University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire was founded in 1916. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees.
Located in the United States in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the University sits along the banks of the Chippewa Falls and on the edge of the Chippewa Valley. Consisting of 28 major buildings spanning 333 acres (1.3 km²), the University's 2004 enrollment was 10,636.
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 very best regional public universities in the Midwest (3rd in 2004).
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).
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 bachelors 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. 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.
Facts
As of December 1, 2004:
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin; pop. 61,709
Campus: 28 major buildings, 333 acres, part of Chippewa River
Walk across campus: About 10 minutes
Undergraduate students: 10,034
Graduate students: 506
Multicultural students: 498
Faculty and staff: 1,150
Average men-to-women ratio: 2-to-3
Students studying abroad: 400+
Undergraduate researchers: 940+
ACT composite average: 24.4
Faculty-student ratio: 1-to-21
Average class size: 28
Faculty with Ph.D.s: 76%
Computer-to-student ratio: 1-to-9
Tuition and fees: About $4,900
Nickname: Blugolds
Colors: Navy and old gold
Motto: Excellence. Our Measure, Our Motto, Our Goal.
Seal: Council oak tree
Other
- Brian "Kato" Kaelin (of O.J. Simpson Trial fame) attended UWEC before moving to California to pursue a baseball career.
- Jackie Thomas, star of the FOX show "Playing it Straight" dropped out of UWEC to be on the show.