Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients

Psychology Professor Melanie Ayres is the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award. The award was established in 1965 and is the highest honor a faculty member can receive. Awardees are nominated by current and former students in the spring and selected by the Distinguished Teaching Award Committee each fall.

Ayres came to UWRF from the University of California-Santa Cruz in 2008. In addition to teaching, she coordinated the Women's, Gender and Sexualities Studies interdisciplinary program from 2015-23 and currently serves as department chair.

Ayres is praised for her compassionate, collaborative and creative approach to teaching and her ability to utilize multiple methods and tools to engage, educate and inspire students.

“I loved the variety of learning in this class,” a student wrote. “No day was the same. We learned about different topics in different ways, including both small and large group discussions, lectures, documentaries, activities, and guest speakers, etc.”

“Part of being an effective teacher,” wrote Ayres, “is being a good facilitator. I facilitate learning by using a multi-method approach to teaching. In contrast to the ‘banking’ methods of education, which views students as containers that teachers ‘fill’ with knowledge, my approach is to create a space in which the students and I are co-creators of knowledge.”

“Besides,” she said, “doing the same lecture for 15 years is not of interest to me!”

Ayres said that forming connections – to the content and her students – is key to successful instruction. “It’s the thing that matters most.”

She encourages collaboration and active learning, and creating a safe space for students to share and ask questions.

This approach has an added benefit, she said: “Hearing their questions every time I teach a class keeps the content fresh and continues to spark my own curiosity, which fuels me as a teacher.”

Student nominators took notice of her ability to connect in the classroom. One shared that Ayres is “personable and easily approachable, which in turn makes asking questions and voicing concerns easier. I always felt listened to and understood no matter if we were talking about an assignment or continuing a class discussion.”

Giselle Nuñez, a 2023 UWRF alum and now graduate student at Kansas State University, wrote that she particularly appreciated the research expertise that Ayres has shared with students, both individually and in the classroom.

“If it were not for her support in research and career advising, I do not think I would have pursued further education,” Nuñez wrote. “She helped me find my passion for research!”

Cyndi Kernahan, professor of psychological sciences and director of the UWRF Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, said the advanced research methods course which Ayres teaches and was responsible for revamping, has allowed more students to gain high level research experience.

Ayres holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in developmental psychology from the University of California-Santa Cruz. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oregon.

In 2019, Ayres received the 2019 Keith G. Wurtz Award for Teaching Excellence which recognizes outstanding and innovative teachers who have made exceptional contributions to the university and to the community.

Rhonda Petree has been named University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2022 Distinguished Teacher of the Year. The award was established in 1965 and is the highest honor a faculty member can receive. Awardees are nominated by current seniors and recent graduates in the spring and selected by the Distinguished Teacher Award Committee each fall.

Petree is an instructor in the English Department and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program, a position she has held since 2019.
 
“She is my role model and I look up to her every day,” wrote one nominator about Petree. “She has truly impacted the last three years of my education here on campus, and I look forward to completing my education under her instruction.”
 
Doug Margolis, UWRF English professor and TESOL program colleague, said that Petree’s ability to connect with students is one of her greatest strengths.
 
“Teachers can tell a good story and see themselves as successful but, if they never connect with their students, they won’t be,” Margolis said. “First and foremost, you have to care – and Rhonda does that in spades.”
 
In addition to her success in the classroom, Margolis said that Petree is constantly communicating with students about jobs in the field, seminars and workshops, and other resources they might find beneficial.
 
“I am so proud of this award,” said Petree. “It is an absolute career highlight and means that a lot of what I do is right.”
 
Petree was hired by UWRF in 2011 to develop the English Language Transition Program to provide academic English language classes to international students who had not yet met the university’s English language proficiency requirements. During the 2018-19 academic year, she received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award and was a visiting lecturer in Narva, Estonia.

Petree grew up in Spearfish, S.D., and Goodhue, Minn., and received her bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After graduation, she was among some of the first groups of Peace Corps volunteers in Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic. She received her master’s degree in English as a second language from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2010.
 
In addition to being a regular presenter at professional conferences around the state and nation, Petree has also led workshops and training sessions in Singapore, Canada, Serbia, Lithuania, Slovenia, England, and Ireland.

Distinguished Music Lecturer Patti Cudd has been named the Distinguished Teacher of the Year at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The award was established more than 50 years ago and is the highest honor a faculty member can receive on campus. Each year nominations are sought from current seniors and recent graduates.

“Patti Cudd is my applied percussion teacher, mentor, and friend,” one nominator wrote. “I have learned so much about what it means to be a female percussionist and how to be confident in doing so. Patti challenges me in my lessons and in her ensembles while also having grace for the days that I am not at my best. She treats all of her students with great respect and understanding, and that is why she leaves such a lasting impression on her students.”

Cudd is active as a percussion soloist, chamber musician and educator. She teaches percussion and new music studies at UW-River Falls and at the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University.

The Distinguished Teacher Award recognizes excellence in both mentoring as well as teaching, something formers students spoke to in letters of nomination.

“Her relationships with her students are phenomenal, and I hope to reflect her compassion in my future career,” a student wrote. “My life will forever be changed by Patti because I can honestly say that I have never had someone believe in me the way that she does.”

“She has persevered through a global pandemic and has managed to still provide students with excellent ensemble experiences. She is a phenomenal Music 100 teacher and an extraordinary music educator as a whole,” another student wrote.

Yet another student wrote “With fierce determination Dr. Cudd cares about her craft and the students she diligently passes it along to. She is a master at evoking a sense of purpose as well as an everlasting curiosity in every class she teaches. Beyond an educational front, Dr. Cudd is always pleasant to talk to and work with. With a quick wit and an unreasonable amount of patience she provides her students a comfortable person to reach out to.”

Cudd, a Hudson native who lives in Woodbury, Minn., has been teaching at UWRF since 1998. As a UWRF alum, being named the university’s distinguished teacher was particularly impactful.

“As an educator, I hold this award to be one of the greatest honors,” said Cudd. “It is especially meaningful knowing this award comes from the students. I am truly humbled by this recognition!”

Cudd holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree specializing in contemporary musical studies from the University of California, San Diego; Master of Music Degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo; undergraduate studies at UW-River Falls; and, studied in the soloist class with a Fulbright Scholarship at the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Animal Science Associate Professor Kurt Vogel has been named the Distinguished Teacher of the Year at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The award was established 55 years ago and is the highest honor a faculty member can receive on campus. Each year nominations are sought from current seniors and recent graduates.

Nomination letters spoke to Vogel’s classroom teaching and the fact that he continually adapts and adjusts his lectures to not only make the material more interesting, but to make learning some of the more difficult concepts less daunting. The student nominators commented on his enthusiasm, his passion, his dedication and his selfless nature and went on to offer specific examples of how Vogel impacted their academic careers.

“I had the opportunity to develop, record and edit a Continuing Education [podcast] module discussing animal welfare with Dr. Vogel after he noticed that I was interested in teaching. He allowed me to create the PowerPoint presentations…to be involved in the recording…and then to edit the videos…and allowed me this opportunity to grow as an individual,” the student wrote.

“Dr. Vogel advised me through a very challenging research project in a beef processing plant. He made sure to be available for weekly calls, questions and advice throughout the summer,” another wrote. “My research ultimately resulted in a presentation at an animal handling conference in Kansas City. I will never forget the public speaking experience and Dr. Vogel’s encouraging words to give me the confidence I needed to step on the stage.”

“Over the last year, I have had the incredible opportunity to work on a handful of projects under Dr. Vogel’s guidance which, thus far, have yielded a peer-reviewed journal publication, a common press article submission, an oral presentation at an industry conference, and a poster in a student poster competition,” another student wrote. “[He] provided constant feedback and suggestions, but ultimately, he allows me (and other students) to not only learn how to conduct and understand research which can be translated to use in the field, but also how to effectively share that research through writing and speaking.”

Mentoring is exactly what Vogel was hoping for when he chose his career path. While many people want to become a professor to pursue research opportunities, Vogel has credited his love of mentoring more than anything else for motivating him to become a professor. His nominations confirm that he made the right choice for himself, for students, and for the future of the field of animal behavior and welfare.

“It is a humbling honor to receive the Distinguished Teacher Award,” said Vogel. “It means so much to me that selection for this award is based on student nominations because the students are the reason that our university exists, and I get to do what I love. I’m grateful that UW-River Falls has provided such a student-focused environment for people that love to teach and mentor.”

Vogel grew up on a dairy farm in southwestern Wisconsin. He joined the faculty at UW-River Falls in 2011, after earning his Ph.D. from Colorado State University under Professor Temple Grandin. Grandin is known around the world for her contributions to understanding livestock animal behavior and as a spokesperson for people with autism. 

In 2014, Vogel established the Animal Welfare Lab at UW-River Falls with support from Oscar Mayer, a subsidiary of the Kraft Heinz Company. This three-year partnership launched the development of two new courses, supported extra-curricular activities and internships, and identified research opportunities for undergraduate students with the goal of preparing the next generation of animal welfare professionals.

In 2016, The National Provisioner magazine named Vogel one of the 25 Future Icons that they expect to change the industry over the next decade or two.

"I'm very happy to see Kurt recognized as the 2020 UWRF Distinguished Teacher,” said Dale Gallenberg, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at UWRF. “He has a deep interest and passion for his subject areas along with a desire for collaboration with others. Both in and out of the classroom he is committed to working with students and providing them with the best educational experiences possible. It's clear why our students and graduates would recognize him in this way."

Claire McCarty, professor of management, has been named the 2019 UW-River Falls Distinguished Teacher. The Distinguished Teacher Award, initiated in 1965, is the most prestigious honor bestowed on campus.

Chosen by graduating seniors and recent graduates, distinguished teaching recipients represent talented and caring educators – teachers who make a difference.

"Professor McCarty pushes students to achieve their full potential,” said one nominator. “She is eager to connect students and get them involved in internships, student organizations and study abroad opportunities while ensuring that they feel supported throughout the entire process.”

McCarty earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and anthropology from UW-Madison and her doctorate in labor and human resources/organizational behavior from The Ohio State University in Columbus.

The Distinguished Teacher Award recognizes excellence in both mentoring as well as teaching, something formers students spoke to in letters of nomination.

“Before coming to UWRF, I never imagined I would have family-like support from my professors," said one student. "However, I quickly learned that my professors were my biggest cheerleaders. I can tell that Professor McCarty truly listens and cares about what I have to say.”

McCarty has been a resident of River Falls since 2000, when she began teaching in the College of Business and Economics. Her research interests include leadership, recognition, ethics and case research in human resource management.

As the coordinator of Semester Abroad: Europe, McCarty has a goal to help students see the world. She has participated in Experience Scotland, Experience China and has led three classes through Vietnam. 

“One constant, throughout my time here at UWRF, has been the meaningful relationships I’ve developed with students," she said. "I’ve kept in touch with many – now lawyers, HR managers, business owners, and raising families. I try to share my enthusiasm for knowledge, for self-examination and for seeing the world. And it’s a two-way street – they keep me grounded and current. It’s a really rewarding job.”

Casie Bass, assistant professor of Animal Science, is the recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Teacher Award at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the highest award bestowed on campus.

Bass is the 55th faculty member to be honored with the award since its inception in 1965. Nominations for the award are solicited from recent graduates and graduating seniors. Distinguished teaching recipients represent talented and caring educators who make a difference at UW-River Falls.

Bass, a native of Jonesboro, Ill., joined the faculty at UWRF in 2015. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Master of Science degree in Equine Reproductive Physiology/Animal Science, both from Southern Illinois University. She also holds a Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology/Animal Science from North Dakota State University.

Bass teaches in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, instructing courses including Introduction to Animal Science, Equine Management and Equitation, Physiology of Reproduction and Equine Reproductive Techniques. Student nominators wrote repeatedly of Bass’ approachable nature and dedication to her students.

"Dr. Bass has always been friendly and helpful. She has always offered encouragement to her students and is easily approachable. She is overall outstanding, and I am so happy that she has been my research advisor for over a year,” wrote one student nominator.

A second nomination letter echoed the sentiment.

"Dr. Bass also goes above and beyond for her students! Everything she teaches has the sole purpose of setting us up for success in the future,” said the nomination.

Another nominator praised Bass for both her expertise and excitement in the classroom.

"She is very well educated in her studies and teaches in a way all students understand. As soon as she walks in the classroom she always has a smile and has much excitement when teaching! She is very easy to talk to in and outside of the classroom. She is literally the best professor I have ever had!”

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.

Bass’ 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, she has worked one-on-one with four undergraduate students 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.

David Zlesak, an associate professor of horticulture, has accomplished what he set out to do. He was recently named the 2017 Distinguished Teacher, the highest teaching award presented at UW-River Falls. David says he was surprised when Chancellor Dean Van Galen visited his office to inform him of his award, but he remains humble when asked what the honor means to him.

“It means I’m on the right track. I know that there is always room for improvement. I have to stay on the right track, it means keep caring about the students,” he explains. “Staying up-to-date with the discipline and the curriculum combined with caring about people, that’s what makes an effective teacher.”

Care and compassion isn’t the only quality that David imparts on his students. A renowned plant breeder, David’s work in the horticulture field is a boon for his students.

Andy Sherwood described David's teaching style as excellent.

“Dr. Zlesak has inspired me to follow my dreams with his passion for helping students and promulgating knowledge. His courses have always provided a healthy challenge that pushed me forward towards success."

In his nomination letter, Tanner Conway said, “He has gone above and beyond what I could ever ask for in a mentor.”

David has truly had a profound impact on this students and has a drive to continue inspiring college students.

According to Brent Arnoldussen, “David is one of the most prolific researchers and is always eager to invite new students into the scientific process through undergraduate research. David is always getting new students involved, and the opportunity to work with David in his breeding and tissue culture work has been some of the most important experience from my undergraduate has prepared me to do research in preparation for graduate school.” 

Read more about David at https://www.uwrf.edu/Admissions/ShapingMindsDavidZlesak.cfm.

Ian Williams brought his expertise in geophysics to UW-River Falls in 1982 and has taught a variety of courses including Structural Geology, Geophysics, Planetary Geology, Environmental Geology and Energy for Sustainable Management.  He is an avid traveler, who has not only led many of the annual regional geology field trips, but has been heavily engaged in the Semester Abroad: Europe, the Wisconsin in Scotland and the International Traveling Classroom (ITC) programs. He is always looking for new and unique ways to interest students in geology and in 2006 he created a novel teaching tool, a graphic or comic textbook "Continents in Collision" to explain how mountains are built. His passion for teaching motivated him to be involved with the new faculty orientation and faculty development programs on campus for nearly a decade.  Williams had been previously honored as the Outstanding Teacher in the College of Agriculture in 1995 and the UWRF Adviser of the Year in 2015.  Williams also served as the adviser for the River Falls Geological Society for 30 years.

Williams holds a BS from Durham University in North East England, an MS from Newcastle University in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and a PhD from the University of California at Santa Barbara.  He is originally from the United Kingdom and became an American citizen several years ago.

 Gary Onan, professor of Animal Science at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, has been named the 2015 Distinguished Teacher. Chosen by graduation seniors and recent graduates, the distinguished teaching recipients represent talented and caring educators-teachers who make a difference. it si the highest award bestowed on the UW-River Falls campus.

Onan is a native of Amherst and earned his degree at UW-Madison, including his Ph. D. in meat science and muscle biology. He came to UW-River Falls in 1997 and has taught at least ten different classes ranging from biometrics to animal physiology and swine production. The animal is the second largest program on campus and Onan is the academic adviser for more than 60 students at a time. In 2010 he was elected chair of the Animal and Food Science Department and was re-elected in 2013.

For 14 years Onan has served as the adviser to the Association of Women in Agriculture club on campus. He has also coached several UWRF livestock judging teams, and coordinates the UWRF academic quadrathlon team that competes each year at the midwest meeting of the American Society of Animal Science. He has supervised numerous undergraduate research projects, including some within the McNair Scholars Program and has mentored students who are acting as the manager for one of the animal enterprises on the UWRF Mann Valley Farm. 

Comments from the nomination letters submitted by recent graduates included, "Without a research experience, getting into graduate school became a tougher task, so i really appreciate the fact that Dr. Onan was so willing to work on research with his already full schedule of activities!" the graduate wrote. "He goes way above and beyond his teaching appointment to make sure that students in the Animal and Food Science Department have a good experience during their college career."

"He understands that teaching is more than just teaching a subject but rather molding a student into a successful individual. Dr. Onan has personally affected my life and made me a better individual with greater integrity," another graduate wrote. 

"The part I liked most about his classes was how he made them applicable to our lives. he was so good at explaining the 'why' it was important to us," a graduate wrote. 

Earl Blodgett, professor of physics and a 1980 graduate of UW-River Falls, is the 2014 Distinguished Teacher.

After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and mathematics at UW-River Falls, Earl studied at Washington University in St. Louis where he earned his Ph.D. in physics.  He then returned to UWRF in 1986, first as instructional academic staff, transitioning to tenure track in 1989.

Earl greatly enjoys teaching the experimental side of physics at all levels, from introductory labs through advanced laboratory. He is very interested in learning more about how students learn physics, with the goal of constantly re-examining and improving how introductory courses are taught. Earl has taught more than 25 different physics courses at UWRF, ranging from conceptual physics to senior level quantum mechanics as well as graduate courses for high school physics teachers.  He is learning how to teach in a completely new format in the recently completed Active Learning Classroom.

Beyond teaching, Earl's research interests include the Acoustics of Musical Instruments. He serves as advisor to the highly regarded UWRF chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), and has served on the National SPS Council for 15 years, including two consecutive terms as the national president. He advises the UWRF chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, the honor society for physics.  He is also a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers and the Acoustical Society of America.

For the past three years, Earl has organized the popular Science Olympiad Border Battle held at UW-River Falls. This event attracts more than 800 students annually from approximately 25 high schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Participating teams complete in 28 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) events, such as magnetic levitation, geologic mapping, entomology and forensics.

Brenda Wright, Ph.D., associate professor of teacher education, was selected as the 2013 Distinguished Teacher.  She was previously honored as the 2011 Outstanding Adviser of the Year by the College of Education and Professional Studies. "Brenda is an amazing professor who truly dedicates her life to preparing teachers. She constantly strives to make future educators the best that they can possibly be."

Wright earned her bachelor degree in elementary and early childhood education from Augsburg College, a master's degree in education from St. Mary's University, and a doctorate in education from Hamline University. Prior to joining the Teacher Education Department at UW-River Falls, Wright spent 15 years teaching at Hope Christian Academy in Cottage Grove and Rutherford Elementary in Stillwater.  Courses taught by Wright include Elementary Techniques Social Studies, School and Society, and Social Science in Elementary School.

For the past five years, Wright has been elected to the Board of Directors of World Citizen, Inc., an organization dedicated to promoting peace in education through the dedication of peace sites and peace education workshops. She has also served as a Peace Education Program facilitator and lecturer through World Citizen, Inc.  Her workshops are designed for K-6 teachers in Minnesota and Wisconsin to gain an understanding in peace education which promotes social justice and equity at both a national and global level, in their own classrooms. Wright is also a member of the National Association for Multicultural Education and Phi Delta Kappa International.

Dr. Cheng-Chen Huang, assistant professor of biology, is the 2012 Distinguished Teacher.  

Dr. Huang received his bachelor degree in Marine Resources from the National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan and a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Rutgers University, NJ. After concluding his doctoral studies, Dr. Huang continued his research career for nearly 10 years, first in the Genetics Department at Washington University in St. Louis and then at the National Research Institute Academia Sinica in Taiwan. 

Dr. Huang joined the Biology Department of UWRF in 2008 and has been teaching courses in general biology, cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, senior seminar, and undergraduate research. 

While engaged in substantial teaching, Dr. Huang also maintains an active research agenda involving UWRF students and colleagues. He has been awarded multiple grants for his research using zebra fish embryos to discover new chemical compounds to combat heart failure. Dr. Huang’s project has the potential to discover new medications for heart failure in humans due to the similarity of the cardiac physiology of both zebra fish embryo and human hearts. In the past four years, more than 20 students have been involved in the project; several of them were awarded summer research grants from UWRF and other high profile research institutions. Many of his students have presented their projects at local and national undergraduate research conferences.

Dr. Huang incorporates global perspectives and practices in his teaching and research. In 2011, he led UWRF’s first ever science-based research, study and ecotourism abroad program to Taiwan. Dr. Huang accompanied three students on the four-week program to Academia Sinica in Taipei City, Chungshan Medical University and China Medicine University in Taichung City and the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Pintong County. Throughout the program, students tested extracts from Chinese herbs and marine species with Dr. Huang’s zebra fish model in hopes of identifying drug solutions from natural resources. During their time spent in Taiwan, these students also learned about Chinese medicine and natural product extraction through basic organic chemistry procedures.

Professor of Chemistry Karl Peterson has been given the Distinguished Teacher award, the highest award for faculty at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The recipient of this award is selected by polling graduating seniors and recent graduates.

Peterson, a resident of Roberts, becomes the 48th recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the university to recognize excellence in fulfilling UWRF’s primary mission of undergraduate education.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Peterson is on the Chemistry Curriculum Committee, the department’s Biochemistry Integration Committee and the department’s Scholarship Committee. He also serves as a co-advisor for the Chemistry Club.

Graduating seniors and recent graduates praised Peterson in their nominations.

One senior said, “Dr. Peterson brings passion and excitement to a subject many dismiss as boring. He makes the class relevant to students even if you are not a chemistry major. He is always willing to help you figure out a problem no matter how long it takes.”

Another senior noted, “He was my most influential mentor and assisted me to not only succeed but to go above what was expected of me. He uses structured lectures and fairness to teach organic chemistry. He made himself available for questions whenever he was in his office.”

Peterson is active on UWRF’s URSCA Task Force, and is the chair of the Calendar Committee. Previously he served on Faculty Senate where he was secretary, and has been on the International Programs Committee, the Ethnic Studies Committee, and the search committee for the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

He has presented many research proposals including “Synthesis of Candenatenin A," and “The Design and Synthesis of a Novel Icilin Analogs from m-Amioacetophenone” as a UWRF Summer Scholars proposal.

Previously, Peterson was awarded the 2009 UWRF College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award. Peterson holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and a master's and doctorate degree from Iowa State University.

Physics Professor Lowell McCann, received the 2010 University of Wisconsin-River Falls Distinguished Teacher Award at the commencement ceremony. Graduating seniors and recent graduates nominate the Distinguished Teacher; it is the highest award that can be presented to UWRF faculty.

McCann graduated from UWRF summa cum laude in 1991 with a major in physics and minors in math and Spanish. As an undergraduate, McCann was a member of both the Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Pi Sigma honor societies. After receiving his degree, McCann attended Michigan State University, where he received his doctorate in experimental condensed matter physics. McCann came back to UWRF in 1999 to teach, benefiting from the experience of his former instructors, who mentored him as he learned how to be more effective in the classroom. 

At UWRF, McCann has taught more than 20 different courses, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.  He predominantly teaches upper-level physics courses such as Quantum Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Advanced Laboratory, and Optics.  He also supervises a large number of student research projects. In 2001, McCann and a colleague were awarded a National Science Foundation grant to modernize and expand the UWRF optics curriculum. In 2007, McCann was named the Outstanding Faculty Mentor for the McNair Scholars program. He has co-authored ten publications on a wide variety of subjects, and is a board member of the Advanced Laboratory Physics Association.

Chemistry Associate Professor Daniel Marchand has been named the 2009 University of Wisconsin-River Falls Distinguished Teacher.

Interim Chancellor Connie Foster announced the selection for the highest award that can be presented at UWRF.

"Dan is a dynamic faculty member that is connected to nearly every role this university plays," said Foster. "Whether you are a first-year student at UW-River Falls, an industry partner in the St. Croix Valley, or a chemistry educator anywhere in the country, there is a good chance that Dr. Marchand's tireless efforts as an educator and a researcher have had increased your chances for success."

Graduating seniors and recent graduates nominate the distinguished teacher.

"There are many reasons I feel Dr. Marchand is more than deserving of this reward," said one of many nominators. "Some of them include his delightful attitude in the classroom, his willingness to go out of his way to help his students, and how he can always manage to help you make sense of the most complicated topics. He has assisted me with my search of graduate schools, when I [was] not even a chemistry major nor his advisee. ... He contributes to UW-River Falls exactly what we strive to stand for as a university."

A member of the UWRF chemistry department since 2001, Marchand, of Hudson , serves as coordinator of the university's Science Day and chair of the Faculty Senate external relations committee. He also is a member of SciTAC, a regional high-tech economic development group and is active as a private consultant to biotechnology companies, including BioDiagnostics and Interfacial Solutions in River Falls.

Marchand is an organizer for the Minnesota Chromatography Forum, has been involved in the UWRF First Year Experience, a program designed for freshman retention, and, with his academic department, in the development of a new "Organic First" chemistry curriculum funded by the National Science Foundation, which has potential to be a national model for higher education chemistry curriculum.

On being selected for the award, Marchand said: "I was both pleased and surprised. While I was in industry for 10 years prior to coming to UW-River Falls, I had taught for brief stints. I love teaching, come from a family of teachers and was very excited to come back to UWRF, the Midwest and the sensibility of the Midwestern spirit. To put it simply, I truly love teaching at UWRF."

Marchand's research interests include the development of high-resolution chromatographic methods for the analysis of biomolecules. "As an analytical biochemist, my interest is looking at molecules with some type of biological activity that are often present at very low concentrations. As chemists, when we look at new pharmaceuticals, we show how they appear in the body, where they appear in the body and help improve the methods for doing that."

Prior to joining UWRF, the St. Paul native worked as the lab director for LC Resources Inc., and taught at Linfield College, both in Oregon. He holds a B.S. from St. John's University and a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from the University of Minnesota. He also completed post-doctoral studies at Oregon State University. In addition to receiving numerous grants for his research and instruction at UWRF, Marchand has received a National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health and the College of Pharmacy Melendy Award from the University of Minnesota.

At UWRF Marchand teaches introductory general chemistry, general chemistry, general organic chemistry, pharmacology and separation science laboratory, a new course he designed that emphasizes the methods of analysis related to problems in biochemistry and biotechnology. He has presented research at numerous conferences, and published several papers in the "Journal of Chromatography A," including two with his students, "Relevance of pi-pi and dipole-dipole interactions for retention including on cyano and phenyl columns in reversed-phase liquid chromatography" and "Slow equilibrium of reversed-phase columns for the separation of ionized solutions."

"I find working with the students to be rewarding and to be gratifying, especially the collaborative projects involving outside researchers and undergraduates," he says.

Marchand says enjoyment also comes from helping non-majors understand the complex world of chemistry. "Our chemistry department has a high service component. The large majority of students that I encounter don't intend to major in chemistry, and for them chemistry is a challenge. And I think my strength is that I support them in meeting that challenge."

Psychology Associate Professor Travis Tubré has been named the 2008 Distinguished Teacher.

Chancellor Don Betz announced the selection Friday. The highest award that can be presented at UWRF, Distinguished Teachers are nominated by graduating seniors and recent graduates.

“I’m delighted that Travis Tubré has been selected as the 2008 Distinguished Teacher,” Betz said. “Travis’s devotion to his students and to his discipline are well known not only across the campus, but across the nation. He exhibits all of the qualities that we look for in an outstanding teacher and mentor.”
  
Students and alumni who nominated him wrote: “He is a favorite of many. His lectures are extremely interesting and informative. He teaches information that is useful and related to everyday life instead of facts we will forget in a couple weeks.” Another wrote, “Dr. Tubré is well liked by all and connects with his students on a personal level. He is a fine example of professor who cares about his teaching but finds a way to balance this with research and advising. In the classroom, he is able to keep any students’ attention with real life examples that relate to them.”

A recent graduate noted, “Throughout my four years at this institution I've been honored to study and work with many incredible people. Guiding students to higher levels of learning is something that Travis does successfully in the classroom on a daily basis by being extremely informed and organized, all while presenting information on a level that students identify with and gravitate towards. An example of how he selflessly guides students is expressed by the amount of time he spends coordinating research grants and opportunities for students to present at national conferences, as well as scenarios when he has personally arranged for students to experience graduate level course work at top regional programs.”
   
Tubré teaches an array of undergraduate and graduate courses specializing in human resources issues. His topic areas include general psychology, psychological foundations and measurement of employee selection, training and development, strategic and operational concerns of staffing, as well as research methods and behavioral statistics.
   
Tubré also is a prolific consultant and researcher, contributing through dozens of book chapters, in scholarly journals and professional presentations on such widely diverse topics as spatial learning in a simulated space station to job performance to aggressive driving.

He has also been an active contributor to the University in other ways. He served as a special assistant for strategic planning in the College of Arts and Sciences, chairs the CAS Curriculum Committee, and is the Faculty Senate liaison to the Academic Staff Council.
   
In other service to UWRF, he is co-adviser to the psychology club, student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Women’s La Crosse Club, and the McNair Scholars Program, which named him the program’s outstanding faculty mentor. He previously was named an outstanding adviser for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Tubré joined UWRF in June 2001 from the University of South Mississippi.

He holds a bachelor’s in psychology from University of Louisiana-Lafayette and his master’s and doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology from Texas A&M University.

James Madsen, of River Falls, is the recipient of the UWRF Distinguished Teacher Award. He has held a number of positions prior to his arrival at UWRF in 1989. He was a postdoctoral research assistant in physics and polymer science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst from 1987 to 1989, and an IBM graduate fellow with the physics department of Colorado School of Mines from 1985 to 1986. He also was a visiting professor at UW-Madison from 1999 to 2000. He is now a professor of physics and chair of the UWRF physics department.

A recipient of numerous National Science Foundation grants, Madsen has been involved with the IceCube project, which involves neutrino astrophysics research at the South Pole. Several students have had the opportunity to work with Madsen on this project in Antarctica and Madsen has given presentations on the research project around the globe and had his work published in many scientific journals. In 1997, Madsen helped establish the Western Wisconsin Polymer Lab on campus.

He and his family have served as a host family for numerous international students and he has been a judge with the West Central Wisconsin Regional Inventor's Fair.

A nominating student wrote: "He can take a subject matter relatively unknown to a student ... and make it interesting."

Another wrote: "Dr. Madsen was extremely enthusiastic about helping me get started with my research."

UW-River Falls alumnus and professor of agricultural economics Nate Splett has been named the 2005 Adviser of the Year at the University.

Splett, who also is an associate dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, is the sixth recipient of the award at the University's all-campus awards reception April 19.

The award was established in 2000 to recognize an outstanding faculty adviser with nominations by graduating seniors and alumni. Those nominations are then considered by the Faculty Senate Advising Committee, which makes the final selection.

Students who nominated Splett noted his genuine concern for their well being. One said, "No matter what your situation, Nate always has a kind word and some advice for you." Another said, "Nate is very knowledgeable in what students have to do to complete their requirements. He is also very easy to talk to." A third commented, "Nate is the adviser who will do anything in his power to help his students and advisees succeed.

Splett's experience combines teaching and research with experience in agri-business and the public schools. He was a vocational agriculture instructor in the Barron and Turtle Lake (Wis.) high schools, a loan officer for Production Credit Association, a supervisor for the Farm Credit Administration, has served as a consultant to agriculture-oriented financial institutions, and taught economics at UW-Stout.

In addition to his administrative duties at UWRF, he teaches introductory ag economics, advanced microeconomic theory, agricultural accounting, agricultural law, farm management and horticultural management. He is a former chair of the UWRF department of agricultural economics.

"Nate Splett's selection as the UWRF outstanding adviser is well deserved," said CAFES Dean Stephen Ridley. "Nate takes student advising very seriously. He is very knowledgeable regarding the technicalities of the curriculum, and he knows and understands his students well. He is one of the most effective advisers I have known."

Splett is a recent recipient of an U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to infuse legal content into the CAFES curriculum. He has also received other USDA grants for curriculum enhancement and a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council for a documentary film on farms. His scholarly and research articles have been published in journals including Agribusiness, Agriculture Financial Review, Journal of Dairy Science, and others. He has been an active member on various University committees.

Splett holds a B.S. in ag education and an M.S. in ag economics from UWRF as well as a Ph.D. in ag economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While completing his dissertation at UI, he was a research assistant and fellow. He also has been a visiting lecturer at the Academy of National Economy in Moscow, Russia.

On receiving the award, Splett said, "It was a pleasant surprise. I think at the core of advising is genuine caring about our students, and I see this every day among our faculty and staff across campus. It is a privilege for me to represent our faculty and staff in their excellent advising efforts by receiving this award. "

He is a member of the Bloomer Historical Society, Christ Lutheran Church, Scandinavian Cemetery Association, and Barron County Woodland Owners Association as well as a former president of the CAFES Alumni Association. He also farms in Barron and Chippewa counties.

A native of Barron County, Splett lives in Bloomer where his wife, Becky, is an elementary school teacher in the Bloomer Schools.

Splett says his students make his job very enjoyable. "Our students tend to be highly motivated, have a strong work ethic, are enthusiastic about learning, and they continually go into the job market being highly competent. It is enjoyable to be around them."

Economics professor John Walker is the recipient of the highest award bestowed on a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Walker was named the 42nd recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award by Interim Chancellor Virgil Nylander. The award was announced April 19 at the University's all-campus awards ceremony.

Selection for this award is through polling by graduating seniors and recent alums.

Those who nominated Walker said: "John Walker could make any economics class exciting with his true enthusiasm. He was so kind and patient. I never felt afraid to ask for further explanation. He was always a friendly face on the campus."

Another student said of Walker: "John's approach to teaching forces students to prepare themselves for exams better than other professors I've had, and the experience pays off in the end despite his challenge."

A third offered: "Dr. Walker is a wealth of information and is always willing to share it. He has always been approachable and friendly, making him a joy to have as a teacher. His teaching style has helped me grow throughout my years here."

Simply put by another: "He's the man."

Nylander said in announcing the award, "My warmest congratulations to John on being selected as the recipient of the 2005 Distinguished Teacher of the Year. I applaud you for your outstanding contributions to UWRF and thank you for being a role model for our university community."

Upon receiving the award, Walker said it is an honor that highlights 15 years of hard, but enjoyable, work at UWRF because of his passion for teaching. "I like ideas and thinking about theories, and their implications in our understanding of the world," says Walker. "I like mastering ideas, understanding various aspects of neoclassical economics, Marxian theory, Adam Smith's view of economics. There is a sense of accomplishment in that and a desire to share it with people and who better than with students."

Walker's philosophy of teaching is to believe in developing each individual's potential. "I believe in the development of human potential, to try to have each student achieve his or her potential and do the best he or she can. I try to develop techniques to get students involved and interacting with the material so they will develop skills that will help them make a living and be lifelong learners."

Walker joined the faculty in 1990 after earning his doctorate at the University of Utah with specialties in political and labor economics, as well as an emphasis in the history of economic thought. Walker teaches UWRF's College of Business and Economics courses in political economic discrimination, history of economic thought, intermediate macroeconomics, statistics for business and economics, micro/macro economic principles, modern economics and ethnic studies.

Last fall, Walker took a sabbatical to conduct a survey of self-employed individuals in St. Croix County. Walker has published his findings as well as other research topics including gender differences in earnings expectations, determinants of Mexican earnings, and gender differences in compensation for earnings.

Walker has been involved in the development and implementation of the ethnic studies minor and served as the coordinator of the ethnic studies committee until 2004. He is also currently serving as the interim chair for the department of economics. Additionally, he has served on numerous University committees including the general education committee, chancellor's award for excellence committee, faculty development committee and the student affairs committee.

A faculty member with 50 years of teaching service at UW-River Falls, and who is recognized as a pre-eminent scholar on Nazi Germany and the Russian Occupation of East Germany and Poland following World War II, has been selected as the Distinguished Teacher.

History Professor Edward Peterson is the 2004 recipient of the award, which is the highest the University can bestow. Selection is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates.

The selection of Peterson, who has not missed a day of teaching class since his arrival in 1954, drew accolades from students, faculty and staff.

Said Chancellor Ann Lydecker in announcing the award, "Professor Peterson has touched literally thousands of lives during his five decades of teaching. I've heard our currently enrolled students, as well as undergraduate and graduate program alumni who span the generations, speak of how Dr. Peterson was their inspiration.

"He inspired them to learn history, to develop the study skills that led to their successful completion of their degrees, to think more critically, to become better teachers, and to have a new appreciation of the United States within the world context.

"They appreciate the fact that he viewed them as individuals and took an interest in them. Dr. Peterson is truly deserving of this prestigious award."

Alumni who nominated Peterson praised the breadth of his knowledge and his commitment during the past 50 years to UWRF students.

Wrote one: "Not having Dr. Peterson as one of the "distinguished teachers" is like not listing Abe Lincoln as one of the greatest presidents. There is no more decent man or teacher at this university."

Another added, "He is an excellent professor who knows his subject, but more importantly he teaches with a vigor and excites his classes."

Added another, "Ed is a legend at UWRF. His knowledge of history is beyond compare on the campus and his dedication to the profession of education speaks for itself. He deserves this award and he's earned it in every respect of the word."

Wrote another, "Dr. Peterson is a very intelligent person. To be teaching 50 years is amazing."

Peterson, who served as chairman of the social science and history departments from 1963 to 1991, teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses with a particular emphasis on 20th Century European history. Among those courses are Origins of One World (Europe since 1660), German history and Hitler, WWI and WWII history and a capstone course in social sciences.

The development of his international reputation as an historian can be traced to his service in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II in Germany and his assignment for two years to Occupation Forces.

After meeting in Germany his future wife Ursula, Peterson returned to Wisconsin and earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate at UW-Madison.

A committed researcher of German archives, including secret police records, and a prolific writer, Peterson wrote the first of his seven histories on the limitations of Hitler's totalitarian powers. His additional histories have explored such topics as Germany under American Occupation, East Germany and German resistance under Soviet Occupation, and an analytical history of World War II.

During his distinguished career, Peterson has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Social Science Research Council. He has presented papers and lectures at conferences from Bemidji, Minn., to London, England, for such groups as the German Studies Association and the Society for the History of American Foreign Relations. He also is a three-time recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Award presented by a German foundation for furthering scholarship in the culture.

Dean Gorden Hedahl of the College of Arts & Sciences praised Peterson's contributions to UWRF:

"I think that it is possible that Ed Peterson created the mold for the phrase 'a gentleman and a scholar.' He is certainly the embodiment of that phrase. Dr. Peterson is a gentle person who speaks quietly, calmly and compassionately, but he works with great purpose and an unwavering devotion to his students and to the betterment of the University and the community of River Falls.

"His dedication is legendary, and he is also a very accomplished scholar with a prodigious list of publications, made all the more impressive by the heavy student load that he continues to carry. It is hard to imagine anyone who has worked on such an exemplary level for such a long time. He is also an extremely humble man who isn't one for self-promotion or fuss, but it is important that his work be recognized and be celebrated. His contributions are unique and lasting and are fully deserving of recognition."

In addition to his teaching and research, for the past 20 years Peterson has edited the history department alumni newsletter. As the senior faculty member, the honor also falls to Peterson to carry the University's ceremonial mace at formal events, such as commencement.

Peterson's likeness will be added to the UWRF Distinguished Teacher display in the Wyman Education Building, and he will be invited to deliver the Fall Commencement Address in December.

Mural Honoring Late Professor Unveiled

DEC. 4, 2006--Campus and community members showed up for the unveiling of a mural Nov. 28 in the west hallway of the Wyman Education Building at UW-River Falls honoring the late history Professor Ed Peterson. 

The mural, composed of six different stances portraying the professor in action, was created by Garrett Bergemann, a senior fine arts major from Bloomington, Minn. While Bergemann noted that he never had taken a class from Peterson, he wanted to make an image that would inspire the campus community. 

"When you're making something like that, it's hard to get all of these things together. So I thought I'd focus on what I thought was the core of the community, which is the teacher and the student and the interaction that takes place." 

Bergemann chose to represent Peterson for his passion, evident in classroom photographs. 

"You can see the passion and the movement of one person in his acts...I see all these images of Ed Peterson in the middle of his teaching, and I was just amazed at the passion and the amount of expression and the dedication to his craft." 

Peterson's wife Ursula, of River Falls, attended the event.

English Assistant Professor Jennifer Brantley has been named the Distinguished Teacher at UW-River Falls, the highest award that can be bestowed at the University.

Brantley will be recognized during the UWRF annual awards banquet on April 22. The award is the result of nominations sought from graduating seniors and recent graduates.

In announcing the award, Chancellor Ann Lydecker cited Brantley's dedication and excellence in serving UWRF. "For 128 years, UW-River Falls has been a teaching institution. We take such great pride in that mission that our most prestigious award is to celebrate those faculty who excel at our most fundamental value.

"Our students and recent alumni tell us that Jenny Brantley is one of our very best faculty at giving meaning to their college experience. She serves as a role model to our students and to all of us on campus on how to give our best efforts so our students will succeed in their professional and personal lives after they leave here."

English Department Chair Marshall Toman added, " Professor Brantley's students and colleagues know her as someone who is supremely organized and tactful and whose door is always open, no matter what editorial or logistical crisis she is in the middle of solving. She is someone who is always genuinely interested in their lives and accomplishments."

Among the many student and alumni nominating comments were:

"She was always supportive and was willing to do whatever was necessary to ensure that the English department was an exciting and active place for students and future student leaders."

Wrote another, "She is a wonderful teacher for many reasons. First, she teaches what she loves, and anyone can tell that by her lectures. Second, she inspired me to write, even when I was down about my writing. With her push and support, I have gained self-esteem on my writing and I love to write. Last, she is always there for her students."

Another offered: "I found her creative writing classes to be very inspiring and her teaching method to be very useful and non-intimidating. She is great at providing inspiration."

Brantley joined the English department 1995 as an instructional academic staff member and has held the rank of assistant professor since 1999. In 2002 she won the College of Arts & Sciences Award for Outstanding Teacher in the Humanities.

In addition to teaching freshman English and sophomore literature, she teaches in her specialties of creative writing, women's studies, poetry, and in upper division literature courses such as Women in Literature, an area in which she is co-editing an anthology.

Brantley's poetry has appeared in numerous national journals such as the "North American Review" and "Living Forge." Her articles have been published extensively in numerous scholarly and popular magazines, and she is a productive contributor to books. Brantley has given dozens of readings throughout the Midwest.

Brantley was responsible for bringing the national journal, the "Literary Magazine Review," to UWRF by serving as its editor, responsible for all editorial content and magazine publishing operations. Librarians across the world who are seeking analysis on literary journals for their stacks, and readers who want insightful commentary on the best writers, turn to the magazine for expert commentary.

On campus she is the adviser to the UWRF student literary magazine, "Prologue." Brantley also is the founder of the Student Reading Series, held weekly in the Chalmer Davee Library in which students, as well as faculty and invited presenters, read from their works in progress.

Brantley is an active participant in many department, college and University committees, and a frequent presenter at conferences. She is a member of the planning committee to celebrate Women's History Month, women studies committee, the library exhibits and presentation committee, and serves on the Faculty Senate.

Said Brantley of the award, "I am both honored and humbled by this award. Our students at River Falls are truly remarkable, and I am so proud to be working with them. They are eager to learn, appreciative of the value of a college education, and filled with intellectual curiosity. I am also honored to be a part of this University community; I am surrounded by amazing and dedicated faculty and staff. I am fortunate to have a job that doesn't feel so much like work as it does a calling."

Brantley holds a doctorate in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master's from Kansas State University, and her bachelor's degree is from Wake Forest University.

Animal Science Assistant Professor Steve Kelm has been named as the recipient of the highest award at UW-River Falls.

Kelm was named the 39th recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award by Chancellor Ann Lydecker. The award was announced on April 23 at the University's awards ceremony.

Selection is through polling by graduating seniors and recent alums. Those nominees said of Kelm:

"He's an outstanding educator, mentor and friend. These are only a few of the distinguishing assets of Dr. Kelm. He is a professor who challenges you to meet your goals, guides you to help you form your own decisions, and most importantly, listens to you when you need to talk. He is a true inspiration to the Animal and Food Science Department, and most importantly, to students."

Another added: "Dr. Kelm is a very effective teacher. He makes class interesting by getting to know each person and always coming to class with a smile."

A third nominator offered: "He is willing to spend the extra time and effort assisting struggling students. He's very encouraging, always cheerful, and easy to acquire knowledge from."

Said Lydecker in announcing the award, "For 127 years, UW-River Falls has been a teaching institution. We take great pride in that mission, so much so that our most prestigious award is to celebrate those faculty who excel at our most fundamental value.

"Our students and recent alumni tell us that Steve Kelm is one of our very best faculty at ensuring that our students are engaged in learning. He will serve as a role model to all of us on how to give our best efforts so our students can learn here and thrive in their professional lives," Lydecker said.

Said department Chair Tony Jilek: "Steve is a great colleague and teacher as he is eager and willing to cooperate and to do his fair share or more. His concern for and attention to students is exceptional and his smile and laugh are contagious."

Kelm joined the faculty in 1998 after earning his doctorate at Iowa State University with specialties in animal breeding and immunobiology, and a master's in animal breeding.

Kelm teaches courses in junior- and senior-level dairy management, dairy cattle evaluation, introduction to animal science, principles of animal breeding, orientation to dairy science, and senior seminar in dairy science. He also serves as an adviser for 50 undergraduates, he helps to coach the dairy cattle judging teams, and he is a co-adviser to the undergraduate dairy club. That latter responsibility last year earned him recognition as the National Adviser of the Year for the American Dairy Science Association.

In the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences, Kelm is involved in many activities that directly affect student learning outcomes. He is a mentor for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, he is on the Pilot Plant Advisory Board, a member of the Dairy Learning Center steering committee, the Internship committee, the Experiential Learning Committee, and others.

He has served on numerous University committees including academic advising, the Student Academic Success Center advisory board and on the Chancellor's Search & Screen Committee.

Geoffrey Scheurman, associate professor of teacher education, has been named the Distinguished Teacher at UW-River Falls, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the University.

Scheurman becomes the 38th recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the University to recognize excellence in fulfilling the University¹s 126-year-old primary mission of undergraduate education.

His selection was announced on May 10 to coincide with the dedication ceremony for a Distinguished Teacher display at the Walker Wyman Education Building. The unveiling was in conjunction with a visit to UW-River Falls by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.

Selection for the honor is determined by polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates. With his selection, Scheurman will be invited to deliver the 2001 Fall Commencement address.

Scheurman received accolades from graduating seniors and recent graduates who nominated him for the award. Among the many comments were:"Dr. Scheurman was the most motivating teacher I ever had in my college career. He is passionate, knowledgeable and genuine. He helps his students look outside their normal way of thinking."

Another added, "He has a unique gift for making every student feel important. He helped students believe in themselves and in what they were doing. Best of all, he made learning fun!"

Chancellor Ann Lydecker noted of Scheurman¹s nomination, "At UW-River Falls our most important mission is teaching. We ask our faculty to become engaged in all aspects of a student¹s learning: in the classroom, through internships, in professional organizations and in contributing to the community and their professions. Professor Scheurman excels in all of these areas in teaching and in mentoring to his students so they realize their fullest potential as professionals and as individuals."

Karen Viechnicki, dean of the College of Education and Graduate Studies, said, "Dr. Scheurman is a highly dedicated teacher who models the kind of teaching and learning environment that undergraduate and graduate secondary education students can learn from. He brings high energy, enthusiasm and a sense of humor to the work in which he engages."

Scheurman is a frequent presenter at national conferences. He is widely published in scholarly journals, and he is actively engaged in helping teaching professionals to remain current in their field.

Among his professional associations are memberships in the National and Wisconsin Councils for Social Studies, the American Educational Research Association, Phi Delta Kappa and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and he serves on numerous College and University faculty committees.

Before joining the faculty at UW-River Falls in 1993, Scheurman taught middle school and high school in Douglas, Wyoming. He holds a doctorate in educational psychology with emphases in lifespan intellectual development, constructivist learning theory, and intrinsic motivation from the University of Iowa. His bachelor's and master's degrees are from the University of Wyoming.

A specialist in teaching biology and biotechnology has been named the Distinguished Teacher at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Professor Karen Klyczek becomes the 37th recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the University to recognize excellence in fulfilling the University's 125-year-old primary mission of undergraduate education.

Klyczek, who joined the faculty in 1989, presently serves as the chair of the biology department.

Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates. Klyczek will be invited to deliver the 2000 Fall Commencement address.

At UWRF, Klyczek teaches a wide range of courses, including cell biology, immunology, virology, molecular biology, microbiology, introduction to biology, and animal cell culture. She also is a member of the University's interdisciplinary biotechnology program that reaches scores of students across two colleges and numerous departments, as well as biotechnology teachers and agriculture instructors across Wisconsin and Minnesota.

That continuous contact with students earned Klyczek accolades from graduating seniors and recent graduates who nominated her for the award.

Among the many comments were:

"Dr. Klyczek takes great joy in teaching and I believe that it shows to all of her students."

"She is enthusiastic about teaching, gets the students involved, has a sense of humor, and creates a fun learning environment."

"Excellent teacher. Delivers information clearly and completely. Makes students think ... generates interest in the subject. Major part of why I went on to Grad School."

"She loves what she teaches and builds good bonds with students."

The nomination was greeted warmly by Dean Gorden Hedahl of the College of Arts & Sciences.

"I applaud the selection of Karen Klyczek as this year's Distinguished Teacher. I know her to be extremely committed to her students and to teaching and advising them. She is an articulate campus leader in the efforts to involve undergraduate students in research, scholarly and creative activities. Dr. Klyczek is a wonderful role model and an excellent representative of the many dedicated teachers at UW-River Falls."

Klyczek has been extraordinarily successful at attracting nine state and federal grants totaling $1.45 million from such agencies as the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health and the Eisenhower Math & Science Education Act to develop curricular materials for classes in biology and biotechnology. Often these funds are used to train returning K-12 teachers in the sciences and biotechnology, as well as for UWRF undergraduates.

In addition to her teaching and administrative responsibilities as department chair, Klyczek continues to be active in scholarly publishing and presentations, with more than three dozen to her credit.

She also is an active consultant locally and nationally. Among her many professional contributions have been to provide assistance as the regional coordinator for the University of Wisconsin System BioLink Project; as a reviewer for the National Science Foundation Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Grant Program; adviser to the National FFA Agricultural Biotechnology Education Initiative, advisory board member of the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program in Biotechnology; consultant to the River Falls School District Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Course Development project; consultant to the Wisconsin CESA Districts 10 and 11 Biotechnology Curriculum Development Project; and adviser to the National Science Foundation Undergraduate Biotechnology Curriculum Development Project. She also has been an technical article reviewer for such publications as "Bioscene: the Journal of College Biology Teaching," "The American Biology Teacher," and "the Journal of Immunology."

At the University, she is active in institutional governance, having served on the Faculty Senate, the Academic Program and Policy Committee, Women in Science Committee and the institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Klyczek joined the faculty after completing a post-doctoral cancer research fellowship at the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. She holds a doctorate in biochemistry from UW-Madison and a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Augustana College.

She was previously honored at the University with the Outstanding Faculty Award in the science division of the College of Arts & Sciences.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has announced that a dairy industry specialist is the recipient of its 1999 Distinguished Teacher Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed at the institution.

Receiving the award is Professor Perry Clark of the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Science. Clark becomes the 36th recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the University to recognize excellence in fulfilling UW-River Falls' primary mission of undergraduate education.

Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates. Clark will be recognized at the Spring graduation ceremonies and will be invited to deliver the 1999 Fall Commencement address.

On winning the award Clark said, "It's very humbling. I hope to just try to live up to it in the coming years."

By focusing on dairy and nutrition he comes in contact with a large number of students at UW-River Falls, which is home to the largest undergraduate dairy program in the nation. He drew strong endorsements from his past and current students:

"He is a challenging teacher. He taught a hard subject in an easy and humorous manner," wrote one.

Another added, "He made me want to learn more and that is why I am in graduate school."

"Dr. Clark is always enthusiastic and is always there to help when you need it," commented another.

Clark joined the faculty of the department of animal & food science in 1982 and became department chair in 1997. He teaches animal nutrition and dairy courses. Clark is also a popular advisor, having nearly 50 student advisees.

Dean Gary Rohde of the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Science says, "Dr. Clark is a good teacher. He is demanding, fair and identifies well with the students. He reaches out to students and really talks to them."

"He does a great job of following up with alumni and students. He is very interested in using the latest teaching techniques."

Dean Rohde added, "Dr. Clark keeps himself updated in the nutrition and dairy fields and contributes to them through applied research."

In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Clark has performed numerous research projects in the dairy field. One of thesse, "An evaluation of Mycogen TMF 94 Corn Feed to Lactating Dairy Cows as a Silage Crop and as a High Moisture Corn Crop," was funded through a $17,500 grant from Mycogen Seed, Inc. He recently published an article in the Journal of the American Dairy Science Association titled the "Influence of Particle Size on the Effectiveness of the Fiber in Corn Silage."

Clark also has been active in many University and College committees. He is a member of the new Dairy Teaching Facility Planning Committee and fund-raising sub-committee, as well as chair of a departmental committee to develop a new dairy science major.

A graduate of UW-River Falls, Clark also holds master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Missouri.

The highest award at UW-River Falls, that of its Distinguished Teacher, has been accorded to associate Professor David Pepi of the College of Education & Graduate Studies.

Pepi becomes the 35th recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the University to recognize excellence in fulfilling UWRF's primary mission of undergraduate education.

Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates. Pepi will be recognized at graduation ceremonies on May 24 and will be invited to deliver the Fall Commencement address.

Chancellor Gary A. Thibodeau, in making the announcement, noted that as a distinguished teacher, "Dr. Pepi joins a select group of caring, talented and very committed professionals."

A specialist in science education, Pepi drew strong endorsements from his past and current students:

"He stimulated and taught me how to enjoy and allow my students to enjoy Science," wrote one.

Another offered that Professor Pepi "is an excellent example and role model whose teaching reflects expertly the mission statement of the education department-not to mention he is a great guy!"

"He taught me how to teach children's science in an exciting way," another remarked.

A teacher noted, "As an instructor myself, I often remember Dr. Pepi's enthusiasm and try to model that for my students."

Pepi joined the faculty of the Department of Teacher Education in 1990 after teaching at the University of Montana-Missoula.

At UWRF, he teaches such undergraduate courses as science techniques in elementary education, middle schools and secondary schools, as well as graduate courses in elementary school science.

College of Education & Graduate Studies Dean Kathleen Daly says that Pepi has been inspirational to his students, to teachers in regional schools, and to his colleagues in his approaches to science education.

"He has developed relationships with teachers that have been just wonderful. He bings a philosophy of 'hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on' science education that is very unique to elementary schools.

"Dr. Pepi teaches that you don't have to travel to exotic places to appreciate the environment: an appreciation for the environment and an understanding of nature and science starts in our own backyards."

Underlying a practical approach to science education, Daly says, is his talent "for very deep philosophical statements about education."

In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Pepi has been active in attracting funding for education. As a collaborator with chemistry Professor

Marilyn Duerst, he received $500,000 from the National Science Foundation to establish a Physical Sciences Institute for K-3 teachers. Another grant from the United States Information Agency of approximately $60,000 supported an exchange of 10 Russian and American high school students for intensive seminars and wilderness backpacking expeditions in both countries.

Pepi also has been active in campus governance, both at the College and University level. Among the many committees he's served on were the Faculty Hearing, Grievance and Appeals, Long Range Planning, Teacher Education Admissions, Graduate Council and Scholarship Committee.

He holds a bachelor's degree from Humbolt State University, and a master's and doctorate from Cornell University.

The highest award at UW-River Falls, that of its Distinguished Teacher, has been awarded to psychology Professor Bradley Caskey for 1997.

Caskey received special acknowledgment at the Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 18 from Provost & Vice Chancellor Robert Milam.

Caskey becomes the 34th recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the University to recognize excellence in fulfilling UWRF's primary mission of undergraduate education.

Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates. Caskey will be invited to deliver the Fall Commencement address. "As an alumnus of UW-River Falls, it makes this announcement even more special," said the Milam.

"Dr. Caskey joins a select group of past recipients of the highest honor the University bestows on its faculty. This is a special group of caring, talented and very committed professionals.

"The responses received from individuals making nominations contain wonderful descriptors of Dr. Caskey's influence on their lives and educational experiences."

One graduate noted of Caskey that he is "the best teacher I have ever had. He always makes himself available to meet students' needs."

Another recent graduate commented: "He is very excited about his topic and makes his classes informative and enjoyable. He made learning fun." A graduating senior added: "He is enthusiastic, sincere, genuine, fair, entertaining and a great professor."

Another member of the class of 1977 added: "He is an awesome professor who teaches with a real enthusiasm for his profession and his students."

Caskey has been a member of the faculty since 1990, teaching courses in general psychology, child and adolescent development, adulthood and aging, psychology of sex differences, research methods, cognitive and physical development, social and personality development, and sociology of later life.

He is a frequent presenter at conferences, authoring papers on such topics as student evaluations of college teachers, distance learning techniques, the influences of the speed of processing on reading, the visual memory of mentally retarded children, and Alzheimer's Disease.

Caskey also speaks widely, sharing his expertise with many regional volunteer agencies and groups. His topics have covered such areas as parenting; death, dying and bereavement; moral development and moral education; attention deficit disorder; and bonding, attachment and corrections issues.

In addition to his many teaching, research and public service activities, Caskey has served as campus adviser to the Psychology Society and to Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He has chaired the UWRF Curriculum Committee, the Computer Guidance Committee, the Ad Hoc Library Reorganization Committee, and the Library Committee.

Caskey was previously recognized in 1995 as the Outstanding Teacher in Social and Behavioral Sciences for the College of Arts & Sciences.

Before coming to UWRF, he taught at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

His master's and doctorate are in developmental psychology from Purdue University, and his bachelor's degree is in psychology and secondary education from UW-River Falls.

The highest award at UW-River Falls, that of its Distinguished Teacher, has been accorded to horticulture Professor Terry Ferriss.

The award was announced by Chancellor Gary A. Thibodeau during the Senior Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 18. Ferriss, a resident of Hastings, Minn., becomes the 33rd recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the University to recognize excellence in fulfilling UWRF's primary mission of undergraduate education.

Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates. Ferriss will be invited to deliver the Fall Commencement address.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities in the plant and earth science department, Ferriss also serves as assistant dean of the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences, and is the director of the College's Agriculture Cooperative Education and Internship Program.

"The Distinguished Teacher award is truly a special one on our campus," Thibodeau said. "Only a single individual is honored at an institution that values teaching as its core mission.

"Terry Ferriss exemplifies exactly the type of attributes we want to lift up as a role model for all of us. She is absolutely committed to her students. She makes her decisions and allocates her time based on how that will impact students. She is a teacher in the classroom; and outside of the classroom, she is a role model not only in terms of her understanding of the discipline, but in her professionalism and her work ethic.

"All of the things you would look at in terms of a mentor, Terry Ferriss has in abundance."

Graduating senior and recent graduates were laudatory in their nominations of Ferriss.

Said one senior: "Dr. Ferriss is not only an excellent educator, but she works with every student's individual needs and interests. She is never too busy to help a student."

Another senior wrote: "Her enthusiasm is reflected in her love for horticulture and for her students."

A recent graduate added: "She took the time to invest more of herself than was expected. She opened her home to student activities, like Horticulture Club events. She also went out of her way to host and schedule quality intercollegiate events that gives UWRF publicity as a quality school, and added educational opportunities."

In the department, Ferriss advises over 30 students and teaches courses in plant science, horticulture, interior plantscapes, herbaceous perennials, greenhouse management, floriculture, and turfgrass sciences. She also played a leading role in the College's development of a horticulture major.

She has served as an adviser to many students organizations, including the Floral Quality Evaluation Team, which has twice captured national titles, and Pi Alpha Xi, the floriculture honor society, and serves as the Society's national president. She also assists the Horticulture Society, Student Agriculture Advisory Council, and Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity and Alpha Zeta. Ferriss also has served on numerous administrative and Faculty Senate governance committees.

Ferriss has served on University of Wisconsin System committees, including the Long-range Planning Task Force for Agriculture and Natural Resources, chairing its Food Safety and Education subcommittees. That panel reviewed all academic program arrays at UWS campuses in agriculture or natural resources.

Previously, she has been honored with a Wisconsin Honorary State FFA Degree, the "Woody Kaline Coach's Award" for leading the floriculture team to a first place finish at the National Intercollegiate Floral Crop Evaluation Contest, was named Outstanding Undergraduate Horticulture Educator by the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, and named Outstanding Teacher in the UWRF College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences.

Ferriss holds a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Colorado State University, and a master's and doctorate in horticulture from the University of Minnesota.

Lee Karnowski, professor of elementary education, was named Distinguished Teacher for 1995. Karnowski becomes the 32nd recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the university to recognize excellence in fulfilling UWRF's primary mission of undergraduate education. Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates.

New alumni who nominated Karnowski cited her teaching abilities in the classroom, knowledge of her field, and a personal touch when dealing with students in the classroom and teachers in the field.

Wrote one recent graduate: "She not only assists current students but has assisted non-students in the area of writing. She also keeps current on research areas and modifies her courses ased on that research."

Another related: "She was ahead of the times with her ideas for teaching elementary students. Her ideas are now just getting into the schools for use by experienced teachers."

Lee Karnowski joined the UWRF teacher education faculty in 1985 after completing her Ph.D. in Curriculum at Miami University of Ohio. She earned a B.S. degree from California State University-Northridge and an M.S. from the University of Colorado, both in elementary education. Her university teaching was enriched by her considerable experience teaching pre-school through 6th grade in Ohio, Colorado, California and in Belgium, England and France. Lee’s research interests and published articles interests covered a wide range of education issues, including writing and reading pedagogy for elementary students, models of learning, teaching gifted students, and developing literacy through multicultural literature. She examined integrated learning models in British teacher training during a 1994 sabbatical.

Kelly Cain, professor of plant and earth science, was named Distinguished Teacher for 1994. Cain becomes the 31st recipient of the most prestigious award presented by the university to recognize excellence in fulfilling UWRF's primary mission of undergraduate education. Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates..

"Kelly is a hard worker who puts a lot of effort into his classes," plant and earth science Chair Bob Baker said. "Outside the classroom he gives his students field opportunities which enhances their education. His students find him approachable; a real human being and someone they can identify with. It's an honor to have him on our staff; he's a very valuable member of the department."

James Helminiak, professor in the department of health, physical education, recreation and athletics, was named Distinguished Teacher for 1993, the most prestigious award presented by the university to recognize excellence in fulfilling UWRF's primary mission of undergraduate education. Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates.

A faculty member since 1967, Helminiak taught health, recreation and elementary education courses. He also served as assistant football coach. His college credit sports fishing class was the only one of its kind in higher education. The life-long recreational class drew extensive national attention.

"Jim has always placed teaching as his top priority and has made a tremendous difference with the many students with whom he's come in contact."

"In front of a class, there is no one better at presenting himself. He truly enjoys what he is doing in a classroom, and it is obvious to his students."

Economics Professor Africanus Okokon, who died unexpectedly while visiting Nigeria, was the posthumous recipient of the highest accolade at at UW-River Falls as he was named its Distinguished Teacher.

His untimely death at the age of 42 shocked and dismayed his colleagues within the economics department. But Okokon's impact during his six yeas at UWRF caused students and recent alumni to eulogize the international finance expert as they nominated him for the coveted teaching award. Among their comments:

"He treated students as individuals, and was an excellent communicator of a subject he seemed genuinely interested in."

"He is an excellent professor. He dissected the most complex concepts and made them understandable."

"He took his time in class as well as outside to make sure his students understood."

At Krey's retirement in 2002, Chancellor Ann Lydecker noted that Krey had a history at UW-River Falls that began 42 years ago as a student in 1960. "Now she is retiring as one of our most exceptional University members: DeAn holds the coveted title of being a Distinguished Teacher."

Krey earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees at UWRF, and her doctorate from the University of Minnesota. She was a teacher and professor for 37 years, spending five years in public schools and the last 32 years at UWRF. In the early years she was a teacher in Ames Lab School on campus, and then, in the early 1970s she coordinated the establishment of a field-based elementary teacher education site in Stillwater, Minn. One of her major responsibilities for the past 30 years was to lead a three-person team of professors as they offered a 12-credit pre-student teaching experience to 50 juniors each semester.

Krey taught a total of 13 different courses in Teacher Education, with her specialties in Social Studies Methods and Children's Literature. She's been widely published and she is the author of a book on "Children¹s Literature in Social Studies;" and she served as president of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and is a long-time member of its executive board. In the 1980s she served as Associate Dean of the College of Education. However, she never gave up her teaching.

Krey also traveled internationally, co-directing an exchange program for Ames Elementary School children and children from England. She also went twice to Taiwan teacher education institutions as an exchange professor.

Dewey Wachholz was voted by graduating seniors and third- and fifth-year graduates as the Distinguished Teacher for 1989. It is the signal award for teaching at an institution whose primary mission is undergraduate education.

Wachholz is noted for his ability to remember animals that he has judged in his role as a livestock specialist at the Wisconsin State Fair and various county fairs. UWRF students who showed animals will ask if he remember such and such an animal, and find that he does. His natural friendliness, which is bolstered through two decades of socializing with young people as a half-time UW System Extension Specialist involved in 4-H, Future Farmers of America, and fair judging, gives him a rapport with young people.

His teaching style of open discussion does more than provide the professional information that students need; it teaches the intellectual skills to think and to evaluate.

Wachholz has held a dual appointment in the college of Agriculture and with the UW System Extension Service.

Agriculture economics Professor Lewis May was named Distinguished Teacher for 1989. The Distinguished Teacher Award is conferred through a popular vote by graduating seniors and third- and fifth-year graduates.

Students who nominated May noted:

"I selected Dr. May because he helped me prepare for my future after college."

"Lewi seems to always be available for advice and suggestions, which would allow you to set goals for yourself."

"He puts his heart and soul into his work and is constantly looking for ways to improve."

In 1988 May was named the outstanding adviser at the national convention of the National Agri-Marketing Association. The UWRF chapter was named the Outstanding Chapter in 1989. He has also been recognized as the outstanding master student at UN-Lincoln, was named faculty adviser of the year at UWRF in 1985, and received the Alpha Zeta distinguished service award in 1986. 

Dr. Philip George, a professor of animal science and chair of the Faculty Senate was selected as the 1988 Distinguished Teacher. As department chair, George coordinates the activities of 19 faculty and staff and 400 majors. As Faculty Senate chair, he leads that body and acts as its liaison to the university and system administration in shared governance of the institution.

In their comments, students cited George's classroom excellence:

"He spends time with students and their problems–he cares and finds time."

"He is always willing to take the time to talk to anyone about anything, and he can meet people on their level."

Economics Professor Janna Cowen became the 24th person to be named a Distinguished Teacher, the highest award that can be made to a faculty member.

Among the comments alumni made in nominating Cowen were that: "Simply, she is the best teacher I have had throughout my academic career."

"Janna is a very caring person who responds well to the changing needs of her students while maintaining a high level of excellence."

Cowen, who joined the faculty in 1979, earned her master's and doctorate degrees at the University of Negraska-Lincoln.

Cowen is a specialist in labor economics, industrial organization and regulated industries, economics of public policy and quantitative economics.

N. Larry Meyers, associate professor of soil science, was named 1986 Distinguished Teacher. Meyers joined the UW-River Falls plant and earth science faculty in 1980 and teaches soil classes in fertility, management and classification.

In addition to teaching soils classes, Meyers serves on several committees that include the American Society of Agronomy, the Wisconsin Fertilizer Research Council and the North Central Accreditation Committee. He has received several financial grants that have enabled him to do research in many areas of soil management.

In nominating Meyers for the award, a graduate of the class of 1983 said that he "taught in a manner which prepared students for real-life challenges."

A graduating senior explained that he "did a fabulous job of keeping my attention during lectures and making me want to learn."

Another senior explained that Meyers was simply "the best teacher I encountered at UWRF."

William Mahanna, was named 1985 Distinguished Teacher. Mahanna joined the UW-River Falls animal and food science faculty in 1981 and teaches courses in general animal science, animal hygiene and dairy management. He also teaches Japanese karate in the physical education department and through the university's extension program.

Mahanna has coached the university's Dairy Cattle Judging Team and has been co-adviser to the Dairy Club and adviser to the JKA Karate Club.

In nominating Mahanna for the award, a graduate of the class of 1982 said, "Bill put contagious enthusiasm into his work."

A graduating senior said, "Dr. Mahanna is an outstanding teacher with genuine love for his work and concern for his students and colleagues."

Brian Schultz, assistant professor of economics, was named the 1984 Distinguished Teacher. Schultz joined the UW-River Falls faculty in 1979. He earned the B.S. degree at Valparaiso University and the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Notre Dame.

Schultz's specialties are econometrics, statistics and economic and business forecasting.

In nominating Schultz, one graduating senior said, "He understands students and relates his material in an easy to understand manner. He makes each person feel important and he always seems to be willing to talk to students outside of class.

Another said, "He cares enough to make me want to learn more. For me, he made the difference between learning and just getting by.

Dr. Robert Bailey, III, professor of sociology, was named the 1983 Distinguished Teacher. Bailey was chairman of the department of sociology and director of the Quarter Abroad Program at UW-River Falls. He joined the faculty in 1957.

Bailey originated the Quarter Abroad in 1963 and traveled to Europe 12 times with program participants. Semester Abroad is still one of few international study and travel programs in the U.S. offering undergraduates the opportunity to do independent research abroad.

Fluent in Dutch, French and German, Bailey was involved in international study activities throughout his career. He served on the UW-River Falls International Studies Committee since its inception in 1970.

Bailey was active with the Council on International Educational Exchange, headquartered in New York, and participants in Twin Cities International Programs for Social Workers and Youth Leaders at the University of Minnesota. He arranged family stays for the U.S. State Department International Visitors Program.

On a national level, Bailey was perceived to be visionary. His talents at including students from all walks of life and academic aspirations in international studies led several national groups to seek his counsel.

Glenn Potts, assistant professor of economics, received the 1982 Distinguished Teacher Award. Potts joined the UW-River Falls faculty in 1976. His academic specialties are the areas of money and banking, statistics and quantitative analysis.

Comments accompanying the nominations for Potts described him as "challenging," "stimulating," "enthusiastic," "willing to assist students," and "a teacher who treats students as individuals."

Dr. Thomas Goerke, associate professor of animal and food science at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, was presented with the 1981 Distinguished Teacher Award.

Goerke joined the staff of UW-River Falls in 1975. His teaching assignments in the department of animal and food science have included physiology of reproduction, beef cattle production, advanced livestock management, animal physiology, endocrinology and sheep production.

In addition to teaching, Goerke has served as adviser to the Block and Bridle Club, has coached the wool judging team, and has participated in a number of UW Extension activities. He also has conducted continuing research on the influence of maternal genotype on Wisconsin beef production.

Goerke also was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by students of the College of Agriculture twice in the past three years.

Matteson joined the UWRF faculty in 1966 as an agricultural education professor. He served for 18 years as the assistant dean in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. He was active in working with the College's internship program and as a student adviser and initiated the student chapter in agriculture education, Alpha Tau Alpha. In FFA, he was also taught coaching and judging parliamentary procedure.

Matteson also was a leader of the Wisconsin National Guard, retiring with the rank of major general. He retired from UWRF in 2000, but came back in 2001 as a part-time professor and helped with administrative work. He retired for the second time in May 2003.

Dean Henderson, professor of food science, was named Distinguished Teacher for 1978, the most prestigious award presented by the university to recognize excellence in fulfilling UWRF's primary mission of undergraduate education. Selection for the award is through polling of graduating seniors and recent graduates..

Henderson has taught food science courses at UW-River Falls since 1968. To keep in touch with the industry, he works with processors and visits plants around the world, including Russia, Columbia and Venezuela.

Teaching has been a love of Henderson's since he was in college. He had the opportunity to teach in graduate school and from that time on was hooked. "I really like what I'm doing. I like to work with students and watch them mature and grow, and be successful when they leave. Over the years I've seen a lot of students become very successful and do lots of good things in the work world and also as humanitarians. That's reward and that's what it's all about."

Dr. George Garlid, professor of history was named the recipient of the UW-River Falls 1977 Distinguished Teacher Award.

Garlid joined the River Falls history faculty in 1963 and was active in campus and system-wide planning and governance. His concern for the quality of education at UW-River Falls was displayed in his hours of service on the campus faculty senate. Also respected by his colleagues throughout the state, Garlid was appointed to the UW System Advisory Task Force and the System Faculty Consultative Council.

Garlid's public service included two years as vice chairman of the Pierce County Democratic Party and the Prescott, Wis., School Board.

Emogene Nelson, was a pioneer in physical education and competitive sports for women. She was named UW-River Falls Distinguished Teacher in 1976, received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 1982 and became the first woman named to the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983.

The UW-River Falls senior students and graduates of three and five years, who nominated Dr. Nelson, commented that she shows personal concern for her students. They said that she displays a total commitment to education and demonstrates high standards of professional teaching. Among other traits listed by Dr. Nelson's former students were sincerity, sensitivity and a sense of humor.

She was born in 1925 and grew up on a farm in Pierce County. She earned the rural education degree in 1944 on the River Falls campus where she was an “R” winner in the Women’s Recreation Association. She received the B.S. degree from La Crosse State Teachers College. She taught in elementary and high schools in Cornell, Durand and at Spooner, Wis., received the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Minnesota and taught at Florida Southern University and Mankato State University before joining the faculty at River Falls in 1959.

Gary Rohde, professor of agricultural economics, is a 1960 graduate of UW-River Falls and the 1975 Distinguished Teacher.

Dr. Rohde delivered the Commencement address and told graduates that "a university degree, or ticket of admission, carries with it additional burdens and responsibilities if you are to maximize the benefits that you had hoped to get form it."

Rohde served as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from 1975 until his return to UW-River Falls in 1981 as dean of the College of Agriculture.

Dr. Charles Kao was named Distinguished Teacher of the Year at UW-River Falls on the occasion of the Senior-Faculty-Alumni banquet, held on May 18.

Currently chairman of the Department of Economics, Kao is described by his colleagues as an excellent teacher, a fine guy, a man of incredible wit. Well-remembered comments include his quip at Gil Smith's farewell party where Kao noted that although Kissinger had to deal with Chairman Mao, Chancellor Field had to deal with Chairman Kao.

Author of Brain Drain: a case study of Chinese scholars and scientists in the U.S., Kao studied at Taiwan Provincial College of Agriculture in Taichung, Taiwan, China; received his master's degree from South Dakota State; and earned his doctorate in agriculture economics at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. He joined the UW-River Falls faculty in 1964.

Dr. John Buschen was hired in 1966 to develop art history and humanities courses. During his tenure he emerged as the epitome of the Renaissance Man, with expertise and interests that touched on virtually all aspects of world culture and civilization, which he shared with his students and alumni.

He developed Arts and Ideas, an interdisciplinary course oriented toward UWRF's brightest students, which he team taught with now emeriti-Professor Margaret Odegard. The courses combined history, literature, philosophy, drama, art and music and led to the development of other courses in Western Art, American Art, the art of India, China, Japan and Latin America.

He did much for the University, such as pioneering a foreign film festival in collaboration with the Falls Theatre that lasted 14 years. Fluent in French and German, he lead art and history tours throughout Europe and North Africa. Buschen also found time to initiate the the Medieval Magical Banquets with dinners based on medieval recipes from the Fifteenth Century.

Buschen's popularity as a teacher was recognized in numerous ways. In 1973 he was selected for the University's most prestigious award, and become one of the youngest faculty members to be named a Distinguished Teacher. He received the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award in 1986 for art and in 1999 for history; the Outstanding Teacher in Humanities award in 1983; and the Outstanding Teacher in Social Sciences award in 1993. He also chaired both the art and the history departments.

Buschen recalls that when he was younger, he really liked science, but his interests turned to history and art after he traveled to Europe for the first time in 1958. "I rode my bike through Europe; that experience changed my life. Later, when I returned to study in France, the interest intensified," he said.

To help make his appreciation of art more accessible to his students, Buschen created between 4,000 to 5,000 Web pages addressing art history. He designed virtual museums showing the works of women, Hispanic-American, Asian-American and gay and lesbian artists. That compendium was recently featured in an art show in which Buschen was the only electronic exhibitor.

He received a bachelor's degree from De Paul University. He also was the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, studying for a year in Strasbourg. He received his master's and doctorate from the University of Indiana.

Dr. Marion Hawkins, professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, is the first person to receive both the Distinguished Alumnus and the Distinguished Teacher Awards. And she received them both in one year.

A 1938 graduate of UWRF, Dr. Hawkins taught English and speech at high schools in New Richmond and Monroe and at Pulaski High School in Milwaukee before joining the staff of her alma mater in 1946.

"Personal interest in her students" and "outstanding dedication" as well as "knowledge and enthusiasm" were some of the qualities mentioned by her students, past and present.

Nicholas Karolides, professor of English, was the recipient of the 1971 Distinguished Teacher Award at Wisconsin State University-River Falls. Karolides joined the faculty in 1964.

According to the September 1971 Falcon Features: 
"Dedicated, helpful, thorough, knowledgeable, flawless in technique are some of the descriptions by students who cast their ballots for Dr. Karolides. 'No one else listened so carefully or tried so hard to understand what students were saying,' commented one student. 'He carries on dialog with students, in the truest sense.'"

A member of the faculty at River Falls since 1963, Dr. Gray received his B.S. in Agriculture Education from Iowa State University, the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Animal Breeding from the University of Missouri. His graduate research involved genetic studies for low back fat thickness in swine. He published an article in the 1969 Journal of Animal Science on the subject. At River Falls he was adviser to Alpha Gamma Rho, the Animal Science Club and the Agriculture honorary fraternity, Alpha Zeta.

Proposals were made in the late 1960s to have a vet school located on campus, due to the strong agriculture department.

Dr. Richard Gray, a professor in the agriculture department, was very involved with this proposed school. After years of debate and competition, a school was awarded to UW-Madison with a satellite clinic being set up on this campus in the mid-1980s. Problems shortly came about though and the clinic was closed in 1989.

Richard D. Swensen joined the River Falls faculty in 1955 and served as chairman of the chemistry department and, from 1969 to 1988, as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1988 he returned to teaching and retired in 1993. As dean, he instituted faculty exchanges both in Europe and the Pacific Rim and brought numerous internationally recognized individuals and groups to the campus.

He was named as UWRF Distinguished Professor by the Johnson Foundation and was chosen Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 1970. He led workshops or consulted with chemistry and physics departments in Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea and Poland. He served two terms as chair of the University Faculty Council (predecessor of the Faculty Senate) and three terms on the River Falls School Board.

Virginia Akins is remembered by many alumni for her Great Ideas in Science courses, required of all seniors with non-science majors. The concept of this course and its companion courses, Great Ideas in Humanities and Social Sciences, was conceived in the early 1950s. As Great Issues evolved into Great Ideas, Akins continued with the science portion of the series.

In addition to encouraging students to accept the responsibility to consider scientific issues, Akin's other major challenge has been to advise as many as 200 pre-veterinary and pre-medicine students annually.

"I love it," said Akins. "I enjoy working one to one with students. It's been very satisfying to watch them grow and help them attain their goals. And part of the fun of it is following their careers and seeing them working at what they enjoy."

- Falcon Features Summer 1983 retirement story

Miss Vera Moss, professor of English, received the Distinguished Teacher Award during Honors Day last May. The annual award is presented to a faculty member selected by graduates and students at River Falls. It carries a financial award of $500 presented by the Johnson Foundation of Racine. 

Miss Moss has been on the University staff since 1932. She came to River Falls from Michigan where she attended Western Michigan State and the University of Michigan. Prior to becoming a faculty member at River Falls, she was on the staff at Western Michigan College. 

The award was presented to professor Moss by Interim President R. J. Delorit who recalled his own experiences as a student of the award winner.

Dr. William Romoser, associate professor of education, received the $500 Distinguished Teacher Award contributed by the Johnson Foundation of Racine during Honors Day last May.

Each state university receives funds for the award in alternate years and chooses its own method of selecting its distinguished teacher. This year's selection was made on the basis of a poll of former students.

Leland Wittwer, professor of animal science retired in 1985 after 27 years of teaching on campus.

Wittwer, whose student-entered career earned him the unqualified respect of his colleagues and students, received a number of teaching awards, at both the local and national levels, including the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1965, the first Alpha Zeta Distinguished Service Award in 1975, and the Teaching Award of Merit from the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and the UW-River Falls College of Agriculture in 1984. He was named Teaching Fellow by NACTA in 1979.

Wittwer wrote about his commitment to students in a paper on his philosophy of teaching:

"Teaching extends beyond the scheduled class period time," Wittwer states. "Teaching involves recruitment of students, counseling, help sessions to supplement the classroom, club activities, alumni relations and recognition of the individual student as a member of a family and community."

-Falcon Features, Spring 1985

Benny Kettelkamp, biology, was the first recipient of the award in 1965.

After 32 years on the River Falls faculty, Dr. B. H. Kettelkamp, head of the biology department, resigned in 1967. Dr. Kettelkamp came to River Falls in 1935 from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Wayne Wolfe, administrate vice president, commented about Dr. Kettelkamp: "His deep concern for students, his skill and perceptiveness as a teacher, and his unfailing sense of humor have helped set the pattern for River Falls."