Featured Articles

UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls implement collaborative teacher education programs

Marilyn Kanne receives top state honors

Carson Park turf project under way, groundbreaking ceremony planned

Flamenco guitarist Michael Hauser to headline Monday's concert

Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors program held on campus

Riverbank project update

UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls implement collaborative teacher education programs

David Franks	Katherine Rhoades

Education students at
UW-Eau Claire and
UW-River Falls have new opportunities for teacher education, thanks to a collaborative program that utilizes the resources of the two UW System campuses.

The cooperative program makes it possible for UW-Eau Claire students in the early childhood special education program to earn pre-kindergarten through third grade certification endorsement through UW-River Falls and for students from UW-River Falls to earn their early childhood special education license through UW-Eau Claire.

Neither school offers both teacher education opportunities, said David Franks, UW-Eau Claire professor of special education.

“This collaboration opens up increased employment opportunities for teacher education students because increasing numbers of teaching situations require that teachers are qualified in both general and special education,” Franks said.

The new program is an example of the cooperation among Wisconsin higher education institutions to make the best use of the state’s educational resources, said Katherine Rhoades, associate dean of the UW-Eau Claire School of Education.

Such collaborations are the kinds of things an interactive, public regional university should be doing, said interim UW-Eau Claire Provost Steve Tallant. “Thanks to this program, our graduates will be better prepared to meet the educational needs of our region and state,” Tallant said. Full story.

Marilyn Kanne receives top state honors
Scores of small business owners and managers in western Wisconsin have learned small business fundamentals and other professional development subjects, thanks to the efforts of Marilyn Kanne of the Small Business Development Center at UW-Eau Claire.

Kanne recently was selected by her peers as the 2004 outstanding Wisconsin SBDC staff member. She will receive the State Star Award along with award winners from other states during the ASBDC Annual Conference in New Orleans in September.

The award is given annually to an SBDC employee who makes a significant contribution to the Wisconsin SBDC, shows a commitment to small business and is an exemplary performer, says Erica Kauten, director of the Business and Manufacturing Division of UW-Extension. Full story.

Carson Park turf project under way, groundbreaking ceremony planned

Last week work continued on the Carson Park football field in preparation for the installation of artificial turf. (Photo by Rick Mickelson, TLTDC)

This fall, those responsible for washing the uniforms of UW-Eau Claire football players should have an easier time of it.

Several longtime partners of UW-Eau Claire, including RCU Services Corp. and Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, have made gifts through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation to help pay for the installation of artificial turf and a new scoreboard at Eau Claire’s Carson Park, the Blugolds’ home field.

The UW-Eau Claire Student Senate also has pledged $300,000 toward the project. Completion of the $800,000 project is expected in time for the fall 2004 football season.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Carson Park turf project is slated for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 22, at Carson Park. Full story.

Flamenco guitarist Michael Hauser to headline Monday's concert
Michael Hauser, "one of America's few masters of the emotional flamenco guitar" (Mpls./St. Paul Magazine), will open UW-Eau Claire's Summer Session Programs for the week of July 19. His free outdoor show will begin at 7 p.m. Monday on the Central Campus Mall. Refreshments will be sold. Full story.

"The Big Lebowski" (1998) will continue the Summer Cinema festival of films by Joel and Ethan Coen Tuesday and Thursday at noon and 7 p.m. in Davies Theatre.

Summer Session Programs continue through Aug. 5. A complete schedule of events is available online.

Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors program held on campus
A group of Native American, African American, Hispanic/Latino and Asian ninth graders were on campus July 11-18 for the Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors pre-college program, coordinated by Stephanie Zighelboim of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The camp focused on reading, writing and critical thinking skills. The program also emphasized the importance of a college education.

On July 14, participants in the Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors pre-college program helped clean up the area around the Boys and Girls Club in downtown Eau Claire in preparation for the club's grand opening that day. The community beautification project served as part of the students' service-learning experience. (Contributed photo)

Riverbank project update

A crane constructs the foundation for the riprapped bank. As the project progresses, a crane from the road will place riprap on the riverbank and plant trees and bushes among the rocks.

Workers drilled holes and pounded 21-foot-long caissons into the riverbank next to the street curb. Approximately 180 caissons, 2 feet in diameter and spaced 5 feet apart, will be filled with concrete. When the project is finished, the concrete piers will not be visible, but will be under a crushed granite walkway with a guardrail along the river. Between the guardrail and the river, many trees and shrubs will be planted. (Photos by Rick Mickelson, TLTDC)

Summer Bulletin
Published weekly during the summer session 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.