WHO: Terry Wells
WHAT: Senior lecturer in supply chain and CADE (Center for Advising, Development, and Enrichment) advisor in the College of Business at UW-Eau Claire
LIVES: South of Eau Claire on Highway 93 but moving at end of September to Town of Seymour on Lake Altoona (closer to downtown)
IN THE CITY FOR: Almost 26 years
FAMILY: Husband Brent (31 years); sons Spencer, fashion photography in NYC, and Eric, hip-hop artist (Sayth) in Twin Cities.

By day Terry Wells is a lecturer and advisor in the College of Business at UW-Eau Claire; by night she’s something of a Eau Claire entertainment scene superfan. As her affectionate nickname “Ma Wells” suggests, she is old enough to be the mother of many of the performers at the music and comedy shows she frequents; in fact, she literally is the mother of Eric Wells, aka Sayth, a prolific Eau Claire/Twin Cities hip-hop artist and promoter. In 23 years at UWEC she has taught more than 6,000 students and she advises as many as 140 annually, yet she still finds time to attend and promote countless shows – from Phoenix Park concerts to living room gigs – and Blugold athletic events as well as to serve as, in her words, “a cheerleader for all things EC.” Here she opens up about her nickname, why artists don’t care about an audience’s age, and the fictional city employee Eau Claire can learn from.

Volume One: What place in town considers you a “regular”?

Terry Wells: At UWEC my regular classroom is Schneider 315, The Plus, Red Room, Phoenix Park, Shanghai Bistro.

What is one of the best cultural experiences you’ve had in the Chippewa Valley?

Hudson House shows: So many different genres of music with each musician supporting each other – my support is vocal as well as baked goods and cash for gas.

What is your favorite local festival?

The new Eaux Claires festival and pre-party at Firehouse. We hosted nine visitors (from NYC, New Zealand, Seattle, Twin Cities, and Madison). Eric and friends hosted a preparty at the Firehouse that could have gone all night and then two more days of music with my son Spencer taking photos for Stereogum. Discovered some new bands and partied with some great EC people as well as my guests. Looking forward to next summer already.

There’s a Facebook fan page describing you as “The official mother of Eau Claire.” How did that moniker come about?

Many of my son’s friends thought of me as a second mom growing up. As those kids got older and began creating content and throwing events, the name Ma Wells became my nickname. Many students (especially in my student group) think of me that way as well.

You spend a lot of time at concerts and comedy shows, etc., where I imagine the crowds are filled with 20-somethings. What do you say to people who worry they are “too old” to go out?

Artists of all genres want an audience – they do not care about your age. More voices singing their songs, more people dancing to their music, more laughter at their jokes, more local support – all of these matter. Hardest part is that so much happens late at night. I try to go out early and then stay out. This weekend, I plan to attend the 6pm Blugold football game and then head straight to the House of Rock for the Standup Getdown 3 comedy event.  

In your professional life, you advise and teach college students at UWEC. What’s the best advice you can give to a struggling student?

First of all, you must go to class. Then, talk to your professor. Third, talk to your advisor. Our campus has so many tutoring labs and people who genuinely care about your well-being but you must reach out to them.

Death bed, one meal from a local restaurant, what would it be? 

Love the chicken pesto salad at Grand Avenue, but for me it is really who I am with, not what I am eating.

Water Street or Downtown?

Both: The Joynt and  House of Rock on Water Street. The Plus, Red Room, and library downtown.

South side or north side?

Both sides, all sides! I grew up in Milwaukee and love that I can get to anywhere in 15 minutes in EC.

What could be done to improve economic development in Eau Claire?

Really complex question that I would need a few pages to answer. I am excited about what is taking shape downtown right now.

What book, TV show, or movie would you recommend to the members of the City Council?

Just got done with Season 6 of Parks and Rec. How do you not love Leslie Knope – can she work for EC?

What’s your favorite Oakwood Mall store?

Younkers, but I like to shop local (Encore, Twisted Pantry, Mainstream Boutique, The Local Store).

If you could rename Eau Claire with a different French name, what would it be? Why?

Eau Claire is perfect name for this city. My husband and I chose EC for the beauty of the surroundings – water, hills, trees – and the educational quality in the state of Wisconsin.