UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association honors Angela Pittman Taylor with Blugold Spirit Award

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire alumna Angela Pittman Taylor defines “Blugold spirit” as “the tireless pursuit of excellence in absolutely everything we are and everything we do, wrapped in approachability and framed with humility.”

Angela Pittman Taylor

Pittman Taylor, a 2000 graduate in communication-public relations, is the recipient of this year’s Blugold Spirit Award to be presented at UW-Eau Claire on Oct. 5 as part of Homecoming activities. The award is given to a university supporter who has a true love for the campus, exemplifies excellence in everyday life and strives to share the UW-Eau Claire story.

“I treasure my connection to UWEC and I'm not quiet about it,” says Pittman Taylor, who is a member of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation board.

Pittman Taylor is the director of corporate communications at Baird. In addition, she  leads the company’s Chicago-area brand strategy and advises on the firm’s inclusion and diversity marketing strategy.

As the co-founder and past chair of the UW-Eau Claire Alumni of Color Network, Pittman Taylor engages alumni of color around the country in leadership and networking initiatives to connect with BIPOC students. Pittman Taylor and her friend Angie Hambrick created the Alumni of Color Social Justice and Inclusion Scholarship several years ago and the fund is endowed, providing an annual scholarship.

Pittman Taylor says she always is proud to be a Blugold, and especially proud of how UW-Eau Claire has evolved around equity, diversity and inclusion.

“It is challenging work and though the target keeps moving, the institution is undeterred from its goals of attracting, retaining and graduating an ever more diverse student body,” Pittman Taylor says.

Pittman Taylor received the 2018 UW-Eau Claire Distinguished Alumni Award and has received several other awards recognizing her work and advocacy for others, including:

•     A 2013  “Milwaukee Times” Black Excellence Award.
•     Baird’s 2013 G. Frederick Kasten Supporting Cast Award for outstanding client service.
•     Named a 2011 “Woman of Influence” in the “Behind the Scenes” category by The Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee.

Pittman Taylor received her master’s degree in mass communications from UW-Milwaukee, where she has served as an adjunct instructor.