national education summit
Dr. Roger Tlusty, professor and chair of the foundations of education department at UW-Eau Claire, represented the UW System as a member of a Wisconsin delegation attending a one-day U.S. Department of Education summit on high school reform Oct. 8 in Washington, D.C. Tlusty joined seven others from Wisconsin, including State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster and Jessica Clark, education policy advisor from Gov. Doyle’s office, as they met with congressional representatives, think tank staff and other educators and government officials from across the nation to discuss the challenges facing America’s high schools and address the solutions and “next steps” needed to tackle those challenges. Full story.

 

Recovery fund established for Justin Greenwood
A recovery fund has been established for UW-Eau Claire linebacker Justin Greenwood who is in serious condition at St. Paul Regions Hospital following a head injury suffered in the Blugolds’ Sept. 27 football game at UW-River Falls. The Blugold football team’s Unity Council, comprised of senior players, has set up a support fund to help Greenwood and his family offset their medical expenses. “The Justin Greenwood Recovery Fund” has been established at Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire. Contributions, which are not tax deductible, can be made to the “The Justin Greenwood Recovery Fund” at any RCU location or mailed to Royal Credit Union, P.O. Box 970, Eau Claire, 54702. Full story.

Foundation, donors celebrate campaign progress
The usual festive atmosphere of Homecoming was more upbeat than ever as the UW-Eau Claire Foundation and generous financial supporters of UW-Eau Claire celebrated the progress of the university’s ongoing comprehensive fund-raising campaign at the Circle of Excellence Roundup. (See more details and photos of the event.) Alumni and friends have contributed or committed more than $27 million so far to Fulfilling the Promise of Excellence, Chancellor Donald Mash announced at the Foundation's annual board meeting earlier in the day.

Also at the board meeting, David G. Anderson ’66 was elected board chairman, succeeding Larry Weber ’68, who had served as chairman since 2000. Also elected as Foundation board officers were Dan Market, vice president; John Kell ’73, secretary; and Jim Pinter, treasurer. New board members introduced were Dr. James Anderson ’63, Michael Duffield ’74, Dr. Thomas Grewe, Dr. William Hutchinson ’77, Jane Moore ’73, Dean Olson, Jerry L. Smith ’76, Jon Stowe ’67, Cathy Sultan, Michael Swenson and Sally Webb ’02. Full story.

Gift supports program to connect physicians, pre-med students
Kerry and Daniel Kincaid, Eau Claire, have provided support through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation for a new program to connect UW-Eau Claire pre-med students and area physicians. The UW-Eau Claire Pre-Med Career Exploration and Service Partnership, initiated by senior pre-med student Joe Eaton, will help students make contacts with local physicians so they can get advice, learn more about medicine as a profession and do job shadowing. Full story. The Kincaids’ total gift of $25,000 also will support the Kincaid Pre-Med Scholarship Fund and the Kerry Kincaid Fund for Political Science. Kerry Kincaid graduated in 1993 and 1996 from UW-Eau Claire with degrees in political science and education. The Kincaids’ gift is recognized as a contribution to the Foundation’s ongoing comprehensive fund-raising campaign, Fulfilling the Promise of Excellence.

Academic Adviser Rita Webb leaves for peace mission in Sri Lanka
Rita Webb, an academic adviser and coordinator of the Adult Opportunity Office at UW-Eau Claire, left for Sri Lanka Sept. 25 to serve two years there as a member of a civilian “peace army.” Webb, a longtime peace activist from Eau Claire, was selected from a pool of more than 150 applicants to participate in the initial pilot peace project by the international Nonviolent Peaceforce organization, based in St. Paul. Webb has taken a leave of absence from the university to join 10 other participants from nine countries in Sri Lanka. Peaceforce will work with local groups to protect human rights, deter violence and help local peace workers. Read more about Webb’s mission in articles from the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.

Paul Granlund created "Sprites" in 1979. (UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson)

“Sprites” sculptor Paul Granlund dies
Sculptor Paul Granlund died Sept. 15 in Mankato, Minn., of complications from long-term exposure to the chemicals and dust involved in sculpting bronze. He was 77. Of the 650 mostly bronze sculptures Granlund created, three are in Eau Claire, including "Sprites" on the UW-Eau Claire Campus Mall, "Resurrection" outside the Ecumenical Religious Center and "Family Circle" at the Luther Hospital entrance.

More information about Granlund can be found by searching the online Star Tribune.