NEWS RELEASE

News Bureau . Schofield Hall 201 . Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
fax: (715) 836-2900

EAU CLAIRE - Six students entering the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire this coming fall will be the first freshman to receive Excellence in Mathematics and Computer Science Scholarships as part of a new program beginning with the 2003-04 academic year.

The new EMACS scholars are Tina Baker, West Salem, a graduate of West Salem High School and the daughter of Ben and Julie Baker; Joshua Burton, Knapp, a graduate of Menomonie High School and the son of Robert Burton and Patty Bosse; Marcus Clare, Hayward, a graduate of Hayward High School and the son of Tim and Rhonda Clare; Travis Gruchow, Waterloo, a graduate of Waterloo High School and the son of Gary and Tarilee Gruchow; Jenna Helbing, Platteville, a graduate of Platteville High School and the daughter of Dennis and Deb Helbing; and Amanda Schara, Athens, a graduate of Athens High School and the daughter of James and Karen Schara.

In September 2002 it was announced that the mathematics and computer science departments at the UW-Eau Claire had received a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop the EMACS Scholarship Program. Dr. Michael Howe, associate professor of mathematics, Dr. Andrew Phillips, professor of computer science, and Dr. Alex Smith, associate professor of mathematics, developed the EMACS Scholars program, which will provide 30 students - new freshmen or currently enrolled students who demonstrate financial need and academic potential - with scholarships and support in the form of faculty and peer mentoring, student/faculty research projects, capstone and independent study opportunities, career counseling that includes preparation for graduate school, and service-learning and internship opportunities.

When awarding the grant, the NSF reviewers noted UW-Eau Claire's outstanding faculty and academic programs, the quality of its mathematics and computer science programs, and the overall excellence of the university, Howe said. The reviewers also cited the importance the university places on student-faculty research, he said.

UW-Eau Claire is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and other national publications as one of the nation's best educational values and among the top public regional universities in the Midwest. Visit UW-Eau Claire's Web site for more information on scholarship opportunities.
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Judy Berthiaume, Director
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu

Updated: June 23, 2003