University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Infobox University
name =University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
native_name =
latin_name =


motto = Excellence: Our Measure, Our Motto, Our Goal
established = 1916
type = State university
endowment = $622,637
staff = 1,150
faculty = 479
chancellor = Brian Levin-Stankevich
vice_chancellor =
dean =
students = 10,549
undergrad = 10,055
postgrad = 494
doctoral =
city = Eau Claire
state = WI
country = USA
campus = Urban, 333 acres (1.3 km²)
colors = Navy & Old Gold
mascot = Blugold
motto: Excellence. Our measure, our motto, our goal.
website = [http://www.uwec.edu/ www.uwec.edu]

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (also known as UW-Eau Claire or UWEC) is a public university in west-central Wisconsin, United States. It offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees along with numerous certificates.

Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the University sits along the banks of the Chippewa River and on the edge of the Chippewa Valley. Consisting of 28 major buildings spanning 333 acres (1.3 km²), the University's annual enrollment is more than 10,000.

The school is generally referred to by students and faculty as UW-Eau Claire or by its initials, UWEC.

"U.S. News & World Report" consistently ranks UW-Eau Claire among the best regional public universities in the Midwest. The 2008 edition of "America's Best Colleges" ranks UW-Eau Claire No. 5 among the top regional public universities in the Midwest and 26th among all private and public institutions in the Midwest. [ [http://www.uwec.edu/newsreleases/07/august/0817USNews.htm U.S.News Again Ranks UW-Eau Claire Among Top Five Public Universities in the Midwest ] ]

The University is affiliated with the NCAA's Division III sports program. The mascot is the "Eau Claire Blugold," a name coined to reflect the school colors (navy blue and old gold). Previous mascot and athletic team names include: the Normals, the Normalites (because UWEC was founded as Eau Claire State Normal School), the Blue and Gold Warriors, the Blue and Gold Gridirons, the Zornmen (in honor of Willis L. "Bill" Zorn, basketball and football coach from 1928-1968), the Golden Tornadoes, the Zornadoes, the Golden Zornadoes, the Blue and Gold Squad, the Bluegold Squad, and the Bluegolds. There is no evidence in the "Periscope" yearbooks of a bulldog mascot prior to 1940. ["Periscope" yearbooks, 1917-1940. UWEC McIntyre Library Special Collections & Archives] Further research may uncover some evidence of the reported "Eau Claire Bulldogs," an anagram of Blugolds. The actual meaning of the mascot has been debated for some time. [ [http://www.spectatornews.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=979cbac6-57c4-420c-90da-4663081c17ed The Spectator ] ]

History

The University was founded in 1916 as the Eau Claire State Normal School, offering one-, two- and three-year teachers' courses and a principals' course. In 1927, the name of the school was changed to the Eau Claire State Teachers College and the school began offering a bachelor's degree program. The campus was also altered to accommodate a 300-man detachment from the Army Air Corps.

In 1951, the Wisconsin Board of Regents authorized the school to offer bachelor of arts and science degrees in liberal arts; subsequently, the name of the school was changed to the Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire. In 1964 the Board of Regents gave university standing to the state colleges, and the institution at Eau Claire was renamed Wisconsin State University–Eau Claire. Finally, in 1971 the name of the institution was changed to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire following the merger of the Wisconsin State University System and the University of Wisconsin System.

Campus facts

:"Information presumed current as of December 2007" [ [http://www.uwec.edu/home/aboutus.htm About the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire ] ]
* Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin; city pop. 64,000, metro. pop. 151,000
* Campus: 28 major buildings, 333 acres and one river
* Walk across campus: About 15 min.

* Student population: 10,549
** Undergraduate students: 10,096
** Graduate students: 497
** Multicultural students: 613
** Students studying abroad: 484

* Faculty and staff: 1,150
** Full-time faculty: 408 (246 men; 162 women)
** Part-time faculty: 71 (23 men; 48 women)
** Total faculty with Ph.D. or other terminal degree: 78%
** Multicultural faculty members: 35
** Faculty with tenure: 58%
* Faculty-student ratio: 1-to-20
* Computer-to-student ratio: 1-to-9
* Average men-to-women ratio: 2-to-3
* ACT composite average: 23.9
* Average class size: 29
* Student organizations: 219
* Seal: Council oak tree
* Ping Pong Tables: not enough

2008-2009 expenses

*Tuition and fees: $6,208 in-state
**Tuition: $5,084 (in state)
**Segregated Fees: $1,124

2007-2008 expenses

*Tuition and fees: $5,845 in-state, $13,418 out-of-state
*Room/board: $4,620 [ [http://www.uwec.edu/admissions/paying.htm Paying for College, UW-Eau Claire ] ]

National recognition

:"Information presumed current as of December 2007" [ [http://www.uwec.edu/advantage/rankings.htm UW-Eau Claire Reputation ] ]

UW-Eau Claire is among the top producers of 2007-08 U.S. Fulbright Fellows.

UW-Eau Claire student is a recipient of the National Ford Fellowship Scholarship.

UW-Eau Claire is featured in The Princeton Review's 2008 editions of America's Best Value Colleges and Best Midwestern Colleges.

Comparing measures of quality against cost, UW-Eau Claire ranks as the 65th best value in American public higher education, according to Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine.

Service-learning
UW-Eau Claire was among the 141 public and private colleges, universities and professional schools named in the first President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction for General Community Service.

Accreditations
UW-Eau Claire is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Various agencies also fully accredit specific programs, and UW-Eau Claire is affiliated with a number of organizations. See list.

History
The history department at UW-Eau Claire received the UW System Regents Teaching Excellence Award for Academic Departments and Programs in recognition of its exceptional commitment to teaching and learning.

Chemistry
UW-Eau Claire is a national leader among comprehensive universities in the number of chemistry graduates earning Ph.D.s. Chemistry is just one of many innovative degree programs in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Music
From choral, orchestral and wind repertoire to jazz and musical theater, UW-Eau Claire's music and theater arts program is one of the best in the country. Jazz Ensemble I, five-time winner of Down Beat magazine's "Best College Big Band" award, is just one example of the musical talent at UW-Eau Claire.

Blugold Marching Band
[http://www.blugoldmarchingband.com] The UW Eau Claire Blugold Marching Band has recently become the largest D3 college marching band and remains one of the most active marching bands in the midwest. Under the direction of Randy Dickerson the BMB has grown from 68 members to 230 members in just 8 years. In 08-09 the BMB will perform in multiple exhibitions as well as the Lincoln Way Exhibition in Chicago. Also, in one of the season highlights, the BMB will be performing the halftime show of the September 8th Packers/Vikings Monday Night Football game.

College of Business
UW-Eau Claire ranks near the top 25 percent nationwide in the number of accounting students who pass the CPA exam the first time. This "advantage" is a reflection of the strength of all of the College of Business programs.

Nursing
UW-Eau Claire is the only public university in northwestern and northcentral Wisconsin that offers a baccalaureate nursing degree. The nationally recognized program in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences graduates more than 100 students a year, many of whom receive multiple job offers.

Education
The Milken National Educator Award won by James Doucette, a UW-Eau Claire education graduate, exemplifies our College of Education and Human Sciences’ respected status in the area.

Wisconsin Youth Sports Program
Formally the National Youth Sports Program, WYSP at UW-Eau Claire is a free summer camp for economically deprived kids and is a top program in the country. One unique feature of WYSP at UW-Eau Claire is the Senior Program, a component designed specifically to meet the changing needs of our thirteen to sixteen year old participants. The WYSP (NYSP) program has received the Silvio O.Conte Award of Excellence three times - 2004, 1998, 1991.

Forensics
UW-Eau Claire has a nationally recognized forensics program, winning the state tournament for 15 consecutive years and placing seventh at the 2007 national tournament.

Study Abroad
UW-Eau Claire ranks 14th nationally among all master's-level schools in the number of students who study abroad, according to the 2007 Open Doors Report of the Institute for International Education. The 2007 Open Doors Report indicates that 484 UW-Eau Claire students studied abroad during the 2005-06 academic year, up from the previous year when 440 students participated in a study abroad program.

Colleges

*College of Business
*College of Arts and Sciences
*College of Education and Human Sciences
*College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Graduate programs

*Business Administration (MBA)
*Communication Sciences and Disorders (MS)
*Education--Special Education (MSE)
*English (MA)
*History (MA)
*Nursing (MSN)
*Professional Development (ME)
*School Psychology (Ed.S.)
*Teaching Elementary Education (MST)
*Teaching English (MST)
*Teaching History (MAT)
*Teaching History (MST)
*Teaching History/Social Science (MST)
*Teaching Reading (MS)

Residence halls

*Bridgman Hall
*Chancellors Hall
*Emmet Horan Hall (sausage-fest)
*Governors Hall
*Katharine Thomas Hall
*Murray Hall
*Oakridge Hall (Female-only)
*Putnam Hall
*Sutherland Hall
*Towers North
*Towers South

NCAA Division III Athletics

Men's sports
*Football
*Basketball
*Cross Country
*Golf
*Ice Hockey
*Swimming & Diving
*Tennis
*Track & Field
*Wrestling

Women's sports
*Basketball
*Cross Country
*Golf
*Gymnastics
*Ice Hockey
*Soccer
*Softball
*Swimming & Diving
*Tennis
*Track & Field
*Volleyball

National Champions
*1983 Swimming & Diving
*2008 Women's Softball

Sports clubs
*Baseball Club
*Bowling Club
*Cheer & Stunt Team
*Dance Team
*Hwa Rang Do/Tae Soo Do
*Men's LaCrosse
*Men's Rugby
*Men's Soccer
*Men's Ultimate
*Men's Volleyball
*Water Ski Team
*Women's Ultimate

Athletic facilities
*W. L. Zorn Arena [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._L._Zorn_Arena]

Notable alumni

* Chris Carr, Assistant Design Director, "Star Tribune", former Sports Designer, "Charlotte Observer" (Class of 1998)
* Ann Devroy, White House correspondent for 15 years covering Reagan, G. H. Bush, and Clinton Administrations. (Class of 1970)
* David Domine, author of Ghosts of Old Louisville and Phantoms of Old Louisville (Class of 1989)
* Anthony "Tony" Duran , celebrity photographer (Class of 1988)
* Mark Green, U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, former U.S. Congressman (Class of 1983)
* Alex Hicks, National Hockey League, played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, and the Florida Panthers. Hicks was, and remains, the first and only University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugold to play in NHL regular season and playoff games.
* Billy Houck, famed hockey player in the 1990's.
* Steven Hyden, Milwaukee City Editor, "A.V. Club" (Class of 1999)
* Brian "Kato" Kaelin, of O.J. Simpson trial fame; (did not graduate)
* Bob Knuth, marketing Art Director at Second City Theatre in Chicago (Class of 1990)
* Stephen Koepp, former deputy managing editor of "Time" magazine, co-writer of the 1994 Ron Howard movie "The Paper" (Class of 1978)
* Lori Kurtzman, Reporter, "Cincinnati Enquirer" (Class of 2000)
* Claire B. Lang, host of "Dialed In" on XM Satellite Radio's NASCAR Channel (Class of 1976)
* John Menard, Jr., founder of Menards (Class of 1963)
* John Noltner, freelance photographer (Class of 1990)
* Chris Pauls, author, contributing writer for The Onion (Class of 1992)
* Gustavo R. Paz-Pujalt, scientist and inventor
* Jane Kathryn Plank, actress in The Mighty Ducks & Jingle All The Way (Class of 2002)
* Laila Robins, stage and film actor (Class of 1981)
* Mae Schunk, Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
* Jackie Thomas, star of the FOX television show "Playing It Straight"
* Leah Thorsen, Staff Writer, "St. Louis Post-Dispatch" (Class of 2001)
* Justin Vernon, lead singer of Bon Iver

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.uwec.edu/home/ UW–Eau Claire Website]
* [http://www.uwec.edu/athletics/ UW–Eau Claire Athletics]
* [http://www.uwec.edu/4n6/ UW-Eau Claire Forensics]
* [http://www.uwec.edu/Library/archives/ UW-Eau Claire Special Collections and Archives]
* [http://www.uwec.edu/matsci/ UW-Eau Claire Materials Science Center]
* [http://www.spectatornews.com/ UWEC Student Newspaper, The Spectator]
* [http://www.flipsidepress.org/ The UWEC Alternative Student News Source]
* [http://www.uwec.edu/mus-the/theatre/ Theatre and Dance]
* [http://www.blugoldmarchingband.com/ The Blugold Marching Band]
* [http://www.uwec.edu/4n6/ The UWEC Forensics Team]
* [http://www.busyblugold.com/ BusyBlugold.com Student Website]