Plant and Earth Science Department honored with Board of Regents Award

Plant and Earth Science Department honored with Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award

Aug. 27, 2025 – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Plant and Earth Science Department has been honored with a 2025 Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award. The award recognizes academic departments that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to teaching and learning. Each recipient is awarded $7,500 for professional and program development to enhance the work of the department.

In notifying the department of the award, the Regent selection committee noted the interdisciplinary, holistic focus of the program’s curriculum built on a strong foundation of continuous learning for both faculty and students, and how this approach prepares students for work in the plant and earth science industries. 

“The Plant and Earth Science Department is deeply committed to teaching excellence and fostering high impact experiences for students. I am proud to work with such a talented and committed team of faculty and staff,” said Holly Dolliver, professor of geology and soil science at UWRF and chair of the department.

The UWRF Plant and Earth Science Department offers majors in horticulture, crop and soil science, conservation, community and environmental planning, environmental science and geology. The department embraces experiential learning and provides students with opportunities to experience, discover, investigate, experiment and solve problems. The department works closely with workforce partners to ensure students have the skills and training to be successful in their careers. The UWRF campus serves as a living laboratory with diverse natural environments, including a river that carries the distinction of being a state-designated Outstanding Resource Water, a 3-acre restoration demonstration area, two campus farms and 24 acres of registered school forest. In addition, UWRF has a greenhouse, an analytical lab and a mineral and rock lab.

The department was notified of the award in April and recognized at UWRF’s opening meeting August 25.

To learn more about UWRF’s Plant and Earth Science Department, visit students.uwrf.edu/pes.