By Amber Hayden, student writer, UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Robyn Fennig
- Muskego, Wis.
- Economics major
- What's next: Graduate school at the University of Iowa
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UW-Eau Claire photo by Bill Hoepner |
One of the unique aspects of a UW-Eau Claire education is hands-on research experience – something Robyn Fennig has taken full advantage of.
During her time at UW-Eau Claire, Fennig was involved in three faculty-student collaborative research projects: "The Importance of Industry Clusters in Local Economic Development," "The Economics of Drinking: Evidence from the UW-Eau Claire Campus" and "UW-Eau Claire Carbon Emissions Inventory."
Fennig said her work on the Carbon Emissions Inventory changed her life and career path.
"I have always been aware of the environment and my impact on it, but I never really looked at the big picture before," Fennig said. "Our actions and behaviors on the UW-Eau Claire campus impact the entire globe as a whole."
While working on the Carbon Emissions Inventory project, Fennig said she was able to apply her knowledge of economics directly to sustainability issues and then educate the campus and community on how to decrease the negative human impact on the environment.
"Sustainability does not have to come at a high price to society," Fennig said. "In fact, many types of sustainable behavior and infrastructural changes actually have lower costs and more efficient outcomes in the long run."
Fennig will take what she has learned at UW-Eau Claire and apply it to her graduate studies at the University of Iowa, where she has received a full scholarship to study urban and regional planning.
To students just beginning their studies at UW-Eau Claire, Fennig says there is no time to waste, and no lack of opportunities awaiting them. She encourages them to take advantage of any or all of these experiences at any point in their college careers: "There is no better time to try something new or take time to study something intriguing to you!"
More on Robyn Fennig
Future plans: I will be pursuing my master's degree in urban and regional planning at the University of Iowa in the fall. I hope to work in either local or state government or with a nonprofit organization focusing on economic development and sustainability.
Unique aspects of her UW-Eau Claire experience: I have presented several of my student-faculty collaborative research projects at a variety of venues at the state, local and national level. I have been able to network with students, faculty, policy makers, government officials and other groups as a result. As a student researcher I have been contributing to the publication of an article titled "The Economics of Drinking: Evidence from the UW-Eau Claire Campus" and will be listed as a co-author, even though I am an undergraduate student.
A UW-Eau Claire person, class or project that made a positive difference in her life: Being part of the 2008 and 2010 Carbon Emissions Inventories has changed my life and my career path. The UW-Eau Claire campus community has the opportunity to take the lead in the state, the region and higher education as a whole. As global climate change and other environmental issues are becoming more pressing in our advancing global society, we as a whole need to understand how our actions today impact our future.
Highlights of her life at UW-Eau Claire:
- Being involved with three different faculty-student collaborative research projects, one of which has been submitted for publication in a professional journal.
- Tutoring UW-Eau Claire economics students and Eau Claire high school students in math courses.
- Sharing my passion for playing ultimate Frisbee with Putnam Heights Girl Scout troops every spring.
- Attending the American Economics Association national conference in New Orleans.
- Presenting research at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research.
- The UW System's Posters in the Rotunda at the state Capitol and other local and regional conferences.
- Interning with Dr. Kate Hale-Wilson, campus sustainability fellow at UW-Eau Claire.
How she defines the UW-Eau Claire Advantage: UW-Eau Claire is a unique institution, as it provides numerous opportunities for its students to become active, life-long learners with skills and experiences that help in any discipline. UW-Eau Claire has so many strengths that other campuses lack: student-faculty collaborative research, study abroad, stewardship, sustainability, service-learning and experiential learning.
Advice for success to incoming UW-Eau Claire students: Take advantage of the resources you are given and get involved! Try a new activity and meet new people.
Learn about other featured May 2010 graduates
