Chancellor John Chenoweth marks one-year anniversary
Chancellor John Chenoweth marks one-year anniversary with tribute to community support, announces SciTech Grand Opening Celebration
March 2, 2026 - Reflecting on my first year as interim chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, I would like to express my gratitude for the extraordinary community support that I have witnessed. I have been truly moved by the enthusiastic participation of the people of River Falls and our surrounding communities in campus life.
I am struck by how truly special this region is. UWRF is a unique campus, but its strength is drawn directly from the people who show up for us time and again.
I have been impressed by the remarkable community presence at our recent milestones. We deeply appreciate the hundreds of local residents, business owners, alums and donors, as well as supporters and alumni nationwide, who joined together to celebrate UWRF’s first NCAA Division III national football championship. It felt like a wave of positive momentum, building on the growing pride our community felt with the back-to-back national championships won by the women’s hockey team.
The pride the people here feel for UWRF is visible far beyond the field and the ice. While we know many enjoy cheering on athletes in any of our 20 varsity sports, we also see it in the support and interest of neighbors who attend our Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (URSCA) galas and in the audiences who fill our theaters, concert halls and art galleries to support student talent. It is also visible in the numerous community members using publicly available resources like our walking trails, climbing wall or the Chalmer Davee Library. This level of community engagement is a testament to the vital “town-and-gown" relationship that makes UWRF a true community campus.
To celebrate this continued partnership, I would like to invite the public to the grand opening of the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) and its University Business Collaboration Center (UBCC) on Tuesday, March 31. There will be self-paced tours with opportunities to interact with students and faculty from 4-6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come and see how this transformational facility will serve as a hub for innovation and collaboration for years to come.
We have so much to celebrate together. I encourage our students and staff to stay engaged in the community and support the local businesses that make this region thrive. Likewise, I invite our neighbors and partners to continue their steadfast support of UWRF and join us in shaping a winning future.
John Chenoweth
Interim Chancellor, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Photo: UW-River Falls Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth stands in front of the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech), which opened to students in January.