UW-Green Bay, Chancellor, FYI May 2006

Greetings from
Green Bay’s University of Wisconsin!
Only one month remains until summer. We know it’s out there, somewhere, and Cyndie, Paul and I are looking forward to finding its less-hectic pace once the school year wraps up. Here’s a May-it-happen wish for our extended UW-Green Bay family: When the warm weather arrives for good, may it bring a little well-deserved rest, relaxation and re-charge time, too.
With so much ground to cover, so many major events just concluded or rapidly approaching (including the Spring Founders Reception on May 2nd), I’ll treat this final spring newsletter like a blog, with quick takes on an assortment of topics, beginning with...
• The photo above — Taken just before our all-important “Growth Agenda” presentation to the Regents on April 7, it captured a happy, confident group. We knew going in we had a strong case. Regent President Walsh said afterward it was the best presentation on the need for higher education investment he had ever heard a group of community leaders make. The rotation hadn’t brought the Regents here since 1999, so it was critical we use this face-to-face opportunity to persuade them that UW-Green Bay is a place to invest very scarce resources, and to do so at a much higher rate than the past proportional practices have provided. The Regents visit was a sensational success, on every front. We owe thanks to so many — on campus, on our boards and among the Trustees, and our partners and alumni throughout the region — for once again going above and beyond.

• Thank you, friends — Whether by way of philanthropy, volunteer service or issues advocacy, community supporters help power our success. We celebrate this connection at commencement with presentation of Chancellor’s Awards. Mike and Kate Meeuwsen, Craig Mueller, and Dr. Herbert and Crystal Sandmire will take well-earned turns in the spotlight at the May 13 ceremony. Please join me in extending deepest appreciation to our 2006 recipients.
• Congratulations, student stars — UW-Green Bay sent an extraordinarily strong delegation to Madison last week — 15 presenters — for the annual “Posters in the Rotunda” gathering of top undergraduate researchers. Our students are among the best in the state. They made a huge impression during the Board of Regents visit, as we incorporated students into each of our various presentations, including the grad students who spoke on sustainable development, our Academic Excellence Symposium (photos in this newsletter), and the stunning program our music faculty and students provided, filling the Weidner Center with a clear, beautifully crafted, and superbly performed message. I marvel at the additional time devoted during a busy and often-trying time of the year. Talented, dedicated students are unbelievably effective ambassadors.
• Diversity Summit — The area’s inaugural Leadership Summit on Diversity, held April 20 at the Lambeau Field Atrium, was a milestone step forward for the community. I count among my proudest moments as Chancellor the opportunity to represent UW-Green Bay as co-host. Coming as it did on the heels of the Regent visit, the event allowed us to reinforce our commitment to lead the region’s economic and demographic transition. First-generation college students, especially students of color historically under-served by higher education, are vital to our shared future. If the Growth Agenda comes to pass, major credit will go to the success that so many of you have made of the Phuture Phoenix Program and related efforts to build the pipeline.

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Office of the Chancellor, David A Cofrin Library, Suite 810, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311-7001
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Revised: 07/31/2006

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