RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls recently bestowed its highest non-academic honor on eight students. The Chancellor’sAward for Students recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, excellence and service, both on campus and in the community. Recipients must also have shown a commitment to UWRF’s core values, as well as positive and inspiring personal traits and contributions in areas such as undergraduate research, inclusivity and global education.

“Selection for this prestigious award is an acknowledgment of your exceptional contributions to the University ofWisconsin- River Falls and beyond,” wrote Chancellor Connie Foster in notifying students of the award. “You are among a very select group of students.”

Recipients must be juniors, seniors or graduate students and can receive nominations and letters of support from UWRF faculty or advisers, UWRF staff, external organization leaders, fellow students or be self-nominated. A selection committee comprised of appointees from the chancellor’s staff, academic colleges, student support staff and the Student Government Association (SGA) considers every nominee and selects finalists for interviews. After the interviews, the committee submits its recommendations to the chancellor, who makes the final decisions.

The 2021 student recipients are:

Sophie Ackerman, a senior neuroscience / biology-biomedical science major from Marshfield graduated May. She has already accepted a job with BrainXell, a biomedical research company in Madison that cultures neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells for research.

Morgan Leigh Anderson is a senior social work major from Madison. She plans to begin her master of social work advanced standing program at the University of Minnesota with a focus in clinical mental health.

Magdala Diersen is a junior communication sciences and disorders and communication studies major from New Ulm, Minn. She plans to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist.

Dannie Esterline is a senior art major from Wausau who has been accepted to the Art Therapy Graduate Program at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee for fall 2021.

Marie-Ange Kivi is a senior marketing communications and communication studies major from St. Paul. She will work as a marketing coordinator for Vomela Companies, a national network of graphic design and large format printing specialists based in st. Paul. She also creates graphics for Target, TJ Maxx, UGC and Kate Spade.

Adam Leseman is a senior finance and economics major from Champlin, Minn. He plans to pursue a career in auditing in a government setting.

Ezekiel Olakunle is a junior biomedical sciences major from Oakdale, Minn. He hopes to pursue medical school after graduation with the goal of becoming a pediatrician.

Violet Penman is a senior conservation and environmental planning major from Hudson. Penman’s post-graduation plans may include moving into the workforce as a designer of sustainable spaces or the Peace Corp.