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This
campaign is different:
We
can all agree on the winner
This
campaign is different: We can all agree on the winner
Hello, I’m Steve Swan. I am delighted to have this opportunity to
share a little about myself and my work with the thousands of friends
of our University.
I’ll begin with an acknowledgment. With our current state of political
overload, you are probably tempted to run screaming in the opposite direction
at the mere mention of the word “campaign.” I hope the headline
didn’t scare you. This time, the context is entirely positive.
It’s “The Campaign for UW-Green Bay,” something I hope
will find us all on the same side.
Before I update you on our progress, I’d like to introduce (or reintroduce)
myself to the UW-Green Bay community.
In February of this year I made the decision to rejoin UW-Green Bay as
assistant chancellor for University Advancement. I had been away for four
years, serving as president and co-owner of Ultimate Sports Apparel, Inc.,
Green Bay.
People ask me why I came back. I guarantee it wasn’t for fewer hours
or more pay. My private-sector career involved plenty of 10-hour days,
tough challenges and a super-competitive market... and I’m finding
that this job offers all that, and more.
The difference is the impact the University makes. And the feeling of
satisfaction that impact creates. And the opportunity to work with very
special friends who help make that impact possible.
I am an absolute believer in this University and higher education. UW-Green
Bay’s regional focus, our connections with the community, the hands-on
problem solving... all seem to be a perfect fit with the people we serve.
I had been a part of the UW-Green Bay community for 15 years, first with
intercollegiate athletics and then as executive director in advancement.
Even while I was away, I tried to stay close. I continued to attend campus
events with my wife, Karen, who is director of UW-Green Bay’s Health
Services. I was a member of the board of directors of the Phoenix Fund
and a volunteer member of the campaign cabinet for the UW-Green Bay capital
campaign.
&nbps; The difference I sense from the community is that people
know more about UW-Green Bay and better appreciate our contributions to
the region. That’s been the trend since the arrival of Bruce Shepard
and the University’s commitment to “Connecting learning to
life.” To me those words are more than an organizing theme. They
are a call to action that I am seeing lived out every day by students,
faculty and staff.
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Assistant Chancellor Steve Swan speaks at the dedication
of UW-Green Bay's Downtown Learning Center.
CHANCELLOR'S
NOTE:
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay was fortunate last spring to attract
an individual of great integrity, with significant experience and extensive
community contacts, to serve as our Assistant Chancellor for University
Advancement. That individual is Steve Swan. His performance in that role
has been, to say the least, impressive. I offer him this space as November’s
guest columnist so he can share with you an update on our progress.
 —
Bruce Shepard
For
me, that’s exciting. I first came to UW-Green Bay in 1985, and I’ve
never been more enthusiastic about the direction of our University. As
a result, I take great pride in working with our various constituent groups
in helping build an even stronger public university, one that I believe
can help our region meet the challenges of business, cultural and social
transition.
How do we build that stronger university?
As the Chancellor and his leadership team have stressed, we will do so
with good people and a commitment to quality and academic excellence,
even through difficult fiscal times. It also is reassuring to know that
we have the support of more than 3,000 good friends.
In a few weeks you will receive a copy of our fall issue
of the “Inside UW-Green Bay” magazine which will include a
special section: the Annual Report donor honor roll. The lists will include
many names you recognize — co-workers, former students, prominent
local citizens — and many you do not. They are all on our side,
though, and have helped us do some great things over the last year.
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