Eau Claire Leader-Telegram photo by Steve Kinderman (reprinted with permission)

Feingold addresses December graduates
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, in an address during UW-Eau Claire’s Dec. 20 morning commencement ceremony, challenged graduates to seek out and connect with people from around the world, helping to define and shape the current and future world.

“I am not suggesting that you all launch careers as diplomats,” he said, “but I am suggesting that you all make a deliberate choice to engage with some part of the rest of the world, in some way, beyond our borders, at the individual, human level.

“Build a society of Americans that does not turn away from the challenges of this new millennium in fear, but instead reaches out to help build a more secure, more just world.” Full story.

About 650 candidates for graduation participated in the morning and afternoon ceremonies in Zorn Arena. Also honored at commencement were five Alumni Association award recipients and several retiring faculty and staff members (follow links to related stories).

 

Spectator wins first among Wisconsin college student newspapers
The Spectator, UW-Eau Claire’s largest student-produced newspaper, has won first place in the “General Excellence” category of the 2003 Wisconsin Newspaper Association College Newspaper Contest. It is the first time the paper has received the honor. In addition to the general excellence award, Spectator staffers won seven awards in individual categories. Full story.

UW-Eau Claire remains a leader in study abroad programs
A recent report issued by the leading U.S. educational and cultural exchange organization placed UW-Eau Claire among the top 20 master’s level higher education institutions in the country when it comes to sending students abroad. With 356 students studying abroad during the 2001-02 academic year, UW-Eau Claire was 18th nationwide among similar institutions in the number of students studying abroad, according to the 2003 Open Doors report of the Institute of International Education. “The report indicates that UW-Eau Claire continues to be a leader in international education,” said Karl Markgraf, director of UW-Eau Claire’s Center for International Education. Full story.

Campaign gifts benefit College of Professional Studies
Through gifts to Fulfilling the Promise of Excellence, the ongoing comprehensive fund-raising campaign for UW-Eau Claire, generous alumni and friends are making a difference for tomorrow’s teachers, health care facility administrators, athletic trainers and other future professionals pursuing their education in the university’s College of Professional Studies. Recent gifts to benefit the College of Professional Studies include $1 million in scholarships for first-generation education students, $50,000 to equip the university’s renovated athletic training facility, $30,000 for the health care administration program, $24,000 to support physical education scholarships and $10,600 to create the endowed Amber Star Krenz Memorial Scholarship. Full story.

Football team honors Justin and Glenda Greenwood
Justin Greenwood is the recipient of the Blugold football team’s 2003 ACE award for attitude, character and enthusiasm, head coach Todd Hoffner announced Dec. 7 at the team’s annual banquet. Greenwood’s mother, Glenda, was named Fan of the Year. Greenwood, a junior linebacker from Park Falls, received a serious head injury during the Blugolds’ Sept. 27 game against UW-River Falls. Read the full story in the Spectator's Dec. 11 online edition (free registration required). Greenwood continues his recovery at an extended care facility in Minneapolis. For updates on his condition and progress, and for information on the Justin Greenwood Recovery Fund, visit his CaringBridge Web site.

Faculty, staff members announce retirements
Ten members of UW-Eau Claire’s faculty and staff have announced their recent or upcoming retirements. The following faculty and academic staff retirements were announced: Kathryn Hoehn Anderson, professor of family health nursing, retired in August after 19 years at UW-Eau Claire; Dr. Richard E. Fuhrer, professor of psychology, retired in June after 32 years at UW-Eau Claire; Dr. Douglas A. Hallatt, professor in the College of Business and director of the Center for Leadership, retired in August after 34 years at UW-Eau Claire; Margaret M. Hallatt, associate director of Housing and Residence Life, retired in August after 32 years at UW-Eau Claire; and Janet M. Quarderer, senior lecturer of computer science, will retire in January after 20 years of service at UW-Eau Claire. Full story. Also, David Backstrom, director of University Police since August 1991, will retire at the end of January. Full story.

The following classified staff retirements were announced in December: Arlene Adams, financial specialist 2 for the UW-Eau Claire Foundation Inc., served the university for 31 years; David Gilman, a facilities management bricklayer and mason, retired after 19 years at UW-Eau Claire; McIntyre Library custodian James Page retired after 30 years of service and never using a sick day (see photo and story); and Cheryl VanderVoort, information systems technical services senior in McIntyre Library, retired after 16 years of service to UW-Eau Claire. Full story.

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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS

Five receive Alumni Association awards

Fernholz	Difanis Phillips	Green	Marten	Larson

The UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association presented awards to five alumni and friends of the university Dec. 20 at a special luncheon and ceremony in conjunction with winter commencement (read more about the award winners by clicking on the following links to alumni awards Web pages): Peter Fernholz ’73, President’s Award; Elizabeth Difanis Phillips ’58, President’s Award; Congressman Mark Green ’83, Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award; Randy Marten ’74, Lifetime Excellence Award; and Richard D. Larson, Honorary Alumnus Award.