FalconDaily Archives

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
-- Aristotle

Physiology students benefit from Lab Modernization funds

UWRF students Andrew Adams (foreground) works with Len Polzin as they measure respiration volume and flow rate for their ANSC 260 - Animal Physiology lab. The course is required for all animal science and dairy science students. The laboratory, Room 120 Ag Science, was remodeled over a two-year period with Lab Modernization funds. Year one sa new laboratory tables, chairs and computers and some physical remodeling to the room. Year two saw the purchase of digital data acquisition systems that allow students to do more sophisticated experiments than previously possible. For more photos by Jens Gunelson, visit http://www.uwrf.edu/photo_archive/.

UWRF to hold Commencement on Saturday

Fall Commencement will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Robert P. Knowles Physical Education and Recreation Center, and for the first time in the University's history the ceremony will be streamed live via the Internet.

Some 291 bachelor's and master's degree recipients are expected to participate in the commencement ceremonies. A commencement concert by the River Falls Brass begins at 1:30 p.m. Commencement speakers include Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Rodney Nilsestuen and Professor James Madsen, the 2007 UWRF Distinguished Teacher.

The ceremony can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.uwrf.edu/commencement/ and click on "view this event live online." The event is also broadcast live on local cable channels 19 and 23.

The ceremony also sports a new system of video projection as well as trusses and a lighting grid provided by Student Affairs. They are all designed to give attendees better vantage points. Attendees will also see the complete processional due to a reorientation in the venue's seating arrangement, something administrators had hoped to accomplish to serve the increasing number of graduates and attendees over the years.

Secretary Nilsestuen will give the keynote commencement address titled, "An Armband, Grandma and Mandela." Nilsestuen is a 1970 graduate of UWRF and a past recipient of the UWRF Distinguished Alumni Award. Gov. Jim Doyle appointed Nilsestuen to his cabinet in January 2003. Previously, Nilsestuen served as a president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives for 24 years, where he helped build the WFC into one of the most respected cooperative trade associations in the nation. He was recently elected president of a new North Central Bio-Economy
Consortium, a 12-state organization designed to help guide the region's transition to greater use of bio-based fuels and products.

Professor and chair of the UWRF physics department, James Madsen, will also address the graduates as the 2007 UWRF Distinguished Teacher. His speech is "'What Were You Thinking?' and Other Life Lessons."

Madsen has been involved with the international IceCube project, which involves neutrino astrophysics research at the South Pole. Several students have had the opportunity to work with Madsen on this project in Antarctica, and Madsen has given presentations on the research project around the globe. His research and work has been published in many scientific journals. In 1997, Madsen helped establish the Western Wisconsin Polymer Lab on campus.

Madsen holds a B.S. with a double major in applied math, engineering and physics from UW-Madison and a Ph.D. in applied physics from the Colorado School of Mines. He is also a member of the Wisconsin Association of Physics Teachers and the American Physical Society. Madsen has received several National Science Foundation grants for his research.

Receiving the Outstanding Service Award at the commencement ceremony is alumna Mary Ella Jerome, who graduated from UWRF with a B.S. in music education with emphases in vocal and piano music in 1974. Her appreciation for music and educational opportunities has led her to provide extraordinary financial support through both scholarships and investments in piano assets. The honor will be presented by Chancellor Betz and is based on the recommendations of the Faculty Senate External Relations Committee.

Jerome has established five scholarships, awarded annually in music, agriculture or education, that are named for her parents, the late Wallace and Marion ('40) Jerome (founders of Jerome Foods), and her twin aunts, Lila Estenson Byng ('47) and Lola Estenson Yde ('48). She has also provided funding for talented UWRF student musicians to attend or perform at such summer programs as the Aspen Music Festival.

Congratulatory messages to the new UWRF alumni will be given by David Rainville, chair of the Faculty Senate, and Derek Brandt, a senior majoring in history from St. Paul and president of the Student Senate. The graduates will be welcomed into the UWRF Alumni Association by Jeffrey McCardle, alumnus and director of the UWRF Foundation. The 2007 student recipient of the Chancellor's Award for service to the University, Katherine J. Leisch, a graduating senior majoring in health and human performance, will also be recognized at the program. The ceremony will also include a special remembrance of Lt. Tracy Alger, a UWRF alumnus who was killed in the line of
duty in Iraq in 2007.

Barbara Bright, a graduating senior and music education major from Minneapolis, will sing the "Star Spangled Banner" and the "UWRF Pledge Song" accompanied by the River Falls Brass.

Announcements

Attention Commencement Marchers: Thank you for participating in our commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 15. Please plan on arriving by 1:15 p.m. As you are aware, the marching order is determined by seniority and a list of marchers will be available. If you have received your 25-years of-service recognition medallion, please remember to wear it with your regalia on Saturday. Almost 300 students are graduating, so be aware that there will be limited parking in Ramer Field and the area will be congested. Thank you again for celebrating with our graduates! I look forward to seeing you on Saturday. -Don Betz

The latest edition of Library Link, the Chalmer Davee Library’s online newsletter, is now available. Read about exciting new library services and resources including:
* Information on the upcoming Celebrating Research, Scholarship and Creative Achievement event,
* Extended Hours
*The New York Times Historical database: a complete, full-text archive
covering 1851-2004
* SuperSearch: an integrated, customized search interface to access all of your favorite library resources
* Laptop checkout services for students and faculty
* and much more!

The final exam schedule for Dec. 17 - 21 can be found at http://www.uwrf.edu/registrar/2finalsde.htm.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, Dec. 15, swimming vs. Hamline at 1 p.m.; women's basketball vs. Northwestern at 3 p.m.

Don't Forget

IT will send security updates to Windows computers on tonight, Dec. 13, beginning at 10 p.m. Prepare Windows computers in your area for these updates by restarting them at the end of the day that day. Please leave them at the login prompt after they restart. If you are not able to leave your computer on, the updates will take place the next time the computer is powered on and connected to the campus network. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our computing environment safe and efficient. Let us know if you have any questions or problems. This message does not apply to Student Center computers.

Thursday, Dec. 13, women's basketball vs. Macalester at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., Abbott Concert Hall, KFA, RADD Jazz Series: UWRF Jazz Ensemble "Jazz Masters Concert" directed by David Milne. Featuring Twin Cities jazz musician Dave Karr on saxophone. Cost is $5/adults, $3/seniors, $2/students.

Thursday, Dec. 13 - Saturday, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., Davis Theatre, KFA, Masquers musical comedy: "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown." Cost is $10/adults, $6/students.