UW-River Falls Journalism Department Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Open House, Program

Sept. 5, 2012--A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Department of Journalism at UW-River Falls is set for Saturday, Sept. 29, as part of the university's Homecoming weekend festivities. More than 1,000 students have majored in journalism at UWRF since the department first offered the major in 1962. 

The public is invited to an open house at the department's facilities and student media on the third floor of North Hall on campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Current students and faculty will host alumni and friends at visits to The Student Voice (campus newspaper) offices and the campus radio station, WPR-affiliate WRFW-FM. Also open for visits will be the department's offices and media lab. Former faculty members will be there as well. Refreshments will be served. 

A banquet and program begins with a reception at 5 p.m. at Kilkarney Hills Golf Course, 163 Radio Road, River Falls. The program includes a tribute to the founder of the department of journalism, M. Wayne Wolfe, by his son, Minneapolis Star Tribune Reporter Warren Wolfe, and former department chair Lorin Robinson. One of the original faculty members, Don Brod, will recollect the department's earliest years. Former students will share their memories of journalism and life on campus from the 1960s through today.   

The banquet buffet dinner is $29 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the office of University Advancement toll free at 877-258-6647, or can be emailed to alumni@uwrf.edu.  

For additional information, contact Professor Emeritus Michael Norman at jmichaelnorman@sbcglobal.net, or 651-208-1721.