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UWRF faculty selected for Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program
Two University of Wisconsin-River Falls faculty have been selected as 2026-2027 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars (WTFS), a recognition of their teaching excellence and their desire to focus on new, innovative approaches to educate students. Rhonda Petree, a lecturer of English and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), and Gregory Ruegsegger, an associate professor of health and human performance, were chosen for the honor by the Universities of Wisconsin. They are among 23
UW-River Falls alum Nicholas Mohrhauser awarded Janty Scholarship
The Wisconsin Mathematics Council, the Wisconsin Mathematics Education Foundation and the Madison Community Foundation announced that Nicholas Mohrhauser has been awarded the 2026 John Janty Memorial Scholarship. Mohrhauser, of Hammond, received the third annual John Janty Memorial Scholarship on May 6 at the Wisconsin Mathematics Council Celebration Banquet in Green Lake. He is a graduate of St. Croix Central High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls May 9 with a Bachelor
UW-River Falls names Jeff Lamie Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has named Jeff Lamie Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement. Lamie will begin the position July 1. Lamie is a foundation executive with more than 20 years of experience leading philanthropy, foundation operations and strategic growth for healthcare and academic institutions. He has most recently served as a consultant, advising international universities and nonprofit organizations on philanthropic infrastructure, campaign strategy and cross-border
UW-River Falls honors outstanding alumni at Evening of Excellence
The accomplishments of four outstanding University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates were celebrated during the university’s annual Evening of Excellence Wednesday. The UWRF Alumni Association presented four honors during the event: the Distinguished Alumni Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Young Alumni Award and Outstanding Service Award. Distinguished Alumni Award: Mary Ella Jerome Mary Ella Jerome lives by the philosophy that “God gives you a gift, and you need to use it,” a
679 graduates receive degrees at Commencement May 9
679 students received their degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during the spring Commencement ceremony Saturday at Page Arena in the Falcon Center. 589 students received bachelor’s degrees, 80 received master’s degrees, six received doctorate degrees and four received associate’s degrees. Spring Commencement was divided into three separate ceremonies, the first for graduates from the College of Education, Business and Allied Health (CEBAH) and Graduate Studies, the second for College
Chamber Insights: Support Your Team With Confidence in Today’s Workplace
At the risk of starting the year off with doom and gloom, this is a topic that’s becoming increasingly important. Whether it’s personal uncertainties leaking into the workplace or your employees have concerns about the business or their place in it, many of them are feeling like they’re operating on unstable ground. This topic, while uncomfortable, is not something to be ignored or swept under the business welcome mat.Yet for business owners, this can feel like one more thing on an exhaustive to-do list.
Businesses highlight collaboration with UW-River Falls at Universities of Wisconsin Business Day in the Capitol
Business leaders representing Wisconsin’s dairy industry showed their support for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls at Universities of Wisconsin Business Day in the Capitol Wednesday in Madison. The event, held during Small Business Week, brought together businesses from across the state to highlight their partnerships with the Universities of Wisconsin and to showcase local businesses supported by the UWs Small Business Development Centers. Mat Bartkowiak, vice president of Corporate
Banks receives 2026 Lydecker Student Research Award
Hayden Banks, a senior chemistry major from River Falls, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Drs. Ann and William Lydecker Student Research Award at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Each year since 2011, the Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (URSCA) Office has recognized an outstanding undergraduate’s research efforts coupled with service to and/or involvement at UW-River Falls. The award was created by William (Bill) Lydecker, now deceased, to honor his late
Falcon Futures: Student Gabby Huitema one of three Alice in Dairyland finalists with UW-River Falls ties
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will be well represented when Wisconsin’s next Alice in Dairyland finals are held May 14-16 in Marathon County. Half of this year’s finalists are current or past students. Gabby Huitema, a senior from Markesan majoring in animal science with a meat animal emphasis, will join UWRF alums Michelle Stangler and Jessica Moor along with three other finalists as they vie to become the 79th Alice to represent Wisconsin’s agriculture industry on behalf of the Department
UW-River Falls Commencement set for May 9
679 students will receive their degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during three spring Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 9. All three ceremonies will be held at Page Arena inside the Falcon Center, 185 Emogene Nelson Ave. 589 students will receive bachelor’s degrees, 80 will receive master’s degrees, six will receive doctorate degrees and four will receive associate’s degrees. Spring Commencement is divided into three separate ceremonies: 9 a.m. – College of Education,
For the love of horses: UW-River Falls celebrates 50th anniversary of Colts in Training Sale May 2
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will host its 50th annual Colts in Training Sale May 2 at the Campus Farm,1475 S. Wasson Ln., River Falls. Preview rides will begin at 11 a.m. A live auction with both in-person and online bidding will begin at 2 p.m. The colt sale has only been held virtually since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. The model proved to be efficient, but the landmark anniversary called for a special event. “We’re going back to the big in-person event for the 50th,” said
River Falls Rotary Launching Crutches4Africa
River Falls Rotary Launching Crutches4Africa The River Falls Rotary Club is launching its second annual Crutches4Africa drive. Instead of storing or disposing of mobility devices after use, you can donate them! The River Falls Rotary Club is collecting crutches and other mobility devices for people in Africa who desperately need them but cannot afford them. Rotary is collecting the devices to fill a shipping container that will be sent to Africa to help people in need. In addition to crutches, the
Chamber Insights: How to Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret in Town
If you ask a small business owner where most of their opportunities come from, you’ll usually hear some version of the same answer: referrals, word of mouth, “someone who knew someone.”Behind nearly every thriving local business is an invisible network of relationships quietly moving opportunities from one person to another. No big announcements. No flashy campaigns. Just a steady flow of trust being passed along behind the scenes.This is how local economies work.Not just through marketing. Not just through
Chamber Insights: The Best Creativity Tool for Your Small Business
The Best Creativity Tool for Your Small BusinessA beginner-friendly guide to thinking bigger without working longer If you’ve ever stared at a blank screen trying to write a social post…Or struggled to come up with a new promotion that doesn’t feel recycled…Or wished you had a brainstorming partner who didn’t need coffee breaks…Your life is about to get easier.You probably already know the capabilities of AI as a writing tool, but it’s also a creative accelerator. And for small business owners who do
Chamber Insights: For Business Owners - A Smart QR Code Playbook
QR codes have faded in and out of popularity over the past decade, but they’ve finally surpassed trend status and they’re here to stay. They are convenient ways to drive traffic to desired information or action platforms. When used with intention, QR codes quietly remove friction and move customers exactly where you want them to go. QR codes are great for information that could change such as daily specials. QR code stickers can also update old info on printed materials (perfect for the extremely
Chamber Insights: Is Your Business Owner-Dependent?
It’s a simple question. Slightly uncomfortable. Surprisingly revealing.If you stepped away from your business for two weeks starting tomorrow, no email, no Slack, no “just checking in,” what would fall apart?Most business owners don’t love this thought experiment. Not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because many small businesses are built on proximity. You are the system. You are the memory. You are the fixer of last resort.That works. Until it doesn’t.We’re not suggesting this asking this
Chamber Insights:One Easy Revenue Stream Most Small Businesses Don’t Know About
Unless you’ve been on the show Survivor’s island for the last six months, you probably have gotten wind of the notion that AI can help you save time, but did you know it can also help you make money? I’m not talking about becoming an AI expert and training the masses. That would take time you probably don’t have. In this case, I’m referring to creating a digital product for your business that you can sell and make money even when your business isn’t open. And best of all you can likely create it
Chamber Insights: The Hidden Cash Sitting In Your Business (And How to Find It)
A Guide to Recovering Revenue You Didn't Know You Were LosingWhen was the last time you reviewed your business subscriptions? From software to streaming services, you could have hundreds of dollars out there that you had forgotten about. That’s money that’s been quietly slipping through the cracks.Most business owners are so focused on bringing money in the front door that they don't notice it leaking out the back. But this "hidden cash" is actually easier to find than new customers, and the returns are
Chamber Insights: Keeping Up With Tech
If you’re a busy professional, “keeping up with tech” can feel like a second full-time job you did not apply for. New tools launch daily. Your inbox is full of “game-changing” software. Meanwhile, you still have customers to serve, a team to lead, and probably at least 47 open browser tabs. Right? While there’s enormous pressure to keep up with innovation these days (it’ll make you more efficient), you can’t be on top of everything. And you don’t need to be. You just need a simple system that keeps you
