Featured Articles

Andrea Mitchell to speak April 22

EOC counselor receives state TRIO Achiever Award

Honors Week begins April 19

UW System news

Many events planned for Native American Awareness Week

Health care administrators and students receive
UW-Eau Claire awards

UW-Eau Claire grad serving in Peace Corps in Africa

Growing minds

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Andrea Mitchell to speak April 22 in Zorn Arena
Andrea Mitchell, chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News, will be the featured speaker at the Ann Devroy Memorial Forum April 22 at UW-Eau Claire. Mitchell’s presentation, titled “The 2004 Presidential Campaign: New Challenges for Broadcast News,” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Zorn Arena.

Since being named chief foreign affairs correspondent in 1994, Mitchell has reported on foreign policy issues in the United States and abroad for all NBC News broadcasts, including “Nightly News with Tom Brokaw,” “Today” and CNBC and MSNBC.

“We’re fortunate to bring to campus a highly respected reporter with many years of experience covering national and international politics,” said Karen Kremer, chair of the communication and journalism department and coordinator of the Devroy Forum. “Andrea Mitchell will provide us with incredible insight into the complex issues at the center of the 2004 presidential election.” Full story.

EOC counselor receives state TRIO Achiever Award
Bonnie Isaacson, a program counselor in the Educational Opportunity Center at UW-Eau Claire, received the State TRIO Achievers Award during an April 5 awards ceremony in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The awards are given to distinguished alumni of TRIO programs. The four federally funded TRIO programs at UW-Eau Claire are Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Center and the Ronald E. McNair Program.

Shortly after accepting a full-time position in the EOC in 1995, Isaacson enrolled part-time at UW-Eau Claire as an EOC client. She graduated five years later (cum laude) with an undergraduate degree in psychology and went on to earn a master's degree in guidance and counseling from UW-Stout.

From coordinating teams for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life to publishing articles and presenting to parent groups on childhood resiliency, Isaacson has made significant civic, community and professional contributions.

"Bonnie has demonstrated that with perseverance and a dream, a non-traditional student can work full time, raise a family on a working farm, be an excellent student and give back to her community," said Twink Hanson, who nominated Isaacson for the award. "She is without a doubt an exemplary role model for ordinary people who are low-income, first-generation college students."

32nd annual Honors Week begins April 19
UW-Eau Claire is celebrating its 32nd annual Scholastic Honors Week April 19-25.

“This week is set aside by the university to recognize students of high scholastic achievement,” said Bob Shaw, associate dean of students and coordinator of Honors Week.

This year also marks Shaw’s last year as associate dean of student development and Honors Week coordinator. Shaw will retire at the end of May after 34 years of service. Full story.

UW System news
UW System opposes 'Taxpayers' Bill of Rights'
The UW System Board of Regents recently expressed its concern about a proposed state constitutional amendment to control state spending, but reaffirmed the board’s willingness to remain engaged in efforts addressing the state’s revenue and tax challenges.

Overall, regents indicated concern that proposed tax reform measures, such as the "Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights” or TABOR, would preclude long-term investments in education and other programs vital to Wisconsin’s future economic security, including the UW System. Full story. Also read more about TABOR and Colorado's higher education experience with it.

UW-Stevens Point names new chancellor
Linda Bunnell, former senior vice president for the College Board and Chancellor Emerita of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, has been appointed as the 13th chancellor of UW-Stevens Point. Full story.

Many events planned for Native American Awareness Week
UW-Eau Claire will host a number of events in honor of Native American Awareness Week, April 19-24. An understanding of various Native American cultures and multiculturalism will be promoted through a variety of speeches, presentations and performances. All events are sponsored by the Native American Student Association, the department of American Indian studies and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Full story.

Health care administrators and students receive UW-Eau Claire awards
Dr. Robert Kane, chair of the long-term care program at the University of Minnesota and member of UW-Eau Claire's Center for Health and Aging Services Excellence board of advisers, recently received the Distinguished Service Award from UW-Eau Claire’s health care administration program. In addition, the Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Karen Robinson, and Carissa Behnke, a senior health care administration major from Reedsville, received the Distinguished Student Award. Full story.

UW-Eau Claire grad serving in Peace Corps in Africa
Stephanie Hazen, a 2002 UW-Eau Claire special education and elementary education graduate, is leaving her mark on a small part of Africa. Hazen is a volunteer with the Peace Corps stationed in the village of Opuwo, located in the northern part of Namibia, just along the border with Angola.

An interest in other cultures and helping the less fortunate led Hazen to the Peace Corps.

“I enjoy my job and learning about a place that’s very different from the United States,” Hazen said. “I encounter daily challenges at work and home but overcoming them is rewarding.”

Hazen is a Peace Corps parents and communities for education volunteer whose task is promoting improvement at Opuwo’s Kameru Senior Primary School, a middle school with about 450 kids. She said improvement typically comes through professional development, increased access to resources, and the strengthening of relationships between primary schools, parents and the community. For Hazen, that means wearing many different hats. Full story.

Growing minds

Little sprouts (4-5 year olds, to be exact) from the UW-Eau Claire Children's Center had good reason to get their hands dirty last Wednesday. With the help of Greenhouse Manager Johanna Oosterwyk, these young gardeners planted seeds in the biology greenhouse. The children plan to return to help with the creation of a garden in the courtyard area of Phillips Science Hall, which will be overseen by biology majors with an interest in horticulture. To help promote the value of hands-on learning experiences for young children, the UW-Eau Claire Foundation is supporting the gardening project. (Photos by Rick Mickelson, TLTDC)

The walk from the northeast corner of the Water Street parking lot to the front door of Schofield Hall is approximately 100 fewer steps than the walk from the middle of the Hibbard lot to Schofield Hall.

University Bulletin
Published weekly during the fall and spring semesters by the UW-Eau Claire News Bureau. News items and notices should be sent to the News Bureau, Schofield 201, by 10 a.m. Monday for publication in the following week’s issue. E-mail submissions to Liz Wolf Green at greenew@uwec.edu are encouraged. Faculty/staff news items are published on a space-available basis.