The community can be proud that the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay recently notched a new milestone - its 20,000th graduate.

During commencement ceremonies last week, Leanne Shaha, a Spanish and business administration major from Luxemburg, graduated with honors as the university's 20,000th graduate. She was recognized by Nancy Deprey of Green Bay, UWGB's first graduate in June 1970.

Chancellor Bruce Shepard presented Shaha a wooden bowl that he crafted from a piece of the UWGB shoe tree, which blew down in a windstorm in July. Students would toss shoes into the tree's branches upon graduation.

"Whether you are No. 20,000 or 19,999 or 20,001, we hand to each of you a piece of our proud tradition, the uniquely UWGB approach to higher education that is now an inseparable part of you, knowing that you will apply that gift to special purposes," said Shepard.

UWGB has served as an engine for economic development in the community and its graduates will keep our area growing. Another commencement highlight signified how the campus has used technology to meet changing educational needs.

Cherry Pfau, one of the 350 students who received UW-Green Bay diplomas, completed her bachelor of science degree over the Internet from her home in Land O' Lakes, Fla., through UW-Green Bay's national online nursing program. Pfau, a registered nurse for 30 years, graduated from the national BSN-LINC program, an interactive, online degree completion program offered through a collaboration among the five UW Schools of Nursing and UW Learning Innovations. The program is led by UW-Green Bay and allows students to complete their course work at times and locations that are convenient to them.

Innovation and collaborative spirit have been hallmarks of UW-Green Bay since it was founded as a two-year UW Center. It began offering classes as a four-year institution in 1968. We congratulate UW-Green Bay on its 20,000th graduate and wish the university good luck.