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

Lea Kopke

Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer

Lea Kopke is a fourth-year journalism and German student. This is her seventh semester on The Spectator staff. She plays the clarinet in the Blugold Marching Band and recently relearned how to ride a bike with no hands.

All content by Lea Kopke
We should and do expect the UW-Eau Claire administration to address the issues of racism at an institutional level.

UW system roundup: Schools announce plans for Thanksgiving

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 12, 2020
Co-directors of the Student Senate’s Equity in Student Matters commission Iman Dikko, left, and Stephanie Hoeksema, right, said they believe the new EDI training programs are an important addition to UW-Eau Claire.

UW-Eau Claire releases EDI training programs

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 28, 2020
A mass of people filled the entrance to Terminal 5 on March 14 in the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Customs lines in O’Hare airport unacceptable

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
March 18, 2020
Across the pond

Across the pond

Story by Lea Kopke and Lauren Spierings
March 11, 2020
Across the pond

Across the pond

Story by Lea Kopke and Lauren Spierings
February 27, 2020
Across the pond

Across the pond

Story by Lea Kopke and Lauren Spierings
February 14, 2020
To prepare for an incident like a shooting, the police department takes part in training alongside members of the county police force.

UW-Eau Claire Police discuss campus safety

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 12, 2019
Students gathered outside Schofield on Monday following an organized classroom walk-out in order to protest the racist Snapchat conversation.

UW-Eau Claire students respond to racist Snapchat messages

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 25, 2019
The women’s rugby club will be hosting the first round of the USA Rugby Women’s DII Fall National Championship on Saturday versus the Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Rugby goes to nationals

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 14, 2019
In the summer of 2018 Megan Schleusner participated in a medical internship at Hue Medical College in Hue, Vietnam where she shadowed various health care professionals.

Finding the ‘Why?’ behind the work

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 30, 2019
Each student got a trash bag and pair of latex gloves for cleaning.

Clean neighborhood, happy community

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 16, 2019
The 3-2 conference win over the Falcons put the Blugolds at 9-6 in the season and 1-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Blugold volleyball takes down Falcons

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 2, 2019
From appetite suppressant lollipops to weight loss teas and smoothie detoxes, Instagram has seen a rise in these advertisements.

New Instagram policy not strict enough

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 25, 2019
Gerardo Licón walks in a parade with other members of El Centro de Conexión de Chippewa Valley during the International Fall Festival in 2018.

Latinx History Month: Gerardo Licón

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 18, 2019
Blugolds volleyball left the 2018 season as WIAC conference championships and competitors in the NCAA tournament final four.

Building community and looking ahead

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 12, 2019
Orange tape marks the outline of the land that would need to be purchased by the city of Eau Claire if plans for a roundabout at the intersection of State Street and Roosevelt Avenue were to move forward.

Roundabout roundup

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
May 14, 2019
Madeline Jagodzinski, a student in John Mann’s public history course, speaks about the Schlegelmilch guns during the tour inside the historic Schlegelmilch House.

‘Guns, Bikes and Women’ (Oh my!)

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 30, 2019
Adulting 101

Adulting 101

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 23, 2019
Around 100 volunteers participated in Global Youth Service Day on Saturday.

ECLIPSE students participate in day of service

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 17, 2019
The UWEC Swim Club meets twice a week from 8:30-9:45 on Mondays and Wednesdays and is open to anyone.

Just keep swimming

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 9, 2019
David Kornack, national champion in shot put and national field athlete of the year, poses for a photo.

Throwing off the competition

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 3, 2019
Due to this months record amounts of snow, the chance for the Chippewa River to meet major flood stage is 30 percent, up from a typical likelihood of just 5 percent.

Record snowfall could lead to severe flooding

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
March 12, 2019
Enhancements will be made to Simpson Field starting this summer.

Simpson Field enhancements approved

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
February 20, 2019
The State Theater, located in downtown Eau Claire, originally opened its doors in 1926.

Historic State Theatre enters its next chapter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
February 13, 2019
The Blugolds stay determined despite their losing streak.

UWEC women’s basketball fights against losing streak

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
February 6, 2019
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 12, 2018
 The crowd looks on as a Blugold wrestler takes on UW-Platteville. Next, the Blugolds will wrestle in a dual meet against UW-Stevens Point on Dec. 12.

Wrestling team remains optimistic after string of losses

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 11, 2018
Downtown Eau Claire has been in the process of a revitalization since the early 2000s and DECI played a large role in its transformation.

How Eau Claire’s downtown district came to be

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 10, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 6, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 1, 2018
At Pinehurst Park’s Winter After Hours, attendees can pick up a pair of ice skates to use the skating rink or full size hockey rink.

Winter festivities begin in Eau Claire

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 27, 2018
Local rock n’ roll group FMDown was the driving force behind the organization of the first annual Bad Art Music Festival.

‘Bad Art,’ good music

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 20, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 19, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 14, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 7, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 1, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 24, 2018
Nelson the Doodle showcased his “Prince Hairy” costume.

Happy Howl-O-Ween

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 22, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 17, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 11, 2018
The ensemble musicians deliver a powerful performance on Sunday in Haas Fine Arts Center.

yMusic completes first visit of residency

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 9, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 3, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 26, 2018
Govins farm boasts a variety of fall activities, but the main attraction is its corn maze.

Govin’s Farm: A Cornucopia of fun

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 24, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 19, 2018
Blugold runners competed in the Augsburg Invitational on Sept. 15, where the women’s team placed fifth overall. Individually, Samantha Slattery won the meet with a time of 23:32.7.

Blugold runners aim to keep improving through teamwork

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 18, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 12, 2018
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