Schmidt was surprised to learn that the final alumni award given during a May 16 ceremony — an Honorary Alumnus Award — would be presented to him. This award typically is presented to non-alumni or non-degreed alumni who have demonstrated great love of and service to UW-Eau Claire or the greater community.
Schmidt has been honored by alumni for his significant role in overall student success and “instilling in our students a great sense of pride, audacity and joy that has transformed them into Blugolds for life.”
Making the role of chancellor more accessible to students
From the start of his tenure, Schmidt worked diligently to break down historical barriers between students and the Chancellor’s Office, repeating often his goal to personally talk to as many students as he could each day on campus.
According to Curt Krizan, president of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, Schmidt’s efforts in achieving that goal were evident.
“My first week on campus, the chancellor and I were walking to Schofield Hall in the morning, and as we passed students on their way to class, he greeted each one with a friendly, ‘Good morning,’” Krizan says.
“It was very apparent from my first moments here that we have a special person as chancellor, who not only values every student but takes the time to connect with them and brighten their day.”
Building alumni connections from commencement day forward
Since joining UW-Eau Claire in fall 2013, Schmidt presided over more than 20 commencement ceremonies, shaking the hands of about 27,000 graduates and welcoming them to the Blugold alumni family.
Along with Eau Claire and Barron County commencement ceremonies, Schmidt also traveled to China multiple times for the celebrations of Chinese students who completed the dual-degree programs between UW-Eau Claire and several Chinese institutions.
From that commencement-day handshake forward, Schmidt has pledged to be available to alumni and has been known to meet with individuals or groups of alumni visiting campus, even providing occasional tours of the many additions and improvements to campus.
But it’s not only seeing those alumni who stop by campus. Schmidt has often met up with alumni across the country, or beyond, for dinner, coffee or just a quick chat.
For Jacob Truby, a 2010 graduate and the current alumni board president, an unexpected dinner invitation came while he was living abroad.
“In 2022, I was living in the Netherlands and participating in alumni meetings via Zoom,” Truby says. “I was pleasantly surprised to hear from Chancellor Schmidt, informing me that he and Michael Carney would be in Amsterdam for a conference and wished to meet for dinner. We spent hours discussing education, future campus plans and our shared enthusiasm for Eau Claire.”
A true Blugold, no longer just at heart
In recognizing Schmidt with the Honorary Alumnus Award, the Alumni Association is pleased to recognize not only the countless and immeasurable contributions Schmidt has made to the institution, its mission and its reputation for excellence. They also celebrate the intangible quality of his contributions, like his deep and abiding affection for the thousands of Blugolds who have shared their love of UW-Eau Claire with him.
Gary Berg, 1979 graduate and alumni board vice president, summarizes why this honorary alumni award is the perfect way to thank Schmidt and wish him well in his new position.
“I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to know Jim and for our many discussions on topics important to students,” Berg says. “He is smart, focused and genuine, always true to his mission of providing opportunities for Blugold students and alumni.
Schmidt will indeed leave a legacy of strong connections to students, alumni, faculty and staff. As his successor in the role of interim chancellor, Dr. Michael Carney is grateful for those connections and the myriad ways Schmidt moved the university forward.
“Jim had an extraordinary and transformational impact on our university,” says Carney, interim provost until Schmidt’s departure in July.
