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But we must do more to ensure that the Wisconsin Idea will remain
alive and well in Northeastern Wisconsin. That’s why, in response
to needs expressed by community leaders and partners, we have developed
Northeastern Wisconsin’s Growth Agenda.
The Growth Agenda, if funded by the governor and state Legislature,
would provide the additional resources needed to increase UW-Green Bay’s
enrollment by 2,000 students. My friends in the private sector have made
it clear to me that our region needs more college graduates, and we are
working through the Growth Agenda to meet that need. We must develop and
nurture the talents and creativity of our young people for Northeastern
Wisconsin to thrive in the increasingly knowledge-based and competitive
global economy.
Growing our capacity also will increase the size of the platform we have
for serving a region that turns to us for expertise and ideas. Growth will
enable us to be more responsive when the region comes calling for assistance.
A key component of the Growth Agenda — and of our commitment
to the Wisconsin Idea — is our award-winning and expanding Phuture
Phoenix program. Readers of the November issue of “Chancellor’s
FYI” know that this innovative program is encouraging youngsters to
dream of attending college and then giving them the tools to live their
dreams.
Phuture Phoenix is building a large pipeline to the rapidly
growing and diverse populations upon which our region must stake its future.
But as I have told community and business leaders, UW Regents and many others,
we are headed for a trainwreck. We simply cannot assemble a pipeline of
thousands of students and then turn on the “no vacancy” sign
just as they arrive at the campus doorstep.
aaaaaaaaaaaaa
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It was an honor and a pleasure for me to tell our story —
and how it relates to the Wisconsin Idea — to the Wisconsin Higher
Education Business Roundtable. Many of these business leaders from across
the state heard the story for the first time.
Chancellors from other campuses have similar stories to tell about how
they are serving their regions and our great state. This fact gives me
confidence as we work to gain public and legislative support not only
for Northeastern Wisconsin’s Growth Agenda, but for President Reilly’s
vision for growing the entire UW System.
As I told the Business Roundtable, “The Wisconsin
Idea is not a revered icon of institutional history hanging in a display
case among raccoon skin coats and freshman beanies. It is the living and
ever-more relevant raison d’etre for Wisconsin’s University.”
As long as we can show that we take the Wisconsin Idea seriously
and recognize that it is at the core of our mission, a supportive public
will be willing and eager to help us help Wisconsin achieve its vast potential.
We then can work together to make the Wisconsin Idea even more important
to our state in this century than it was in the last.
As I conclude this month’s message, I wish to extend
warmest holiday greetings from Cyndie and me to all of you and your families.
And thank you for helping your University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in living
the Wisconsin Idea and “connecting learning to life.”
Sincerely,
Bruce Shepard
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