Falcon Features Fall 2024

Falcon FEATURES

Proud Past, Limitless Future

Graduation day

Commencement is always a special occasion, a time to recognize the diligent work and admirable skill sets of students receiving their degrees. This year’s spring commencement ceremony possessed an extra level of celebration as the ceremony occurred in a bright, new venue, with a special guest in attendance.

Parents, other family members, and friends packed three separate graduation ceremonies in Page Arena at the Falcon Center as more than 700 Falcons received their degrees. The bright light that filled the venue seemed to complement the buoyant spirits of the graduation events. Attendees enthusiastically shouted the names of those earning degrees while some viewed the happening on a big screen.

Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents President Karen Walsh offered a message at each ceremony. She had spent time on campus seven months earlier when the Regents held their meetings at UWRF. She conversed with numerous students and was so inspired by their stories that she asked to address them during graduation.

“You begin your life as UW-River Falls alumni in exciting and challenging times,” Walsh told graduates. “Incredible opportunities lie ahead. And I’ve never seen a generation more ready to challenge us to do better.”

up Front

Falcons everywhere are filled with immense pride and deep gratitude this year as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Since 1874 our university has stood as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and community, a place that has changed the lives of so many and impacted our world for the better.

Over the past weeks and months, I have thought a great deal about our future and the important, long-term work that lies ahead for the university. For me, it has been a time of deep reflection, and it became clear to me and my family that the time was right for me to retire. My final day at UWRF was Sept. 6.

I am proud and humbled to have been a part of this university’s remarkable history. During my tenure here, I have been fortunate to facilitate efforts that are building on our past strengths and reimaging our possibilities. For example, the dairy pilot plant, now known as the state-of-the-art Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence, is once again producing cheese and ice cream and serving as an educational site for students and a training venue for dairy sector employees. Likewise, we have reestablished our marching band after a three-decade absence and are once again offering varsity baseball. Students have great interest in becoming a Falcon because of these amazing opportunities.

Another area of reputational pride here at UW-River Falls, our science programs, will position our university as a leader into the future. Construction continues on the Science and Technology Innovation Center

(SciTech), the largest academic building ever constructed on our campus. It will not only be a place for cutting-edge science instruction but will foster linkages with businesses to impact high-quality research collaborations and enhance student internships while further boosting our regional economy.

The same commitment to excellence that drives us today was present in 1874, when construction began on a State Normal School after years of planning. When that original structure burned in late 1897, faculty, students, and alumni rallied along with residents to keep the school in River Falls. Their actions resulted in the construction of South Hall at the same site where its predecessor had been, taking just nine months to complete. What a significant accomplishment, one that would be impossible to achieve today.

The dedication and hard work of all members of the Falcon community, past and present, have been vital in shaping our legacy. The next chapter of UWRF’s story will be one of a renewed sense of purpose as we continue to build on our storied past and create a future filled with limitless possibilities. As I leave, and hand leadership to interim chancellor Michael Martin, I have great faith in the university’s future. And that is truly something to celebrate! Happy 150th anniversary!

Warmest regards … and Go Falcons!

Maria

FALCON FEATURES

Volume 72, Fall 2024

University of Wisconsin-River Falls 410 S. 3rd St. River Falls, WI 54022

715-425-3505 or 1-877-258-6647

falconfeatures@uwrf.edu www.uwrf.edu/alumni

Falcon Features is published annually by the University Advancement and University Communications and Marketing offices and the Alumni Association. Generating content is a team effort.

EDITORIAL TEAM

Assistant Chancellor University Advancement Rick Foy

Executive Editor Dina Fassino

Creative Manager Tony Bredahl, ’86

Copy Editor Deb Toftness

Feature Writers

Julian Emerson Eric Lindquist

Photographer Pat Deninger

SciTech Rising - New facility to impact campus, region

As the $117 million Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) grows brick by brick, so does anticipation surrounding the largest academic building ever constructed at UW-River Falls.

Leaders of UWRF, government and regional businesses toured SciTech on July 30, getting a firsthand look at ongoing work on the three-story, 136,000 square-foot facility that is envisioned to be so much more than a usual science building.

“Wow, this is really cool!” said Kristi Cernohous, a UWRF alum, who with her husband Jeff, gave a $1 million lead donation to SciTech. “In a way, it seems so long ago that this building was in its planning stages. But now it’s here. It feels great to see it get to this point.”

SciTech is being constructed to facilitate student engagement in state-of-theart learning spaces. It will be the new home for physics, biology, chemistry, and psychological sciences, a site where students from a variety of majors will engage in immersive, high-impact learning. More than 60% of UWRF students will take at least one class in SciTech.

SciTech’s unique University and Business Collaboration Center will facilitate collaborations between businesses and the university. Faculty and students will partner

with companies on research and other projects, providing students with highlevel, hands-on instruction and pathways to careers. Businesses will benefit from those student/faculty efforts through internships, research, training opportunities, and mentoring of potential future employees.

Mark Tyler, who founded and now chairs OEM Fabricators, Woodville, supports SciTech because he sees its vast potential to benefit the River Falls region.

“This building and the partnerships that will happen because of it are going to create so many opportunities,” Tyler said. “We’ve been strong advocates of this because we know the foundation is there to go off in all

kinds of different positive directions.”

Funding for SciTech was approved by Wisconsin lawmakers as part of the 202123 state budget. Work on the $117 million building began in summer 2023. It is scheduled to open in January 2026. UWRF is responsible for raising $5 million from private sources to fully pay for the project. About $4.5 million is in hand and UWRF hopes to raise the remaining $500,000 by December. To donate to SciTech, visit https://www.uwrf.edu/universityadvancement/support-scitech or call 715425-3505.

A long-time and accomplished higher education leader has been named UWRiver Falls interim chancellor.

Michael V. Martin took over the UWRF leadership role on Sept. 7. He succeeds Maria Gallo, who announced her retirement as UWRF chancellor in early August. Martin and Gallo share a connection. They worked together at the University of Minnesota and then at the University of Florida.

“Mike Martin has extensive experience … and has come highly recommended by Chancellor Gallo,” Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman said. “I am delighted he has agreed to lead the university until we find a permanent chancellor.”

Martin has served as president of New Mexico State University, chancellor of Louisiana State University, chancellor of Colorado State University, and most recently president of Florida Gulf Coast University. He worked in numerous faculty and administrative positions at the University of Minnesota and has Wisconsin connections, having taught at the UWEau Claire and at the former University of Wisconsin Center in Medford.

Rothman said a search committee will be named at a future date to identify a permanent chancellor.

UW-River Falls Chief Facilities Officer Alan Symicek, second from right, describes how construction is progressing on the university’s Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) during a tour of the building July 30. Business and government leaders toured the three-story building, scheduled to open in January 2026.

Martin named interim chancellor

Mike Martin, interim chancellor, (center) engages UWRF leadership following the 2024 Opening Meeting, visiting with Joe Kmiech, chief information officer, (left) and Muhammad Chishty, dean of the College of Education, Business and Allied Health (right).

Humane Handling Institute receives $1 million gift

TheRosen Family Foundation, Inc. has announced a $1 million gift to support UW-River Falls’ internationally recognized Humane Handling Institute (HHI). The transformational gift to the UW-River Falls Foundation establishes the largest programming endowment in UWRF history.

The HHI is meeting a critical need in the meat industry by training workers on more humane and ethical treatment of animals, a first-of-its-kind effort. Kurt Vogel, the director of HHI and UWRF professor of animal welfare and behavior, said the new endowment will ensure the longterm viability of HHI and will allow more people to learn the best procedures for treating animals as humanely as possible from farm to processing plant.

“This generous donation will help us extend the reach of our training in the meat industry,” Vogel said. “We want to make sure animals don’t experience undue suffering and distress, and this gift will certainly help us do that.”

A Rosen Family Foundation, Inc. spokesperson praised HHI’s pivotal role in educating about humane handling practices for meat industry employees, calling the institute’s work “commendable and vital.”

Improper stunning of cattle is a big concern in the meat processing industry. Findings from research projects completed by undergraduate and graduate students at the UWRF Animal Welfare Lab founded by Vogel shed light on the industry need for more humane handling of animals.

HHI has partnered with the meat industry to educate employees who work in the animal slaughter sector about how to treat animals more humanely and to better comply with United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspections regulations. HHI offers two-day workshops for meat industry workers looking to learn how to treat animals more humanely and better comply with meat processing regulations.

Meat industry workers who have attended HHI training sessions praise the helpful, detailed instruction they receive.

“The public is driving business to head in this direction, to treat animals more humanely,” said Brandon Clare, who owns and operates the JM Watkins meat processing plant in Plum City. “It’s certainly the right thing to do and it’s something that makes us all better.”

Adopting more humane measures to treat animals prior to their slaughter benefits animals and meat industry employees alike, Vogel said.

“We’ve had numerous workers we have trained tell us the positive difference our training has made in terms of reducing the stress they feel when an animal kill doesn’t go well,” Vogel said. “This is about making things better for the animals, and also better for the people who are working with those animals.”

The big cheese: UWRF dairy pilot plant is once again making dairy products

Aftera six-year hiatus, cheese production at UWRF began again in March at the Wuethrich Family/ Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence.

As of July, you can add ice cream to the list of tasty products produced at the renovated, state-of-the-art 6,000 square-foot, $9 million university dairy plant.

The cheese and ice cream have been a decade in the making and hold the aspirations of state of Wisconsin and dairy industry officials as a location to not only make dairy products but to train UW-River Falls students and dairy industry employees to work in a modern dairy setting. The plant will also serve as a test site to experiment and develop different cheese and ice cream varieties.

The tasty dairy products are among dairy foods created at the plant under the Falcon Creamery brand. Rueben Nilsson, who was hired in December 2023 to replace previous long-time Dairy Plant Manager Michelle Farner, is excited to be producing cheese and ice cream at the plant. Nilsson has extensive experience as a dairy operator and looks forward to expanding and marketing cheese and ice cream products.

“It has been great to be a part of getting this dairy plant up and running and first producing cheese, and then ice cream,” Nilsson said. “We’re excited to use this space to train students and dairy workers and also be able to produce high-quality dairy products.”

UW-River Falls previously produced cheese and ice cream on campus but ceased doing so in 2018 because the school’s dairy plant had become outdated. Agriculture businesses were key backers of ensuring that the remodeled dairy plant was completed, even when challenges like the coronavirus pandemic, supply issues and unexpected costs occurred. Nearly two dozen organizations – many of them ag-related businesses –contributed $5.2 million of the project’s $9 million cost, with the state paying the remainder.

The dairy plant held its grand opening in October 2023. It was renamed for the Wuethrich family and Grassland Dairy Products, Inc., of Greenwood, after their $1 million donation.

Nilsson is a self-described cheese aficionado and frequently has varieties of cheese on his desk. He doesn’t have a history making ice cream but looks forward to learning to make that treat as well.

“I get to help the dairy industry and students learn. I get to make this a place where we can experiment a bit, create and fine-tune products,” he said. “For me, this is a dream job.”

An active, caring approach: UW-River Falls makes multiple efforts to address students’ mental health needs

Whenfour UW-River Falls students died by suicide during the fall semester 2023, fellow students, staff, faculty, and alumni felt the weight of the tragic deaths.

Today, the university has bounced back and is honoring the memories of those students by doing everything it can to address mental health concerns on campus. It has undertaken numerous efforts to help students and others take preventative measures to improve their emotional status.

“Too many of our students were struggling,” said Laura King, vice chancellor for student affairs and strategic enrollment. “We knew we had to do whatever we could to address the situation, to make things better for our students.”

King and others did just that. Last semester UWRF implemented several initiatives to improve mental health. Students attended Mental Health Mondays, a monthly event organized by Student Health and Counseling Services and Student Involvement focused on selfcare, wellness, and promoting positive student interactions as a means of easing students’ mental health concerns. Those events included a focus on different aspects of maintaining positive mental health.

Similarly, the student-run Active Minds chapter was reinstated to promote students’ mental health through direct interactions with their peers.

University officials met with state and regional mental health experts and quickly implemented initiatives designed to boost resources to students. They are working with the Jed Foundation, a nonprofit organization that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for young people.

The Student Health and Counseling Services Department added a position to meet with students seeking assistance. Counselors, faculty, and staff redoubled their focus on identifying students struggling with mental health concerns. In addition, students were able to spend time with therapy dogs and horses to alleviate stress.

“We’ve taken a lot of steps since last fall to do everything we can to better help students deal with the significant mental health concerns that many are feeling,” King said. “We are going to keep looking at what else we can do to address mental health needs. We know this is an issue that isn’t going to go away anytime soon.”

Those steps have garnered UWRF positive media coverage for its proactive response to students’ mental health struggles. University personnel have been asked to speak to other institutions about strategies to better address mental health challenges.

Elise Peters, events and activities coordinator for the Student Involvement Office, said activities such as Mental Health Mondays, Active Minds and other mental health initiatives are connecting students and helping them feel less alone. Such measures are especially important given the current national mental health crisis with young people, she said.

“Events like this might not change the world, but they can serve as a conversation starter and help people feel more connected,” Peters said. “It’s about the shared experience of being a UWRF student, about students connecting with each other. Given the mental health needs we’re seeing today, we’re committed to continuing these efforts to make a difference for our students.”

Two school counselors take unusual career paths on the way to gaining national recognition

Twoschool counselors who learned the foundations of education at UW-River Falls have received national recognition for their effectiveness working with students.

Cindy Bourget, school counselor at Elk Mound Middle School, was named a 2024 School Counselor of the Year for Wisconsin and one of the top five school counselors in the nation by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Errol Edwards, school counselor at St. Anthony Park Elementary School, part of St. Paul Public Schools, was named the 2024 Minnesota School Counselor of the Year by ASCA.

Bourget also received national recognition from ASCA for the school counseling program she oversees. The program was designated as a Recognized ASCA Model Program, which is awarded to programs meeting counseling excellence standards that include data-informed decision making and an extraordinary dedication to meeting students’ needs.

Bourget and Edwards expressed gratitude for being recognized for their work. They credited the teams they work with for the success of their counseling programs. Each said their time at UWRF set the foundation that allows them to work

effectively with students today.

“A lot of the approach I use to work with students and their parents today, I learned in undergrad education classes at UW-River Falls,” Bourget said.

Neither Bourget nor Edwards took a traditional path to becoming outstanding school counselors.

After graduating from UWRF in 2009 with an English degree, Bourget managed bank tellers at a Wells Fargo location in Eau Claire. She later decided to switch careers

UWRF adds video game music course

Casey Palbicki, a lecturer of music, is bringing attention to a genre of music that may seem surprising but has grown significantly in popularity.

Palbicki has signed a contract with Kendall Hunt Publishing to write a textbook describing the making and cultural impact of video game music. He has also developed a course about video game music that he began teaching at UWRF for the first time this fall.

and work for UW-Extension, where she had interned while a UW-River Falls student.

She obtained her master’s degree in counseling at UW-Stout in 2015, but because of cutbacks to UWExtension, she took a job instead as a school counselor in the Boyceville School District. After four years in Boyceville, she took a school counselor job in Elk Mound, the district where she graduated from high school.

“I really meandered my way to this position,” Bourget said with a laugh of becoming a school counselor. “I definitely didn’t take the straight-line path to this job. But I’m so glad it worked out the way it has.”

Similarly, Edwards of St. Paul took a circuitous route to becoming a school counselor. He attended UWRF from 2002-04, studying kinesiology, before he left to work in real estate. When the housing sector collapsed in 2008, he took a job coaching basketball, which led to employment as a special education assistant in the Minneapolis Public School District. He subsequently earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and was hired to work in St. Paul.

“Becoming counselor of the year and to see where I am today is pretty surreal,” Edwards said. “Being in education has really lifted me up and I’m so grateful for the work I do.”

Errol Edwards, counselor, at St. Anthony Park Elementary School with two of his students.

holly dolliver FROM THE GROUND UP

by Eric Lindquist

At first glance, Holly Dolliver’s life as a professor and administrator at UW-River Falls seems worlds apart from her experience growing up on a family farm in central Minnesota.

But dig deeper and it becomes clear that Dolliver’s farm upbringing continues to guide her career on a daily basis.

“There’s something special about growing up on a farm,” said Dolliver, geology and soil science professor and chair of the Plant and Earth Science Department. “You learn how to be resilient, to work as a team, to cope with adversity, to celebrate the success of a collection of individuals and to be a leader in difficult circumstances. You often have to put on your boots, get in the mud and deal with some really difficult — sometimes not pretty — tasks.”

Dolliver’s farm background helps fuel her neverending quest to improve the way things are done, whether in her teaching, research or stewardship of her department.

“On the farm, you’re always thinking about how you can be more efficient and make things work better,” she said.

That mindset has helped Dolliver become a respected leader on campus known for developing innovative teaching methods, improving student experiences, expanding donor relationships, growing industry partnerships and bolstering her department’s previously tenuous financial status.

“Dr. Dolliver is a passionate educator,” Chancellor Maria Gallo sais. “Her enthusiasm for soil science is contagious, making even the most complex concepts accessible to students. Holly incorporates hands-on, experiential learning to effectively teach key points.”

As an undergraduate at North Dakota State University, Dolliver reports she didn’t have access to

many of the interactive activities now available to UWRF plant and earth science students.

“That’s why I’m especially passionate about creating them,” she said, calling herself an early adopter of new pedagogies. “I find it rewarding to change how I teach to maximize the impact of what I teach for students.”

Reflecting on when she arrived at UWRF in 2007 fresh from earning her doctorate from the University of Minnesota, Dolliver chuckles at the recollection of wondering if teaching the same classes might someday get boring.

“But now as I think back, I’m not sure I’ve ever taught the same class twice,” she said. “Students change and methods change, and that is what makes it exciting year after year. I continue to invest in my classes and find new ways to meet the needs of students.”

Though her position has evolved into 75% administration, Dolliver refers to her teaching time as “my joy.”

Still, her participation in a variety of universitylevel committees demonstrated to her that she can expand her reach to more students through her work in administration, including updating curriculum, working with donors to invest in much-needed equipment, creating new internships for students or supporting department faculty — colleagues she calls “incredible people who inspire me on a daily basis.”

Regarding Dolliver’s focus on expanding and maintaining donor relationships, Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement Rick Foy said, “Holly demonstrates a remarkable appreciation for donor relations and the difference private philanthropy can make in UWRF academic offerings. Her concerted efforts to demonstrate to donors the impact of their investment in her programs serve as a model to UWRF academic leaders.”

Dolliver also continues to derive great satisfaction from engaging in academic research.

“I will forever be a scientist, which means I have natural curiosity about the world around me, and that’s another way I can involve students,” she said.

Among the notable research projects she has shared with students was a study in partnership with Chippewa County assessing the impact of frac sand mining on soil quality and identification of best practices for land reclamation.

Another project involved a personal connection for Dolliver. She joined students in studying the longterm impact of conservation practices implemented by her grandfather and father starting in the 1980s on her family farm in Minnesota.

“That project helped inform our understanding of how soils respond to conservation and recovery from intensive use,” she said. “I think my grandfather would have been proud of how he improved the soil and how this project has inspired a new generation of soil scientists.”

Dolliver believes her upbringing on the farm adds a level of authenticity and genuineness to the connection she seeks to forge with students in agriculture-related programs in the same way her experience as a first-generation college student helps her identify with and support new generations of students breaking the same ground in their families.

Dolliver’s wide-ranging contributions to the university haven’t gone unnoticed. She was named the 2016 Outstanding Faculty Member by her colleagues in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and also the 2016 Adviser of the Year through a nomination process that included students and alumni. She also received the Keith Wurtz Award recognizing innovative teaching in 2011.

“Her dedication is unmatched,” Gallo said of Dolliver, “and that is why the soil judging teams she has coached over the years have won multiple national championships.”

Just this April, Dolliver’s team of students earned second place in a national soil judging competition in Idaho, continuing a run of 12 straight years of top-five finishes that includes five national championships.

Though Dolliver enjoys the team’s success as much as anyone, she insists that’s not the most important aspect of the competitions.

“It’s really not about winning. It’s about the impact on students,” Dolliver said. “These competitions allow students to apply what they are learning, open the door to new professional opportunities and have showcased that UW-River Falls is a national leader in soil science education.”

When asked how UWRF teams perform so well in the national events year after year, Dolliver points to the participants themselves.

“The first piece in that equation is passionate and committed students who see purpose and meaning in what they’re learning,” she said. “The fuel that drives the engine is students because ultimately it comes down to them. They’re the ones in the field who have to do the work, and when they see the value of what they’re doing, they rise to the challenge.”

Her respect for UWRF students is evident in her description of them as hard-working, humble and not afraid to get up at 7 a.m.

“I think we have the right mix of character and academic background and training to be successful,” Dolliver said. “The character of these students is unlike any other, and I think that’s what enables us to shine. That’s what I love about what I do.”

nceFalcon … A

PROUD PAST, LIMITLESS FUTURE

It’s the early 1870s. River Falls is growing rapidly as a regional hub and the community’s leaders had a dream: become the home of Wisconsin’s fourth Normal School.

After years of lobbying and fundraising, the dream was realized when in early April 1874, ground was broken on the school’s first building and classes soon began at River Falls State Normal School.

Through its 15 decades, UWRiver Falls has persevered, grown and evolved into one of the nation’s leading public regional universities. UWRF is the home of two farms, two forests and a state-ofthe-art dairy production center. The Falcon Center, home of athletics, recreation and health and human performance is regarded as one of the nation’s top facilities. And, on the immediate horizon, the completed construction and opening of the transformational Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech), a testament to UWRF’s STEM excellence.

As the university commemorates its sesquicentennial, the campus, community and region reflect on its storied history and its future, guided by the university’s strategic plan Soaring to New Heights and its mission:

“…to help prepare students to be productive, creative, ethical, engaged citizens and leaders with an informed global perspective.”

As legendary UWRF history professor and author Walker Wyman wrote in “Centennial History: The University of Wisconsin-River Falls”:

“In its long history, River Falls has never had the ambition to be a ‘Harvard of the West or of Wisconsin,’ but it has always had a goal of serving the students of the region with good teaching and high-quality programs. It has striven for excellence in its own way, and its thousands of graduates have enriched the institutions and communities in which they lived.”

The stories on the following pages depict the pride and deep affection Falcons feel for this university, while at the same time representing a forward-looking spirit emblematic of those visionary community leaders of the 1870s who fought long and hard for the establishment of the Normal School. Happy 150th Anniversary!

Sorority

by Julian Emerson

Kappa Delta Psi members’ love for UWRF and each other prompts longtime efforts to help the university

When she arrived at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls as a second-year student in fall 1965, Sandra Dicke was seeking her place to fit in at her new school.

Three years later, Dicke graduated from UWRF with an education degree and social connections, self-confidence, and leadership skills, thanks largely to

Sisters

her involvement in the Kappa Delta Psi sorority on campus.

Today, more than a half century later, young women who met each other at UWRF through Kappa Delta Psi have not only continued their affinity for each other but have turned their positive experience as sorority sisters into lifelong friendships and numerous actions that continue to support their alma mater.

“The friendships, leadership and self confidence I gained was in large part to this great group of women,” Dicke, who today lives in Maplewood, Minn., said of her fellow Kappa Delta Psi members. “Sororities always say you are joining a

Alumni Flashbacks

Edward “Swami” Shlumpf, 1960

Duck hunting with Dr. Walker Wyman and Larry “Rock” Hanson comes to mind. Being on the first wrestling team that UWRF ever had and participating in the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament at Mankato despite never having won a single match as a first year grappler under Coach Ben Bergsrud.

Tom Davee, 1962

I had the privilege to study under and be mentored by Benny Kettelkamp in the early 1960s. With that good fortune, I was able to transfer to UW-Madison for medical school after three great years at UWRF.

In addition to formal education, we had a great group of friends and fellow students who made the college experience so wonderful. We had more fun than we any one of us ever expected. We even learned something.

Beverly Mae Finn, 1963

The best place, ever, for all of us lucky enough to be there. There was “inclusion” long before that became politically correct. The professors were inspirational and ahead of their time (such as Doc Bailey). Class size, back in the early 60’s, was “just right”, so that we all could learn the most possible in all subjects.

Sandra Jean Kolb, 1967

The motto, “Where The Free Spirit Prevails,” has been a guiding principle in my life. It includes freedom of expression and thought as well as opportunity.

ONCE A FALCON…

Alumni Flashbacks

James Henkel, 1972

I transferred to River Falls on the advice of my adviser at UW-La Crosse. After a year majoring in physical education I realized how flooded with students that field was. I turned to agriculture. Growing up and working on a farm I had a passion for the field. Never visiting River Falls I remember pulling into town after driving all day from Racine to River Falls in my 1947 Willys Jeep.

It was evening by the time I arrived and my first thought was “This is it, what have I gotten myself into?” It took me a year or so before I warmed up to the university, town and people. It was difficult at first because there were very few women there. I drove back down to La Crosse on the weekends because there were “ladies” there and it was more “fun.” In my second year there I pledged Theta Chi fraternity and moved out to the “Farm” with four other fraternity brothers. I began experiencing everything you could ask for from college life. Six years later I hated to leave.

Dr. Gray, my adviser then, said to me “Henkel I think it’s time you get the **** out of here.” He had been trying to get me accepted into a Vet program to no avail. So I graduated and moved on to a successful life in the farm machinery field.

I truly believe River Falls was the place for me. I met so many friends that had the same passion as I had. I came to homecoming this year after 50+ years to celebrate with fraternity brothers. It still felt like home to me. I received an excellent education although I can’t say I was an excellent student. What I did receive was the experience of “growing up.” My first roommate was from Nigeria and I learned so much from him and his friend from Kenya. I got to experience demonstrating during the Vietnam conflict, living off campus and having relationships, intimate and otherwise. I worked at four different jobs to pay my tuition and I can’t stress enough how important that was to me later in life. Not just the university but the city and all the people I met provided me with the opportunity to find “me.”

Sorority Sisters

sisterhood for life, and that was certainly true in this case.”

Dicke had attended the University of Minnesota in 1963-64, then worked for a year at 3M to save up enough money to continue her schooling. Seeking a smaller school environment, Dicke landed at UWRF and moved into her room on the first floor of Hathorn Hall, a residence hall where many female students who happened to be members of the Kappa Delta Psi sorority also lived.

A friend of Dicke’s from high school knew some sorority members and introduced Dicke to them. They hit it off immediately. Dicke felt a sense of camaraderie among her new friends.

“They took me under their wing and were a large part of my enjoyment of dorm life,” Dicke recalled about her engagement with Kappa Delta Psi sorority members nearly six decades ago. “So, when I was looking for a group to get involved with on campus activities, I went right to Kappa Delta Psi.”

The sorority was a place where members like Dicke not only organized social events of all sorts but took on leadership roles for numerous campus organizations and happenings. Its members took part in all types of campus activities, ranging from Homecoming, cheerleading, debate, multiple honors societies, and helping inform and direct a range of university activities. The sorority began at UWRF in 1962 and continued until 1969, when its members pledged a national sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma.

In addition to social activities, Kappa Delta Psi members took part in activities together based on mutual interests, friendship and a sense of helping each other and their classmates, sorority members said. Those activities, and the support they felt from each other, helped Dicke and others become more confident in themselves.

Kathleen Purferrst lived at home in River

“These friendships have lasted over 50 continued

Falls when she enrolled as a freshman at UWRF in 1964. She “wanted to become involved in activities and meet new friends” and saw becoming a part of Kappa Delta Psi as the perfect way to do so.

“I was attracted to Kappa Delta Psi because of their members being involved in many university activities,” said Purferrst, who graduated from UWRF in 1968 along with Dicke. “Their leadership qualities and fine reputation as strong leaders made the decision to join one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Bonnie Carroll, ‘70, said she similarly found connectedness to the university and gained self confidence through her membership in Kappa Delta Psi. She was drawn to the sorority after observing how its members accomplished important work on campus and their sense of camaraderie.

“They were strong, independent leaders who were also full of fun and adventure,” Carroll recalled of her Kappa Delta Psi sisters.

Susan Drontle didn’t initially have her mind set on joining a sorority during her time at UWRF. But when the 1967 graduate was asked to join Kappa Delta Psi, she found she couldn’t say no.

“I wasn’t sure about joining until one of the older sisters said, ‘I think you need to share your ideas and help (the sorority) get involved in campus activities,’” she said, noting becoming a Kappa Delta Psi member not only helped her grow socially but enabled her to develop leadership skills.

Longtime connections

During the more than five decades since graduating, the Kappa Delta Psi sisters have stayed in touch with each other. Sometimes they travel to meet up at various locations across the country, drawn to each other by strong bonds formed so many years ago.

Alumni Flashbacks

Lawrence York, 1978

I had the unique situation of having my college career split into two segments. After completing my freshman year of college I entered the U.S. Army where I served during the Vietnam conflict. I was on the basketball team and will always remember that we had a basketball game on the night of the draft lottery. Our team manager had each of our birthdays. After the game he shared the draft number with each player. I was somewhat in shock when I realized my draft number was 18. It got very real when a received a notice to report a few months later.

I returned to campus three years later to finish my degree. I appreciated the mostly positive reception of veterans by my new classmates. It was very different from the reception some of my fellow soldiers received at other schools.

Teaching - nearly every professor I had a UWRF worked hard to be an excellent teacher. I have worked and studied at other universities where teaching was just one part of the duties of a professor. This dedication to teaching does not occur at all universities.

In addition to the excellent academic instruction provided at UWRF I had the opportunity to develop team building and leadership skills that were critical to my career. These skills were honed on the football and basketball teams, student government activities, clubs, and fraternal organizations.

Through interactions with faculty and students I evolved from a relatively sheltered teenager to an adult with budding leadership skills who understands the value of team work and values his colleagues.

Alumni Flashbacks

Carol Kettner, 1981

Taking classes from Ed Peterson in South Hall was always a pleasure. The atmosphere in that building was incredible. He was so knowledgeable, and also became like a second father to me.

As a shy girl growing up on a farm, I was a little intimidated with the idea of going off to university, but I immediately felt at home at UWRF. Professors were approachable, and I interacted with other students from all different backgrounds. UWRF provided me with the tools to work at the Minnesota Historical Society, have a long career as a teacher, and even taught me how to be a good researcher now that I am retired and volunteer at a historical museum. I still tell young people it is a great place to go to school.

Anne M. (Morrison) Barlass, 1983

Watching sheets being hung out windows from May Hall for their silly freshmen to take a dare and climb down. Being privileged to dance with the Falconettes pom pom squad with Larry Brentzel’s live pep band playing our performance song for every home football game. We got to follow the football team to the playoff game in Texas one fall. First time on a jet plane for many of us. I met my future husband there! A great show of Falcon spirit!!

Wally Langfellow, 1983

Spent a good share of my time at UWRF working at the campus radio station WRFW. I happened to be on the air as a DJ the night that John Lennon was shot, broadcasting to the River Falls world the news. Also spent fall Saturdays in my four years broadcasting Falcon football each week, both home and road games. Also broadcast countless Falcon hockey, basketball and baseball games

Sorority Sisters

years, and my entire college experience was great because of the friendships and fun we all experienced,” Purferrst said.

Other Kappa Delta Psi members echoed similar sentiments. They said the bonds they formed long ago at UWRF have kept them connected as friends during the decades since. The interests they shared as Falcons and their affinity for their school have remained and grown in passing years, they said.

“There are so many reasons that being a Kappa Delta Psi benefited me,” said Lynn Koehler, ‘69. “It was the best, that’s why I joined. The friendships are golden and have lasted a lifetime.”

Those longtime friendships are about more than just getting together. Many sorority sisters have worked together to benefit their alma mater in numerous ways. They have raised money for Freddy’s Pantry, a food shelf on campus to assist students who have food and/ or daily living insecurities, they have donated to R Club, music education, low-income student assistance efforts, scholarships of all sorts, annual fund drives, the Science and Technology Innovation Center and other programs and projects.

In fact, several sorority sisters return to campus often to volunteer for many activities. For example, they assist freshmen on move-in day, helping them move into their residence halls and get their college career off to a good start.

Others in Kappa Delta Psi are members of UWRF boards and committees, volunteering their time and talents to serve with groups like the Alumni Advisory Board and the UWRF Foundation Board of Directors. Still others attend alumni events that occur across the country as they continue to make connections with other Falcons.

“Many of the ladies of Kappa Delta Psi have supported the university in a variety of ways over the years,” Dicke

said. “We do it because this university and the experiences we had mean so much to us.”

Through the decades, the sorority sisters have remained true to the founding principles of Kappa Delta Psi: friendship and sisterhood. They have arranged reunions large and small, gathered for luncheons and other events, and in recent years, have utilized Zoom to get together virtually. In recognition of their affection for each other, they sometimes sing the group’s official song, “Friendships are Golden,” written in 1966 by sorority members Kris Gore and Linda Kleinhans.

Alumni Flashbacks

Barry Robert Stewart, 1986

Despite their advancing age, Kappa Delta Psi sisters don’t see their affection for each other, or their dedication to UWRF, going away. They are committed to their college, they said, just as they are committed to each other. They look forward to gathering on campus this academic year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of UWRF.

“Our friendship and our sisterhood have grown due to a love of the university and a love for each other,” Dicke said. “That love has maintained and grown with time, and it will continue into the

I owe a lot of where I am today for not understanding water relations and flower pot problems in Larry Meyers’ Soil 210 class. I bombed these problems and did poorly on that exam. Went for help and studied and ended up doing really well on the final exam something like 147/150. When I picked up my final Dr. Meyers said it was one of the best scores ever on that exam. He asked me if I would be interested in joining the soils judging team. I did join, met some lifelong friends and learned a great deal. Fell in love with soil science. Studied for an MS and Ph.D. at Virginia Tech. I cannot see myself as a professor at a land grant university (Mississsippi State University) without this happenning. The chance to travel with the soil judging team to two regional soil contests and one national contest. We got to see soils in five states and have a lot of pizza and beer along the way.

Mike Lewandowski, 1989

There were so many constructive non-academic experiences available. Liming the R before homecoming was a unique experience for me. Movies in the North Hall auditorium were a great way to relax with friends. Competitions between residence halls including skits and scavenger hunts were really fun ways to bond with other residents.

For a short period of time I had a slot on the WRFW radio station. Playing music (of my choice) and reading the news was an experience that I never expected or pursued, but it was just one of the things I was able to do at UWRF that I could not have predicted when I was looking at potential colleges.

To me UWRF stands for value; high quality education at a very reasonable price. There are tremendous opportunities for students including research, clubs, athletics, on-campus entertainment and activities, and organized off-campus activities. UWRF is everything a post-secondary education should be.

Kappa Delta Psi members volunteer at a recent UWRF Move-in Day, assisting students as they prepare for a new academic year.

Alumni Flashbacks

Nicole Patock, 1995

Snowstorm of 1991, where cars were covered in ice, grocery stores were short on bread and milk, the residence hall directors went above and beyond to create movie night, making food together in McMillan’s basement and communicated with all residents the weather forecast.

Michael Wachtendonk, 1996

A place that helped transform me. Gave me a chance to grow as a person and help set me up for success.

Bradley Berger, 2004

UWRF helped me find my way in life. There were so many things I learned, it just took awhile for me to realize everything.

Heather Jacobs, 2006

One thing I’ll never forget about UWRF is the squirrels. Those little buggers had no sense of personal boundaries and would come up to steal your food if you set it next you on the ground outside.

UWRF prepared me to be able to tackle anything that came at me. I changed my major eight times before choosing sociology with a minor in criminal justice. During that time my advisers gave me the best advice and always were there to lend a hand. During my time I saw myself working in law enforcement and I did for awhile after school, but UWRF had also sparked my interests in other areas. I was able to apply what I learned in my sociology classes directly to my job and from there it led me down the path of transitioning from law enforcement into computer software and working directly with customers. Something that wouldn’t have been too easy if not for what I had learned at River Falls.

Nancy Blazek, 2016

Getting my degree took me 40 years to accomplish. I graduated from high school and started at UWRF in 1976. A number of life happenings derailed my finishing. Over the years, not finishing hung over my head as something I really wanted to succeed at. UWRF gave me that opportunity and I graduated and proudly walked at graduation with a degree in sustainable management in May 2016!

UWRF encouraged me every step of the way during my return process and while laboring through the challenges of “going back to school.” Everyone that touched my life while finishing my degree was positive and a cheerleader for my success; my adviser Angela, all of my professors,

Radio Resilience

by Rick Foy

WRFW has persevered, prospered

“The radio station that almost wasn’t.” That’s the way Lorin Robinson describes WRFW-FM, the UW-River Falls campus public radio station that celebrated its 55th anniversary last fall.

Robinson, the station’s founder and first faculty manager, was hired as a journalism professor in 1967 and charged with starting a radio station. Earlier efforts failed because of budget challenges. After proposing a “bare bones” budget of less than $9,000, Robinson and Al Murray, a student who went on to serve as the station’s long-time engineer, purchased used equipment, secured a FCC license, enlisted students and erected a broadcast tower on North Hall’s roof. On Nov. 4, 1968, WRFW began broadcasting from the basement of North Hall, the old basketball gym.

“Our second day on the air, we covered the Humphrey-Nixon presidential election and local races, too,” said Robinson. “We had 20 student reporters in the field and were on the air for nine hours. That gave us credibility and we were off and running.”

Robinson chaired the UWRF Journalism Department for 10 years before serving 3M as a marketing communications manager. He has also taught in the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business and authored four books. His latest (released Sept. 1), “Surviving the Warming: Strategies for Americans,” provides ways adults can act now with their children and grandchildren to deal with the impact of climate change.

Robinson credits Murray for being the “glue” that held WRFW together. Murray served UWRF and WRFW for more than 40 years as chief engineer. Michael Norman, who as a UWRF student was WRFW’s first news director, returned to UWRF as a journalism professor and succeeded Robinson as the station’s faculty manager. Norman later became department chair, leading the expansion of the broadcast journalism program. Murray and Norman are credited with launching the careers of many accomplished broadcast journalists, including two Minnesota Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductees. Cathy Wurzer is the award-winning host of Minnesota Public Radio’s Morning Edition and co-host of Twin Cities Public Television’s Almanac program. Boyd Huppert, KARE 11-TV’s Emmy Award-winning reporter, is known for his remarkable “Land of 10,000 Stories” series.

WRFW, 88.7 FM, operates from renovated studios in North Hall and is affiliated with Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR). WPR provides support and maintenance for WRFW’s transmitter located at UWRF’s Mann Valley Farm.

“Each semester, we have about 25 to 30 students from a variety of majors hosting programs,” said Mike Woolsey, general manager and student organization adviser. “We average about 150 hours of studentdeveloped programming.”

Woolsey said students can be heard on the air between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. and WPR programs are featured in the daytime. WRFW’s website, www.wrfw887. com, features a variety of music, live programming and some pre-recorded, student-produced shows 24 hours a day. Students also maintain a WRFW social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.

Robinson takes pride in the latest developments at the campus station he founded nearly six decades ago.

“It’s come a long way and has played a large role in UWRF’s 150-year history,” Robinson said. “And to think it was the radio station that almost wasn’t.”

Alumni Flashbacks

and even students that were much younger than myself. From the start in 1976 to my graduation in 2016, it has been a unique opportunity that has affected my entire life and my children’s lives as well. I feel my college experiences over the years has given my three children a role model of “stickto it” drive to succeed in whatever they do.

A sense of accomplishment comes over me when I think of UWRF. Being able to come full circle in life opportunities should never be overlooked or ignored. Success comes in many forms for different people, this can be a challenge during life’s tumultuous moments. UWRF has given me a fulfillment of that unfinished goal.

Brianna

Samson, 2013

UWRF means commitment. UWRF and the people I met there have come through to help me out, whether with a job or a personal opportunity since I graduated college. The people and the knowledge I obtained while at UWRF have propelled me forward in my professional and personal career in more ways than I can count.

Rileigh Powers, 2023

UWRF means friends, family, hope, joy and so much more. I learned so much not just in class but also about life and grew into myself.

Faye Perkins, retired faculty

From the time I started at UWRF in 1988 as a professor in the Health and Human Performance Department, we planned and campaigned for a new facility to replace Karges Center. Finally, 29 years later, on Sept. 21, 2017, the Falcon Center for Health, Education and Wellness officially opened! What an incredible facility! As a part of the Falcon Center building project, I was incredibly honored to have the renovated softball field named after me, Perkins Field!

UWRF provided me a variety of experiences for which I am forever grateful. I was a professor in the Health and Human Performance Department (HHP) from 1988-2019. I also was the head softball coach from 19882015 (22 seasons), and served as HHP department chair, interim dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies, and finished my time at UWRF as interim provost/vice chancellor of Academic Affairs. I was also provided the opportunity to teach in the Wisconsin in Scotland/Experience Scotland program six times and taught in the Experience China program twice. I feel blessed to have been a part of UWRF and to have been given so many incredible opportunities.

UWRF WOMEN’S HOCKEY perFection NCAA CHAMPIONS

by Julian Emerson

Falcon women’s hockey team earns first national title

They viewed each game separately, with a laser-like focus, an approach that led the UWRiver Falls women’s hockey team to its first NCAA Division III national title and an undefeated season.

The Falcons won all 31 of their games during the 2023-24 season on the way to winning their national championship. The accomplishment was even sweeter because the team won the title on its home ice at Hunt Arena in Falcon Center.

Throughout the season, head coach Joe Cranston and his team took part in a ritual conversation designed to keep team members focused on taking one game at a time. Cranston asked his players “What is your

record?” and they responded, “Zero and zero!” He then asked, “How many games do you have left?” and they shouted “One!”

That approach, combined with ample talent, led to unprecedented success. The Falcons program has been among the nation’s best in Division III for years and winning a national title was gratifying, Cranston said.

“I’ve never seen a team so focused,” said Cranston, who has coached UWRF’s women’s hockey for all 25 years of the program’s existence.

“The buy-in level with this team is so high. Everyone bought into what we were doing, and it led to an amazing outcome.”

Team members seconded that idea. They realized that they had the talent to win a national championship, as evidenced by Maddie McCollins of Maple Grove, Minn., who was named the 2023-24 Division III Player of the Year.

However, it was this team’s ability to blend its many talents together into a high-functioning, cohesive and unselfish unit that was key to its success, team members said.

“We were really a family,” said senior defender Braelyn Sathers, of Proctor, Minn. “We worked hard together, we laughed together, we went through struggles together. All of that helped bring us together

Cool under pressure: UWRF rapidly transforms hockey arena for NCAA championship

by Eric Lindquist

Whenthe final horn sounded marking the end of the UW-River Falls women’s ice hockey team’s quarterfinal victory over rival Gustavus Adolphus College in the 2024 NCAA Division III tournament, Charles Sowa, assistant athletic director for facilities and events at UWRF, recognized the huge challenge that lay ahead.

as a hockey team. We played for each other.”

As the Falcons won one game after another, players’ confidence grew, said senior forward Aubrey Nelvin of Burnsville, Minn. And with each victory the group’s “team first” mentality grew as well, she said.

“This is just such a great group of teammates,” Nelvin said after a celebration in honor of the Falcons’ 4-1 victory over Elmira College to win the national title. “We’re all committed to each other, and when you have that, you can do great things.”

The undefeated Falcons players headed to the semifinals in hopes of securing the program’s first national title weren’t the only ones on campus facing high expectations. The pressure also was on for the facilities crew tasked with hosting the Division III women’s hockey championship just a few days later.

While UWRF’s Hunt Arena at the Falcon Center has been the site of many big hockey games over the years, this time was different, Sowa said.

“It meant we had four days to transform Hunt Arena from looking like a UW-River Falls facility to looking like an NCAA-branded facility,” said Crystal Lanning, athletic director. “The NCAA wants to make it look as much like a neutral site as possible.”

That meant removing Falcons logos frozen into the ice as well as logos and advertisements scattered around the arena and across the dasher boards surrounding the playing surface and then replacing them with signage provided by the NCAA.

The chain of events producing that radical transformation began when the No. 1-ranked

Falcons completed their win over Gustavus Adolphus around 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9, thus ensuring UWRF would host the women’s hockey championship.

Hunt Arena, which has a capacity of 1,400 people, had completed its identity change by the time the three visiting teams arrived on campus Wednesday, March 13.

“Other than our permanent red bleachers, you would not have been able to tell this was an event hosted on the UWRF campus,” said Sowa, who also served as tournament director for the championship. “The idea is to have people walk in and immediately get the feeling that this is an NCAA Championship event.”

In all, it took about 100 employees and volunteers, including dozens of students and representatives of facilities, maintenance, athletic training, sports information, foundation and even the Chancellor’s Office, to pull it off.

UWRF’s extraordinary efforts impressed NCAA officials so much they have already announced the Falcons will host the national championship again March 28 and 30, 2025.

“The Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Committee is excited to return to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls after a tremendous championship experience in 2024,” said Wendy McManus, committee chair and assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics at SUNY Oswego.

UWRF Athletics on a roll with the introduction of men’s soccer, reinstatement of baseball

Athletes

and fans are cheering the addition of two varsity sports being added to UWRF’s athletics roster.

Last fall, the university announced it would re-introduce men’s baseball and add men’s soccer for the 2024-25 season. With those additions, UWRF now has 20 varsity sports.

“Men’s soccer and baseball will attract prospective students who are passionate about these sports, and that may influence their decision to choose UWRF over other universities,” Chancellor Maria Gallo said. “And as we know, students involved in sports strongly connect to the university and are more likely to stay engaged, thereby increasing retention. It is a win-win.”

UWRF discontinued baseball in 2002 and has had a club baseball team since 2017. The university is the eighth in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) to have a baseball program. Steve Bartlein, a former assistant at perennial powerhouse UW-Whitewater, was named head coach in August 2023.

Bartlein recently announced the additions of Brian Giebel, Weston Lombard and Marty Herum as assistant coaches.

“Falcon baseball couldn’t be more excited to announce the addition of Coach Giebel, Coach Lombard and Coach Herum to our coaching staff,” said Bartlein. “Their experience, knowledge, and passion for teaching the game of baseball make me excited for our program and future Falcon baseball players.”

The Falcons will play their home games at First National Bank of River Falls Field beginning in March 2025.

Men’s soccer is a new varsity sport at UWRF, which is one of three WIAC schools to recently add men’s soccer as a varsity intercollegiate program. UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout also are new programs to begin competition in fall 2024. UWEau Claire, UW-Platteville and UWWhitewater have existing programs.

Evan Sassano will lead the inaugural team, bringing years of successful coaching experience from the

University of St. Thomas.

“I am excited to welcome Coach Sassano to UW-River Falls as our inaugural head men’s soccer coach,” Athletic Director Crystal Lanning said. “He has had success as a player and coach at the highest levels of collegiate and professional soccer and his approach to recruiting and developing quality student-athletes will allow him to make an immediate impact as we prepare to compete in the 2024-25 year.”

Joining Sassano on the sidelines will be Bret Day as assistant coach; Chris Bailey, strength and conditioning coach; Adolfo Gonzalez, volunteer assistant coach; and Naushad Godrej, goalkeeper coach.

Sassano said he is grateful to work with UWRF student athletes and build the soccer program.

“I feel very fortunate to be a part of such an esteemed Athletic Department with its success in winning conference and national championships,” he said. “I am very excited to carry on this tradition of achievement on the field and in the classroom.”

Sassano said he is especially appreciative to return to the St. Croix Valley, a place where his family has roots.

“It’s an absolutely incredible place to live, and I am filled with joy that we’ve settled down here,” he said. “The University of Wisconsin-River Falls embodies what higher learning should look like in terms of inclusivity while providing an exceptional education, and I am excited to spend my time working somewhere with values that I believe in.”

The WIAC will resume conducting a championship for men’s soccer beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, previously being a conference sport from 2009-14. WIAC teams will be immediately eligible for an automatic NCAA Division III men’s soccer postseason bid.

Men’s Soccer schedule is available at https://uwrfsports.com/sports/menssoccer/schedule.

MAKING AN IMPACT:

UWRF alum now raises money for Falcon athletic programs

WhenScott Sekelsky began working in December 2023 raising money to support sports programs at UW-River Falls, he wanted to make a positive impact on an Athletic Department he once represented as a cross country standout and a cross country and track and field coach.

Within just a few months, he did just that. Sekelsky, the first UWRF advancement officer dedicated to garnering money for athletics, helped raise nearly $90,000 during the university’s annual Giving Days event April 4-5.

The fundraising total represented a remarkable 500% increase over 2023’s Giving Days’ total. Combining that figure with dollars raised for a variety of other UWRF academic priorities, programs, and projects, nearly $200,000 was raised during Giving Days, easily topping the $150,000 goal set in recognition of the university’s 150-year celebration.

“I worked as hard as I could to make the Giving Days’ fundraiser a success,” he said. “It felt good to be able to raise enough money to make a significant difference for our university and Falcon athletic programs.”

Sekelsky’s many contacts in the St. Croix Valley community and his diligent efforts to convince community members and others of the value of UWRF athletics proved invaluable in raising money for and bringing attention to the university’s sports programs, said Rick Foy, assistant chancellor for university advancement.

“Scott’s deep connection with Falcon athletics, combined with his proven and effective leadership, communication, and fundraising skills make Scott the ideal person to be raising financial resources for UWRF athletics,” Foy said.

Sekelsky comes by his affinity for UWRF naturally. He enrolled at the university as a nontraditional student in 1996 after hearing about the school from a friend. He tried out for the cross country team and discovered that he loved distance running.

After graduating and landing a job as fitness director at Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin, Sekelsky was hired in 2005 to coach the UWRF women’s cross country program, a job he had until 2014. He coached one national champion, six national qualifiers, and seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference individual champions. He was inducted into the UWRF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021 as part of the coaching staff of the Falcons’ 2008 national championship women’s outdoor track and field team.

When Western Wisconsin Health built a new hospital in 2016, Sekelsky learned about raising money firsthand. He was part of a fundraising team that took in $2 million for that facility.

“I always wanted to do fundraising, but I never knew I was passionate enough about something to really do that,” he said. “Then that opportunity came along, and I realized that project was something I really cared about.”

Today Sekelsky is using that same passion to raise money for the Athletic Department he has a deep affection for. It’s the place where he found direction decades ago, the place that set him up to have long lasting success.

“I’m passionate about this university,” Sekelsky said. “I’m excited to do everything I can to help its athletic programs grow and succeed.”

To support UWRF Athletics, visit https://www.uwrf.edu/Give/SupportAthletics.cfm. Contact Sekelsky at scott.sekesky@uwrf.edu or 715-425-4041.

An experienced business development and marketing professional with a background in non-profit leadership and fundraising is the newest member of the UW-River Falls University Advancement team.

Rob Jaynes started his role as advancement officer in early August, succeeding Julie Stucky, who retired after 20 years of service to UWRF. Jaynes has established a record of success in real estate sales, business development, marketing, management, sports administration and fundraising. He previously served as director of the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks Fan Development and the Sharks Foundation.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to help raise the critical financial resources needed for UWRF to continue to grow and prosper as one of the nation’s top regional public universities,” Jaynes said.

Jaynes will serve as development liaison to UWRF’s College of Education, Business and Allied Health.

“Rob’s experience, versatility and stellar relationship-building skills will serve him well in his new role and will no doubt lead to fundraising success,” said Rick Foy, assistant chancellor for University Advancement.

University Advancement set a new yearly fundraising record in 2023-24, raising nearly $4.1 million in gifts to the UWRF Foundation, almost 13% percent greater than the previous record established in 2016-17.

To give to UWRF, visit https:// www.uwrf.edu/universityadvancement/giving

FotosFalcon

Barnett with Stone

Members of the 2003-04 WIAC champion men’s basketball team celebrated their 20 year reunion with head coach Rick Bowen in February.

Falcon alumni celebrated the start of 2023’s homecoming on the annual St. Croix River cruise.

Alumni welcomed students on move-in day.

UWRF alumni visited Austria’s 1,200-year-old St. Peter’s Restaurant during their October 2023 tour.

Falcon alumni gathered on the ice following a Minnesota Wild game.

Chancellor Emeritus Gary Thibodeau, center, toured the renovated dairy plant with University Advancement’s Kimberly Gould Speckman, ‘91, left, and plant manager Rueben Nilsson.

Alumni Relations Officer Pedro Renta, left, and Chancellor Maria Gallo, far right, greeted UWRF donors Paul, ’83, and Karen Dykstra at a gathering prior to the Falcons football win over the University of Northwestern-St. Paul.

Director Tom Barnett celebrated the return of the Marching Falcons with donor Pat Stone, whose gift paved the way to marching band program’s reinstatement.

Chancellor Maria Gallo visited with Dr. Brian Belson, ’82, during a trip to Washington DC in March.

Class Notes

Jim Bylsma, ‘76, has retired as head football coach at the Cambria-Friesland School District after 41 years as the head coach.

Gary Tauchen, ‘76, received the Distinguished Service to Wisconsin Agriculture Award for his outstanding contributions to Wisconsin’s agriculture industry. Bonduel.

Kelly Boldan, ‘80, is site manager of the West Central Tribune. Wilmar, Minn.

Michelle Gosse, ‘81, was inducted into the Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry. Gilbert, Ariz.

Ellen Denzer, ‘88, retired from St. Croix County after 35 years. Hudson.

Dean Buchholz, ‘92, has been promoted to Sr. Principal Engineer at Kohler Co. Kohler.

John Huenink, ‘92, was promoted to national director of K-12 Education Group at Kraus-Anderson. Minneapolis.

Dr. Brian Hoefs, ‘93, was named executive director and state veterinarian by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

Craig Sarnow, ‘96, was promoted to assistant chief of the Milwaukee Police Department. Milwaukee.

Rick Niemeier, ‘97, is the new city administrator for the City of Onalaska. Onalaska.

Gretchen Boulka, ‘99, was promoted to executive director of the Paramount Center for the Arts. St. Cloud, Minn.

Brian Kuhl, ‘99, is president of the International Society of Agriculture Safety and Health. Hudson.

Deanna Wuotila, ‘99, is the principal at Hillside Elementary in the New Richmond School District. New Richmond.

Doug Lorenzen, ‘00, was promoted to maintenance

and facility manager at Andersen Windows. Menomonie.

Scott Sekelsky, ‘00, is a development officer for athletics at UW-River Falls. Hudson.

Corri Anderson, ‘01, has been promoted to supervisor, Training and Quality at Illumifin. Woodbury, Minn.

Shannon Slatky, ‘01, received the Educator of Excellence Award for 2023-24 in the Gillett School District. Gillett.

Ellisun Wolterstorff, ‘01, was appointed by Allegro Group as the company’s Chief Experience Officer (CXO). Minneapolis.

Morgan Baum, ‘02, is the director of local news sustainability for Report for America. Hutchinson, Minn.

Keith Karpenski, ‘02, was elected to serve on the Polk County Board of Supervisors’. Amery.

Timothy Beres, ‘03, is the new Wildcat hockey head coach at River Falls High School. River Falls.

Emily Winter, ‘03, is the global lease administration director at CBRE. Dallas, Texas.

Andy Koltelnicki, 04, is the offensive coordinator for the Penn State Nittany Lions. State College, Penn.

Shannon Lyon, ’04, was presented with the 38th annual Wildermuth Award of Excellence in Education. Fort Atkinson.

Shelly Moore Krajacic, ‘06, was selected to the 2024 National Teachers Hall of Fame. South Milwaukee.

Cindy Bourget, ‘09, her school counseling program was recently recognized nationally for having achieved success with and for dedication to students. Elk Mound.

Justin Haffner, ‘09, was promoted to wastewater treatment lead at Federal Ammunition. Anoka, Minn.

Katie Haas, ‘10, hosted the 43rd Colby Dairy Breakfast on June 23. Colby.

Jordan Thompson, ‘11 was hired by the New London School District in ESL Services. New London, Minn.

Rocky Larson, ‘14, was named athletic director at Mayville State University. Mayville, N.D.

Moriah Boldon, ’16, won the USA Powerlifting Open 56kg weight class at the USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals in Tennessee. Port Orchard, Wash.

Natalyn Nelson, ‘16, was promoted to teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing at Beaver Dam Unified School District. Beaver Dam.

Kyia Britts, ‘18, is the associate production manager and company manager of Children’s Theatre. St. Paul, Minn.

Danielle Angotti-Baum, ‘20, is the district coordinator in northeastern Wisconsin at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Kaukauna.

Reagan Hoverman, ‘20, is a sports reporter at the Duluth News Tribune. Duluth, Minn.

Cole Irish, ‘20, is the principal at McDill Elementary in Stevens Point Area Public School District. Stevens Point.

Hannah Robb, ‘20, was honored as College Sports Communicators Photographer of the Year. Northfield, Minn.

Krystin Damask, ‘21, completed a MS in research in animal ecology at the University of Glasgow. Scotland, UK.

Jordan Kollander, ‘22, is an export/import analyst in the Trade Execution of Commodities to Asia & EU at CHS, Inc. Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Natalie Rodgers, ‘22, is the community director at Georgetown University. Washington D.C.

ANNUAL FUND!

Now, more than ever, UW-River Falls needs your support through a contribution to the Falcon Annual Fund.

The Falcon Annual Fund is the university’s unrestricted funding resource which helps UWRF meet its most pressing and immediate needs. Your investment, which makes an immediate impact, helps provide our students with living and learning experiences that lead to bright future; futures filled with limitless opportunities.

Commemorate our 150th anniversary! Follow this link to make your online gift in support of the Falcon Annual Fund today: https://www.uwrf.edu/universityadvancement/giving You can mail your check, payable to the UWRF Foundation, to:

UWRF Foundation ATTN: Falcon Annual Fund 410 S. 3rd Street River Falls, WI 54022

Thanks for your help moving the Falcons forward!

ABOUT ALMA MATTERS

Find out the latest news from your classmates — career changes, recent honors, retirements and more.

Send us your latest news and we will print it in the next issue.

Here’s how:

1) email falconfeatures@uwrf.edu or 2) submit a form at uwrf.edu/alumni/ and click Update Information.

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 about Alma Matters may be directed to Kjisa Munsen at 715-425-3505 or kjisa.munson@uwrf.edu

Arnold Nelson, ‘40, Feb. 27, 2024.

Millicent Skone Wallace, ‘47, Dec. 29, 2023.

Henry Arndt, ‘48, July 22, 2023.

Dorothy Olson, ‘50, April 13, 2024.

Duane Wilcox, ‘50, Jan. 23, 2024.

John Klisiewicz, ‘51, Sept. 27, 2023.

Alice Quesnell Laufenberg, ‘51, June 3, 2024.

Vivian Rotnem Riley, ‘51, Dec. 12, 2023.

Bernard Johnson, ‘52, Nov. 27, 2023.

Barbara Ladd Gaulke, ‘53, Jan. 9, 2024.

Jean VandeBergBurke, ‘53, Nov. 27, 2023.

Helen Dietzler Werner, ‘53, May 21, 2024.

Dorothy Inglis Sorensen, ‘54, Jan. 1, 2024.

Carroll Lodahl, ‘55, May 21, 2024.

Marlene Norelius Weigang, ‘55, April 29, 2024.

Arden Buchholtz, ‘56, Oct. 6, 2023.

Larry Bune, ‘56, March 26, 2024.

Richard Dodge, ‘56, Sept. 2, 2023.

Larry Kochendorfer, ‘56, Sept. 29, 2023.

Richard Stafford, ‘56, March 10, 2024.

Robert “Bob” Dykstra, ‘57, Feb. 2, 2024.

Everett Grilley, ‘57, Nov. 22, 2023.

Carla Anderson, ‘57, ‘’75, Feb. 15, 2024.

Kenneth Barrows, ‘58, March 23, 2024.

J. Daniel Beebe, ‘58, Dec. 8, 2023.

Henri Elzinga, ‘58, Oct. 29, 2023.

Richard Fischer, ‘58, Sept. 17, 2023.

Eugene Gullickson, ‘58, Aug. 30, 2023.

George Marx, ‘58, May 6, 2024.

Joann Passon, ‘58, June 3, 2024.

Robert Rutherford, ‘58, Dec. 9, 2023.

Richard Coen, ‘59, Sept. 9, 2023.

Joan Drier Demars, ‘59, Sept. 24, 2023.

Orval Gabriel, ‘59, Dec. 31, 2023.

Merton Hansen, ‘59, Feb. 3, 2024.

Larry Peterson, ‘59, May 1, 2024.

Kenneth Shong, ‘59, Dec. 14, 2023.

Wayne Anderson, ‘60, March 24, 2024.

Charles Norelius, ‘60, Jan. 19, 2024.

Dennis Oberding, ‘60, May 5, 2024.

Gary Rohde, ‘60, April 17, 2024.

Taloa Dunham Starr, ‘60, March 31, 2024.

Roland Baker, ‘61, Jan. 11, 2024.

Michael Collins, ‘61, June 5, 2024.

Dennis Gilbertson, ‘61, Sept. 15, 2023.

Robert Heagle, ‘61, Oct. 26, 2023.

Ronald Isaacson, ‘61, Nov. 26, 2023.

Gary Kochenderfer, ‘61, Jan. 4, 2024.

Ralph Ryan, ‘61, June 19, 2024.

Judith Daft Skroch, ‘61, Dec. 29, 2023.

John Solie, ‘61, Feb. 18, 2024.

Albert Obermueller, Jr., ‘62, May 16, 2024.

Ronald Perrier, ‘62, May 15, 2024.

Neil Prochnow, ‘62, Jan. 19, 2024.

Ronald Schladwiler, ‘62, Oct. 22, 2023.

Norman Schnagl, ‘62, April 6, 2024.

Stephen Gutting, ‘63, Oct. 5, 2023.

Eugene Haas, ‘63, Nov. 1, 2023.

Marlene Christensen Eklond Moss, ‘63, Nov. 27, 2023.

Michael Reynolds, ‘63, March 4, 2024.

Russell Spence Sr., ‘63, Dec. 27, 2023.

Roger Mathison, ‘64, Feb. 10, 2021.

Olive Esanbock Mulhollam, ‘64, Feb. 12, 2024.

Richard Olsen, ‘64, Jan. 13, 2024.

Clyde Ormston, ‘64, Sept. 1, 2023.

Donald Stellrecht, ‘64, Oct. 29, 2023.

Charles Williams, ‘64, Aug. 28, 2023.

Thomas Caflisch, ‘65, Sept. 19, 2023.

William Gill, ‘65, March 16, 2024.

Ann Ellefson Jensen, ‘65, Aug. 9, 2023.

Robert Coyle, ‘66, Oct. 28, 2023.

Michael Davis, ‘66, June 1, 2024.

Janice Waxon Goetz, ‘66, March 19, 2024.

Dennis Love, ‘66, Jan. 23, 2024.

Gordon Olson, ‘66, Jan. 18, 2024.

Floyd Buddenhagen, ‘67, Sept. 27, 2023.

Dale Jensen, ‘67, April 19, 2024.

Dennis Langkos, ‘67, Feb. 7, 2024.

Kenneth Schoch, ‘67, March 22, 2024.

Richard Baker, ‘68, Dec. 1, 2023.

Anthony Brickner, ‘68, Oct. 13, 2023.

Thomas Goerke, ‘68, Nov. 28, 2023.

Margaret Hagen Jothen, ‘68, March 10, 2024.

James Ross, ‘68, Sept. 12, 2023.

Erling Lestrud, ‘69, Oct. 14, 2023.

Milo Oppegaard, ‘69, Oct. 4, 2023.

Janet Whitton Reid, ‘69, Aug. 30, 2023.

Donald Richardson Sr., ‘69, Oct. 21, 2023.

Byron Anderson, ‘70, Oct. 31, 2023.

Andrew Peterson, ‘70, April 7, 2024.

Karen Davidson Reier, ‘70, April 8, 2024.

Susan Gustafson Koosmann, ‘70, ‘02, Oct. 29, 2023.

David Cassellius, ‘71, Jan. 30, 2024.

Jack Celt, ‘71, Sept. 11, 2023.

Ruth Curry Johnson, ‘71, April 24, 2024.

Scott Pomeroy, ‘71, Nov. 22, 2023.

Bruce Reikowski, ‘71, Nov. 12, 2023.

Paul Soli, ‘71, May 27, 2024.

Roger Stoflet, ‘71, Nov. 18, 2023.

Charles Beck, ‘72, June 22, 2024.

Roger Bebie, ‘72, March 12, 2024.

Dennis Callister, ‘72, Sept. 10, 2023.

Karen Patterson Frost, ‘72, Nov. 5, 2020.

Jerry Johnson, ‘72, April 17, 2024.

Erlene Wendle Johnson, ‘72, Aug. 29, 2023.

Jeneane Laehn, ‘72, March 24, 2024.

Mary Moreland Richey, ‘72, Jan. 17, 2024.

Joseph Torgerson, ‘72, Feb. 10, 2024.

Andrea Wolter, ‘72, March 19, 2024.

Anderson Del Bernice, ‘73, June 23, 2023.

Donald Ostercamp, ‘73, Nov. 7, 2023.

Duane Fogerty, ‘74, Dec. 5, 2023.

Jay Gast, ‘74, Dec. 28, 2023.

Richard Hillard, ‘74, Sept. 18, 2023.

David Josifek, ‘74, Dec. 14, 2023.

Dennis Ahern, ‘75, April 1, 2024.

Charlotte Atwell Henley Erickson, ‘75, Sept. 13, 2023.

James Holte, ‘75, Oct. 22, 2023.

James Kruizenga, ‘75, Feb. 2, 2024.

Jeffrey Reetz, ‘75, April 14, 2024.

Jeffrey Swiston, ‘75, Feb. 8, 2024.

Robert Gwidt, ‘76, March 15, 2024.

Debby Lundquist Kleman, ‘76, Dec. 11, 2023.

Thomas Kaldunski, ‘77, Aug. 30, 2023.

George Koepp, ‘77, Nov. 14, 2023.

Walter Strasser, ‘77, Sept. 19, 2023.

Donna Bunker Bement, ‘78, May 25, 2024.

Susan Larson, ‘78, March 29, 2024.

Patrick McKernon, ‘78, Sept. 2, 2023.

Linda Bliss Meschke, ‘78, March 21, 2024.

Colleen Foy Tolliver, ‘78, Feb. 18, 2024.

Cynthia Flash, ‘79, Oct. 7, 2023.

Karen Phelps, ‘79, Oct. 31, 2023.

George Setter, ‘79, June 19, 2024.

Mark Boxrud, ‘80, Feb. 4, 2024.

James Eckels, ‘80, Feb. 25, 2024.

Maxine Alberts Gruber, ‘80, April 24, 2024.

Marilyn Miller Gunderson, ‘80, Aug. 30, 2023.

Patricia Ruddle Dooley, ‘81, Sept. 7, 2023.

Eric Engel, ‘81, Sept. 26, 2023.

William Klemm, ‘82, June 13, 2024.

Craig Muntifering, ‘82, March 17, 2024.

Richard Bednarek, ‘83, Jan. 25, 2024.

Catherine Brockman, ‘83, Oct. 27, 2023.

Carl Duley, ‘83, Oct. 4, 2023.

Teresa Tauchen Gutenberger, ‘83, May 28, 2024.

Jeffery Toman, ‘83, June 3, 2024.

Dean Mraz, ‘84, Dec. 10, 2023.

Mark Aderman, ‘85, Sept. 10, 2023.

Craig Dodge, ‘85, Dec. 16, 2023.

Dawn Conrad, ‘87, Nov. 20, 2023.

Brenda Forthun Richards, ‘87, April 26, 2024.

Joann Woeste, ‘87, Nov. 14, 2023.

Falcon Farewell

Bruce Torkelson, ‘88, Feb. 10, 2024.

Patrick Gannon, ‘89, Feb. 8, 2024.

Nancy Penzkover Cooper, ‘90, April 21, 2024.

Laurie Peterson Green, ‘90, May 23, 2024.

Darlene Schofield, ‘90, March 18, 2024.

Kathleen Jacobson Sessions, ‘90, Oct. 5, 2023.

John Kolb, ‘92, Oct. 31, 2023.

Deborah Wammer, ‘92, Nov. 6, 2023.

Charles Casler, ‘93, Oct. 6, 2023.

Brenda Swagger Link, ‘93, Nov. 26, 2023.

Jeff Sarauer, ‘93, Nov. 18, 2023.

Norman Doyone, ‘96, Dec. 14, 2023.

Janet Zellinger Kuhlmann, ‘96, April 4, 2024.

Matthew Mathiason, ‘96, June 9, 2024.

Toby Carley, ‘97, Dec. 11, 2023.

Chad Glaze, ‘97, Dec. 31, 2024.

Regina Snell, ‘97, Nov. 7, 2023.

Steven Walstrom, ‘99, April 11, 2024.

David Yurchak, n/a, Nov. 26, 2023.

Dianne Pollatz Rohl, ‘00, Jan. 19, 2024.

Karl Steckelberg, ‘01, April 16, 2024.

Sean Froelich, ‘02, Dec. 31, 2023.

Jennifer Sweet, ‘02, April 6, 2024.

Ellen Tiedemann, ‘02, May 8, 2024.

Dennis Bangart, ‘04, Nov. 1, 2023.

Robert Kamm, ‘05, April 29, 2024.

Melissa Hammann, ‘07, Sept. 17, 2023.

Abbie Fleischman Pannkuk, ‘07, Dec. 18, 2023.

Theodore Cummins, ‘18, Sept. 15, 2023.

Jessica Aspenwall, ‘21, Dec. 21, 2023.

Colleen Ryan Kealy, ‘56, Sept. 5, 2024.

Gary Rohde, 85, of Hudson, died April 17, 2024. Gary was a professor at UW-River Falls from 1966 until 1976, when he was appointed as Wisconsin’s secretary of agriculture by Gov. Patrick Lucey. He returned to UWRF in 1981 as the dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Gary said his greatest fulfillment stemmed from mentoring the upcoming generation of students in the agricultural field. In any office Gary occupied, you could expect to see two plaques sitting on his desk: “My attitude is positive” and “Expect the best.” He retired from UWRF in 1999, but remained active on numerous boards and committees, including an appointment to the Wisconsin DNR board of directors.

Melvin “Mel” Germanson, Jr., 91, of River Falls, died July 28, 2024. Mel earned his BS from UW-Madison and his ED.S. from UW-Stout. Mel dedicated nearly 40 years working as UWRF registrar.

Mel was a man of charity and service. He served on the River Falls parks board and the police and fire commission. He was a member of the Lions Club, River Falls Chamber of Commerce, River Falls Golf Club, American Legion and St. Bridget Church. Mel and his friend, Jerry Carter became the original “River Falls grumpy old men” collecting food and money each fall for the food shelf.

Earl Theodore “Ted” Kuether, 95, of Roberts, died June 28, 2024. For nearly 19 years, Ted served as UWRF assistant chancellor for business and finance. He previously served in several accounting and finance roles for the state of Wisconsin. Ted and his family moved to River Falls in 1972. He retired in 1991.

Kermit Paulson, 83, of River Falls, died May 21, 2024. A visiting professor sabbatical in the UWRF Physics Department from 1984-86 led Kermit to accept a permanent faculty position in the department. He retired in 2001. Kermit also served as a physics professor at UW-Green Bay, Augsburg University and Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

At UWRF Kermit was athletics faculty representative, department chair and adviser. He was named the College of Arts and Sciences’ Outstanding Faculty Member in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1996. Kermit was also active in many professional associations, including the Health Physics Society.

Jens Otto Gunelson, 79, of River Falls, died Jan. 31, 2024. After earning his BA in English from Mankato State University, Jens enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam in the Army Intelligence Unit. It was in Vietnam Jens discovered his passion for photography. He made it his career.

Jens became UWRF’s campus photographer in 1977. He served the university for nearly 35 years and examples of his remarkable photographic talents are displayed prominently throughout campus. A celebration of his life and legacy was held in March in the Falcon’s Nest.

Neal Prochnow, 82, of River Falls, died Jan. 19, 2024. After earning his MS at Vanderbilt University, Neal began his long career as a UWRF physics professor in 1964. He earned his PhD in nuclear physics from Duke University in 1971. He was a member of the National Bureau of Standards advisory committee for weatherization and a consultant to the Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Community Services Administration.

Neal was enthusiastically dedicated to UWRF and the sciences and served as chair of the Physics Department, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and interim dean of the College of Business and Economics. He was also entrepreneurial and patented a caddy for fishing tackle.

charitable bequest

It’s an easy way to help future generations of UWRF students!

Benefits of bequest giving include:

• It costs you nothing today to make a bequest.

• A bequest is free of federal estate tax.

• Your bequest can be changed down the road.

• You can still benefit your heirs with specific gifts.

• A bequest may produce estate tax savings.

• You can leave a legacy through a bequest.

To learn more about bequest giving to UWRF, contact Kimberly Gould Speckman at 715-425-4212 or advancement@uwrf.edu. Ask for your free Guide to Planning Your Will or Trust. We are happy to assist you!

Please note Falcon Online provides updated Class Notes and Falcon Farewells every two months.

OUTSTANDING ALUMS, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR HONORED

Four University of Wisconsin-River Falls alums and a long-time university supporter were honored by the UWRF Alumni Association at the Evening of Excellence May 3.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Entrepreneurs. Innovators. Philanthropists. Jeff and Kristi Cernohous, River Falls, have established an impressive record of noteworthy career and life accomplishments.

Jeff earned his chemistry degree from UWRF in 1993 and his Ph.D in organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota. After starting his career at 3M, Jeff founded Interfacial Solutions (IFS) in his garage. He grew the company significantly and sold IFS to Stratasys, Ltd. He founded Magna Flooring and Interfacial Consultants (IFC) and in 2020, Nagase acquired controlling interest in IFC.

Jeff is now IFC’s minority partner and chief operating officer as well as chief innovation officer for Nagase America.

Jeff is co-author of more than 50 scientific publications and 100 US patents and patent applications. His patents have generated more than $5 billion of commercial product value.

Kristi Cernohous earned UWRF degrees in chemistry and food science in 1993. She started her career in quality assurance at General Mills and later served as a forensic scientist for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. She specialized in trace evidence analysis and was involved in several high-profile criminal cases. In 2007, Kristi joined husband Jeff and created critical structure and process to his rapidly growing businesses. She served as vice president of quality and characterization

for both Interfacial Solutions and Interfacial Consultants.

The couple were leading advocates for UWRF’s Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) and have contributed $1.25 million for the transformational project.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Gary Wagenbach, who earned a UWRF degree in biology and chemistry in 1962, established a long and accomplished career in education and research.

Wagenbach, originally from Barron, earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in zoology from UW-Madison. He served in research positions at the University of Washington, Bermuda Biological Station, the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Mass. and the University of Hawaii.

During a 39-year career at Carleton College

in Northfield, Minn., Wagenbach served as the Winifred and Atherton Bean Professor of Biology, Science, Technology and Society and now holds emeritus status. He encouraged faculty/student collaborative research and led off-campus research programs and environmental studies. He also served as the director of Environmental and Technology Studies.

As an invertebrate zoologist, Wagenbach studied the population of threatened freshwater mussels. After retirement, he provided teacher professional development for Lumbini Academy in Yangon, Myanmar. Walgenbach also teaches courses in the Master Naturalists Program and for the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium.

Gary and his wife, Linda, also a UWRF alum, live in Nerstrand, Minn.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUM AWARD

Elizabeth Byers, West Lafayette, Ind., has demonstrated a passion for student development, academic excellence, and the dairy community. She earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences in 2013 and later earned her master’s degree in education from UW-La Crosse.

Byers is the assistant director of academic excellence and transformational education in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University. She implements programs to enhance students’ growth in the areas of undergraduate research, issues engagement, academic excellence and leadership. She also collects and analyzes data on seniors’ transformational experiences and manages various endowments.

Byers has taught seminars for honors students and led study abroad trips to Haiti, Costa Rica, and Iceland. She also advises the

We’re still calling on you... but not by phone.

L to R: Elizabeth Byers, Linda Yde, Gary Wagenbach, Jeff and Kristi Cernohous

Purdue Agricultural Council.

Byers has been named Outstanding Club Advisor in Purdue’s College of Agriculture and Outstanding New Professional through the Purdue Advising Association.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD

Linda Yde, River Falls, is an accomplished health care professional, community leader, tireless volunteer and UWRF supporter and advocate.

After retiring from Regions Hospital where she served as a trauma program coordinator, Linda became involved with the River Falls Rotary Club as a rotary reader, helping scores of River Falls elementary school students with their reading skills. During the winter, Linda volunteers in the first-grade classroom at Nancy Lopez Elementary School in Roswell, N.M.

Yde is now president of the River Falls Rotary Club and spearheads the book giveaway for the yearly Tools for School program. She chairs the Fifth Tuesday Committee which undertakes projects for students in the River Falls School District, UWRF, Chippewa Valley Technical College and community organizations such as Our Neighbor’s Place.

Yde, originally from Shawano, has served a prominent role in the reinstatement of the university’s marching band program. She provides important assistance to Director Tom Barnett with the Marching Falcons camp by planning activities, meals and snacks for band members during their week-long training. Yde has also established three student scholarship funds at UWRF.

There was a time when calling was a good way to reach you. But today, more and more donors tell us they prefer to give in other ways, when they’re ready, not when the phone rings.

So, starting this year, we won’t be calling alumni, parents, and friends to ask for gifts to the Falcon Annual Fund. Instead, we’ll stay in touch in other ways so you stay engaged with UWRF and help move the Falcons forward.

We’re so grateful for your support and in this, our 150th year, we express special appreciation for your commitment.

DALEDOPKINS

Dale

Dopkins’ connection to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls started at an early age.

Dopkins was just 16 when he graduated from River Falls High School and enrolled at what was then called River Falls State Teachers College. He graduated in 1953 with a degree in elementary education.

More than 70 years later, Dopkins, now 91, remains thankful for the education he received at UW-River Falls and has been exceedingly generous in showing his gratitude. Records indicate he has made regular donations to his alma mater to the tune of more than $208,000.

“I love River Falls — the town and the school,” Dopkins said. “They did right by me and giving back just seemed like the right thing to do. It’s my way of saying thanks to the institution that helped launch my career.”

Dopkins’ giving began with the establishment of the Elizabeth Marie Petrie Dopkins Scholarship to honor his mother and the sacrifices and contributions she made during a long career of bringing knowledge and education to students in rural Wisconsin and Minnesota.

“She was a real pioneer school teacher,” Dopkins said of his mother, who taught for several years as a young woman and decades later, despite having her hands full operating a family farm, accepted a teaching position for $35 a month in the 1940s when officials told her the country school would be forced to close if she didn’t come on board. “She was a real inspiration.”

by Eric Lindquist

Dopkins later established a second scholarship — the Dale A. and Pamela A. Dopkins Scholarship — named after he and his wife, who live in Illinois. Both scholarships are for UW-River Falls education students.

“Dale has demonstrated his commitment to UWRF for some 60 years — more than a third of the university’s 150-year history,” said Rick Foy, assistant chancellor for university advancement. “His longstanding and generous scholarship support has focused on teacher education, one of UWRF’s premier legacy programs.

“Dale has often expressed his profound appreciation to those who have dedicated their careers to educating young people,” said Foy. “His endowed scholarship investment ensures the doors of educational opportunity open to generations of Falcons who will become our teachers of tomorrow.”

It was a military recruiter on campus who helped change the course of Dopkins’ career. When Dopkins told a recruiter he was considering quitting college to become a “smoke jumper” — a firefighter who jumps out of airplanes to battle wildfires — the recruiter advised him to finish school.

Dopkins followed the advice, completed his degree and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on active duty as a fighter pilot for five years, parlaying his training and experience into a 34-year career as a commercial pilot for United Airlines. He also served an additional 18 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

After entering this world amid a “blizzard of the century” in which the doctor couldn’t make it through the snow to help with his delivery and surviving a fighter jet crash in 1956 when his engine cut out during a training mission in California, Dopkins said he has lived a blessed life. The story of the crash that left him hospitalized for a year will be the centerpiece of a memoir he is writing titled “Lifetime of Miracles.”

Dopkins considers his philanthropy to UW-River Falls part of his way of showing gratitude for his good fortune.

“I feel very, very fortunate and so blessed,” he said. “Having the money and being able to use it like this is just so rewarding. I think higher education is tremendously important, and I’m happy to support it.”

2024-25 alumni events

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sept. 29, 2024

Garding Against Cancer, Oct. 1, 2024

St. Croix River Cruise, Oct. 3, 2024

Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 4-5, 2024

Falcon Men’s Basketball vs. Wisconsin Badgers, Oct. 30, 2024

Les Miserables, Nov. 21, 2024

URSCA Fall Showcase Gala, Dec. 3, 2024

Fall Commencement, Dec. 14, 2024

Sam’s Christmas Village, Dec. 19, 2024

Forsythe’s Luncheon in Arizona, March 12, 2025

Wisconsin Day in Arizona, March 13, 2025

Spring Commencement, May 10, 2025

Evening of Excellence, May 16, 2025

There’s nothing better than a Falcon get-together! Want to make your gathering a little more spirited? Simply let us know ahead of time and we’ll send a little Falcon swag to help you celebrate. When the festivities are over, send us a photo and you just might end up on the UWRF Alumni Facebook page!

facebook.com/uwrfalumniassociation

twitter.com/uwrfalumni

instagram.com/uwrfalumni