Putting Your Money Where Your Heart Lies

Dr. Susan and Paul Harrison support UW-Eau Claire so that those struggling financially can still receive a top-notch education.

Dr. Susan Harrison dedicated 30 years of her life to UW-Eau Claire. As an educator and adviser she served in the departments of computer science and mathematics, and surely had an immeasurable impact on students and curriculum. But it has been through her leadership role with University Senate that she was able to extend her influence to students from all disciplines, and faculty, too.

The success of students and advancement of the university's ability to offer an exceptional educational experience has been her passion, and she retired recently among accolades for a job well done. She recently received the Honorary Alumnus Award from the Alumni Association in part for having served 15 years as chair of the University Senate-the longest tenure in UW-Eau Claire's history.

This legacy will not only live on because she was an inspiration to others taking on the mantle of leadership, but because she and her husband, Paul, have included a bequest to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation in their will.

"We want to be able to set up and establish this gift to ensure something will be there for the future," Susan Harrison said. "The idea behind our donation is to help people who are struggling by providing them with an equal opportunity to get an education because it is so important."

Harrison has been teaching for 37 years, beginning as a seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher. It was her idea to create the CARE Center at UW-Eau Claire, a center where "Confidence in Algebra can be Revived and Energized." Even after retirement she is tutoring a returning adult student in math.

"I have spent half of my life here as part of this community. I have seen so many needs here. With state funds decreasing each year, it's important for individuals to step up and help enhance students' lives through quality education," she said.

"I have been so blessed to be part of this community and now I am an official Blugold. I want to give back to this university."

To learn more about the many ways you can give back to UW-Eau Claire, please contact Michele Olson at 715-836-3526 or olsonmma@uwec.edu.