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July 9 , 2007
In this Issue:
- Chancellor commits to 'Climate Neutral' campus
- Campus receives USDA grant for sustainable ag project
- Kansas City Chiefs announce camp dates; Vikings coming to River Falls
- HBO's "Hard Knocks" coming to chiefs summer camp
- Twin Cities Adult Education Alliance offers Valley businesses education advantages
- Summer Theatre sets musical, comedy performances
- Newsletter recognized with international communications award
- Polish your photography skills using the St. Croix as the backdrop
- St. Croix is a ‘River of Words’ for this writing class
- Learn river canoeing on the St. Croix
- Valley non-profit arts groups add $16.45 million to local economy
- Adult enrichment classes planned for Fall
- UWRF free concert series features Kids from Wisconsin
- Key Business Contacts
1. Chancellor commits to 'Climate Neutral' campus
Chancellor Don Betz on June 12, joined more than 300 other college and university presidents to formally commit to sharply reducing and eventually eliminating all of the university's global warming emissions. Betz also pledged to accelerate the research and educational efforts to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate.
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment was adopted at a summit of higher education leaders in Washington, D.C.
"Global warming is a defining challenge of our time," said Betz. "Human activities are responsible for the problem, and working together humans have the capacity to solve the problem. That means taking serious action today to stop adding global warming pollution to the atmosphere. UWRF is committed to leading the way."
UWRF will create a comprehensive institutional action plan to move toward climate neutrality. In addition, in the short term it is strengthening its actions in these areas:
- Adopting green standards for buildings;
- Requiring ENERGY STAR certification for products purchased by the university;
- Offsetting emissions due to air travel;
- Encouraging public transportation;
- Purchasing energy from renewable sources; and
- Supporting climate and sustainability shareholder proposals.
These efforts build on UWRF's ongoing commitment to sustainability, including achieving a directive by Gov. Jim Doyle to be energy-neutral by 2012, and the forming of the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development, which is assisting communities in economic development as well as sociological and environmental sustainability.
For more information about UWRF's sustainability efforts, visit http://www.uwrf.edu/sustain/.
2. UWRF, CVTC receives USDA grant to develop sustainable agriculture education
U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl announced June 21 that UWRF is the recipient of a $460,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a sustainable agriculture project.
"This is exciting news for UW-River Falls and our state's agricultural community," said Kohl, who is chairperson of the Senate's Agriculture Appropriations Panel and directs funding initiatives for sustainable agriculture research as part of the USDA's annual budget. "Sustainable agriculture projects like these promote profitable farming through sound environmental practices. Wisconsin has been a leader in this practice of farming and has proven that it is both effective and efficient. I'm proud that UW-River Falls has won this competitive grant."
Michael Crotser, an associate professor in the department of plant and earth science, will be director of the project, which is a multi-faceted collaboration between UWRF, Chippewa Valley Technical College and Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service.
The grant will allow UWRF to establish a sustainable agriculture major within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and infuse sustainable agriculture content and practices into the college's other agriculture science programs. Currently, UWRF offers a sustainable agriculture option within CAFES' crops and soils program and a sustainable community development option through CAFES' master of science program.
New courses in sustainable agriculture will be offered though CVTC's landscape horticulture diploma program, and sustainable practices will be infused into courses in CVTC's associate degree programs in animal science and agronomy.
The federal grant also will provide for the creation of outreach seminars and workshops for area residents and agricultural producers as well as high school teachers and their students to learn the principles of sustainability and develop skills in organic food and fiber production and to connect with current industry practitioners.
3. Kansas City Chiefs announce camp dates; Vikings coming to River Falls
The Kansas City Chiefs will return to UWRF on July 26 for the team’s 17th summer training campu.
Highlights for the camp include joint practice sessions with the Minnesota Vikings.
On Friday, Aug. 3, the Chiefs will travel to Mankato, Minn., for a 6:30 p.m. practice with the Vikings. The on Saturday, Aug. 4, the Vikings will visit UWRF for a 7 p.m. practice with the Chiefs at Ramer Field Sports Complex.
Family Fun Night, the annual autograph night, is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 8. The evening also will feature games for youngsters, skydivers, and fireworks.
The camp also will feature the annual Punt, Pass & Kick Competition for youngsters on Saturday, July 28, at 1 p.m. The free event features competitions for boys in age groups 8-13. This year for the first time there will be a girls’ competition for the age groups of 8-10 and 11-13. The top three finishers in each category will be awarded a trophy, and all participants will receive a ribbon. For the past five years, youngsters have received their trophies from Coaches Herb Edwards and Dick Vermeil during a special awards ceremony following Family Fun Night practice.
Kids Days are scheduled for the mornings of July 31 and Aug. 7, and a Seniors Day is set for Aug. 1. To register for either of these days call 715-425-3771.
For more information about the camp visit www.uwrf.edu/chiefs or call 800-4-KCC-KCC.
4. HBO's "Hard Knocks" taping 700 hours of Chiefs Summer Camp
One of the most popular shows broadcast on HBO, "Hard Knocks," will be produced again this year and it will have a local flavor with the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp at UW-River Falls taking center stage.
"Hard Knocks" chronicles the trials and tribulations at an NFL training camp complete with behind-the-scene details of coaches and players interacting in meeting rooms, resting after long days of practices, and even witnessing young and old being released and dreams ending. It will follow the Chiefs at summer training camp in River Falls and back to Kansas City as the team prepares for the 2007 season.
"This is another great opportunity to show off UW-River Falls, our community and the St. Croix River valley," said Chancellor Don Betz. "Working with the Chiefs has given us many benefits, and this is another one that will be in front of millions of viewers."
The NFL crew of 26 will videotape over 700 hours of training camp.
The first segment will be broadcast on HBO on Tuesday, Aug. 8. It will continue for four additional Tuesdays, with re-broadcasts on Thursdays.
The league's NFL Films, a multi-Emmy award winning company, will do the production and the editing. In layman's terms, NFL Films will be the storyteller and it's work that president Steve Sabol, who has been the face of NFL Films since his father Ed handed him the reins, has long enjoyed.
Four NFL Films crews of 26 persons will be on campus from the start of camp and will stay on campus for every day of the camp.
At a visit to UWRF on Sunday, June 3, six members of NFL Films were talking, measuring, asking questions and getting answers about the University and the training camp. The group,included a producer, director, audio technician and cameramen, and staff showed them the campus venues that the Chiefs use throughout the three-week training camp. The crew toured several sites including residence halls, the University Center, meeting rooms, practice fields, Hunt Arena and the Knowles Building.
5. Twin Cities Adult Education Alliance offers Valley businesses education advantages
West-central Wisconsin business owners can now access the convenience of a one-stop shop to provide information on continuing education for their employees. The UW-River Falls is the newest member of the Twin Cities Adult Education Alliance and will work with local organizations to bring the advantages of this partnership to western Wisconsin.
TCAEA is made up of 24 leading, accredited metro-area educational institutions that present comprehensive education fairs to companies and organizations that encourage and promote educational opportunities for their employees.
Members are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. All TCAEA members provide career-related undergraduate or graduate level, adult-friendly programs.
Education fairs are provided at no cost to the company and may be customized to meet your employees’ needs. Participating employees are also eligible to receive a TCAEA scholarship toward tuition at one of the TCAEA member institutions.
Visit the web site at www.tcaea.org for more information or contact Deb Wulf, UWRF, deborah.wulf@uwrf.edu or 715/425-3256, to schedule an education fair at your location.
6. Summer Theatre sets musical, comedy performances
The St. Croix Valley Summer Theatre continues with a line-up of musicals and comedies.
Nearly 70 talented actors, designers and technicians from Minneapolis to Spring Valley, Wis., and from Dresser to Prescott are presenting three summer stage productions.
Highlighting the season is “Disney’s High School Musical,” the stage production based on the wildly popular Disney Channel film. A cast of nearly 40 young people sing all the music from the original movie and several additional songs. The 10 performances run July 31, Aug. 1 – 4 and 8 - 11, at 7:30 p.m.; and Aug. 5 at 1:30 p.m.
The delightful, old-time musical “Radio Gals” is a family show about makeshift radio station WGAL and its “all-woman orchestra,” which broadcasts from a small Arkansas town in the late 1920s. The problem is they don’t have a license and the government tries to shut them down. Performances run July 10- 12, 14, 18-21 at 7:30 p.m., and July 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Individual ticket prices range from $10 to $16, with special discounts for matinee and season ticket packages.
For ticket information, telephone the SCVST box office at: 715-425-3114 or 800-228-5423. For 2007 SCVST season information, telephone 715-425-3971, email: scvst@uwrf.edu, or online at www.uwrf.edu/scvst.
7. Campus electronic daily newsletter recognized with international communications award
Falcon Daily, the electronic newsletter for faculty and staff at UWRF, has been recognized with a Hermes Creative Gold Award, presented through the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.
More than 3,500 entries were submitted in the 2007 competition from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies and free-lancers.
The international organization consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, media production and free-lance professionals.
Falcon Daily was launched a year ago as a means to collect administrative, faculty and staff communications into a single source. Published each morning during the school year, it includes institutional announcements, governance meeting information and human resources notices.
It features headlines from Wisconsin, regional and national media about public higher education. Other editorial content includes a column, "Did You Know," about a unique aspect of the University, as well as a feature photo.
Falcon Daily is a production of the UWRF Office of Public Affairs. Deb Toftness of River Falls serves as editor; Jens Gunelson of River Falls provides photography; regular contributors are Brenda Bredahl and Jim Thies, both of Hudson; Mike Woolsey, who works in the UWRF publications office and is a River Falls resident, designed the technology infrastructure; and Mark Kinders of River Falls is executive editor.
Among other Gold Award winners are the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the California Lottery, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PBS, The American Legion, The Humane Society of the United States, the Wilderness Society, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the American Automobile Association, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Mastercard Worldwide, RE/MAX International, American Airlines, Sylvan Learning Centers, Ceridian, and the Minnesota State Fair.
This is the second award for Falcon Daily, which was recognized with an International Communicators Award of Distinction in 2006.
To subscribe to Falcon Daily visit http://www.uwrf.edu/falcon-daily/mlsubscribe.php.
8. Polish your photography skills using the St. Croix as the backdrop
Take better pictures and learn more about your equipment using the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway as a photographic canvas. Explore light, contrast, and texture as you experiment with settings, formats and other tricks with your digital camera in this noncredit course for adults offered through the St. Croix River Institute http://www.uwrf.edu/ogs/stcroix. Digital cameras are required; a flash, tripod and camera manual are also recommended.
Instructor Joe Adams worked for more than 19 years as a photojournalist before finishing his career with CBS Television. During that time he received over 500 awards for photos, documentaries and multi-media productions.
The class is offered July 7 or Aug. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants meet at the new National Park Service visitor center in St. Croix Falls. Registration is free but limited to the first 15 participants for each class date. Call 715/483-2272 for more information or to register.
9. St. Croix is a ‘River of Words’ for this writing class
Nuture your creative voice and slow to the pace of the river. Open the door for your personal interpretation of the river and connection to it through your own writing, art, poetry and journaling in this free, noncredit course offered through the St. Croix River Institute http://www.uwrf.edu/ogs/stcroix .
Instructor and National Park Ranger Dale Cox has worked as a wilderness ranger, forest-fire fighter, naturalist, storyteller and educator. Dale stresses the importance of not just connecting people to the resource, but of nurturing the creative voice as a way of encouraging stewardship, self-expression and community celebration.
Class is held July 14 and Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants meet at the new National Park Service visitor center in St. Croix Falls. Registration is free but limited to the first 16 participants for each class date. Call 715/483-2272 for more information and to register.
10. Learn river canoeing on the St. Croix
Increase your enjoyment of the river in a canoe! Build basic skills, practice fundamental strokes and discuss safety. Paddle on Lake of the Dells and then down the river from Interstate Park to the Osceola Landing. Canoes, PFD’s and paddles provided. Participants must be adults in good physical condition and with the ability to swim.
Instructor Charles Rader is a certified river canoe instructor with the American Canoe Association. An avid canoeist and canoe builder, Charlie has paddled the St. Croix extensively. While not paddling, he is a professor of geography at UW-River Falls.
Class is offered July 20 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the National Park Service St. Croix National Scenic Riverway’s Osceola Landing. The registration fee of $105 includes equipment and instruction. Registration forms and more information are available on the St. Croix River Institute web site.
11. Valley non-profit arts groups add $16.45 million to local economy
Nonprofit arts, historical and cultural organizations in the St. Croix Valley contributed at least $16.45 million to the region’s economy and are a significant, critical component to the valley’s outstanding quality of life, said Randy Cohen, vice president of policy and research at Washington, D.C.-based Americans for the Arts, who announced the results of the region’s participation in a national arts and economic impact survey at an event June 11 at The Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wis.
Cohen was the keynote speaker to an audience of 300 and was joined on stage at the event by George Tzougros, executive director of the Wisconsin Arts Board and Minnesota Rep. Julie Bunn (District 56A to discuss how the nonprofit arts industry is a significant contributor to the economy of the bi-state region spanning the lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Other significant findings from the SCV participation in AFTA’s national Arts and Economic Prosperity III survey of economic impact including:
- 384 equivalent full-time jobs are created by the organizations’ activities;
- $7.16 million in resident household income is generated;
- $435,000 in local government tax revenues are generated;
- $1,144,000 in state government revenues are generated;
- $6.84 million is spent for operations, goods and services by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations;
- $9.61 million is spent in event-related economic activity by audiences; the figure does not include admission fees or ticket costs.
- Visitors from outside of the region spend almost three times that of residents ($36.55 per person) on related spending including restaurants, parking, lodging, child care and retail. This is higher than the national average of non-resident attendees spending twice that of resident attendees.
- Visitors from outside of the region make up 24% of event audiences.
- Residents spend an average of $13.62 in incidentals such as restaurants, child care, parking and related retail.
- Spending in the St. Croix Valley makes up almost 4 percent of the $418.06 million in nonprofit arts and culture spending in Wisconsin.
The benchmark economic impact study included some 90 nonprofit arts, historical and cultural organizations in the scenic river valley spanning Minnesota and Wisconsin of almost 150 that were invited to participate.
For the national AEP III findings visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact .
Participation in the St. Croix Valley study was co-sponsored by the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation and The Phipps Center for the Arts. The Wisconsin Arts Board and the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation provided funding for the project. The study’s steering committee included The Phipps Center for the Arts, St. Croix Valley Community Foundation, ArtReach Alliance, the College of Arts and Sciences at UWRF, Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, Northern Lakes Center for the Arts, St. Croix Economic Development Corp., Pierce County Economic Development Corp. and the St. Croix Valley Regional Tourism Alliance.
12. Adult enrichment classes planned for Fall
Language and art classes for adults are to be offered at UWRF this fall. The noncredit classes will be held in the evenings and are designed for anyone 18 years and older. All classes are on the UWRF campus, with free parking.
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to expand your horizons and learn a new skill. Contact UWRF Outreach Programs by email to outreach@uwrf.edu and request to be notified when registration details are available. Or check the web site at www.uwrf.edu/outreach.
13. UWRF free concert series features Kids from Wisconsin
The annual Summer Concert Series at UWRF will be held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Melvin Wall Amphitheatre on campus. The free concerts will be moved to the University Center in the event of rain.
Here are the remaining concerts:
July 10. Bill Miller (Native American usic and Storytelling). 2005 Grammy winner for Best Native American Music Album, Miller shares the rich heritage of his Native American roots through storytelling and music.
July 17. Tommy Bentz Band (rock/jam band). The Tommy Bentz Band shows us, through great musicianship and songwriting, what real Rock-n-Roll is all about!
July 24. Kids from Wisconsin.The Kids from Wisconsin are made up of the sought-out, musically talented youth of Wisconsin. Their incredible vocalists, musicians, and dancers will surely entertain you!
For more information call 715-425-4444.
14. Key Business Contacts
Don't know where to start to find help on business matters?
Try these contacts:
Area Resource Center: www.uwrf.edu/current/info/AtoZ.phtml
Career Services: www.uwrf.edu/ccs/
Center For Economic Research: 715/425-3335
Center for Economic Education: 715/425-3269
College of Business and Economics:
www.uwrf.edu/cbe/
Outreach and Graduate Studies: www.uwrf.edu/ogs/
Small Business Development Center:
715/425-0620
Survey Research Center: 715/425-0701
UW-RF BizNews is produced by the College of Business
& Economics, Outreach and Graduate Studies, Career
and Counseling Services, and the Office of Public Affairs.
Questions, comments or suggestions about this BizNews
E-mail? Contact Mark.A.Kinders@uwrf.edu.
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