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Media Memo: Grad is seventh of nine siblings to complete UW-Eau Claire degree

TO: News Editors and Directors

FROM: Julie Poquette

DATE: May 20, 2011

SUBJECT: Grad is seventh of nine siblings to complete UW-Eau Claire degree

Charlie Soldner will carry on quite a family tradition May 21 when he graduates from UW-Eau Claire during the 9 a.m. commencement ceremony in Zorn Arena. Soldner, a La Crosse native who will earn his bachelor's degree in Spanish, will be the seventh of nine Soldner siblings to join UW-Eau Claire's alumni ranks — and all but one family member will be in Eau Claire for the occasion. Helping Soldner celebrate his achievement will be his parents, Jay and Nancy Soldner of La Crosse, and the following siblings who also are UW-Eau Claire graduates:

Stephanie Soldner-Gauger, a 1999 elementary education graduate who is now a reading instructor at Western Technical College in La Crosse;
James Soldner, a 2002 psychology graduate who is now an assistant professor of rehabilitation, Utah State University in Logan, Utah;
Mary Ann Soldner-Christ, a 2005 nursing graduate and registered nurse at Providence St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia, Wash.;
Michael Soldner, a 2006 mass communication and Spanish graduate who recently returned from five years abroad and is planning an international business venture; and
Joseph Soldner, a 2010 organizational communication graduate and insurance broker in Chicago.

The seventh Soldner Blugold alum, Julie Soldner, is working in Madrid, Spain, as an English language and culture assistant in a bilingual elementary school and is unable to return to Eau Claire for the event. Julie Soldner is a 2007 UW-Eau Claire English graduate.

An eighth Soldner sibling, Anna, is a freshman at UW-Eau Claire, and younger brother John Paul, who is a junior in high school, has yet to decide where he will attend college. "It's a big question in the family as of late," Charlie Soldner said.

While seeking postgraduation employment, Charlie Soldner is planning and coordinating free English classes for Latino immigrants and working at Supermercado Sandoval in Eau Claire.

To arrange an interview with Charlie and other Soldner family members, contact Charlie at 715-864-6026 or soldnecf@uwec.edu.

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