CVTC’s New Student Welcome Day quells fears, builds confidence
CVTC’s New Student Welcome Day quells fears, builds confidence By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College As the sun peeked over the pedestrian bridge suspended over Clairemont Avenue early Monday morning, more than 800 students walked through the doors of Chippewa Valley Technical College, many for the first time. Some arrived knowing exactly where they were going. Others were still figuring out the details. Some came with excitement. Others came with a few nerves and a lot of
Goodwill NCW celebrates National Thrift Shop Day all this month
Goodwill NCW celebrates National Thrift Shop Day all this monthAugust gives shoppers a way to enjoy the hunt and make an impact August 17 is recognized as National Thrift Shop Day and Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) will make it a month-long secondhand celebration. Customers can continue to enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” like they do all year round, but will also encounter special “thrift month” promotions. Even better, while they search for unique, one-of-a-kind items, they will be supporting
UW-Stout Polytechnic announces budget proposals to build Wisconsin’s workforce and next generation
Chancellor Frank joins other Universities of Wisconsin leaders to discuss Tech for Tomorrow and Accelerate Wisconsin proposalsStory Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 12, 2026 University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic Chancellor Katherine Frank joined Universities of Wisconsin Regent President Kyle Weatherly, UWs Interim President Renée Wachter and other university leaders today to announce budget proposals focused on building Wisconsin’s workforce and the next generation of businesses. The Tech for
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CVTC instructor recognized for advancing sustainable landscaping
By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College A Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) instructor is being recognized for helping cultivate a more environmentally conscious generation of landscape and horticulture professionals. Sean VanderWaal, program director and instructor for CVTC’s Landscape, Plant and Turf Management program, has been selected as a 2026 Eau Claire Biodiversity Steward Award recipient. The award recognizes his leadership in environmental stewardship, native plant
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Student’s sustainable ideas take root through native plantings on UW-Stout Polytechnic campus
New historical mural, other areas enhanced by addition of local flora Story Link Photos attached FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 5, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – A University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic student is applying personal enthusiasm and academic experience to an on-campus summer job designing and creating landscapes that add native plants to the university grounds. The landscapes will enhance the beauty and sustainability of several campus locations, including the new mural that showcases
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Budget-strapped back-to-school shoppers can find value at Goodwill NCW
Budget-strapped back-to-school shoppers can find value at Goodwill NCW Consumers can stay on budget year-round at Goodwill NCW NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN – Getting an early jump on back-to-school shopping continues to be a trend in north central Wisconsin and nationwide. According to an annual survey from the National Retail Federation and Proper Insights, 62% of back-to-school shoppers started their shopping in early July. Still, many consumers (46%) are still waiting for the “best deals” as
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A Blast From the Past: Leinie Fridays are Back
Contact: Ellie Peabody, Tourism Director, GO Chippewa Countyellie@chippewachamber.org or 715-723-0331 A Blast From the Past: Leinie Fridays are BackChippewa Falls, WI (7/31/2026) – For the first time in over 7 years, Leinie Fridays are back at the Leinie Lodge. Experience live music, food trucks, Brewers ticket giveaways, and, of course, beer every Friday from July 31 through September 4. Each week, the Leinie Lodge will feature a new seasonal or limited-release beer straight from their Pilot Brewery,
No. 1 ranked M.S. marriage & family therapy is one of longest-accredited programs in United States
No. 1 ranked M.S. marriage & family therapy is one of longest-accredited programs in United States UW-Stout Polytechnic’s COAMFTE-accredited program offers on-campus and online degree options Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2026 UW-Stout Polytechnic’s M.S. in marriage and family therapy (MFT) has been recognized as the No. 1 program in Wisconsin for 2026 by MarriageFamilyTherapist. The MFT program is one of the longest continuously COAMFTE-accredited programs for relational therapy
CVTC Clinical Simulation Center extends learning beyond classroom
By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College Deb Kjelstad held a toddler in her arms as the emergency sirens grew louder. An all-terrain vehicle sat idle nearby. As the ambulance came to a stop near Kjelstad, fire medics rushed out of the vehicle to tend to the child while asking Kjelstad questions as they assessed. Thankfully, Kjelstad, a former Chippewa Valley Technical College Radiography Program director, was just an actor in this scenario; the child was a manikin, and the event was a
Taking the Mic: Public Speaking as a Business Growth Strategy in Eau Claire-Menomonie
Research published in Harvard Business Review in August 2025, analyzing more than 5,300 investor pitches, found that how founders communicate can shift their funding acceptance rate from 2% to nearly 35% — a 17-fold difference driven entirely by presentation skill. That gap doesn't close at the investor meeting. For business owners in Eau Claire-Menomonie, public speaking is a lever that moves outcomes across every stage of growth: landing partnerships, winning clients, and building the kind of reputation
