In many ways a university is a reflection of its people. One of my first duties as chancellor was presenting the annual Excellence awards to members of our faculty and staff. I noted the particularly warm applause for the recipient of our Excellence in Teaching Award, for excellent teaching is the foundation of our reputation. I have watched proudly as our students and faculty have presented a program on collaborative research to the UW System Board of Regents, knowing that 25 additional undergraduates are presenting research results at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, a possible record for selection and participation for a university like UW-Eau Claire. Knowing that our relatively new service-learning requirement is bringing assistance to citizens of the Chippewa Valley and beyond, while giving students another level of readiness for successful, productive and satisfying lives, is encouraging.
Success stories are everywhere.
The freshman class of '99 will enter the university as the most academically distinguished in several years as more than 6,000 prospective students applied for 2,000 spots in the entering class. Fourteen percent of our students will have had an international study experience while here, compared to the national average of 2 percent. Our National Youth Sports Program was named the top program in the country. And our university continues to receive national recognition as one of the very best public regional universities in the Midwest. As these items exemplify, there are many strengths here and an already established level of excellence.