UW-Green Bay, Chancellor, FYI December 2003

	On Green Bay, Austin, the 'red suits' question, and learning at the Weidner Center "Why would anyone move from Austin, Texas to Green Bay?” was the very blunt question posed by the cab driver taking me to the airport after my interview at the Weidner Center. During the remainder of our brief ride I lectured him on what a fabulous opportunity it is to lead one of the most respected arts centers in the country, the vitality of the community and my personal interest in being a valued part of a top-flight educational community. I suppose I realized that mostly what he meant with his question was why was I willing to trade the mild winters and scorching summers of Austin for the slightly colder climate of Green Bay. But on the plane home to Austin I spent a long time plumbing the depths of his question since I knew that I would hear it again. By the time I landed I realized that the real answer is, in addition to all of the above, what I saw in the eyes of the people I met here in Green Bay told me that the spirit needed to develop great ideas is matched with the grit to pull them off. Please forgive me for being trite, but the slogan I saw on a roadside billboard the other day tells a great deal about the character of our community: “The Colder The Better.” OK, so I’m kidding myself about it being slightly colder than Austin. As I was enjoying the wonderful autumn days raking leaves, one of our new neighbors pointed out that by the time February rolls around I might see better than 110 degree temperature swings from those summer days in Austin. That’s fine, we’ll all be indoors comfortably enjoying the great performances brought to Green Bay by the Weidner Center. I’m arriving at the Weidner Center at an interesting time. Its huge early success as a performance venue has fostered the development of several other for-profit and non-profit performance facilities in the Fox Valley in just the last few years.		The success of the Edward W. Weidner Center for the Performing Arts rests on solid community support. In David Fleming's view, the Center also derives strength from an extraordinary commitment to customer service; an emphasis on education, befitting its University ties; and a certain measure of old fashioned "grit." Chancellor's Note: When this University appointed David Fleming executive director of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, we described him as the ideal person to take the Weidner to a new level of excellence because of his special blend of experience, talent and commitment. Barely two months on the job, he has impressed many with his fast start. David has 25 years experience in performing arts management, most recently as president and CEO of the Long Center in Austin, Texas. That experience will be invaluable as we look to expand the Weidner's already strong education offerings, its partnerships with University academic programs, and its ability to thrive in a competitive marketplace. I am delighted to offer him this space as December's guest columnist. Bruce Shepard
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