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Tauchen and Van Rossum Named Outstanding Seniors in College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

May 13, 2015 -- Two University of Wisconsin-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) students were named Outstanding Seniors at the annual CAFES Senior Supper April 29. 

Sam Tauchen, of Bonduel, was presented with the 2014-15 Dr. Earl Hildebrand Memorial Award. This award is presented to a student who best exemplifies a combination of scholastic achievement, extracurricular involvement and leadership roles within the college. Seniors are nominated for this award by faculty in the college and the College Scholarship Committee makes the final selection. 

Tauchen is an agricultural education major that has distinguished himself through his leadership activities as vice president of the Wisconsin FFA Association in 2010-11, as the UWRF Student Senate President in 2013-14, and as one of 12 students from across the country selected to travel to Brazil as part of the International Collegiate Agriculture Leadership program. 

While Tauchen is an active leader, he was also recognized for his willingness to help others succeed. He served as a tutor through the Academic Success Center on campus where he implemented creative strategies to assist students in learning. He has also been involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Tauchen was also recently named a Chancellors Award recipient. He is headed to DuPont Pioneer after graduation. 

Lea Marie Van Rossum, of Cecil, was the recipient of the Rochelle Junkman Seymour Award as the graduating senior in CAFES with the highest grade point average. She is an animal science major with a meat animal emphasis. Her academic adviser Larry Bauman, professor of Animal Science, describes Lea as conscientious, hard-working, well-prepared, inquisitive, and always having a smile. She plans to work for Jacob Brothers Dairy Facility in Cecil following graduation. 

The Senior Supper is sponsored by the CAFES Alumni Association to recognize the accomplishments of the graduating seniors and to welcome them into the ranks of alumni. This was the 31st year for the event that, by tradition, features speakers from industry, the graduating class, and the faculty. This year's speakers included Elsa Condon, a 2004 alumna and vice president of Agricultural Banking at BMO Harris Bank in Watertown; David Trimner, a graduating senior in agricultural business from Athens; and Sierra Howry, assistant professor of agricultural economics.

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