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[Music playing]
Laureen Seeger ... I give to Eau Claire because when I look back at my life - 50 years of it
and the experiences that I've had that led to my happiness, fulfillment, success - Eau Claire stands out for me.
Participating in athletics here at Eau Claire was a tremendous growth experience for me.
I think I learned most of my leadership lessons that I've used throughout my life in athletics here.
And setting foot on to campus today and seeing the individuals on the track and cross country team
I saw similar people who cared about others,
who not only had their own schedules to attend to but actually want to make a difference to others.
I talked to some of the women on the team and like me,
they were able to work on their jobs and on their careers here,
get a great education, but also really run … and have a great time in sports.
So I am grateful for that.
Dan Schwamberger … Meeting Laureen to me was very inspirational just in the sense that
her time at Eau Claire obviously contributed to her success.
She kind of talked about her story.
The year I think was 1983 that the women's team took second.
She wasn't the top runner but she was definitely one of the best runners on the team.
The coach at the time had her hang back a little bit and bring the fourth and fifth runners with her,
which ultimately helped the team succeed.
Laureen Seeger ... The girls were shocked when the gun went off and I was hanging with them.
I told them what we were going to do.
We were going to start a little slower and then we were going to pass people the entire race together as a team.
And we did that and I think several of the women had their best race ever
and we took second at the national championships
which was the highest scoring we ever experienced at the university.
I remember that lesson to this day.
That what mattered in my success was not me, it was the impact that I had on others
and allowing them to shine and improve.
I want to give back to the university because I want to make sure other women and students
who come here are as fortunate as I was to have the benefit of incredible coaching and incredible teachers.
So that's why I give back.
[Music up and out.]