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UW-RF Notes Contributions of Two Regional Leaders
NOV. 12, 2004--Two well-known regional leaders have been recognized
by UW-River Falls for their extensive assistance to the University.
Named as recipients of the Outstanding Service Award are Steve Healy,
president and chief executive officer of Pierce Pepin Cooperatives Services,
Inc., and James Tiedke, director of retail services strategic marketing
for Agriliance Cooperative in St. Paul.
They will be presented with their awards during the University’s
Fall Commencement set for Dec. 18 in the Knowles Physical Education and
Recreation Center.
Interim Chancellor Virgil Nylander praised the breadth and depth of their
service to UW-RF.
"Both Steve and Jim have been solid supporters of the University
in their advice and counsel on our academic programs by serving on advisory
boards, and by providing scholarships, internships and employment to our
students. They actively seek out ways to bring their expertise and those
of others to campus to form partnerships and collaborations that ensure
the University remains vibrant and connected to business, industry, agriculture
and the larger region so that we can assist it effectively in economic
development.
"They are models of how a local citizen can make a difference. The
University and the surrounding communities have benefited because of their
vision and actions in service to others."
The recommendation to name Healy and Tiedke was forwarded to Nylander
by the Faculty Senate External Relations Committee, which received nomination
from faculty and staff.
Among those nominating Healy was Dean Barbara Nemecek of the College of
Business and Economics. She noted that Healy, who is a 1973 agricultural
business graduate of UW-RF, chairs the college’s advisory board.
He played a key role in chairing the board as the unit transitioned from
a school to a college, while assisting with its strategic planning effort.
Healy previously served two terms on the advisory council for the College
of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences and served as its chair.
Additionally, he plays a pivotal role with the Federated Youth Foundation
Board of Directors, which has provided scholarships to UW-RF students.
He also collaborates with UW-RF by supporting its annual Youth Leadership
Conference that brings high school students to campus for summer education
programs.
CAFES Dean Steve Ridley noted that Healy also provided internships for
UW-RF students, as well as participating in its free-market training program
for Eastern European leaders.
Tiedke, who is a 1981 agronomy graduate of UW-RF, was cited for his service
on the CAFES Advisory Council and the CAFES Ag Alumni Association Board.
Tiedke also was instrumental to securing donations for the planned construction
of the University’s proposed $10.4 million Dairy Learning Center.
Dean Ridley noted that through Tiedke’s advocacy Agriliance is the
largest employer of UW-RF agronomy graduates and is a significant contributor
to students the form of internships and scholarships.
Ridley added that Tiedke also played a role in creating an agreement between
UW-RF and Agriliance. Through the internationally known cooperative (formerly
Cenex/Land O’Lakes), Tiedke organized a field day at UW-RF’s
Mann Valley Farm for the senior leadership of the cooperative. He also
assisted in organizing a career fair at the farm. Ridley explained that
with the wealth of job opportunities in agronomy and the scarcity of prospective
students to pursue those occupations, the fair was highly useful in exposing
high school and college students to agronomy career choices.
In addition, Tiedke is a frequent lecturer to agriculture business marketing
classes and regularly shares his professional expertise as a coach for
students at the campus’s career days.
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Last updated:
Tuesday, 30-Nov-2004 10:14:41 CST
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