University of Wisconsin–River Falls

University of Wisconsin–River Falls
Motto	Work Together. Stand Apart
Established	1874
Type	State university
Chancellor	Dean Van Galen
Students	6,900
Location	River Falls, Wisconsin, USA
Sports	Falcons
Colors	Red & white
Nickname	Falcons
Mascot	Freddy Falcon
Website	www.uwrf.edu

South Hall is the oldest building on campus and is on the National Register of Historic Places; the original building (built 1874) burned down in 1897 and was replaced by this one in 1898. North Hall is the second oldest building on campus and is also on the National Register of Historic Places; it was constructed in 1914 and led the original Normal Hall to be renamed "South Hall".

The University of Wisconsin–River Falls (also known as UW–River Falls or UWRF) is a liberal arts university located in River Falls, Wisconsin. The 226-acre (91 ha) campus is situated on the scenic Kinnickinnic River in the St. Croix River valley. The university contains 32 major buildings and two laboratory farms with a total of 440 acres (178 ha) of land.

UWRF has an enrollment of over 6,900 students in more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs. Part of the University of Wisconsin System, it is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Also a member of the American Council of Education Internationalization Laboratory, UWRF provides several global studies and study abroad programs. The university has devoted itself to sustainability by creating the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development.

Athletic programs at UWRF compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in all sports except men's and women's ice hockey, currently members of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. The men's ice hockey team has won three national championships.

History

The original Normal Hall (renamed South Hall), as it appeared before it was destroyed by fire in 1897. This illustration is from the 1885 edition of the Wisconsin Blue Book.

The University of Wisconsin–River Falls was founded in 1874 as River Falls State Normal School, one of the state Normal schools created to prepare students for teaching careers to provide better education to their frontier regions. In 1926, the school was renamed River Falls State Teachers College, as the state Normal Schools were designated as "State Teachers Colleges", offering a four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor of Education degree that incorporated a significant increase in general education at all levels.

After World War II, the thousands of returning veterans in Wisconsin under the G.I. Bill needed more college choices for their studies and educational advancement. Popular demand pushed the State Teachers College system Regents to allow the original teacher training institutions to offer bachelor degrees in liberal arts and fine arts. In 1951, the state teachers colleges were formulated as "Wisconsin State Colleges," and the school name was changed to Wisconsin State College–River Falls, offering a full four-year liberal-arts curriculum. In 1964, it was renamed again as Wisconsin State University-River Falls, when the state colleges were all granted university status.

The school became a member of the University of Wisconsin System in 1971 when the former University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Universities merged. It was then called the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.

Today, UWRF is a progressive institution granting graduate degrees in several fields, with activities promoting advancement in research and the arts. The University remained loyal to its original purpose of teacher training, however, as it still operated the Campus School for many years. When the Campus School closed in the early 1980s, it was the last of its kind in the state.^{[citation needed]}

Overview

• Enrollment: 6,900 (as of the 2010-11 school year)
• Male (41%) Female (59%)
• Student/faculty ratio: 20:1
• Public-access television station: Cable Channel 19
• Radio station: WRFW FM(88.7 MHz)
• Newspaper: Student Voice
• Library book count: 220,447 volumes
• Student Senate: 25 students representing student body

Academics

The University has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the Council on Social Work Education, the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the National Association of School Psychologists, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Council for Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the American Chemical Society, and the American Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

Admissions and Demographics

UWRF offers over 40 majors. The Fall 2012 acceptance rate was 79.2% for incoming freshmen.

Rankings

The University of Wisconsin–River Falls is one of four University of Wisconsin System institutions included in The Princeton Review's 2011 list of the "Best in the Midwest." For 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked UWRF in the top tier for Regional Universities in the Midwest United States.

Colleges

UWRF houses four colleges, the college of agriculture, food and environmental sciences (CAFES); the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); the College of Business and Economics (CBE); and the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS).

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

The UWRF College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) was founded in 1912. It is consistently ranked as one of the top undergraduate agricultural programs in the nation and features the only agricultural engineering technology program in the state, one of the largest dairy science programs in the nation, as well as a unique agricultural studies program.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences offers majors in numerous disciplines including: Art, Communication Studies, English, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Modern Language, Music, Theatre Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Geography and Mapping Sciences, History, International Studies, Journalism, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Biotechnology, Broad Field Social Studies, Broad Field Science, and Marketing Communications. Minor programs are also offered in the following fields: Women's and Gender Studies, Asian Studies, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Philosophy, Digital Film & Television, and Film Studies. The college supports Pre-Professional Programs in Pre-Engineering, Pre-Law, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinary Medicine—and is actively involved in UWRF's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program. The College of Arts and Sciences also coordinates with the Teacher Education Program (College of Education and Professional Studies) to offer teacher certification in many of their major fields.

College of Business and Economics

The College of Business and Economics has programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science & Information Systems, Economics, Finance, Management and Marketing, as well as a Master of Business Administration program and an Adult Degree Completion Program.

Wyman Education Building after snowfall. The home of the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS).

College of Education and Professional Studies

The College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) is currently home to approximately 1400 students preparing for professional careers in communicative disorders, counseling, exercise and sport science, school psychology, social work, and teaching. The Teacher Education program was founded in 1874 and has received national recognition for excellence. C.H.I.L.D. Center is one of the College of Education and Professional Studies important components. It's open house was in September 2005 and was presented with a sculpture of Chancellor Ann Lydecker in remembrance of her. This Child Center is a $1.1 million dollar building that is 7,800 square feet with six classrooms, a kitchen, a motor-skills activity area, along with work and storage areas. It provides many different activities for up to 90 children ages 6 weeks to 10 years old such as: music, story-time, art, movement, and outdoor-time. It also serves as a fieldwork site for early childhood and elementary education, social work, communicative disorder, school psychology, and counseling majors.

Study Abroad

The University has over twenty formal international partnerships with institutions in countries including, China, Scotland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Germany which facilitate international studies and student exchanges. UWRF Global Connections offers a variety of different programs and through collaborations with other Wisconsin Universities provides almost fifty different countries to choose to study in. Global Connections offers various lengths of study abroad to a whole academic year, to one semester, or short term stay in the summer or J-term.

Guy Healy Japan Program

The Guy Healy Japan Program is one of the more unique programs UW-River Falls has to offer. Each summer, over 120 American students are sent out to Japan. Students selected for this program are sent out to various cities in Japan to become camp counselors. UW-River Falls is allowed to send around 20 students each year to represent our school. The program runs for about six weeks starting half way through July and ending towards the end of August. During this time, counselor's duties include teaching Japanese children the English language and many other fun camp activities. Although no credit is earned for being in this program, there are tons of benefits from being in this program. You are granted certain days off to do some sight seeing, looks great on a résumé and it is a cheap way to travel. Guy Healy will pay for your airfare, food, transportation, and a place to stay within Japan. For more information about this program you can either go to Global Connections in Hagestad or visit the Guy Healy page on the UW-River Falls website.

Wisconsin in Scotland Program

This program offers multiple opportunities for students to travel abroad to the beautiful country of Scotland. Students have the chance to experience foreign cultures in Scotland as well as travel to surrounding and other European countries during their stay. Courses are offered based on each session and semester. Students may apply for a one semester program during the academic school year or a 6 week summer program. Participating universities in the program include UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, UW-Superior, UW-Parkside, UW-Whitewater, UW-Colleges and Normandale Community College. Courses are taught by professors from the participating universities. Eligibility is based on a minimum GPA of 2.25, must have good academic standing, attend one of the participating universities, and obtain either a GED or high school diploma.

Tutoring Services

Students are encouraged to use the tutoring service on campus whenever help is needed. They are referred to as campus study centers and can be found in a few different academic buildings. These places include, Chalmer Davee Library, Centennial Science Hall, Klienpell Fine Arts, Agricultural Science Building and also North and South Halls. Tutoring is free and there is no appointment required at any of the study center locations.

Campus

The large campus at UWRF is divided by the picturesque south fork of the Kinnickinnic River that provides the opportunity for many outdoor recreational activities. The Kinnickinnic is a notable waterway for fishing, kayaking, canoeing and tubing. Students also take advantage of the large campus and open spaces for cross country skiing, biking, hiking, horseback riding and snowmobiling. The university is also home to the open air Melvin Wall Amphitheater that sponsors a summer concert series which attracts local bands from around the area and the state.

Many recent additions and renovations have been made to campus. North Hall, which prior to the construction of the Ames Teacher Education building, housed the Campus School, is now an administration building. The university opened a new student union called University Center in January 2007 to replace the Hagestad Student Center (renamed to Hagestad Hall), as well has the student cafeteria. A day-care center (The CHILD Center) was constructed and dedicated in 2004. In 2005, the university opened a suite-style residence hall named George R. Field South Fork Suites, serving 240 students. A locker room addition for the Hunt-Knowles Complex opened in 2005, serving the college athletic department and the Kansas City Chiefs during their summer training camp. In October 2007, the Dairy Learning Center complex was dedicated at the Mann Valley campus laboratory farm. The complex contains nine new buildings that provide significant ability for increased learning and research opportunities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. A new residence hall, Ames Suites, containing an additional 240 beds for sophomores opened in the fall of 2012. A new Health and Human Performance Building is currently in the planning phase to replace the aging Karges Physical Education Center.

Academic buildings

*Agricultural Engineering Annex (AEA)

• Agricultural Science Hall (AGS)
• Centennial Science Hall (CSH)
• Chalmer Davee Library (DL)
• Falcon Union Center on the Kinnikinic
• Food and Animal Science Addition (FSA)
• Emogene Nelson Building (ENB)
• Greenhouse (GH)
• Hunt Ice Area (ICE)
• Karges Center (KC)
• Kleinpell Fine Arts (KFA)
• Knowles Complex (KNO)
• North Hall (NH)
• Rodli Commons (ROD)
• South Hall (SH)
• Wyman Education Building (WEB)

Residence halls

Main article: UWRF Residence Halls

• Ames Suites - Sophomore housing, Coed
• Crabtree - Hall Coed
• George R. Field South Fork Suites - Upperclass, Coed
• Grimm Hall - Coed
• Hathorn Hall - Coed
• Johnson Hall - Coed
• May Hall - Coed
• McMillan Hall - Coed
• Parker Hall - Coed
• Prucha Hall - Coed
• UWRF Stratton Hall - Scattered Coed

Sustainability

UWRF received an A- grade on the 2011 College Sustainability Report Card. The university has created the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development, whose mission is "to support and facilitate the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in becoming one of the premier venues for deliberation and demonstration of sustainable community development principles."

Student life

Performing arts

Music

The music department at UWRF houses a number of instrumental ensembles, including the UWRF Symphony Band|Symphony Band, St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra, St. Croix Valley Community Band, Falcon Band, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Piano Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, and the String Chamber Music Ensemble. UWRF fields a number of vocal ensembles, including Concert Choir, Women's Chorus, Men's Chorus, Chamber Singers, and Community Chorus.

The Symphony Band has had many premiers and world known featured soloists over the course of its existence. Such artists include New York Philharmonic Tubist Alan Baer, Euphonium player Jason Ham, and Dr. Pat O'Keefe. This ensemble has performed numerous pieces of note, including Frank Ticheli's Clarinet Concerto and Johan de Meij's Euphonium Concerto.

The Jazz Ensemble has performed with a wide variety of artists as part of the UWRF Radd Jazz Series, specifically in the annual jazz festival. World-famous musicians such as Ernie Watts, Leonard Foy, and Mike Stern have all been guests to this fantastic event. Many area schools are enriched through this activity as well, making this event beneficial to everyone involved.

Theater arts

UWRF has a degree program in Theater Arts. The University Theatre produces three shows a year that vary in style, period and genre. There are two student organizations for Theatre Arts, Alpha Psi Omega, and Masquers.

Athletics

Main article: UWRF Falcons

UW-River Falls' athletic teams, known by their nickname, the Falcons, compete in 18 varsity sports in of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in NCAA Division III. Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, swimming and diving, and track and field. Women's sports are basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Men's and women's ice hockey teams compete in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.

Along with competitive NCAA sports, the university also offers club sports for students. These club sports give students the opportunity to enjoy playing sports less competitively than at the varsity level. Another benefit of club sports have is that they are easier to be a part of as you can find a club that works best with your schedule. Some of the club sports that are offered at the school are badminton, paintball, Jiu Jitsu, rugby and even rock climbing.

From 1991 to 2009, the Kansas City Chiefs used the university's athletic facilities during their annual summer training camp. The Chiefs moved their training camp to Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri in 2010. In 2007, the HBO sports documentary, Hard Knocks, followed the Chiefs throughout their summer training camp at UWRF. The series featured a number of university buildings, including the new student union, Rodli Commons, McMillan Hall, Ramer Field Complex, Hunt Ice Hockey Arena and Laboratory Farm #1.

Athletic facilities

• Emogene Nelson Center is a wing of May Hall that houses a strength and conditioning center, an aerobics studio, and a human performance lab.
• Hunt Arena, an ice arena, is home to the Falcon ice hockey teams during the season and hosts open skating.
• Intramural Complex consists of 22 acres of green space and houses: 4 softball fields, 8 soccer fields, 5 lacrosse fields, and 6 football fields.
• Karges Physical Education Center houses the Department of Health and Human Performance. Karges has a gymnasium, racquetball courts, dance studio, human performance lab and three classrooms. Men's and women's basketball and volleyball games are held here.
• Knowles Center is home to a 6-lane 200 meter indoor track, 4 full size basketball courts, 5 tennis courts and 2 batting cages. Knowles is also the home to Kinni Outdoor Adventures.
• Ramer Field is home to the UWRF football team.
• Ramer Softball Field is equipped with 2 covered dugouts, dirt infield, and is a regulation sized NCAA softball field where women's softball plays.
• Ramer Field Tennis Courts are home to the women's tennis teams. Consists of 8 hard-court tennis courts.

Intramurals

The UWRF Recreation and Sport Facility creates great opportunities for students and faculty who want to enjoy the numerous sporting events provided and get involved on campus. Flag Football, Volleyball, Soccer, and Women's Broomball are the biggest events for students in the fall semester. In the spring semester, 5 on 5 Basketball, Softball, Ultimate Frisbee, and Men's Broomball are the most popular competitions that bring students through the changing weather. All the intramural seasons are set up to take 4 to 5 weeks to complete. The champion of each event competition earns the prestigious title and posts on the school web site and Facebook. The winning team also receives an amazing custom designed T-shirt with the intramural champion title on the front. There are also some one-day intramural events such as Coed Sand Volleyball, Bean Bags Tournament, 3 on 3 Basketball, Dodgeball Tournament, Doubles Badminton, Rock climbing and Floor Hockey. The one-day events can change from semester to semester.

Intramurals play a significant role in UWRF student life for many different reasons. The organized recreation builds connections on campus when students form their teams, provide a respect for sportsmanship, encourage leadership, etc. Intramurals also create student job opportunities. The majority of the facilities are run by students. For example, the referees are all part-time jobs for students on campus. Intramurals are great opportunities for students who enjoy playing sports and want to get to know more people in the UWRF community.

Student Organizations

Main article: UWRF Student Organizations

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has over 150 student organizations on campus that range from athletic clubs to social fraternities/sororities and academic honoraries. The Office of Student Life's goal is to provide students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and enable students to become engaged citizens within our community.

Greek life plays a small role at UWRF. UWRF's 7,000-member student body plays a large role on keeping characters small. Basically there are less people interested in Greek life since UWRF is a smaller school. The ten social fraternities and sororities represented on campus are Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Collegiate Panhellenic Council, Greek Progamming Board, Interfraternity Council, Order of Omega, Phi Mu, Sigma Alpha, and Theta Chi.

Sports and recreation plays a big role at UWRF. The rodeo club is one of the organizations that falls into this category. The UWRF Rodeo History began in 1964 by David Stafford who organized UWRF Rodeo club. The club included over 50 members in less than one year and they continue to get more and more members. The rodeo club hosts a rodeo once a year in September and they have been doing this for over 45 years. There are nearly 500 competitors from colleges and universities around River Falls. The club travels to compete in many rodeos throughout the year. No experience is needed to become a part of this club.

Here are some categories that can be used to list the organizations offered at UWRF:

• Academic/Major Related - 33 organizations. This category is for organizations that are related in some way to classes that you may be taking or your field of study. There is at least one organization for each different organization on campus.
• Greek Life -10 organizations. This category is for those that are interested in becoming a part of a fraternity or sororities on campus. Each different organization has different qualifications.
• Hobbies/Social - 35 organizations. This category is for those that want to get their mind off of school work and be a part of something they enjoy. This may include playing chess, riding horses, working with young children. There are a variety of options available.
• Identity-Based Cultural - 9 organizations. This category is for people that are from diverse backgrounds, or those that enjoy talking about diversity. For example there is French club, German club,Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and much more.
• Media/Publications - 4 organizations. This category is for students that enjoy working with technology,television, film,and radio.
• Performance/Performing Arts - 5 organizations. This category is for students that are involved in theater,acting,dancing,and band.
• Political - 2 organizations. This category is for students that are interested in politics. There is a organization for Democrats and Republicans.
• Religion/Spirituality - 9 organizations. This category is for those that want to be involved with religion. There are many different religions offered. Some of these organizations are through local churches.
• Residence Life - 15 organizations. There is an organization for each hall on campus. The roles are to keep the environment safe for all students to learn and grow.
• Service/Social Action - 5 organizations. This category is for students who are passionate and committed to take action that makes a positive change within their personal life, family, school, campus, community, or the world at a large.
• Sports/Recreation - 17 organizations. This category is for students that are interested in sports. The organizations that are offered are sports that are not as time-consuming as if you were on a Varsity sport. Some of these include: Rugby Club, Volleyball club, Jujutsu Club, and many more.
• Student Government - 1 organization. This category is for students that are interested in politics. The members discuss problems that affect not only the students on campus, but the many issues statewide.

Student Services

Childcare Services

The following is a short list of some of the services that will be provided for each individual UWRF student and their child:

• UWRF students with 12 undergraduate credits or 9 graduate credits may qualify for student rates and will be given priority for enrollment.
• There is a $40 non-refundable registration fee per UWRF student family. There is a $75 non-refundable registration fee per community member family. This and the first week's tuition are due at the time of enrollment.
• A well-balanced schedule of large/small group activities, outdoor/indoor activities and restful/active play times.
• Nutritious snacks and meals provided each day.
• Each classroom provides teacher-planned activities and child-initiated activities.
• The children have access to age-appropriate games and equipment to help the child develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, at his/her own pace.
• Individual attention to a child's unique needs, capabilities and background.

Student Support Services

UWRF provides Student Support Services (SSS), an organization associated with the federal TRIO program. A government funded program through the United States Department of Education, SSS is designed to assist students with basic college requirements, and motivate students toward the successful completion of their post secondary education. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants. The SSS program is free to qualified applicants. To apply, any student can fill out a four-page application and mail it to the Student Support Services/Academic Success Center. After a month long review period, the student will be notified whether they were accepted into the program. If the student is not accepted into the program there is no limit on how many times they can apply, and the student can apply again the next semester. Once a student has been accepted into the SSS Program they will be assigned a coach who will help them in their goals throughout the year and make sure they stay on track to graduate. There are four different coaches, whose purpose is to provide additional academic support to the student. The program can make the transition from high school to college easier as students learn better strategies for studying and taking tests, and also get to know other students on campus.

Faculty

UWRF faculty have earned numerous teaching awards, including the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award. 100 percent of classes taught at UWRF are taught by professors and lecturers (not teaching assistants).

Notable faculty

• Osborne Cowles, basketball coach
• John Q. Emery, one of the early university presidents
• Edward N. Peterson, historian
• Michael Norman, author

Notable alumni

• William Berndt, Wisconsin State Senate
• Daniel Brandenstein, astronaut
• Nate DeLong, former NBA player
• Kristen Dexter, former member of Wisconsin State Assembly
• Steve Drazkowski, Minnesota politician
• Jim Hall, programmer
• Boyd Huppert, journalist (Kare 11)
• Robert P. Knowles, Wisconsin State Senate
• Michael Norman,author
• Michael J. Nelson, comedian (did not graduate)
• Mark W. Neumann, former congressman
• Francis Paul Prucha, Roman Catholic priest and educator
• Tom Tiffany, Wisconsin State Assembly
• Harvey Stower, Wisconsin State Assembly
• David Swensen, Chief Investment Officer, Yale University and member of President Barack Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board
• Cathy Wurzer, journalist
• Mike Young, minor league player and manager, Australia national baseball team player and coach and Australia national cricket team fielding coach

External links

• Official website
• Official athletics website
• Accreditations
• University Advancement (Alumni and Foundation)
• Official UWRF Intramurals website
• "U.S. Department of Education page for Upward Bound Math-Science (UBMS)". Retrieved 20 March 2013.