Wayne Peterson Story

It’s not every day you meet someone who studied with the prestigious teachers that many of the UW-River Falls campus buildings are named after, but Wayne Peterson ('57) is one such alumnus.

“During my time at UWRF, I was a lab assistant to Professor Ed Prucha who taught bacteriology in the College of Agriculture,” Peterson said.  “I learned a great deal from him, and was thankful I was given the opportunity to work under his guidance.”

Peterson also studied under agriculture professors Arthur Johnson, Melvin Wall, Dick DeLorit and Director of Agriculture, John May. He knew influential faculty and administrators such as Marion Hawkins, Walker Wyman and President Kleinpell.

As it is for many alumni, it was Peterson’s meaningful relationships with faculty that drove his successful undergraduate career and motivated his pride in the university. His loyalty is so strong that it has inspired him to develop a giving plan that provides for UWRF students both now, and after he is gone. 

Peterson first established the annual Petersons' Valley View Farm Scholarship in 2003. It awards $2,500 to one or more high school seniors who will be entering the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science. The award is renewable annually if the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA and stays in the college.

"The only hope for the future is young people," he said. "I am happy to give my money to help educate our future."

Peterson is also busy updating his will so UWRF will receive a majority of his estate.

“The Foundation has sent me a lot of information about planned giving, and giving through my estate appealed to me. This is the best money I have ever spent. I can’t think of a better way that I could have spent it.”

Peterson received one of the first non-teaching bachelor’s degrees from the UWRF, then called Wisconsin State College-River Falls, and he went on to receive his graduate degree in college administration. He currently lives on his family farm in Gleenwood City, Wis., where he hosts a summer concert series called Concerts in the Country.

Wayne Peterson, '57

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