118-481: UWEC may refer to: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Union Water and Electricity Company , an owner of the Fujairah power and desalination plant Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title UWEC . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
236-489: A semester calendar. The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1950. Other agencies also fully accredit specific programs. Students are required to show competency in mathematics , English , a foreign language and foreign cultures. Courses that deal with issues relating to diversity are also required. Students are also required to take
354-491: A " service-learning " course where they engage in charitable work with the Eau Claire community. Service-learning "is intended to provide students with an opportunity to serve their community, apply knowledge gained in the classroom, enhance their critical thinking skills, and become informed, ethical , responsible, and active citizens." The Center of Excellence for Faculty and Undergraduate Student Research Collaboration
472-542: A "flowering of excellence on the campus." In 1962, Martin Luther King Jr. visited the campus and called on president John F. Kennedy to issue a second Emancipation Proclamation . King said "the first proclamation freed us from slavery – the second will free us from segregation , which is actually nothing more than slavery." During the late 1960s, the University was involved in several protests against
590-448: A dominant position in law and politics, enacting policies that marginalized the region's earlier Native American and French-Canadian residents. Yankees also speculated in real estate, platted towns such as Racine, Beloit, Burlington, and Janesville, and established schools, civic institutions, and Congregationalist churches. At the same time, many Germans , Irish, Norwegians , and other immigrants also settled in towns and farms across
708-403: A hidden third story balcony used by professors and student teachers to observe classes. As a result of the changing educational focus of the University, this method of teaching new teachers fell out of use and Park Elementary School was closed. Most of the building was repurposed for general university classroom use, with about a third of the space dedicated to a child daycare center. The building
826-911: A mythical bird as a mascot following a student-led initiative. The bird represents "the students of UW-Eau Claire, not the university itself." The university's athletic teams participate in the NCAA Division III and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference . There are twelve men's varsity sports programs ( basketball , cross country , football , golf , ice hockey , swimming and diving , tennis , indoor and outdoor track and field , wrestling , soccer , and baseball ) and thirteen women's sports programs (basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics , ice hockey, lacrosse , soccer, softball , swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball ). In terms of total wins,
944-496: A part of the University for more than 50 years, and continues to be part of student life. Distinctions of Eau Claire's student led research program are its growing presence on campus, as well as its financial allocation for research projects. Since the early 2000's, the total number of projects has increased by 41% and funding to the program by 60% (reaching $ 935915 in 2015–16). The ORSP also recognizes students who pursue their research programs with funding and scholarships. In 2020,
1062-526: A raffle and "charity-gaming." The Pablo Center at the Confluence is a building in downtown Eau Claire used for a variety of showings and performance art displays. The center is available for community use, however it is also used by the University for its music and theatre arts students. Inside of the center are the Jamf and RCU theatres, two of the largest performing spaces available to college students in
1180-592: A religion or spiritual tradition were approximately 75% of the state's population. 69% of Wisconsinites self-identified as Christian . Specifically, 25% of respondents identified as Mainline Protestant , 12% as Evangelical Protestant , 4% as other Protestants, and 27% as Catholic . Roughly 25% of the population were unaffiliated with any religious body. Small minorities of Jews (1%), Hindus (1%), Buddhists (1%), Jehovah's Witnesses (1%), Unitarian Universalists (1%), Muslims (<1%), Mormons (<1%), and other faiths exist according to this study. Christianity
1298-549: A semester or full academic year at a different institution while still paying UWEC tuition. Through NSE, around 3,500 students participate at 170 universities in 48 states, Canada, Puerto Rice, Guam, and the Virgin Islands; 40-50 of those students are from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. The Forum lecture series invites notable speakers to share their ideas with the Chippewa Valley community. The program
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#17327935866371416-404: A trading post at Green Bay in 1745, and moving there permanently in 1764. Settlement began at Prairie du Chien around 1781. The French residents at the trading post in what is now Green Bay, referred to the town as "La Baye". However, British fur traders referred to it as "Green Bay", because the water and the shore assumed green tints in early spring. The old French title was gradually dropped, and
1534-577: A university assembly, said "the goal is a college of education that will rank as one of the best in the middlewest, with a wide enough offering to truly serve the needs of the college youth of northwest Wisconsin ." In 1951, the Wisconsin Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System authorized the school to offer bachelor of arts and science degrees in liberal arts ; subsequently,
1652-656: Is Hmong , with significant communities in Milwaukee , Wausau , Green Bay , Sheboygan , Appleton , Madison , La Crosse , Eau Claire , Oshkosh , and Manitowoc . 61,629 people in Wisconsin, or around 1% of the population, identify as Hmong. Of the residents of Wisconsin, 71.7% were born in Wisconsin, 23.0% were born in a different US state, 0.7% were born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island areas, or born abroad to American parent(s), and 4.6% were foreign born. In 2018,
1770-611: Is Milwaukee , while its capital and second-most populous city is Madison . Other urban areas include Green Bay , Kenosha , Racine , Eau Claire , and the Fox Cities . Wisconsin's geography is diverse, shaped by Ice Age glaciers except for the Driftless Area . The Northern Highland and Western Upland along with a part of the Central Plain occupy the western part of the state, with lowlands stretching to
1888-807: Is Schofield Hall , home to administrative offices. The building was named after Harvey Schofield, the first president of the university. Other academic buildings include the Phillips Science Hall, the Hibbard Humanities Hall, the Haas Fine Arts Center, the Schneider Social Sciences Hall, the Nursing Building, Vicki Lord Larson Hall, McIntyre Library, Human Sciences and Service, and Centennial Hall. The newest addition to campus
2006-477: Is a public university in Eau Claire, Wisconsin , United States. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and offers bachelor's and master's degrees. As of 2024, the university had an enrollment of approximately 9,500 students. The campus consists of 28 major buildings spanning 333 acres (135 ha). An additional 168 acres (68 ha) of forested land is used for environmental research. UWEC
2124-641: Is a fundraising tradition at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. The gala is a roaring 20s-themed party that supports both the Eau Claire Jazz festival and the UW–Eau Claire Jazz Studies program. Performances at this event include "swing classics, sultry ballads, and modern twists" from the UW–Eau Claire Jazz ensembles I and II, community guest artists, and "surprise vocalists." This event offers food and beverages to guests, as well as
2242-499: Is also a major contributor to the state's economy. The gross domestic product in 2020 was $ 348 billion. Wisconsin is home to one UNESCO World Heritage Site , comprising two of the most significant buildings designed by Wisconsin-born architect Frank Lloyd Wright : his studio at Taliesin near Spring Green and his Jacobs I House in Madison. The Republican Party was founded in Wisconsin in 1854; in modern elections, it
2360-664: Is an eight-time winner of Down Beat ' s "Best College Big Band" award and has been nominated for a Grammy twice. The New York Times has called the jazz program one of the most "well regarded in the country." The university also hosts The Eau Claire Jazz Festival, one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious collegiate jazz festivals in the country. The festival regularly attracts respected jazz musicians including Gary Burton , Bill Evans , Rufus Reid , Lewis Nash , Michael Brecker , Stanley Jordan , Eric Marienthal , Bobby Sanabria , Chris Potter , Benny Green , Charlie Byrd , Ira Sullivan and Slide Hampton . The festival
2478-488: Is composed of college bands, high school bands and invited performers. The college and high school bands compete to win awards, and UW-Eau Claire's Jazz I regularly performs with the invited guests. The festival also offers clinics, lectures and master classes with the invited performers. As of 2021, the Eau Claire Jazz Festival is 54 years old. The madrigal dinner is a 15th-century-style banquet. At
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#17327935866372596-644: Is considered a swing state . The word Wisconsin originates from the name given to the Wisconsin River by one of the Algonquian -speaking Native American groups living in the region at the time of European colonization . The French explorer Jacques Marquette was the first European to reach the Wisconsin River, arriving in 1673 and calling the river Meskousing (likely ᒣᔅᑯᐤᓯᣙ meskowsin ) in his journal. Subsequent French writers changed
2714-528: Is integrated into the university seal to symbolize UW-Eau Claire’s commitment to serving as a place of meeting and exchange. Since its founding in 1916, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire has had three presidents and six chancellors. One president, Leonard Haas, took an interim assignment with the UW System and returned as chancellor. Eau Claire is organized into four colleges: the College of Business,
2832-633: Is known as "America's Dairyland"; it is particularly famous for its cheese . The state is also famous for its beer , particularly and historically in Milwaukee , most notably as the headquarters of the Miller Brewing Company . Wisconsin has some of the most permissive alcohol laws in the country and is known for its drinking culture . Its economy is dominated by manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and agriculture—specifically dairy, cranberries , and ginseng . Tourism
2950-697: Is situated on the Chippewa River . The university is affiliated with the NCAA 's Division III and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The student body's mascot is Blu the Blugold. Founded in 1916 as the Eau Claire State Normal School , the university originally offered one-, two- and three-year teachers' courses and a principals' course. At the school's founding ceremony Governor Emanuel L. Philipp said
3068-543: Is the Flesch Family Welcome Center, built in 2021. Residence halls on campus include Horan, Governors, Murray, Bridgman, Sutherland, Oak Ridge, Chancellor's, The Suites, and Karlgaard Towers on upper campus, as well as off-campus residences such as the Priory, Haymarket Landing, and Aspenson-Mogenson. The Davies Center, a hub of the campus, is home to dining halls, a movie theatre , the office for
3186-745: Is the largest inland lake, with over 137,700 acres (557 km ), and 88 miles (142 km) of shoreline. Along the two Great Lakes, Wisconsin has over 500 miles (800 km) of shoreline. Many of the named islands in Wisconsin are located in the Great Lakes; many surround the Door Peninsula in Lake Michigan or are part of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. The Mississippi River and inland lakes and rivers contain
3304-550: Is the only county in the eastern United States with a Native American majority. African Americans came to Milwaukee, especially from 1940 on. 86% of Wisconsin's African-American population live in four cities: Milwaukee , Racine , Beloit , Kenosha , with Milwaukee home to nearly three-fourths of the state's black Americans. In the Great Lakes region, only Detroit and Cleveland have a higher percentage of African-American residents. About 33% of Wisconsin's Asian population
3422-894: Is the predominant religion in Wisconsin. Per the Association of Religion Data Archives ' 2020 study, Catholicism was the single-largest denomination with 1,237,342 adherents, followed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 316,245 members and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod with 209,788 adherents. 276,904 adhered to nondenominational Christianity . Statewide FBI Crime statistics for 2009 include 144 murders/non-negligent manslaughter; 1,108 rapes; 4,850 robberies; 8,431 aggravated assaults; and 147,486 property crimes. Wisconsin also publishes its own statistics through
3540-548: Is to provide "rigorous undergraduate liberal education" alongside "distinctive professional and graduate programs that build on and strengthen our proud tradition of liberal education." Since the 1971 merger, Eau Claire has expanded its course offerings, added more faculty and students, and enlarged campus grounds. Eau Claire has also acquired hundreds of acres of forested land primarily used for environmental research and purchased St. Bede 's Monastery in October 2011. In 1974,
3658-671: The Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of geographical features. The state is divided into five distinct regions. In the north, the Lake Superior Lowland occupies a belt of land along Lake Superior. Just to the south, the Northern Highland has massive mixed hardwood and coniferous forests including the 1,500,000-acre (610,000-hectare) Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest , as well as thousands of glacial lakes, and
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3776-810: The Magnesian Escarpment . In the southwest, the Western Upland is a rugged landscape with a mix of forest and farmland, including many bluffs on the Mississippi River, and the Baraboo Range . This region is part of the Driftless Area , which also includes portions of Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. Overall, 46% of Wisconsin's land area is covered by forest. Wisconsin has geologic formations and deposits that vary in age from over three billion years to several thousand years, with most rocks being millions of years old. The oldest geologic formations were created over 600 million years ago during
3894-654: The Mississippian and Oneota cultures built substantial settlements including the fortified village at Aztalan in southeast Wisconsin. The Oneota may be the ancestors of the modern Ioway and Ho-Chunk nations who shared the Wisconsin region with the Menominee at the time of European contact. Other Native American groups living in Wisconsin when Europeans first settled included the Ojibwa , Sauk , Fox , Kickapoo , and Pottawatomie , who migrated to Wisconsin from
4012-768: The Precambrian , with the majority being below the glacial deposits. Much of the Baraboo Range consists of Baraboo Quartzite , and other Precambrian metamorphic rock . This area was not covered by glaciers during the most recent ice age, the Wisconsin Glaciation . Langlade County has a soil rarely found outside the county called Antigo silt loam . The state has more than 12,000 named rivers and streams, totaling 84,000 miles (135,000 km) in length. It has over 15,000 named lakes, totaling about 1 million acres (4,000 km ). Lake Winnebago
4130-926: The Tank Cottage in Green Bay in 1776. Located in Heritage Hill State Historical Park , it is the oldest standing building from Wisconsin's early years and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Wisconsin became a territorial possession of the United States in 1783 after the American Revolutionary War . In 1787, it became part of the Northwest Territory . As territorial boundaries subsequently developed, it
4248-573: The UW-Extension system at this time. Later, UW economics professors John R. Commons and Harold Groves helped Wisconsin create the first unemployment compensation program in the United States in 1932. Other Wisconsin Idea scholars at the university generated the plan that became the New Deal's Social Security Act of 1935, with Wisconsin expert Arthur J. Altmeyer playing the key role. In
4366-477: The United States . It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin is the 20th-largest state by population and 23rd-largest state by area . It is divided into 72 counties and as of the 2020 census had a population of nearly 5.9 million. Its most populous city
4484-405: The University of Wisconsin , helped the state build a reputation as "America's Dairyland". Meanwhile, conservationists including Aldo Leopold helped re-establish the state's forests during the early 20th century, paving the way for a more renewable lumber and paper milling industry as well as promoting recreational tourism in the northern woodlands. Manufacturing also boomed in Wisconsin during
4602-520: The Vietnam War , including a 42-hour vigil and several marches. Though there were numerous protests, all of them remained peaceful. After the Kent State shootings, the university community planted four trees as a memorial to the dead students. One protester, Eau Claire student John Laird, the son of U.S. Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird , made headlines when he announced his opposition to
4720-533: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources . The Division of Forestry manages a further 471,329 acres (1,907.40 km ) in Wisconsin's state forests . Most of Wisconsin is classified as warm-summer humid continental climate ( Köppen Dfb ), while southern and southwestern portions are classified as hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa ). The highest temperature ever recorded in
4838-463: The student senate , a coffee shop, the student bookstore , and spaces for studying and socializing. The building was named after William R. Davies , a noted president of the University. In 2011, the old Davies Center was torn down. A new facility was completed in 2013. Sports facilities include the W. L. Zorn Arena , Hobbs Ice Center , McPhee Center, Olson Addition, Bollinger Fields and Carson Park . The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire occupies
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4956-566: The 2018-2019 school year. This renovation project was funded completely by student housing fees with expenditures over $ 35 million. The University was involved in a gay rights controversy in 2016 when Tom Hilton, an information systems professor, negatively responded to a student email asking for his support for the Eau Queer Film Festival. UW–Eau Claire was the center of a controversy related to an oak tree sacred to Native Americans . Eventually, after much publicity, it
5074-504: The 2022 National Collegiate Rugby Division II National Championship . The UW–Eau Claire Blugold Marching Band (BMB) is one of the largest collegiate marching bands in the country. In 2018, the BMB reached 400 members for the first time in its history and has continued to maintain its membership of 400+ students, as of 2021. The band performs at Blugold home games, field exhibitions, parades, stage shows, and other selected events. Since 2008,
5192-497: The 20th century, a number of African Americans and Mexicans settled in Milwaukee ; and after the end of the Vietnam War came an influx of Hmongs . The various ethnic groups settled in different areas of the state. Although German immigrants settled throughout the state, the largest concentration was in Milwaukee. Norwegian immigrants settled in lumbering and farming areas in the north and west. Irish, Italian, and Polish immigrants settled primarily in urban areas. Menominee County
5310-633: The 20th century, as heavy industry and manufacturing declined in favor of a service economy based on medicine, education, agribusiness, and tourism. In 2011, Wisconsin became the focus of some controversy when newly elected governor Scott Walker proposed and then successfully passed and enacted 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 , which made large changes in the areas of collective bargaining, compensation, retirement, health insurance, and sick leave of public sector employees, among other changes. A series of major protests by union supporters took place that year in protest to
5428-614: The BMB has made seven international performance tours with performances in Paris, Sydney, Venice, Rome, the Vatican, Athens, Singapore, London, Tokyo, Istanbul, and Barcelona. In addition to land-based international performances, BMB has performed on six separate cruise ships for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Costa Cruises. BMB's cruise performances have taken its members to Malaysia, Thailand, Bali, Jerusalem, New Zealand, Haifa, and Izmir. BMB has performed three times as
5546-482: The Blugolds rank 14th in the entire NCAA Division III sports program. The Blugolds have been national champions in cross country (1984, 2009, 2015), softball (2008), golf (2001), swimming (1983, 1987, 1988), ice hockey (1984, 2013) indoor track and field (2015, 2016, 2022), outdoor track and field (2019, 2022), and volleyball (2021). As of August 2015, the Blugolds have been conference champions in men's swimming 25 of
5664-516: The British name of "Green Bay" eventually stuck. The region coming under British rule had virtually no adverse effect on the French residents as the British needed the cooperation of the French fur traders and the French fur traders needed the goodwill of the British. During the French occupation of the region licenses for fur trading had been issued scarcely and only to select groups of traders, whereas
5782-477: The British, in an effort to make as much money as possible from the region, issued licenses for fur trading freely, both to British and to French residents. The fur trade in what is now Wisconsin reached its height under British rule, and the first self-sustaining farms in the state were established as well. From 1763 to 1780, Green Bay was a prosperous community which produced its own foodstuff, built graceful cottages and held dances and festivities. Joseph Roi built
5900-429: The College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Sciences, and the College of Nursing. The school offers about 109 undergraduate majors, 66 undergraduate minors, 48 undergraduate certificates, and 11 graduate programs. The university offers several master's degrees and one doctoral degree. Enrollment is approximately 10,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students. Eau Claire's academic programs operate on
6018-761: The Honors Program include the Hanging with Honors discussion series and group dinners in the Honors Living Learning Community. The Special Collections and Archives at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire houses the official and unofficial records of the university from its founding to the present. It also holds one of the nation's largest collections of jazz, which includes more than 1000 charts and 1000 recordings of artists such as Woody Herman , Sammy Nestico , Count Basie , Stan Kenton , Benny Goodman and Henry Mancini . Several of
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#17327935866376136-499: The Lake Superior snowbelt each year. Wisconsin has three types of municipality: cities, villages, and towns. Cities and villages are incorporated urban areas. Towns are unincorporated minor civil divisions of counties with limited self-government. Over two-thirds of Wisconsin residents live in urban areas. Milwaukee , in southeastern Wisconsin, is the state's most populous city, with approximately 580,000 people. The Milwaukee metropolitan area accounts for 1.57 million of
6254-569: The Midwest. U.S. News has ranked Eau Claire among the top ten regional public institutions in the Midwest and in the top third of public and private Midwestern regional universities every year since 1995. The University Honors Program’s goal is to create opportunities that will help students develop intellectually, personally, and professionally. First-semester students are invited into the program based on ACT scores, SAT scores, and their academic standing in high school, and if students do not meet
6372-523: The ORSP gifted around $ 10,000 in scholarships, along with funding for their projects According to UW-Eau Claire’s Factbook, 39.6% of graduates in 2020-21 were involved in research during their time at UW-Eau Claire. Some students at the university take advantage of the study abroad programs available. The program at Eau Claire holds one of the top participation rates among Universities at the Master's level in
6490-648: The Richard E. Hibbard Humanities Hall opened on campus and an addition to the Davies Center was finished three years later in 1977. The Allied Health and Clinical Services Building was constructed in 1982 on the north bank of the Chippewa River, and in 1985 an addition to the Nursing building was constructed and opened. The construction of the new W.R. Davies Center was completed in 2012 and Centennial Hall
6608-413: The U.S. and Europe to the lead deposits located at Mineral Point , Dodgeville , and nearby areas. Some miners found shelter in the holes they had dug, and earned the nickname "badgers", leading to Wisconsin's identity as the "Badger State". The sudden influx of white miners prompted tension with the local Native American population. The Winnebago War of 1827 and the Black Hawk War of 1832 culminated in
6726-405: The U.S. resulted in a net decrease of 72,006 people. According to HUD 's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report , there were an estimated 4,775 homeless people in Wisconsin. (of any race) In 2022, the five largest European ancestry groups were: German (36%), Irish (10.2%), Polish (7.9%), English (6.7%), and Norwegian (6.3%). German is the most common ancestry in every county in
6844-608: The University Women's Concert Choral and Singing Statesmen ensembles, which open the evening with several pieces including the American and Austrian national anthems, University Symphony Orchestra, which performs waltzes and polkas from the Strauss Era, and the Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble I, which plays music from the Big Band Era. Other music is performed by smaller student and faculty ensembles. The ball also offers Austrian and American cuisine. Proceeds have provided more than $ 1.5 million in music, service and international study awards for UW-Eau Claire students. The annual Gatsby's Gala
6962-402: The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. The program was set up after the death of Ann Devroy , the chief White House correspondent at The Washington Post and a 1970 UW-Eau Claire graduate. Each year a noted journalist presents a keynote address at the Ann Devroy Memorial Forum, and a fellowship is given to a promising UW-Eau Claire journalism student. In 2021, 61.1% of the student population
7080-507: The aftermath of these events. During the Civil War , around 91,000 troops from Wisconsin fought for the Union . Wisconsin's economy also diversified during the early years of statehood. While lead mining diminished, agriculture became a principal occupation in the southern half of the state. Railroads were built across the state to help transport grains to market, and industries like J.I. Case & Company in Racine were founded to build agricultural equipment. Wisconsin briefly became one of
7198-418: The ancestral lands of the Ojibwe and Dakota people . Before falling down in a windstorm in 1987, a tree on campus called the Council Oak stood where the Ojibwe and Dakota nations as well as other nations, including the Ho-Chunk , Menominee , and Potawatomi , met to share knowledge and discuss peaceful resolutions to their differences. The current Council Oak was planted and dedicated in 1990. The Council Oak
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#17327935866377316-410: The changes, and Walker survived a recall election held the next year , becoming the first governor in United States history to do so. Wisconsin is located in the Midwestern United States and is part of both the Great Lakes region and Upper Midwest . The state has a total area of 65,496 square miles (169,630 km ). Wisconsin is bordered by the Montreal River ; Lake Superior and Michigan to
7434-538: The charts and recordings are signed and unique. The UW-Eau Claire Archives is a member of the Area Research Center Network of the Wisconsin Historical Society , serving Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire, Rusk and Taylor counties, and holds manuscripts and records pertaining to those counties. Eau Claire offers its students the opportunity to participate in a nationally recognized research program through its Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP). The student-faculty led, coauthored, research program has been
7552-477: The countries of origin for Wisconsin's immigrants came from Mexico, India, China, Laos and the Philippines . Note: Births in table add to over 100%, because Hispanics are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number. Religious self-identification, per Public Religion Research Institute 's 2022 American Values Survey According to Public Religion Research Institute 's 2022 American Values Survey , those identifying with
7670-413: The country. With more than 40 different programs in 35 countries, students can study at colleges in many parts of the world. According to UW-Eau Claire’s Factbook, 13.4% of the Graduating Class of 2021 studied abroad during their collegiate career at UWEC. Since 1984, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire has been a part of the National Student Exchange (NSE), a program that allows students to attend
7788-428: The dinner, the Chamber Choir performs in costume as a royal court celebrating the harvest season and the holiday season. Traditionally, a student performs as a jester to add levity to the evening's festivities. Additionally, each year different students are chosen to play the roles of King and Queen. Guests attending the madrigal dinner often dress in period costumes, though no dress code is required. Beyond choral music ,
7906-481: The early 20th century, driven by an immense immigrant workforce arriving from Europe. Industries in cities like Milwaukee ranged from brewing and food processing to heavy machine production and tool-making, leading Wisconsin to rank 8th among U.S. states in total product value by 1910. The early 20th century was also notable for the emergence of progressive politics championed by Robert M. La Follette . Between 1901 and 1914, Progressive Republicans in Wisconsin created
8024-520: The east between 1500 and 1700. The first European to visit what became Wisconsin was probably the French explorer Jean Nicolet . He canoed west from Georgian Bay through the Great Lakes in 1634, and it is traditionally assumed that he came ashore near Green Bay at Red Banks . Pierre Radisson and Médard des Groseilliers visited Green Bay again in 1654–1666 and Chequamegon Bay in 1659–1660, where they traded for fur with local Native Americans. In 1673, Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet became
8142-437: The first governor of Wisconsin , was a Democrat . Dewey oversaw the transition from the territorial to the new state government. He encouraged the development of the state's infrastructure, particularly the construction of new roads, railroads, canals, and harbors, as well as the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers . During his administration, the State Board of Public Works was organized. Dewey, an abolitionist ,
8260-447: The first to record a journey on the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway all the way to the Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien . Frenchmen like Nicholas Perrot continued to ply the fur trade across Wisconsin through the 17th and 18th centuries, but the French made no permanent settlements in Wisconsin before Great Britain won control of the region following the French and Indian War in 1763. Even so, French traders continued to work in
8378-519: The forced removal of Native Americans from most parts of the state. Following these conflicts, Wisconsin Territory was created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1836. By fall of that year, the best prairie groves of the counties surrounding what is now Milwaukee were occupied by farmers from the New England states. The Erie Canal facilitated the travel of both Yankee settlers and European immigrants to Wisconsin Territory. Yankees from New England and upstate New York seized
8496-476: The fur trading industry in Wisconsin occurred in 1791, when two free African Americans set up a fur trading post among the Menominee at present-day Marinette . The first permanent settlers, mostly French Canadians , some Anglo- New Englanders and a few African American freedmen, arrived in Wisconsin while it was under British control. Charles de Langlade is generally recognized as the first settler, establishing
8614-803: The guest exhibition band at the Bands of America Super Regional in Indianapolis and twice at the BOA St. Louis Super Regional. BMB has performed guest exhibitions for Youth in Music in Minneapolis for 14 of the past 15 years, as well as in high school competitions such as Music Along the Chippewa, Chicagoland, and others in the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, and Chicago areas. UW–Eau Claire's Jazz Ensemble I
8732-486: The ice age ended around 8000 BCE, people in the subsequent Archaic period lived by hunting, fishing, and gathering food from wild plants. Agricultural societies emerged gradually over the Woodland period between 1000 BCE to 1000 CE. Toward the end of this period, Wisconsin was the heartland of the " Effigy Mound culture", which built thousands of animal-shaped mounds across the landscape. Later, between 1000 and 1500 CE,
8850-773: The immediate aftermath of World War II , citizens of Wisconsin were divided over issues such as creation of the United Nations , support for the European recovery, and the growth of the Soviet Union 's power. However, when Europe divided into Communist and capitalist camps and the Chinese Communist Revolution succeeded in 1949, public opinion began to move towards support for the protection of democracy and capitalism against Communist expansion. Wisconsin took part in several political extremes in
8968-447: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UWEC&oldid=745094925 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages University of Wisconsin%E2%80%93Eau Claire The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire ( UW–Eau Claire , UWEC or simply Eau Claire )
9086-520: The last five seasons. The Blugolds hold nine national titles. They hold 140 conference titles and have won 36 Academic All-American Awards . The Blugolds softball team appeared in one Women's College World Series in 1971. Wisconsin Wisconsin ( / w ɪ ˈ s k ɒ n s ɪ n / wiss- CON -sin ) is a state in the Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of
9204-462: The madrigald dinner also incorporates modern Christmas music. Dishes such as wassail , beef vegetable soup and stuffed pork chops are served. The annual Viennese Ball has been a tradition for over 40 years at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. A formal event, the ball "recalls the culture, history and music of 19th-century Vienna." It is modeled on the New Year's Eve Kaiser Ball and showcases
9322-438: The metro area. Other metropolitan cities in the state include Appleton , Racine , Oshkosh , Eau Claire , Janesville , Wausau , La Crosse , Sheboygan , and Fond du Lac . Furthermore, another 12 cities function as centers of micropolitan statistical areas which typically anchor a network of working farms surrounding them. As of 2011, there were 12 cities in Wisconsin with a population of 50,000 or more, accounting for 73% of
9440-517: The mid to late 20th century, ranging from the anti-communist crusades of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s to the radical antiwar protests at UW-Madison that culminated in the Sterling Hall bombing in August 1970. The state undertook welfare reform under Republican Governor Tommy Thompson during the 1990s. The state's economy also underwent further transformations towards the close of
9558-536: The name of the school was changed to the Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire . During the 1960s, the University saw further expansion. Science and art buildings were erected and several dormitories were built or expanded to meet the needs of an ever-growing student population. The university began to market itself more aggressively because of increased competition from surrounding campuses. Eau Claire's nickname – "Wisconsin's Most Beautiful Campus" –
9676-482: The nation's first comprehensive statewide primary election system, the first effective workplace injury compensation law, and the first state income tax , making taxation proportional to actual earnings. During World War I , due to the neutrality of Wisconsin and many Wisconsin Republicans , progressives , and German immigrants which made up 30 to 40 percent of the state population, Wisconsin would gain
9794-421: The nation's leading producers of wheat during the 1860s. Meanwhile, the lumber industry dominated in the heavily forested northern sections of Wisconsin, and sawmills sprang up in cities like La Crosse , Eau Claire , and Wausau . These economic activities had dire environmental consequences. By the close of the 19th century, intensive agriculture had devastated soil fertility, and lumbering had deforested most of
9912-411: The nation, light and sound projection labs, recording studios, and several art galleries. Often, the works of Blugolds are featured in their galleries. Eau Claire athletes are referred to as "Blugolds," a name coined to reflect the school colors, navy blue and old gold . The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire has no official university mascot . However, in 2011, the student body voted in favor of
10030-517: The nickname "Traitor State" which was used by many "hyper patriots". As the war raged on in Europe, Robert M. La Follette , leader of the anti-war movement in Wisconsin. led a group of progressive senators in blocking a bill by president Woodrow Wilson which would have armed merchant ships with guns. Many Wisconsin politicians such as Emanuel L. Philipp and Irvine Lenroot were accused of having divided loyalties. Even with outspoken opponents to
10148-534: The north; by Lake Michigan to the east; by Illinois to the south; and by Iowa to the southwest and Minnesota to the northwest. A border dispute with Michigan was settled by two cases, both Wisconsin v. Michigan , in 1934 and 1935. The state's boundaries include the Mississippi River and St. Croix River in the west, and the Menominee River in the northeast. With its location between
10266-430: The past 40 years, conference champions in women's swimming for 19 of the past 32 years, conference champions in women's tennis for 10 of the last 18 seasons, conference champions in softball for seven of the last 15 seasons, conference champions in women's golf for seven of the last 13 seasons, conference champions in women's soccer for three of the last six seasons, and conference champions in women's volleyball for three of
10384-515: The period of French fur traders, the next wave of settlers were miners, many of whom were Cornish , who settled the southwestern area of the state. The next wave was dominated by "Yankees", migrants of English descent from New England and upstate New York ; in the early years of statehood, they dominated the state's heavy industry, finance, politics, and education. Between 1850 and 1900, the immigrants were mostly Germans , Scandinavians (the largest group being Norwegian ), Irish , and Poles . In
10502-426: The region after the war, and some, beginning with Charles de Langlade in 1764, settled in Wisconsin permanently, rather than returning to British-controlled Canada. The British gradually took over Wisconsin during the French and Indian War, taking control of Green Bay in 1761 and gaining control of all of Wisconsin in 1763. Like the French, the British were interested in little but the fur trade. One notable event in
10620-935: The requirements for an automatic invitation, they can request to be accepted through a holistic review process. To graduate with Honors, students must complete both first-year and senior Honors Seminars, 24 credits of any combination of Honors colloquia and Honors electives (at least two of which must be 300-level or higher), and attain a total and resident GPA of 3.5 or higher upon graduation. Students can also earn credit towards their 24 required Honors credits through mentoring in Honors, Honors contracts, and departmental honors. Honors courses count toward graduation requirements for general education, major and/or university requirements. Honors colloquia are interdisciplinary courses that encourage students to make connections across disciplines and sample knowledge outside their major while engaging in discussions with their classmates. A few activities within
10738-816: The rest of the islands of Wisconsin. Areas under the protection of the National Park Service include the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore , Ice Age National Scenic Trail , and portions of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway and North Country National Scenic Trail . There are an additional 18 National Natural Landmarks in the state that include dune and swales, swamps, bogs, and old-growth forests. Wisconsin has 50 state park units , covering more than 60,570 acres (245.1 km ) in state parks and state recreation areas maintained by
10856-403: The rez." In November 2019, five football players were suspended from the team for using social media to convey racist messages targeting the campus Black Empowerment Organization. The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire campus sits on the banks of the Chippewa River . The campus is located in an urban setting, close to Eau Claire's historic Water Street . The main academic building on campus
10974-543: The river and the red sandstone that lines its banks. One leading theory holds that the name originated from the Miami word Meskonsing , meaning ' it lies red ' , a reference to the setting of the Wisconsin River as it flows through the reddish sandstone of the Wisconsin Dells . Other theories include claims that the name originated from one of a variety of Ojibwa words meaning ' red stone place ' , ' where
11092-505: The shore of Lake Michigan. Wisconsin is third to Ontario and Michigan in the length of its Great Lakes coastline. The northern portion of the state is home to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest . At the time of European contact, the area was inhabited by Algonquian and Siouan nations, and today it is home to eleven federally recognized tribes . Originally part of the Northwest Territory , it
11210-571: The spelling from Meskousing to Ouisconsin , and over time this became the name for both the Wisconsin River and the surrounding lands. English speakers anglicized the spelling from Ouisconsin to Wisconsin when they began to arrive in large numbers during the early 19th century. The legislature of Wisconsin Territory made the current spelling official in 1845. The Algonquian word for Wisconsin and its original meaning have both grown obscure. While interpretations vary, most implicate
11328-495: The state was in the Wisconsin Dells, on July 13, 1936, where it reached 114 °F (46 °C). The lowest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was in the village of Couderay , where it reached −55 °F (−48 °C) on both February 2 and 4, 1996. Wisconsin also receives a large amount of regular snowfall averaging around 40 inches (100 cm) in the southern portions with up to 160 inches (410 cm) annually in
11446-447: The state's employment. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of Wisconsin was 5,822,434 on July 1, 2019, a 2.4% increase since the 2010 United States census . This includes a natural increase since the last census of 150,659 people (i.e., 614,771 births minus 464,112 deaths) and a decrease due to net migration of 12,755 people. Immigration resulted in a net increase of 59,251 people, and migration from within
11564-602: The state's highest point, Timms Hill . In the middle of the state, the Central Plain has some unique sandstone formations like the Dells of the Wisconsin River in addition to rich farmland. The Eastern Ridges and Lowlands region in the southeast is home to many of Wisconsin's largest cities. The ridges include the Niagara Escarpment that stretches from New York, the Black River Escarpment and
11682-446: The state's residents. With a population of nearly 280,000, the state capital of Madison is consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in both the state and country and is the fastest-growing city in Wisconsin. The Madison metropolitan area in southern Wisconsin has about 680,000 residents. Medium-size cities dot the state. The largest of these is Green Bay in northeastern Wisconsin, with approximately 320,000 people in
11800-533: The state, except Menominee, Trempealeau, and Vernon. Wisconsin has the highest percentage of residents of Polish ancestry of any state. According to the 2022 American Community Survey , 7.6% of Wisconsin's population were of Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race). The largest Hispanic ancestry groups were Mexican (5.1%), Puerto Rican (1.1%), Central American (0.4%), and Cuban (0.1%), with 0.9% reporting other Hispanic or Latino origins. Since its founding, Wisconsin has been ethnically heterogeneous. Following
11918-402: The state. These conditions forced both wheat agriculture and the lumber industry into a precipitous decline. Beginning in the 1890s, farmers in Wisconsin shifted from wheat to dairy production to make more sustainable and profitable use of their land. Many immigrants carried cheese-making traditions that, combined with the state's suitable geography and dairy research led by Stephen Babcock at
12036-587: The territory, establishing Catholic and Lutheran institutions. The growing population allowed Wisconsin to gain statehood on May 29, 1848, as the 30th state. Between 1840 and 1850, Wisconsin's non-Indian population had swollen from 31,000 to 305,000. More than a third of residents (110,500) were foreign born, including 38,000 Germans, 28,000 British immigrants from England, Scotland, and Wales, and 21,000 Irish. Another third (103,000) were Yankees from New England and western New York state. Only about 63,000 residents in 1850 had been born in Wisconsin. Nelson Dewey ,
12154-465: The university was founded "in order that you, the sons and daughters of the commonwealth, might have better educational service." He went on to say the University would "go on benefiting the state of Wisconsin as long as the walls of this massive building ( Schofield Hall ) last." As a college primarily focused on educating teachers, Eau Claire housed Park Elementary, a laboratory school . Park Elementary had an unusual architectural design that included
12272-566: The war in Vietnam and his intention to join his fellow students in peaceful protest. 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 . In subsequent years, the University would solidify its tradition as a liberal arts campus. Currently, the University's stated mission
12390-400: The war, at the onset of the war many Wisconsinites would abandon neutrality. Businesses, labor and farms all enjoyed prosperity from the war. With over 118,000 going into military service, Wisconsin was the first state to report for the national drafts conducted by the U.S. military . The progressive Wisconsin Idea also promoted the statewide expansion of the University of Wisconsin through
12508-472: The waters gather ' , or ' great rock ' . Wisconsin has been home to a wide variety of cultures over the past 14,000 years. The first people arrived around 10,000 BCE during the Wisconsin Glaciation . These early inhabitants, called Paleo-Indians , hunted now-extinct ice age animals such as the Boaz mastodon , a prehistoric mastodon skeleton unearthed along with spear points in southwest Wisconsin. After
12626-416: Was admitted as a state in 1848. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many European settlers entered the state, most of whom emigrated from Germany and Scandinavia . Wisconsin remains a center of German American and Scandinavian American culture, particularly in respect to its cuisine , with foods such as bratwurst and kringle . Wisconsin is one of the nation's leading dairy producers and
12744-437: Was completed in 2013, later being opened in 2014. The construction of Centennial Hall was the first building on campus to be constructed and funded by "state dollars" in 30 years, while the new Davies Center was funded completely by student fees. Towers Hall, initially built in 1966, began a renovation project in 2017 starting with Towers South renovations during the 2017-2018 school year followed by Towers North renovations during
12862-418: Was decided to scrap the old plans, despite the large added expense, and build the 48.8 million dollar building at another location. * In September 2016, a free speech board on campus had "UWEC is racist" written on it and it was promptly taken down. The board sparked a discussion about racial equity and diversity on campus. In 2018, UW-Eau Claire adopted UW-Barron College as a branch campus. The "merger"
12980-582: Was demolished in 2012. In 1927, the name of the college was changed to 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 . Eau Claire's role as an educational institution underwent profound changes in the 1940s and 1950s. The university saw a significant rise in enrollment and widened its scope beyond educating future teachers. Eau Claire president W. R. Davies , speaking at
13098-430: Was established at UW-Eau Claire to encourage students to incorporate "research into their undergraduate experience." Students working with faculty publish papers in academic journals. Eau Claire's faculty/student research program has been nationally recognized. In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report college rankings, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire was ranked 20th out of 165 regional master's universities in
13216-744: Was female, 11.1% were students of color, and 28.1% were First-Generation students. Additionally, 16.9% of undergraduate students were low-income. The university mainly attracted students from the Midwest, with 61.8% of students from Wisconsin, 28.8% from Minnesota, 7.5% from other U.S. states, and 1.9% being international students. The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire has more than 210 campus organizations for student involvement, including academic and professional organizations, campus media, club sports, Greek life, honor societies, service organizations, special interest clubs, and clubs related to culture and identity, governance and politics, recreation, performing, and spiritual beliefs. The women's rugby club team won
13334-550: Was first developed during this time. Highlighting the university's aesthetic appeal, an Eau Claire poet wrote, "Through and from a shady glen / A charming streamlet hies / And rippling along its picturesque way / A campus glorifies." 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 . The 1960s are remembered as
13452-419: Was founded in 1942 by President W. R. Davies to express his vision of what the college might become as a cultural center. The Forum has hosted a variety of speakers including Martin Luther King Jr. , Carl Sagan , Henry Kissinger , William F. Buckley Jr. , Maya Angelou , Richard Nixon , Noam Chomsky and Monica Lewinsky . The Ann Devroy Memorial Forum is a partnership between The Washington Post and
13570-417: Was part of a UW-System wide restructuring plan in an attempt to keep from having to shut down any campuses. The goal of merging the two campuses, and the goal of the UW System restructuring, was to expand access to college education for more students in Wisconsin. In September 2019, a student’s residence hall door decoration was vandalized with a racial slur against Indigenous people and the words “go back to
13688-714: Was taken into custody under the Federal Fugitive Slave Law , but a mob of abolitionists stormed the prison where Glover was held and helped him escape to Canada. In a trial stemming from the incident, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ultimately declared the Fugitive Slave Law unconstitutional. The Republican Party , founded on March 20, 1854, by anti-slavery expansion activists in Ripon, Wisconsin , grew to dominate state politics in
13806-481: Was the first of many Wisconsin governors to advocate against the spread of slavery into new states and territories. Politics in early Wisconsin were defined by the greater national debate over slavery. A free state from its foundation, Wisconsin became a center of northern abolitionism . The debate became especially intense in 1854 after Joshua Glover , a runaway slave from Missouri , was captured in Racine . Glover
13924-497: Was then part of Indiana Territory from 1800 to 1809, Illinois Territory from 1809 to 1818, and Michigan Territory from 1818 to 1836. However, the British remained in control until after the War of 1812 , the outcome of which finally established an American presence in the area. Under American control, the economy of the territory shifted from fur trading to lead mining. The prospect of easy mineral wealth drew immigrants from throughout
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