University of Wisconsin

Eau Claire

One of the few master’s level public regional universities in the nation with a Rhodes Scholar, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire prepares its students to compete with students from higher educational institutions throughout the country for prestigious awards, top graduate schools and desirable jobs. UW-Eau Claire had more students receiving Fulbright grants for 2006-07 than most master’s level colleges and universities in the United States. With Fulbright awards to three of its graduates who applied while enrolled at the university, UW-Eau Claire is ranked 8th in the nation among master’s level institutions producing U.S. student Fulbright Scholars in 2006-07. No other Wisconsin college or university is included on the list of top master’s level institutions. A UW-Eau Claire senior chemistry and biology major is among 20 college students nationwide to be named to the 2007 All-USA College Academic First Team. Lori Scardino is the only student attending a Wisconsin college or university selected for 2007 First Team honors. She is the second UW-Eau Claire student to make the top 20 list; an education major was on the list in 2003. UW-Eau Claire is a national leader among comprehensive universities in the number of chemistry graduates earning Ph.D.s, and the university ranks near the top 25 percent nationwide in the number of accounting students who pass the CPA exam the first time. UW-Eau Claire faculty members also successfully compete nationally for prestigious grants and awards. When Stephen Drucker, an associate professor of chemistry, was awarded a prestigious Dreyfus award in 2006, UW-Eau Claire became one of just four public and private undergraduate institutions in the country to have four or more Dreyfus teacher-scholar winners on its faculty. Three of UW-Eau Claire’s Dreyfus awards have come in the last five years. Several other science and mathematics faculty members received substantial grant awards this year from the National Science Foundation, while history and education faculty have secured several million dollars in grants through U.S. Department of Education grant programs. UW-Eau Claire’s nationally recognized undergraduate student-faculty research program provides research opportunities typically available only to graduate students at large institutions. At any given time, more than 800 students in disciplines across campus are involved in research with faculty at UW-Eau Claire. UW-Eau Claire sends more students abroad than any other master’s level institution in Wisconsin and it ranks 14th nationally among all master’s schools in the number of students who study abroad. Almost 25 percent of UW-Eau Claire students study abroad, choosing from programs in more than 30 countries. Many students live abroad for a semester or more, helping them gain the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in a global society. UW-Eau Claire is the only public university in northwestern and north central Wisconsin that offers a baccalaureate nursing degree. The nationally recognized program graduates more than 100 students a year, many of whom receive multiple job offers from health care organizations in Wisconsin and beyond. The university’s history department received the UW System Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award for 2006-07, recognizing its exceptional commitment to teaching and learning. The university is one of just a handful of public regional universities in the country – and the only one in Wisconsin – to include service-learning as part of its graduation requirements. Each year about 2,000 students generate more than 100,000 community-service community service hours. It’s estimated that students’ service totals about $1.5 million a year. As a result of its emphasis on service, 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.