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I
began this column with basketball, at least in part, because for those of you
reading this on or near campus, it was hard to avoid the saturation coverage.
News and sports media took advantage of our open process and public hearings to
focus on our four finalists—Tod Kowalczyk of Marquette, Mike Garland of Michigan
State, Al Grushkin of Incarnate Word, and former head coach Steve Merfeld of Hampton. This was a great thing. For all of UW-Green Bay. Certainly the media (and much of American society) sometimes pay too much attention to college athletics, and not enough to academics. But when sports are emblematic of a larger truth about overall excellence, it gift wraps for us a marvelous opportunity to tell our story. What the media did with the Phoenix coaching situation was present the public a view of a deep and talented pool of candidates. The reporters helped fuel the buzz that “name” people from “name” programs were lining up to say good things about UWGB. They communicated the passion that our new head coach feels not only for his profession and his hometown (Tod is a De Pere native), but for UW-Green Bay the institution. External validation. It makes you feel proud. We’re proud, too, of the finalists for the position of provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. I was disappointed at the outset that I couldn’t talk interim provost Dr. Carol Pollis into continuing; I tried, because she’s been such a model of integrity and effectiveness in all things academic and UWGB, but she insists on enjoying her return to retirement. I was delighted, however, by the quality of candidates to succeed her. We’ve also attracted fine candidates for the position of dean of liberal arts and sciences. For provost, the candidates were Sue Hammersmith, Walter Harris Jr., Rosemary Keefe, Michael Harris, Karen White. For dean, they were Carol Blackshire-Belay, Charles Elkins, Cheryl Grosso, Norman J. Wilsman. In many respects, these are “name” people in their own right… people who are deans and vice chancellors and department chairs and prominent professors. From relatively large institutions (including UW-Madison and Eastern Michigan and Indiana State) to relatively small (Ferris State, UW-Superior). From near (our very own campus) to far (Colorado State). Terrific schools attract deep pools. I’m not sure even Hallmark would cherish that couplet, but it’s absolutely accurate in describing the dynamics of an institution attempting to build upon its success by recruiting and retaining top talent. People-power drives what we do and, at UW-Green Bay, we’re blessed to have many of the attributes that tend to make and keep people passionate about the institution and its mission. From prospective employees to current faculty and staff, there’s an excitement for UW-Green Bay’s capacity to empower students to pursue truly special learning opportunities. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaTOP OF NEXT COLUMN |
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On April 17 we turned the spotlight on this with our first-ever Academic Excellence
Symposium. We turned the biggest room in the University Union into a trade show,
of sorts, and let students report on their success: Marketing surveys of the concert-going
public. A study of grandparents assuming more responsibility in raising their
children’s children. A waste-to-energy recycling project. Articifical intelligence
in computers. The quality of work was most impressive. Engagement with the community, something I’ve stressed more than anything during my time here, is alive and thriving: • The new Master’s of Management program is going public with recruitment of its first entering class of students for next fall. Brochures, informational sessions, media exposure and one-on-one contacts will help spread the word. This innovative and advanced study of management responds to community demand. I encourage you to learn more about it and our other fine graduate offerings. Their Website is www.uwgb.edu/gradstu/ • There has been wonderful discussion in recent months (the UWGBTeach list-serve has carried some marvelous postings) about how we engage the learner and the larger community, and how our faculty and staff members view general education and our innovative brand of liberal arts education. As a university, we have already re-examined our admissions criteria; we are doing the same with general education. • I continue to meet and work with many of the friends who have provided important support to the University through the years. Excellence at a public university requires community engagement. State appropriations—the public piece of the partnership—provide fundamentals. Private contributions provide the “margin of excellence” (e.g., in the teaching environment through facilities, in the student body through scholarships, and in the faculty through professorships and chairs). Together, we are optimistic that the public part of the bargain is maintained, and recent actions by our public representatives give hope that the state’s budget challenges will be resolved in favor of higher education. Finally, in closing, I’ll call your attention to probably the most celebratory ceremony at any university, any year, anytime, anywhere. Commencement. It’s at noon Saturday, May 25, outdoors along the main entrance boulevard. I understand we have some incredible streak going—18 out of 20 years, or something like that—of not being rained out. I hope this newcomer from Oregon doesn’t bring, well... I won’t even say it. See you there. And stay engaged, be proud, and remember: the secret is in the people. Sincerely, |
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