10 Notable alumni of University of Wisconsin – River Falls
Updated: June 13, 2026 EliteDegrees
University of Wisconsin – River Falls is 2603st in the world, 1st in North America, and 675st in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 10 notable alumni from University of Wisconsin – River Falls sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with University of Wisconsin – River Falls won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Steve Drazkowski
1964-. (aged 62)
politician
Steve Drazkowski is an American politician serving as a member of the Minnesota Senate from District 20, representing all of Wabasha County, large parts of Olmsted County, Goodhue County, and Winona County, and a smaller part of Dakota County. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
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2. Mike Young
1955-. (aged 71)
baseball player
Mike Young is a former Australian cricket team fielding coach, as well as a former US minor league and Australian baseball manager, player and coach.
3. Phil Garthwaite
1972-. (aged 54)
politician
Phil Garthwaite is a Democratic former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 49th Assembly District from 2006 until his defeat in 2010. He was a member of the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation, Rural Affairs, and Rural Economic Development and the Council on Highway Safety.
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4. Spencer M. Marsh
1864-1932 (aged 68)
lawyer
judge
politician
Spencer Milton Marsh was an American jurist and legislator.
5. Owen Schmitt
1985-. (aged 41)
American football player
Owen Schmitt is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Before transferring to the Mountaineers he played for the Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons.
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6. Mark Neumann
1954-. (aged 72)
real property
business executive
coach
master builder
teacher
Mark William Neumann is an American businessman and politician. He represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district for two terms, from 1995 to 1999. In 2010, Neumann unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor. In 2012, Neumann ran for the U.S. senate seat held by retiring Democratic senator Herb Kohl, placing third in the Republican primary.
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7. Daniel Brandenstein
1943-. (aged 83)
military officer
aircraft pilot
astronaut
Daniel Charles Brandenstein is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of United Space Alliance. He is a former Naval Aviator, test pilot and NASA astronaut, who flew four Space Shuttle missions. He also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office from 1987 to 1992.
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8. Cathy Wurzer
journalist
Cathy Wurzer is an American journalist and author. She and Eric Eskola are the longtime hosts of Almanac on Twin Cities Public Television. She also hosts the regional portion of Morning Edition on Minnesota Public Radio. In 2008, Wurzer published Tales of the Road: Highway 61, a book about US Highway 61 and Minnesota State Highway 61 in Minnesota.
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9. Michael J. Nelson
1964-. (aged 62)
writer
television actor
actor
screenwriter
Michael John Nelson is an American comedian and writer, most known for his work on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K). Nelson was the head writer of the series for most of the show's original eleven-year run, and spent half of that time as the on-air host, also named Mike Nelson. In addition to writing books, Nelson is...
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10. Tom Tiffany
1957-. (aged 69)
businessperson
politician
Thomas P. Tiffany is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district since winning a special election in 2020. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served seven years in the Wisconsin Senate and two years in the State Assembly, representing the northeast region of the state.
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