FALCON F E A T U R E S THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS
Fall 2014
Alumni of Momentum From the Campaign
Distinction
…naturally.
UWRF Professor Heads Up National Organization Donor Societies, We Thank You! Upcoming Alumni Events
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in this issue
Interactive Classroom Goodbye lecture hall, hello innovation...... 5
Campaign Highlights Ahead of schedule......................................10
Distinguished Alumna Julie Bushman.............................................15
Alumni of Distinction A few of our shining stars...........................16
Sections Up Front...............................................4 Along the South Fork....................... 5 Sports.................................................23 Alma Matters.....................................25 2013-14 Donors.................................34
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Cover photo, Alumna Megan Elder, ‘99
GREEN GREEN ‘Grass’ of Home Having returned to River Falls for a tribute celebration held in his honor, Mike Farley, UWRF head football coach from 1970 through 1988, led the 2014 Falcons onto the newly installed AstroTurf at Ramer Field on Sept. 25. Farley, who led the Falcons to eight WIAC championships and a NAIA national playoff berth, finished his career with a 117-71-3 record. About 100 alumni and friends attended the tribute at Ramer Field and about 200 attended a banquet held that night. The turf was installed at Ramer Field just in time for the 2014 Homecoming football game held Oct. 4. To read more about the turf installation, turn to page 23.
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FALCON FEATURES
up front
Volume 62. Number 1. Fall 2014 University of Wisconsin-River Falls 410 S. 3rd Street River Falls, WI 54022
with Chancellor Dean Van Galen
715-425-3505 or 1-877-258-6647 falconfeatures@uwrf.edu www.uwrf.edu/alumni
Greetings from River Falls where projects supported by our strategic plan, Pathway to Distinction, and our first-ever comprehensive campaign, Rising to Distinction, are energizing and transforming our university. This summer work began on the construction of the $63.5 million Falcon Center and the renovation of David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field. These two projects, which were made possible by the generous support of our alumni and friends, will provide state-of-theart classrooms, laboratories, recreational spaces, and athletic venues. In addition to improving the wellness and education of our students, the Falcon Center will greatly enhance our ability to attract and retain outstanding students. Speaking of outstanding students, we recently welcomed our third class of Falcon Scholars to campus. Upon admission to UW-River Falls, Falcon Scholars are awarded a four-year $1,000 per year scholarship (funded through gifts to the Rising to Distinction campaign) and $2,000 for a study abroad or research experience during their junior or senior year. Selection of Falcon Scholars is based on a variety of factors including financial need and academic potential. We are thrilled with the impact this program is having on student success and retention. The first to second year retention rate for Falcon Scholars is nearly 90%, which is significantly higher than that of all students with a similar ACT profile. With another incoming class of 80, we now have more than 200 Falcon Scholars on campus. The Falcon Scholars program is an outstanding example of how we are meeting our Pathway to Distinction goal of Distinctive Academic Excellence. International Students are another growing population of dynamic students at UW-River Falls. As a measure of success for our Pathway to Distinction goal of Global Education and Engagement, we set a target of enrolling 147 international students by 2017. This fall we already have more than 250 international students attending UW-River Falls. Much of this growth has been fueled by the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program. Due to UWRF’s welcoming environment and strengths in agriculture and the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, the Brazilian government views UWRF as an outstanding partner as Brazil looks to increase their country’s level of scientific research. This past spring, just prior to the UW System Board of Regents meeting at UWRiver Falls, we opened the Center for Innovation and Business Development (CIBD), a signature program related to our Pathway to Distinction goal of Innovation and Partnerships. The purpose of the CIBD is to leverage the resources of our university to support economic growth in our region and state. One of those resources is the talent possessed by students in our full-time MBA program. By assigning our talented MBA students to meet the needs of local businesses, such as the development of marketing and business plans, we are providing our students with outstanding work experience and offering a low cost option for consulting services to small businesses that they may otherwise not be able to afford. The ultimate goal of each of these projects is to continue our rich tradition of educating students. This tradition is profoundly demonstrated by the alumni profiles you will read in this edition of Falcon Features. Our alumni, their accomplishments, and the benefits they are bringing to their fellow citizens, are the greatest testament to the success of our university. Please enjoy this edition of Falcon Features and I hope to see or hear from you in the near future.
Falcon Features is published once a year by the UW-River Falls Foundation and the UW-River Falls Alumni Association. Parents: If this issue is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer lives at home, please contact the Advancement Office at the address above and provide a correct mailing address. If you prefer to call, the number is 715-425-3505 or 1-877-258-6647. We appreciate your assistance. Postmaster: Send form 3579 to Falcon Features, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI 54022. Falcon Features strives to: • educate readers on significant challenges facing the campus, the region, the nation and the world; • enlighten readers on the wealth of expertise represented by faculty, staff, students and alumni; • encourage readers to take an active role in the mission of UWRF; and • entertain readers with stimulating writing, striking photography and dynamic design. We welcome your reactions and input. You are encouraged to contact us at the address above. EDITORIAL TEAM Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement Chris Mueller Editor
Blake Fry
Art Director
Tony Bredahl ’86
Contributors Blake Fry Miranda Hammel Beth Schommer Jim Thies Deb Toftness Photography Kathy Helgeson Design and Illustration Tony Bredahl ’86 Ritch Ellingson ’87 Karen Zander UW-RIVER FALLS ADMINISTRATION Chancellor
Dean Van Galen
Provost
Fernando Delgado
Assistant Chancellor for Business and Finance Elizabeth Frueh Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement Chris Mueller Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Gregg Heinselman Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Student Success Kris Anderson Special Assistant to the Chancellor Blake Fry Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Dale Gallenberg Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Brad Caskey ‘80 Dean, College of Business and Economics Michael Fronmueller
Dean Van Galen, Chancellor
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Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies Larry Solberg
along the south fork A Summary of Noteworthy Events, Milestones, Programs, Happenings. UWRF Biology Department Honored by UW System Board of Regents In June, the Board of Regents honored the UWRF Biology Department with the Regents Teaching Excellence Award, the highest recognition for a department in the UW System. Biology was selected for its lead role in improving undergraduate biology education. Here are some of the reasons why: Freshman research initiative: The Biology Department is part of a nationwide program which creates hands-on freshman research opportunities in the field of phage genomics, sponsored by the Science Education Alliance of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). First-year students not only get to make significant contributions to the field but they also learn how to think like scientists, as they isolate, name, sequence, and analyze newly-discovered soil bacteriophages. In 2013 freshmen biology majors at UWRF won the HHMI Grand Challenge, a national research competition (see the ‘HHMI’ video on the university’s YouTube link). Other freshmen biology majors conduct original research on factors responsible for colony decline in honeybees, funded in part by local and state agricultural organizations.
Physics students utilizing Active Learning Classroom in Hagestad Hall.
Hagestad Hall Active Learning Classroom Alumni from the 1990s will remember it as Brandy’s; those from the 1960’s-1980’s may recall it as a bowling alley and recreation area. Either way, this recently unused space in the basement of Hagestad Hall has been converted to a showcase of UWRF’s distinctive academic excellence. Spring saw the implementation of UWRF’s first Active Learning Classroom (ALC), an $850,000 project funded by the UW System to enable instructors to teach in a new way that is proven to enhance student learning. Based on the pedagogical notion that students learn best in small groups, by doing, and by explaining to their peers, these new spaces actually allow more information to be learned and retained. Visit UWRF’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/ user/uwriverfallsvideos) to view the space and meet Jamie Schneider, an associate professor of chemistry, who first suggested the idea for UWRF after having taught in a similar setting at the University of Minnesota.
The Hagestad Hall ALC is used primarily to teach chemistry and physics, while additional ALC’s will be created in South Hall and in the new Falcon Center.
National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency Grants: Staff in the Biology Department were given 19 years of continuous funding by NSF to develop award-winning educational computer simulations and associated cases, used by biology educators worldwide (www.caseitproject.org). Staff have also participated in EPA studies of the Great Lakes ecosystem in collaboration with other universities in the U.S. and Canada. Recently, biology staff have became involved with the GREAT (Graduate-Retain-Engage-Advise-Teach) Falcon project, an NSF project developed and led by faculty of the UWRF Chemistry Department in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office. International research opportunities: Embodying the campus’s strategic goals of globalization and innovation, biology students take part in international research experiences. This includes a unique program in Taiwan that enables them to work with researchers studying extracts from Chinese herbs and marine species on a zebra fish model, with the goal of identifying drug solutions for heart failure in humans. Another example is the opportunity to work in research laboratories at the Karolinska Institute, the institute that awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. “I am honored to recognize the outstanding educators [of the UWRF Biology Department] who are so dedicated to making sure their students are well-prepared to take on the world. They set an exceptional example,” said UW System President Ray Cross.” One of the largest departments at UWRF, the biology program serves students interested in human and animal health, laboratory research, field biology, and secondary and high school education. The department works to provide increased opportunities for students following graduation, including entry into prestigious programs such as the Surgical First Assistant program at Mayo Clinic. The department was honored to accept the Regents Teaching Excellence Award on behalf of their students.
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along the south fork
Brazilian students enjoy the 50th Annual Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo at the Campus Farm on September 13.
More International Students than Ever
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UW-River Falls had set a goal of 147 international students enrolled by 2017 and, three years ahead of schedule, not only achieved that target but surpassed it. UWRF welcomed 150 students to campus in the 2013-14 academic year from 19 countries including Brazil, China, Taiwan, Germany and Canada.
student so I could stay longer,” said Kevin Leor, a UWRF student from Mexico.
“I first came to UWRF as an exchange student and only planned to stay for a short time. I enjoyed life here so much that I changed to a degree-seeking
While enrollment figures are not yet official for the fall 2014 semester, it is estimated that more than 250 international student are enrolled at UWRF this year.
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“I am not just a number here at UWRF, my professors know me and want to learn about who I am and where I come from,” said Sohana Badhon, a UWRF student from Bangladesh.
New Leadership in the College of Business and Economics The UWRF College of Business and Economics (CBE) is under new leadership as of July 1. New Dean Michael Fronmueller is looking forward to building on the strengths of the growing college, many of which can be credited to his predecessor, Glenn Potts, who retired in June after 38 years at UW-River Falls. “I was impressed by the excellent faculty, staff, and students I met as part of the search for a new dean, and the strong support for UW-River Falls from the community,” said Fronmueller. “I am excited to become part of the College of Business and Economics and the university as they continue to build on their role as major assets for the St. Croix Valley and beyond. As a globally aware and connected business school recognized for its excellent programs, we are well positioned to respond to major opportunities and to weather the challenges ahead.” A frequently published researcher on topics as diverse as the mortgage crisis, health care reform, and MOOC’s, Fronmueller holds a Ph.D. from Washington State University and an M.B.A. from Eastern Washington University. He is also an engaged community leader having served on the boards of economic development and health care organizations. He most recently served as Dean of the Hasan School of Business at Colorado State University-Pueblo and has held academic leadership positions at Le Moyne College, California State University-Northridge, the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and Boise State University. The College of Business and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction earned by fewer than five percent of the world’s business schools. Learn more about CBE and its programs at www.uwrf.edu/CBE.
UWRF Helps Adult Learners Reach Their Goals The UW-River Falls College of Business and Economics Adult Degree Completion (ADC) program, which began with an enrollment of 20 students in 2010, reached a milestone of 100 students this past fall semester. Seventeen students have already graduated from the program with their Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. “It has truly been a pleasure finishing my degree with UWRF’s help,” said Michael Williamson. “The ADC program’s flexibility and the great professors affiliated with the program have a real-world understanding that is invaluable and I am glad I was pushed to succeed.” The UWRF ADC programs are designed for adult students who have some college credit but never completed their degree. The programs offer flexible class formats on campus, online, and condensed-format evening courses at the UWRF Hudson Center, located just minutes from I-94 in Hudson. UWRF also offers bachelor’s degree completion programs in other fields including: Adult Degree Completion student • Computer Science Teresa Kosmas receiving her diploma. • Law Enforcement • Early Childhood Education • Health and Wellness Management (100 percent online) • Geographic Information Science • Sustainable Management (100 percent online)
North Hall Auditorium Renovations 2014 marks North Hall’s centennial. For 100 years, students, faculty and, administration have enjoyed this elegant landmark. The faded and underutilized North Hall auditorium is in the process of getting a much-needed makeover. A renovation budget of $1.4 million was approved in the 2011-13 UW-System Classroom/Instructional Technology Improvement Capital Budget, of which $346,000 will come from UWRiver Falls. Budget cuts and new state building commission regulations somewhat slowed the project, originally slated to begin in spring 2014. With the blueprints on the table, Tim Thum, senior facilities engineer at UWRF and renovation project manager, said the auditorium space is being brought up-to-date on lighting and heating codes. All seating will be replaced and downsized from the current 582 seats to 356 with new chairs featuring foldout attached desks. Also included in the renovation are: painting and plaster repairs, ventilation system upgrades, raising the stage and the addition of air conditioning. The biggest aesthetic change involves the north windows that originally looked out on a courtyard but were closed when the building was remodeled. The windows will be artificially reopened, renovated in a way to mimic the original outside exposure. Renovations are expected to be finished by spring semester 2015.
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along the south fork Fulbright Grant Winners at UW-River Falls UW-River Falls is proud to have sent several of its alumni and faculty abroad through the prestigious Fulbright Program. This program, the United States flagship of international educational exchange, is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Some 1,200 highly competitive, merit-based grants are awarded annually through the U.S. Department of State. Dozens of Fulbright Scholars have gone on to win Nobel Prizes and Pulitzer Prizes. UWRF Fulbright Scholars H. Gaylon Greenhill (’58, social science); retired Chancellor, UW-Whitewater. University of Oslo, Norway, 1960-61
Distinguished Teacher 2014: Earl Blodgett As a child growing up in Boyceville, physics Professor Earl Blodgett knew he would go to college at UWRF, just like his mother, Orris, who earned a degree in elementary education at UWRF in 1968. Also at an early age he knew he would study physics like his older sister, Beth, and began taking university classes the summer before his senior year of high school. He went on to graduate from UW-River Falls in 1980 with a B.S. in physics. Blodgett was an involved participant in campus life, competing in cross country and track and field all four years and was an active member of the UWRF chapter of the national Society of Physics Students (SPS), a prestigious organization he now advises. While finishing his Ph.D. on the acoustics of musical instruments and ultrasonic wave propagation at Washington University in St. Louis, Blodgett had to decide between a research position in Iowa and a full-time teaching position at UW-River Falls. He put his love for teaching above his love for research and is still happy with his decision 28 years later. Humbly overwhelmed at the recognition of being honored as the 2014 Distinguished Teacher, Blodgett attributes part of his success to his undergraduate advisor, Professor Emeritus Curt Larson. Larson embodied the importance of having enthusiasm for your subject and showing your students that you care about their success, traits Blodgett has clearly implemented in his own classroom. In his 15 years serving on the national council for SPS, Blodgett was the zone counselor for six years, the national president for two years, and is completing his fifth year as historian. He is also a member of two other professional physics organizations, the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Acoustical Society. Informed by his exposure to the national array of higher education, Blodgett knows for certain that the UW-River Falls physics program is outstanding. His contributions have surely helped make it so. The Distinguished Teacher Award has been presented each year since 1965. Chosen by graduating seniors and recent graduates, recipients represent talented and caring faculty who make a difference. View a list of all 50 recipients at www.uwrf.edu/Awards/Teachers.
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Thomas J. Knutson (’65, sociology; speech communication); professor emeritus of Communication Studies at California State University. Korea, 1992; Russia, 1996; and Thailand, 2003 Marshall Toman, professor of English at UWRF (1988-present). Palacky University and Masaryk University in the Czech Republic (senior lecturer), 1997-98; Ukraine, 2008-09* Peter Johansson, UWRF professor emeritus of German. Germany, 1992 Betty Bergland, UWRF professor emerita of history. Norway, 1997-98 Patricia Berg, UWRF professor of journalism (1998-present). Bosnia, 2009-10* Meg Swanson, UWRF professor emerita of communication studies & theatre arts. Bosnia, 2010-11* Matthew Vonk, UWRF associate professor of physics (2004-present). Nicaragua, 2010-11 * Indicates grant was awarded but the individual had to decline the international position due to extenuating circumstances or for personal reasons.
PROFile
In January, just six and a half years into his career at UW-River Falls, school psychology Assistant Professor Todd Savage was elected president of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). An affirmation of the strength of the UWRF School Psychology program, Savage will be taking over for incumbent Sally Baas, a 1990 UWRF alumna and the 2013 College of Education and Professional Studies Distinguished Alumna Award recipient. Falcon Features sat down with Savage to learn more about his teaching and what he hopes to achieve during his NASP presidency. Q: What messages do you try to get across to your students? A: My passion is around diversity and inclusion, so that is an emphasis infused throughout the entire program. The thing I continually come back to though is that it’s all about relationships. You can have the best curriculum, teachers, instructional practices, but it doesn’t amount to much if you don’t have a relationship with the kiddos sitting in front of you and
Todd Savage
their families. Your love and compassion and excitement for children is
Assistant Professor School Psychology
and grade, what you do won’t matter; you have to get to know people at a
Education: B.A., University of Minnesota M.S., Ed.S., University of Kentucky Ph.D., School Psychology, University of Kentucky Interests Include: culturally-responsive education; culturallyresponsive psychology; social justice issues; cooperative learning; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues as they apply to school and counseling settings.
great, but if you don’t know anything about them besides their name, age, deeper level. Q: What is NASP? A: The National Association of School Psychologists is a 45-year-old association that represents interests of school psychologists throughout the country. The association has 25,000 members and is one of the largest associations in the field. Around 75 percent of the nation’s school psychologists are members. Q: How does it feel to be the second UWRF affiliate in a row to take the helm of this national organization? A: We (the UWRF School Psychology Department) couldn’t be more overjoyed: it’s the little program that could! After Sally’s election, it seemed like the perfect time for me to run and try to continue UWRF’s successful leadership. My having been elected is a great honor, and also speaks to the institution and our students. Q: What kinds of duties will you be performing as president? A: The president is the face of NASP and an ambassador for the profession. I’ll speak at more than two dozen state association meetings, as well as represent the association in Washington D.C. on Capitol Hill. I will likely meet with students and listen to them, as well as speak with practitioners to get a feel for their concerns and issues. I can then act as liaison for their interests to the organization. For the year of my presidency, I won’t be teaching but I am sure my experience will enhance what I can offer students at UW-River Falls when I return to the classroom.
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rising to distinction
Three years into the Rising to Distinction campaign, our efforts have proven to be well grounded. The following pages provide a quick look into the progress made thanks to the support of our alumni and friends.
A Falcon Center and Ramer Field Milestone On May 2, the epic tale of the UW-River Falls Falcon Center took one joyful step forward. A celebratory groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the first phase of construction on the new Health and Human Performance facility, which has been in the planning stages since 1999. The David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field is also undergoing a long-awaited transformation. After nearly 10 years of unsuccessful budget requests to the State, the project was finally approved and funds were designated in the 2011-13 biennium. The Falcon Center for Health, Education, and Wellness has a total cost of $63,500,000, of which the UW-River Falls Foundation has committed to raising $2,000,000 through the generous support of alumni and friends. Several who have donated to the cause have done so in recognition of their experiences on campus, or to honor former faculty and staff such as Emogene Nelson, Rick Bowen and Don Page. In the words of one donor, “This new center will be much more than just a building or athletics venue; it is an investment in the quality of the college experience for the students of tomorrow.�
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Of the combined private fundraising goals for the Falcon Center and Ramer Renovation projects, nearly $600,000 in donations still needs to be raised. Brick sponsorships start at $250, locker sponsorships at $500 ($250 for graduates of 2000 or later). It is still possible to name athletic, academic, or recreational spaces, starting at $10,500. A challenge from an anonymous donor will provide a 50% match on all new naming gifts up to $100,000 in contributions. Donate today at go.uwrf.edu/giving or call the UWRF Foundation at 877-258-6647. Substantial completion of the Falcon Center is estimated for August 2017. A video about the Falcon Center project is available for viewing at www.youtube.com/user/uwriverfallsvideos. To keep up-to-date on project progress or to view current renderings and design plans, visit www.uwrf.edu/falconcenter.
Strategic Support from Hubbard Broadcasting The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation has made a campaign commitment of $100,000 to support strategic plan initiatives of UWRF. In announcing this grant from their family’s charitable foundation, Hubbard Broadcasting Chairman and CEO Stan Hubbard said, “We are very impressed with the educational and research accomplishments at UWRF, and we are very pleased to be able to help in their important work by supporting the university’s strategic plan, Pathway to Distinction.” Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., operated by the Hubbard family, owns KSTPTV, KSTC-TV, KS95-FM, ESPN 1500-AM, and MyTalk 107.1-FM in the Twin Cities. In addition to numerous other television and radio stations across the country, HBI owns F & F Productions in Clearwater, Fla., and REELZ Channel, a national cable and satellite channel headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M.
$1,080 $969
Average Scholarship Average Awarded Scholarship (mean) Awarded (mean)
70 84
546 720
Scholarships of Scholarships of $2,000 $2,000 or or more more
Total # of
$950,000 $668,686 Total $ of Scholarships Total $ of Awarded Scholarships Awarded
Total # of Student Recipients Student Recipients
$1,000 $723
Average Average Scholarship Scholarship Awarded Awarded (median) (median)
“We are grateful for the support of Stan Hubbard, Kari Hubbard Rominski, and the Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation in supporting strategic initiatives of UW-River Falls,” said Dean Van Galen, UWRF Chancellor. “As the only fouryear university in Wisconsin’s fastest growing region, this gift will enhance our efforts to sustain and create new distinctive academic programs.”
690 880
Total # Total # of of Scholarships Scholarships Awarded Awarded
2014-15 Scholarship Statistics
Rising to Distinction Campaign Goal: $20,000,000 Through September 30, 2014: $16,002,997.64 $8 Million
GOAL
TO DATE Falcon Scholar, Claire Wiechman, speaks about the Rising to Distinction campaign, its progress and impact.
$6 Million Scholarships - One of our campaign’s highest goals is to continue to help students financially through established and new scholarships. Faculty Support - Provide endowed faculty positions and awards to continue the development of our excellent faculty and staff. GOAL TO DATE GOAL
Capital - Building projects being funded during the campaign include the new Falcon Center, renovation of the David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field and other strategic facilities updates on campus.
TO DATE
Colleges, Units and Programs - Enhancing the university’s four major colleges along with athletics and university programs.
TO DATE
FALCON FUND
CAPITAL
COLLEGES, UNITS AND PROGRAMS
GOAL TO DATE
FACULTY SUPPORT
SCHOLARSHIPS
$2 Million
FUND FOR DISTINCTION
GOAL
$4 Million
GOAL TO DATE
Fund for UWRF - Support for our unrestricted fund used to meet the university’s priorities in academic programs, alumni communications, technological improvements and scholarship management. Fund for Distinction - Supporting the planning, development and implementation of the university’s stratgic plan, Pathway to Distinction.
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rising to distinction UWRF Prepares to Train the Next Generation of Dairy Industry Leaders The UW-River Falls Dairy Pilot Plant opened in 1982 when students were first taught the basics of dairy processing, making cheese and ice cream by hand. Today, as the dairy industry is booming and there is heightened demand for graduates educated in dairy foods production, UWRF’s continued use of 30-year-old equipment risks falling short in preparing graduates for the workforce. That is why the dairy industry has stepped in to partner with the State and the university to fund the installation of an expanded and modernized production facility at UWRF. More than $2 million dollars has already been committed to the renovation project to ensure the university’s relevancy in the dairy industry with regards to education and training, while introducing stateof-the-art processing, food safety, and bio-security features. With a growing student interest in dairy product processing and manufacturing, the renovated plant will allow for increased cheese and ice cream production throughout the year. Today there are more than 20 flavored cheeses and 30 different flavors of ice cream made by UWRF students using milk from the dairy herd on the UWRF Mann Valley Farm. Student workers in the plant are involved in every aspect of dairy manufacturing from picking up and hauling the raw milk to packaging and marketing the final products. The plant is an integral component of academic programming in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, and the college is reinforcing its emphasis on teaching in-demand disciplines, which include food technology, processing, and plant management skills. A new faculty hire will soon be made in food and process engineering and a new minor created in food processing technology, which can be chosen by students interested in a career in dairy food processing while majoring in a related discipline, such as agricultural business or dairy science. The total cost of the project is estimated at $3.5 million. The renovation project was approved by the State of Wisconsin in June and the design phase is underway. The renovated facility, which includes more attractive, convenient access to the popular Falcon Foods store, is scheduled to be completed by December 2016. To donate to the project, visit go.uwrf.edu/giving. Select “Other” and type in “Dairy Pilot Plant Renovation.” If you work for an industry interested in providing a sponsorship or a gift of equipment, contact Michelle Farner, Dairy Pilot Plant Manager, at 715-425-3702, or michelle.farner@uwrf.edu. For more information about the renovation and for a video visit to the existing facility, visit www.youtube.com/user/uwriverfallsvideos . UWRF-made cheese and ice cream can be ordered online from Falcon Foods at www.uwrf.edu/ANFS/FalconFoods . Attractive gift boxes are deliverable anywhere in the country. Photos: The Dairy Pilot Plant in action.
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UWRF Education
Goes (even more) Global Abby F., UWRF Animal Science major, and Ana H., researcher at Morigenos Slovenian Marine Mammal Society, studying dolphins in Piran, Slovenia.
In June 2014, UW-River Falls joined the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative (www.iie.org/ generationstudyabroad) which aims to double the number and diversity of the American students who study abroad by the end of the decade. UWRiver Falls will increase the number of its students who study abroad each year from 310 to 400 over the next five years. “The ultimate aim, as identified in UW-River Falls’ strategic plan, is to enhance global education and engagement”, said to Chancellor Dean Van Galen. “With the focus and energy of the international education unit
John Butler, Ph.D., makes a presentation during Homecoming 2013, comparing American and European education systems.
working directly with academic colleges and specific faculty, UW-River Falls is confident it can achieve the goal it set for itself.” Part of ensuring this success means UW-River Falls must pursue philanthropic support for students engaged in education abroad programs. Thankfully, an increasing number of scholarship donors are choosing to support funds for students studying internationally. One of the most inspiring is the fundraising challenge recently launched by 1961 graduate John E. Butler. Butler feels so passionately about allowing students the opportunity to access semester-long scientific research experiences in Europe that he provided a $50,000 challenge gift to create the John E. Butler International Research Scholarship. His goal is to make $100,000 available in scholarship support through both annual and endowed funds. More than half of the challenge has been met and UWRF is now seeking additional contributors, while Butler himself plans later to add additional funds to the program. “This is not just a research opportunity, but a cultural experience that can last a lifetime,” Butler said. The youngest of seven children raised on a family farm near Rice Lake, Butler needed to work to put himself through school before going on to have a successful international career in veterinary immunology research.
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rising to distinction UWRF and Oscar Mayer: Partners in Animal Welfare Oscar Mayer has teamed up with UW-River Falls to improve animal welfare in the meat industry. This three-year partnership will train the next generation of animal welfare leaders, including farmers, scientists, processors and veterinarians. The goal is to find solutions that are right for the environment and animals and sustainable for suppliers and their farm families. For UWRF, this means: • Kurt Vogel, Ph.D., an assistant professor of animal science who has studied with famed animal welfare expert Temple Grandin, has been named the Kraft Foods/Oscar Mayer faculty scholar. • The animal science program at UWRF will be enhanced with new courses focusing on complex animal welfare issues and procedures. • Students will be given opportunities to research food animal welfare and gain hands-on experience assessing animal welfare practices. • Eventually, a public, online resource that addresses relevant animal welfare issues will be developed. “Through this partnership, we are teaching the next generation of animal welfare professionals how to properly treat and evaluate livestock,” said Vogel. “The commitment Oscar Mayer is making to our students really shows that they understand the role they can play in improving animal welfare.”
An Attitude of Gratitude This spring, UW-River Falls joined more than 200 other educational institutions around the world in the second annual Student Engagement and Philanthropy Day. This global initiative strives to educate campuses about the importance of giving back, while also giving students an opportunity to show their appreciation.
Jim Musel, ’88, with Dean Glenn Potts.
CBE Students Get a Dr. Glenn Potts Financial Trading Room Thanks to UWRF Alumni When they learned that beloved professor and dean Glenn Potts would soon retire after 38 years on campus, several past business and economics students decided to honor him for the profound impact he made in their lives. Thanks to their generous donations, the Dr. Glenn Potts Financial Trading Room will soon be accessible to students studying finance, economics, and accounting. Students will be able to gain valuable hands-on investing and portfolio management experience and become certified with a Bloomberg Terminal. The college will also establish a student investment committee which will manage a $30,000 fund provided by the UWRF Foundation. The students will have to research funds, justify transactions, and report on activities to the Foundation’s Finance Committee, providing them an invaluable experience for their careers. The Financial Trading Room would not have been possible without a generous lead gift from Jim Musel, ’88, business administration and economics. He saw it as both a way to contribute to helping future students succeed and as a way to honor his former teacher and academic advisor. “I think what separates UWRF from other schools is how much teachers actually care about students and help them succeed,” Musel said. “I think over time the Trading Room is going to make the UWRF College of Business and Economics more competitive with bigger schools in the Twin Cities area, and it should spark the interest of more students in the financial markets. Understanding capital markets is going to be increasingly beneficial for students studying economics, finance or accounting.” Musel’s gift inspired several former classmates, including Chief Financial Officer of Fastenal Dan Florness (’86, economics), prompting Fastenal, Inc. to make a significant contribution to assure the Trading Room’s place within the college.
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UW-RIVER FALLS ALUMNI AWARDS
Bushman
Neuhaus
Distinguished Alumna Award 2014
Outstanding Young Alumnus 2014
Julie Bushman, a top executive at 3M, was named the 2014 UW-River Falls Distinguished Alumnus. Julie graduated in 1983 with degrees in business administration and communicative disorders. Originally from Ellsworth, she joined 3M as a materials control analyst. During the past 30 years she has risen through the ranks to become one of 3M’s leaders, currently holding the title of Senior Vice President for Business Transformation and Information Technology. In 2012, Julie served as the UWRF College of Business and Economics Executive-inResidence and spoke on campus to students about significant organizational change.
In 2014, UWRF adopted a new tradition to recognize the accomplishments of graduates from the past 15 years. Max Neuhaus, a 2000 graduate, is the first to be acknowledged for having excelled in both professional and civic realms relatively soon after college.
Julie has served as the 3M United Way Community Giving Campaign Chair and on the 3M Foundation Board. She currently serves as a Johnson Controls, Inc Director. UWRF has chosen a Distinguished Alumnus for the past 55 years. Each year, a committee made up of faculty, students and alumni selects one remarkable alumnus out of several nominees, based on their outstanding professional accomplishments, contributions to society, and connection to the university. Read full biographies at www.uwrf.edu/Awards/Alumni
After receiving his B.S in political science and Master’s in education at UWRF, he obtained his J.D. from the Hamline School of Law in 2008. Max is a partner at Rodli, Beskar, Neuhaus, Murray & Pletcher, S.C. in River Falls, where he specializes in real estate, business, and family law. He serves as lead prosecutor for the cities of River Falls and Hudson, as well as a judge appointed mediator, guardian ad litem and special prosecutor. Max has stayed engaged with UW-River Falls in many ways, including as a guest lecturer and adjunct professor in the field of business law. He is very active in the River Falls community, and is enthusiastically involved in organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, the River Falls Education Foundation, where he is a founding director, the River Falls Public Library Foundation, and the Saint Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program.
Fife
Lifetime Achievement Award 2014 Recognizing the accomplishments of alumni who have shown exceptional service and leadership throughout their career while remaining connected to their alma mater, the first recipient of the newly established Lifetime Achievement Award is Dr. Brian Fife. A 1995 graduate in biotechnology, Brian obtained his Ph.D. in immunology and microbial pathogenesis from Northwestern University Medical School in 2001. He is currently a leading expert on autoimmune diabetes, working as an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School in the Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases. He has already achieved an impressive amount of success in terms of research funding, including grants from the National Institutions of Health and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Brian has an outstanding academic publication record, with articles in Nature Immunology, Journal of Clinical Immunology, and the Journal of Experimental Medicine. He continues to collaborate closely with the UW-River Falls Biology Department, offering students unique undergraduate research opportunities, mentoring them as they apply to graduate programs and supporting UWRF laboratories with donated equipment. He also
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alumni of distinction
Alumni of
Distinction… Cultivating Success.
DAVID & MELVIN DANZINGER Like many UWRF students interested in studying agriculture
gotten out of hand” has earned the brothers unexpected
at a high-quality university, 1970 graduates and brothers
acclaim. With more than 9,000 vines on 18 acres in the
David and Melvin Danzinger from Alma didn’t have far to
Mississippi River Valley, their winery in Alma is classed as
go. Little did they know that their respective degrees in
mid-sized, one of 70 in the state. Both the Wisconsin State
agricultural education and soil science would one day lead
Fair Professional Wine Competition and the International
them to owning the 2013 Winery of the Year, as named by the
Cold Climate Wine Competition in Minnesota have awarded
Wisconsin Winery Association.
Danzinger Vineyards wines with Best of Show, Best in Class, Gold Medal, and Double Gold Medal prizes.
After graduating from UWRF, David was drafted into the United States Army and later began teaching in Hudson. He
David states that his success now, just as when he was
returned to UW-River Falls to earn his Masters in agricultural
in college, is all about relationships. Whether it was the
education in 1975, but soon decided it was best to take over
personalized interaction he had with faculty such as Dr.
management of Danzinger and Sons Farms, a dairy farm
Wittwer, or his involvement in student organizations like
that grew from 60 to 500 milk cows over the next 30 years.
Delta Theta Sigma, Alpha Zeta, or the Newman Center,
Melvin also dedicated much of his post-college life to the
he realized that it is networking that gives you more
farm, overseeing its crop program. About a decade ago, the
opportunities. Thankfully, the Danzingers are keeping their
brothers decided it was time to retire, turning management
relationship with UW-River Falls active, and Danzinger
of the farm over to their sons. It was then that someone
Vineyard was a destination on this year’s edition of the
suggested growing grapes.
popular annual alumni event, the “Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Tour.”
What they now affectionately refer to as a “hobby that’s
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DAN FLORNESS Named one of the ten best CFO’s in 2012 by The Wall Street Journal and Minnesota CFO of the Year by Twin Cities Business Journal in 2012, alumnus Dan Florness is a prime example of UWRF distinction. The Executive VP/CFO of Fastenal Company came to UW-River Falls from his family farm outside of Ellsworth. Soon after finishing his accounting degree in 1986, he began his career at renowned accounting firm KPMG. Seventeen years ago, he began his pathway to leadership at Fastenal in Winona, Minn. Today, in addition to overseeing the finances of a $3 billion publiclytraded company, Florness is responsible for managing more than 2,500 retail store properties around the world and maintaining relationships with thousands of suppliers and investors. “I enjoy what I do,” said Florness. “First and foremost in life you have to be willing to work hard, willing to learn every day, and willing to change and evolve. ‘Surround yourself with people who are going to make you better’ is something my wife and I always tell our four kids.”
REGGIE FLAKE
SHARI MCWILLIAMS
Almost without his realizing it, 1987 Alumnus Reggie Flake’s career
When Shari McWilliams came to UWRF, she brought with her a passion for horses
began when he was still a student at UW-River Falls. In between
and intended to study equine science. That was until she began taking art classes.
studying journalism and sociology and playing football for the
Today, Shari is a renowned ceramics sculptor in her fifth year as the arts/industry
Falcons, at the request of the head hockey coach, Reggie began
lead technician for the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. Possibly
filming home hockey games. That
the only UWRF Fine Arts graduate with the incongruous minor of animal science,
experience first led to a job as a camera
she has found a way to blend her passions with much of her artistic production,
operator at KSTP, the Twin Cities ABC
focusing on exquisitely detailed horse figures.
affiliate, and then on to national work at CBS, NBC and ESPN, filming NFL games
After completing her BFA in 2002, Shari went on to pursue a MFA from the
and other professional sports.
University of Miami where she quickly learned to appreciate the technical expertise of UWRF’s faculty, like internationally recognized ceramics artist Randy
Reggie has since worked as a producer
Johnston. Shari has taken the high standards she learned in the UWRF Art
with clients such as HBO, FOX, and
Department and applied them to her work in the
Showtime, and has produced corporate
John Michael Kohler Arts Center arts/industry
training videos, a television series, and
program, where local and international artists
live broadcasts for Fortune 500 companies like Target, American
fulfill two to six month residencies on the factory
Express, General Mills, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
floor. She acts as liaison between the artists and
Reggie credits much of his success in broadcast productions and media to his studies at UW-River Falls. He remembers most fondly the mentorship of beloved sociology Professor Robert Bailey, and his hands-on education in the journalism broadcast studio. Today, Reggie is COO of 32 Street Media, a small marketing and nd
media company outside of Atlanta that creates and distributes video content and equipment for commercial and government customers.
the industrial artisans, and teaches pottery to artists unfamiliar with clay. In addition to her work at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Shari continues to be a productive studio artist, creating art for nonprofit groups as well as commissioned pieces. Exhibited internationally, her ceramics recently appeared in the 2012 compendium, “The Best of 500 Ceramics.” In the words of this would-be-equestrian-turned-artist, “[It is] with
Reggie describes his job as his hobby and when asked about
failure that you will get your success story. Nothing is permanent unless you want
working for himself, he said, “Control your own destiny. You’ll be
it to be.”
successful if you work hard and are committed to your business.”
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alumni of distinction CECELIA LEE This past spring, Cecelia “Cece” Lee won the UW-River Falls Outstanding Collaborating Professional award in the UWRF counseling program. In the 10 years since Cece completed her Masters of Science in education - counseling degree at UWRiver Falls, she has hosted and mentored two or three graduate students a year for their practicum and has spoken as a guest lecturer in counseling classes. A school counselor at the Hmong College Prep Academy K-12 charter school in St. Paul, Minn., Cece works with 1,100 students of all ages on personal, social or academic issues, and on college and career readiness. “I love my job,” said Cece. “The students, the environment, and support I get from the administration and teachersis great.” Approximately 90 percent of her student population is of Asian descent, so diversity is a prime subject when she works with UWRF students. The MSE program at UW-River Falls allowed Cece to have a job and help support her parents while furthering her education. “The best part of getting my master’s was when my professor told us: You are in grad school because you want to be here, you are choosing to make another step in your life.” Cece’s commitment to her profession is living proof of that type of personal dedication.
NICHOLAS MONTEROTTI Starting your own business can be a frightening adventure,
be making neckties, bow-ties, and pocket squares when he was
especially for a business administration and economics graduate
a student at UWRF, although he did make his first handmade tie
fresh out of college, but that didn’t stop 2008 graduate
here using a personal sewing machine and materials from Jo-Ann
Nicholas Monterotti.
Fabrics (it took 12 hours).
Originally aiming at a career in finance, Nicholas had
Knowing there was a demand for ties, and wanting to provide
completed an internship at Infinium Capital Management
only American-made products, he honed his skills and grew what
in Chicago before graduating and still runs his own
started as a home business between two friends to a company
portfolio management business, Monterotti Trading.
of 10 within a year. The company is now the number one rated
He has also had forays into digital marketing and Web
tailor shop online in Chicago, was named one of Chicago’s Top 10
management, and worked in account management for
Coolest Startups last year, and this fall was nominated as one of
a global logistics company. Yet it was his interest in
the top four Rising Stars in Chicago men’s fashion by the Fashion
menswear that led him down the career path he feels
Group International.
most passionate about.
his LinkedIn profile, he summarizes himself as an “Entrepreneur.
Field, a custom handmade clothing and alterations company
Dreamer. Do’er. Crowdfunder.” and his success to date shows that
based in Chicago that was crowdfunded with a successful
this is only the beginning.
Kickstarter campaign. Nicholas admits he had no idea he would
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“I love what I do and each day I love it more,” said Nicholas. In
Nicholas prides himself on being the founder and CEO of Peter
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MEGAN ELDER Megan, a 1999 biology major, has been a primate zookeeper
Achieving a status held by only
at the Como Zoo & Conservatory for the last 11 years, caring
three other people in history as the
for a variety of great apes, monkeys, and lemurs. She is
international orangutan studbook
also the Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) vice chair,
keeper, Megan now tracks the global
international orangutan studbook keeper for the World
captive population of orangutans for
Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA), and Regional
historical and population management purposes. The data collected is used
Crowned Lemur Studbook Keeper for the N. American
to create breeding recommendations to ensure a genetically healthy and
Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).
demographically stable population that can be managed over the long term, while tracking trends, and answering various research questions.
Originally from south Minneapolis, Megan chose UWRF for its proximity to her hometown, but also for the campus size
Megan not only maintains generations-long datasets, but often finds herself
and affordability. Coming from the inner city to River Falls
in the role of foreign diplomat, travelling around the world to places like
was a bit of a culture shock, but thanks to her mentors in
Borneo and Sumatra, attending conferences, collecting data, and assisting
the biology department, like Dr. Clarke Garry and Dr. Mark
with husbandry resources. Megan competed against peers from around the
Bergland, she soon found her way. “[UWRF] professors work
world in a year-long process of votes at different levels. “I equate getting
to instill interest and passion in future biologists,” she says.
that studbook to being Miss Universe,” Megan said.
MARGARET KEATING The fourth of six children and the first in her family to go to college, when Margaret Keating left New Richmond for UW-River Falls, she had planned to study English. That was until she was exposed to the “theory, variability and the practicality” of economics by exceptional faculty such as Professor Charles Kao. Margaret began taking business administration and economics classes, which in the early 1970’s were dominated by men, many returning Vietnam War veterans. Margaret proved she found her calling by obtaining dual bachelor’s degrees in 1975. In 1979, she began what would become an extremely successful 30+ year career at Hallmark Cards. Starting as a process controller, she went on to become vice president of Operations before retiring in 2010. At the height of her career, she oversaw all U.S manufacturing, distribution, and graphic arts functions, and managed more than 8,000 employees. It was work she enjoyed, “I loved doing the right thing for the company, implementing the right business decisions, but always with the employees in mind,” she said. Her success wasn’t just a product of the solid business and economics foundation she received at UW-River Falls. She feels strongly that her UWRF education also reinforced her good work ethic and helped give her a sense of independence and confidence as a young female professional in a mostly male world. Today, Margaret stays engaged with her alma mater, serving on the UWRF Foundation Board of Directors. She has been actively involved in Girl Scouts, the Women’s Leadership Council of United Way, and still teaches part-time at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she obtained her MBA in 1982.
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alumni of distinction
Forty Years of Exploring China by Guest Contributor Wong How Man (‘74, journalism and art) A world-renowned photojournalist and explorer, Wong, founder of the non-profit China Exploration and Research Society (CERS), has led major expeditions for National Geographic magazine and has authored several books including the award-winning “From Manchuria to Tibet.” He was named UWRF Distinguished Alumnus in 2002.
Today, we have many successful stories of college drop-
At one point about ten years ago, UWRF’s dairy expertise
outs like Bill Gates, Michael Dell and Mark Zuckerberg. I
caught my imagination. While back at UWRF to receive
didn’t quite make that list, neither in financial success nor
my Distinguished Alumnus Award, I struck a deal with
in being a full-fledged drop-out. Nonetheless, I did make
former Chancellor Ann Lydecker. She would come visit
the list to be honored as one of Time Magazine’s 25 Asian
my Center and projects in China, bringing with her
Heroes; among other more notable and household names
Professor Renee May, cheese-making expert at UWRF. In
like Aung San Suu Kyi, Yao Ming and Jackie Chan.
fact, not just to China, but to the Tibetan region in the high plateau, in order to experiment with making cheese
I would have graduated in 1973, but instead took a
from yak milk.
sabbatical from school at UWRF and returned to home of my birth in Hong Kong. After three years sojourn,
Renee came again, bringing along her undergraduate
including my first trip to China in 1974 during the tail-end
students as assistants. Not only was the cheese-making
of the Cultural Revolution and an eight-month expedition
successful, it became a social enterprise that now
driving a VW van from Canada to Panama and onward
produces several tons of artisan yak cheese each year,
backpacking to South America, I delivered my final paper
and its products are snatched up by the market in urban
on Press Law and took my degree in 1976, belatedly.
cities of China.
This was achieved in part as tribute to, as well as for the consolation of, my father who had a life-long career as an
One thing led to the next and soon CERS found itself
educator in Hong Kong.
hosting student groups at our many project sites during the summer. More professors from different disciplines
However, my China trip turned out to be more crucial
were also involved. Professor Brad Mogen even brought
and momentous than my Latin American escapade, as
his beer brewing skills to the Tibetan plateau in order to
it developed into a career that now spans 40 years, and
demonstrate how high altitude barley could be turned
counting. Armed with a double major degree in journalism
into tasty beer. As if 12,000 feet at our cheese factory
and art, I embarked on numerous assignments freelancing
is not high enough, this concoction promised to take us
for magazines like Architectural Digest and Asia Magazine
even higher, like a true blood Falcon would soar.
of the Asia Society in New York. Before long, my photography and writing was picked up by the radar of National Geographic. Between 1982 and 1986, I led six major expeditions for the National Geographic Magazine to explore some of the remotest corners of China, culminating in the discovery of a new source for the mighty Yangtze River. That milestone prompted me to found the China Exploration & Research Society (CERS), a non-profit with a mission to explore, conduct research and implement nature and culture conservation projects in remote China. We were fortunate to be successful and ended up with scores of projects. Some of these projects were innovative enough to catch the attention of international media, including CNN, Al-Jazeera, BBC, Discovery Channel and others.
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Wong How Man is hugged by Grace Swensen at the Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Teacher Reception May 14. 2010. Photo by Jens Gunelson
UW-River Falls Reinforces Ties with China Twenty-two elementary education majors from Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU) in Hangzhou, China, attended UW-River Falls last year. ZISU students can enroll in a 1+1+2 program, opting to spend their second year of college at UW-River Falls where they improve their language proficiency and study U.S. pedagogical practices and developmental science. On Fridays during the school year, the ZISU students visited elementary classrooms in the River Falls School District, learning and being mentored by local teachers, while also exposing young students to Chinese language and culture. “The partnership between ZISU, the School District of River Falls, and UWRF is a great example of what is possible when institutions work together for the good of our students and community,� Chancellor Van Galen said. UW-River Falls students can also study at ZISU through the Experience China program, which is inspired by the Wisconsin in Scotland model of residential education abroad. Experience China provides a rich, cultural immersion with the comfort and safety of an organized and well-staffed international learning community. UWRF students live in a dormitory with Chinese students and participate in directed study of Chinese culture alongside their general education courses.
YEAR OF CHINA CHINA YEAR OF
The Golden Dragon Acrobats performed in Knowles Center as a featured event marking the beginning of the UW-River Falls Year of China program.
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alumni of distinction
The Swensens: A UWRF Family Legacy of Distinction David: UWRF alumnus David Swensen, ’75, economics, was one of 12 to receive an honorary doctorate from Yale, the university’s highest honor, in 2014. Yale has been awarding honorary degrees for more than 300 years to individuals considered models of excellence and service, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Frank Lloyd Wright, and Hillary Clinton.
Grace and Dick: David, Steve, and Dan are just three of the six children of Richard Swensen, UW-River Falls professor/ department chair from 1955 to 1993 and past dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1969-1988), and Rev. Grace Swensen (’64, med tech). “We were delighted that their contributions to humanity were recognized this spring. Each of our children graduated from UWRF. When we answered a listing for a faculty position in physics and mathematics in 1955, we felt that River Falls would be a fine location for our family, and were proven right over the next 37 fulfilling years. The exceptional faculty, their dedication to quality programs for the students, and the receptivity to international activities were deeply impressive,” Dick said. The community of River Falls was welcoming and supportive to the university and to us. Each of our six children gained an outstanding foundation through the individual attention of those in the community, public schools, and university, allowing the development of their talents. We were fortunate.”
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A renowned expert on endowment investments, David has been frequently tapped to advise prominent institutions and governing bodies around the world. He served as a member of President Barack Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board from 2009-11. In 2008, he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Prior to joining Yale as their chief investment officer in 1985, David developed new financial technologies on Wall Street. He has authored two books on portfolio management and personal investment and has been a professor of endowment management at Yale College since 1980, when he earned his Ph.D in economics. Steve: Steve Swensen, ’78, pre-med/broad field science, recently became one of four to receive Mayo Clinic’s new Diamond Quality Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is the highest tier of Mayo’s Quality Fellows Program that aims to improve the quality and safety of patient services. The Diamond level was created to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improvement, education and leadership in the field of quality. Steve has been an instructor and leader in medicine for more than 20 years and has established a national reputation as a world class radiologist for his expertise in bronchial diseases and lung cancer. He is Mayo’s chief quality officer, serving as medical director for Leadership and Organization Development, as well as a professor in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and past chair of their Department of Radiology. Dan: Dan Swensen, ’84, physics; ’91, M. Ed., was recently honored with the UWRiver Falls College of Education and Professional Studies Distinguished Alumnus Award which recognizes long-term sustained commitment and contributions to education. Honorees have made positive and lasting impacts to their profession and to their community, and bring pride to the college. Dan is a professor of physics at Bethel University where he has developed an International Baccalaureate Certificate of Teaching and Learning program. Prior to Bethel, he spent more than 20 years teaching in the St. Paul School District, developing an International Baccalaureate Math Studies Program and creating the school’s first Knowledge Bowl team. In addition to currently pursuing a Ph.D. in math education, Dan is committed to serving his community and enhancing the future of education.
falcon sports
UWRF Women’s Hockey team finished third in the 2014 NCAA Championships.
UWRF Women’s Hockey NCAA Championships The Falcon women’s hockey team set history in March when it topped the University of St. Thomas, 5-3, to finish third in the 2014 NCAA Championships. The Falcons have played in seven championship series. In 2003 and 2009 the Falcons advanced to the semifinals but lost both games each year. This year the Falcons changed that with the win in the series that was played in Plattsburgh, N.Y. This was an awesome experience - it always is,” said Falcon Coach Joe Cranston. “To play the way we did and to score five goals against one of the best goalies in the country is great. Third place is the best we’ve ever done and we are very proud of that.” The Falcons got goals from five players – much like what happened throughout the 2013-14 season. Chloe Kinsel (17), Kait Mason (14), Katie Batters (17), Dani Buehrer (1) and Allie Olson (1) netted the Falcon goals. Kinsel (1-23) and Batters (1-1-2) had multiple goal games. Kinsel was named to the NCAA Championships All-Tournament Team. She had a part of four of the team’s seven goals that were scored in New York. Kinsel, who becomes the first Falcon to ever receive All-Tournament recognition, finished the year as the team’s
leading scorer with a team-best 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points.
Ramer Field Renovation
Batters was named to the second American Hockey Coaches Association All-America Team for the third straight season. She becomes the first Falcon named All-American for three seasons. This year Batters played in 29 games and finished tied for the team lead with 17 goals and she added 15 assists for 32 points. She led UWRF with five power-play goals. Mason, who was named to the first AllWisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Team, ended her career as the team’s all-time leading scorer. She finished her career with 69 goals and 132 points. Goalie Ashley Kuechle, who was also named to the first All-WIAC Team, was named to the second All-USHO DIII Team after the season. She finished the year with a 19-3-3 record. She set a school record by registering seven shutouts and 19 wins. Kuechle had a 1.36 goals against average and a .935 saves percentage. The 2014 Falcons won the WIAC regular season and playoff championships and finished 23-5-3 overall. The NCAA playoff appearance was the sixth straight for the Falcons and seventh in team history.
On July 28, the Ramer Field field turf renovation project began at UW-River Falls. Bulldozers, trucks, backhoes and caterpillars were hard at work removing the grass and top soil from the field. After all soil had been removed, crews smoothed out the base and a layer of gravel was applied. Topsoil was saved to be reused for the installation of the Falcon soccer field. The turf installation project started on July 31 and was completed on Sept. 24. Miron Construction did the install and work continued almost every day throughout the process. Work is also being done on the Falcon Center, which is set to open in 2017. The $63.5 million Falcon Center will house the UWRF Health and Human Performance Department, Athletics and Student Recreation. The project also remodels approximately 14,670 GSF of space in the existing Hunt/Knowles complex.
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Richard “Dick” Peterson, ’64, physics and mathematics, is university professor emeritus of physics at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn. After graduating from UW-River Falls, he went on to earn his Ph.D. in physics at Michigan State with a NASA Fellowship, followed by postdoctoral work at Los Alamos National Lab. As a semi-retired professor, Dick continues to work with students and in developing new methods for fast optical measurements. With many awards and recognitions to his name, he especially enjoys the development of apparatus for interactive physics demonstrations and laboratories for all ages. Dick recently completed two years as a program director at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Va., and in 2011 was elected to the Minnesota Science and Technology Hall of Fame. Read more at http://www.msthalloffame.org/ richard_peterson.htm . Seemingly always in the library studying or working in physics lab as a student, Dick was a commuter and didn’t find much time for activities outside the classroom. “Still I quickly learned I enjoyed and needed the social sciences and humanities,” Dick said, “so the liberal arts portion of the curriculum impacted my life more than I might have expected.” Having since taught physics around the world in places like Latvia, Kenya, North and South Korea, Dick notes you can always build on the full breadth of your education and encourages students to do so.
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Class Notes Featured in the shaded boxes are more stories of success from a select handful of our alumni.
1950s Arlan D. VandeWater (1957) Arlan’s name was inadvertently not listed in the 2013 UWRF Alumni Directory under his class year listing. Arlan is deceased.
1960s Art Lurndal (1960) retired from Kent Feeds, Inc. after 34 years in the agriculture arena, and has published a book, “Meshing Threshing with Corporate and World Adventure” of his memoirs and experiences including his years at UWRF. John Butler (1961) retired from the Department of Microbiology in the Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, after 42 years of service. During his career he published more than 240 articles and trained graduate and postdoctoral students from 17 countries. A retirement gala was celebrated in August with more than 100 colleagues, friends, relatives, former students and representatives from the UWRF Foundation. In retirement, John toured Europe in September, giving seminars and visiting seven additional trainees. John has endowed UWRF with a scholarship program in molecular and developmental immunology and a grant which funds one semester of research in a European laboratory. Charles Cederholm (1961) lives in Flagstaff, Ariz. He says dealing with Parkinson’s Disease in a beautiful part of the world makes it a bit easier. He has mountains, forests, deserts, and canyons all around him. His son lives nearby and the family gathers often for Packer games, family events, etc. He is unable to travel and misses Wisconsin and events back there. If anyone gets out to Flagstaff, “we are the only Cederholms in the phone book. Come on by!”
Sandra Dicke (1968) retired from her position as Chief Sergeantat-Arms for the Minnesota House of Representatives in January 2011 after 30 years of service. The Sergeant’s Department is responsible for security in the House Chamber and State Office Building, hiring a staff of 25 yearly for page positions to assist with committee hearings and chamber session. She has had a very rewarding career in politics, she wrote. Harry Phipps (1968) has resided in South Korea and worked in Waegwan where he has been a S3 Readiness Officer in Logistics with URS since January 2005.
1970s Randy Knapp (1971) is a UW Extension agricultural agent for Chippewa County and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Clara Hedrich (1976), Anna Hedrich (2002) & Jessica Hedrich (2010) The family-run LaClare Farms of Chilton, Wis., recently opened a 35,000 square foot dairy plant, retail store, and café where three of the hard-working family members are CAFES alumni. Clara co-owns the dairy with her husband, Larry. Daughter Anna works part-time in herd management and daughter Jessica runs the retail store and cafe. Pamela (Weiss) Williams (1976) retired in 2011 after teaching English at Ellsworth High School for 35 years. Several of those years she also coached the Ellsworth girls tennis team. In 2011, she received the Ellsworth Foundation’s Teacher of the Year Award. Richard Ruemmele (1978 B.S., 1979 MST) is a national account director with CHS in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Patricia Huston (1979) retired in 2011 as an English teacher at Camden (N.J.) High School. She is the mother of eight children.
alma matters
Class Notes. Weddings. Future Falcons. In Memoriam. Find out the latest news from your classmates—career changes, recent honors, retirements and more
1980s Sandra Kracht (1982) is a teacher supervisor with Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston. Sonja (Lee) Maki (1982) was a member of a team of scientists and educators who earned a Science IBI (Inquiry Based Instruction) Prize for developing a Web-based tool for teaching genomics. The project is described in a paper, “Keeping an Eye on Biology” (Science 25 January 2013: 408-409). Brenda Sehlin-Goneau (1982) and Dennis Goneau (1984) returned to campus on May 17 to watch their daughter, Kelsey Sehlin Goneau, become the third UWRF graduate in their family. Lynn Boogren (1983) has been a head photo specialist with Walgreens in St. Paul, Minn., since November 2001. Michael Leising (1983) became a sales & service PSE with the United States Postal Service in Whitewater in May 2012. William (Bill) Merrill (1983) resides in New Zealand and works in Wellington for Indigo New Zealand on a contract with the Ministry of Justice. Mark Pominville (1984) is a commercial product manager in New Product Development for Tennant Company in Minneapolis. Robert Theim (1984) has retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a vocational training instructor. He is a freelance videographer out of Friendship. Brad Tvedt (1984) is the area vice president for ResMed Corp. in San Diego, Calif., where he resides. Barbara (Thompson) Hoverman (1985) is field crew coordinator at William O’Brien
State Park in Marine on St. Croix, Minn., for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Scott Hyslop (1985) was a guest recitalist at the Trier Orgelsommer concert series at the Konstantin Basilika in Trier Germany in August 2012. He served as a guest conductor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., in April and also received a commission from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rochester, Mich., to write an extended anthem for choir and orchestra.
Grace Shieh, ’78, earned her Masters of Science in applied economics at UWRF on a full scholarship after getting her Bachelor’s Degree in economics at the National Cheng Chi University in Taipei, Taiwan. She went on to become a CPA and founded Shieh, Lee & Company in Houston, Texas, a firm that has been providing accounting, tax strategies, and management advisory services for more than 30 years.
Polly Krier (1985) opened PollyK Consulting – Event Management in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in October 2007.
Crediting UW-River Falls with the foundation for her
Anya Szykitka (1985) is an editorial assistant with Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she resides.
States. Not only did she leave UWRF with a master’s
Rob Bignell (1989) has published a book of poetry, “Love Letters to Sophie’s Mom,” and a guidebook “Hikes with Tykes.”
success, she said, “UW-River Falls changed my life profoundly.” The scholarship she received allowed her to fulfill her dream of furthering her education in the United degree, but Grace also says that UWRF taught her the values that guide her life today, such as quality, integrity, and diligence. Grace is a firm believer in giving back to the university and society in order to be a better citizen of this world, and recently made significant contributions to endowed
1990s
scholarships honoring two of her most influential
Bradd Soutor (1990) is the Midwest region sales manager at Mansfield Oil Company. Previously, he was director of sales with Yokum Oil in St. Paul.
professors --Charles Kao and Glenn Potts.
Cary Sifferath ’88, agricultural business and animal
Kim Welniak-Keech (1991) is a clerk for Wood County Planning & Zoning in Wisconsin Rapids.
science, played football under
Brad Carlson (1992) is a reconciliation specialist with Bloom Health (Minneapolis). Since June 2011, he has been hosting a weekly radio show on Twin Cities station AM 1280 WWTC (The Patriot). He has spoken to scores of newsmakers (e.g. political candidates, sports figures, entertainment industry individuals, etc.) during his time with the station. Brad’s program can be heard every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Check us out on the Web at am1280thepatriot.com or via iheartradio.com .
is completing his 21st year with
Coach Farley and was active in his Theta Chi fraternity. Today, he the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), a non-profit organization that promotes the use of U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products worldwide. Cary is currently senior regional director of Middle East, Africa and Europe, responsible for carrying out market development and trade activities on behalf of the feed grains export community. Since beginning at USGC, he has spent time working in Washington D.C., as well as managing operations in Malaysia, Japan, China and Tunisia.
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alma matters 1990s continued HOLLY JOHNSON SHIRALIPOUR, ‘80 A member of the Student Senate her freshman year at UWRF and the organizer of a campus-wide Earth Day event, Holly Johnson Shiralipour is clearly one not afraid to get involved and make a difference. The 1980 alumna with a B.S. in land management is now working as the district conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in the largest county in the U.S., San Bernardino, Calif. Holly credits her strong science base and the hands-on experience she obtained as a student at UWRF for her ability to manage the complexity of conservation work she must face, encompassing high deserts and mountain forests. Her clients range from large-scale alfalfa or dairy farmers to forestry owners; from Korean jujube and plum growers to pistachio growers; from vegetable growers to small organic farms. Their products might be sold to a local farmers market, a Beverly Hills restaurant, or to customers in China and Korea. Within this broad gamut of constituents, Holly must develop conservation plans that ensure air and soil quality,
Mandy Fox (1993) is a student support services coordinator at Marshalltown Community College in Marshalltown, Iowa, where she resides. Paul Oman (1993) was a watercolor finalist in the Fine Art Views International Painting Competition in February 2010. He served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood from 20032011. Mark Kinders (1994) was selected as chair-elect of the Higher Education Government Relations Conference to establish the 2014 conference agenda. He is the vice president for Public Affairs at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. He served as the director of Public Affairs at UW-River Falls from 1985-2008. Linda Sattler (1995), Kimberly Houser (1998) & Nikki Beucler (2011) and other agricultural education teachers participated in a South Africa Study Tour during summer 2013. The tour was coordinated by U of M Professor Claudia Parliament. Nikki is employed by Lake City High School, Lake City, Minn.; Kimberly is employed by Wisconsin Heights High School, Mazomanie; and Linda is employed by Laconia High School, Rosendale.
irrigation efficiency, and safeguard wildlife habitat. Holly began her career as a planner for the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. She went on to work in waste management and reduction through UW-Extension. She has a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Utah State and is working on a Ph.D. in environmental education and communication from the University of Florida. “I always knew I wanted to work in the environment,” said Holly. “I like to start conservation projects that will last beyond me.” From her career history, it looks like her impact will be felt for generations to come.
Curtis Larson (1996) is a director of human resources for Equity Livestock Sales Association in Baraboo.
Kirsten Duoos (1999) received her Ph.D in education curriculum and instruction from Capella University in Minneapolis in July 2012. She is an administrative intern/ IB coordinator with the White Bear Lake (Minn.) School District.
2000s Dawn (Pechacek) Benoy (2000) is a certified ophthalmic assistant with Mayo Clinic Health System. Kristin Hanson (2000) an agriculture instructor at Prairie Farm High School, was honored as the Outstanding Agricultural Educator at the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Education Annual Professional Conference in Green Bay in June. Kelly (Soczka) Kaiser (2000) is a communication instructor at Mid-State Technical College in Stevens Point. Jolene Bracy (2001) is an administrative coordinator with National Scholarship Providers Association in Boulder, Colo. Amanda (Schweitzer) Klein (2001) is a Germplasm IP – Soy & Cotton in Intellectual Property with Monsanto. She lives is Wabasso, Minn.
Shawn Gudmunsen (1997) is working toward his MSE-Fine Arts in music education at UWRF.
Maria Bendixen (2002, 2010) is a farm business program instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College. She had been the Clark County Extension dairy and livestock agent.
David Yunger (1997) is CEO of GreenBridge Computing, Inc in Bellevue, Wash. He also works as a consultant in the fields of education and enterprise technology.
Annie Marek (2002) recently received an International MBA from the Vlerick Business School in Leuven, Belgium. She resides in Chicago and works for Ernst & Young as an assurance manager.
Cherish (Hudalla) and Kevin Keuker (1998, 1998) are dairy farmers in Waverly, Iowa.
Cindy Dipprey-Boggess (2003) is a marketing director in Dealer Finance and Secondary Market Residential Lending for Citizens Community Federal in Eau Claire.
Valerie (Hause) Zahorski-Schmidt (1998) received her M.S. in higher education administration from St. Cloud (Minn.) State University in May 2012. She is an enrollment management marketing & communication coordinator with UW-Parkside in Kenosha. Sidney Scott (1998) is a certified cognitive skills trainer for LearningRx in Issaquah, Wash.
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Joe Stanek (1998) is a sire analyst with Accelerated Genetics in Baraboo.
Nicholas Folk (2003) is head superintendent at Rochester (Minn.) Golf & Country Club. Terri (Ellman) Rosenstock (2003) received accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America in July 2012.
Toni (Martin) Sorenson (2003) & Terry Sorenson (2003) met in the UWRF Crops and Soils Club and are married, have two kids, and own Soren’s Valhalla Orchards in Door County growing tart cherries, strawberries, and apples. Brian Pfannes (2004) has been director of purchasing with Steel King Industries in Stevens Point since September 2012. Leslie (Shuler) Svacina (2004) is an event coordinator in Career Services at the University of Wisconsin - Stout. She continues to serve on the Alumni Association Advisory Board. Katie Mattison (2005) is an agricultural and business banker with Bremer Bank. She was recently appointed to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturalist Committee and is a member of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Institute leadership class.
Leah (Johnson) James (2007) is U.S. Jersey marketing manager with Genex Cooperative, Inc. in Shawano. Luke Meier (2007) is a registered principal/compliance officer with North Star Resource Group in Minneapolis. Kenzie Payne (2007) returned from Peace Corps-Tanzania service in 2012 where she was an environmental volunteer for 27 months in a rural village. Upon return to the U.S., she enrolled in the bioregional planning and community design graduate studies program at the University of Idaho-Moscow. Terrilynn Hastreiter (2009) received her Masters in Management and Organizational Behavior from Silver Lake College. She works for Denmark State Bank and resides in Manitowoc.
Helen Clarke (2006) is the director of communications with the University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis. Emalyn Cordes (2006) is a speech-language pathologist with District 720 in Shakopee, Minn.
Nicole (Aune) Prom (2008) is a school psychologist at Belle Plain (Minn.) School District. She resides in Chanhassen, Minn.
Bwarenaba Kautu (2006) received his Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology/ Neurobiology from the University of Alabama in 2012. He is now doing postdoctoral work on cancer research at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. He is the first person from his country, the Republic of Kiribati, to receive a Ph.D. degree from the United States and has also worked to establish the first cancer foundation in his country.
Kristy Rothe (2008) is an agriculture teacher & FFA advisor for Missoula (Mont.) County Public School – Missoula Agriculture Center. The school has a three-teacher program located on a 100-acre farm/ranch with three classrooms, animal lab facilities, greenhouse, ag shop and a variety of livestock and farmland. She was awarded two national awards though the National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE)--Outstanding Young Member and Ideas Unlimited which recognizes new and innovative teaching techniques used in the classroom. Her “idea” is maintaining a dermestid beetle colony and using it in the classroom. She will present her project at the National NAAE Conference in Nashville in November.
Katie Monsour (2006) is pursuing a Master of Science degree in college student affairs with an emphasis in conflict resolution at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Eli Eschenbauch (2007) received his Master’s of education degree in literacy education from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in December 2012.
psychology, has been the director of People Development at Google since 2008. In this capacity, she is in charge of talent reviews, leadership promotions, and learning management systems. Prior to her current role, she led a team in People Analytics at Google, which helped solve challenging problems like how to have the healthiest workforce on the planet and how to ensure every Googler has an “awesome” manager. After graduating from UWRF, thanks to support from faculty like now College of Arts and Sciences Dean Brad Caskey, Michelle went on to get her Ph.D. in industrial organizational psychology at the University of Illinois.
Robert Silvers (2007) received his Master’s of Arts in Recreation Administration from University of Nebraska at Omaha and is coordinator of Intramurals and Camps at University of Texas – Pan American in Edinburg, Texas.
Jacob Eisch (2006) received his Master’s Degree in higher education administration from Western Illinois University in 2009 and is associate director of Student Activities at Carroll University in Waukesha.
Michelle Donovan, ’94, communications and
“The courses at UWRF really helped me understand all the different branches of psychology, which helped me find where I wanted to focus,” she said.
Brett Longdin, ’96, journalism, has been promoted to senior editor at ESPN.com working with content focusing on the NFL and college football. This promotion entailed moving from Wisconsin to Connecticut in July and increasing his involvement in day-to-day duties. While a student at UWRF, Brett was actively involved at WRFW, the campus radio station, as well as at the Student Voice campus newspaper where, by his second semester, he had already become a copy editor. He provided commentary on the Kansas City Chiefs during their Summer Training Camp and wrote updates for newspapers in Kansas. His career highlights include covering the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl and “any time he gets to cover UWMadison Badger football games and enjoy that fun
Anna Hunter (2009) received her Masters of Science in college counseling and student development from St. Cloud (Minn.) State University in May 2011 and is a student organizations and leadership coordinator with Student Life at UWRF.
atmosphere.” “I love my job and working for the largest sports website on the planet,” Brett said about his work. “I’m always doing new things; who I work with and where I work are pretty cool.”
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alma matters
About Alma Matters Send us your latest news. Here’s how: 1) complete, then mail the form on page 25 to Falcon Features, 120 North Hall, UW-River Falls, 410 S. 3rd St., River Falls, WI 54022; or 2) fax a letter to the Falcon Features editor at 715-425-4486; or 3) submit a form located on our website at www. uwrf.edu/alumni/features ; or 4) e-mail us at falconfeatures@uwrf.edu . We will print your notes in the next issue. In the interest of accuracy, encourage classmates to send us their news directly—don’t do it for them. We will not print a death announcement unless accompanied by a copy of a published obituary (such as an announcement from a local newspaper). Questions on Alma Matters submission policies may be directed to Blake Fry at 715-425-3771 or blake.fry@uwrf.edu .
Jason Cavadini (2011) completed a M.S. degree at Purdue University last spring and is the assistant superintendent at the University of Wisconsin Ag Research Station in Marshfield. His main responsibilities are to coordinate crop research and manage the production of forage and grain to supply the station’s dairy herds. Amanda Collura (2011) is a university services associate in the Registrar’s Office at UWRF. Ashley (Julka) Curtis (2011) is a public relations practitioner and copy writer for Monte Consulting in Houghton, Mich., where she resides. Zach Czech (2011) is a CST associate in Credit Underwriting for AgStar Financial Services in Baldwin. Sean Johnson (2011) is a technology support specialist II with South Washington County Schools District #833 in Cottage Grove, Minn. He was a Web content administrator in Digital Promotions and Programming for CBS Radio in Minneapolis until August 2012. Laura Krawczyk (2011) is a marketing communications coordinator at Calabrio in Minneapolis.
Sarah Saal (2009) is a realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Austin, Texas, where she resides. Lyssa Seefeldt (2009) is received a Master’s of Science degree in animal science from South Dakota State University in Brookings and is a Marquette County agriculture agent for the University of Wisconsin Extension in Montello. She resides in Neshkoro. Chue Shee Vang (2009) received a Master’s Degree in computer information systems from Boston University.
2010s Tara Fisher (2010) is a social worker with Family Child Care Licensing and Children’s Mental Health in Gaylord, Minn. Kati Matuseki (2010) is an admissions counselor with University of Colorado-Boulder.
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WWW.UWRF.EDU/ALUMNI
Todd Sarnstrom II (2011) is attending Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich., as a grad student pursuing a Ph.D. in economics. Jill Susa (2011) is a sponsorship coordinator with Farm Rescue in Jamestown, N.D. Kelsey Ryan (2011) is an information and referral coordinator with Epilepsy Foundation MN in St. Paul. She was a staffing consultant with Express Employment Professionals in Woodbury, Minn. DeMarcia Walker (2011) is pursuing a Master of Science in education degree in school psychology at UWRF. She resides in Menomonie. Seth Weir (2011) is a service technician on vegetable harvesters in Clear Lake. Heather (Gifford) Willert (2011) is a bank manager at Associated Bank in Hudson.
Dan Vandenhouten (2011) is an assistant superintendent in Grain Marketing with CHS Inc. He now resides in Vancouver, Wash. Nichole Budahn (2012) received a Master’s Degree in social work from St. Catherine University in May 2013 and is a mental health practitioner with an emphasis on eating disorders for The Emily Program in St. Paul, Minn. Ashley Fischer (2012) is a lead third grade teacher at Hazel Park Preparatory Academy in St. Paul, Minn. John Hunchar (2012) is an associated system administrator with Lancet Software in Burnsville, Minn. Chelsi Lauer (2012) is an education assistant in emotional behavioral disorders for Northeast Metro Intermediate School District #916 in Little Canada, Minn. Adam Sibenaller (2012) received his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from University of Utah and is a residence hall coordinator at San Diego State University. John Williams (2012) is a customer service representative with Ecolab in Eagan, Minn. Audra Zentner (2012) is a regulations compliance specialist at Bonide in Rome, N.Y. Elizabeth Byers (2013) is pursuing a Master of Science in Education: Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education degree at UW-La Crosse and is a grad assistant in Conferences & Events at UWRF. Emma Brandt (2013) is pursuing a Ph.D. in molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics at Mayo Graduate School in Rochester, Minn. Max Dalton (2013) is an administrative program and support assistant with Mississippi Watershed Management in Minneapolis. Brittany Duellman (2013) is attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Matthew Hovel (2013) is an account sales manager for Coca-Cola North America in Eagan, Minn. He resides in Prescott.
Katherine (Korba Haugen) Reinhardt (1996, 2001) married Ben Reinhardt in 2011. They reside in New York, NY.
Matthew Johnston (2013) is pursuing a Master’s of Business Administration degree in business and economics at UW-River Falls. He is a facility manager with Croix Gear and Machining in Hudson.
Theresa (Christian) Briggs (2000) married Ricardo Briggs on Sept. 22, 2012. They reside in Round Rock, Texas.
Elliot Novak (2013) is a production associate at Quality Bicycle Products in Bloomington, Minn. He is also an intern at American Public Media/ Minnesota Public Radio’s Performance Today. He is looking forward to serving with the Peace Corps in Tanzania come July. Jennifer Odegard (2013) is attending Ohio State University for aquatic biology. She is a DNR stream habitat program technician in St. Paul. Susan Rogers (2013) is a shop supervisor with ZAXX Cabinets in New Richmond. Jeremy Singleton (2013) is attending St. Thomas Law School in Minneapolis and will take the bar exam in 2016. He resides in Savage, Minn. Nan Xiao (2013) is general manager for Ferryman Scientific, LLC, in Changchun, China. Kong Xiong (2013) is a LAN analyst with Wells Fargo Bank in Minneapolis. He resides in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Jenny Rang (2014) is attending pharmacy school at Concordia University in Mequon.
Weddings Larry Feltes (1964) married Anne Hartlage on Jan. 9, 2011. Larry recently retired as a lieutenant colonel with the United States Air Force and is now coordinating classes at Northwestern University, Chicago, and volunteers with the USO, a veteran’s hospital, and the Executive Service Corps of Chicago. Mike Walsh (1982) married Therese Zeman. They reside in Jacksonville, Fla.
Charles Nett (2010) and Sarah (Melander) Nett (2003) married on Sept. 27, 2009. They welcomed Carson Nett on August 13, 2010, and Riley Nett on July 19, 2013. Sarah is an account recruiting manager with Aerotek in Appleton. Cassandra (Zevnik) Brashier (2003) married Michael Brashier on May 6, 2011. She and her husband welcomed a daughter, Gianna Marie, on Feb. 21, 2012. She is a registered investment advisor with Global View Capital Advisers in Bloomington, Minn. Jason Jacobs (2003) married Lindsay DeLany on April 28, 2012. Angie (Roggenbuck) Glodowski (2004) married Roy Roggenbuck on June 16, 2012. She is a graduate hall director as Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minn. James Mesik and Cassandra (Dahl) Mesik (2005, 2005) were married June 26, 2007. James has been an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Central Public High School in Norwood Young America, Minn., since 2009 and was named the 2011-12 Teacher of the Year.
Kate (Sorenson) Bergseng (2006) married Brian Bergseng on Jan. 28, 2012. Kathryn Hart-Bolinger (2005) married Joseph Bolinger on June 25, 2011. They reside in Brunswick, Ga., where Kathryn is mailroom supervisor with eBay Enterprise. Nicole Aune (2008) married Brian Prom on Aug. 10. They reside in North Mankato, Minn. Melissa (Fischer) Guimarais (2009) married José Guimarais Jr. on April 16, 2012. They welcomed a daughter, Leandra May, on May 17, 2012. They reside in Columbus. Jessica (Johnson) Williamson (2009) married Michael Williamson on June 30. She received her Master’s Degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. John Hanley (2010) and Ashley (Goettl) Hanley (2013) married on August 10, 2013, in Mankato, Minn. John is employed by the Department of Homeland Security as a transportation security officer in Minneapolis and Ashley is a news reporter for KEYC-TV in Mankato. They reside in North Mankato. Jessica (Domiano) Johnson (2010) married Dana Johnson on Sept. 17, 2011. Caroline (Buetcher) Vollmar (2010) married Tobin Vollmar on May 10. Caroline is an MRC project coordinator with Saint
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alma matters Paul Public Schools. The family resides in Lakeville, Minn. Sara (Kolb) Griesbach (2011) married Dan Griesbach on Sept. 14, 2013. Normalyn “Mae” (Booth) Haley (2012) married Landon Thomas Willert Haley on Dec. 31, 2012. Megan (Menke) Silbernagel (2012) married Anthony Silbernagel on Aug. 3. They reside in Dayton, Minn. Rebecca (Becky) Lynn Goplen (2013) married Reggie Brogan in August.
Future Falcons Andy Meyer (1990) and Laura (Rummler) Meyer (1988) welcomed a son, Jordan Glenn, on Oct. 22, 2013. They reside in Watertown. Rick Montreal (1999) and Jackie (Roehl) Montreal (1999) welcomed a daughter, Lila Mae, on May 18, 2013. She joins sisters Emily Marie (12) and Abbie Elaine (10). Kim (Hovde) Suhr (1995) welcomed a son, Elijah Roger, on Nov. 26, 2012. She is a diaconal minister with Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls. Karlean (Krause) Clifford (1997) welcomed a son, Tristan Alexander, on Dec. 12, 2012. Joe Stanek (1998) and Kari (Skiba) Stanek (1998, 1998) welcomed a daughter, Zynita Tolve, on Dec. 12, 2012. She joins big sisters Sykora (8) and Cyana (2). Rebecca J. (Schulz) Zivkovich (1998) and husband, Brian, welcomed a son, Ethan Richard, on May 24, 2012. He joins a brother, Cashton (2). They resides in Fond du Lac. Gerry (1999) and Sara (Stawikoski) Schamberger (2000) welcomed a son, Isaac George, on Dec. 2, 2012. They reside in Cranberry Township, Penn. Jason and Sarah (Nelson) Egerstrom (1999, 2000) welcomed a son, Cooper Davis, on Oct. 15, 2012.
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Jese Ledbetter (1999) welcomed a son, Vince William Swanson, on June 2, 2012. Molley (Possehl) Ashwood (2000) welcomed a son, Carlin, on March 31, 2012. Tera Forbeck (2000) welcomed a son, Andrew Julius Ramig, on Nov. 13, 2011. Tera is a large animal veterinarian at All Points Equine, LLC. in Allentown, Penn. Melanie (Barta) Lucht (2000) welcomed a son, Reuben Timothy, on April 27, 2012. Jessica (Gustafson) Denham (2001) and husband, Elery, welcomed twin son and daughter, Elijah Charles and Isabella Rae, on May 25, 2012. Adam and Christine (Johnson) Hady (2001, 2003) welcomed a son, Evan James, on Sept. 5, 2012. He joins Emma (6), Ethan (5) and Elsa (2). They reside in Richland County. Jeannie (Winklelman) Bishop (2002) and husband, Michael, welcomed a daughter, Gracelyn Mae, on Oct. 20, 2013. Jeannie is a sales representative with Merck Animal Health. They reside in Watertown. Rachael (Koester) Johnson (2002) welcomed a son, Anton Rene, on Feb. 27. Danelle (Haugen) Kinney (2002) welcomed a son, Merrik Travis, on March 7, 2012. Jamie (Lintner) Beyer (2003) and husband, Reed, welcomed a son, Cayden Allen, on April 16, 2012. He joins sister, Emma Marie (6) and brother, Trent Edward (3). They reside in New Holstein. Leah (Pohjonen) Smith (2003) welcomed a son, Isaac Dale, on May 15. Todd Schultz (2004) and Kensey (Gore) Schultz (2006) welcomed a daughter, Tenley Jane, in February. Kate (Knoespel) Knauff (2004) and husband, David, welcomed a son, Cole Christopher, on Oct. 15, 2012. He joins a brother, Blake. The family relocated from Mooresville, N.C. to Lakeville, Minn., in November 2012.
Eric Page (2004) welcomed a son, Joseph Oliver, on October 6, 2011. Eric is a senior associate director of admissions for Strategic Communications for the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Jackie (Aprill) Thomas (2004) welcomed a son, Calvin James, on April 20, 2012. She married Matthew Thomas on Aug. 20, 2010, and is a senior food technologist at Michael Foods in Gaylord. Christina (Caribeau) White (2004) and husband, Nathan, welcomed a son, Gavin Michael, on July 28, 2012. The family resides in Frederic. Mamie (Henderson) Luhmann (2005) and husband, Paul, welcomed a daughter, Hazel Louise, on Sept 1. She joins a sister, Clara (3). Lisa (Kossel) Jagielo (2006) and husband, Dean, welcomed a daughter, Brooklyn Marie, on Dec. 18, 2013. She joins sister Addison (2). They reside in Dresser. Eli Eschenbauch (2007) and wife, Katie (Bollig) welcomed a son, Croix, on March 19, 2013. Tom Olson Jr. (2008) and Jenny (Sippola) Olson (2008) welcomed a son, Thomas Olson III, on Nov. 3, 2013. They reside in Oconomowoc. Molly (Gilbert) Wildenberg (2011) and Joe Wildenberg (2010) welcomed a son, Hank James, on July 21. Joe is a reliability engineer for Manitowoc Crane; Molly is a grower with Floral Plant Growers in Denmark. They reside in Manitowoc.
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In Memoriam Ruby M. Nelson 1930 died December 13, 2013 Joseph G. Braun 1934 died October 11, 2013 Vivian Gleiter 1938 died July 31 Hope R. Simpson 1938 died August 31, 2013 Bernard S. Grant 1939, 1966 died March 3 Walter M. Gronning 1939 died February 15 Florence M. Schumaker 1940 died December 11, 2013 Gertrude L. Abitz 1941, 1942 died April 15 Robert G. Heebink 1941 died February 23 Sigfred Wikholm 1941 died Sept. 2 Vivian L. Wilhelm 1941 died November 26, 2013 Herbert C. Nelson 1942 died March 25 Carol Jacobson 1944 died October 9, 2013 Edward J. Ausderau 1945 died January 8 Merle A. Klug 1945 died March 8 Alice B. Olson 1945 died February 12 Lois H. Frank 1946 died April 17 Harry D. Frokjer 1948 died June 25 George R. Webb 1948 died November 12, 2013 Dorothy S. Murphy 1950 died December 29, 2013 Martin W. Stephenson 1950 died March 27 Charles W. Thompson 1950 died April 11 Kenneth D. Klanderman 1951 died March 6 Dale E. Lium 1953 died April 17 Elli Blake Davids 1956 died November 15, 2013 Doris K. Navarre 1956 died February 13 Sally A. Olson 1956 died January 22 Audrey J. Schweizer 1956 died November 10, 2013 Barbara C. Rohl 1957, 1969 died April 4 Glenn A. Sandve 1957 died May 30 Richard J. Kinney 1958 died February 5
Kenneth H. Bergen 1960 died February 13 Donald M. Hunter 1960 died March 31 James A. Kenall 1960 died December 27, 2013 Edward J. Pronley 1960 died February 17 Gary B. Kampf 1961 died April 29 Gordon K. Horgen 1962 died March 9 Karl S. Johnson 1963 died January 2 Phillip T. Schneider 1963, 1966 died December 17, 2013 Daniel L. Bonner 1964 died April 16 S. Scott Crane 1964 died September 28, 2013 Robert Kissling 1964 died April 14, 2012 Glenn A. Lee 1964 died October 13, 2013 Wayne A. Burich 1965, 1980 died April 13 Arthur H. Piehl 1966 died May 28 Warren R. Smallidge 1966 died August 15 E. Lynn Smyth 1966 died July 8 William L. Stoetzel 1966 died July 20 Sidonia M. Balke 1967 died April 3 Laverne C. Cook 1967, 1969 died July 18 Bonita O’Meara 1967 died January 26 John R. Spielman 1968 died July 5 Melvin T. Shafel 1969 died April 19 M. Gene Verdoes 1969 died May 16 Gerald A. Volbrecht 1969 died February 10 Mary O. Wolf 1969 died Dec. 12, 2013 Larry R. Thompson 1970 died February 21 Sidney C. Patey 1971 died January 13 Betty Schmudlach 1971 died April 15 Donna M. Barr 1972, 1982 died April 6 Thelma M. Kittel 1972 died June 1 Marlene N. Grotenhuis 1973 died February 21 Lorraine M. Oberli 1973 died March 29
Janet M. Larson 1974 died June 8 David M. Leisz 1975 died December 13, 2013 Raymond J. Norgard 1975 died March 13 Alice M. Ordway 1975, 1980 died March 23 Sally J. Cowger 1976 died April 10 Mary T. Hageman 1976 died September 3, 2013 Donald C. Lentsch 1976 died May 4 Steven C. Miller 1976 died January 21, 2013 Glen W. Stensvold 1976 died November 28, 2013 Wayne C. Johnson 1977 died March 10 Peter H. McCusker 1977 died June 8, 2013 Thomas W. Washatka 1980 died March 28 Jeff A. Bump 1981 died January 2 Michael J. Doherty 1981 died Dec. 6, 2013 Craig S. Mason 1981 died July 12 Muriel E. Pfeifer 1981 died March 18 Mark R. Johnson 1982 died Nov. 6, 2013 Frederick R. Lemke 1982 died December 20, 2013 Steven F. Reis 1984 died January 17 Dale Weberg 1984 died August 15 Martinas M. Barney 1987 died June 14 Robert A. Oehlke 1989 died April 5 Carol S. Gilbert 1990 died April 11 Suzanne R. Rhodes 1992 died July 11 Todd J. Taylor-Niemann 1994, 2004 died February 23, 2013 Richard M. Czarny 1997 died July 9 Robert O. Redner 1997 died November 24, 2013 Penny J. Wylesky 1997 died May 2 Grace M. Roberts 1999 died February 4 Brian S. Larson 2004 died November 8, 2013 Adam T. Moen 2005 died May 25
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alma matters Thomas Knutson Deceased Emeriti Faculty and Staff Herbert Cederberg, Ph.D.
Raymond V. Anderson, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of history, Herb Cederberg, died Aug. 24, at 81 years of age after battling pancreatic cancer for three years. Cederberg joined the UWRF community in 1966 and taught for 33 years. In the early 1970’s he co-founded and was director of the UWRF Minority Services Office and was the recipient of several state and national grants for his research and publications. In 2007 he was named Advisor of the Year for his service and dedication to his students. After retiring in 1999, he continued to teach part-time at UWRF (American art history and colonial history) for several more years. Over the years he developed an expertise in art history and conducted many student tours to major history and art museums in the United States. The lifelong tennis player enjoyed landscaping his yard with large rocks, volunteered his time generously to his community, serving on boards of Jobs Now and the Young People’s Symphony Concert Association of the Minnesota Orchestra. He also served with multiple arts and cultural venues around the city.
Professor Emeritus and past department chair of political science, Ray Anderson, died April 10 at the age of 91. Having once called teaching “the world’s most wonderful profession,” Anderson spent from 1963 to 1990 at UW-River Falls, where he helped draft the constitution that created the Faculty Senate. He was heavily involved in civic and political affiliations throughout his lifetime, and made several visits to the state’s and nation’s capitols as a registered lobbyist. He travelled extensively with his wife, Zora, to whom he had been married for more than 60 years, visiting all 50 states and all seven continents. While on the faculty, Anderson created the Dr. Ray Anderson Endowed Scholarship Fund, which is awarded annually to a political science major with demonstrated financial need.
William “Bill” Ammerman Professor Emeritus of art, Bill Ammerman, died Aug. 24, at 88 years of age at Kinni Long Term Care. Ammerman joined the UWRF Art Department in 1958 and served as chair of the department from 1960-67. He retired in 1988.
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Earl Lewis Professor Emeritus of English Earl Lewis died Jan. 30, at the age of 92. He taught at UWRF for 25 years, where he is remembered as a dynamic and influential teacher. He served as president of the Association of University of Wisconsin Faculty from 1984-1986, and as chairman of the Pierce County Democratic Party. In July, 2013, Lewis and his wife, June, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The couple’s passion was traveling the world, making many trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Central and South America, Europe, the South Pacific, and parts of Asia.
1965 graduate of UW-River Falls and UWRF’s 2001 Distinguished Alumnus Thomas Knutson died on Sept. 30 of cancer at age 71. Knutson, an inaugural participant in UWRF’s celebrated “Quarter Abroad” program, spent 33 years as a professor of communications at California State University – Sacramento and was a global communication professor at Bangkok University in Thailand. He was a Fulbright scholar in South Korea and Russia and a past president of Phi Beta Delta, an honor society for international scholars. He traveled to more than 40 countries and published dozens of professional articles. Knutson and his husband, Phan Datthuyawat, were pioneers in same-sex marriage advocacy and, in 2013, became one of the first bi-national couples in the U.S. to have their marriage approved by federal immigration officials.
Dan’s Bandana Project Since spring, an increasing number of white bandanas have been showing up around campus, worn by students or tied to backpacks. More importantly, students are gaining awareness regarding what the bandanas stand for: a sign of support for those suffering from depression or anxiety. More than just an outreach campaign, this initiative also commemorates a young man whose quiet suffering did not find solace. Daniel Gerbec, whom the project is named after, was a senior at UW-Eau Claire when he took his own life in September 2012. His mother, Betsy Gerbec, a senior lecturer of biology at UW-River Falls, says there had been little warning and that Dan had tried to seek
“I started this
help, but it came too late.
project because I know there are students
Dan’s Bandana Project started as a way for Betsy to do something
on this campus who, like
concrete to prevent suicide on our campus. It is her hope that when
Dan, are suffering from depression
students, staff, and faculty make themselves visible as a resource
and anxiety,” said Betsy. “They
for students who are suffering, those students will feel supported
need to know we are supporting them
and will find advocates for their wellbeing. The project is promoted
and that there is help, good help, available to
on campus at freshman orientation and campus health fairs. Each
them. Maybe if Dan had seen a campus full of
student who chooses to display a bandana also takes the following
bandanas, indicating support and help, he might
pledge:
have found peace with himself long before it came to that night in September.”
In taking this bandana and tying it to my backpack, I pledge: I will listen if you need to talk to someone I will talk to someone if I need to be listened to. I will help you find a counselor When you need more than listening,
In a generous show of solidarity from the local community, Corporate Apparel and Printing of River Falls has offered to provide the project with white bandanas at cost, print them free of charge, and match the project’s initial order of 200.
I will find a counselor when I need more than to be listened to. “Suicide is a problem that is surrounded by much taboo. We I will be accepting. I will be honest. I will see a person in need of support.
strongly feel that anything we can do to help people know that there is help is something we should do,” Robert Payne, technical manager and co-owner of Corporate Apparel and Printing, said. “We love the concept of the bandana project – not only that
With this pledge,
there is help available, but that everyone needs to be helpful.”
I am declaring support for those suffering with depression and/or anxiety.
A Student Health Services Mini Grant and generous financial
You can talk with me. I want to help.
support from donors such as Nick and Inga Karolides helped
You are way too important to feel alone today.
finance the outreach initiatives and a student survey. If you would like to donate to the project, visit go.uwrf.edu/giving ,
More than 300 UW-River Falls students took this pledge during the
select “Other,” then type in “Dan’s Bandana Project,” or call
most recent Spring Health Fair.
the UWRF Foundation at 877-258-6647.
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Photo illustration: Cole Bredahl
2013-14 donors UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS
Donor Societies
We appreciate the generosity of our donors, and there are many ways we thank you as members of our giving societies. Here are just some of the many benefits and thanks that are bestowed upon our generous donors: • Annual Donor Recognition event, featuring time with the Chancellor. • Early purchase options for tickets, such as for the Annual Scholarship Benefit. • Reception with the speaker at the Annual Scholarship Benefit. • Newsletter, featuring news of students, faculty, and the impact of recent gifts. • Football and basketball VIP room access (Smith Stadium available in 2015, Falcon Center available in 2017). • Invitation to events at the Chancellor’s home. • Special seating at Commencement** and select campus events. • And more!
July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014
**please contact the UWRF Foundation at least 15 days prior to Commencement.
Legacy Society Major Gifts
Donors with contributions totaling $10,000 or more during Fiscal Year 2013-2014 3M Foundation for the 3M Leadership Scholarship An estate gift from Gertrude Abitz* for the Gertrude L. Abitz Fund Gene and Molly Ahlborn for the Champions’ Gate at David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field Arlin and Marilyn Albrecht for the Falcon Scholars Program Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation for the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation Scholarship
Mary Ella Jerome and the Mary Ella Jerome Family Foundation, Inc. for the Wallace Henry Jerome Agriculture Scholarship, the Marion Estenson Jerome Elementary Education Scholarship, the Lola Estenson Yde Instrumental Music Scholarship, the Lila Estenson Byng Keyboard Scholarship, the Mary Ella Jerome Vocal/Choral Music Scholarship, the Constance Rogneby Schollmeier Psychology Scholarship, and the Music Department Charles and Anne Kao for the Charles Kao Faculty Development Fund
An anonymous gift for the Pre-vet Star Scholarship
Kraft Foods/Oscar Mayer for the Kraft Foods/Oscar Meyer Faculty Scholar Award and the UWRF Animal Welfare Program
JoAnne Chao-An Beckman for the Charles Kao Faculty Development Fund
Marcel K. Lynum Scholarship Trust for the Marcel K. Lynum Scholarship
Bill and Debbie Boehm for CAFES Development, the Falcon Annual Fund, the Dr. Glenn Potts Financial Trading Room, the College of Business and Economics, and the Falcon Scholars Program
Kathryn Melsted for the Kathryn Dvarishkis Melsted Chancellor’s Scholarship
John Butler for the John E. Butler International Research Scholarship Central Wisconsin Cheesemakers & Buttermakers for the Dairy Pilot Plant CHS and the CHS Foundation for the Center for Agricultural Business Management and Engagement, the Agronomy Crops and Soils Admissions Programs, and the CHS Foundation Scholarship. Margaret and Paul Church for the Stephanie Church Memorial Scholarship Dairy Connection, Inc. for the Dairy Pilot Plant Kathy DeLonais & Virgil Drusch and DeLonais Foundation for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (URSCA), the Falcon Club, and the John E. Butler International Research Scholarship Dale Dopkins and Pamela McDaniel-Dopkins for the Dale A. and Pamela A. Dopkins Scholarship Paul Dykstra & Karen Kracher Dykstra via the Ayco Charitable Foundation for the Paul Dykstra Men’s Hockey Locker Room at the Falcon Center and the Falcon Annual Fund Jennifer Easton via The Saint Paul Foundation for the Brainard-Kasten Colt Barn Dan & Jennie Florness and the Fastenal Company for the Dr. Glenn Potts Financial Trading Room Grassland Dairy Products, Inc. for the Grassland Dairy Raw Milk Handling Area in the Dairy Pilot Plant Sang and Hyeong Hahn for the Hahn International Scholarship An estate gift from Shelley Hayner* for the Lena Margaret Olson Benoy Scholarships Melissa Herskowitz for the Ramer Field Renovation Brad and Sue Hewitt via Thrivent Financial for the Falcon Scholars Program Glenn Hoberg for the Falcon Scholars Program 34 WWW.UWRF.EDU/ALUMNI
Mullins Cheese, Inc. for the Dairy Pilot Plant Jim and Stacy Musel for the Dr. Glenn Potts Financial Trading Room Jack and Gretchen Norqual via Minnesota Community Foundation for the Jack and Gretchen Norqual Semester Abroad Scholarship David and Alison Page for the Don Page Arena in the Falcon Center An estate gift from Ed* and Beatrice Pronley for the Pronley Family Political Science Memorial Scholarship John and Glennette Rosenow for Falcons Returning to the Nest St. Croix Orthopaedics, PA for the St. Croix Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athletic Training Room in the Falcon Center Shannon & Angel Zimmerman for Zimmerman Gateway at David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field Sentry Insurance Foundation, Inc. for the Sentry Insurance Scholarship Grace Guey-fen Shieh for the Glenn Potts Leadership Endowed Scholarship, the Dr. Charles H. C. Kao Scholarship, the College of Business & Economics, and the Falcon Annual Fund Stephanie Smith for David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field Patricia Smith Neir and Francis Neir for David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field Polly Smith Stafford and Mark Stafford for David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field Sandy Smith Wurm and Mike Wurm for David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field Welcome Dairy, Inc. for the Dairy Pilot Plant Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Conference Room/Classroom in the Dairy Pilot Plant Christian Wurm for David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field John Bryant Wyman for the Walker D. and Helen Bryant Wyman Visiting Professorship and the Walker D. and Helen B. Wyman Scholarship
Members of the Legacy Society have expressed their commitment to UW-River Falls through a very special and important form of financial support. These friends have remembered the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in their estate plans through wills, trusts, life-income gifts, gifts of property, or named the university as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. Gertrude Abitz* Linda Alvarez Sue and Bill* Ammerman Andy and Phyllis Anderson Robert and Kathleen Armitage Benjamin Bakkegard* Mary Barrett George and Donna Beestman Brad Bittorf and Deb Anstin Annette Blanchette Rick and Sandy Bowen Carolyn Briggs and Dale Condra Frank and Kris Briski Don and Mary Ellen Brue John Butler Kristine Butler Jerry Carstens Alan Case Shirley Christenson Harriet Christianson Charles and Joanne Connelly Marilyn and Erling Eibs Larry and Pat Gansluckner Phil and Judy George Phyllis Goldin and Wanda Brown Gaylon and Hannah Greenhill Margaret Gruba Barb and Bill Hanley Dick Huston Dennis and Carolyn Johnson Wyman and Marjorie Julius Margaret Keating and Daniel Turkisher Robert and Pauline Koenig Douglas Krant DeAn and Robert Krey David Lackey and Paige Olson Wayne Lafferty and Robert Amos
Jim and Susan L’Allier Marv Lansing and Nancy Kraft Curt and Dee Larson Marilyn and Dan Lightfoot Palma Linnerud Bill and Nancy Maurina Jeff and Mary McCardle Marcia and Donald Meracle Randy and Mary Moog David and Illa Moore Lois and Al Murray Anne Nelson Shelby and Charles Obershaw Margaret Odegard Rick Oebser Thomas Olson Grace Oskey Nancy Parlin Bob Pionke Raymond Polzin Lucy and Charles Ramshaw John Rice Karma and Don Roberts Barbara Rohl* Dora Marie Rohl Ed “Swami” and Mary Schlumpf Brian and Ellen Schultz Judith Skow Shirley Stone Gary and Emogene Thibodeau Dean and Mary Van Galen Shannon Wall William Ward, Jr. Michael and Jeri Weiser Greg and Donnette Wheelock Chuck and Ruth Anne White Ruth Wild Melissa and Justin Wilson Valerie and Mike Woiak
1874 Founders Society
The 1874 Society is the lifetime circle of giving, honoring the benefactors who have given at a cumulative level. Until June 30, 2015, those generous donors who have given a lifetime amount of $10,000 will be forever honored as 1874 Society members. Beginning July 1, 2015, donors will need to reach $25,000 in lifetime giving in order to achieve 1874 Society membership. Within the 1874 Society, there are additional tiers of giving that are recognized with additional benefits. Associate: $50,000 lifetime giving Partner: $100,000 lifetime giving Leader: $250,000 lifetime giving Benefactor: $500,000 lifetime giving 3M Foundation 3M Microbiology Labs Catharine Abbott Gertrude Abitz* Mildred Addy AgStar Financial Services Gene and Molly Ahlborn Loren Albert Arlin and Marilyn Albrecht Jane Alfonse American Association of University Women American Center for Philanthropy American Endowment Foundation Sue and Bill* Ammerman Andersen Corporation Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation Hugh J. Andersen Foundation Andy and Phyllis Anderson Daniel and Caroline Anderson Anoka County Gem and Mineral Club Anonymous Ayco Charitable Foundation Badgerland Financial Benjamin Bakkegard* Mary Barrett Bayport Foundation JoAnne Chao-An Beckman Jason and Kristin Beeler George and Donna Beestman Jon and Metta Belisle Lyle and Mary Bellin Lori Bents BioDiagnostics BioMerieux, Inc. Brad Bittorf and Deb Anstin Annette Blanchette BMC Foundation David Boatman Barbara Boddy and Donald Salwoski Bill and Debbie Boehm James Bohn and Linda Zelig Harlan Boss Foundation for the Arts Otis Bowen* Rick and Sandy Bowen Dan and Jane Brandenstein Kyle Brokken Ruth Brown Josh and Irene Burbul Gary and Faye Burke Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation
Janet and Tim Burns John Butler Jerry Carstens Central Wisconsin Cheesemakers & Buttermakers Derek and Michelle Cherne Chevron Corporation Cho Chang Tsung Foundation of Education Christ The King Lutheran Church Neil and Patty Jo Christenson Shirley Christenson CHS CHS Foundation Margaret and Paul Church Citizens Bank City of River Falls John and Arla Clemons Community Funds, Inc. Charles and Joanne Connelly Bill and Loris Connolly ConocoPhillips Carolyn Cook Bill and Janet Cordua Alice Curler Sarah and Mark Dahlke Dairy Connection, Inc. Gigi Daniel Davison Scholarship Fund Bob and Merrelyn Dawson Conrad and Susan DeJong Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation Kathy DeLonais and Virgil Drusch DeLonais Foundation LaVerne Delorit Dale Dopkins and Pamela McDaniel-Dopkins Larry and Marcy Dorau Paul Dykstra and Karen Kracher Dykstra Bob and LouAnn Dykstra Jennifer Easton Ecolab Foundation Marilyn and Erling Eibs Roxanne Emmerich and David Duhaime The Emmerich Group, Inc. Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa Ethel McDonald Ellis Trust Rob and Michelle Everson Falcon Faceoff Club Mike and Rae Farley Farm Credit Wisconsin Fastenal Company FedEx Ground Marilynne Felderman
Marcella Field Beverly and Eugene Finn First National Bank of River Falls Dan and Jennie Florness Ford Motor Company Kathleen Forsythe Connie Foster and Fred Roethlisberger Larry and Pat Gansluckner General Mills Community Action Roger Gerrits Tom and Anne Goerke Phyllis Goldin and Wanda Brown Ron Gondeck Jim Grantman* Grassland Dairy Products, Inc. Great Northern Oliver Collectors Gaylon and Hannah Greenhill Growmark, Inc. H.B. Fuller Company Foundation Sang and Hyeong Sik Hahn Mary and Tom Halada Duane and Frances Hall Percival Hamilton Karen Handorf George Hansen and Emily Lyon Hansen Hartung Brothers, Inc. Ed and Janet Hayes Shelley Hayner* HealthPartners Heart of America Management Gorden Hedahl and Jean Loudon Tim Hein Dean and Linda Henderson Melissa Herskowitz Brad and Sue Hewitt John and Ina Hill Glenn Hoberg Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi John and Helen Huang Dick Huston Tim Huston IBM Corporation David Imrie Ingersoll-Rand Bruce and Patricia Jacobson Mary Ella Jerome Mary Ella Jerome Family Foundation, Inc. Connie Johnson Doug and Margel Johnson James and Colleen Johnson Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Dean and Tammie Junkans Charles and Anne Kao Nick and Inga Karolides Douglas Kelly Kenneth and Deneen Kickbusch Helen Klink Jerome and Shirley Knode Don and Beverly Knudtson Robert and Pauline Koenig Tom and Sarah Kolar Skip and Susan Koosmann
Bob and Jennifer Kotecki Kraft Foods/Oscar Mayer Kraft Foundation Bob and Mary Jo Krueger Nancy and James Kruger Linda and Phil Lago John and Nancy Laird Melvin and Carole Laird Land O’Lakes Foundation Marv Lansing and Nancy Kraft Marilyn Laramy Curt and Dee Larson Margo Daggett Lessard Lilly Endowment, Inc. Kathy Lindahl Lockheed Martin Corporation Viola Lundeberg Trust Bill Lydecker Marcel & Edith Lynum Scholarship Trust Marcel K. Lynum Scholarship Trust Steve Mageski Marathon Oil Company Dan Marchand and Michelle Roesler Marcia and David Marquardt Brad and Joanne Martin George and Karen Marx Jerry and Faye Matteson Mayo Foundation Sylvia and John McCallister Jeff and Mary McCardle Mickey McDermott Scholarship Fund Dan and Lori McGinty Kathryn Melsted Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Mark Meydam and Katrina Larsen Lois Michaelson Scott and Lisa Miller Minnesota Community Foundation Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association Steve and Kathleen Mooney Ralph K. Morris Foundation Motorola Foundation Mullins Cheese, Inc. Edna Mumm Jim and Stacy Musel Jerry and Susan Nechville Lanny and Joni Neel Allen and Mary Ann Nelson James and Barbara Nelson Marlys Nelson Albert “Ab” Nicholas Jack and Gretchen Norqual North Central Cheese Industries Association Northwest Feed Manufacturers Association Northwestern Mutual Life Virgil and Gayle Nylander Kristina Ogland Manley and Ann Olson Marvin and Myrna Olson Liz Oostendorp Grace Oskey David and Alison Page Jo Page Verne and Raima Palmberg
Nancy Parlin Doug and Elizabeth Patin Maureen Pechacek and Maynard Howe Virgie Peloquin* Wu Peng Faye Perkins and Joe McIntosh Ursula Peterson Wayne Peterson Laura Carlson Peterson and Tom Peterson Donald and Aline Petzold Phillips Plastics Corporation Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Bob Pionke Barb Preston-Broesder and David Broesder Principal Financial Group Beatrice and Ed* Pronley Renee Radcliffe Reader’s Digest Foundation Paul and Laura Rebholz Red Wing Publishing Company John Rice Don and Ellie Richards Duane and Evelyn Rivard River Falls Garden Club River Falls Medical Clinic, Ltd. River Falls State Bank River Falls Tuesday Club RiverTown Newspaper Group Keith and Katharine Rodli Barbara Rohl* Dora Marie Rohl Bill Romoser Robert and Dolores Rosenbrook John and Glennette Rosenow Tom and Suzanne Sackett St. Croix Orthopaedics Saint Croix Valley Foundation Saint Croix Valley Music Teachers Association The Saint Paul Foundation Sajan, Inc. Andrew and Gina Lee Sandvik Jim and Frankie Saxton Brian and Ellen Schultz Sentry Insurance Foundation, Inc. Grace Guey-fen Shieh Connie and Stephen Smith Stephanie Smith Patricia Smith Neir and Francis Neir Polly Smith Stafford and Mark Stafford Sandy Smith Wurm and Mike Wurm Emery and Doris Sobottka Rosemary Soli Russ and Laurel Spence Bonnie Starkey State Farm Companies David and Pat Stone Nancy Carmichael-Stoner and Craig Stoner Strategic Diagnostics, Inc. Muriel Svec Meg and Stephen Swanson
David Swensen Richard and Grace Swensen Stephen and Lynn Swensen Tampa Electric Company Lillian Tan Scott and Arline Taylor Gary and Emogene Thibodeau Jeff and Ann Thiel Thrivent Gift Multiplier Joe and Karla Tobola Tozer Foundation Trane David Trechter University of Wisconsin Foundation University Women’s Club Dean and Mary Van Galen Viad Corp Fund Viking Coca-Cola of River Falls Arden and Patti Virnig Ed Walter William Ward, Jr. David and Sandra Wardwell Welcome Dairy, Inc. Wells Fargo WESTconsin Credit Union Greg and Donnette Wheelock Chuck and Ruth Anne White Ruth Wild Brian and Jen Williamson Bruce and Jeanine Williamson Judy Wilson WinField Solutions, LLC Jean Wirsig Wisconsin Agri-Business Association Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Wisconsin Florists Foundation Wisconsin Livestock & Meat Council Wisconsin Nursery Association Wisconsin Pork Producers Association Wisconsin Public Service Foundation Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association Warren Wolfe and Sheryl Fairbanks Ruth and David Wood Christian Wurm John Bryant Wyman Mark and Eva Wyman Xcel Energy Services, Inc. Bill and Vicki York Shannon and Angel Zimmerman
*Deceased
35
2013-14 donors Chancellor’s Circle
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
FOUNDATION
Statement of Financial Position June 30, 2014
ASSETS Cash & cash equivalents $1,167,567 Investments 20,442,164 Accounts receivable, net Pledges receivable, net 1,290,940 Prepaid expenses 12,276 Gift annuities 163,172 Beneficial interest in charitable remainder trust 97,564 Property and equipment, net 90,878 Total Assets $23,264,561 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities: Accounts payable $16,033 Accrued wages payable and related taxes 39,832 Gift annuity payables 126,385 Total liabilities 182,250 Net Assets: Unrestricted: Undesignated 1,987,608 Board designated endowment 2,032,927 Temporarily restricted 10,573,842 Permanently restricted 8,488,024 Total net assets $23,082,401 Total liabilities and net assets $23,264,651
UW-RIVER FALLS FOUNDATION 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Derek Cherne ’93, chair Bob Casey ’86, vice chair Barbara Butler ’86, treasurer Mark Gherty ’75, secretary Bob Kotecki ’86, past chair Bill Boehm ‘70 Laura Carlson Peterson ‘87 Suzanne Hagen Deborah Hanson ‘03 Steve Healy ‘73 Margaret Keating ‘75 Jim Musel ‘88 Brent Niccum ‘91 Trudy Popenhagen ‘83 John Rosenow ‘72 Greg Wheelock ‘83 Bill York ‘78 Shannon Zimmerman Ex-Officio Members Dean Van Galen, Chancellor David Rainville, Faculty Senate Chair Gustavo Cavalheiro, student representative Chris Mueller, UW-River Falls Foundation President
The Chancellor’s Circle honors the exceptional generosity of alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends who contribute $1,000 or more to the university during the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Within the Chancellor’s Circle, there are additional tiers of giving that are recognized with additional benefits. Silver Circle: $2,500 Gold Circle: $5,000 Platinum Circle: $10,000 3M Foundation Gertrude Abitz* AgSource Cooperative Services AgStar Financial Services Gene and Molly Ahlborn Loren Albert Arlin and Marilyn Albrecht Gene Alexander American Center for Philanthropy American Endowment Foundation Sue and Bill* Ammerman Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation Andy and Phyllis Anderson Daniel and Caroline Anderson Anoka County Gem and Mineral Club Anonymous Associated Insurance Counselors Ayco Charitable Foundation Badgerland Financial Mary Barrett Richard and Joanne Bartsh JoAnne Chao-An Beckman George and Donna Beestman Lyle and Mary Bellin The Benevity Community Impact Fund Jean Benson Lori Bents Bioactive Regenerative Therapeutics, Inc. BioDiagnostics Brad Bittorf and Deb Anstin Ken and Hee Dong Blanford Bill and Debbie Boehm Charles and Linda Bostrom Rick and Sandy Bowen Frank and Kris Briski Ruth Brown Dean and Beth Buchholz Josh and Irene Burbul Dennis and Jacolyn Burich Janet and Tim Burns Barbara and Bob Butler John Butler Bob and Dena Casey Brad and Wanita Caskey Central Wisconsin Cheesemakers & Buttermakers Jeff and Kristi Cernohous Garth Christenson and Mary Stuesser Neil and Patty Jo Christenson Shirley Christenson CHS
36 WWW.UWRF.EDU/ALUMNI
CHS Foundation Margaret and Paul Church Citizens Bank Bill and Loris Connolly Ed and Barbara Coyle Dairy Connection, Inc. Mike and Lorraine Davis Bob and Merrelyn Dawson Conrad and Susan DeJong Kathy DeLonais and Virgil Drusch DeLonais Foundation Dale Dopkins and Pamela McDaniel-Dopkins Betty Durand Yunge Dutton Paul Dykstra and Karen Kracher Dykstra Bob and LouAnn Dykstra Jennifer Easton Ecolab Foundation Mark and Linda Egan Marilyn and Erling Eibs Craig Emerson Roxanne Emmerich and David Duhaime The Emmerich Group, Inc. Gary Eppling Mike and Rae Farley Fastenal Company Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund First National Bank of River Falls Dan and Jennie Florness Connie Foster and Fred Roethlisberger Judy and Jim Freund Blake and Michele Fry Liz and Kurt Fuhr Janice Gaalaas David Gabel Carl and Brenda Gaulke General Mills Community Action Roger Gerrits Mark Gherty and Maeta McKenzie-Gherty Mark Gillen and Katherine Smith Tom and Anne Goerke Phyllis Goldin and Wanda Brown Kimberly Gould Speckman and Jeff Speckman David and Nancy Grabarczyk Jim Grantman* Grassland Dairy Products, Inc. Newt Greaser Great Northern Oliver Collectors Gaylon and Hannah Greenhill Ed and Colleen Gregorich Susanne Griffin-Ziebart Growmark, Inc. Jay and Deb Gunderson
Thomas and Laura Gust H.B. Fuller Company Foundation Suzanne and Waldo Hagen Sang and Hyeong Sik Hahn Mary and Tom Halada Duane and Frances Hall Karen Handorf George Hansen and Emily Lyon Hansen John Hansen Deborah and Stephen Hanson Hartung Brothers, Inc. Harvest Tec, Inc. Shelley Hayner* Steve and Janice Healy Hehli-Vold Corporation Tim Hein Rusty Helland and Peggy Kothlow-Helland Melissa Herskowitz Brad and Sue Hewitt Glenn Hoberg Richard and Elaine Howard Sam and Midge Huffman Deb Hulbert Dick Huston Gene and Mary Janicke Mary Ella Jerome Mary Ella Jerome Family Foundation, Inc. Melissa Johansen Arnie and Carol Johnson Eleanor Johnson Gerald and Dianne Johnson Dean and Tammie Junkans Charles and Anne Kao Nick and Inga Karolides Jane Kasper Margaret Keating and Daniel Turkisher Mike and Sheue Keenan Tom and Cynthia Keup Kenneth and Deneen Kickbusch Laura and Randolph Kimpfbeck Cyndi Klecker Kathryn Knott Tom Knutson and Phan Datthuyawat Sandra Koch Tom and Sarah Kolar Skip and Susan Koosmann Kraft Foods/Oscar Mayer Diane and Michael Kretz Bob and Mary Jo Krueger Alan and Katrina Kruizenga Kathleen Kullmann Mark and Susan Lacek Linda and Phil Lago John and Nancy Laird Victor and Karon Langer Marv Lansing and Nancy Kraft Marilyn Laramy Curt and Dee Larson Kevin and Gail Larson The LCMS Foundation Ken and Ruth Lee Margo Daggett Lessard Wen Li Marilyn and Charles Lightfoot Kathy Lindahl
Lockheed Martin Corporation Viola Lundeberg Trust Lynn Dairy, Inc. Marcel & Edith Lynum Scholarship Trust Marcel K. Lynum Scholarship Trust Madison Community Foundation Jim and Linda Madsen Steve Mageski Marathon Oil Company Dan Marchand and Michelle Roesler Marcia and David Marquardt Doug and Denise Marsolek Brad and Joanne Martin Jerry and Faye Matteson Sylvia and John McCallister Mickey McDermott Scholarship Fund Dan and Lori McGinty Kathryn Melsted Chad and Tricia Meschke Mark Meydam and Katrina Larsen Paul and Jackie Micech Minnesota Community Foundation Elliott and Susan Moeser Monsanto Fund Steve and Kathleen Mooney Tom Morris, LTD Chris and Lynnea Mueller Linda and Michael Muenchow Mullins Cheese Inc. Lois and Al Murray Jim and Stacy Musel New Richmond Area Community Foundation Deanne Nezas Brent and Julie Niccum Jack and Gretchen Norqual Northwest Feed Manufacturers Association Virgil and Gayle Nylander Dick Oebser Manley and Ann Olson Grace Oskey David and Alison Page Chuck and Debra Palmer Nancy Parlin Doug and Elizabeth Patin Faye Perkins and Joe McIntosh David and Lois Peters
Laura Carlson Peterson and Thomas Peterson Wayne Peterson Robert and Julie Poetzel Trudy and Lloyd Popenhagen Beatrice and Ed* Pronley Lucy and Charles Ramshaw Paul and Laura Rebholz Matt and Ann Renn Brad and Lori Ribar Don and Ellie Richards Scott Ringelstetter River Falls Garden Club River Falls Municipal Utilities River Falls State Bank RiverTown Newspaper Group Karma and Don Roberts Barbara Rohl* Dora Marie Rohl John and Glennette Rosenow Jerome and Catherine Rulli St. Croix Orthopaedics St. Croix Valley Master Gardeners Association Saint Croix Valley Music Teachers Association Saint Croix Valley Shrine Club The Saint Paul Foundation Sajan, Inc. Sally Salmonsson Andrew and Gina Lee Sandvik Santa Fe Community Foundation David Sartori Jim and Frankie Saxton Brian and Ellen Schultz Schwab Charitable Fund Sentry Insurance Foundation, Inc. Grace Guey-fen Shieh Mary Simonson Clark Clyde and Ellen Smith Connie and Stephen Smith Stephanie Smith Patricia Smith Neir and Francis Neir Polly Smith Stafford and Mark Stafford Sandy Smith Wurm and Mike Wurm Emery and Doris Sobottka Larry Solberg Jason and Jennifer Staszko State Farm Companies
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our recognition lists. If you have any questions about your listing, please contact the UW-River Falls Foundation at 715-425-3505 or e-mail alumni@uwrf.edu.
*Deceased
Paul and Sheila Steiner Mike and Tammy Stifter Myrtle Stirrat David and Pat Stone Nancy Carmichael-Stoner and Craig Stoner Julie Stucky and Dave Simpson Muriel Svec Meg and Stephen Swanson Sheldon Swensen Lillian Tan Theisen Infinity Foundation Gary and Emogene Thibodeau John Thompson* Thrivent Gift Multiplier Joe and Karla Tobola Brad and Kristen Tvedt University of Wisconsin Foundation Dean and Mary Van Galen Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Dick and Joan Waak Gary and Linda Wagenbach Kae Walker and Richard DeWitt Gordon and Joyce Waller Wayne and Suzanne Weiss Welcome Dairy, Inc. Brad Welle and Susan Thompson-Welle Wells Fargo WESTconsin Credit Union Greg and Donnette Wheelock Chuck and Ruth Anne White Donald and Chong White Norma Jeanne White Steve and Terri Wilcox Ruth Wild Heather Willert Larry and Virginia Williams Bruce and Jeanine Williamson Judy Wilson Randy Winger Wisconsin Agri-Business Association Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association Wisconsin Florists Foundation Wisconsin Livestock & Meat Council Wisconsin State Grange Christian Wurm John Bryant Wyman Mark and Eva Wyman Xcel Energy Services, Inc. Bill and Vicki York Gordon Ziebart Juleen Zierath Shannon and Angel Zimmerman Catherine and William Zucco David Zucco and Justin Newhall Steven and Ellen Zutz
New Donors
A special thanks to the donors who made their first gift to UW-River Falls in 2013-14. Donald Aaser and Polly Zazula Aaser Dennis Abernathy Kayla Abtin James and Catherine Adam Robert Adams Stephanie and David Adams Affordable Housing Management Foundation Agronomic Consulting, Inc. Paul Albert Gene Alexander Rebecca Ali Marsha Allen Bob and Denise Alliegro Annette Altobelli Christopher Altschwager Daniel Ames Debbie Amoss Barb Andersen Jay Anderson Jerry Anderson Joel and Trish Anderson John Anderson Steven Anderson Susan Anderson Travis and Ann Anderson Deborah Andrus-Lokrantz Ann Anklam Cynthia Appleseth Verna Arnold Associated Insurance Counselors Andrew Augustine William and Sally Baechler Ted Baier Scott Bailey Ginny Baker Colleen Baldrica Cathy Ballard BARPS Crew James and Kay Barth Tim Basten Matthew Bastien and Kathy Tomlinson Pam Bathrick Amanda Baudo Richard Bauer Arlyn Baumgaren JoAnne Chao-An Beckman Ida Behm Joe Behnke Hamilton Bell Thomas and Barbara Belongia The Benevity Community Impact Fund Justin Berg Kellie Berg Heidi and Tracy Bergh Paul Berndt Daniel and Gayle Berry Jessica Bertrand Doris Bethke Sheldon and Vicki Betzold Jordan Bevers Bioactive Regenerative Therapeutics, Inc.
Jamison Bisch Catherine Black Craig Blake Shelli Blechinger Katherine Block Charles and Jennie Boeder Adel Boehm-Mabe Carol Borchard Dean Borchardt Donald and Cynthia Bosse Karen Brady Penny Brandon Perry and Michelle Braun Suzie Breuer Jamie Broos Margaret Broos Mary Brown Michelle Brown Roger and Sally Brown Charles Brunnette Bonnie and Mathew Bubon Brian Buck Becky Buckley Raymond and Barbara Buisker Kevin and Celeste Burden Howard Burfeind Willam and Sandra Burich Gerald Burling Theresa Bush Cindy Bushman Sharon Busse Liz Byers Juan Calvo Barbara Campbell Jacinda Campbell Kevin Canopy Melanie Canto Nancy Caponi Kimberly Carranza Elena Carrel Dawn and Edward Carroll Kristy Carter Steve Casarez Benjamin Casper Anthony Celley Jack Celt Kristine Cemenski Central Wisconsin Cheesemakers & Buttermakers Richard Chambers Jeanne Chapdelaine Charlsen Trucking Service Inc. Donald and Marylynn Cherry Hunter Christian Kent and Amy Christiansen CHS Barbara and David Church Linnea and Dennis Clark Maurae Clendenning Amy Beth Clochie Rachel Close Mera Colling Color Craft Graphic Arts Julie Comp Benson Conley
Jacob Conway Crague Cook Kris Cooper Paul Cordova Lawrence Coss Karen Cox Brenda Creighton Croix Valley Veterinary Hospital, LLC Dale Croone Leo and Ann Crowley Jolie Cummins Jill Cundiff Joe Dahedl’s Lawn Service Ruth Ann Dahlke Nancy Dahlof Stacey Dahms Dairy Connection, Inc. Scott Damiani Lea Dankers Robert and Karen Davies Jim Davig Ann Degree Carolyn Dellinger The Delta Air Lines Foundation Joe Dennis Barb DeRosier Dale Dickey Susan Diebold Mike and Sandy Diegnau Delores Dietzler Todd and Sherrie Dirkman Christine Dittel Michael and Mary Ditty Julie Dixon Debbie Dodds Deborah Domain Lexi Doner Richard Donnelly Double Diamond Ventures, Inc. Michele Dwyer Jan Eakins Eastern WI Cheese & Buttermakers Association Laura and Gary Ebensperger Sharil Edholm Educational Credit Management Corporation Egan Brothers Dallas Eggers Lee and Julie Ekstrom Emily Elsenpeter Marla Emery David Emmerich Equine Dental Service, Inc. Mark and Tammy Erickson Nancy Erickson Joni Eskandary Linda Eugster Larry Evenstad Tim Evert Fastenal Company Allen Featherstone Celelia Fecho Debra Fernau Tom Ferrier Raybecca Fiala Dana Fiedler David and Tammy Fiedler Todd and Patricia Fiedler
Jordan Flattum Anthony and Marsha Floeder Dan and Jennie Florness Craig and Teresa Flynn Jon and Joan Fogelberg Neal Folta Paul Foy Rebecca Foytek Amy Franzwa Freddie Mac Foundation Roger Freiheit Sarah and Ray French Frey Foundation William and Deborah Fristad Elizabeth Frueh Sara Fuchs Helen Fuller Michael and Mary Jo Gadient Joe Ganske Caroline Gaslin William and Mary Gasper Carol and Lyle Gerken Ioana Ghenciu Tim Giblette Marjorie Giese Lorraine Gilles Martin and Florence Gister Marilyn Gjovig Allison Goetz Charissa Goral David and Tenille Goshaw Jennifer Gramse Grassland Dairy Products, Inc. Barry Green Gregory Griffin Timothy Grosskurth Michelle Gunderson Annette Gustafson H & R Block River Falls Adam and Christine Hady Terry Haines Brenda Hall Leif Hallen Todd Halopka Scott Halverson Kim Hanrahan Karol Hansen William and Joan Hansen Amy Hanson Scott Hanson Shelby Hanson Sheila Harnack Steven and Donna Harrison Rebecca Hartung Jim and Barb Hasling Dale and Maureen Hatch Jill Hauge Barb Haugen Jane Hausman Shelley Hayner* Hehli-Vold Corporation Mark and Mary Beth Heilman Kathryn Heleniak Michael Helke Julie Henrickson Kathleen Henson Heritage Orchard, LLC Jeffrey Hermann Michael Herrmann Melissa Herskowitz
Eric Hildbrandt Laura Hillman Melanie Hinsch Diane Hirschey Kathleen Holahan Daniel Holdvogt Barb Holicky Kelly Holldorf Peder and Debra Holmlund Robin and Jay Holst Gary Horvath Barry and Rita Hove Michael Huber Roger and Cheryl Hubing Amanda Hudak Lee Alan Huppert Steven and Joan Huppert Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association David Ingham Monica Ingram Jan Doelle Veterinary Service, LLC Lauren Janssen Mark Jarrett Donald Jaworski Clifford Jennings Vicki Jens Page David Jensen Kathy Jensen Heather Jerrie Daniel Jilek Jim’s Barber Shop Richard and Shirley Johannsen Anne Johnson Donald Johnson Elizabeth Johnson Eric and Darla Kay Johnson Kevin and Paula Johnson Kim Johnson Tony Johnson Beverly Jones Gayle Jones Merlyn Jones Liz Jostock Shawn Kaasa Geraldine Karakas Chad Kardash Laura Kaschmitter John Kauphusman Ruth Kay Jodie Kegan Matthew Kelleher Jolene Kennedy John Kenworthy Diane and Gary Kiekhoefer Randal and Katherine Klinger Tiffany Klinger Darwin Klockers Keith and Jeannine Kneubuhler Kathryn Knott Sandra Knover Dorothy Knutson Richard and Danna Koats Sandra Koch Wynne Koecher Sandy Kohl Jeanie Kontny Karen Korbel Mary Koslowsky Don Kostello
Collin Kottke Kathryn Kouba Kraft Foods/Oscar Mayer Phyllis Kragseth Douglas Kratz Judith Kruckman David and Amy Kruse Michael Kunz Kristi Kurkowski Joanna Kusilek Angela Kyndberg William Laatsch Ken and Eunice LaCoy Arne and Miriam Lagus William Lamers Michelle Landry David and Karen Lang Ashley Langer Victor and Karon Langer Pauline Laniado Molly Lannon Terry Larsen Barbara Larson Elsie Latawiec John Lawson The LCMS Foundation Curtis Le May John and Carol Lease Dorothy Anne Leathers Brian Leduc Adam Lee John Lenway Bryan and Janice Leonard Dorothy Lepine Marilyn and Dan Lightfoot Jon and Jennifer Lillquist Michael and Kathleen Lind Jodi Lindner Dale Lindquist Norman and Patricia Linnell Lorraine Little Betty Livermore Travis and Sarah Lockwood Sally and Peter Loehrer Diane Lotter Julie and Michael Lubich Aaron Luckstein Susan Ludvigson Bartels Brian Lueck Ron and Connie Lund Lynn Dairy, Inc. Pam Maas Jim Magolski Andrea Mahr Carol Maletzke Arlene Malmer Ryan Marcum Howard and Faith Markie Garry Marten Janet Marten Brigid Martin Drew Martin Barbara Mathson Paul and Tonya Matson Matt’s Electric, Inc. Jennifer Mayers James and Marlene Mc Keown Ross McBride Carolyn McCanless Kathy McCartney Timothy and Jennifer McCormick Joshua McCright Eugene and Virginia McGraw
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2013-14 donors Alex McKenna Ethna McKiernan Denise McNeal Tom Mcniff Steven Meads Karen and Nick Mehan Luke Meier Dawn Mensing Luke and Brenda Merchlewitz Jean Meyer Lola Meyers Jennifer Michel Shelly Micke Carol and Mark Miller Judith Miller Judy Milston Susan Mingo Terrie Moen Kristine Mohr Andrew Moldenhauer Terry and Karen Moody Shelby Moran Carol Morfitt Beverly Morier Tom Morris, LTD Motivations Tutoring Service Linda and Michael Muenchow Mullins Cheese, Inc. Judith Murakami Colin Murphy Elaine Murphy Keller Christopher and Jean Murray Daniel and Anne Murray Becky Nagel Rebecca Neamy John Neiderhauser Beverly Nelson Charley and Maurine Nelson Janice and Ryan Nelson Randy and Luanne Nelson Joanne Nemitz Kristen and Jackie Neurer Darrell Newman Deanne Nezas Brent and Julie Niccum Tanya Nienow Lorie Nikolai Norlake Dianna Novotny Catherine Nyseth Ann Obele Joan Oberhaus Ockler Farms Kathy Oesau Liana Ogawa Lavon Olander Ted and Wanda Olson Helen O’Neill William and Mary Osborn Ryan and Candace Ostreng Roger and Kimberly Owens Jean Oxley Nancy Pakko Michelle Palo Youlang Pan David Pasch John Patakos Linda and James Payton Judy Pearson Pechacek’s General Contracting, LLC Stephanie Pereboom Robert Perkins and Joni Evans
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Paul Perkins-Mcintosh Mary Catharine Perry Vicki and Mark Peshek Thomas and Julie Peter Scott Petersen Aaron Peterson Debbie Peterson James and Pamela Peterson Karen Peterson-Rucker Norman and Diane Pettis Robin Pettis John and Mary Phelps Earl Phillips Janelle Picknell Dennis Piechowski Pierce County Democratic Party Pierce County VFW Post 9060 Teresa and Joe Pignato Jill Pingel Layne and Laura Pitt Prescott Chiropractic Roger Pribbenow Pat Prusinski Sue Pukrop Ranee May Consulting Daniel Rasmussen Dwayne Rasmussen Luverne and Marilyn Rasmussen Mary Rasmussen Vern and Kay Rasmussen Catherine Reardon Kerynda Reardon Tammy Reardon Lisa Reberg Gaile Rebhan Sara Reed Mike Regnier Camille Ridley Steve Ridley Mel Riel Kristin Rigg Brian Ritchie Cheryl Ritter Bob Ritzer The River Falls Community Foundation John Roach Cameron and Darlene Roatch Jennifer Roetter William and Konnie Rogotzke Debbie Rohland Mary Rosenberg Janet Roskowinski Autumn Ruddy Donald Ruedy Jennifer Ruggle Matt and Helen Ruohoniemi Melinda Russell Jill and Kurt Rutlin Marty and Kathryn Rutz Nancy Saathoff Amber Sabelko Isabella Sanders David Sartori Susan Sauter Jeannette Schade Mark Schaefer James Schieck Theodore and Judith Schieffer Julie Schlangen
WWW.UWRF.EDU/ALUMNI
donor profiles Marty Schlecht Cayla Schluter James Schmid Lisa Schmitz Steven Schoeder Scott Schoepp School District of Prairie Farm Chris Schoonover Adrian Schottroff David Schubbe Terrence and June Schubert Matthew Schwankl Lois Schwert Melissa Sears Maxine Sendelbach Mary Shaw Marianne Shema Angela Sherman Cheryl Sikorski Mary Simonson Clark Steve Sobczak Vicki Soderquist Mary Soppeland Sherry Spanner Bonnie Sperberg Teeka Stafford Jan Stahura Kenneth Staples Steiner Plumbing and Electric Craig Sticht Cynthia Stipek William Stockman Richmond Stoglin and Reecia ThompsonStoglin Mandy Stokes Catherine Stolte Elaine Stolts Margie Stone Valerie Stoyke Marlene Straley Mary Jo Strand Janis Strasser Struss Optical, Inc. Studio 306 Barb Sturgeon Randy Styer Karen Swedberg Patrick and Mary Sweeney Cyndi Symbal Norma Taplin Ellie Tarnutzer Jason Tebay Brittany Tedford Brittany Teske Theisen Infinity Foundation Dayna Thompson Jessica Thompson Jeffrey Tipton Mary and Richard Towner TPG Credit Management, L.P. Richard Trapp Joseph Tuccitto Alexander Tupan Laura Tussey The U.S. Charitable Gift Trust Jamie Unger Unitarian Universalist Society of River Falls Heidi Usgaard Ruth Vail Dave and Diane Van Deurzen
C.S. Van Keuren Molly Van Wagner Dana Van Wie Tom and Dana Van Wie Jason Vandebrake and Amanda BakerVandebrake Lori Vetter Christopher and Stacy Viau Max Vitullo Dennis Voglund Todd Voss Michelle Vosters Lance Wachholz Jonathan Wagaman Cheryl Wagner Ralph and Mary Wallin James Walrath Craig and Jill Walter Cheryl Warner Daniel Weaver Kim Webster Richard and Diane Welke Jennie Welker Tina and Paul Werni Wescott Station Antiques & Collectibles Jack White Norma Jeanne White Geraldine Wick Thomas Wick Benjamin Widmyer Walter and Carla Wiese June and Don Wilcox Wayne and Sharon Wilkes Tracie Will Terry Williamson Beth Wilson Nichole Wilson John and Susan Winterton Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Wisconsin Lutheran Home Ministries Wisconsin Women In Higher Education Leadership Leonard Wiskerchen Kay Witherspoon Dean and Pamela Wohlers Brian Wolf Caroline Wolf Desiree Woller Timothy and Delrae Wolter Nancy Wong Vicki Wuest Alex Wunrow Christian Wurm Edward Xiong Lee Yang Tammy and Mike Young Natalie Moreau Lauren Ziebarth Kelly Ziehl Brenda Ziller Catherine and William Zucco David Zucco and Justin Newhall
Dan & Marilyn Lightfoot When youthful and outgoing retirees Dan and Marilyn Lightfoot of Hudson recently began discussing how they wished to allocate their assets in their will, they knew that something would go to higher education and research. Coming from modest backgrounds, neither had the opportunity to go to college. In spite of this, they were able to work hard and were rewarded with a certain level of career success, Dan in the printing industry and Marilyn at Ecolab in St. Paul. With today’s fast paced and highly competitive job market, they know that such trajectories are now rare, if not impossible. Desirous of helping improve the field of eye health, something that has touched both Marilyn and Dan personally, they initially looked to UW-Madison’s Eye Research Institute as a beneficiary for their planned gift. While they concluded that they would support research at some level, they chose for the majority of their estate gift to benefit hardworking, undergraduate students from humble beginnings
Al & Lois Murray
at their “local” university. Their estate now contains a provision for a generous gift to the UWRF Foundation, that will one day endow a scholarship for a biology student in the biomedical track, with a preference for students pursuing a career in optometry. A few months later, eager to experience firsthand the impact of their generosity, Dan and Marilyn also decided to create an annual scholarship. This time inspired by Dan’s career and passions, the Lightfoot Scholarship will award annually to an incoming freshman art major with an interest in printmaking or photography. “Things have changed so much that we just wanted to help kids get into this strange new world,” said Dan. “This is our way of giving back and it’s something that we enjoy doing.” Marilyn echoes the sentiment, “Giving back and watching somebody else grow, being able to take the opportunity and go to college and get a degree, to make a difference in the world one day is so exciting. Young people are the ones who keep the world going so we want to make sure they are educated.”
Al and Lois Murray have demonstrated a lifelong dedication to UW-River Falls and its students. They have now ensured that their love for the university will live on, even long after they are gone. The Murrays recently named the UW-River Falls Foundation as beneficiary in their estate plans, aiming to one day greatly benefit both UWRF students and Al’s beloved WRFW radio station.
second scholarship for journalism students. With the generous provisions they have now made in their trust, both scholarships will one day be augmented, and two additional endowments created: one an award to recognize journalism students for “outstanding performance” and another to be used solely for the purchase and repair of WRFW equipment.
Lois is a 1974 accounting graduate of UWRF, who went on to receive her J.D. degree Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota. Al’s connection with UW-River Falls began in 1963 when he enrolled as a student in history and drama and continued throughout his career as a university employee from 1975 through his retirement in 2011.
When asked what inspires them to support the students at UWRF, Al remarked, “We do this because we believe in our young people. We believe very much that a little success here and a little success there creates greater successes later on.”
Al is credited with helping convince UWRF journalism Professor Lorin Robinson that a campus radio station would be “a superb idea.” Not long after WRFW began broadcasting from the basement of North Hall in 1968, and shortly after Al returned to River Falls from serving in the Navy, he began his 40-year career as the station’s chief engineer. Al and Lois began giving back to UW-River Falls more than 30 years ago, when they first endowed a scholarship to honor Al’s father, Mark S. Murray, benefitting students in agricultural marketing or ag education. More recently, they began annually funding a
Al, now retired, continues to volunteer at WRFW as a consulting engineer and both Al and Lois intend to do what they can to ensure college remains affordable for students now and in the future. They recognize that tomorrow’s world is going to be increasingly competitive, and say that they give all that they can “for the students, for the university, for the community and in some ways, for the world at large. We want to demonstrate that we are putting our money where our mouth is and how important it is to provide opportunities. After we are gone and no longer able to contribute annually, our savings can continue to be used to maintain student access to resources, to information, and ultimately to a better way of life.”
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410 S. 3rd Street River Falls, WI 54022
FOURTH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT DINNER Friday, April 24, 2015 Come support our Falcon Scholars program at the annual Scholarship Benefit Dinner. The event includes a banquet style dinner followed by a presentation from our keynote speaker Daymond John, founder & CEO of FUBU, star of ABC’s Shark Tank and CEO of Shark Branding, a marketing consulting agency. Visit the Alumni Events Web page on the UWRF website to purchase general tickets and sponsorships.
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS • A Christmas Story, Musical at the Ordway – December 6 • SURSCA Fall Gala (UWRF Riverview Ballroom, University Center) – December 9 • Wisconsin Dells Alumni Event at Kalahari Resort – January 9-10, 2015 • Women’s Basketball Reunion – January 10, 2015 • Men’s Basketball Reunion – February 7, 2015 • Minnesota Wild Event – February 24, 2015 • Twin Cities Networking Event (Rosedale) – April 8, 2015 • Fourth Annual Scholarship Benefit Event – April 24, 2015 • Golden Jubilee Reunion – May 15-16, 2015 • Spring Commencement – May 16, 2015
For additional UWRF alumni events information, contact the Office of University Advancement tollfree at 877-258-6647, by e-mail at alumni@uwrf.edu, or visit our website at www.uwrf.edu/alumni.