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Tip Sheet for the week of Dec. 1, 2008

RELEASED: Dec. 1, 2008

Story Idea
All UW-Eau Claire international students who take English as a Second Language classes in the foreign languages department participate in service projects that bring them in contact with community members. The students donate their time and talents to the community while helping to foster intercultural understanding. This semester 27 international students are completing service projects, which include:

  • Seven students help with the Therapeutic Riding Program (Healing with Horses) every Monday at Trinity Equestrian Center. They help developmentally and physically disabled children in therapy with cognitive, physical, emotional, social, educational and behavioral goals.
  • Eight students help at Par-Te-Rec at the Eau Claire Parks and Recreation Center every Wednesday night. Par-Te-Rec is a social program for developmentally disabled adults in the community. Volunteers dance, play games or do crafts with attendees.
  • Four students (and two visiting international faculty) help with Special Olympics volleyball practice every Wednesday night at Altoona Middle School. They play with the attendees, encourage and help them to improve.
  • Seven students help with Special Olympics bowling practice every Saturday afternoon at Wagner's Bowling Alley. They help people bowl, and provide pointers and encouragement.
  • One student is doing music therapy with a cognitively disabled adult in the community.
  • ESL students also will share information about their culture with middle school students when they visit classes Thursday, Dec. 4, at South Middle School in Eau Claire. The students will meet with sixth-grade classes throughout the day. Each student will give a 10-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute interactive lesson about a song, craft, game or dance from his/her culture. The students have done this every fall for three years; every year, more teachers have asked to have their classes included.

Julie Adler, a senior lecturer in the foreign languages department, can provide additional information about the activities and can help coordinate stories or photographs. You can contact her at 715-836-4348 or adlerjd@uwec.edu.

Story/Photo Idea
UW-Eau Claire will continue a December tradition by offering free Holiday Concerts. Shows will begin at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in Zorn Arena. The shows — an expression of thanks to the community for its support — will feature more than 525 student performers in The Concert Choir, The Singing Statesmen, the Wind Symphony, the Symphony Orchestra and the Women's Concert Chorale. The Association of Student Social Workers will collect new children's books for the Give-a-Kid-a-Book program at the concert.

Story Idea
Dr. David Shih, associate professor of English, is UW-Eau Claire's first Campus Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Fellow. Shih, who will report to the chancellor, will work closely with students, vice chancellors, academic departments and other units including Admissions, Affirmative Action, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. For details, contact Dr. Shih at 715-836-3502 or shihd@uwec.edu.

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