Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumnus Francis "Frank" Friar, Baraboo, was honored with a UWP Foundation Distinguished Service Award during the December commencement ceremony.

Friar graduated from UW-Platteville in 1970, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in agriculture education. He has demonstrated strong commitment to the advancement of higher education, and has served in several capacities at the university: as president of the UWP Agriculture Alumni Chapter, as director of the UWP Alumni Association, as treasurer of the Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Association, as chair of the UWP Agriculture Advisory Board, and as chairman of the UWP Foundation.

At Badgerland FCS, Friar serves as senior vice president, directing marketing, business development, and customer and financial services. He also serves on the Wisconsin Agribusiness Council, the Wisconsin Leadership Council for Ag Education, the Governor's Commission on Agriculture Education, the Advisory Committee for the Lancaster Agricultural Research Station and the Board of Visitors for the UW-Madison Veterinary College. Friar and his wife Judy reside in Baraboo, and have three children: John, Julie and Sara.

Friar was honored alongside Torleiv Bilstad as Distinguished Service Award winners during the December commencement ceremony, which was at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11. The UWP Foundation Distinguished Service Award was established in 1986 to recognize individuals, families, business and corporations who have significantly served the university and its mission.

Contact: Dennis Cooley, Interim Director of University Relations, 608-342-1309, cooleyde@uwplatt.edu

Prepared by: Barb Daus, Special Assistant to the Chancellor, 608-342-1282, daus@uwplatt.edu; and Dan Lehnherr, UWP Public Relations, 608-342-1194,lehnherd@uwplatt.edu