Alumni

Greg Peterson, English education major
New Position:  6th and 7th Grade Language Arts and Literacy Teacher
Hometown: Frederic, Wis.

Greg Peterson graduated in May of 2021 with a degree in English Education and was immediately hired by the Winona Middle School in Winona, Minn. to teach 7th grade Language Arts and 6th Grade 21st Century Literacy. In the past year he has also coached the offensive/defensive line for the middle school football team, formulated plans to return to grad school to attain his master’s in English education, literature or creative writing and has added a new member to his family!

Read what Greg had to say about his experience at UWRF:

What did you like most about your time as an English major or minor at UWRF?

“What I liked most...was being given the skills to find my voice by using a medium that I enjoyed expressing myself through. Going into the program, I knew I wanted to be creative and develop my critical thinking skills, and I know, without a doubt, that the UWRF English program helped me accomplish both goals ten-fold. The classes I took were fun and interesting, and the people I met along the way were remarkable. The community within the English program felt homey and tight-knit, and I was able to build everlasting relationships with some amazing people. I truly felt like I was a part of a family.” 

How have specific English courses at UWRF prepared you for the workforce? Are there any specific skills you can think of that you learned? 

"While I was an English Education major, the English Department provided me with many wonderful courses that prepared me for my current employment at Winona Middle School. All my English pedagogy courses have been put to good use already [and]...my creative writing coursework has also helped me encourage creativity within my students in their daily writing practice. I am also working on some of my own creative projects during my free time.”

What’s the best advice you would give a future English major or minor? 

"The best advice I have for a future English major or minor is to not think about the day-to-day workloads, but how each story and text you interact with can shape your understanding of the world around you. Obtaining a higher education is difficult for everyone, no matter the degree; so, devoting your time to reflecting on how each course, each assignment, each text can influence your growth as a person will provide much better feelings of purpose, pride, and fulfillment. The UWRF English Department is filled with brilliant professors, brilliant curriculum, brilliant students, and that is something I was glad to be a part of.”

Corey Fern, English creative writing major
Position: Director of Theater at Osseo High School; Realtor
Hometown: Shakopee, Minn.

Corey Fern graduated in spring 2019 with a double major in creative writing and stage and screen arts. Pre-pandemic, he worked full time as an actor in the Twin Cities theater community. With the closing of most theaters, however, Corey adapted and decided to become a realtor and took a position as Director of Theater at Osseo Public High School.

Read what Corey had to say about his experience at UWRF:

What did you like most about your time as an English major or minor at UWRF?

“The opportunity to write for different audiences. I was unique in my class because I was mainly interested in writing plays for the theater. Joe Rein was very understanding of this and allowed me to earn my degree in the way that would be most beneficial to me. Instead of short stories, he would allow me to write one act plays, for example. I had a great opportunity to grow as a performer, director playwright, and author as a direct result of this flexibility. Overall, my favorite part about River Falls Creative Writing was that I was seen and valued. To Dr. Rein, I was unique, so he made sure his teachings were as well.”

How have specific English courses at UWRF prepared you for the workforce? Are there any specific skills you can think of that you learned? 

“Majoring in Creative Writing has taught me a lot of valuable lessons that I utilize every day as a director. I have a deep understanding of the script that I would not have had if I didn’t study in that lens. It has also helped in my professional writing as a realtor as well. I am perplexed at how often some skills I take for granted are very difficult for others who have been in the industry for a long time. I see this in email writing as well as in advertisements. It is extremely valuable, and it has earned me success.” 

What’s the best advice you would give a future English major or minor? 

“My best advice is to find professors that best suit your learning style and utilize them to their potential. I did that with Dr. Rein, so much so that I began crafting my semester’s schedule around his courses. I adopted Creative Writing as a double major because he inspired me to do so. Studying at university is so valuable because you are paying for it, so you get to craft how it looks. The professors are there to share their vast knowledge with you, so take every moment you can and learn everything you can. Four years will go fast, but many of these relationships can outlast your career at UWRF. At the end of the day, the value for you that lies within the school is in the minds of its professors. Do some research on them; discover their accolades! This will get you prepared to flourish!”

Samantha Edholm-Bean, English professional writing major
Position: Business Analyst
Hometown: White Bear Lake, Minn.

Samantha Edholm graduated in spring 2014 with a degree in professional writing and now works as a business analyst for the Metropolitan Council’s Environmental Services division, a regional governmental agency in the Twin Cities that undertakes a range of responsibilities, including operating the Metro Transit system and managing wastewater treatment for the seven-county metro area. Before being promoted to business analyst, Samantha worked as a technical writer for six years for the Met Council and still finds she uses her writing skills in her new position on a regular basis.

Read what Samantha had to say about her experience at UWRF:

What did you like most about your time as an English major or minor at UWRF?

“The English Department at UWRF is a close-knit group, so I never felt lost in the crowd. What’s more, I met some amazing people who I am still close with today, both fellow students and professors. When I decided to change my major junior year, it was support and advice from my classmates and professors in the department that helped steer me onto the path that led me to my present career. Also, the department is just plain fun! I genuinely had a great time in my English classes.”

How have specific English courses at UWRF prepared you for the workforce? Are there any specific skills you can think of that you learned? 

"The English courses that I took at UWRF absolutely helped prepare me for the workforce. I learned technical skills, of course, but I also learned practical general skills such as how to write a professional email and how to create a resume. I do a lot of work with interns in my job, and I am always shocked when they tell me that they were never taught such critical skills and had to figure it out on their own! Oh, and I’ll never start a sentence with the word “it” thanks to Dr. Hunzer :) .”

What’s the best advice you would give a future English major or minor? 

"Make the most of the resources available to you through the English department. Cultivate a relationship with your advisor and with your professors and fellow students. Also, if you can, take classes that push you outside your comfort zone or expose you to different perspectives. Literature classes, specifically, are a great way to learn about life experiences that are different from your own.” 

Grace Kabliska, Creative Writing major
Graduation Date: Fall 2021
Hometown: Onalaska, WI

Grace graduated from UWRF at the end of Fall 2021 with a degree in English-Creative Writing and a successful college career under her belt. Currently, she is applying to MFA programs in creative writing (with a fiction emphasis) and hopes to begin her graduate studies in Fall of 2022. If that doesn’t work out, she intends to pursue a career in publishing.

Read what Grace has to say about her experience at UWRF

What led you to want to become an English major?

“I have always had a passion for reading and writing, and after lots of exploration of what I want to do for a career, I finally decided to chase after what I have always loved. Reading has always brought me joy; and I want to be able to share that joy with others, whether I am teaching at a university, working in the publishing industry, or something else along those lines.”

What did you like most about your time as an English major or minor at UWRF?

“My favorite part . . . was getting to discuss literature and workshop my classmate’s pieces. Interacting with other students that are passionate about writing was both fun and engaging.”

How have specific English courses at UWRF prepared you for the workforce? Are there any specific skills you can think of that you learned?

“The most helpful feature of the majority of my classes was the chance to workshop my classmates’ materials. If I end up teaching someday, I will need to give students helpful feedback on their pieces, and if I end up working as an editor, I will need to have similar skills. Knowing how to bring up both compliments and constructive criticism is extremely important in this field.”

What’s the best advice you would give a future English major or minor? 

“Give yourself the opportunity to read and write lots of different material. Expand your horizons from the genre that you are most drawn to and learn from lots of different writers with different styles. The best way to find out what works for you is to experiment with tons of different pieces.”

Your contribution to this fund adds flexibility to the department to support student trips and faculty and student program development, etc.

Awarded every year to a junior English major on the basis of achievement and promise in literary scholarship.

Given to a senior English education major who shows superior promise as an English teacher.

Awarded to an incoming first year English major.

Awarded to an English major, often of an English liberal arts major in honor of Dr. Odegard's long-time championing of the liberal arts and the humanities. Awarded to a student who will be a junior or senior with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Awarded to a sophomore who shows consistent excellence in writing.

Named for two long-time professors in the English Department who devoted themselves to language, language acquisition and linguistics, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding sophomore or junior who is an English, English education, or TESOL major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Awarded to a student who has attained sophomore or junior status. Student must be enrolled in an English education degree program, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and have demonstrated financial need. The English Department awards this scholarship only in alternate years.

Awarded to students who are majoring in English.

Awarded to a student majoring in English. Student will be chosen based on demonstrated financial need.

Robert R. and M. Susan Beck Memorial Scholarship, awarded to an outstanding entering junior or senior who is an English, English Education, or TESOL major and has expressed a long-term commitment to their field with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

• Recipient: Nini Salmonson

Olaf and Grace Pilgrim Bloom Scholarship, awarded to students who are majoring in English.

• Recipients: Megan Lawrence and Donovan Smith

The Chisholm-Engler Memorial Scholarship, awarded every year to a junior English major on the basis of achievement and promise in literary scholarship.

• Recipient: Erica Hoyt

James Glennen Modern Language Scholarship, awarded to a sophomore, junior, or senior student with a Spanish major.

• Recipient: Jude Cockroft

The Nicholas J. and Inga Karolides English Education Scholarship, given to a senior who shows superior promise as an English teacher.

• Recipient: Abby Swan

Steve and Jennifer Luebke Scholarship, awarded to an incoming first year English major.

• Recipient: Cadence Cadotte

Margaret Odegard Scholarship, awarded to an English major who will be a junior or senior with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.

• Recipient: Kassidy Andreas

The E. J. Prucha Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a sophomore who shows consistent excellence in writing.

• Recipient: Caroline Enochson

Lloyd and Alberta Ruesink Endowed Scholarship, awarded to a student who has attained sophomore or junior status. Student must be enrolled in an English Education degree program, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have demonstrated financial need.

• Recipient: No award given.

The Helen K. White Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a student majoring in English, based on demonstrated financial need.

• Recipient: Samantha McEathron

Each year the department also recognizes several outstanding students with book-certificate awards.

• Luthien Bloom
• Karlee Groat
• Jade Christianson
• Gianna Mundt