Campus Connection

Rada Endowed Fellowships strengthen UWL’s River Studies Center, support faculty leadership

Transformational gifts play a vital role in driving innovation and growth within educational programs, opening doors to new possibilities for students and faculty. 

A donation from Ron and Jane Rada, established in spring 2024 to elevate the UW-La Crosse River Studies Center (RSC) and expand freshwater research and education, is already delivering on that vision one year later. 

Established through a $1.3 million gift, the Rada Endowed Fellowships in River Studies provide critical funding to support faculty time, research and outreach tied to the Upper Mississippi River and its ecosystems. 

The timing of the gift aligns with a period of strategic growth for the RSC, which recently implemented new bylaws, launched a strategic plan and expanded its interdisciplinary engagement. 

“The fellowships officially went into effect at the beginning of July and will be transformational in allowing the associate director and myself to devote much more time than previously possible to administering the RSC,” says Eric Strauss, director of the RSC and one of the inaugural fellows. 

Colin Belby, the other inaugural recipient, echoed that sentiment.  

“The support provides RSC leadership the ability to dedicate time to the tasks required to accomplish the Center’s mission,” Belby says — tasks that weren’t previously feasible due to budget limitations. 

In addition to funding summer salaries, the fellowships also support professional development for RSC leadership and members. 

This summer, Belby and Straus are leading several key projects. Belby has been preparing for the RSC’s summer retreat, revamping the center’s website, engaging with donors and overseeing a growing fleet of research vessels.  

“The faculty fellowship provides support to undertake these activities during the summer months when I have more time available because I am less focused on teaching,” Belby says.  

Strauss adds that they are also working toward strategic goals such as increasing student engagement and broadening the center’s interdisciplinary reach.  

“We continually find new UWL faculty and staff with professional interests that align with the mission and vision of the RSC,” Strauss says. “We are excited to see the fresh opportunities.”

One standout resource for both research and outreach is the Research Vessel (R/V) Prairie Springs, a 35-foot custom-built vessel made possible through Prairie Springs: The Paul Fleckenstein Trust. Now officially designated an Oceanographic Research Vessel by the U.S. Coast Guard, it can support more expansive educational and research activities. 

“There has been great interest among UWL faculty in getting their class on the vessel,” Strauss says. “Several courses have taken field trips to get an up-close look at the Upper Mississippi River.”  

Nearly 140 students across ten courses from six departments have utilized the research vessel. It’s also been a platform for K-12 outreach, including the My River Adventure program, and has supported UWL student research. 

“The success of R/V Prairie Springs would not be possible without generous support from Prairie Springs: The Paul Fleckenstein Trust, J.F. Brennan and the numerous additional donors,” Belby says. “We are excited about the vessel’s continued impact in the upcoming academic year.”

The Rada Endowed Fellowships in River Studies mark a new chapter for the RSC, which has provided world-class education and research opportunities related to freshwater systems since its founding in 1972. 

“I am very grateful to Ron and Jane Rada for their kind gift to the River Studies Center,” Strauss says. “I think it’s a profound testament to their belief and passion for our mission and what we are attempting to do in the center. Their gift is unique not only in its magnitude, but also that it is a permanent investment in our people.”