Notable Alumni of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
Since its founding in 1916, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has fostered a community of learners who have gone on to make significant contributions in various fields. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse achievements and lasting impact. The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is 1542nd in the world, 536th in North America, and 504th in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence.
Arts and Entertainment
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has a strong tradition in the arts, and many of its graduates have excelled in creative fields.
Brian "Kato" Kaelin: An American actor and radio and television personality, best known for serving as a witness in the O. J. Simpson murder trial in 1995, receiving considerable media attention during the trial.
Justin Vernon: An American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best-known as the primary songwriter and frontman of indie folk band Bon Iver. He is also a member of the bands Volcano Choir, Big Red Machine, the Shouting Matches, and Gayngs, and was previously a member of the now-defunct band DeYarmond Edison. Known for his distinct falsetto voice, Vernon has received widespread acclaim for his work, predominantly with Bon Iver.
Mark Proksch: An American comedian and character actor. He is best known for acting in the television series The Office, Better Call Saul, Dream Corp LLC, What We Do in the Shadows and as a fictionalized version of himself in the On Cinema universe.
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Lyle Mays: An American jazz pianist, composer, and member of the Pat Metheny Group. Metheny and Mays composed and arranged nearly all of the group's music, for which Mays won eleven Grammy Awards.
Willy Porter: A contemporary American rock musician and singer-songwriter from Mequon, Wisconsin. In April, The Wisconsin Area Music Industry announced that Porter would be inducted into the WAMI Hall of Fame.
Aaron Yonda: An American comedian, writer, actor, director, and YouTuber from Menomonie, Wisconsin.
Kyle Featherstone: Known professionally as Feather, is an American electronic dance music producer.
Richard Terrill: An American author and jazz musician who plays with the Larry McDonough Quartet.
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Bob Knuth: An American scenic designer and creative director based in the Chicago, Illinois area. Knuth has been nominated for 15 Joseph Jefferson Awards and is a two-time award winner for outstanding scenic design.
Greg Gossel: An artist.
Tony Duran: A photographer.
Sara A. Black: An artist.
Dan Peterman: An artist.
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Jeffrey Sippel: An artist.
Andrew Swant: An artist.
Business and Leadership
Alumni from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire have also made significant strides in the world of business and leadership, demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit and strategic acumen.
Cassie Randolph: An American television personality who came to national prominence in 2019, as the winner of season 23 of The Bachelor, starring Colton Underwood.
Sona Mehring: An American businesswoman and the founder and past CEO of the nonprofit 501(3) organization CaringBridge.
Politics and Public Service
Many graduates have dedicated their careers to public service, making a difference in their communities and beyond.
Mark Andrew Green: An American politician and diplomat. He is currently president and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Before joining the Wilson Center on March 15, 2021, he served as executive director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership, and prior to that, as the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1993 to 1999, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007, representing Wisconsin's 8th congressional district, ran unsuccessfully for governor of Wisconsin in 2006, and held the post of United States Ambassador to Tanzania from August 2007 until January 2009. Green served as president of the International Republican Institute from 2014 to 2017 and sits on the board of directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Tyler August: An American Republican politician from Walworth County, Wisconsin. He is the majority leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly since 2023 and previously served as the chamber's speaker pro tempore. He represents Wisconsin's 31st Assembly district since 2025 and previously represented the 32nd Assembly district from 2011 to 2025.
Jennifer Schultz: An American politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, she represented District 7A in northeastern Minnesota.
David Allen Zien: An American politician who represented Wisconsin's 23rd Senate district as a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Senate.
Dan Ortiz: A non affiliated member of the Alaska House of Representatives, who has since 2015 represented the 1st District. He is one of three non affiliated members in the Alaska State Legislature. However, he caucuses with the Democratic-led majority for purposes of committee assignments.
Keith Downey: A Minnesota politician and the former chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota. A former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, he represented District 41A, which primarily included portions of the cities of Edina and Minnetonka in Hennepin County in the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area. He is also a consultant for state and local governments on strategy, operations, and technology.
Pat Kreitlow: An American politician, former broadcaster, and communications consultant. A Democrat, Kreitlow was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Wisconsin's 23rd Senate district, from 2007 to 2011. In November 2008, Kreitlow was elected President pro tempore of the Wisconsin State Senate. He was defeated for reelection in 2010 by Terry Moulton. Kreitlow ran for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district seat in the 2012 election against incumbent Sean Duffy, who was reelected.
Athletics
The university's athletic programs have produced talented athletes who have achieved success at the professional level.
Paul Menard: An American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver who currently competes full-time in the Trans-Am Series, driving the No. 3 Ford Mustang for 3GT Racing. Menard is the Trans-Am Series champion in the TA class.
Alex Hicks: A Canadian former ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks and the Florida Panthers. He is the son of Wayne Hicks. He is currently an assistant coach for the first Arizona State University NCAA D1 hockey team.
Academia and Literature
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has also produced a number of notable figures in academia and literature, contributing to knowledge and culture through their research and writing.
Anne Elizabeth Moore: An American cultural critic, artist, journalist, and editor. She is well known for her books Sweet Little Cunt (2018), Gentrifier: A Memoir (2021), and Body Horror: Capitalism, Fear, Misogyny, Jokes (2023). Her work mainly deals with the nature of power and women’s oppression, the housing crisis and gentrification, and women’s health.
Debra Monroe: An American novelist, short story writer, memoirist, and essayist. She has written seven books, including two story collections, a collection of essays, two novels, and two memoirs, and is also editor of an anthology of nonfiction. Monroe has been twice nominated for the National Book Award, is a winner of the prestigious Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, and was cited on several "10 Best Books" lists for her nationally-acclaimed memoir, On the Outskirts of Normal: Forging a Family Against the Grain.
Jacqueline West: An American writer of children's fiction and poet. Her poetry has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and her Books of Elsewhere fantasy series has appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Janika Vandervelde: An American composer, pianist, and music educator. Her work, notable for its feminist and ecological themes, has won numerous awards. Known for her music for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles and the stage, she also teaches composition.
Military Service
Jon K. Kelk: A major general in the National Guard of the United States and former commander of the California Air National Guard. He currently serves as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa.
Richard C. Johnston: A retired major general in the United States Air Force.
Law
- Sheri Jean Polster Chappell: A United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
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