New Leadership in the College of Business and Economics The UWRF College of Business and Economics (CBE) is under new leadership as of July 1. New Dean Michael Fronmueller is looking forward to building on the strengths of the growing college, many of which can be credited to his predecessor, Glenn Potts, who retired in June after 38 years at UW-River Falls. “I was impressed by the excellent faculty, staff, and students I met as part of the search for a new dean, and the strong support for UW-River Falls from the community,” said Fronmueller. “I am excited to become part of the College of Business and Economics and the university as they continue to build on their role as major assets for the St. Croix Valley and beyond. As a globally aware and connected business school recognized for its excellent programs, we are well positioned to respond to major opportunities and to weather the challenges ahead.” A frequently published researcher on topics as diverse as the mortgage crisis, health care reform, and MOOC’s, Fronmueller holds a Ph.D. from Washington State University and an M.B.A. from Eastern Washington University. He is also an engaged community leader having served on the boards of economic development and health care organizations. He most recently served as Dean of the Hasan School of Business at Colorado State University-Pueblo and has held academic leadership positions at Le Moyne College, California State University-Northridge, the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and Boise State University. The College of Business and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction earned by fewer than five percent of the world’s business schools. Learn more about CBE and its programs at www.uwrf.edu/CBE.
UWRF Helps Adult Learners Reach Their Goals The UW-River Falls College of Business and Economics Adult Degree Completion (ADC) program, which began with an enrollment of 20 students in 2010, reached a milestone of 100 students this past fall semester. Seventeen students have already graduated from the program with their Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. “It has truly been a pleasure finishing my degree with UWRF’s help,” said Michael Williamson. “The ADC program’s flexibility and the great professors affiliated with the program have a real-world understanding that is invaluable and I am glad I was pushed to succeed.” The UWRF ADC programs are designed for adult students who have some college credit but never completed their degree. The programs offer flexible class formats on campus, online, and condensed-format evening courses at the UWRF Hudson Center, located just minutes from I-94 in Hudson. UWRF also offers bachelor’s degree completion programs in other fields including: Adult Degree Completion student • Computer Science Teresa Kosmas receiving her diploma. • Law Enforcement • Early Childhood Education • Health and Wellness Management (100 percent online) • Geographic Information Science • Sustainable Management (100 percent online)
North Hall Auditorium Renovations 2014 marks North Hall’s centennial. For 100 years, students, faculty and, administration have enjoyed this elegant landmark. The faded and underutilized North Hall auditorium is in the process of getting a much-needed makeover. A renovation budget of $1.4 million was approved in the 2011-13 UW-System Classroom/Instructional Technology Improvement Capital Budget, of which $346,000 will come from UWRiver Falls. Budget cuts and new state building commission regulations somewhat slowed the project, originally slated to begin in spring 2014. With the blueprints on the table, Tim Thum, senior facilities engineer at UWRF and renovation project manager, said the auditorium space is being brought up-to-date on lighting and heating codes. All seating will be replaced and downsized from the current 582 seats to 356 with new chairs featuring foldout attached desks. Also included in the renovation are: painting and plaster repairs, ventilation system upgrades, raising the stage and the addition of air conditioning. The biggest aesthetic change involves the north windows that originally looked out on a courtyard but were closed when the building was remodeled. The windows will be artificially reopened, renovated in a way to mimic the original outside exposure. Renovations are expected to be finished by spring semester 2015.
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