Chippewa Valley Times

Starting in the spring semester, the Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College at UW-Eau Claire will aim to recruit and retain exceptional students from west-central Wisconsin and beyond. Dr. Michael Carney, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, highlighted that this initiative is made possible through a gift from Mark Cosby.

"The gift from Mark Cosby allows us to develop additional honors experiences in research, study abroad and community engagement that will be truly distinctive and make graduating with university honors a hallmark achievement for high-ability students," Carney stated.

Chancellor James Schmidt noted that the honors college aligns with the university's strategic planning. "The Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College is a cornerstone of our commitment to providing our students with distinctive opportunities to better prepare them to be leaders in our society," Schmidt said. "The honors college enhances the university’s strong academic reputation and shows the true advantage of a Blugold education."

Dr. Heather Fielding, Honors director, mentioned that the college will offer new scholarships and enhance its curriculum. "By transforming the University Honors Program into the Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College, UW-Eau Claire recognizes the achievements of our students and alumni," Fielding said.

Mark Cosby, a 1981 graduate of UW-Eau Claire in business administration, provided funding after retiring from a career leading companies such as Michaels Stores and CVS Pharmacy. He expressed gratitude towards his alma mater: "UW-Eau Claire was the foundation," he said. "It helped me grow as a person, build my confidence and provide the business fundamentals needed to spark my career."

Cosby emphasized supporting high-ability students who may lack financial resources. "This honors college enables people who are incredibly talented to get the most out of school," he remarked.

Julia Diggins, vice president of development for the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, acknowledged Cosby's contribution: "Mark recognized the transformative potential of this initiative... The honors college will empower these students to fully realize their potential," Diggins commented.