Featured Articles

UW-Eau Claire and CVTC announce joint alliance to increase nursing graduates

James Phillips receives prestigious Henry Dreyfus Award

Susan Haugen named Computer Educator of the Year

Understanding the religious service-learning issue

New York Chamber Soloists to perform Nov. 15

UW-Eau Claire to host conference for undergraduate exchange students

Holiday Concert set for Dec. 5

Introducing UW-Eau Claire e-postcards, screensavers

UW-Eau Claire and CVTC announce joint alliance to increase nursing graduates

Elaine Wendt, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, was among those to speak at the Nov. 10 news conference announcing the Chippewa Valley Nursing Alliance program.	Chancellor Donald Mash and Chippewa Valley Technical College President Bill Ihlenfeldt continue to find innovative ways to work together to maximize services, minimize costs and focus on student learning that addresses the work force needs in the Chippewa Valley.

Nursing enrollments in the Chippewa Valley will increase 10 percent in a year, thanks to a new joint venture that creates slots for an additional 24 nursing students.

The Chippewa Valley Nursing Alliance is a partnership of UW-Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley Technical College. The agreement promotes dual enrollments in the schools, providing opportunities for students to enroll in CVTC nursing classes and UW-Eau Claire general education classes concurrently.

UW-Eau Claire nursing programs turn away about 180 highly qualified students each year because the university lacks the funds to hire enough faculty to meet the needs of all nursing applicants, said Elaine Wendt, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The Chippewa Valley Nursing Alliance will allow 24 of those students to enroll in CVTC's associate degree nursing program, while continuing to take valuable general education classes at UW-Eau Claire. The students can live in UW-Eau Claire residence halls, they will have a UW-Eau Claire adviser and they'll have access to all other university services, Wendt said. Full story.

UW-Eau Claire chemist receives prestigious Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award

James Phillips (right) collaborates with Chris Knutson, a chemistry major from Beaver Dam, on a research project involving changes in molecular structure induced by inert, low temperature environments.

James Phillips, professor of chemistry at UW-Eau Claire, has been awarded a Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award from the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation of New York.

Phillips, one of nine 2004 award recipients, was honored with the $60,000 award for his accomplishments in teaching, mentoring and research with undergraduate students.

"I'm excited," Phillips said of the award. "It brings visibility to our department and to the university. And the $60,000 gives me the flexibility to grab an idea and go with it. That kind of funding flexibility is unusual."

A first rate teacher-scholar, Phillips is exactly the kind of talented scientist that the Dreyfus award is intended to honor, said Dr. Jack Pladziewicz, professor emeritus of chemistry at UW-Eau Claire and current program officer for the Research Corp.

"Jim possesses the ability and drive to do high quality research in physical chemistry and at the same time challenge and stimulate science and non-science students in the classroom," Pladziewicz said. "He has demonstrated an uncommon ability to establish himself both in research and teaching in a very short period of time." Full story.

Susan Haugen named Computer Educator of the Year
Susan Haugen, professor of accounting and finance at UW-Eau Claire, was recently named the 2004 Computer Educator of the Year by the International Association for Computer Information Systems for her outstanding academic and service accomplishments.

The Computer Educator of the Year award is the highest award given by the association. Haugen was selected from a group of outstanding candidates from colleges and universities throughout the world. Candidates for this award must show exceptional research and teaching skills, have made significant contributions to information systems education, and enjoy a national or international reputation for their outstanding work throughout the information systems community.

Haugen said she was "speechless" when she opened the letter informing her that she had been selected for the award.

"Many of the past awardees are truly outstanding educators and researchers in the field of information systems, so it was very rewarding for me to be recognized for my accomplishments in teaching, research and service as a member of the faculty at UW-Eau Claire," said Haugen. Full story.

Understanding the religious service-learning issue
To learn more about the proposed changes to the service-learning requirements as it relates to religious proselytization, read the motion and other relevant information available on the University Senate Web site.

New York Chamber Soloists to perform Nov. 15

Jennifer Grim, hailed by The New York Times as "a deft, smooth flute soloist," has performed across the United States as a solo and chamber musician.

The New York Chamber Soloists will present a concert Monday, Nov. 15, at UW-Eau Claire. The Artists Series concert by the quartet of winds will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Gantner Concert Hall of Haas Fine Arts Center.

The program includes Mozart's Divertimento in B-flat Major, Villa-Lobos' Choros No. 2, Stravinsky's Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet, Berger's Quartet in C Major, Milhaud's "Suite d'après Corrette," Debussy's "Syrinx for Solo Flute," Piston's Three Pieces for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon, and Francaix's Woodwind Quartet.

As a Paris review noted, the New York Chamber Soloists "are superb musicians who interpret the classics with great skill and depth." The Washington Post called them "first rate, displaying the adroitness and comprehension of personal styles that veteran musicians share." Full story and ticket information.

UW-Eau Claire to host conference for undergraduate exchange students
Forty-five students from Central Asia and Eastern Europe who are studying throughout the U.S. will attend the Open Society Institute's fall conference for undergraduate exchange students Nov. 19-21 at UW-Eau Claire.

"We were selected as the conference site based on the positive feedback of students who have studied here through this program," said Karl Markgraf, director of the Center for International Education. "We were among the first universities, along with Cornell and UC-Berkeley, to host students from this program."

While in Eau Claire , the exchange students will attend leadership seminars, workshops and planning sessions. They will stay at a local hotel and participate in various recreational activities in the area. Full story.

Holiday Concert set for Dec. 5
UW-Eau Claire's music and theatre arts department and the UW-Eau Claire Foundation will present the 30th annual Holiday Concert at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, in a festively decorated Zorn Arena. The free concert, which has been the university's and Foundation's gift to the Eau Claire community for three decades, will feature both individual and combined performances by the Concert Choir, Singing Statesmen, Women's Concert Chorale, Symphonic Choir, Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance at the Service Center, (715) 836-3727, or online.

Introducing UW-Eau Claire e-postcards, screensavers
The UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association introduces two new ways for university faculty/staff, alumni and friends to show their Blugold spirit: UW-Eau Claire e-postcards and screensavers! Send e-postcards to stay in touch with friends, family and your favorite students, and download a UW-Eau Claire screensaver to enjoy campus images right on your work or home computer desktop.

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.