Graduates receive degrees at winter commencement
Winter commencement exercises for 687 UW-Eau Claire students were held Saturday, Dec. 21, in Zorn Arena. A total of 647 students were candidates for bachelor’s degrees, and 40 students were candidates for master’s degrees. Read the full story. Among those graduating were Mary and Amanda Berg, left, a mother and daughter from Eau Claire who sat side by side before walking to the podium to receive their diplomas. Both received bachelor’s degrees in business administration. (Photo by Shane Opatz/Eau Claire Leader-Telegram)

Professor emeritus Donald George dies
Donald S. George, professor emeritus of music and former director of university bands, died Dec. 31, 2002, in Eau Claire. George, 72, joined UW-Eau Claire's music faculty in 1968. He conducted the Symphony Band, taught clarinet and conducting, and served as director of university bands until his retirement in 1995. During his tenure, UW-Eau Claire's band program grew to more than 250 students. George was a native of Newark, N.J. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a solo clarinetist in the Air Force Base Band from 1951-53. He earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from Teachers College of Columbia University, New York City. He also studied at Ohio Wesleyan University, Eastman School of Music and Mannes College of Music. He is survived by his wife, Edith; four of his children;and four grandchildren. His son Steven preceded him in death.

Alumni and friends make fall 2002 Telefund a success
UW-Eau Claire's fall 2002 Telefund drive raised more than $185,000 for the university's people and programs, thanks to the generosity of many UW-Eau Claire alumni and friends. See more photos of UW-Eau Claire's successful Telefund callers. Among the fall contributors was an anonymous donor whose gift totaled $10,000 after pledging to match all contributions of $50 or more from first-time Telefund donors. More than 900 first-time Telefund donors contributed to the fall drive, which exceeded its goal of $150,000.

Money raised through Telefund is used by the UW-Eau Claire Foundation to support student scholarships, faculty/student research, the Honors Program and other special projects. "These gifts really meet the critical annual needs of the university," said Carole Halberg, UW-Eau Claire Foundation president. Looking ahead, UW-Eau Claire alumni David and Carol Anderson of Eau Claire have pledged a $10,000 matching gift for the spring 2003 Telefund, which runs Feb. 2 through May 8. Student Telefund callers have been phoning UW-Eau Claire alumni and friends, as well as the parents of current students, each semester since spring 1981. Gifts made through Telefund are counted as contributions to Fulfilling the Promise of Excellence, UW-Eau Claire's ongoing comprehensive fund-raising campaign to secure $35 million in private support by July 2005 for the university's people and programs.

UW-Eau Claire representatives visit Kansai Gaidai University Representatives of UW-Eau Claire joined contingents from 40 universities worldwide as the guests of Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Japan, for the November dedication of Kansai Gaidai's new campus. Attending from UW-Eau Claire were Ronald Satz, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, and Robert Whitcomb, director of continuing education. See photos from UW-Eau Claire's visit to Kansai Gaidai University. UW-Eau Claire has had an international exchange program with Kansai Gaidai University since 1979. Since then UW-Eau Claire has received more than 300 students from Kansai Gaidai University, and approximately 115 UW-Eau Claire students have attended Kansai Gaidai. The Kansai Gaidai program is one of 23 study-abroad programs in 16 countries offered to students through UW-Eau Claire's Center for International Education.

UW-Eau Claire's Ronald Satz, far right, attended a traditional Japanese tea ceremony during festivities for the dedication of the new Kansai Gaidai University campus. Also pictured are Dr. Eduardo Guzman, left, director of international education at Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores, Monterrey, Mexico, and two Kansai Gaidai students in traditional Japanese dress. See more photos.

Faculty, academic staff members retire
Four faculty or academic staff members at UW-Eau Claire recently announced their retirement. Each will receive emeritus status. They are Laurie Gapko, technical services manager, University Centers and Programs; Walter Schaffer Jr., laboratory manager in the biology department; Thomas L. Schwartz, assistant director of Housing and Residence Life; and Dr. Sally Webb, professor of communication and journalism. Read the full story.

Programs offered for adult students
UW-Eau Claire's Adult Opportunity Office will offer two informational sessions and a special Community Registration Night for adult students planning to attend the university for the spring semester. The Adult Passport Program, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, is for returning adult students who will take their first math or English composition classes in the spring; participants will take the UW System placement test. Information on available student services will be given at the Back-to-School Program on Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 9-11 a.m. or from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Both of these programs are free, but participants must register in advance by calling (715) 836-3259. Read more. Community members interested in taking classes as special students can register during Community Registration Night from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16. Read more. For more information, call the Adult Opportunity Office at (715) 836-3259.

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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS

Alumni Association presents awards
The UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association presented awards to eight alumni and friends of the university on Dec. 21 at a luncheon and ceremony in conjunction with winter commencement. Thomas Bennerotte, a 1991 business finance graduate, and Dr. Timothy Masterlark, a 1994 geology graduate, received the Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award. John Dernbach, a 1975 political science graduate, and Tswv Fong Lor, a 1995 environmental and public health graduate, received the President’s Award. Dr. Katherine Schneider, senior psychologist and coordinator of training in UW-Eau Claire’s Counseling Services, and Dr. Sally Webb, UW-Eau Claire professor emerita of communication and journalism, received the Honorary Alumnus Award. Andrea Gapko, a 1971 and 1975 mathematics graduate, and Michael O’Meara, a 1973 graduate, received the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award. Read more about these award winners.

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ALUMNI EVENTS

Alumni receptions
Alumni living or visiting in the following areas are invited to attend one of these upcoming alumni receptions. Meet with fellow alumni, enjoy complimentary hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, and hear a UW-Eau Claire campus update. Also sign up for a drawing for great Blugold door prizes. If you'd like to attend, send e-mail to alumni@uwec.edu or call (715) 836-3266.

Tribute to Champions
Players from 14 conference championship Blugold teams will be honored during UW-Eau Claire's Tribute to Champions on Saturday, Jan. 25, at UW-Eau Claire. The following championship teams will be recognized as they celebrate their 30th, 25th, 20th, 15th and 10th anniversaries: women's swimming, 1983, 1988 and 1993; men's swimming, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988 and 1993; men's tennis, 1978; men's golf, 1988 and 1992; women's volleyball, 1987; men's basketball, 1973; and women's basketball, 1993. (View the championship team photos online.) The day's events will include the women's and men's alumni basketball games at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, in Zorn Arena; a 3 p.m. "Tailgate Party" for alumni and friends in the Spruce-Tamarack Room, Davies Center; and the UW-Eau Claire men's and women's basketball "doubleheader" against UW-Stout (men's game at 5 p.m., women's game at 7 p.m.). To make reservations for the afternoon Tailgate Party, contact the Alumni Association by calling (715) 836-3266 or send e-mail to alumni@uwec.edu.

Art trip to New York
Alumni and friends are invited to join the UW-Eau Claire art department's annual spring trip to New York March 14-23, 2003. The trip is an opportunity for students, faculty, alumni and friends to explore art, music, theater, food and the sights of Manhattan and the Burroughs. The cost of the trip — $500 with student ID (quads), $550 for all others (quads) or $750 for doubles — includes round-trip motor coach transportation and seven nights in a mid-town hotel within blocks of Central Park. Call the art department at (715) 836-3277 for details.

Arizona golf outing, receptions
The following events are scheduled in March for UW-Eau Claire alumni and friends in Arizona. For more information about any of the events, contact the Alumni Association by calling (715) 836-3266 or send e-mail to alumni@uwec.edu.

College of Business Bashes in De Pere, Milwaukee
Alumni and friends of the UW-Eau Claire College of Business are invited to attend the following College of Business Bashes:

The events are cosponsored by the Alumni Association, the College of Business and Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. Come and enjoy complimentary food and beverages, visit with folks from the College of Business and the Alumni Association, and be eligible for great door prizes. For more information, contact Gretchen Hutterli, assistant dean in the College of Business, by phone at (715) 836-5930 or by e-mail at hutterga@uwec.edu. RSVP to the alumni office by e-mail at alumni@uwec.edu or by phone at (715) 836-3266.

TV-10 alumni formal
A TV-10 formal for alumni once involved with the UW-Eau Claire campus television station will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2003. A 6:30 p.m. dinner will be followed by a dance from 8-12 p.m. Tickets are $20 and will go on sale beginning Feb. 1. For more information, call station manager Sarah Clark at (715) 855-4272 or send e-mail to clarksa@uwec.edu.

Special day for Golden Blugolds
UW-Eau Claire alumni who graduated in 1953 or earlier earn the honorary title of "Golden Blugold" and are invited to a special day on campus on Tuesday, May 6. Plan to come for a tour of the campus, to hear a message from Chancellor Donald Mash, to receive a special Golden Blugold pin and to attend the 11:30 a.m. luncheon in your honor. For more information, send the alumni office e-mail at
alumni@uwec.edu or call (715) 836-3266.

Alumni Association Trip to Paris
Plan now to join the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association's trip to Paris August 15-23. The journey to the City of Light will depart from Minneapolis. The cost of the trip includes round-trip airfare, first-class hotel accommodations in Paris, daily buffet breakfast and more. Get the details online or call (800) 842-9023 for additional information.

For more information . . .
Contact the Alumni Association for more information about any of the events above or about planning an alumni event in your area.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The following is a sampling of upcoming events at UW-Eau Claire. For a complete listing and links to ticket information, see the university's online Calendar of Events.

Adult Passport Program
Saturday, Jan. 11
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Back-to-School Program
Tuesday, Jan. 14
9-11 a.m. or 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Cabaret XXV
Silver Anniversary
Jan. 16-17 and 23-24, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 and 24, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Council Fire Room, Davies Center

Foster Gallery Exhibit
"Illustration: Personal Responses in a Public World,"
original pieces by 16 renowned illustrators working in various genres
Jan. 23-Feb. 13 (Opening reception: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7:30-9 p.m.)
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday,
1-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Foster Gallery, Haas Fine Arts Center

Planetarium Program
"Mr. Genius Tours the Solar System"
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.
L.E. Phillips Planetarium, Phillips Hall

Artists Series
John O'Neal: "Don't Start Me to Talking
or I'll Tell You Everything I Know"
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Schofield Auditorium

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MORE CAMPUS NEWS
Follow this link to find more campus news, including recent and past news releases, the University Bulletin (faculty/staff newsletter), The Spectator (student newspaper), and Blugold athletics news.

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