Nine students receive Chancellor's Award

Chancellor Don Betz presented nine UW-River Falls students with this year’s Chancellor’s Award and a bronze medallion during a ceremony April 16.

The award is the highest non-academic honor a student can receive at UWRF. It is awarded to upperclassmen and students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in service and commitment to the University and community.

Students are nominated for the award by faculty, academic staff members and student peers from Student Senate.

The recipients are: Joseph R. Eggers, Katherine J. Leisch, Ashley E. Olson, Nicole K. Peters, Lacey M. Felmlee, Kathryn A. Krtnick, Natsumi Kubo, Vang Lo and Jonathan J. Hill.

Eggers is a political science and international studies major. He is also president of the Student Senate.

“Some of the very best students were honored tonight, and I am glad I could be one of them,” he said. “I have been trying to be an active voice for students on campus. Once you’re here, as long as I am here, you are bound to get somewhere.”

Leisch is a biology and health and human performance major.

“I imagine that those who have received the award, present and past, never go through four years of doing what they are enthusiastic about and think that one day it will be recognized by such a prestigious award,” she said. “That is part of why it feels so honoring to be a recipient. For all we — past and present recipients — thought is that we were doing just what we love.”

Felmlee is a biology major and active in UWRF’s Gay Straight Alliance.

“It is humbling to know that the campus community has recognized the ways I have contributed and it is an honor to have been selected for the Chancellor’s Award,” she said. “I have met wonderful people and gained a life changing experience as a result of my involvement at UWRF.”

Peters is a speech communication major and has been involved with the Agricultural Education and Speech Communication Departments as well as Student Services.

“I have been very fortunate to have had immense support from [these departments]. This support has afforded me many chances to become involved in different organizations and projects,” she said. “And the residence halls have helped me fully take advantage of the educational opportunities at UWRF.”

Krtnick is a marketing communications and biology major. She is a student-athlete, a member of the Health and Human Performance Facilities and Fees Committee and the Recreation Committee, a Student Senate representative and has interned for the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp at UWRF.

“During the past four years, being involved in the University has been a top priority for me,” she said. “I have pushed myself to be a positive role model in every endeavor — on the volleyball court, in the classroom and in any leadership roles I have pursued. There are so many students on this campus that actively contribute to the community and have so much passion for the different organizations and leadership roles. I am grateful to be one of the few bestowed with this award.”

Kubo is a speech communications major and from Japan. She said she enjoys volunteer work and has been dedicated to helping others learn about cultures, including her own.

“One of my dreams is that other people be interested in other cultures,” Kubo said.

She is a member of the UWRF Dance Theater team and went with team members to Japan to learn about the Japanese culture.

“I thank Karla Zhe for helping me do the trip,” she said.

Lo is a marketing communications major. He has participated in the Upward Bound program for four years in high school and has been a staff member for the last three years. He has also been involved in the Asian American Student Association, Multicultural Services and Student Senate.

“I enjoy giving back to UWRF and the community,” he said. “It’s the least we can do to make a difference.”

Hill is a business administration and marketing communications major and has also been very involved on campus.

“I have tried to work over the past years to help students through their college journey by sharing my experiences and being there for them through their own college career,” he said.

“I am very grateful for receiving such an honor, and I hope to do more work for this institution in the future,” Hill said.

Olson is a psychology major.

In the past, the award was normally given to fewer students, however, Betz said it was a tough decision.

“It was a rich pool of applicants. There was no easy way to separate number five from number six, number six from number seven, all the way up to number nine,” he said. “If we have this many people that are deserving, we should give it out to that number of people.”