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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/27/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
May 16, 2004 UWGB grads pick forefather for ceremony First chancellor gets nod over Packers stars to give keynote speech By Cynthia Hodnett Green Bay Packers Brett Favre and Ahman Green and UWGB founding chancellor
Edward Weidner were among the choices.
In the end, Weidner came out as the students' top pick.
"When I informed Chancellor Weidner of the esteemed company that he
was with in the minds of the students who had chosen him as the person
they'd most like to hear from, he said, 'Oh, you picked me because you
knew you could get me for free,'" current UWGB Chancellor Bruce Shepard
joked while introducing Weidner during the ceremonies.
Weidner spoke to 675 graduating students who received degrees in more
than 30 areas of study. This was UWGB's 35th spring commencement. In that
time 21,751 diplomas have been awarded.
Appointed chancellor in 1966, Weidner was charged with developing a
new institution of higher education in Northeastern Wisconsin. The university
began offering classes as a four-year institution in 1968 and opened the
first buildings on its new campus in 1969.
"Do not be a drifter — or without an objective," Weidner said.
"Strive to make this a better world for all those with whom you have contact."
As the university's first chancellor and first employee, Weidner played
a key role in defining the mission, academic plan and campus of the new
university. With its focus on a broad education organized across the boundaries
of traditional disciplines, and on humans and their environment, the academic
plan served as a model for other new universities.
Weidner's role as chancellor ended in 1986, but he continued to teach
classes at the university. After officially retiring from the university
in 1989, the UW Board of Regents granted him the title chancellor emeritus.
"It need not to be a university that you help build," Weidner told graduates.
"Perhaps it will be a day-care center, a school, a small business or a
charitable service. ... Complete success may not always be possible, but
a strong aim and direction will carry you far."
Sunam Ellis of Appleton, who completed majors in human development and
theater, was the student speaker. She graduated with a perfect grade-point
average. She is a co-host of "Cultural Horizons" on Wisconsin Public Television
and has performed in a number of university and community theater productions.
"This is my challenge to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Class
of 2004: Live your dream, fulfill that right to be whoever you want to
be, bite off more than you can chew and have fun doing it," Ellis said.
"Remember where you came from and be proud of where you're going."
Hope Krepline of Chilton received the Alumni Association's Outstanding
Student Award. Krepline had double majors in accounting and business administration
and provided service to organizations relating to her majors. She also
graduated with high honors.
Four retiring faculty members — John Harris, Margaret Laughlin,
David Littig and Richard Logan — were named to emeritus, or honorary,
status.
Special Chancellor's Awards were presented to Betty Rose Meyer, a patron
for the development of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, and
to three generations of the Chernick family: Norman Chernick, Richard
Chernick, and Ryan Chernick. All three are officers of the Chernick Family
Foundation, which provides financial support for UWGB.
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