April 26, 2015

To the Platinum STAR Award Selection Committee:

It is with great enthusiasm and pride that I write to you today to detail the many
accomplishments that the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claires chapter of NSCS has achieved
throughout the 2014-2015 academic year. Our chapter has continued to grow and thrive this past
year and has maintained its position as one of the most involved and committed chapters of
NSCS in the United States.
In July 2014, our chapter of NSCS was awarded the very first Diamond STAR Status Award at
ScholarCon. In the past year, our chapter has been working diligently and tirelessly to live up to
this high standard. We have proudly carried out the NSCS mission and exemplified its values,
efficiently created a strong and successful organization, and quickly become the most elite honor
society at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
In only three years of existence, our chapter has grown to over 700 members. In the past year, we
welcomed approximately 250 new members to our organization. Of these members, we have
maintained an active membership of about 80 members, with even more members attending
occasional events. One of our chapters goals is to create an organization that reflects the
interests, wants, and needs of its members. To fulfill this goal, our officer board continually asks
for feedback and suggestions from our members. We emphasize at each meeting that we are open
to ideas and encourage our members to submit suggestions in an anonymous survey that is
available throughout the year. We have also worked to bridge the gap between the officer board
and our members by interacting with our members at general meetings and events, participating
in icebreakers, and showing a genuine interest in our members lives. This year, we also started a
monthly event called Dinner with Officers to promote collaboration between officers and
members. Once a month, a group of officers invites ten members to their residence hall room,
apartment, or home to enjoy a homemade meal. Everyone enjoys a wonderful dinner, and
officers and members can form beneficial relationships. These strategic steps have allowed us to
become a chapter with a shared vision established through open communication and interaction
between the officer board and our members.
We have also shown our commitment to our members through various social events and our
scholarship program. We have planned numerous social events to help NSCS members meet
other high-achieving students. Our social events have included bowling, a movie at the budget
theater, team trivia, a holiday party, brunch at a local caf, a planetarium showing, and a trip to a
frozen yogurt shop. We have received very positive feedback regarding these events.
Additionally, our chapter organizes multiple fundraising events. All money that is raised through
fundraising is added to a scholarship fund. We want to recognize our members who actively
participate in NSCS, succeed academically, and show leadership qualities. Awarding scholarships
is how we have chosen to award these members. This year, we will be awarding between ten and
fifteen scholarships to deserving members and officers.
The UW-Eau Claire chapter has also made an incredible impact on the university campus and in
the Eau Claire community through our monthly service events. Our organization has organized a
book drive to collect books for third world countries, planned a campus-wide event to thank

faculty and staff of the institution, and posted encouraging notes throughout campus. Members of
NSCS at UW-Eau Claire have also participated in a benefit for a local food shelf, volunteered at
a homeless shelter, cheered on athletes with Special Olympics, created care packages for children
in a local hospital, and volunteered with the Eau Claire County Humane Association.
Additionally, our members have mentored and tutored elementary and middle school children
and served as mentors for a college preview day for fifth grade students through our PACE
program. Our chapter is devoted to giving back to the university and to the community. We
believe that it is our responsibility to provide the opportunities for our members to make a
positive impact on the word around us. This exemplifies the incredible reach that our chapter has
had. We are not only dedicated to changing the lives of our members. We are also committed to
creating change in our university, in our community, and in the world.
This summary gave you a quick snapshot into the achievements and successes of the University
of Wisconsin-Eau Claires chapter of NSCS throughout the past year. As you explore the website
we have created, you will see how our chapter exemplifies the pillars of NSCS and embodies the
mission and values of the organization.
We thank you for your consideration.
Amanda M. Rumpca
2014-2015 Chapter President
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire