Name: ORSP Scholarly Spotlight Series Fall 2026: Kran Dugar and Brent Opall
Start: 2026-10-07
End: 2026-10-07

Little Niagara Creek is a beautiful stream that runs through Putnam Park in Eau Claire.

Little Niagara Creek

Putnam Park is a 230-acre natural area owned by UW-Eau Claire. Most of the park is forested, although there is a small marsh area at the eastern end of the park and a small prairie area at the western end. Most of the park's land was donated to the city of Eau Claire in 1909 by Henry C. Putnam, who wished to see the land remain in its natural state and serve as a botanical laboratory and park in perpetuity. Over the years smaller tracts of land have been added to the original tract donated by Mr. Putnam. Ownership of the park was transferred from the city to the university in 1957. About half of Putnam Park is designated a Wisconsin State Natural Area. [GOOGLE TRAIL MAP HERE](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=14xiHff9Xn7i9M0d-PMGOl19N8XDJ0QQ&ll=44.79826163743604%2C-91.50354549999999&z=14).

Putnam Park

The Artists Series presents excellence in the performing arts, which uplifts the spirit and enlivens the mind. The series presents quality regional, national and international artists, encompassing ballet, modern dance, theatre, world music, jazz, orchestral and chamber music, and intimate recitals. Through the performing arts, the Artists Series seeks to develop aesthetic awareness, promote interdisciplinary appreciation, and cultivate multicultural experience. The Artists Series was created in 1965, when the university's series of convocation programs merged with the Eau Claire Civic Music Association, a community project that began a subscription concert series in 1940. The program is made possible by student fees allocated by the UW-Eau Claire Student Senate. Each year's series is selected by an administrative committee composed of students, faculty-staff and community members.

UW-Eau Claire Artist Series

Cabaret Productions was founded in 1978 to provide experience for UW-Eau Claire Music and Theatre Arts students in arranging and staging a variety show open to all students. Cabaret provides students a valuable practicum during their course of study at the university. Select students, via an application process, performing in this show are on the Leadership team, providing musical arrangements, choreography, staged plays, and the overall traits that make up a respected leader in their field. These Leadership members across the on-stage cast, pit orchestra, technical crew, and administrative teamwork with a cast of 130 students to provide this unique and completely student-run production. Each year, Cabaret Leadership enrolls in courses addressing arranging, choreography, and other areas involved in the production of the musical variety show. Cabaret began with a modest sound system, little staging, and piano accompaniment. Cabaret now involves a 10-month production cycle in which all students work hard on their creativity, craft, and communication skills with business sponsors, school faculty, and each other, creating the wonderful show that you can see today. Cabaret Productions has raised over $300,000 in support of on-going scholarships for dedicated music students in the Voice/Choral Area and Jazz Area at UW-Eau Claire.

UW-Eau Claire Cabaret

It is said that the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is Wisconsin's most beautiful campus. The Forum lecture series contributes to this beauty through the elegance of ideas. The Forum maintains a tradition of being one of the longest continuous programs of its kind in the United States. The series has presented many of the leading personalities in the world since its creation in 1942. President W.R. Davies was the prime mover in establishing The Forum within the first year of his administration, to express his vision of what the college might become as a cultural center. He transformed Eau Claire's after-dinner speakers club into a college-community partnership that selected an average of five speakers a year. Each Forum speaker would lecture for an hour, answer questions for half an hour, and then attend an informal reception. This has been the format of The Forum from its inception.

UW-Eau Claire Forum

The Viennese Ball is a formal event recalling the romance and elegance of 19th-century Vienna, Austria. The event is presented in duplicate each evening and is a much-anticipated fundraiser for music, service and international study scholarships for University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students. Modeled on the historic New Year’s Eve Kaiser Ball, the event transforms all three levels of Davies Center. Guests may waltz in the grand ballroom, swing dance to Big Band standards, polka in the informal festival hall, sing along in the piano bar, and hear showcase performances on the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano. Available throughout Davies Center all through the evening are authentic Austrian specialties, soups, cheeses, sandwiches and brats, tortes and cheesecakes, sparkling wine, Austrian beers, and American-style bar service. A midnight tom-cat breakfast — Katerfrühstück — prepares patrons for their journey home.

UW-Eau Claire Viennese Ball

Browse through this remarkable circular museum featuring more than 500 species of birds collected by James Newman Clark from the 1870's through the 1920's.Two popular exhibits are the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle, which require the University to hold a license to have them.The four dioramas depicting native birds in their natural habitat include: a white pine forest with ruffed grouse, a screech owl pouncing on a mouse, and the now extinct passenger pigeons. This museum will soon move to the Science & Health Sciences building!

James Newman Clark Bird Museum UWEC

Welcome to Indigo Abode where you can enjoy a relaxing stay at this centrally-located place! Escape the hustle & bustle in this quiet home filled with character and warmth. Designed with guests in mind with stylish touches and decor. Walking distance to Zorn Arena, Water Street, UWEC, and the peaceful Putnam trail! After a fun-filled day, craft meals in our fully stocked kitchen and relax in the cozy lower level. With fast Wi-Fi and easy self-check-in, this place is truly a gem!

What You Will Love!

- Modern fixtures and furnishings  
- Nice outdoor space with privacy and outdoor dining  
- Sleep comfortably on our new mattresses  
- Remote workstation with fast wifi  
- 50-inch Smart Tv   
- Well-equipped kitchen & coffee essentials  
- King in Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom  
- Cozy Queen second bedroom  
- Two twin beds and a queen bed in the third bedroom  
- Laundry room with washer and dryer.

  
Contact Liz directly or book on [Airbnb](https://www.airbnb.com/eau-claire-wi/stays) or [Vrbo](https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/wisconsin/wi-north-west/eau-claire).

Indigo Abode

This 3 bed, 2 bath home located in the historic third ward neighborhood of Eau Claire is a great place to experience the city. Located near the University, its tree lined streets give it an old town feel perfect for walking around. Enjoy the privacy of a fenced in yard or relax out front by the firepit! This modern home features 2 bathrooms, in-house Washer & Dyer, Wi-Fi, 55" HDTV, its own Garage & Outdoor Grill, a Treadmill, and a fully stocked kitchen.

Modern 3 Bedroom Vacation Rental

The TruGolf Vista 12 Golf Simulator located in the Hilltop Recreation Center is available for reservation. You can choose to hit balls on the driving range or play a round of golf on one of 42 courses in their library. In addition, their Multisport Simulator is your go-to for a wide array of sports games. You can play action-packed games like soccer, dodgeball, and disc golf. You can even prove your shooting skills with our Western Shooting Gallery. All games offer superb graphics, ensuring a realistic experience. Bring your friends and enjoy the experience of outdoor sports, inside! Visit the website to reserve a 1-hour time slot!

UW-Eau Claire Golf Simulator

The EAC Rental Program at UWEC maintains the largest inventory of outdoor equipment in the Eau Claire area. Equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are heading into the outdoors for a weekend of fun, make the EAC your first stop of all your equipment needs. Visit their website to discover what kind of equipment you can rent along with pricing.

UW - Eau Claire Enviromental Adventure Center

The Eagle's View Challenge Ropes Course offers a series of activities designed for individual and group participation regardless of age, physical limitation or ability level. The mission of this program is to concentrate on individual and group skill development by presenting a series of activities that involve physical and emotional risk with the opportunity to succeed (or sometimes fail) within a supportive group atmosphere.

Participants develop skills in problem solving, communication, decision making, trust, as well as gain a strong sense of self-worth and accomplishment. The Ropes Course experience also promotes calculated risk-taking, enhances leadership and management skills, facilitates organizational change, and builds effective teams.

UW-Eau Claire's Ropes Course is open to community members and visitors on Saturdays from 12pm-6pm and is $20 per person to participate. There is free parking located in the "R" slots. Visit their website to book your time slot!

UW-Eau Claire Ropes Course & Zip Line

Located in western Wisconsin, Eau Claire offers sports planners a destination that's easy to reach, easy to navigate, and ready to host. Just 90 minutes from the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and within driving distance of Chicago, Eau Claire is well positioned to welcome teams, athletes, and fans from across the Midwest.

A versatile mix of indoor and outdoor venues supports events across a wide range of sports and competition levels, with tournament-ready fields, courts, ice facilities, pools, trails, and large-scale indoor spaces. Hotels, restaurants, venues, and visitor amenities are conveniently located throughout the community, making it easy for teams to get where they need to be throughout the event.

Visit Eau Claire's sports team works alongside event organizers to help bring the details together, connecting planners with venues, accommodations, local resources, and destination support.

And there's plenty waiting beyond the competition. Eau Claire's walkable downtown, local restaurants and breweries, miles of trails, public art, live music, family attractions, and the Chippewa River give athletes and their families more to experience between games and after the final whistle.

Eau Claire has the facilities to host the event and the destination experience to make the trip worth it.**** Bring the competition, bring the crowd, and come as you are — Eau Claire is ready to host.

Visit Eau Claire

Dr. Kranti Dugar will present an Experimental Exercise in Sustainable Marketing, and Dr. Brent Opall will present on the research & resource gap between small/medium enterprises and larger firms.

ORSP Scholarly Spotlight Series Fall 2026: Kran Dugar and Brent Opall

Want to learn more about the area and event? Ask our friendly tour guide.

About ORSP Scholarly Spotlight Series Fall 2026: Kran Dugar and Brent Opall

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