308 graduates receive degrees at Commencement Dec. 13

 

308 graduates receive degrees at Commencement Dec. 13

Dec. 15, 2025 – More than 300 students received their degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during the fall Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Page Arena in the Falcon Center. 281 students received bachelor’s degrees and 27 received master’s degrees. 

“Commencement is one of the best days on a college campus,” said Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth. “It is a celebration of hard work, perseverance, resilience and the gaining of essential skills and knowledge. At UWRF it is our stated mission to help prepare students to be productive, creative, ethical, engaged citizens and leaders with an informed global perspective. We are proud to have served you in this way.”

Chenoweth told the graduates it was also a day to celebrate the journey they were about to begin.

“Whether your next steps forward are into a career, on to graduate school, or even if you aren’t exactly sure what’s next, know that you are prepared and ready,” Chenoweth said. “And know that we will be cheering you on the whole way.”

Kurt Torgersen, a senior lecturer in chemistry and biotechnology who is this year’s recipient of UWRF’s Distinguished Teaching Award, told the graduates the theme of his speech was inspired by the TV show, “Ted Lasso.”

“Be curious, not judgmental,” Torgersen said, quoting the show’s main character.

“Undoubtably, your future will involve people who are challenging, surprising, frustrating and complicated. If you lead with judgment, you will miss who they truly are. If you lead with curiosity, you will understand the world in a deeper, kinder, more generous way.” 

 Torgersen shared a story of working with a student who had stopped showing up for class. The student eventually shared the fact that he was a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and was dealing with severe PTSD and anxiety. Torgersen continued to work with the student and encouraged him not to give up on his educational journey, even if it meant retaking the class. The student is now thriving. 

“So be curious,” Torgersen said. “Ask questions. Look beneath the surface. Give people the grace of being complicated. It worked for Ted Lasso. It works in chemistry classrooms. And it will work in the rest of your lives.” 

Cassie Christian of Blaine, Minn., who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in Spanish, was the featured student speaker. 

Christian told the graduates she knew their degrees didn’t come easily.

“College takes grit, and that is something you can’t study for,” Christian said. “Grit is a motivation, a strength that can only come from within. And it’s hard to push through, but we did.”

Christian said she and the other graduates did not get to the light at the end of the tunnel alone. At times they needed help and encouragement and at times they helped others. Christian said that whatever they might accomplish in their careers, curating a community of care, patience and dependability was one of the most important things they could take from college.

“Your greatest accomplishment will not be in the gleam of the medals or trophies, or woven in the fabric of the honor cords, but in the people that we will impact,” Christian said. “And that is just as important.” 

The Commencement ceremony is available to watch on YouTube at students.uwrf.edu/commencement. 

Photo: Kurt Torgersen, senior lecturer in chemistry and biotechnology and 2025 recipient of the UW-River Falls Distinguished Teaching Award, addresses students during the fall Commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 in Page Arena. 308 students received their degrees.