Nine UW-River Falls students were awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Students during a banquet and ceremony on campus Wednesday. Front row (l to r): Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth, Annika Gunderson, Nhi Nguyen and Eva Malm. Back row: Katrina Steele, Em Murray, Cassie Christian, Jack Schindler Van Hoof, Sasha Resig and Brendan Fernlund. UWRF photo.
 

Nine students honored with Chancellor's Award

Award recognizes academic excellence, service to campus and community
 

April 24, 2025 - The University of Wisconsin-River Falls presented its highest non-academic honor to nine students during the annual Chancellor’s Award for Students reception Wednesday. The award is the highest non-academic honor students can receive at the university. 

“Our 2025 Chancellor Award honorees are leaders in the classroom, in campus activities and beyond,” Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth said. “We extend our congratulations and appreciation to these students who have made exemplary contributions in research and in support of the UW-River Falls community.”

This year’s Chancellor’s Award recipients:

• Cassie Christian, a senior chemistry major from Blaine, Minn., has participated in multiple research projects and is vice president of the Chemistry Club. She was instrumental in founding Nobel Prize Night to teach the community about achievements in the sciences and other disciplines recognized by these annual awards. Cassie has also served as president of the Chancellor’s Student Ambassadors.
• Brendan Fernlund, a senior broad field social studies and history major from St. Paul, Minn., has served as a resident assistant and community assistant. Brendan has been legislative affairs director in the Student Government Association and a Chancellor’s Student Ambassador. To encourage students and staff to experience smoked meats, Brendan created a new club on campus, the Falcon Pitmasters.
• Annika Gunderson, a senior from North Branch, Minn., majoring in elementary education and Spanish education is a student-athlete. She has captained the track and field team, holds school records in the pole vault and is a six-time national qualifier. Known as a positive, inclusive role model, she works with young students in the classroom and on the track.
• Eva Malm is a senior from Stillwater, Minn., majoring in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Advocating for people with disabilities is a passion for Eva. She has served as a Disability Resource Center mentor and student ambassador. She also has been both vice president and president of DREAM (Disability Rights Education Activism Mentoring).
• Em Murray, a junior from Beloit majoring in criminology and sociology, has served as president of the Student Feminist Organization. In one project, Em collaborated with her peers to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women. She is a Disability Resource Center peer mentor and an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Nhi Nguyen, a senior biomedical and health science major from Hudson has demonstrated a commitment to academic success, research and mentorship. Her passion for scientific discovery is evident in her research on breast cancer cell mobility, which has been highlighted at numerous meetings and conferences, including the 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Pittsburgh.
• Sasha Resig is a senior from Minneapolis majoring in international studies, geography and Spanish. Sasha, who speaks Spanish, Russian and Hebrew, has participated in study abroad programs in Europe and Central America. He completed an internship in national security and has been recognized for his leadership skills in student government and residence life.
• Jack Schindler Van Hoof is a senior English major from Hudson. As president and editor of The Student Voice, Jack has expanded the newspaper’s coverage of investigative stories, human-interest features and public affairs content. His work has been recognized by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, earning multiple awards for excellence in collegiate journalism.
• Katrina Steele is a senior from Bismarck, N.D., majoring in neuroscience, psychology, and biomedical and health science. She excels academically and in scientific research while dedicating herself to uplifting others. Working as an emergency medical technician with Allina Health, Katrina also balances overnight shifts with her class workload, helping patients through emergencies with empathy and professionalism.

Introduced in 1980, the award has since been presented to 336 outstanding UWRF students. Students are nominated for the Chancellor’s Award by a faculty member, staff member or student peer. For more information, email michael.gilmer@uwrf.edu.