UW-Eau Claire e-View, May 2011

graduating student Commencement exercises for 1,324 students at UW-Eau Claire will be held May 21 in Zorn Arena.

Candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences and candidates for master's degrees will receive degrees during a 9 a.m. ceremony.
Candidates from the College of Business, College of Education and Human Sciences, and College of Nursing and Health Sciences will receive degrees during a 2 p.m. ceremony. Those unable to attend can view the ceremony online.
Class of 2011
A total of 1,216 students are candidates for bachelor's degrees, including 554 from the College of Arts and Sciences, 283 from the College of Business, 274 from the College of Education and Human Sciences, and 105 from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

A total of 108 students are master's degree candidates. Of those, 11 are from the College of Arts and Sciences, 41 are from the College of Business, 21 are from the College of Education and Human Sciences, and 35 are from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Full story.

Seven to receive Alumni Association awards




	Alumni award winners, clockwise from top left, are Col. Dorothy Klasse, Patrick Schillinger, Sona Mehring, Laureen Seeger, Grace Lau, Esther Heideman and Jeffrey Madison.

Seven accomplished alumni will return to campus to receive awards from the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association May 21 at a luncheon and ceremony in conjunction with spring commencement.

Col. Dorothy F. Klasse, Patrick Schillinger and Sona Mehring each will receive the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award, which recognizes distinguished service to the community, state or nation that brings credit upon the recipient and the university.

Laureen Seeger and Grace Lau will receive the President's Award, which recognizes outstanding professional and personal achievements and service to UW-Eau Claire.

Esther Heideman and Jeffrey Madison each will receive the Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award, which acknowledges special achievements and great promise of alumni who are within 15 years of their graduation from UW-Eau Claire.
Full story.

Faculty and staff announce retirements

As of mid-May, 79 members of the UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff have notified the university of their plans to retire during the university's 2010-11 fiscal year. The number of retirees represents a 77 percent increase over the university's average number of retirees (44.6) in each of the previous 10 years.

The retirees have served a combined 1,822 years of service to the state of Wisconsin, or an average of 23 years each, said Donna Weber, UW-Eau Claire director of human resources. Weber noted that some retirees worked in other state positions before their employment at UW-Eau Claire. Full story.

UW-Eau Claire chancellor joins other UW System leaders in support of Wisconsin Idea Partnership

As the Wisconsin state Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance takes up the UW System budget for 2011-13, system leaders, in an open letter to all state legislators, reiterated their call for statutory changes that would let UW institutions operate more efficiently.

That plan – the Wisconsin Idea Partnership – would give new leadership flexibilities to all UW institutions at a time when campuses must find creative new ways to stretch every dollar. Built upon the proposal offered by Gov. Scott Walker for UW-Madison, this plan advances the flagship UW campus while simultaneously benefiting all UW campuses and sustaining unity among the colleges and universities.

Senior journalism major receives Ann Devroy Fellowship

UW-Eau Claire senior Frank Pellegrino, recipient of the 14th Ann Devroy Memorial Fellowship, posed with Washington Post syndicated columnist E.J. Dionne Jr. at the university's Ann Devroy Memorial Forum.

UW-Eau Claire senior Frank Pellegrino, of Shorewood, has been awarded the 14th Ann Devroy Memorial Fellowship, presented annually to a UW-Eau Claire journalism student who shows exceptional promise and ability.

The fellowship includes a three-week residency at The Washington Post, a $1,400 scholarship to offset the costs of the residency and a summer internship at a Wisconsin newspaper. Pellegrino will work at The Post during his winter break in January 2012.

"I haven't been a journalist for very long, and having my professors acknowledge me in such a respectful manner is a really incredible thing and something I'm really proud of," Pellegrino said. "It confirmed for me that I'm doing what I should be doing in life." Full story.

Marvin Lynn named associate dean in College of Education and Human Sciences

Marvin Lynn

Dr. Marvin Lynn has been named associate dean for teacher education at UW-Eau Claire. He will begin his new post in the College of Education and Human Sciences July 1.

Lynn will provide leadership for all aspects of teacher education at UW-Eau Claire. Among his responsibilities will be advocating on behalf of teacher education on campus and at state, regional, national and international levels; fostering a collaborative and supportive climate for students, faculty and staff; providing leadership for teacher education equity, diversity and inclusivity initiatives; creating new and nurturing existing partnerships with area schools, agencies and community organizations; serving as the resource person for the university on Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction program requirements and mandates and serving as UW-Eau Claire's liaison to the DPI; and collaborating with other education leaders in the state and in national teacher education organizations. Full story.

Kyle Green named Blugold men's basketball coach

Kyle Green coaching the University of Northern Iowa Panthers. (Photo provided by UNI Athletic Communications)

After a national search that yielded more than 130 applications, Kyle Green has been named head coach of the UW-Eau Claire men’s basketball team.

“We are very excited to have Coach Green lead our men’s basketball program,” said director of athletics Scott Kilgallon. “I want to thank the search and screen committee for all of their hard work helping to identify a very strong group of finalists. Coach Green will do a great job moving our program forward and will be a great representative of UW-Eau Claire.”

Green most recently served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I University of Northern Iowa for the past five seasons. He also was an assistant for the Panthers from 2001-03. Full story.

University footbridge undergoing repairs

A structural repair project on the UW-Eau Claire footbridge over the Chippewa River began earlier this month.

Drax Inc. of Madison is the primary contractor for the project.

The footbridge project, a "structural facelift," will include repairs to the bridge's deck surface and a support pier beneath the water line, said Randy Hoover, engineering specialist in facilities management at UW-Eau Claire. In addition, the bridge's steel support system will be painted in some areas, Hoover said.

"This is a repair that is expected to last the next 15 years," said Terry Classen, UW-Eau Claire's director of facilities management. "The greatest portion of the work is repairing spalled concrete on the deck and repairing the expansion joints." Full story.

'Let's Do Lunch!' program to address meaning of social protests in the Middle East

The recent social protests in Arab countries and what they mean for democracy in that part of the world will be the topic of a May 25 luncheon sponsored by the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association.

Dr. Ali R. Abootalebi, professor of Middle Eastern and global politics at UW-Eau Claire, will present "Arab Upheavals 2011: 1989 redux or something else?" from noon-1 p.m. at Sweetwaters Restaurant in Eau Claire as part of the Alumni Association's "Let's Do Lunch!" series.

Abootalebi, who was born in Tehran, Iran, will share his cautious optimism toward the idea that the social protests in Arab countries could mean the end of authoritarian rule by Arab states and the arrival of democracy. Full story.

Forensics team produces back-to-back national champions

Patrick Martin

UW-Eau Claire junior forensics student Patrick Martin has been named the 2011 Interstate Oratory National Champion. Martin, of Burnsville, Minn., was one of two representatives from Wisconsin universities who participated in the 138th annual Interstate Oratory Contest April 21-22 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

This is the second year in a row that a UW-Eau Claire student has been the Interstate Oratory Competition Champion. Alumnus Nick Miller claimed the title in 2010. According to Karen Morris, UW-Eau Claire forensics team director, the team has produced winners from this tournament nine times, but the last time UW-Eau Claire had back-to-back IOC champions was in 1955 and 1956. Full story.

Spin bikes to help provide electrical power to McPhee

Emily Newman, Gretchen Bachmeier and Karla Steif recently participated in a spin class in the McPhee Center. (Photo by Andi Stempniak of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram)

The definition of a high-energy workout is about to change at UW-Eau Claire.

Indoor bicycles used for spinning classes soon will be fitted with technology that will transfer the energy generated by people riding the bikes to the McPhee Center's electrical grid, said Al Wiberg of University Recreation & Sport Facilities.

"Any time someone is spinning, they will be producing electricity," said Wiberg, who began researching the technology a year ago after seeing a story about it on television. "As people are spinning, the wheel goes around and it creates energy, and we will now be able to harness that energy. It will go right into McPhee's electrical grid. It's an exciting endeavor we're jumping into here. We're helping the environment while also promoting health and fitness." Full story.

Changes to university home page in the works

Click on the image above to see a larger version of what the updated UW-Eau Claire home page will look like. Changes still may be made before the new page goes live in late summer.

The UW-Eau Claire home page and related top-level Web pages will receive a new look this summer.

A campus workgroup researched statistics, conducted surveys and did usability studies with the website's audiences to identify needed changes, said Lillian Hillis, university Web coordinator. No changes to other university Web pages will be needed as a result of changes to the home page and its related top-level pages.

"We've made updates to the home page that will benefit those who use it, making it easier for them to get to the information they need when coming to our site," Hillis said. Full story.

CIE launches Facebook page for international alumni

globe UW-Eau Claire’s Center for International Education has recently created a new Facebook page for international alumni.

International alumni can stay connected and keep up with what’s going on at UW-Eau Claire and in the Center for International Education by “liking” the new Facebook page.

Questions about CIE's new international alumni Facebook presence may be directed to Alexis Abrahamsen at abrahaaa@uwec.edu.

Spring issue of The View to arrive in mailboxes soon

View cover UW-Eau Claire alumni and friends will soon receive the spring 2011 issue of The View in their home mailboxes. The feature stories from the spring issue will soon be posted on The View online website as well.

The spring issue includes stories about character actor Patrick O’Brien '75; the “Pedal and Paddle Pollution Tour,” which addresses area river pollution; a student project to help launch a radio news program in Moldova; and the relationship between UW-Eau Claire’s health care administration program and Golden Living, a nursing and health care company.

Orders for alumni directory still being accepted

There’s still time to order copies of UW-Eau Claire’s new alumni directory, which is being printed for the first time since 2002.

Publishing Concepts Inc. will work on directory updates during the next few months and will have the directory ready for mailing by early fall. To order call 1-877-303-0036.

Questions should be directed to John Bachmeier ’81, director of alumni relations at UW-Eau Claire, at bachmejg@uwec.edu or 715-836-3266.

Justin Greenwood rebuilds his life after football injury

Justin Greenwood

Former UW-Eau Claire football player Justin Greenwood suffered a severe head injury in a Blugold football game nearly eight years ago. As a result, he wasn't able to graduate from UW-Eau Claire or go on to pursue his dream of playing professional football.

A recent Associated Press article appearing in several newspapers nationwide provides a progress report on Justin and his life since his days at UW-Eau Claire. Full story.

Alumni success stories

In addition to the alumni below, you can read about the accomplishments of other UW-Eau Claire alumni on the Alumni Success Stories Web pages:

	Justin Vernon '04, a UW-Eau Claire comparative studies in religion graduate, and his band, Bon Iver, have released the track "Calgary" from their new album due out June 21. Full story.
	Mark Luebker '91, a UW-Eau Claire elementary education graduate, has been named superintendent of the Osceola School District. Full story.
	Pat Kreitlow '86, a UW-Eau Claire journalism graduate, has announced his candidacy to represent Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Full story.
	Keith Karns '08, a UW-Eau Claire music graduate, recently performed with his big band jazz ensemble at the Grand Little Theatre in Eau Claire. Full story.
	Suzanne Bardouche '75, a UW-Eau Claire English graduate, was recently featured in the University of Minnesota's Organizational Effectiveness e-newsletter for the varied career path leading to her current U of M position as assistant vice provost for undergraduate education. Full story.
	Bill Milbauer '85, a UW-Eau Claire accounting graduate, has been named senior vice president and national sales manager for Wells Fargo Shareowner Services. Full story.
	Nick Prueher '98 and Joe Pickett '99, both UW-Eau Claire communication graduates, are curators of the Found Footage Festival. Full story.
	Angela Pittman Taylor '00, a UW-Eau Claire communication graduate, has been selected as a Woman of Influence by The Business Journal. Full story.

Show how much you know about UW-Eau Claire — AND win great Blugold prizes! E-mail your answer to this month's question to the Blugold Trivia mailbox (trivia@uwec.edu). Those sending correct responses to this month's question will be entered in a drawing for a UW-Eau Claire baseball cap. The name of this month's Blugold Trivia winner will be published in the June issue of e-View.

May Blugold Trivia question:

Sona Mehring '83 will receive UW-Eau Claire's Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award this month. What is the name of the nonprofit website she founded and currently leads?

Know the answer? E-mail it, along with your name and class year, to trivia@uwec.edu. You'll be notified by e-mail if you are this month's winner!

April's winner:
Congratulations to Blanche Bischoff, a 1970 UW-Eau Claire mathematics graduate (plus MST '76) and winner of the April Blugold Trivia prize! Blanche's name was drawn from among those who correctly answered that the title of the book most recently published by Ann Devroy Memorial Forum speaker E.J. Dionne Jr. is "Souled Out: Reclaiming Faith & Politics After the Religious Right."

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Last Updated: May 25, 2011 Questions/Comments: alumni@uwec.edu