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Dr. Helen Dale creates Excellence in Education Scholarship

| Dr. Helen Dale

Hello. My name is Helen Dale, and I am a retired UWEC English professor who no longer lives in Wisconsin. Last summer I traveled to Eau Claire and took a walk on the always beautiful campus to see the many changes that had occurred since I retired.  Over the years I had been thinking of giving a scholarship because as a first-generation American and a first-generation college student, I was grateful for and relied on scholarships from generous donors. On my walk, I happened to pass the UWEC Foundation Office and, on a whim, decided to stop in just to ask about how one goes about initiating a scholarship.  Within less than an hour, my vague thoughts about helping English majors who needed financial help were honed into a specific scholarship: The Dr. Helen Dale Excellence in Education Scholarship.

I treasure my years as an English professor at UWEC and have taught many classes, but the ones that meant the most to me were those that focused on teaching English majors how to be great secondary English teachers of literature, composition, and language.  This scholarship can go to any English major, but preference will go to English Language Arts Teaching Students so they can instill in their future students a love of reading and writing.  Preference will also go to students who come from a background underrepresented in English Education as well as those who have demonstrated financial need.  I am delighted to be able to give this scholarship.