Katherine and Bruce Rhoades

Dr. Katherine Rhoades, a dedicated alumna who earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from UW-Madison in 1995, established the Katherine A. Rhoades Educational Policy Studies Scholarship to support a graduate student in the field. Following her graduation, she became a professor and later the Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences at UW-Eau Claire before retiring in 2007, then served as a guest professor at Harlaxton University, and later returned to UW-Eau Claire as a part-time Special Assistant to the Chancellor from 2012–2014. Inspired by the invaluable academic experiences she shared with her spouse, Bruce, and their belief in education’s power, this gift serves to “give back” to the university that profoundly impacted her life, notably by teaching her to ask challenging questions and “live the questions” as encouraged by Rainer Maria Rilke, and she considers it an honor and privilege to assist future beneficiaries in their own graduate journeys.