Hometown
St. Paul, Minnesota
Major
Communication Studies
Position in NSFP
Student Manager for the Week of Welcome Program
Favorite hangout on campus and why
I enjoy working on homework on the second floor of the University Center. It overlooks campus, and I love people watching.
Favorite “best kept secret” in River Falls
The Dish and the Spoon Cafe is my favorite spot in River Falls. I love their iced mochas!
Random fun fact about yourself
I have a cat named Fluffy that I've had since 1st grade.
Hobbies/Interests
I really like checking out new restaurants and coffee shops, camping in Peninsula State Park, reading, intramurals, and kayaking.
Why are you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be a Falcon because UWRF offers so many great opportunities for students to get involved on campus. We have an awesome faculty and staff who are always there for help and support. We have students from all walks of life.
What’s one thing you need to get you through the day?
COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE, AND MORE COFFEE
Favorite campus activity/event
WOW, of course!
Advice for new students
That first semester is always a tough transition. Don't be afraid to ask for extra help. Try to leave your comfort zone a little and try new things, like signing up for a broomball team or applying for a Destination trip. Activities like these definitely make school a lot more fun and help you meet a lot of cool people.
Advice for families/friends of new students
Don’t be afraid to touch base with your student once in awhile. It's definitely nice to take a break from studying to catch up with your family! Care packages with baked goodies are always a kind gesture, too!
Student managers assist in the planning and implementation of a variety of New Student Programs, including New Student Registration, Week of Welcome, Academic Day, Family Day, International Student Orientation and more.
Erin Berndt
Lauren Ganter
Hometown
Andover, Minnesota
Major
Elementary Education
Position in NSFP
Student Manager for the Family Program during New Student Registration
Favorite hangout on campus and why
I love to run and rollerblade on the trails behind campus when the weather is nice.
Favorite “best kept secret” in River Falls
The perfect ice cream-eating spot is tucked back behind Dairy Queen. I sit on the concrete structure and dangle my legs off while I eat my DQ treat. The Kinnickinnic River flows right beneath my feet, which adds to the phenomenal scenery!
Random fun fact about yourself
I have a constant stream of songs flowing through my head at all times. If you ever need a good song suggestion, just let me know!
Hobbies/Interests
Painting, crafting, exercising, new music, camping, outdoor adventures, thrifting, card games, and working with kids.
Why are you proud to be a Falcon?
Our campus does a great job creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and part of the Falcon Family.
What’s one thing you need to get you through the day?
Good pump up music and smiles!
Favorite campus activity/event
I definitely enjoy Family Day a lot. My immediate family, grandparents, and aunt come out for the event and it's really great to share that experience together. The whole Ganter family gets so excited to come to campus for the day, and we just have a ball experiencing everything that River Falls has to offer.
Advice for new students
Get involved on campus, whether it is through organizations, clubs, or activities. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself and try something new. Be true to yourself, and be on the lookout for new adventures and experiences!
Advice for families/friends of new students
Find ways to stay connected with your student while they are away from home. Send them a letter, give them a phone call, put together a care package, or drop by for a visit. It's essential that you maintain these relationships, but at the same time, allow enough space for your student to grow and define themselves in their own way.
Xin (Mavis) Jiang
Hometown
Dalian, China
Major
Marketing Communication
Position in NSFP
Student Manager for International Student Orientation
Favorite hangout on campus and why
I love the study rooms on the second floor of library. It is always a good place to study together and chat with my friends.
Favorite “best kept secret” in River Falls
Still finding one!
Random fun fact about yourself
I left China and started studying in foreign countries when I was 14. I have not been home for the most important festival in China, the Chinese New Year for 7 years.
Hobbies/Interests
Shopping, reading, and listening to different kinds of music.
Why are you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be a Falcon because I feel our campus is a welcoming community. Students are friendly, all the professors are willing to help you, and everyone on campus is really nice. I am so lucky to be part of this amazing Falcon family.
What’s one thing you need to get you through the day?
Check my planner.
Favorite campus activity/event
The International Bazaar!
Advice for new students
Always keep an open mind and be willing to learn differences between each other - not only between different races, nationalities, but also everyone around you. Try your best to get involved on campus and you are on the way to meet a lot of awesome friends!
Advice for families/friends of new students
Keep in touch with your students. Know what is going on in their lives and give them support when they need it. At the same time, it is also a time to let them go and allow them to learn how to be independent.
Mitch Salzwedel
Hometown
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Major
Geology
Position in NSFP
Student Manager for New Student Registration
Favorite hangout on campus and why
The amphitheater! It's always quiet there. You can even hear the Kinni River flowing!
Favorite “best kept secret” in River Falls
Riverwalk Mercantile in downtown River Falls! Check it out sometime!
Random fun fact about yourself
One of my friends and I once attempted to eat a 30-inch pizza so we could win t-shirts. We were unsuccessful and had to pay $40 for the pizza. That happened in August 2011, and I didn't eat pizza for three months.
Hobbies/Interests
Golf, backpacking, fishing, hunting, and anything else outdoors.
Why are you proud to be a Falcon?
After all the great experiences I've had at UWRF, it's hard to imagine going to a different institution. I wouldn't change my decision to come here for anything!
What’s one thing you need to get you through the day?
My smartphone. Whether it's checking my texts, tweets, messages, work schedule, or calendar, my phone does it all. (It has fun games, too!)
Favorite campus activity/event
Move-In Day! Seeing thousands of new students and families on campus is a great feeling. It's so fun to see familiar faces from summer registration!
Advice for new students
One of the biggest first-year challenges is finding your balance. A proper balance of academic work and free time is key to being successful and enjoying your first year. As you move through your UWRF career, you are going to have to prioritize and balance even more things.
Advice for families/friends of new students
Your student will be busy! Although we are only in class for a couple hours each day, there are literally not enough hours in the day to get everything done. So, if a text or call doesn't get a reply, don't worry! It probably just got lost in the craziness.
Hometown:
Vadnais Heights, Minn.
Major:
Marking Communications and Business Administration
Position in FYE Office:
Communications Student Manager
Favorite hangout on campus and why:
The big couch in the basement of the library because no one can find it so it’s always open between classes.
Favorite “best kept secret” in River Falls:
The big couch in the basement of the library…
Random fun fact about yourself:
I can’t see left.
Hobbies/interests:
Snowboarding and music
Why are you proud to be a Falcon?
The faculty and staff I have met and the friends I have made, confirmed that River Falls was the best college for me and is the inclusive community it prides itself in being.
What’s one thing you need to get you through the day?
My iPod
Favorite campus activity/event:
Open Mic Night
Advice for new students:
Get involved! There is no reason you should not be able to find your niche on campus with all that River Falls offers. But, if you can’t find it… make your own organization! And ask for help when you need it. The faculty, staff, and student leaders want you to succeed in college academically and socially.
Advice for families/friends of new students:
Give your new student some breathing room. Let them experience their first few weeks of college on their own terms and check in when they are ready.
If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me at fye@uwrf.edu
.
Hometown:
Maple Grove, Minn.
Major:
Psychology with a minor in Music
Position in FYE Office:
Week of Welcome Student Manager
Favorite hangout on campus and why:
The University Center, because you can always run into someone you know.
Favorite “best kept secret” in River Falls:
The store Globally Made on Main Street. It has so many unique gifts.
Random fun fact about yourself:
I have no appendix.
Hobbies/interests:
Photography, playing the guitar, and singing.
Why are you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be a Falcon because there are so many ways to get involved and meet awesome people.
What’s one thing you need to get you through the day?
Hugs!
Favorite campus activity/event:
Broomball
Advice for new students:
Get involved in activities on campus!
Advice for families/friends of new students:
Stay connected to your student! Getting mail is always fun!
If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me at fye@uwrf.edu
.
Hometown:
Hudson, Wis.
Major:
Business Administration- Finance with a minor in Communication Studies
Position in FYE Office:
Student Manager- Family Registration Program
Favorite hangout on campus and why:
Second floor of the University Center because the couches are really comfortable and I like being able to look out the big windows overlooking campus.
Favorite “best kept secret” in River Falls:
I promised Freddy I wouldn’t tell anyone.
Random fun fact about yourself:
I went to three different elementary schools for grades 1-5 and two different middle schools for grades 6-8. It seemed like every summer I would receive a letter saying that I had to move to a new school.
Hobbies/interests:
Music, golf, snowboarding, tennis, and running.
Why are you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be a Falcon because we are all so unique and yet we all come together and create an amazing community that I couldn’t imagine my life without.
What’s one thing you need to get you through the day?
A positive attitude and an open mind.
Favorite campus activity/event:
There are so many activities and I have yet to attend one that I didn’t enjoy.
Advice for new students:
Keep an open mind and take every opportunity that you can, not only will you have fun and meet a lot of new people but you will learn and grow along the way, and who knows where you’ll end up, you just might surprise yourself!
Advice for families/friends of new students:
Don’t feel bad if your student hasn’t called in a while, they are probably just busy having fun, learning and growing. But ask them all about it when they do call because they will always love you!
If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me at fye@uwrf.edu
.