Chippewa Valley Times

Brandon and Emily Riechers have been named recipients of the 2025 Blugold Spirit Award, an honor given to alumni who demonstrate excellence, generosity, and a strong connection to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

The couple met as students at UW–Eau Claire and have maintained close ties to the university and the Chippewa Valley community throughout their careers. Brandon Riechers is president and CEO of Royal Credit Union, where he has worked for nearly thirty years. Emily Riechers is a nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System – Eau Claire with 27 years in patient care.

Julia Diggins, vice-president of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, commented on their selection: “Brandon and Emily are the true definition of Blugold spirit. They met at UW-Eau Claire and have been campus advocates throughout their lives in the Chippewa Valley,” Diggins says.

“They are active supporters of students, staff, athletics and the entire UWEC community, generous with both their time and resources. And even better, they met at Homecoming and here they are celebrating all these years later — it’s a perfect time to honor their love of all things Blugold.”

Brandon Riechers holds three degrees from UW–Eau Claire: a bachelor’s in finance (1998), a bachelor’s in management information systems (2003), and an MBA (2017). He began his career at Royal Credit Union as executive vice president and chief lending officer before becoming president and CEO in 2017. Under his leadership, Royal Credit Union now serves over 330,000 members with more than $5.5 billion in assets.

He has served eight years on the UW-Eau Claire Foundation board of directors—including as treasurer—and on the Alumni Association board. Royal Credit Union also participates in university internship programs by hiring more than twenty student interns each year. Brandon has also contributed through service with Eau Claire Confluence Arts Inc., Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, and as board chair for the Wisconsin Credit Union League.

Riechers expressed his appreciation for his alma mater: “I deeply admire the university’s steady role in driving regional growth through public-private partnerships,” Riechers says. “From fueling entrepreneurship to improving healthcare access and outcomes, this university is a catalyst for innovation and community wellbeing.”

Regarding receiving this award during Homecoming's centennial celebration he added: “Staying connected through great events like Homecoming is special; it’s always a meaningful time for us. It’s especially rewarding to give back to the place that gave me so much — and to help shape the experiences of future Blugolds.”

Emily Riechers earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing (1999) and master’s degree in advanced clinical practice (2003) from UW–Eau Claire. She became Mayo Clinic Health System – Eau Claire's first nurse practitioner—and its first female provider—in urology. Since 2022 she has taught urology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester.

“As the first nurse practitioner in my department — and one of only 75 nationally certified in urology at the time — I had the unique opportunity to help define the role from the ground up. It was both a challenge and a chance to pave the way for future advanced practice providers in the urology field.” she says.

Her achievements include multiple Press Ganey Silver awards for patient satisfaction as well as a Clinical Excellence Award within Mayo Clinic Health System – Eau Claire.

Since 2009 Emily has contributed by teaching nursing courses as adjunct faculty at UW–Eau Claire, mentoring students, serving as preceptor for nurse practitioner students at Mayo Clinic Health System – Eau Claire, bringing therapy animals to campus during finals week study breaks, walking with her family—including golden retrievers—in annual Homecoming parades.

“Several times throughout the year, I bring one of our family dogs — a certified therapy animal — to campus to support student mental health, including study breaks during finals week, which is always especially meaningful,” she says. “The whole family and our golden retrievers also walk the parade each year at Homecoming, and we are looking forward to it once again this year. It’s a joy to reflect on the legacy of Blugold pride that grows with each new generation.”

The couple will be formally presented with their award during an Oct. 3 Foundation dinner reception before serving as grand marshals for UW–Eau Claire's centennial Homecoming parade on Water Street.