Featured Articles

UW-Eau Claire student, alumnus among victims in Sunday morning bus/semitrailer crash

History faculty secure $1.5 million grant

Interim Chancellor Larson receives WWHEL award

Provost and Vice Chancellor Satz retires

Faculty/staff to receive new Blugold Cards Oct. 24-28

Campus gateway undergoes reconstruction

Dual Choice enrollment continues through Oct. 28

Program helps students explore possibilities

Alumni, friends continue generous Telefund support

First Trombone Summit set for
Oct. 23

Scenes from Homecoming 2005

Alumni photo exhibit feature image

UW-Eau Claire student, alumnus among victims
in Sunday morning bus/semitrailer crash
UW-Eau Claire music education student Branden Atherton, a senior from Waukesha, and alumnus Douglas Greenhalgh, director of the Chippewa Falls High School marching band, were among the five people who died in a bus crash early Sunday morning as the band was returning home following a competition in Whitewater. Atherton, 24, was a student teacher at Chippewa Falls High School. He was the drum major for the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Marching Band for two years and was instrumental in assisting with the rapid growth of the university's band in recent years, said Randy Dickerson, Blugold Marching Band director. Greenhalgh, 48, received his master's degree in education-professional development from UW-Eau Claire in 1998.

Also killed in the collision on Interstate 94 just north of Osseo were Greenhalgh's wife, Therese Greenhalgh, 51, Chippewa Falls; the couple's granddaughter, Morgan Greenhalgh, 11; and the bus driver, Paul Rasmus, 78, Chippewa Falls.

Among those who remain hospitalized following the accident are UW-Eau Claire students Amy Bowen, a senior music major from Chippewa Falls, Jessica Rozga, a junior management major from Franklin, Ruth Weiland, a sophomore biology major, and alumnus Brian Collicott, Chippewa Falls High School marching band assistant director. Bowen was in serious but stable condition this morning at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire. Rozga remains hospitalized at St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. Collicott, a 1998 UW-Eau Claire music graduate, was in critical but stable condition this morning. Weiland is hospitalized at a Twin Cities medical facility. Also treated for injuries and released were UW-Eau Claire student Andrew Sazama, a sophomore music major, and Ryan Wilson, a senior music major. See related Spectator and Leader-Telegram stories.

Area history teachers participated in 2004 in a UW-Eau Claire program supported by the U.S. Department of Educa-tion. A recent federal grant will fund a new program to help teachers improve how they teach history to Wisconsin students. (Photo by Rick Mickelson, LTS)

History faculty secure $1.5 million grant for program to help Wisconsin teachers, students
Hundreds of teachers and thousands of schoolchildren throughout Wisconsin will benefit from a $1.5 million federal grant awarded to the UW-Eau Claire history department, a consortium of eight Cooperative Educational Service Agency offices, the Chippewa Valley Museum and UW-Eau Claire's Center for History, Teaching and Learning. The $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education will support a program titled "Making Americans, Making America: Community, Citizenship, and the Constitution." Like other UW-Eau Claire history programs supported in recent years by U.S. Department of Education grants, the program will help teachers improve how they teach history to elementary, middle and high school students. Full story.

Interim Chancellor Larson receives WWHEL award
UW-Eau Claire Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson will receive the first Outstanding Achievement Award given by the Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership organization.

Larson, who was the first woman chair of a department in UW-Eau Claire's College of Arts and Sciences, has served as an excellent role model for other women in higher education, said Carol Sue Butts, president of WWHEL and provost and vice chancellor of UW-Platteville, in a letter announcing Larson's award. The letter noted that Larson's "leadership and active support of women have made a difference to women in Wisconsin."

Larson will receive the award during the WWHEL conference Oct. 20 and 21 in Fond du Lac. "Knowing that my efforts have created new opportunities for women in higher education is extremely rewarding," she said. "What a wonderful way to culminate a 30-plus year career in the UW System." Full story.

Provost and Vice Chancellor Ronald Satz retires
UW-Eau Clarie Provost and Vice Chancellor Ronald N. Satz retires today after 22 years of service to the university, Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson has announced. "Ron Satz has made incredible contributions to UW-Eau Claire and the world of higher education during his long and distinguished career," Larson said. "Ron's passion and vision were instrumental in helping UW-Eau Claire — a regional public university — earn a national reputation for excellence." Satz, who has served as provost and vice chancellor at UW-Eau Claire since 1999, has been undergoing treatment for a recurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He's been on medical leave since April 21. Dr. Steve Tallant has served and will continue to serve as interim provost and vice chancellor, Larson said.

Under Satz's leadership, UW-Eau Claire's undergraduate research program grew so successful that the UW System Board of Regents named UW-Eau Claire as the system's only Center of Excellence for Faculty and Undergraduate Student Research Collaboration. Satz was named the founding director of the Center when it was created in 1988. Full story.

Faculty/staff to receive new Blugold cards Oct. 24-28
UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff will be issued new Blugold Cards the week of Oct. 24-28. The new Blugold Card, the university's official photo identification card, will be issued at no charge to faculty and staff Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Willow Lounge, Davies Center. Blugold Cards currently in use will be inactive as of Oct. 31.

New Blugold Cards are being produced for all ID card holders at the expense of U.S. Bank, which entered into a partnership with the university after a competitive bidding process initiated at the urging of the Student Senate last year. The new Blugold Card offers additional features including the optional use of the card as an ATM card or a PIN-based debit card. UW-Eau Claire students received their new Blugold Cards in August and September.

Faculty and staff members should bring their current Blugold Cards or photo identification to receive a new Blugold Card. Those who cannot visit Willow Lounge during the times indicated can obtain a new card at the Blugold Card Office, Davies 156, at their convenience. The Blugold Card is administered by University Centers and Programs. For more information contact the Service Center, 836-4070.

Campus gateway undergoes reconstruction

A crew from Stolp Masonry of Eau Claire works this morning on the reconstruction of the campus gateway. (UW-Eau Claire News Bureau photo)

Reconstruc-tion of UW-Eau Claire's campus gateway on Garfield Avenue across from the Ecumenical Religious Center is nearing completion. A commitment by the UW-Eau Claire Foundation and an allocation of state maintenance funds provided the resources for the complete reconstruction of the campus landmark, said Andrew Soll, UW-Eau Claire vice chancellor for business and student services. The gateway was presented to the university by the classes of 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1932. It originally consisted of two curved brick walls flanking a sidewalk. One wall was removed a number of years ago due to severe deterioration, and the second wall also had reached the point where it either had to be removed or reconstructed. "The brick used for the gateway’s original construction was too soft and porous to stand up to Wisconsin weather, and repairs were not possible," Soll said. "During the past ten days, the original wall was demolished and an identical replacement was constructed on the same foundation. Limestone accents from the original wall were placed in the new wall to create as exact a replacement as possible. New stone caps will be installed to complete the project."

Foundation support will also provide for construction of a low, bench-height wall on the opposite side of the sidewalk. "The gateway has been a traditional favorite of students and families as a backdrop for photos after commencement and other campus events," Soll said. "Thanks to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, the restored gateway will continue to be a campus landmark long into the future."

Dual Choice enrollment continues through Oct. 28
The Dual Choice enrollment period for UW-Eau Claire employees enrolled in one of the state group health insurance plans continues through Oct. 28. During this period, employees have the opportunity to change from one health insurance carrier to another or to add eligible family members who are not currently covered. The health insurance program is undergoing some significant changes this year, said Donna Weber, UW-Eau Claire's director of human resources. Faculty and staff should refer to the “It’s Your Choice” book, distributed via campus mail earlier this month, for complete information. The book also is available online in versions both for state of Wisconsin employees and annuitants. See a summary of new information on specific health care plans. More information also is available in the Human Resources online newsletter.

Program helps students explore possibilities

Career Services mascot Possibility Pete.

Students still uncertain about their majors or interested in exploring other career paths or opportunities will have more than 40 informational sessions to choose from during "Explore Your Possibilities Week," presented by UW-Eau Claire's Career Services Oct. 17-21. Students can learn about everything from what kinds of jobs are available to those in various majors, to how to join the Peace Corps or study abroad, to how to write a winning resume and secure an internship. A complete schedule and list of sessions, presented by UW-Eau Claire faculty and professional staff, alumni, and employers, is available online. Pre-registration is encouraged. Sessions will take place Monday through Wednesday in Davies Center. On Thursday and Friday, Career Services, Schofield 230, will hold an open house. Full story.

Alumni, friends continue generous Telefund support

Sophomore Amanda Lonsdorf, foreground, enjoys a conversation while making a call during the UW-Eau Claire Foundation's 2005-06 Telefund. Student callers will be contacting alumni and friends of the university through Dec. 8. (Photo by Rick Mickelson, LTS)

Alumni and friends contributed $514,730 through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation's 2004-05 Telefund drive, said Heidi Fisher, UW-Eau Claire director of annual giving and major gifts officer. It was the second year in a row that Telefund contributions exceeded $500,000. Among those making gifts were more than 800 first-time donors, and the average 2004-05 Telefund pledge was $60, Fisher said.

This fall, student Telefund callers will be contacting UW-Eau Claire alumni and friends, as well as parents of current students, through Dec. 8. Gifts through Telefund are an important source of support for the Foundation's Excellence Fund and Parents Fund, which provide student opportunities that student tuition and state funding cannot cover alone, Fisher said. In 2005, Telefund contributions:

• helped purchase new uniforms and support travel for the Blugold Marching Band, a group that has quickly grown from 60 members in 2000 to 170 in 2005;
• provided support for the Ask An Alum and Friends program, which encourages UW-Eau Claire students to contact professionals working in a variety of careers throughout the nation; and
• helped a number of other areas of campus by supporting special projects, Honors Program courses, a variety of scholarships and Blugold fellowships as well as providing funding for a variety of activities as needs arose.

Those making contributions can do so via U.S. mail or by using the Foundation's online giving option. "The impact of every Telefund donation is significant," Fisher said. "Over time, Telefund contributions literally impact every student's UW-Eau Claire education."

First Trombone Summit set for Oct. 23

The UW-Eau Claire Trombone Ensemble will be among the ensembles participating in the first Upper Midwest Trombone Summit Oct. 23. (Contributed photo)

The first Upper Midwest Trombone Summit will take place Sunday, Oct. 23, in UW-Eau Claire's Haas Fine Arts Center. The summit will include several workshops throughout the day and conclude with a concert featuring trombone ensembles from UW-Eau Claire and the University of Minnesota at 5 p.m. in Gantner Concert Hall. Full story.

Scenes from Homecoming 2005
Photos by Rick Mickelson, LTS

Above left, UW-Eau Claire senior Catherine Heidke cheered on the Blugolds during the Oct. 15 Homecoming game against rival UW-Stout. The Blugolds won, 17-9. At right, Blugold Tony Hull makes a catch during the game at Eau Claire's Carson Park. (Read game details.)

Roger Selin, UW-Eau Claire professor of accounting and finance and the 2005 recipient of the university's Excellence in Teaching Award, was the Homecoming parade marshall. Selin and his wife, Donna, wore contrasting Blugold attire as they were driven along the parade route.

Led by drum major Tim Baumann, the Blugold Marching Band entertains at the Pine Pavilion in Carson Park during the pregame Blugold Fever Fest.

Mother-daughter alums Mary Lee Schulta '79 and Danielle Schulta '02 were among those who attended the postgame "Disco Fever — Blugold Style" party in the Council Fire Room of Davies Center.

'Common Ground' photo exhibit feature image:
Tony Duran sees more than Hollywood glamour

Photo by Tony Duran '88

This portrait of Beyonce Knowles is among those on exhibit through Oct. 27 during "Common Ground: The Photography of Tony Duran, Liz Flores, David Joles and John Noltner" in UW-Eau Claire's Foster Gallery. UW-Eau Claire alumnus Tony Duran '88 had the following to say about the image during an Oct. 7 gallery talk: "In my photography, I'm really doing the same thing I did when I was a student at UW-Eau Claire. My subjects may be more well known, but they have the same fears and insecurities that anyone does. In this photo of Beyonce, some see beauty and glamour in her eyes, but when I look into her eyes I see fear. What you don't know about this picture is that the room is filled with about 45 people and just outside of the frame is a manager tapping her watch reminding us we had five minutes to take the photo."

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 Julie Poquette at poquetjm@uwec.edu are encouraged. Faculty/staff news items are published on a space-available basis.