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Philanthropist dies at age 100
Cassandra Golburg
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: Campus News
Longtime Eau Claire resident and philanthropist Edith Phillips died Feb. 7 at the age of 100. She was the wife of the late L.E. Phillips.
Well-known around Eau Claire for their philanthropic efforts, the Phillips donated millions to charities around the Chippewa Valley, including $2.1 million to the university throughout the years, UW-Eau Claire Foundation President Carole Halberg said.
"They have been very generous to us," Halberg said, adding that donations have been mainly in the areas of science and music.
Phillips Science Hall and its L.E. Phillips Planetarium, as well as Haas Fine Arts Center's Phillips Recital Hall provide opportunities for education not only to college students, but the public as well.
"The (planetarium) has brought a lot of knowledge to students," associate physics professor George Stecher said. "You need facilities to bring science to people."
The planetarium has provided programs for the general public as well as for school kids. It is also used to train students in how to run a planetarium, Stecher said.
Sophomore Leatrice Zehm has geography and astronomy classes in Phillips.
"It's a very good addition to the university," she said. "It's pretty nicely set up and it's in good condition."
The Phillips family has also been involved in music programs at Eau Claire, including donating a grand piano to the university, which is located in the Phillips Recital Hall.
"She and her family have always been very supportive of the arts," music professor Kathryn Proctor Duax said. "They have given to music scholarships and we are very appreciative of their support."
The whole family has been involved with Eau Claire's music program, she said, adding that Phillips' daughter played in the orchestra.
A memorial service was held Sunday for Edith Phillips at Temple Shalom in Eau Claire.
Well-known around Eau Claire for their philanthropic efforts, the Phillips donated millions to charities around the Chippewa Valley, including $2.1 million to the university throughout the years, UW-Eau Claire Foundation President Carole Halberg said.
"They have been very generous to us," Halberg said, adding that donations have been mainly in the areas of science and music.
Phillips Science Hall and its L.E. Phillips Planetarium, as well as Haas Fine Arts Center's Phillips Recital Hall provide opportunities for education not only to college students, but the public as well.
"The (planetarium) has brought a lot of knowledge to students," associate physics professor George Stecher said. "You need facilities to bring science to people."
The planetarium has provided programs for the general public as well as for school kids. It is also used to train students in how to run a planetarium, Stecher said.
Sophomore Leatrice Zehm has geography and astronomy classes in Phillips.
"It's a very good addition to the university," she said. "It's pretty nicely set up and it's in good condition."
The Phillips family has also been involved in music programs at Eau Claire, including donating a grand piano to the university, which is located in the Phillips Recital Hall.
"She and her family have always been very supportive of the arts," music professor Kathryn Proctor Duax said. "They have given to music scholarships and we are very appreciative of their support."
The whole family has been involved with Eau Claire's music program, she said, adding that Phillips' daughter played in the orchestra.
A memorial service was held Sunday for Edith Phillips at Temple Shalom in Eau Claire.
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