Family Ties —
Now a personal calling card for Edward Weidner

The tradition of outrageous neckware took hold years ago for Weidner, UW-Green Bay's founding chancellor, who bought them simply to appease family members.

"When work took me away from family, I could never come home empty-handed, of course," Weidner said. "I started picking little gifts up for the family, but they then complained I never got something for myself. Because ties could be easily folded and slipped into a suitcase, they began my personal gift of choice."

He figures to now have about 250 ties, some from as far away as Lebanon, France, Thailand and Japan, and most of them organized by color in his closet, although some, he believes, are hanging in the closets of his grandsons.

"Eventually people began buying them for me as gifts," Weidner said. "Sam Johnson's (SC Johnson) wife Imogene was shopping in Harrod's of London and decided to get a gift for me and Jean (Weidner's first wife, now deceased). She went to the tie department and picked out one of the wildest ties you could imagine. Once she saw the price, Jean didn't get a present."

His ties have been used in a framed, traveling trophy for University retirees, and they have been bestowed on future generations of UW-Green Bay chancellors and other community dignitaries. They've also been the source of good-hearted hijinks. Daughter-in-law Ellen, UW-Green Bay athletics ticket director Marilyn McCarey, and Weidner's wife, Marge, teamed-up for one particular surprise.

'"Ellen told Ed she wanted a batch of his ties to sew into a quilt she was making for him," explained Marge. "It also happened to be near the time he was to be inducted into the Phoenix Hall of Fame. He showed up on induction night, and much to his surprise there was a room full of people wearing his ties."

"I never did get them back," Weidner insists. "And I never received the so-called quilt. But every once in a while, my grandsons Peter and Jimmy (Ellen's sons) show up at an event with a tie that looks remarkable familiar to the ones I used to own."

Major change possible for First Nations Studies

UW-Green Bay offers an academic minor in American Indian Studies. That's about to change.

The minor is in store for both a name change to First Nations Studies and a serious push to elevate the program to the status of a full interdisciplinary major. Prof. Lisa Poupart, chairperson of the program, says the shift to "First Nations" effective July 1 follows a shift taking place at other universities and, moreover, a desire expressed by UW-Green Bay and its students to reflect the sovereign status of tribal communities.

The move to major status will take further study and UW System approval. Proponents point to UW-Green Bay's history of service to native students, its strong working relationship with the two-year College of Menominee Nation, and campus proximity to tribal nations including the Menominee, Oneida, Stockbridge-Munsee and several Ojibwe bands.

"People on campus and in tribal communities are already very positive about creating a major," Poupart says. "A First Nations Studies major would reflect meaningful change in the University and its commitment to offer students additional opportunities."

'Extended Degree' goes 'Adult'

What it doesn't have, any more, is the name "Extended Degree."

The program is making changes &3151; the name is now Office of Adult Degree Programs &3151; and aggressively repositioning to meet renewed demand for education and retraining in a Wisconsin economy in transition.

"Our challenge is to build on the success of Extended Degree, and to provide an even better level of logistical support for distance education and adult learners," says Sue K. Hammersmith, the University's provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. "The demand is there."

The bachelor's degree program will continue to offer the major in Interdisciplinary Studies, as awarded by UW-Green Bay's Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty. Internet-based courses, flexible scheduling and on-campus sessions limited to occasional weekend hours will remain.

New is program manager Eric Craver, who is busy reaching out to businesses of the region, Chamber of Commerce leaders and professional organizations to boost the program's visibility and inform more potential students that a UW education is a viable option.

Craver and staff member Trudy Jacobson '71 are enlisting the help of the program's 400 or more graduates. The alumni — often individuals with strong affinity for the University that gave them their shot at a bachelor's or associate degree &3151; are being asked to share information. A newsletter and a group called the IST Alumni Network ("IST" stands for Interdisciplinary Studies) are now in place.

The typical profile of an IST student is someone in his or her late-20s to mid-40s, working, with a family, high school diploma and often some college experience. The prestige of a UW degree and relatively affordable tuition for a quality education are draws.

Most students are from the region. Jeff Jordan '99 was happy to make the Saturday drive from his home in Appleton. Now a resident of Milwaukee, he still supports the program by filling in at education fairs and touting the benefits of getting a degree from UW-Green Bay. He says his reason for enrolling was typical of many of his classmates.

"I wanted to get a liberal arts degree, and not necessarily for the financial benefit or career advancement, although with a University of Wisconsin degree that can't be overlooked," Jordan says. "My goal was to finish what I started in my late teens after graduating from high school. I received a great education, which has enriched my life immeasurably.

"I can't say enough about this program. The quality of the teaching and the ability to interrelate with other students on campus makes this program unique and valuable."

Change is good, says Laatsch

Laatsch is UW-Green Bay's longest-serving faculty member — having taught courses at the two-year Fox Valley Center a couple of years before the University opened in 1968 &3151; and was one of the pioneering professors in teaching distance-learning courses.

"This is a very important program for the University because of what it means about giving people who are out there working, raising families, living their daily lives, a second chance at college," he says.

Laatsch says faculty who teach in the program are devoted to it, frequently remarking that adult learners are often the best students. "They'll challenge you," he says. "They bring so much to the table in terms of life experience and professional expertise."

Alumni, in turn, think highly of Laatsch. A group chipped in last year for a five-figure gift to the University academic excellence fund and the privilege of naming MAC Hall geography classroom 237 in his honor.

Laatsch says a new name and marketing strategies won't bring immediate, noticeable change for current students and alumni. The reorganization did clarify the responsibility of the faculty Interdisciplinary Studies Executive Committee he chairs in overseeing the program. He senses sentiment that the curriculum, if anything, will stay or become even more rigorous over time.

"There are so many online degree programs out there. Some are good, a few are very good, but many are not. This one is a University of Wisconsin degree, and that means something. Always will. It is a very challenging baccalaureate program, and that's something we're proud of."

Student? He's the teacher

Hulse is one of about a dozen students who, over the years, have taken advantage of UW-Green Bay's unique opportunities for student-led courses. Most took place in the 1970s. Hulse's course, Sexual Orientation and the Law, is the first in the past four years.

Francis Carleton, the course adviser, has been there to guide Hulse since day one. He says Hulse did most of the work, including proposing the class and creating the syllabus, background readings and exams.

"Any student who's going to propose their own course is already highly motivated and most certainly highly qualified," Carleton says. "He's clearly a future mover and shaker."

One of the reasons student-led courses are rare is because the approval process is so rigorous. Topics must be subjects of contemporary concern not fully covered in existing courses.

Hulse describes the experience as rewarding, especially seeing his hard work culminate in a class he can be proud of. Feedback from his dozen or so students has been positive. He encourages others to take advantage of the distinctive opportunities the University has to offer.

"It requires commitment and hard work, but the results are certainly worth it," Hulse says. "I've learned so much through this process, and while personally rewarding, I also believe that professionally, for me and other students, it will open many doors."
— Lindsey Oostra '06

Faculty and staff

Prof. Kim Nielsen was scheduled to begin a two-week stay in Japan May 21. She won an Organization of American Historians / Japanese Association of American Studies short-term residency hosted by Japan Women's University. She will lecture on various topics in U.S. history at six different universities in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima.

A UW System initiative called "Wisconsin Jobs for Wisconsin Grads" Web site is drawing kudos for letting employers look for workers among the 32,000 graduates the state's public universities produce each year. Career Services Director Linda Peacock-Landrum helped coordinate the online job posting system. The secure site, www.myconsortium.com/wisconsin/employer/, requires registration.

Aileen Yingst, a planetary geologist, has received a $180,000 grant to study and catalog sediments on Earth similar to what may be found on Mars. The three-year NASA grant will support Yingst and undergraduate researchers as they work to create a library of images to help quickly identify sedimentary materials as future probes explore Mars.

Senior accountant SuAnn Speth was named the University's new budget officer in the Planning and Budget Office. She succeeds Keith Prechter, who died in September after 34 years of service to UW-Green Bay.

Two faculty members have been selected for a UW System program aimed at giving top teachers an opportunity to hone their skills. Assistant Prof. Denise Bartell of Human Development will undertake a classroom research project with her selection as a UW System Teaching Fellow. Associate Prof. Patricia Ragan of Education, named a UW System Teaching Scholar, will make major revisions to one of her existing courses. They will share the results statewide.

Friends on campus mourned the deaths this spring of Associate Professor Emerita Sue Kline-Heim and former 'first lady' Marcia Outcalt. Kline-Heim, 53, was a 1984 UW-Green Bay graduate and a design specialist in theatre. A long battle with multiple sclerosis forced her to scale back in the mid-1990s. Outcalt came to UW-Green Bay in 1986 with the appointment of her husband, David, as chancellor. She was among the first to receive the then-new UW System designation, Associate of the Chancellor, an unpaid but honorary title conveying appreciation for dedicated efforts on behalf of the institution. She is survived by David and four sons.

Ruth Clusen was neither faculty, staff nor alumnus, but she holds special distinction: UW-Green Bay's only three-time commencement speaker, in December of 1973 and 1989 and May of 1992. She died March 14 in Green Bay at age 82. The educator, activist and UW Regent was national president of the League of Women Voters. Her time in the spotlight included a turn as moderator (later portrayed by Lily Tomlin in a "Saturday Night Live" skit) for a nationally televised presidential debate between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter in 1976.

More campus news

Web skills win honor for top student worker

Erica Heckendorf was the recipient of UW-Green Bay's first Student Employee of the Year Award. Her mother, Betty Unger, and sister, Deann McIntosh, made the two-hour trip from Pewaukee to join her on campus for the April award ceremony. Chosen from 20 students nominated, the senior elementary education major stood out for the professional-quality work she contributed to the departmental Web site of the Institute for Learning Partnership. The award presentation was one of several activities intended to say "thanks" to the University's 808 student employees, who average 10 hours per week at $7.30 per hour, range in age from 16 to 61, come from hometowns as far away as Japan, and serve the University and select community agencies exceedingly well in work-study and regular-employment positions throughout the academic year.

Family weekend a smash hit

When 500 family members of current UW-Green Bay students descended on campus this spring for the annual Family Weekend, the Office of Student Life had a hit on its hands, and a double-digit increase from last year. Among the highlights:

• A night at Comedy City drew 205 guests, a sellout;
• The Lambeau Field tour hit its 150 capacity; and
• The Magician's Luncheon, at 175 was full, as well.

Parents were delighted. "Thank you for the fun weekend with our daughter. We are already making plans for a (return trip)" was typical of the e-mails received afterward. Director of Student Life Lisa Tetzloff is making plans for next year.

One mistake that won't be repeated is to underestimate the evergreen family appeal of bowling; the available slots sold out quickly. Another favorite was a Saturday morning crafts fair which got everyone from young siblings to parents involved. Always popular are the mini-seminars hosted by UW-Green Bay faculty and staff.

Parents seem to really enjoy getting a little flavor of the classroom experience here," Tetzloff says. Among the especially well-received sessions this spring were "African Dance/Music" by Juliet Cole, "Hold On To Your Hat: Severe Weather in Wisconsin" by Prof. Steve Meyer, and "Beat Stress: Tips for Survival" by Prof. Regan Gurung.

Overnight visit shows freshmen the college life

Incoming freshmen accepted to UW-Green Bay can now experience firsthand what the University has to offer. Potential college freshmen are paired with current UW-Green Bay students who share interest in similar majors. Together they attend classes, eat in the dining hall, attend events and experience the college life. It's a program originated on this campus by Admissions adviser Amanda Ferger.

"It gives high school seniors a chance to come and see if they fit well within our campus," Ferger says. "They can try it out before they come to help them to make a better decision."

This year about 50 students optioned for the overnight. Volunteer hosts and incoming freshmen have reported great results for the first-time program.

"We've been getting great evaluations so far," Ferger says. "It's definitely been a deciding factor for some of the students, so it's been helpful in that respect."

Phoenix scores well on new NCAA academic test

No problems for UW-Green Bay athletic teams, which ranked well above national averages in a new report that measures academic progress of student-athletes in Division I sports. The NCAA gave UW-Green Bay an overall Academic Progress Rate score of 977, compared with a Division I average of 948. The APR allocates points for eligibility and retention — two factors research identifies as the best indicators of graduation prospects. Scoring perfect scores were men's golf, men's skiing, men's tennis, women's skiing, women's softball, women's swimming and women's tennis. The NCAA penalty structure includes scholarship reductions for sports that under-perform.