That the public posting of the famous "sifting and winnowing'' plaque comes as part of the inauguration of the school's fourth chancellor, Bruce Shepard, seems particularly appropriate.

The plaque reads:

"Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.''

This statement was made by the UW Board of Regents in 1894. The occasion was the trial of a university economics professor who had made controversial statements.

Oliver Wells, the state school superintendent and an ex officio member of the Board of Regents, labeled professor Richard Ely an anarchist, accusing him of fomenting strikes and promoting unions and boycotts. Wells said Ely taught these principles in the classroom and incorporated them in his scholarly writings.

The incident drew nationwide attention.

After conducting a hearing, the Board of Regents cleared Ely of all charges and — in a stirring defense of academic freedom — issued the "sifting and winnowing'' statement.

The plaque is posted at Bascom Hall on the UW-Madison campus. In 1964, the Board of Regents decided that copies of the plaque should be given to the UW System's two-year campuses.

One of the plaques went to the UW-Green Bay Center on Deckner Avenue, then subsequently to UWGB when it opened in 1969. After years in storage, the plaque has been mounted on a brick wall outside the Cofrin Library.

It will be dedicated in a ceremony Thursday at 9 a.m.

David Littig, a professor of political science, will be among the speakers. Here are some of the remarks he will make:

"Academic freedom protects the freedom of all members of the university community to learn and seek the truth wherever it may lie and whatever the consequences.

"Academic freedom rests at the core of the student learning experience — in the classroom, with professors, on research projects, and in students' midnight bull sessions.

"Sifting and winnowing enables students to challenge classroom theories, to integrate ideas from various disciplines, to defend and develop their own informed intellectual position on issues in a safe and supportive university environment.''