Presiding at my hometown university’s mid-year Commencement was an honor, and presenting a diploma to County Executive Tom Hinz (right) was a highlight. A leader in local government and law enforcement for many years, he’s now also a UWGB alumnus... and a terrific role model for our students.

It will be my privilege later this month to speak at UW-Green Bay’s second faculty and staff Mid-Year Convocation, a campuswide gathering at which we will celebrate the start of the Spring Semester. Interim Provost Bill Laatsch has graciously agreed to serve as master of ceremonies, just as he did at the first Mid-Year Convocation.

I applaud former Chancellor Bruce Shepard for initiating Mid-Year Convocation a year ago. He understood the importance of such an event to building a sense of community and reaffirming our shared commitment to that community.

I will have a few things to say at the Jan. 21 event about how we can continue to build academic excellence as well as strengthen the important connections between campus and community. We also will recognize the contributions of 45 colleagues who this year will mark significant anniversaries of their service to UW-Green Bay. Their commitment to this University and the high quality of their work are key drivers that make UW-Green Bay a unique and exceptional institution.

Much of the December issue of Chancellor’s FYI was devoted to UW-Green Bay’s showcase event: Commencement. About 300 students marked the successful conclusion of their graduate or undergraduate studies Dec. 20 during ceremonies at the Weidner Center.

It was our largest fall graduating class ever, and a marvelous day for our graduates and their families as well as for the entire University community. I congratulate each and every one of the graduates and their supportive families.

However, I want to single out one graduate in particular who made us all so proud that day. Brown County Executive Tom Hinz received his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Not only did he obtain his degree, but he was awarded a Chancellor’s Medallion for demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and leadership.

The graduation of County Executive Hinz received extensive, and highly appropriate, coverage from the news media. His impressive record of achievement in local government and law enforcement was noted, along with the fact his part-time path to graduation required skillful juggling of school, work, family and civic obligations.

None of the coverage, though, was more fitting than an editorial that ran the morning of Commencement in the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

In a modest, self-deprecating manner, Tom explained that he completed his degree “mainly to show younger people that if this old guy can go back to school and get his degree, you can, too.” The newspaper concluded its editorial by adding, “This is what we mean by leadership.”

Thanks, Tom, for the lesson in leadership, persistence and determination. And congratulations from one old guy to another.