Austyn Clemen, a student from Becker, Minnesota, shared on April 29 how their journey at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire shaped their academic and personal development. Clemen arrived as a sociology major with a theatre minor, seeking opportunities in both performance and competitive speech.
Clemen said that meeting members of the forensics team during Admitted Students Day was influential in choosing UW-Eau Claire. “I visited once or twice, and the campus was gorgeous,” Clemen said. “But what really stuck with me was meeting the forensics team members at Admitted Students Day. That was formative. I knew I wanted to come here and do forensics.” The university is known for supporting activities such as the Blugold Marching Band, which is recognized as one of the most active in the Midwest and performs at various events, according to the official website.
During her time on campus, Clemen found support through both academic programs and extracurricular groups. She described how her honors experience felt tailored to her needs: “I feel like honors adapted to me. As a double major, it was hard to take colloquia all the time, but honors gave me experiences that were personal to my path.” The university features a scenic campus that includes a Science and Health Sciences Building shared with Mayo Clinic Health System according to its official website.
Clemen’s involvement extended beyond academics into activism and community engagement. Since sophomore year, she has been part of Women Uniting and Fighting—a group focused on issues like freedom of choice—and participated in organizations such as Concert Choir and Cabaret Productions. Her research includes examining healthcare access following hospital closures in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls communities.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire partners with entities such as Mayo Clinic Health System and Marshfield Clinic to promote health sciences initiatives according to its official website. The institution also contributes broadly to Wisconsin’s culture, economy, intellectual growth through collaborations; it emphasizes critical-thinking abilities while delivering career-focused opportunities aimed at preparing students for community contributions according to its official website.
Reflecting on her achievements in collegiate forensics—including placing second nationally—Clemen emphasized communication skills over trophies: “It’s really the communication skills. I can stand in front of a classroom and speak like it’s nothing. I can connect with people. That’s what I’m taking with me.” Looking ahead, Clemen will pursue graduate studies at University of Northern Iowa while continuing work in communication studies.
