UW-Green Bay, Chancellor, FYI, April 2008

Photo of graduate in cap and gown smiling at baby.
A potential member of the UW-Green Bay Class of 2028 greets a Class of 2007 graduate following December’s commencement at the Weidner Center. Our steadily growing alumni ‘family’ will surpass 25,000 with our next ceremony, May 17. We have special plans to mark the milestone.

As total hits 25,000,
it’s time to celebrate
UW-Green Bay’s growing alumni family

Greetings from Green Bay’s University of Wisconsin!
Ever since Cyndie and I arrived at UW-Green Bay six years ago, we wondered when we would experience one of those old-fashioned Wisconsin winters we had heard so much about. Now that we have lived through one of the snowiest winters in the state’s history, I believe we have earned “Frozen Tundra” bragging rights.
With some snow banks still hanging on, it’s hard to imagine that spring break has come and gone and we’re already well into our planning for Spring Commencement, which is scheduled for May 17.
I always think of Commencement, with its combination of academic ritual and family celebration, as one of the happiest days of the year on campus. This year, we have reason to be even more excited than usual.

First, Commencement will be held at the magnificent Kress Events Center. It’s one more showcase event for “the Kress,” which has exceeded our expectations and has received outstanding reviews on campus and in the community.
In addition, we will celebrate a great milestone when UW-Green Bay’s 25,000th graduate crosses the stage at Spring Commencement. At that moment, we will celebrate a remarkable achievement shared by your University, the region we proudly serve and each of those 25,000 graduates and their families,
When I think of this milestone, I think of founding Chancellor Edward Weidner and the other visionaries who dared to dream and then worked tirelessly to make their dreams come true. I am saddened that Chancellor Weidner, who passed away last June, will not be here to enjoy the celebration.
I also think of the impact our 25,000 graduates have had on our community, our state, our nation, and our world. They have used their UW-Green Bay education not only to improve their lives, but to improve the lives of the people around them.
With humility being a trait shared by most Midwesterners, bragging about our achievements is not something that comes naturally. But it’s hard to be humble when you have so many positive stories to tell.
When I describe UW-Green Bay to friends and colleagues, I note that our graduates rank with those of any university, by just about any measure of achievement.
In recent months, we have profiled many of our distinguished alumni in Inside UW-Green Bay magazine. We also have had numerous alumni return to campus to serve as Commencement speakers and inspire a new generation of graduates.
Consider our past few Commencement speakers. Speakers have included alumni who have gone on to become some of the most prominent executives in their industries. They have included a tribal leader and a judge. Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, who spoke at Commencement a few years ago, spent much time in UW-Green Bay classrooms.
As I think of the messages each of these individuals brought to our graduates, I’m so impressed by their common themes: Be passionate, believe in yourself and remember to give back to society. Add those themes to a high-quality education and you have a recipe for future success. . . . continued

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Revised 03/31/2008