Remembering 9/11

Five years later, students reflect on impact of Sept. 11, 2001

By Nicole Strittmater and Nathaniel Shuda

One of sophomore Sarah Stirdivant's close family friends was supposed to go into work at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, but fate was on his side. "For some odd reason, he didn't set his alarm or he forgot to, and he ended up going into work 20 or 30 minutes late, and that's what ended up saving him," Stirdivant said.

We're No. 4

Two magazines rate Eau Claire among best Midwest universities

By Sara Boyd

Freshman Caitlin Nesmith looked at a few colleges and universities before deciding to attend UW-Eau Claire. Nesmith said Eau Claire was the best fit for her because of the great programs it offered to students and, above all, the affordability. "A lot of it did have to do with tuition costs," she said.

New admissions policy may emphasize background

UW System mulling 'holistic' approach after U.S. Supreme Court case

By Brian Reisinger

UW-Eau Claire officials are considering how to implement a policy that makes all prospective students' backgrounds an official component of the admissions process. Under a "holistic" approach to admissions, each applicant's race, economic background, life circumstances, special talents and extracurricular activities will become part of their qualifications for acceptance.

Road construction to continue into winter

New interchanges have some confused

By Kathlyn Hotynski

UW-Eau Claire students driving back to school found the road to a new semester lined with construction cones - or, in the case of U.S. Highway 53, following a different path altogether. "It was confusing at first, like, where do I make my right turn off?" said sophomore Vicki Bignell, who commutes from Chippewa Falls every day.

Putnam Trail reopens after construction

Students experience new trail, complete with colored retaining walls, handicapped accessibility

By Rebecca Fencl

Junior Katie Barnes said she frequently walks on the Putnam Trail and is happy about its recent enhancements. "It is really pretty and there are lots of trees, water and the 'rock,' " she said. "I think it is a good escape from campus and buildings." Two years and more than $140,000 since it began, the Putnam Park project is finally complete, said Curtis Zimmerman, contractor and owner of MZ Construction.

College honors passions, lives of former administrator, faculty

Education and Human Sciences committee to select first recipients of memorial awards this spring

By Nathaniel Shuda

For students and faculty in UW-Eau Claire's College of Education and Human Sciences, two new awards have been added to a list of many that have recognized outstanding achievement. "These awards were established to honor two individuals who contributed a great deal to our college," said Dean Katherine Rhoades of the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Ice researchers awarded $100,000 in grants

Research Corporation, NASA fund study of atmospheric proportions

By Nicole Strittmater

UW-Eau Claire chemistry professor James Boulter and two student researchers are continuing their study of ices in the atmospheres of Earth and Jupiter, thanks to grants from NASA and the Research Corporation Cottrell College Science Award. "(I'm) extremely pleased," Boulter said of his awards, totaling nearly $100,000, adding that it is very beneficial for his students.

State primaries Tuesday

By Spectator Staff

Tuesday, voters will head to the polls to decide the outcome of several different primaries. To register to vote, students can go to their assigned polling place. They need to bring an ID and proof of address. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Students living in residence halls vote in the Davies Center.