Chancellor's Awards

• Cassie Christian, a senior chemistry major from Blaine, Minn., has participated in multiple research projects and is vice president of the Chemistry Club. She was instrumental in founding Nobel Prize Night to teach the community about achievements in the sciences and other disciplines recognized by these annual awards. Cassie has also served as president of the Chancellor’s Student Ambassadors.
• Brendan Fernlund, a senior broad field social studies and history major from St. Paul, Minn., has served as a resident assistant and community assistant. Brendan has been legislative affairs director in the Student Government Association and a Chancellor’s Student Ambassador. To encourage students and staff to experience smoked meats, Brendan created a new club on campus, the Falcon Pitmasters.
• Annika Gunderson, a senior from North Branch, Minn., majoring in elementary education and Spanish education is a student-athlete. She has captained the track and field team, holds school records in the pole vault and is a six-time national qualifier. Known as a positive, inclusive role model, she works with young students in the classroom and on the track.
• Eva Malm is a senior from Stillwater, Minn., majoring in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Advocating for people with disabilities is a passion for Eva. She has served as a Disability Resource Center mentor and student ambassador. She also has been both vice president and president of DREAM (Disability Rights Education Activism Mentoring).
• Em Murray, a junior from Beloit majoring in criminology and sociology, has served as president of the Student Feminist Organization. In one project, Em collaborated with her peers to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women. She is a Disability Resource Center peer mentor and an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Nhi Nguyen, a senior biomedical and health science major from Hudson has demonstrated a commitment to academic success, research and mentorship. Her passion for scientific discovery is evident in her research on breast cancer cell mobility, which has been highlighted at numerous meetings and conferences, including the 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Pittsburgh.
• Sasha Resig is a senior from Minneapolis majoring in international studies, geography and Spanish. Sasha, who speaks Spanish, Russian and Hebrew, has participated in study abroad programs in Europe and Central America. He completed an internship in national security and has been recognized for his leadership skills in student government and residence life.
• Jack Schindler Van Hoof is a senior English major from Hudson. As president and editor of The Student Voice, Jack has expanded the newspaper’s coverage of investigative stories, human-interest features and public affairs content. His work has been recognized by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, earning multiple awards for excellence in collegiate journalism.
• Katrina Steele is a senior from Bismarck, N.D., majoring in neuroscience, psychology, and biomedical and health science. She excels academically and in scientific research while dedicating herself to uplifting others. Working as an emergency medical technician with Allina Health, Katrina also balances overnight shifts with her class workload, helping patients through emergencies with empathy and professionalism.

Requirements:

• Must have junior, senior or graduate student status.     
• Must be in good academic and non-academic standing.
• Must not be a past recipient of the award.

Criteria for Selection: A Chancellor’s Award for Students recipient should demonstrate:

1. Outstanding service and leadership on campus and/or in the community.
2. A commitment to the core values of the institution.
3. Positive and inspiring personal traits, including a proactive, motivating attitude; courage and resiliency; innovation and creativity.
4. Exemplary contributions, in terms of service and leadership, in one or more of the following areas:
   1. Undergraduate Research: Supporting and promoting a culture of undergraduate research, scholarly and creative activity across campus; showing exceptional leadership when attending professional meetings and conferences. 
   2. Inclusivity: Committing to creating an environment of mutual respect, professional behavior, academic freedom and appreciation of individual differences and rich cultural diversity; understanding the systemic concepts of social justice and promoting inclusivity in our campus community.  
   3. Service to the Community: Exhibiting the traits of servant leadership; fostering hope and effecting real change within the community beyond campus.
   4. Service to the University: Enriching the lives of fellow students, by building better student organizations and by contributing to a more just and caring campus. 

Nomination Process:

For each nominee, the following must be submitted:

1. Nomination form (submit online via this link)
2. A current resume of the nominee.
   1. This document needs to be uploaded at the time of completing the online nomination form.
3. A letter of nomination from the individual completing the nomination form.
   1. This document needs to be uploaded at the time of completing the online nomination form.
4. At least two letters of support (these are in addition to the nominator's letter of nomination).
   1. Letters of support can either be uploaded with the nomination form, choose UWRF students/employees to send a message to requesting that they write and upload a letter of support or submit letter(s) via email by the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Please email attachments in PDF or Microsoft Word doc format to studentaward@uwrf.edu. Please include the name of the nominee in all file names. Incomplete nominations will not be considered.
   2. Letters of support may come from UWRF faculty or advisers, UWRF staff, external organization leaders, fellow students or the candidates themselves. Please note that anyone outside of @uwrf.edu or @my.uwrf.edu email addresses, will need to submit their letter of support via email to studentaward@uwrf.edu. Please include the name of the nominee in all file names.

Any questions pertaining to the nomination process should be sent to studentaward@uwrf.edu.

Selection Committee

• Chief of Staff (chair)
• one appointee from Student Affairs
• one faculty member from each of the three academic colleges
• two appointees from the Student Senate   

• 2024: Mark Buchmann, Chloe Heifner, Lexi Janzer, Kendra Jentz, Mayala Keita, Veronica Klenke, SirrNay Ku, Kalli Kubly, Samuel Peters, Lauren Schmelzer
• 2023: Samuel Anzai, James Bowers, Carisa Cleven, Matthew Fischer, Collin Gartner, Dylan Jensen, Linnea Milner
• 2022: Kaye Anderson, Courtney Carson, Ian Carter, Isabella Forliti, Brigitte Ledferd, Natalie Rodgers, Joe Schlies, Kit Zuelke
• 2021: Sophie Ackerman, Magdala Diersen, Dannie Esterline, Adam Leseman, Ezekiel Olakunle, Violet Penman, Morgan Leigh Anderson, Marie-Ange Kivi
• 2020: Whitney Baehr, Rachel Harris, Kiana Johnson, Mirza Naveed, Tate Schlichting, Bryanne Stites, Paul Tietz, Faith Velez, Amarea Witt
• 2019: Temi Abiodun, Lamah Bility, Soobin Lee, Caleb Rossin, Ali Slaughter, Michelle Stage
• 2018: Alanna Bram, Zain Kaiser, Samantha Pedek, Kristy Strain, Abby Wendt
• 2017: Alexandra Klapoetke, Christopher Morgan, Pang Tao Moua, Brittany Rambatt, Kate Theisen, Xiaoqi Wang
• 2016: Jessica (JJ) Knapp, Madeline Pemberton,  Emma Sweet, Angela Ludvigsen, Marie-Morrella Kponou, Mohammad Battah
• 2015: Lyndsay Hage, Haley Klinker, Cheng-Yen (Peter) Lee , RJ Pfeifer, Daniel Saunders, Sam Tauchen, Julie Vang
• 2014: Anwar Abda, Gustavo Jose Cavalheiro, Liyuan Feng, Katrina Hanson, Danielle Peterson, Erica Stafford
• 2013: Elizabeth Byers, Karen Edlebeck, Lauren Evans, Ashley Goettl, Amy Graham
• 2012: Grace Adofoli, Danielle Hammer, Becky Jones, Camryn Nelson, Kim Schadrie, Adam Sibenaller, Lee Underdahl
• 2011: Katie Anderson, Kellie Claflin, Nene Eze, Bradley Kerschner, Colleen Kopel, Whitney Peissig, Nikki Shonoiki
• 2010: Ross Bender, Bryan Bodrog, Jordan Harshman, Teresa Pollock, Amie Stillman, Hiya Zhang
• 2009: Jacob Cavanaugh, Krista Hasselquist, Joshua Lambert, Amanda Leisch, Rebecca Peine, Melissa Ploeckelman, Charles Sowa
• 2008: Anthony Anderson, Stephen Baisden, Elizabeth Barnett, Catherine Bollig, Natalie Hagberg, Tanya Hartwig, Chunlan Li, Shelby Rubbelke, Hli Vang
• 2007: Joseph Eggers, Lacey Felmlee, Jonathan Hill, Kathryn Krtnick, Natsumi Kubo, Katharine Leisch, Vang Lo, Ashley Olson, Nicole Peters
• 2006: Nicholas Cluppert, O'Neal Hampton, Stephanie Jicinsky, Jessica Kopp, Kristofer Kulsrud, Megan Learman, Carolyn Schenk
• 2005: Leon Gbee, Jeremy Kalal, Kendra Plant, Nicholas Sirek, Lindsay Starr, Mary Vang
• 2004: Joanna Arguello, Brandon Bruder, Amanda Bryan, Ashley Ryan Hawke, Mindy Naef, Angela Roggenbuck
• 2003: Megan Clarke, Terrence Galbreath, Manjesh Gurnani, Ryan Perkl, Dawn Puro, Nicole Schoenemann
• 2002: Jill Englmann, Anne Moberg, Diane Reese, Christopher Silver, Jennifer Sweet, Rhonda Willers
• 2001: Leah Addington, Derek Anderson, Rustin Callier, David Chell, Tawana Hanamann, Rebecca Liegl, Paige Steele
• 2000: Sarah Egerstrom, Amy Sue Gaede, Amy Jurgens, Jennifer Russell, Jared Schaffner, Ezra Zeitler
• 1999: Nelda Bailey, Robin Boles, Jeremy Daus, Julie Giese, Jamie Gugala, MacKenzie Guptil, Jonathan Platson, Scott Schlichter, Susan Sharma, Sharaine Smith, Kristopher Thompson
• 1998: Wendy Baier-Gruber, Renee Carlson, Karen Geske, Richard Herod, Kristen Koch, Isaac Mbiti,  Lisha McLean, Nathan Thompson
• 1997: Christopher Emerson, Deanna Munoz, Michelle Sands, Grant Staszak, Amy Stenson, Catherine Tank, May Xiong
• 1996: April Daniels, Shawn Gudmunsen, Heather Holle, Shawn Kelly, Bridget Neu, Christopher Patton, DeAnn Rambo, Bryan Sanders, Melissa Wilson
• 1995: Christine Albright, David Anderson, Nancy Beskar, Joy Erath, David Kruse, Patrice Peterson, Dolf Schmidt, Doua Vang, Ana Vasquez-Lutz
• 1994: Michelle Donovan, Lynette Empey, Kevin Jarek, Christopher Laib, Melody Milroy, Barry Olson, Wolanda Shelton, Joel Wondra
• 1993: Danielle Hartman, Michael Henke, Corrine Ihm, Peggy Schmidt, Ricardo Suarez, Stephen Walker,
• 1992: Laura Bestler-Wilcox, Audrey Bomberry, Margaret Corrente, Amanda Fox, Jacqueline Gruber, Paula McCarty
• 1991: Pamela Garvey, Mary Howatt, Daniel Johnson, Farahnaz Khosravani, Chris Malek, Kristina Overgaard, Jeffery Pilgreen, Jennifer Wilke, Steve Young
• 1990: Kristin Best, Price Davis, Peter Elsch, Thomas Evans, Blane Huppert, Dawn Kelly, Joe Matzek, Brian Nelson, Rebecca Peterson, Gregory Tauchen
• 1989: Karin Beckstrand, Vicki Datt, Steven Drazowski, Todd Elkerton, Lorna Rodriguez, Wendy Schmalz, Gary Staszak, Paul Uhren
• 1988: Robbie Bignell, Karen Braun, Fooi Chai, Linda Christopherson, Marilyn Gandera Whalen, Linda Schoettle, Timothy Yost, Dawn Zernicke, Teresa Zube
• 1987: Martinas Barney, Rick Block, Richard Dado, Tamara Frank, Royce Keehr, Randall Meyer, Sharon Timko
• 1986: Wesley Chapin, Linda Conner, Terence Jones, Randall Meyer,  Susan Moriarty, Renee Radcliffe
• 1985: Linda Gunderson, Tracy Humphreys, Keith Knutson, Todd Kurtz, Nona Nesseth, John Oehlke
• 1984: Dale Braun, Elizabeth Braun, Brenda Crews, Claudia Dumont, Melinda Etheridge, Basil Hanna, Boyd Huppert, Nancee Melby, Denise Sinclear
• 1983: Bradley Bittorf, Jay Coggins, Donna Duerst, Lorry Erickson, Heidi Lemke, Thelma Nayquonabe, Sally Vissers, Elizabeth Wysocki
• 1982: James Abbs, Joann Bares, Bryan Belson, Susan Bystrom, Mary Donaldson, Bruce Jacobson, Sonja Maki, Anthony Ogbozo
• 1991: Roxanne Emmerich, Melinda Erdal, Bonnie Hagen, Mark Lenz, Calvin Scott, Robert Whitcomb, Jon Williamson
• 1980: Jay Bailey, Kent Fenske, Heidi Hong, Daniel McGinty, Bruce Nagel

Current employees and students can nominate eligible individuals or program/unit/departments that demonstrate excellence.

• Nomination Process:
  • Complete the nomination form.
  • Submit at least one letter of support (see form for submission options).
  • Spring 2025 Update: The nomination form is now simpler! Search eligible employees to nominate by first or last name—no need to determine their eligible award category.
     
• Award Categories:
  • Five individual Chancellor’s Excellence Awards:
    • Non-Instructional Academic Staff
    • Instructional Academic Staff
    • Limited Appointee
    • University Staff (Blue Collar/Technical/Law Enforcement) and
    • University Staff (Admin/Fiscal/HR)
  • Two Program/Unit/Department Awards: Recognizing Academic Staff-led and University Staff-led units. 

Individual Award criteria:

• Demonstrated success in fulfilling job responsibilities, including:
  • Going above and beyond expectations.
  • Significant contributions, improvements or innovations within the unit or university.
  • Supporting the fulfillment of the UWRF mission.
• Participation in initiatives beyond primary job responsibilities, such as:
  • Volunteering for campus initiatives.
  • Participation on committees.
  • Providing exceptional support to colleagues or students outside of assigned duties.
• Exemplifying professionalism and positive relationships through:
  • Helpfulness, teamwork and customer service.
  • A positive attitude and strong work ethic.
  • Professional conduct and integrity.

Unit/Program/Department Award criteria:

• Excellence in Performance: Demonstrates high standards, professionalism and efficiency, serving as a model of excellence.
• Initiative and Creativity: Showcases innovation, improved performance or enhanced productivity.
• Outstanding Achievement: Contributes meaningfully to the UW-River Falls mission and enhances the distinctiveness of the campus.

Selection Committee:

• University Staff Excellence Awards: Selection is made by a committee that is charged with reviewing nomination materials and makes a recommendation to the Chancellor for final approval. Membership of the committee includes:
  • The Chancellor's designee (chair)
  • Provost
  • Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
  • Member appointed by each of the following groups: University Staff Senate, Academic Staff Council and Student Government Association.
     
• Academic Staff Excellence Awards: Selection is made by a committee that is charged with reviewing nomination materials and makes a recommendation to the Chancellor for final approval. Membership of the committee includes:
  • The Chancellor's designee (chair),
  • An instructional academic staff member
  • Member appointed by each of the following groups: University Staff Senate, Academic Staff Council and Student Government Association.