The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
Ta'Leah Van Sistine

Ta’Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer

Ta’Leah Van Sistine is a fourth-year journalism and creative writing student. This is her seventh semester on The Spectator staff. She is spending the semester at Queens College in New York City. When she is not reporting for The Spectator or Blugold Radio Sunday, she enjoys getting lost in a good book or a national park.

All content by Ta'Leah Van Sistine
Life in the city

Life in the city

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
December 8, 2021
Life in the city

Life in the city

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
November 17, 2021
Life in the city

Life in the city

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
November 6, 2021
Life in the city

Life in the city

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
October 20, 2021
Life in the City

Life in the City

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 29, 2021
Life in the City

Life in the City

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 15, 2021
Before the "Pedal to Divestment" event on April 19, which was held by the UW Divestment Coalition, students wrote messages on campus sidewalks. This message reads, "Fossil fuels cause climate change, so why is 'sustainable' UWEC investing in them?"

‘We’re not moving quickly enough’

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
May 4, 2021
An email sent to students on April 8 announced there would be two “wellness days” on April 16 and 29 in lieu of a spring break. Some Blugolds still have assignments due on those days, preventing them from fully stepping “away from the classroom,” as the email from the Chancellor’s Office indicated.

‘Students have been burned out already’

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine and Lea Kopke
April 21, 2021
And the Oscar goes to ...

And the Oscar goes to …

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 24, 2021
UW-Eau Claire students, faculty and staff were notified before the Fall 2020 semester that masks would be required to wear on campus.

One year later: UWEC leaders reflect on COVID-19’s impact

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 12, 2021
Students sit near the rocks on the campus mall as the temperatures reach the 50s and 60s this week.

[Photo] Eau Claire area partners with “Be Active Wisconsin Community Challenge”

Story by Sami Geiger, Freelance Writer
March 11, 2021
Annie Schneider, the president of UW-Eau Claire’s TP USA chapter, said the comments in the memes page were “defamatory” and “false.”

‘Misinformation’ spread about Turning Point USA chapter

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine and Lea Kopke
February 12, 2021
Photos of a student’s private Snapchat stories, titled with racist language, surfaced on and exploded across social media on the evening of Feb. 6.

Campus calls for justice

Story by Lea Kopke and Ta'Leah Van Sistine
February 9, 2021
Steamboat Geyser is the world’s tallest active geyser and after it erupts, “vigorous steaming” occurs for several hours, Mara Reed, a UW-Eau Claire alum, said.

Alum’s research on Steamboat Geyser receives national attention

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 3, 2021
Weekend shenanigans

Weekend shenanigans

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
December 7, 2020
Katharine Thomas Hall, which is adjacent to Putnam Hall — the current on-campus quarantine and isolation space — will be an additional quarantine hall during the Spring 2021 semester.

Katharine Thomas Hall to become a quarantine space in 2021

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
November 20, 2020
Rodd Freitag, interim dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, said Chancellor James C. Schmidt will be meeting with UW System administration before he addresses the campus community about future plans for instruction after the holiday break.

UW-Eau Claire faculty express concerns about in-person instruction after Thanksgiving break

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
October 30, 2020
The enrollment management department is housed in Schofield Hall

Promises of transparency not fulfilled by university administration

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 29, 2020
The EDI Rapid Action Task Force released their final report on Jan. 31 before their dissolution in February, but are now calling on the UW-Eau Claire administration to make “all deliberations and documents related to the incident and subsequent investigation” public.

EDI Rapid Action Task Force opposes decision to reinstate five suspended football players

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 24, 2020
This image of a Snapchat group chat depicts a racist interaction between UW-Eau Claire football players that was released in November 2019.

‘Strong majority’ of Blugold football team opposed to university-ordered reinstatement of five suspended players

Story by Madeline Fuerstenberg, Lea Kopke, and Ta'Leah Van Sistine
September 22, 2020
Student Health Service can provide as many as 60 Polymerase Chain Reaction COVID-19 tests in one day, Patricia Kress, a physician and medical director at SHS, said. On weekends, she said they generally can do a little over 40 tests and possibly more depending on how comfortable the staffing is.

‘They’re in short supply and high demand’

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine and Lea Kopke
September 17, 2020
A student sits at a socially-distanced table in the Towers Hall lobby. UW-Eau Claire's mask mandate, which was established before the Fall 2020 semester, requires students to wear a mask in campus buildings.

Loneliness is an epidemic on college campuses during a pandemic

Story by Ta’Leah Van Sistine
September 15, 2020
Demonstrators march in the Justice for Jacob Blake Solidarity Protest Aug. 29, which began in Randall Park and ended outside the Eau Claire County Government Center. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton, history professor at UW-Eau Claire, president of Uniting Bridges of Eau Claire and a speaker and organizer of the event, said she estimated around 2,000 people participated.

Eau Claire protestors demand reform within police department

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Lea Kopke, and Timothy Spierings
August 30, 2020
An email sent to Spring 2020 graduates on Monday said the commencement ceremony originally scheduled to take place on May 23 is currently postponed. The annual graduation slideshow will still be shared on UW-Eau Claire’s social media channels and the web, according to the email.

Tossing their hats: graduating Blugolds reflect on what was, is and could have been

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
May 13, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
May 4, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 28, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 20, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 13, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 6, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 30, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 25, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 16, 2020
A video posted to the UW-Eau Claire College Republicans Facebook page showed an unidentified individual stealing a President Donald Trump campaign flag and throwing it into the Little Niagara.

Unidentified student stole Trump flag from UWEC College Republicans table

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 12, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 9, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 2, 2020
After a couple of months of planning, Jesse Kreger said it was “so relieving” to ask Alyssa Noll the question he had been wanting to ask her for so long.

A Blugold fairy tale proposal

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 27, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 24, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 17, 2020
Chip Schneider, the head coach of men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, said the throwers “highlighted the men’s performance” at Saturday’s track and field meet.

Men’s track and field place in top three for eight events

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 12, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 10, 2020
According to the Eau Claire Fire Department, the fire in Phillips Hall appears to have been started by a printer.

Classes to resume at Phillips Hall after Saturday fire

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 9, 2020
A closer look

A closer look

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 3, 2020
Music Medley

Music Medley

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
December 4, 2019
Protesters stood for an hour of silent protest, with members of Black Male Empowerment sitting in the middle circle.

“A force of solidarity”

Story by Lea Kopke and Ta'Leah Van Sistine
November 25, 2019
Joe Luginbill of the Luginbill Children’s Foundation stands in front of the Smile House, which he said will hopefully open in 2020.

Luginbill Children’s Foundation opens Smile House for children aging out of foster care system

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
November 11, 2019
Pictured is 627 Congress Street where a fire broke out on Oct. 19 with six UW-Eau Claire students inside.

Fire breaks out at house where six Blugolds live

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
October 24, 2019
The Chippewa Valley Book Festival sign greets attendees when they go to events hosted at the Pablo Center, the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library and other locations throughout the Chippewa Valley.

Chippewa Valley Book Festival celebrates 20 years of authors, readings and literary events

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
October 21, 2019
Jennifer Muehlenkamp, a professor in the psychology department at UW-Eau Claire, does research on nonsuicidal self injury in hopes of saving lives

Researching to save lives

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
October 17, 2019
This year’s Homecoming week will still feature traditions like the Homecoming parade, but also games like laser tag and water balloon toss, among other activities.

Homecoming 2019 kicks off with a blend of tradition and new

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
October 7, 2019
Bicycles fill the bike racks outside of Hibbard.

Shared spaces and dangerous places

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
October 3, 2019
Chancellor James Schmidt speaks to an audience of student leaders, faculty and staff.

Investing for Our Future forum reveals student concerns about future university investments

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 23, 2019
The Eau Claire City-County Health Department has issued a health alert urging members of the community to stop using vape or e-cigarette devices immediately to avoid certain health risks.

Through the vapor

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 18, 2019
The Center for International Education in Schofield Hall is the hub of all International activities at UW-Eau Claire.

UW-Eau Claire welcomes more international students this year

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 11, 2019
Jay Dobson officially became UW-Eau Claire’s new police chief on July 1 and has since started to plan ways that the university police department can engage more with students.

There’s a new university police chief on campus

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 4, 2019

Thank you, professors

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
May 18, 2019
David Lewis is the recipient of the 2019 Markovnikov Medal.

Chemistry professor ‘very pleased’ he can take students to Russia as an immersion experience

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
May 8, 2019
From this neck of the woods

From this neck of the woods

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
May 6, 2019
Newly sworn in student body president and vice president, Charlie Johnson and Anna Ziebell, took office Monday night.

Meet the new UWEC Student Body President and Vice President

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
May 1, 2019
Anne Schreiber said her stress reliever is running, which led her to running in the Boston Marathon.

Blugold runs the Boston Marathon within a year after her first marathon

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 23, 2019
Lindsey Henderson, a first-year athlete, returns a ball during the doubles match against St. Scholastica on Sunday afternoon.

Optimism is essential for Blugolds on the tennis court

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 16, 2019
Washington University defeated the UW-Eau Claire men’s tennis team with a 9-0 victory April 5, but Blugolds achieved a 6-3 win against Principia College the next day.

Men’s tennis pick themselves up after initial fall

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 9, 2019
In addition to a commemorative plaque, the award includes a $5,000 bonus which will be used to support the CSD department.

Collaboration is key for the CSD department in the midst of receiving award

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 8, 2019
Managing Editor Tracy Grant photographed at the Washington Post in Washington, D.C. on December 02, 2015. (Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post). Grant will be speaking at the Ann Devroy Memorial Forum at 7 p.m. on April 18 in Schofield Auditorium.

Devroy Memorial Forum features Washington Post managing editor

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
April 2, 2019
Before moving to Eau Claire to take over as directer of artistic programming at the Pablo Center, Brenna St. George Jones lived in New York City, where she worked at Columbia University.

Pablo Center’s director of artistic programing: “I have the best job”

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 20, 2019
SUBMITTED The ski and snowboard club poses for a picture while on their annual Colorado trip. This year, over winter break, the club went to Telluride Ski Resort.

Blugolds take on the slopes as winter season continues

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 12, 2019
The Set of House of Blues was made from scratch between the performers and crew members.

UWEC presents “The House of Blue Leaves”

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 11, 2019
Molly Patterson, an assistant professor of English at UW-Eau Claire, is the featured author for the March’s Women Writers on Wednesday event.

UW-Eau Claire professor highlighted as the woman writer for month of March at 200 Main Gallery’s series

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
March 6, 2019
Blugolds not only won the overall meet against Hamline, but also placed first in three out of the four events.

UW-Eau Claire gymnastics team achieves narrow victory

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 20, 2019
Juneteenth organizer Berlye Middleton addresses the crowd at the celebration last June. Photo courtesy of the Leader-Telegram.

Former city councilman and current president of Uniting Bridges reflects on instances of unity and advocacy throughout his life

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 13, 2019
UW-Eau Claire hosted the WIAC Wrestling Championship in the McPhee Center on Feb. 8th.

Blugolds host the WIAC Wrestling Championship

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 11, 2019
Both men’s and women’s teams placed third at the UW-Stevens Point Invite Saturday.

Looking past the results and towards the future

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
February 6, 2019
Evers and Walker will be on the ballot for governor in the upcoming election.

Evers and Walker stress importance of education, low unemployment rates

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
October 29, 2018
Artyom H. Tonoyan share his knowledge and stories about the Armenian genocide.

“Remember us:” Holocaust and genocide series reminds attendees to never forget

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Freelance Writer
September 26, 2018
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Ta'Leah Van Sistine