Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman, right, UWRF Interim Chancellor Mike Martin, left, and UW Board of Regents members present the Universities of Wisconsin Regents Business Partnership Award to Interfacial staff Monday at the company’s Prescott headquarters, with founder and UWRF alum Jeff Cernohous joining remotely. The Universities of Wisconsin launched the award to recognize companies that positively impact Wisconsin through their collaboration with state universities. UWRF photo.

 

Interfacial recognized for its partnership with UW-River Falls

Company receives UW Regents Business Partnership Award

 

Oct. 22, 2024 – Jeffrey Cernohous couldn’t attend a ceremony Monday in person recognizing Interfacial, the company he founded, but his affinity for the partnership between that business and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls was very much evident. 

Interfacial received the Universities of Wisconsin Regents Business Partnership Award for its close working relationship with UWRF. The award, presented at Interfacial’s Prescott headquarters, recognizes companies that make a significant, positive impact on UW schools and their communities. Last year WinField United received the award for its work with UWRF.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman presented the award along with UW Board of Regents Tim Nixon, Haben Goitom and Mark Tyler. In his opening remarks, Nixon called Interfacial “an integral part of the broader St. Croix Valley community” and said the award “recognizes that UW-River Falls can provide the employees that help drive success” and add skilled workers in Wisconsin.

Representing Interfacial and accepting the award in person were Jill Ferguson, executive director of technology commercialization; Andy Gillis, vice president of operations; and Nate Ockwig, research fellow. Cernohous, a 1993 UWRF graduate, appeared at the ceremony virtually and expressed gratitude for the award. He recalled many past instances in which Interfacial and UWRF partnered to help each other and how those collaborations benefitted both entities and the St. Croix Valley region.

Interfacial has hired numerous UWRF alumni and currently employs 16 university interns. The company produces compounds for customers in the medical, consumer, transportation, and construction markets. 

Not all higher education institutions are flexible and work with businesses, Cernohous said. “But UW-River Falls has gone out of its way to find a way to bridge the gap,” he said. “They find ways to work with us, and that ultimately creates better outcomes for students and for our regional economy.”

Rothman praised Interfacial for partnering with UWRF to benefit the surrounding community. Providing students with internships and other learning opportunities represents a meaningful investment that builds the area’s economy, he said. 

“This is an example of someone developing a business like this and changing this entire region,” Rothman said of Cernohous and Interfacial. “These students start with internships and they go on to have incredible careers because of the valuable experiential learning they receive.”

Partnerships between UW schools and businesses in communities where those schools are located are key to developing talent and building Wisconsin’s skilled workforce, Rothman said. 

“We see ourselves as playing an important role as one of the key talent producers in our state,” he said. “If we are going to serve the state well, we need to collaborate closely with businesses like Interfacial.”

Interfacial’s impact on UWRF and the surrounding region is an example of positive outcomes that are possible when universities and companies can collaborate, Interim Chancellor Mike Martin said. 

“Businesses like this mean a great deal to UW-River Falls,” Martin said. “They make a difference not only for themselves, but for others. That to me is the story of what great regional universities are about.”

Cernohous and his wife Kristi, ‘93, are playing another key role for their alma mater. Three years ago they were lead donors for UWRF’s Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech), scheduled to open in January 2026. 

During Monday’s award ceremony, Rothman expressed surprise at how construction on SciTech has progressed. Cernohous said he is excited at the opportunities the building will provide as he seeks to continue his partnership with UWRF. 

“We are really excited about SciTech and how we can increase what we are doing even further,” Cernohous said. “We want to continue to grow our collaboration and relationship with UW-River Falls to do even more for students and for our region.”