By Karrie Johnson, student writer, UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Eddie Neve
- DeForest, Wis.
- Nursing major, minors in Spanish for health professions and theatre arts
- What's next: Applying to graduate programs in drama therapy, receiving his nursing license and pursuing a career in behavioral health.
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UW-Eau Claire photo by Bill Hoepner |
Eddie Neve, an involved nursing student and a frequent performer in campus theater productions, has pursued a variety of diverse interests during his years at UW-Eau Claire.
"I started out at the university in the fall of 2005 as a psychology major," Neve said. "The truth was, I wasn't exactly sure what I really wanted to do with my undergraduate education. I have always had a keen passion for theater, and UW-Eau Claire seemed like a great place to get a taste of many different worlds."
Neve chose to study nursing after researching the program.
"Although nursing wasn't my first choice as a major in coming to UW-Eau Claire, it was definitely the right choice," he said. "My mother has been a nurse for 30 years, and I had always admired the work I had seen her and her colleagues do from day to day. However, it wasn't until I looked further into UW-Eau Claire's nursing program that I got the idea to pursue this respectable career for myself."
Neve decided to shape his educational experiences at UW-Eau Claire by combining his passions for nursing, theater and Spanish.
"When I first told my nursing adviser that I wanted to have two minors, Spanish for health professions and theatre, I thought I was going to be laughed out of the building. Instead, the idea was completely embraced and respected."
As a senior, Neve has been chosen by his nursing classmates to give the student address at the December nursing convocation. His experiences as a nursing major included participating in a faculty-student research project on health care in the LGBT community, working as a teaching apprentice for a nursing course and working in a group home for individuals with disabilities. He also has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Eau Claire.
In addition to his nursing studies, Neve has performed in 12 main-stage shows at UW-Eau Claire, including "The Threepenny Opera," "The Shadow Box" and, during his final semester, "Angels in America" (in which he played the role of Prior Walter).
"The lessons I learned from portraying these characters on stage have truly led me to become who I am today," he said.
Neve's love for theater also led to the founding of the student theater group The UWEC Players.
"I founded this group with several other theater students in 2007 in an effort to create a vehicle in which we could produce, write, direct and act in student-driven productions and theatrical events," he said.
As he is set to graduate, Neve is applying for graduate programs in drama therapy.
"This is a therapeutic process that uses theater to stimulate emotional healing and growth in the individual," he said. "There are only four programs on the continent that offer this program, and I am applying to all four."
Neve's time at UW-Eau Claire also has included a trip to Rio de Janeiro with The Singing Statesmen, a clinical immersion experience at the Rosebud Native American Reservation in South Dakota and teaching at Camp Micah, a youth summer camp in Bridgton, Maine.
Many people have asked how he manages so many activities, Neve said.
"Now that I look back at it, I realize how much opportunity this campus offers its students," he said. "It would seem crazy not to grab every experience there is to offer. I will miss the beauty of this campus, but I also look forward to all of the opportunities out there for me because of the work I accomplished here."
More on Eddie Neve
Future plans: My long-range goal is to find a way to combine my health care experience with my passion for theater. I feel like a lot can be said about the healing power of the arts. I also hope to just enjoy what life has to offer.
Highlights of his UW-Eau Claire experience: Of course, my highlights are things that are very unique to the UW-Eau Claire campus: participating in homecoming, dancing at the Viennese Ball, performing in Cabaret, writing a play for The UWEC Players' 24-hour theater festival, etc. Yet all of these experiences can be attributed to the many unique individuals that I have come across throughout the years. I believe they have all contributed a great deal to my education and overall growth as a student.
Unique aspects of UW-Eau Claire: The first thing that told me I should devote the next four (actually 5½) years of my life to this school was its physical beauty. I first toured this college in the fall, just as the leaves were starting to change. Little did I know that its gifts lie in the diversity that is experienced through all of the unique individuals who study here.
What I liked most about UW-Eau Claire is its potential for growth. So much has happened here over the last 5½ years. New programs are being added, things are going to be built, wonderful organizations are popping up; the limits seem endless. So, I am very envious of those who will be able to experience first-hand some of these admirable changes.
Proudest accomplishments: I am very proud of the relationships I have established: as a student nurse in my clinical experiences, as an actor in 12 main-stage shows, as a member of several amazing organizations (The UWEC Players, Forward Momentum, etc.) and as a fellow student to all of the great minds that have crossed my path.
Advice for incoming students: I know it is going to seem like the world is spinning uncontrollably, but your time here is so short. I urge you to grasp all the opportunities this university has to offer. This place has a lot to be proud of; it's up to you to figure out what exactly that is.
Learn about other featured December 2010 graduates
