Year 2018 at UW-Eau Claire
It’s officially 2019 and while we’re over the moon about what this new year has in store for UW-Eau Claire, we also find ourselves getting a little teary while reminiscing about 2018. From the first-ever Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration to the grand opening of Garfield Avenue, 2018 proved to be one of the best years EVER. Join us as we take a trip back in time to review our favorite moments from last year….
JANUARY
Heavy snowfalls in January blanketed campus in white making it look like something out of a fairytale.
FEBRUARY
In February, the first-ever Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration occurred on campus. Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Black Student Alliance, the celebration allowed community members, students, faculty, and staff to commemorate the influential black civil rights leader.
Read more about the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Shortly after students returned from winter break, it was time for spring semester’s Career Conference. Blugolds ranging from freshmen to seniors visited with employers in hopes of landing their dream job or internship.
Local and national drag performers turned it out for a crowd in UW-Eau Claire’s Ojibwe Grand Ballroom for the annual Fire Ball. All of the show’s proceeds fund the UWEC Gender and Sexuality Resource Center programming.
The celebration of Black History Month concluded with musical performances, speeches, dancing, and dinner. Four students were also recognized and awarded with diversity scholarships!
Read more about Black History Month celebrations
MARCH
The Blugold women’s hockey team ended their historic season at the NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Championship Tournament. The team set a new school record for wins in a season while making their first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament and winning their first O’Brien Cup.
Read more about the Blugold Women’s Hockey Team
APRIL
Davies Center was transformed into Vienna for the 44th annual Viennese Ball! Watching everyone fill the dance floor in their glamorous suits and gowns was a sight to see along with performances by a variety of UW-Eau Claire music groups.
Read more about the Viennese Ball
UW-Eau Claire’s jazz program brought their tunes to downtown Eau Claire for the annual Jazz Festival. The festival celebrates the historic culture of jazz and transforms downtown into a jazz nightclub scene.
Read more about UW-Eau Claire’s jazz studies program
MAY
Blugolds showed off their smarts at the Celebration of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity. The event highlights student research accomplishments and contributions to the academic community.
Our graduates shined at the spring commencement ceremonies. It’s always the biggest party of the year!! One Blugold who was unable to make it to his ceremony due to illness received a special visit and the presentation of his diploma from Chancellor Jim.
Read more about the Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremonies
June
Next up: Orientation! Incoming freshman joined us at the start of the summer to sign up for classes and prepare for one of the biggest chapters in their lives.
July
Campus quite literally blossoms in the summer. We’re guessing that’s why people call it the #mostbeautifulcampus.
August
Although it’s summer, many students stay in the area to fulfill course requirements and get ahead in their degree plans during summer session.
September
Before we knew it, move-in day was upon us! It was an exciting day, especially for our new freshmen and their parents. Plus, some Blugolds got to check out one of the new and improved Karlgaard Towers (pictured above).
Blugolds also enjoyed the addition of food trucks to campus! What’s better than grabbing a panini, gelato, or coffee and finding an open space to relax and fuel up?
It was great to have our students back on campus and back in the groove again.
The new Pablo Center at the Confluence, a modern arts venue that supports both community arts organizations and UW-Eau Claire, opened on September 22 in downtown Eau Claire. A large crowd gathered to watch the Blugold Marching Band perform in front of the venue and proceeded to take tours of the space.
Read more about Pablo Center at the Confluence
October
In early October, campus celebrated National Coming Out Day. There were opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to share their coming out stories and celebrate LGBTQIA+ identified people on campus.
In late October, it was time for the grand opening of the newly improved Garfield Avenue. Blugolds enjoyed a performance by the Blugold Marching Band, remarks from Chancellor Jim, as well as snacks and good company along the Chippewa River.
Read more about Garfield Avenue
One of the best parts of fall on campus? The changing colors. Blugolds enjoyed walking to class under an umbrella of orange, yellow, green, and red leaves.
A research study conducted by UW-Eau Claire kinesiology students found that load-bearing vests reduce hip and lower-back pain for police officers. Their research influenced the Eau Claire Police Department to make changes. They began transitioning some of its 100 sworn officers from duty belts to vests.
NOVEMBER
The Blugold women’s volleyball team completed their 2018 season with a 33–4 record and won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) regular-season and tournament championships. They competed in the national semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship. Way to go, Blugolds!
Read more about their historic 2018 season
Chancellor Jim along with other campus administrators and alumni handed out free hats and scarves to chilly students on their way to class. The annual hat and scarf giveaway also coincided with Giving Tuesday, an international day of giving. The UW-Eau Claire Foundation encouraged the UW-Eau Claire community to donate in support of university students and programs. This year, they raised a record total of $96,185.
Read more about Giving Tuesday
The Blugold women’s cross country team finished their 2018 season at the NCAA Division III National Cross Country Championship with a 4th place finish out of 32 teams.
The Blugold men’s cross country team finished their 2018 season at the NCAA Division III National Cross Country Championship with an 11th place finish out of 32 teams.
After months of planning that involved students, faculty and staff from across campus, the vision for a Black Cultural Center came to life. The new center, which opened it’s doors in early November, will be the meeting place for black student organizations as well as an informal gathering and drop-in space.
Read more about the Black Cultural Center
DECEMBER
December kicked off with the annual Holiday Concert featuring UW-Eau Claire music groups! This year was the first time that the concert would take place in Pablo Center at the Confluence. We can’t think of a better way to get in the holiday spirit.
Read more about the finale piece that was composed by a Blugold alum
With finals week on the horizon, Blugolds got to work studying and preparing for final projects and exams. While it’s normally a stressful time, finals week events like relaxation stations and visiting therapy dogs helped keep positive energy high.
2018 ended on a high note as we celebrated our newest group of graduates on December 22! We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for these Blugolds.
Read more about the winter 2018 commencement ceremonies
Thanks to all our Blugolds for making 2018 one of the best years yet! We truly can’t wait to see what is on the horizon for 2019.
