Max Elliott, a groundskeeper at UW-River Falls, puts up a banner celebrating the 150th anniversary of the university’s founding. UWRF will celebrate the milestone at numerous events throughout the upcoming academic year. UWRF photo.

UW-River Falls to celebrate its 150-year anniversary

Numerous events set throughout the academic year

Aug. 26, 2024 - In 1897, 23 years after the founding of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (known then as the State Normal School), the university’s one building was destroyed by fire. 

Remarkably, only a half day of classes was missed when local churches, lodge rooms and other meeting spaces were utilized to serve as classrooms.

School employees and River Falls residents then rallied to keep the Normal School in the location where it began, offsetting efforts to move it elsewhere. They were successful, and only nine months after the original building was destroyed, a new one, now known as South Hall, stood in its place. 

That determined mindset is symbolic of UWRF’s commitment to provide life-changing educational opportunities for students from the St. Croix River Valley and elsewhere since the university was established in 1874. To recognize that spirit and all that UWRF has meant to River Falls, the region, the state and beyond, the university will celebrate its 150th anniversary throughout the 2024-25 academic year. 

“UW-River Falls has a long track record of having a tremendous impact on this region, on Wisconsin and beyond,” Chancellor Maria Gallo said during Monday’s opening meeting that marks the beginning of the upcoming academic year. “One hundred and fifty years is an important milestone, and our university is excited to celebrate its important history throughout this year.”

Multiple events will commemorate the university’s founding, among them:

• A UWRF employee medallion hunt where participants follow clues to locate the medallion on campus. Thanks to a UWRF donor, the winner will receive River Falls Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau “Chamber Bucks” valued at $250, money intended to support the River Falls community. Chamber Bucks are honored at any Chamber-member business.
• Following the annual homecoming parade on Saturday, Oct. 5, UWRF will host a 150th anniversary tailgate party at David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and features a performance by UWRF student Hailey James, an award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist. 
• Next spring, as part of the closing ceremony for the sesquicentennial celebration, university officials will open a time capsule buried in 1975 and originally located near the former Hagestad Student Center. The time capsule was excavated and preserved in fall 2022 when Hagestad was demolished to make way for the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) now under construction. 

Other celebrations are being finalized. For more details about how UWRF will celebrate its milestone anniversary and for historical information about the university, visit www.uwrf.edu/about/150-years. Send questions about the 150th anniversary to events@uwrf.edu.