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• UW-River Falls gets $1 million gift
• QMR in River Falls changes name as company reorganizes

By UW-River Falls, Public Affairs

The $1 million donation is the largest gift the University of Wisconsin-River Falls has ever received in its 133-year history and it came from a 1938 alumnus.

The gift was from the estate of River Falls-native Lucile Spriggs who after graduating from UW-River Falls went on to work in social services at the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Minneapolis.

According to Don Betz, UW-River Falls chancellor, the gift will be dedicated exclusively to leadership scholarships.

"In her exceptional manner, Lucile Spriggs has modeled the way for all of us to impact the future for many years to come. We honor her memory and her powerful example," said Betz.

School officials say that the scholarship fund will be named the R.E. Spriggs Family Memorial Scholarship, created in the memory of Sprigg's parents, Roy and Maude Spriggs.

The school will give out $5,000 scholarships each year to students who excel academically and show substantial leadership abilities, according to school officials.

"Developing leadership skills in our students has been a core value of UW-River Falls since it's founding," Betz said.

The gift will be administered by the UW-River Falls Foundation.

Nancy Devine, foundation president, said that the gift ensures that those students who show leadership both on and off campus will have the financial support they need.

"We know that Lucile Spriggs would be pleased that as a result of her endowment, she leaves behind a legacy of encouraging and preparing future leaders," said Devine.

Spriggs graduated with degrees in social studies and English and was an honor student her entire career at the River Falls Teachers College.

She was also very active in other activities on campus.

Spriggs was a writer for the campus newspaper, acted in the student drama club and played in the symphony orchestra.

She was also a member of the school's tennis team and an officer in the YWCA campus chapter.

"Lucile Spriggs was a model for others during her time on campus," Betz said.

"The quality of those relationships here inspired her to make a life-long commitment to others in her professional life, and then to provide a definitive perpetual gift to UW-River Falls so that students can pursue similar dreams," he concluded.

By Debbie Griffin, RiverTown Staff

The parent company of QMR Plastics, Quadion Corporation, is reorganizing its North American operations to "meet the needs of its large customer base."

As of last week, QMR Plastics' name changed to Minnesota Rubber and Plastics, making its name consistent with its 62-year-old sister company.

The company moved to Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park in 1995, becoming the first tenant in the city's new business park.

Producing custom-molded plastics and rubber parts, the plant employs about 100 people and earns revenue of $20+ million.

Workers make all kinds of plastic pieces for auto parts, water conditioning and fluid handling. They keep the production line running 24 hours-per-day, 365 days-per-year.

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics Marketing Manager Bill Pederson said the name change should streamline things and make it easier for the company to serve its customers.

"We're stronger as a group than as separate units," Pederson said. "In this day and age, to go to market as a unitary group is better than going individually."

Besides, he said, the marketplace is much more familiar with the name Minnesota Rubber. He said the change will facilitate "easier and more efficient production."

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics engineers, designs, develops and manufactures custom-molded "elastomeric and thermoplastic components and assemblies."

For example, the River Falls plant produces a lot of little, plastic auto parts like piston seals inside a transmission and the springs or tubes that make a vehicle's door open and close. It also makes water softener valves, faucet seals and more.

Pederson said the reorganization does not mean the company will increase or decrease the number of employees at the River Falls location or change its operating procedures.

Contact Debbie Griffin at dgriffin@rivertowns.net or 426-1048.