FALCON F E A T U R E S THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS
campus
students, faculty and facilities
Fall 2018
Success: FALCON FEATURES FALL 2018
1
in this issue
PROFile Bass is an educator, mentor and student... 8
A summer of success Students make it count ............................... 10
Coach Farley Leaving a legacy on the field and off. ..... 20
Proposed SciTech Center would power innovations in learning, teaching, growing
We are Falcons Homecoming 2018..................................... 22
Sections Up Front...............................................4 Along the South Fork....................... 5 Falcon Sports................................... 20 Alma Matters.....................................24
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The proposed new UWRF Science and Technology Innovation Center is part of a plan designed to support modern science education and meet industry demands in STEM fields. In addition to increasing undergraduate research opportunities, the facility will play a vital role in supporting economic growth in Western Wisconsin by fostering collaboration between faculty, students and regional businesses. It will also position UW-River Falls to better accommodate demand in high growth fields like animal science and provide more support for new popular programs like agricultural engineering and neuroscience. Science and technology innovation are part of the long-range plan for UWRF as demonstrated by the Campus Master Plan and projected 2019-21 UW System Capital Projects Plan. If funded, planning would take place in the 2019-21 biennium. Formal and informal advocacy efforts are underway to rally support for the SciTech Innovation Center. To learn more or to be involved in championing the project, email beth.schommer@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-0662.
Conceptual image, not based on actual layout or design.
SciTech quick facts • 72,230 net square feet of space (131,300 gross square feet) • Will house biology, chemistry, physics, psychology/neuroscience • 32 undergraduate research spaces totaling 22,240 square feet of space • 12,590 square feet of shared/ interdisciplinary space • 12 Instructional labs • UW-River Falls/Business Collaboration Innovation Space: three wet bench research labs, prototyping space/makerspace/ fabrication lab, collaboration area, a conference room and three offices
Science education for many UWRF students
1,700 students take science laboratory courses every year that would be taught in the Science and Technology Innovation Center
60%
25% of UWRF students are taking at least one lab this year
of students will likely take at least one course in the Science and Technology Innovation Center by graduation
• Estimated cost: $111 million FALCON FEATURES FALL 2018
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up front With Chancellor Dean Van Galen
FALCON FEATURES Volume 66, Number 1. Fall 2018 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 UW-River Falls Office of University Advancement and the UW-River Falls Alumni Association.
Earlier this fall, we enjoyed the energy that our students bring as they returned to UW-River Falls. They brought with them excitement and promise as they moved into our residence halls, gathered among old and new friends in the University Center and our new Falcon Center, and of course, learned to excel in many ways, both in and out of the classroom. This issue of Falcon Features is focused on capturing a few highlights of just that type of excellence, especially as it applies to our commitment to engaging students in internships and study abroad. Not only can you read about some of the life-changing experiences our students enjoyed, but you will also see some of the impressive data we have collected from our recent graduates on their first pursuits after they leave UWRF. Undoubtedly, it is the dedication of our faculty and staff who help shape those experiences for our students.
In this issue, you will meet our 2018 Distinguished Teacher Dr. Casie Bass, assistant professor of animal science. Her passion and dedication are inspiring, as is her unique ability to engage her students. Elsewhere in this issue, we share memories of a man who touched the lives of many student-athletes and non-athletes alike - former head football coach Mike Farley - who was honored at a memorial service during Homecoming weekend. The Falcon Features magazine is intended to keep our alumni informed about the university’s progress, but it also is a way to acknowledge all that you have done, and continue to do, to help our institution succeed. As UW-River Falls continues its trajectory towards the future with exciting initiatives like the new Science and Technology Innovation Center, please know that your ongoing support and engagement as alumni is greatly appreciated.
Parents: If this issue is addressed to your child who no longer lives at home, please contact the Advancement Office to provide a correct mailing address. We appreciate your assistance. Postmaster: Send form 3579 to Falcon Features, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI 54022.
EDITORIAL TEAM Interim Co-Directors, University Advancement Kimberly Gould Speckman, ’91 Julie Stucky Executive Editor Dina Fassino Art Director Tony Bredahl, ’86 Copy Editor Deb Toftness Contributors Alissa Brooks Philippi, ’14 Amber Dohlman, ’08 Zach Dwyer Cathy Larson Leaf, ’95 Kelsea Wissing Photography Kathy M Helgeson Rachel Paulus Jon Pesavent Deb Toftness Design and Illustration Karen Zander
Dean Van Galen, Chancellor
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along the south fork A summary of noteworthy events, milestones, programs and happenings.
Paying it forward Recognizing scholarship donors and their recipients began 27 years ago at UWRF and on Oct. 28 the tradition continued with an afternoon of appreciation and celebration as more than 180 individuals gathered on campus for the Scholarship Recognition Event. The event featured donors meeting and sharing stories with students whom they helped with scholarship support. Junior Cheyenne Booth, scholarship recipient and event student speaker, couldn’t emphasize enough the positive impact of scholarship support.
Chancellor Dean Van Galen provided a university update during the event.
“Because I don’t need to stress about college,” Booth said, “I am able to choose jobs and participate in class and campus opportunities that fill my soul instead of my bank account. On behalf of myself, and all other recipients, thank you and know that we are continuing to acknowledge your generosity and are paying it forward, each in our own way.” Invest, impact, inspire Scholarships are created for a variety of reasons. Perhaps an alum did well in life and attributes some of that success to their time at UWRF. Others have lost a loved one and want to memorialize that individual. And still others created a scholarship out of a desire to make the world a bit better by supporting future educators, scientists, farmers or business leaders and so on.
Cheyenne Booth, student speaker, with donor Dick Huston (right) and his guest, Kevin Conrad.
For more information, or if you or a family member are interested in setting up a scholarship, please contact Kellie Burrows in University Advancement at 715-425-4427 or kellene.burrows@uwrf.edu.
Donors Dave and Pat Stone greeted scholarship recipients Stephen Slivicki and Rebecca Baumgartner.
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along the south fork Regents approve change to UWRF’s mission statement
Dairy Judging Team’s win is a dream come true thought I could only dream about when I was younger,” said Kramer. “I am thankful for Dr. Kelm and Mary Holle for all of their time preparing us for this contest.”
In October, the UW System Board of Regents approved a change to the UW-River Falls mission statement that better aligns with the university’s strategic plan, Pathway to Distinction. The change contains required language regarding the types of student populations, academic programs, and degrees conferred at the institution.
Tauchen, too, thought back to her youth. “Dairy judging…is a passion we’ve been chasing since a very young age. To have so many people [coaches and families] dedicated to helping us pursue this dream is truly humbling,” she said.
The new mission statement represents the evolution of the campus since 1988, the last time the mission statement was officially revised. The new statement was vetted through a participatory process gaining the support of faculty and student governance and culminating with a public hearing in September. The new mission statement reads: “Our mission is to help prepare students to be productive, creative, ethical, engaged citizens and leaders with an informed global perspective. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls serves students who are full-time and part-time, undergraduate, graduate, non-traditional, distance-education and non-degree-seeking. The university offers programs in agriculture, food and the environment; arts and humanities; social and natural sciences; engineering and technology; business administration, marketing and economics; and education and professional studies; offering degrees at the associate, bachelors, masters, and education specialist levels.” Of particular significance is the acknowledgment of the university’s commitment to international education, providing recognition of its efforts to offer both local and global learning opportunities. Students from more than 20 countries attend UW-River Falls and nearly a third of UWRF seniors report having participated in a study abroad program.
UWRF Dairy Judging Team, left to right: Coach Steve Kelm, Matthew Kramer, Erica Helmer, Kaila Wussow Tauchen, Clint Irrthum.
The UWRF Dairy Judging Team captured top honors in the National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest at the 2018 World Dairy Expo in Madison on Oct. 1, taking first place overall and first team in the reasons category. This is the first time a team from UW-River Falls has won the national title in more than two decades. Leading the UW-River Falls team to victory over the 21 participating schools was Erica Helmer with her third-place individual finish overall. Teammate Kaila Wussow Tauchen finished ninth overall. Matthew Kramer and Clint Irrthum rounded out the winning team for UW-River Falls. Steve Kelm, professor of dairy science, and Mary Holle, a 2012 UWRF graduate coached the team. “I am so proud of the team we have become and all of our accomplishments. My teammates have become some of my closest friends. Considering all my years of judging and experience there couldn’t have been a better way to end it,” said Helmer. “Winning at Dairy Expo is something I
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Kelm summed up his reaction and reflected on his many years of coaching. “What an absolute thrill to hear UW-River Falls announced as the contest winner!” Kelm said. “I have had the honor to work with so many great students over the years. It is a real honor to work with this year’s group of seniors.” In a remarkable coincidence, emeritus Professor Perry Clark was on hand for the award presentation as he was accompanying a group of students from AERES University (Netherlands) who were in the U.S. as part of an exchange agreement with UW-River Falls. Clark was the coach for the UWRF dairy judging team in 1995, the last UWRF team to take top honors at World Dairy Expo. He spent time tracking down the four team members from 1995. He successfully reconnected with all four, each was working or showing cattle at the show. The 1995 team consisted of Jenny Berg, Reid Stransky, Kelli Tuman and Rebecca Walker.
UW-River Falls recognized by CASE for fundraising excellence UWRF has been recognized with two 2018 CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) Educational Fundraising Awards for overall fundraising performance which measures the breadth of support as well as other indicators of a mature well-maintained program, and for overall fundraising improvement which measures significant growth across a three-year period as compared to peers at similar institutions. UW-River Falls is one of only six public universities nationwide to receive both honors and the only UW campus to receive recognition in either category.
Freddy’s Dairy Bar opens If milk does a body good, then ice cream made from milk does a body better. UWRiver Falls opened a new storefront this semester for Falcon Foods called Freddy’s Dairy Bar, much to the delight of students, faculty and the community. A grand opening was held Oct. 10. The dairy bar, located on the second floor of the Agricultural Science building (Room 212A), features ice cream cones, malts, shakes, cheese and other foods including frozen packages of UWRF brats.
“It is an honor to be recognized by CASE as an outstanding fundraising institution. The Rising to Distinction campaign from 2011-16 set a new bar for fundraising. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers and the generous support of our donors,” said Chris Mueller, former assistant chancellor of University Advancement. According to CASE, institutions do not apply for the awards but rather are chosen based on data submitted to the annual Voluntary Support of Education survey. Judges select recipients based on a multitude of factors including pattern of growth in total support, overall breadth of support, pattern of growth in each area, pattern of growth among alumni donors and other individuals, impact of the 12 largest gifts to the institution, and total support in relation to the alumni base. “Private scholarship support to the UWRF Foundation has made an incredible difference in our ability to recruit students and help them succeed. Charitable gifts have also helped the university build and transform facilities including the Falcon Center and the Dairy Pilot Plant,” said UWRF Chancellor Dean Van Galen. “I express my deep appreciation to the many donors who support UW-River Falls and make a real impact in our university and the lives of our students.”
Freddy’s Dairy Bar is an extension of the UWRF Dairy Pilot Plant which provides valuable learning experiences. Students are involved in all aspects of production, sanitation, and quality control, providing them the unique opportunity to work in a commercial plant setting.
WRFW-FM celebrates 50 years UWRF’s radio station, WRFW-FM, recently celebrated 50 years of public radio programming on campus. From its humble beginnings on an old basketball court in the basement of North Hall, the station now occupies a spacious suite on the third floor of the historic building.
Currently, the Dairy Pilot Plant is undergoing renovations. The project is funded in part by the State, with the majority of the funds coming through generous support from industry partners. Equipment installation is scheduled to begin during spring semester with initial product trials starting before summer 2019. If you are interested in supporting the Dairy Pilot Plant renovation project, call Advancement Officer Julie Stucky, at 715425-4647.
In honor of the 50th anniversary, the studio was completely renovated over the summer. A fundraising campaign is now underway to upgrade equipment. Today, the station’s tower and antenna are located northwest of River Falls on the UWRF Mann Valley Farm. WRFW-FM student staff raise the station’s 30-foot tower and antenna on the roof of North Hall. The station debuted on Nov. 4, 1968.
If you are interested in supporting the WRFW-FM equipment fund, call Advancement Officer Kellie Burrows at 715-425-4427.
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profile
PROFile Casie Bass
Assistant Professor of Animal Science
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Casie Bass shines as educator, mentor and student Her laugh is infectious, her smile illuminous, her passion for equine science - enduring. Casie Bass loves what she does and it shows. Whether in a classroom or in a stable, Bass exudes energy, enthusiasm and passionately engages her students. Bass teaches Introduction to Animal Science, Equine Management and Equitation, Physiology of Reproduction and Equine Reproductive Techniques in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. In September, she received the Distinguished Teacher Award, the highest award bestowed on campus. Student nominators wrote repeatedly of her approachable nature and dedication to her students.
with four undergraduates to complete five research projects. Outside of the classroom, Bass is involved in the Society for the Study of Reproduction, the Equine Science Society, the American Society of Animal Science, and the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics. As the recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award, Bass will deliver an address at fall commencement. A plaque bearing her likeness was added to the Wall of Distinguished Teachers in the Wyman Education Building. In response to being named Distinguished Teacher, Bass expressed enthusiastic appreciation for her teachers and professors throughout her studies.
“She is very well educated in her studies and teaches in a way all students understand. As soon as she walks into the classroom she always has a smile and has much excitement when teaching!” one student wrote. “She is very easy to talk to in and outside of the classroom. She is literally the best professor I have ever had!”
“I have three degrees but none of them were in teaching,” she said, explaining that the positive impact she is able to have on her students is to the credit of the educators encountered in her life. She also thanked her family for their support and her students for inspiring her and pushing her to continue learning every day.
Bass is the 55th recipient of the award since its inception in 1965. Nominations for the award are solicited from recent graduates and graduating seniors. Distinguished teacher recipients represent talented and caring educators who make a difference at UW-River Falls.
For a history of the award and to view a list of previous distinguished teachers, visit www.uwrf.edu/Awards/Teachers/
Passion for all things equine Bass, a native of Jonesboro, Ill., joined the UWRF faculty in 2015. She earned a BS in animal science and a MS in equine reproductive physiology/animal science from Southern Illinois University. She also holds a Ph.D. in reproductive physiology/animal science from North Dakota State University. In addition to her teaching duties, Bass serves as an adviser to the Association of Women in Agriculture and is coach of the UWRF Equine Judging Team. Her research interests focus on various aspects of reproductive physiology within female mammalian species, specifically maternal recognition of pregnancy and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in mares. In her three years at UWRF, Bass has worked one-on-one
U.S. Department of Agriculture Grant On the heels of being named 2018 Distinguished Teacher, Bass received her first research grant award. With $275,000 from the USDA, Bass will lead a multi-faceted project titled “Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in Mares: Is the Uterine Epithelial Sodium Channel Receptor Involved.” Elements of the three-year grant include a course-based undergraduate research experience and a commitment to both engaging teaching and mentorship. The award will fund the creation of a summer research camp for low-income and underrepresented high school students as well as the acquisition of $52,000 worth of state-of-the-art laboratory and classroom equipment.
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sharing the journey
a
summerof success by Kelsea Wissing
Pass through campus in early September and you’ll be hard pressed not to feel the buzz that accompanies the start of a fresh academic year. Eager freshmen have left home and moved into their residence halls for the first time, upperclassmen are returning to the friends, classes and routines they left behind in the spring. Residence halls have been prepped, Week of Welcome immerses new Falcons in all things UWRF and faculty have readied their syllabi for the fall semester. All across campus, enthusiasm and anticipation abounds. As predictable as the back to school routine has become for campus, so has the age-old question “What did you do this summer?” A classic icebreaker, the question is an easy one that always has an answer but comes with an open-endedness that allows one to decide just how much to share. At UW-River Falls, the question elicits responses that illuminate just how diverse, driven and dynamic Falcons are. Summertime doesn’t mean stopping for most Falcons. One hundred twenty-three days passed between spring semester’s final day of classes and the fall semester’s first day of classes this year. Falcons filled those 123 days with pursuits of all kinds. Some traveled abroad while some stayed on campus for research, classes or work. They interned with Fortune 500 companies, worked with small startups and gained professional experience everywhere in between. They volunteered, competed, invented and discovered. They thrived. Over the next pages, four Falcons share their summer experiences. They are just a few of the many students who prove that learning never stops for Falcons, even when the days are long and the temperatures are warm.
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“I feel much more confident in myself and my work.” Jacob Carlson Eagan, Minn. Major: economics and business administration with an emphasis in finance Summer 2018: Financial Analyst Intern, Wells Fargo
Jacob Carlson’s time on campus is nearing
a great experience because now standing up in
its end. A senior double majoring in economics
front of the class is no big deal.”
and business administration with an emphasis in finance, Jacob is set to graduate in December. This past summer was his final summer as a college student and he made sure to make it worth his while. An Eagan, Minn., native, Jacob spent the summer as a financial analyst intern with Wells Fargo in Minneapolis. After spending his internship working on annual reviews, credit write-ups and case studies centered on lending decisions, he impressed enough to earn a full-time job offer. He’ll head to Wells Fargo as a full-time employee next summer to begin the financial analyst program, a two- to three-year program for new analysts within the company. Before he moves on to the corporate world, Jacob is busy finishing up his final semester at UW-River Falls, one he says has been impacted by his summer internship. While he took home an expanse of knowledge about financial analysis, credit underwriting and lending decisions from the Fortune 500 company, he also gained intangible skills that he’ll use for the rest of his life. “I think the biggest impact has been my ability
Jacob didn’t just pursue a summer internship in the hopes of becoming a better public speaker. In addition to increasing his chances of postgraduation employment, he knew an internship would help him dive deep into his field of choice. “I wanted to experience different things in the financial field. College is really good for giving a wide range of different perspectives and exposure to different concepts in any field and [UWRF] has done a great job of that. But in a lot of careers, what you end up working on can be very narrow and it can’t always be covered in school because the fields are so broad for careers,” he explained. “My internship really gave me an opportunity to dive into being a financial analyst and what it’s like on a daily basis.” “I was able to meet other people in the field and learn about their experiences. It gave me a great perspective of what to expect in my career,” he said. “It also gave me a deeper understanding of the basic things I’ve learned in school and really build off of those which is great.” With those skills and experiences in hand, Jacob is ready for his next step.
to be confident in the results I get in my work.
“I feel like I’m in a great place as I move forward,”
For instance, if I’m working on a group project
he said.
or a homework assignment, I feel much more confident in myself and my work,” he explained. “Public speaking was also a huge benefit of my internship,” he said. “Over the course of the summer, we had three big case studies that we presented to managers throughout the company. We gave three hour-long presentations to the group of people who would ultimately be hiring us. It was a nerve-wracking experience but also
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sharing the journey
“I can’t even put into words everything I learned.” Katherine Hiebl Edgar, Wis. Major: elementary education, early childhood minor Summer 2018: Intern, UWExtension and Wisconsin Valley Fair
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Katherine Hiebl’s summer wasn’t just busy,
Those skills, says Katherine, are things she’s
it was eye-opening. The elementary education
already putting to good use. She says they’re
major from Edgar spent her summer interning
things she didn’t necessarily think of when she
and splitting her time between the Wisconsin
started her internship but they turned out to be
Valley Fair office and the UW-Extension office.
invaluable.
“My internship was a unique internship in that
“When I interviewed for the job, they asked
I was bouncing between two offices. I spent 20
me what one of my strengths was and I said
hours in the Wisconsin Valley Fair office and 20
I could prioritize. Looking back, I had no idea
hours in the Extension office each week,” she
what prioritizing really was until I was at that
explained. “In the Extension office, my main goal
crunch time and it’s 12 hours until people are
was to educate the public about agriculture.
coming and you have to decide what really gets
We worked with 3-5 year olds on farm safety
done!” she recalled with a laugh. “Another big
education. Through the fair office, I planned
eye opener was budgeting. I’ll have a budget
a tent for the fair. The theme was “Take Your
as a teacher and my internship taught me so
Passport through Marathon County.”
much about how to handle it. And planning. I’ve already taken what I learned about planning and
At first glance, Katherine admits that her
applied it to lesson plans I’m writing for class. ”
internship might not have been the most obvious choice for an elementary education
Katherine, who also serves as a Chancellor’s
major but it turned out to be a perfect fit.
Student Ambassador at UWRF and is set to graduate in the fall of 2020, is confident that
“I wasn’t originally an education major, but I
her experience this summer is going to continue
realized early my freshman year that it’s where
to give her a leg up as she finishes college and
I should be,” she said. “When I was looking for
heads into the teaching field.
a job for the summer, I wanted to do something related to my major. As an education major, I
“It was an amazing experience. There are a
thought I would work in a daycare or a school
lot of teachers out there that I met during the
program but I didn’t want that, I wanted
summer and the tips they gave me, the things I
something out of the ordinary, something
saw, the things I learned through the internship,
completely unique, something that I could learn
like failing and growing, are incredible. I can’t
from.”
even put into words everything I learned,” she explained. “What I took away this summer
“Being able to plan and educate during my
isn’t something that I’m going to find in my
internship was perfect. I have an agriculture
observations or something that I will find when I
background so I felt like I could really teach kids
write my lesson plans. I have learned something
about it, and I know that’s something I want to
completely different than all my classmates.”
teach in my classroom someday,” she explained. “There were so many applicable skills [from my internship] that I can use in the future in my own classroom.”
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sharing the journey
Carl Meeker didn’t have to travel far for his
lot of those different courses that I’ve taken and
research this summer. He and two fellow UW-
a lot of those concepts that were presented in
River Falls students spent summer 2018 working
those classes and you try and integrate them into
with the Western Wisconsin Conservation
this larger scale problem,” he shared.
Council right in St. Croix County on research that will have a direct impact on the local farming community.
In addition to building on his education, Carl says his summer internship and research taught him other valuable skills. He’ll graduate from UWRF
Carl, an environmental science major, is no
in 2020 and after graduation hopes to join the
stranger to UW-River Falls and the surrounding
Peace Corps before eventually working towards
area. He’s a River Falls native who earned
a Ph.D. in a field like science technology public
associate’s degrees in philosophy and chemistry
policy. He believes the work he did with the
in 2010 before taking several years off to focus
Western Wisconsin Conservation Council this
on himself. He returned to school at UWRF full-
summer will come in handy.
time last year and wasted no time diving into research.
“My end goal is to get into national and international policy making so this was an
“The project was focused on nitrate analysis of
incredible experience being able to work with
groundwater for the farmers and to research the
stakeholders at such a local level and being
local geology, what factors may be influencing
able to expand my understanding with their
the nitrate levels we observe, and what are
viewpoints on the issue of nitrates in the
some potential farming practices they can
groundwater and how that may influence any
take advantage of that would help to minimize
policy that is passed, be it at a local, state, or
the nitrate leeching into the groundwater,” he
federal level,” he explained.
explained.
He knows that expanded viewpoint will be crucial
“Hydrogeology and how water gets into the ground and those aquifers is a really complex, interdisciplinary problem so I worked with a soils major and a geology major. We each have our own background piece to it,” he continued. “The farmers we worked with were located all over St. Croix County. It was a mix of field work, lab work, and office work.”
in the future. “The broader view that we have, the more we can see,” he said. “Being able to work with the farmers gives me a different perspective that I might not have had in the past. Moving forward, I can look at these other topics and I can start to think ‘well, how would a dairy farmer with all their cattle, how might this impact them’ compared to
That work, Carl says, felt like a culmination of so
just how this other stakeholder might feel about
much of what he has learned at UW-River Falls.
it. It’s that broadening of and understanding of other concerns that means so much.”
“For me, it helped integrate everything I have been learning in my classes. Each class is kind of piecemeal in and of itself. Being able to do this research allows for a means to really draw from a
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“The broader view that we have, the more we can see.” Carl Meeker River Falls, Wis. Major: environmental science Summer 2018: Research Intern, Western Wisconsin Conservation Council
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sharing the journey
Rachel Harris, born in Liberia, moved to the
Rachel, who hails from Coon Rapids, Minn., is a
United States at the age of three. Since then,
McNair Scholar at UW-River Falls and is set to
she managed to stay firmly planted on American
graduate in 2020. She first experienced campus
soil. That changed though, during the summer
when she was a high school freshman and
of 2018, when she stepped outside her comfort
visited UWRF as part of the AVID (Advancement
zone – and the continent – for the first time
Via Individual Determination) program. She
since she was a toddler.
says she fell in love with campus then and since arriving on campus has immersed herself in the
“I hadn’t left the country since I came here at
Honors Program, Black Student Union, Psi Chi (a
three years old. I hadn’t seen the other side of
psychology honor society) and Student Support
the world, I hadn’t had a chance to see the other
Services. She also represented UWRF at this
perspectives,” she explained. “I felt strongly that
summer’s WiSys Quick Pitch state competition
I should take this opportunity while I had it.”
after winning the campus competition earlier.
The opportunity, says Rachel, was once in a lifetime. She spent five weeks last summer studying abroad in Europe - a week each in London, Paris, Berlin, Prague and Greece – through the Catalyst Program. A psychology and communications major with hopes of eventually becoming a marriage counselor, the
The competition aims to encourage innovative and entrepreneurial thinking among UW System students by allowing them to share their research and compete for cash prizes. Rachel’s research evaluated the correlation between an individual’s body perception and body satisfaction in regard to gender.
courses she took while in Europe were geared to
While Rachel says her campus experience
her major but were immersive in a way she had
has already been impactful, her experience
never experienced before.
abroad this summer was life changing. The fact
“My first class was called ‘Madness.’ We went through the history of WWI and WWII and the different cultures of psychology and mental
that UW-River Falls encourages and supports students to step outside their comfort zones and gain a global perspective is an important one.
illness for people who had been through the war.
“I’m all for challenging myself. To be honest, I
Back then, when individuals were experiencing
was super close to not going and turning back,”
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), they
she explained. “Seeing that I could go and do
didn’t know what it was called. They called it
it, I felt unstoppable. I was super afraid of what
shell-shocked,” she explained.
was out there. But I am so glad that I did not
“We didn’t just read about the practices that they used to work with these patients,” she said. “We went to museums that focused on the analysis of different patients and treatments and therapies. Some of the things were so unethical but that’s why we are studying them, to learn from the past mistakes.”
Photos by Rachel Paulus
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allow this amazing experience to slip out of my fingers.”
“I felt unstoppable.” Rachel Harris Coon Rapids, Minn. Majors: psychology, communications Summer 2018: Studied abroad through the Catalyst Program
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first destination survey
Beyond the Nest Outcomes by the Numbers
By Kelsea Wissing
Class of 2017
1,367*
Total number of degrees
94%
77%
Knowledge Rate: rate of verified information
16% 78%
Employed or continued their education
of students continued their education of students employed
Salary Data
$44,339 average salary
Geographic Data Falcons continued their education in
Falcons are in
28
34
states
states
9
2
countries
91%
countries of UWRF graduates work in Wisconsin and Minnesota
Fortune 500 Companies Where Falcons Work or Interned
Ever wonder what happens to Falcons after they leave the nest? Each year, commencement marks a new beginning for graduating Falcons. While many leave a lasting impact on campus, UW-River Falls is often just the first stop on the path to their future. In fall 2016, Career Services began managing the First Destination Survey process for recent graduates as an understanding of post-graduation activities of UWRF alumni. The first report from Career Services this spring covers the outcomes of 2016-17 graduates. The First Destination Survey gleans information from recent graduates regarding employment status, salary details and geographic data. The report also includes a breakdown of UWRF graduates by college and provides statistics about each college’s total number of graduates, employment, continuing education or military status, and median and average salary figures. The data gathered through the First Destination Survey comes from several verifiable sources including a campus-wide online survey, phone calls to graduates, information from faculty and searches of social media profiles. The survey seeks to provide information to students, faculty, staff, administrators and the community about UW-River Falls alumni outcomes. “Many of us understand the importance of higher education and its impact on the region, state, and world. Collecting this information and sharing with others supports the impact being made by UWRF graduates and their reach which covers the state of Wisconsin and beyond,” said Melissa Wilson, director of Career Services at UW-River Falls. The 2018 report covered graduates from 2016-17. They were awarded 1,367 degrees and 94% of graduates were either employed or continuing their education. Falcon alumni included in the survey are now spread across 34 states and nine countries, with 91% of them working in Wisconsin or Minnesota. They are continuing their education in 28 states and two countries. The First Destination Survey also found that 59% of graduates completed at least one internship, practicum or student teaching placement during their time at UW-River Falls. “The list of Fortune 500 companies where our graduates are employed is impressive, along with all of the Big 4 accounting firms,” said Wilson. She also pointed out the impact data on recent graduates has on potential Falcons and their families. “The data [from the First Destination Survey] is utilized by prospective students and families during the campus visit experience. Many who visit campus want to know the specific outcomes associated with the majors in which they are considering,” said Wilson. “Upon visiting campus, they will compare UWRF data with the data shared by the other campuses in which they are considering.”
Value of the Liberal Arts Degree
89% 87%
of students strongly agree/agree UW-River Falls prepared them for the next step of students strongly agree/agree their degree was a good value for their investment
*Note: Master of Science in Education, School Psychology graduates have been removed from the data because they will all continue their education in the Education Specialist Degree.
The results of the survey aren’t just impactful for those who have yet to join the alumni ranks at UW-River Falls. Seeing the success of young graduates helps many who have come before feel more connected to campus. “As an alum of UWRF, one can see through the First Destination Report where Falcons work and continue their studies. Career Services’ hope is that by seeing where Falcons are today, this provides an even greater sense of pride for UWRF,” said Wilson. “Our graduates go on to do exceptional and amazing work and through the First Destination report, we can better share the UWRF story with others.” View the full 2018 First Destination Survey report at https://www.uwrf.edu/CareerServices/ upload/2619-First-Dest_Tri-fold_Brochure_7x9_FINAL_forMP.pdf.
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campus development
Bricks and Mortar
Karges Center deconstruction, icon relocated The R.A Karges Center, part of the UW-River Falls campus since 1960, was taken down over the summer. Karges Center had served as the home for the university’s Health and Human Performance and athletics departments, as well as many of its athletic teams. Last fall’s opening of the Falcon Center for Health, Education and Wellness gave these departments and programs new homes. Deconstruction of the 58-year-old building was considered one of the final phases of the Falcon Center project. Prior to deconstruction, the bronze falcon sculpture located on the north exterior wall of Karges was moved – based on a campus-wide vote – to the west entrance of the new Falcon Center.
Rodli Hall renovation The $15.1 million renovation of David Rodli Hall is underway and is scheduled to be completed in January 2020. The remodeled Rodli Hall will be home to many student-centered support departments from Admissions to Career Services. Offices that provide resources for international education, undergraduate research, tutoring, health and counseling, inclusivity, and veterans services are a few examples of what will be housed in this innovative new one-stop-shop on campus.
Dairy Pilot Plant renovation The planned UWRF Dairy Pilot Plant renovation is underway. State-funded physical upgrades will modernize the facility where students receive handson experience producing Falcon Foods cheese and ice cream. Industry partners are providing an additional $3 million in funding and in-kind donations of equipment to ensure UW-River Falls can continue to train and develop talent for Wisconsin’s growing dairy processing industry. The plant is scheduled to be up and running by summer 2019.
Abbott Concert Hall improvements Abbott Concert Hall in Kleinpell Fine Arts will take on a new look and feel when a $1.3 million renovation is complete. New fixed seating and floor finishes, a new orchestra pit platform, and upgraded electrical and lighting are among the improvements underway. The venue is set to reopen by spring 2019.
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falcon sports
Lanning named athletic director Crystal Lanning has been named athletic director at UWRiver Falls. Lanning, who had served as interim athletic director since 2016, assumed her permanent duties April 1. Lanning leads a department which offers 17 NCAA Division III programs and has over 40 full-time, part-time and volunteer staff. As athletic director, she oversees all facets of the Athletic Department including operations, budget, marketing and fundraising initiatives. “I am confident that Crystal will continue to provide outstanding leadership for Falcon athletics and serve as a valuable member of cabinet and the university’s leadership team,” said UWRiver Falls Chancellor Dean Van Galen. Lanning serves on the NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship Committee as well as the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Basketball Sport Committee.
Coach Farley legacy On Aug. 28, Mike Farley, 84, died peacefully in Arizona with his wife, Rae, by his side. Farley coached the UW-River Falls Falcon football team from 1970-88, compiling a 11771-3 overall record. He led the Falcons to eight WIAC conference championships. The 1979 team earned the Falcons their first postseason playoff spot in football history when they secured a berth in the NAIA Division I National Playoffs. In the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), Farley is fifth on the alltime wins list and in 1985 was named WIAC Coach of the Year. Farley coached 95 players to All-WIAC honors, including three WIAC Players of the Year. He received many honors, among them being inducted into the UWRF Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989, the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994, and the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012. In 1986, Farley was named Teacher of the Year by the College of Education at UW-River Falls, an honor held chief among his many recognitions.
After Farley’s retirement in 1989, he was still heavily involved in the River Falls community as a leading member of the River Falls Library Foundation Board. Farley lead the library’s fundraising committee to replace the standing library with a state-of-the-art facility, surpassing the fundraising goals set out for the committee. A memorial service in his honor was held in Page Arena at the Falcon Center during the 2018 Homecoming weekend in October. Approximately 300 people attended the service including family members, friends, and many former players and colleagues. As shared in the memorial service program: “We will greatly miss his positivity, intellect, dedication and innovation - having improved the lives of so many players, coaches and friends. His motto ‘one play at a time’ is just one of the many life lessons that he taught us all along the way.” For more information about Coach Farley, his life and legacy, visit coachfarley.info
Photo: Coach Farley visits with Coach Walker and the Falcon football team in 2014.
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Student-athlete Payton Speckel is United Games intern
“It has been a really cool experience as I have been able to keep up on pitching but also have been helping give pitching lessons to other players on the team,” Payton said. “Getting to share what I have learned over the years of playing softball has been really fun.” Payton has made sure to take advantage of the many opportunities that come with studying abroad and assures anyone considering a similar path that “the memories you make will be worth it.”
Falcons to play in collegiate basketball’s debut at U.S. Bank Stadium Rather than simply preparing for a typical senior year of classes at UW-River Falls, Payton Speckel is using her semester abroad to work and study across Europe thanks to an internship with United World Games. Payton’s coach and UWRF Director of Athletic Communications Amber Dohlman introduced her to the possibility of going to Vienna, Austria, to intern with United World Games last year. Dohlman thought the opportunity would pair well with Payton’s plans to study abroad. “UWRF’s Semester Abroad: Europe program really appealed to me because it was so independent, and I could customize the program to fit where I needed my credits,” Payton said. “This was the only program where we receive the most free travel time to explore and immerse ourselves in other cultures, too. As a business/marketing major I had a lot of interest in how business is conducted differently around the world as well as how European marketing efforts may differ from those in the U.S.” Payton says she feels fortunate that her sports marketing internship in Austria has gone so well. She added that being a student-athlete has been a perfect fit. She has already learned
so much about the effort it takes to organize an event with so many athletes and teams. Over 40 countries and 10,000 participants are planning to attend this year’s event. “UWG preaches how the tournament is not only about the games, but also the international friendships created and the cultural interchange that takes place between the countries,” Payton said. “I think it is really cool to be working for an organization that cares so much about the power of getting to know someone of a different race, religion, or skin tone -- that can have a huge and positive impact in the breakdown of biases between people of a different county.” Payton has been involved with improving UWG social media presence, contacting Scandanavian teams and associations to inform them about the games, building relationships with contacts in the Netherlands and setting up road shows for interested clubs and teams.
U.S. Bank Stadium will host its first college basketball event Nov. 30–Dec. 1, with UW-River Falls matched against the University of St. Thomas. Men’s basketball coach Jeff Berkof said the experience is meaningful not only for the Falcon men’s basketball program, but for the university and alumni as well. Crystal Lanning, director of athletics at UW-River Falls, said the team is excited to showcase the competitiveness of Division III basketball at such a tremendous venue. The basketball classic, which includes teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Oklahoma, will be the first basketball event in U.S. Bank Stadium’s history.
While Payton has been busy with her internship and studies, she has still found time to prepare for her senior season as a Falcon. She reached out to a softball team in Vienna and has been practicing with their team this fall. FALCON FEATURES FALL 2018
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homecoming 2018
WE ARE FALCONS!
Homecoming 2018 included many memorable events across campus and in the community. An annual favorite is the homecoming parade that features the Shriners, student organizations, and Chancellor Dean and Mary Van Galen’s convertible ride. The parade on Oct. 13 was preceded by the alumni and friend’s coffee tent hosted by the UWRF Alumni Association. The Falcon football team was victorious over UW-Stout, holding on for a 21-19 win.
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alma matters Class Notes. Weddings. Future Falcons. In Memoriam.
New Director of Alumni Relations Pedro Renta may be new to the Office of University Advancement, but he’s no stranger UW-River Falls. Renta graduated from UWRF in 2001 with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education with an emphasis in Spanish. He started his higher education career with UWRF in 2005 as the assistant coach of the men’s basketball team. In 2013, Renta accepted a position in the Admissions Office as the multicultural outreach coordinator and admissions counselor. Renta was named the director of Alumni Relations in April, organizing events that connect alumni to their alma mater. “I get a chance to meet fantastic Falcons at every event. I am constantly amazed at what our alumni are doing with their lives and where they are doing it,” Renta said. “I am also getting a chance to reconnect with alumni who I had a chance to meet as a counselor, a coach, and as a student… 34 years in all from my first introduction to UWRF.” In his free time, Renta and his wife, Susan, spend a lot of time on the road traveling to sporting events and functions for their children, Mateo (17) and Andre (15). He also enjoys fishing, hunting, golf, and seeing the countryside on family vacations.
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Find out the latest news from your classmates—career changes, recent honors, retirements and more.
Class Notes Note: Cities listed without a state are in Wisconsin.
1950 Judith E. Simonson, 1958 is mission coordinator for Ministries in Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counseling and Clinical Education, Chicago, Ill. Prior to this appointment, she was ordained by the Lutheran Church in 1980 and served a congregation briefly. She was chaplain at the National Lutheran Home for the Aged in Rockville, Md., from 1984 to 1996 and served as an assistant to the bishop of the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod of the ELCA. In 2011, she received the Distinguished Alumnae Award for Specialized Ministry by her seminary.
1960 Richard Peterson, 1964 is the 2017 Jonathan F. Reichert and Barbara Wolff-Reichert Award for Excellence in Advanced Laboratory Instruction Recipient
1970 Michael J McIntyre, 1972 is beginning his second year as president of the board of trustees of the Lake County Public Library System, Merrillville, Ind. He has been a trustee for eight years and a member and past president of the Library Foundation and board member for 30 years. The Library system was recently named the Top Library system in the state of Indiana by the Indiana Library Federation. McIntyre, who has been retired for 6 years from a career in banking, remains active in the Northwest Indiana and Munster community. He resides in Munster with his wife Cheryl. Bill Rasmussen, 1972 was named the River Falls Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He has been involved in the community, with United Methodist Church, the River Falls Police Department, St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice, and more. Rasmussen has served on the Chamber board for four years. He served as board chair in 2006. Marilee Berry Hoffman, 1975 was inducted into Burlington High School’s Wall of Inspiration. She has been a leadership team member, a former department head, and a Burlington Area School District Wellness Committee member. Throughout the years, she also advised/coached extra-
curricular activities including cross country, bowling, volleyball, cheerleading, intramural basketball and Student Council where she helped write a Youth as Resources Grant for an all-school community cleanup project. Hoffman also served 10 years as the president of Southeastern Wisconsin Health and Physical Education Association, a group that focuses on helping to create effective physical education and health teachers. Dave Drewiske, 1977 was named interim executive director for the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. After graduating from UWRF, he interned with the National Park Service. He has also worked for State Parks in St. Croix Falls, the UWExtension, and 3M. Sue Rowe, 1979 participated in the annual “paint-in” by members of the Lake Country Pastel Society, an organization founded in 1997 by pastel enthusiasts. The Minnesota “paint-in” proves the crayon-like colors of pastels aren’t just for kids.
1980 Rod Raehsler, 1981 is an economics professor at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and will serve a two-year term as vice president on the national board of directors for Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honor society for economics. He is the director of the Honors Program and served as chairperson of the Department of Economics from 2003-2016. He has published over 40 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented papers at the prestigious American Economic Association meetings in eight of the last 10 years. Bob Wittman, 1981 was selected as the National Community Educator of the Year in 2008 and was recently named the Minnesota Community Educator of Excellence. He has 40 years of experience in community education and stints as president of the Minnesota Community Education Association and National Community Education Association. Mike Laska, 1985 is retiring after 32 years of teaching math and 30 years in one building at Murray Middle School. Jim Cropp, 1987 is the plant manager of Yodelay Yogurt in Madison which recently had a first-place
showing at the American Cheese Society Conference & Competition in Denver. He helped create the award-winning yogurt Yodelay, a lighter craft Swiss yogurt. Jacquie Boyer, 1989 is vice president of Global OEM Sales. Boyer has more than 25 years in progressive sales and leadership roles, including experience with large, mid-size and start-up companies. She most recently held the position of vice president, global sales and marketing at Stanadyne, L.L.C., a fuel injection system supplier to the automotive and diesel markets. Deb Henton, 1989 was named the 2018 Minnesota Association of School Administrators Superintendent of the Year. Henton has served as the superintendent for North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS) since 2007. Under her leadership, NBAPS has implemented K-12 world language instruction, college in the classroom, technology initiatives, the ProStart Culinary Program, and Project Lead the Way. She also lead NBAPS’s energy efficiency program that has allowed the district to save over $800,000 in energy costs since the program’s inception. Kelli Rae Tubbs, 1989 made presentations at the Chicago Drum Show and the 42nd Annual National Women’s Music Festival, as well as made an appearance at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in a clinic titled “Sound Off! A Re-Creation of ‘Trap Drumming’ from the Silent Film Era” with Daniel Glass, Theodore “Denny” Brown, and Nicholas White. Tubbs is co-authoring a book with Daniel Glass titled “The Postcard Project: A Snapshot of Drumming Life, 1900-1930.” Her recently-penned articles have appeared in the new U.K. publication “Vintage Drums Legendary Sounds.”
1990 John Draxler, 1991 is a chief probation officer for the State of Colorado. Mary Jo Gardas, 1991 teaches first grade at Elmwood Elementary. She previously taught at St. Francis Elementary in Ellsworth. Daniel Grady, 1991 is the new district administrator for the Marshall School District. Prior to his career in educational administration, Grady served the school district in several capacities FALCON FEATURES FALL 2018
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alma matters including interim athletic director, choral music teacher and athletic coach. He is currently an elementary school principal in Fall River. He was the elementary school principal, preceded by intermediate associate principal in Milton from 2011-17. He was a middle school assistant principal, preceded by high school assistant principal in Mount Horeb from 2006-11. He also worked in the Burlington and Waterford school districts. Kimberly Kessler, 1992 studied coral reefs, manatees, howler monkeys, jaguars and other wildlife while learning the methods communities are using to sustain them in Belize. Kessler, a zookeeper at the Honolulu (Hawaii) Zoo took the graduate course in pursuit of her master’s degree from Miami University’s Global Field Program. Heidi Clausen, 1993 has been promoted to editor at The Country Today. She has worked for the weekly agricultural/rural life newspaper for the past 24 years, working from her home near Clayton, and covers news throughout northwest Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Kirk Dailey, 1993 is a sales development manager in the Livestock Feed Additives Division with Central Life Sciences. He is responsible for the sales team handling the feed through fly control solution ClariFly Larvicide for swine and associated products. Dailey brings more than 20 years of experience, previously holding a sales manager position at Prairieland Feeds. Kristi Fox, 1994 is the first chief diversity officer at Securian Financial. Fox, who has been with Securian for 21 years, is charged with leading the company’s diversity, inclusion and engagement strategies, talent acquisition and development, employee benefits, and employee relations. Bill Sucha, 1995 is the band director at Irondale (Minn.) High School where he has taught for 22 years. Craig Broeren, 1996 is the superintendent for the Wisconsin Rapids School District. Previously, he was superintendent of the Barron Area School District. Mike Lobinsky, 1996 is president of EOS Imaging’s North American Division. All continental functions report directly to him. Prior to joining EOS Imaging, Lobinsky served as U.S. vice president of sales and implementation for robotics at Smith & Nephew PLC, that he joined through its 2016 acquisition of Blue Belt Technologies Inc., a developer of surgical robotics.
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Craig Sarnow, 1996 is a police lieutenant for the Milwaukee Police Department.
counties in southern Minnesota. She is the executive director of Discover Austin, the community’s convention and visitor’s bureau.
Eric Widholm, 1996 is a proposal and pursuit specialist with Hanson Professional Services Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. He will assist with business development for the firm’s Florida infrastructure market by overseeing proposal pursuits and development and presentations to clients and potential clients. Widholm most recently was a marketing editor for a national engineering firm in Eau Claire.
Sam Zimmermann, 2001 and his wife, Jenn, were named winners at the 62nd Annual National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress held Feb. 15-18 in Sacramento, Calif. Four national honorees were selected from a group of 10 finalists for the award based on their progress in an agricultural career, extent of soil and water conservation practices, and contributions to the well-being of the community, state and nation. They reside in Ringle.
Patty Caldwell Edelburg, 1998 is vice president of the National Farmers Union. Edelburg has been active in the Wisconsin Farmers Union for over two decades and has spent 12 years on the WFU board. She also served as the director of the Wisconsin Farm Service Agency for part of 2016 and was a member of the state and county Holstein boards. Jennifer Roettger, 1999 is the employee experience manager with Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis.
2000 Cara Dempski, 2000 has joined the Lake Mills Leader, Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent as regional sports editor. Prior to that, Dempski worked in human services for 10 years, doing everything from working with adolescents in residential treatment to working with severely mentally ill adults. Renee Fry, 2000 has published her first book, “I Hate Mondays!” She is the owner of TalentQ, Inc., a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise and has a 15-year career in recruiting. Andy Jarzynski, 2000 is head football coach at North High School, Eau Claire. Jarzynski is a graduate of Eau Claire Memorial High School where he played for Pat McGinnis and Tal Tischer. Jared Schaffner, 2000 is the principal at Onalaska High School. Previously, he was an agri-science teacher in Pulaski. Kyle Igou, 2001 is the principal at Prescott Middle School. Four years ago, the Prescott School District welcomed Igou as the high school assistant principal and athletic director. He has two years of prior teaching experience in Gillette as well as 10 years teaching in River Falls. Nancy Schnable, 2001 has been awarded the 2017 President’s Award by the Southern Minnesota Tourism Association. The association represents 36
Angela Lallemont, 2002 opened her new office, Lallemont Law, LLC. in 2017.Sheisa nadjunctprofessor forthe l egals tudiesprograma t Winona State University andservesont heB oardof DirectorsforLawyers ConcernedforLawyers. Josh Miller, 2003 works in development services for the City of Marshfield. Prior to this appointment he served as the zoning administrator and city planner. Beth Buckmaster-Dulon, 2005 was one of three teachers recently honored with Star Excellence Awards by The Education Foundation of Hudson. She teaches German 2 and 4 at Hudson High School and has taught for 13 years, including the last six in Hudson. She and her husband, Nathan, reside in Hudson with their children Ella, 7, and Owen, 4. Sara Tischauser, 2005 is a new reporter for the Pierce County Herald, Ellsworth. Todd Willems, 2005 is director of schools for Siena Catholic Schools of Racine. Prior to this, he worked for the Messmer Catholic Schools in Milwaukee where he has served as principal of the high school since 2013. Prior to Messmer, he filled a variety of administrative roles while also teaching for eight years at Catholic Central High School in Burlington. Molly Sharpe Gursky, 2006 owns Driven Restorations near Randolph with her husband, Steve. They are expanding their shop, located on the four-acre rural property that is also home. The $70,000 project will add more mechanics bays, a dedicated welding and metal room, a new paint booth and provide more space for the growing business. Blake Hickman, 2008 was married Estelle Richard July 15, 2017, at Mendakota Country Club, Mendota Heights, Minn.
Laura Miron Mendel, 2008 purchased the historic Withrow Ballroom, an 89-year-old event center that has fostered and hosted multiple local weddings through the years. Mendel grew up on a farm in Princeton, graduating from UWRF before spending two years as an elementary teacher in the Princeton School District. As her entrepreneurial drive became stronger, she earned her master’s degree in business administration then began to plan events for Buffalo Wild Wings Corporation followed by Maple Grove (Minn.) Tavern. In between, she produced and hosted sports- and real estatefocused radio shows for WCCO and ESPN and earned certification to become a loan officer with Envoy Mortgage, Edina, Minn. Mikayla Fischer, 2009 is teaching in the veterinary technician program at Dakota County Technical College.
2010 John Hanley, IV, 2010 and Ashley Goettl Hanley, 2013 welcomed a son, John Charles Hanley, V on Nov. 9, 2017. Kati Matuseki, 2010 is a holistic freshman review supervisor in undergraduate admissions at the University of Minnesota. Melissa Ploeckelman, 2010 is outreach specialist at the Marshfieldbased National Farm Medicine Center. She is responsible for assessing the program’s outreach efforts and heading the center’s website and social media outlets. She also serves as a member of the outreach team at the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center at the University of Minnesota. Previously, she taught at her alma mater, Colby High School, for six years where she also served as the chapter’s FFA advisor and youth apprenticeship coordinator. Charlee Borg, 2012 is the first anti-trafficking coordinator at HopeWorks of Howard County, Md., which serves victims of sexual and domestic violence and human trafficking. Klaudia Glowacka, 2012 was named Teacher of the Year at Tracy Area Elementary School after three years of teaching. Nicole Witzel, 2013 recently appeared on the PBS outdoor adventure show, “Tennessee’s Wild Side,” for her ongoing research on streamside salamanders. Mike Merritt, 2014 is the K-6 physical education teacher at Isle schools. Last year, he was a long-term substitute teacher in Osceola for third-fifth
grade physical education. Holly Hale, 2015 was selected as the 2018 Family Childcare Provider of the Year at the recent Wisconsin Family Child Care Association Conference. Hale has been working in childcare for most of the last 35 years and has been licensed since August 2006. Christina Licari, 2015 is a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, West Africa. She is helping tackle insufficient classroom space and lack of girl’s enrollment at the middle/high school. Through building two new classrooms, school hours will be at appropriate times favoring female students who prepare meals for their families. The new rooms will also provide each grade level with their own classroom. Michael Mader, 2016 is the owner and founder of Hippy Feet, a Minneapolis-based sock company dedicated to providing support to people affected by homelessness. Hippy Feet has expanded its brand ambassador program to St. Thomas. He also had a pop-up shop and warming house near Super Bowl Live events for 10 days leading up to the Super Bowl where he sold Hippy Feet socks and raised awareness of homelessness. For each pair of socks sold through the e-commerce business, a pair is donated to a homeless shelter. Travis Vieths, 2016 is working in customer service and technical support at Sustane Natural Fertilizer. He supports distributors and customers in the Midwest in the agriculture, turf and ornamental markets. Dillon Voltz, 2016 has been promoted to portfolio manager by the Bank of Luxemburg. Voltz, who grew up in a farming family, focuses on the agricultural lending segment in addition to more general business lending. He has served as a credit analyst at the bank for the past year. John Walstrom, 2016 is the social studies, history, psychology, and sociology teacher at Caledonia Area Public Schools. He is also working with the football program on strength and conditioning. Previously, he worked as a substitute teacher at Simley (Minn.) High School. Dominique Bagley-Page, 2017 is a juvenile probation officer for Anoka County Corrections in Lino Lakes, Minn. Amanda Drew, 2017 graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive eight-week program that included training
in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Michaela Klump, 2017 is a NRCS soil conservationist. She looks forward to learning more about conservation and farming operations in Iowa. Karson Rihn, 2017 is in his first season leading the New Auburn girl’s basketball program. He is a social studies teacher in the New Auburn School District and took over the girl’s program as its third different coach in three seasons.
About Alma Matters Send us your latest news. We will print your notes in the next issue. Here’s how: 1) e-mail us at falconfeatures@ uwrf.edu, or 2) fax a letter to the Falcon Features editor at 715-4254486, or 3) submit a form located on our website at www.uwrf.edu/ alumni/ and click Update Profile. 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 Munson at 715-425-3505 or kjisa.munson@uwrf.edu
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alma matters In Memoriam 1930 Harriet Campbell Christianson, 1939 died Nov. 9, 2017. Delphine Johnson, 1939 died April 5, 2018.
1940 Ethel Johansen Johnson, 1942 died April 20, 2018. Pauline Olson Koenig, 1943 died Feb. 13, 2018. Evelyn Plombon Tait, 1943 died June 6, 2018. Elva Vruwink Vergeront, 1943 died July 22, 2018. Joyce Meier Huber, 1944 died July 21, 2018. Alice Kiekhoefer Emerson, 1946 died Jan. 3, 2018. Robert Feiler, 1946 died May 30, 2018. Lois Hatch, 1947 died May 14, 2018. Raymond Polzin, 1948 died Feb. 23, 2018. Verda Swenson Grefe, 1949 died Oct. 24, 2017. Robert Reitz, 1949 died Aug. 23, 2018.
1950 Norma Olson Frenette, 1950 died April 8, 2018. Willard Geidel, 1950 died Oct. 26, 2017. Wallace Lindholm, 1950 died April 2, 2018. Harry Peterson, 1950 died Aug. 27, 2018. Archie Abbott, 1951 died Dec. 7, 2017. Wayne Lafferty, 1951 died Aug. 12, 2017. Harold Lindemann, 1951 died Sept. 15, 2017 James Robey, 1951 died Aug. 30, 2017 Rosemary Axtell Roehl, 1951 died Aug. 16, 2017 Ronald Backes, 1952 died July 7, 2018. Raymond Miller, 1952 died Nov. 12, 2017. Barbara Schultz, 1952 died July 25, 2018. Robert Thorson, 1952 died Oct. 25, 2017. Robert Granum, 1953 died Jan. 25, 2018. William Middlebrook, 1953 died Sept. 7, 2018. Wayne Otto, 1953 died Nov. 8, 2017. Robert Swanson, 1953 died Feb. 10, 2018. Paul Willink, 1953 died Sept. 4, 2017.
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Beverly Swenson Gaard, 1954 died Jan. 23, 2018. Rita Ruemmele Jenkins, 1954 died April 30, 2018. David Knoll, 1955 died Sept. 22, 2017. Keith Schmidt, 1955 died Feb. 10, 2018. Rodney Adolph, 1957 died Sept. 7, 2018. John Clemons, 1957 died Aug. 24, 2017. Gerald Johnson, 1958 died Oct. 5, 2017. Douglas Norelius, 1958 died March 1, 2018. Kenneth Olson, 1958 died Sept. 2, 2017. Robert Gifford, 1959 died Oct. 3, 2017. Mary O’Mera Larsen, 1959 died Dec. 21, 2017. Robert McGarvey, 1959 died April 23, 2018. Neil Sutherland, 1959 died Dec. 9, 2017. Norbert Teclaw, 1959 died July 9, 2018.
1960 Francis Wolfert, 1960 died June 24, 2018. Cheryl Henry Pohl, 1961 died May 22, 2018. Thomas Sackett, 1962 died May 17, 2018. David Dimick, 1963 died Nov. 3, 2017. A. Pat Mrotek, 1963 died June 21, 2018. Janice Albrigtson Hoppe, 1964 died Nov. 18, 2017. Albert Schultz, 1964 died Sept. 4, 2017. Sylvester Socha, 1964 died July 16, 2018. Esther Ard Wentz, 1964 died Oct. 4, 2017. Vernon Anderson, 1965 died June 20, 2018. Paul Baker, 1965 died Aug. 7, 2018. Frances Christopherson Cotch, 1965 died March 6, 2018. Eugene Green, 1965 died Dec. 28, 2017. Keith Johnson, 1965 died Nov. 1, 2017. Judith Carlson Miler, 1965 died June 19, 2018. Denis Plummer, 1965 died Sept. 14, 2017. Rodney Thompson, 1965 died Nov. 22, 2017. Anita Roessler Grygiel, 1966 died April 24, 2018. Earl Hasselquist, 1966 died Nov. 10, 2017. Donna Newman Oeftger 1968 died Oct. 16, 2017.
Richard Biech, 1969. died Nov. 28, 2017. Paul Broderson, 1969 died March 27, 2018. Melva Zuege Kleist, 1969 died Sept. 4, 2017.
Michael Kranz, 1978 died Feb. 16, 2017. Mark Christenson, 1979 died Jan. 30, 2018. Marylee Allen Fries, 1979 died Sept. 2, 2018.
1970
1980
Lois Moelter Grafenstein, 1970 died Jan. 31, 2018. Francis Johnson, 1970 died Feb. 27, 2018. Mary Olsen Kildahl, 1970 died Oct. 19, 2017. Thomas Scharlau, 1970 died June 19, 2018. Gary Waterhouse, 1970 died Sept. 17, 2017. John Govek, 1971 died July 3, 2018. Worth Haynes, 1971 died March 9, 2018. Verna Scharpen Crow Lifto, 1971 died Jan. 20, 2018. John Lind, 1971 died April 12, 2018. Judy Pichner Vreeland, 1971 died May 21, 2018. Kirk Chaffee, 1972 died Dec. 21, 2017. Frank Falkofske, 1972 died Jan. 18, 2018. Richard Heuer, 1972 died Oct. 25, 2017. Marilyn Pearson Libby, 1972 died Oct. 10, 2017 Kay Dobberphul Logghe, 1972 died Jan. 19, 2018. David Midboe, 1972 died June 3, 2018. Daniel Nelson, 1972 died Sept. 28, 2017. Alice DeMotts Trahms, 1972 died Dec. 20, 2017. Sister Jane Winkler Winkler, 1972 died Nov. 6, 2017. Dean Aamodt, 1973 died Sept. 24, 2017. Karen Holschbach Dorau, 1973 died Dec. 12, 2017. Catherine Varnum Johnson, 1973 died Jan. 6, 2018. Mary Quinn, 1974 died Dec. 14, 2017. Yvonne Kenyon Swanson, 1974 died Sept. 2, 2017. Lonnie Feuerhelm, 1975 died July 11, 2018. Dale Marcott, 1975 died April 7, 2018. David Bylsma, 1976 died Oct. 17, 2017. Lee Ellison, 1976 died July 28, 2018. Richard Williams, 1976 died Jan. 25, 2018. Mark Schlesser, 1977 died March 4, 2018. Timothy Hotujec, 1978 died Dec. 10, 2017.
Mari Marks Behnke, 1980 died Sept. 26, 2017. Melvin Alferness, 1981 died Nov. 16, 2017. Kay Mehlberg Blum, 1981 died Feb. 26, 2018. Gary Fritz, 1981 died Dec. 4, 2017. Reece Keehr, 1982 died Aug. 10, 2018. David Kinney, 1982 died April 15, 2018. David Dietsche, 1983 died Nov. 10, 2017. Gary Richie, 1983 died Oct. 1, 2018. Thomas Jilek, 1984 died Feb. 7, 2018. Jean Ouimette, 1984 died July 26, 2018. Sharon Greenshields, 1985 died Dec. 23, 2017. John Albert, 1986 died Sept. 17, 2017. Gary Doriott, 1986 died Dec. 28, 2017. Clark Luessman, 1986 died March 15, 2018. Michael Hein, 1987 died Aug. 23, 2018.
1990 Douglas Courts, 1991 died Jan. 9, 2018. Elizabeth Fryslie, 1991 died May 25, 2018. Tracy Hassemer Busse, 1992 died Jan. 23, 2018. Lance Schmidt, 1992 died Oct. 27, 2017. Kyle Scholz, 1993 died Feb. 17, 2018. William Saker, 1996 died Sept. 1, 2017. Justin Below, 1997 died Oct. 29, 2017. Debra Monroe-Stern, 1997 died Nov. 21, 2017.
2000 Kathie Cellotti, 2001 died April 22, 2018. Rachel Perry, 2001 died Oct. 14, 2017. Anthony Fox, 2009 died Oct. 9, 2017.
2010 Alexandra Arnt, 2018 died Feb. 10, 2018.
Lifetime Achievement Alumnus Todd Bol
Faculty/staff obituaries
Todd Bol, 62, died Oct. 18, 2018, at his home in Hudson. Bol was the creator of the Little Free Library movement and the recipient of the 2017 UWRF Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UWRF in 1979 and in 1982 received a second bachelor’s degree in psychology. Bol was a middle school teacher before becoming a sales manager in corporate trade at 3M and later started EPT Cadre. In 2012, Bol began the Little Free Library non-profit with his vision of a world where neighbors know each other by name and everyone has access to books. Today, a network of more than 75,000 Little Free Libraries in 88 countries offers literacy and community and millions of book exchanges each year. Little Free Library was recently named a Top-Rated Nonprofit by the Great Nonprofits Organization. The library also partners with law enforcement turning police vehicles into bookmobiles and launched Action Book Club last year which encourages members to read books on timely topics and then do service projects together. In a recent interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune shortly before his death, Bol said, “Kids reading and people reading to them, you know, it changes everything. It changes the whole attitude of what is valued in a community. A Little Free Library is this sweet little nudge. It shows that if we work together, we can fix things and we can make this happen.”
Nicholas Karolides, 89, died June 7, 2018, in River Falls. He began teaching English at UW-River Falls in 1964 after teaching junior high English and social studies in New York. His career at UWRF spanned 48 years. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1971. He also won several awards promoting intellectual freedom, authoring 16 books and countless articles on censorship, literature, minority issues, and teaching techniques. Fluent in Modern Greek, Karolides led 14 trips to Greece for UWRF.
The Benefits of a
Charitable Bequest
Gerald R. Matteson, 82, died Jan. 9, 2018. Matteson was a professor of agricultural education from 1966-2000. He returned to UWRF as a part-time professor soon after retiring and retired a second time in 2003. He served as the assistant dean in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences for 18 years. Matteson was awarded the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1979. Aside from his career at UWRF, Matteson was a leader in the Wisconsin National Guard. He served for 32 years and retired with the rank of major general.
A charitable bequest is an easy way for you to help future generations of UWRF students. Some of the 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 the UWRF, contact Kimberly Gould Speckman at 715-425-4212 or at advancement@uwrf.edu. Ask for your free Guide to Planning Your Will or Trust. We are happy to assist you!
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UW-River Falls 2018 Alumni Awards
Wurzer
Christenson
Distinguished Alumus Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
The UWRF Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 1959 and continues to be the most prestigious acknowledgment of the accomplishments of our alumni. Criteria for consideration of the award are: personal accomplishments in their field, civic responsibility and contributions to their community, continuing interest in the university, and highest integrity in professional, public, and personal relations.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2014 to recognize the accomplishments of alumni who have provided long-time exceptional service and leadership in their profession and community and demonstrated a continuing interest and loyalty to UW-River Falls.
Amie
Outstanding Young Alumni Award The Outstanding Young Alumni Award was established in 2014 to recognize the accomplishments of individuals who have excelled in professional and civic accomplishments and have graduated from UWRF within the last 15 years.
Arlen Christenson is the 2018 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Torrion Amie is the 2018 recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Cathy Wurzer is the 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
• Christenson is a 1958 graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies.
• Amie graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in music.
• Wurzer is a 1992 graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast journalism and urban studies.
• Christenson received his J.D. degree at the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1960.
• He earned his Master of Education and Human Development in Sports Management from the University of Minnesota in 2006.
• He is an emeritus professor of law and environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
• Amie currently serves as the dean of outreach and enrollment at Normandale Community College, Bloomington, Minn.
• From 1960 to 1963, he was an attorney with Larson, Loevinger, Lindquist & Fraser in Minneapolis.
• Amie has received numerous awards including the Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award, Bloomington Human Rights Commission, Excellent Service Award at Normandale Community College, President’s Cabinet Achievement Award from Normandale Community College.
• She is one of Minnesota’s most recognizable broadcast journalists with a 30+ year career that spans all aspects of broadcasting from public radio and TV to commercial TV and radio. • Wurzer is the host of the top-rated Morning Edition program for Minnesota Public Radio News, leading Morning Edition to number one status among Twin Cities radio station morning shows in April 2017 for the first time in Minnesota Public Radio history. • She has won four Emmy Awards for her work as the co-host of Almanac, a weekly public affairs program for Twin Cities Public Television. Almanac is the longest running program of its kind in the nation mixing live in-studio interviews with field reports. • Wurzer has also worked as an anchor, reporter, and producer for KSTP, KMSP, and WCCO radio and television.
• Christenson served as deputy attorney general of Wisconsin from 1966 to 1969 and as assistant to the chancellor at UWMadison from 1969 to 1971. • He is a founding board member and past president of Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) and former faculty supervisor of the Law School’s clinical program at MEA. • He is also former board president of 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin.
• He has served on leadership boards and civic organizations including Northside Achievement Zone, Bloomington Rotary, Mid-America Education Opportunity Program Personnel, National Academic Advising Association, and Special Olympics. • He was assistant coach of the UWRF women’s track team that won the 2008 NCAA Division III National Outdoor Championship.
Our donor list has moved online. For a full list of our generous donors, visit go.uwrf.edu/donorlist. 30 WWW.UWRF.EDU/ALUMNI
donor profile
equine & agriculture Dean and Beth Buchholz by Kelsea Wissing
A fondness for all things equine and agriculture brought Dean and Beth Breier Buchholz to UW-River Falls in the late 1980s and that love has inspired them to keep giving back to their alma mater. The pair graduated from UWRF in 1992, Beth in May with a degree in animal science with an equine emphasis and Dean in December with a degree in agricultural engineering technology. The university’s equine program is initially what drew Beth to campus. “A good friend had family that had attended UWRF and after learning about the horse program and a campus visit, I decided that was the place for me as well,” said Beth. “My Dad used to tell people I was going to college to be a cowboy.” Dean hadn’t planned to attend college, but after winning the FFA Ag Tech competition in farm management held at River Falls in 1988, he decided to enroll. After starting as an economics major, he found a better fit in agricultural engineering. The couple met on campus while doing work study at the horse barn and moved to central Illinois shortly after graduation when Dean
was hired by Morton Buildings. They currently reside in Dunlap, Ill., where both have built careers with Caterpillar. Dean started with the company in 1997 and is a senior engineering specialist, while Beth is the Global Filters buyer, joining the company in 2000. The Buchholzes connection to both the university’s equine and agriculture programs is reflected in their support of UWRF. They are members of the Chancellor’s Circle and give annually in support of their majors. They have also included UW-River Falls in their estate plan. “We both feel it is important to give back to UWRF considering we would not be where we are, or the people we are, if it wasn’t for our time spent there,” they said. They also emphasized the importance of supporting the programs they graduated from. “The UWRF equine program is such a unique part of the UW System and we believe it is important that it continues on to support and educate those that want to follow their horse passion. The ag engineering program is excellent for the individuals that have the drive to expand their technical knowledge and
skills but also want it to remain applicable to the ‘countryside.’ We decided to include UWRF in our estate plan as a way to enable UWRF to continue to offer both of these unique majors,” Beth said. Dean and Beth recognize that they have benefitted from the unique offerings at UWRiver Falls and are hopeful that others will as well for years to come. They are aware though that times and technology are ever-evolving. Their hope is that by giving back to their alma mater, they can ensure that students to come will be able to continue nurturing their interests in the agricultural engineering and equine programs. “We hope our contributions will help UWRF to remain the ag school we remember it to be but enable it to grow and update,” Dean said. “Things have changed so much since we’ve graduated, it’s daunting to think of the advances that are around the corner and we hope that through our contributions we are helping in some small way to ensure that the equine program, agricultural engineering and UWRF will remain to educate others.”
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410 S. 3rd St. River Falls, WI 54022-5010
UW-River Falls presents
DISCOVER ITALY October 7-16, 2019
Upcoming Alumni Events 2018-2019 Events U.S.Bank Stadium Basketball Classic UWRF vs. St. Thomas - Nov. 30 Elf at the Ordway - Dec. 8 UW-River Falls Undergraduate Research Fall Gala - Dec. 11 Fall Commencement - Dec. 15 American Swedish Institute Tour - Dec. 20 Wisconsin Dells- Kalahari - Jan. 3-6, 2019 Twin Cities Speaker Series Cathy Wurzer at TPT - Feb. 8, 2019 Bowls for Hope - March 5, 2019 Feed My Starving Children - March 18, 2019 Distinguished Alumni, Young Alumni and Lifetime Achievement Award Reception May 10, 2019 Golden Jubilee Class of 1959 Reunion May 10-11, 2019 Spring Commencement - May 11, 2019
For more information, contact Pedro Renta University of Wisconsin-River Falls 715-425-3505
For additional event information, contact University Advancement at 877-258-6647 (toll free), alumni@uwrf.edu, or visit www. uwrf.edu/alumni
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