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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: 11/9/06 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
October 11, 2006 UWGB program teaches students that college is within reach Participation growing for Phuture Phoenix Day By Kelly McBride
If I can do it, so can you.
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay junior — and first-generation college student — was one of about 300 student volunteers at UWGB's fifth Phuture Phoenix Day.
Designed to bolster college ambitions for students from low-income schools, Phuture Phoenix relies heavily on students like Titulaer — those who offer a fun but honest picture of college life.
"I explain how I go to school here — I work, I get student financial aid — and explain that all those things are possible," Titulaer said. "I show that I can do that, that it's possible for me to go to school without coming from a very wealthy background. So I try to be a good role model."
Phuture Phoenix volunteers have an increasingly large number of students for whom they're role models. Last year, about 850 fifth-graders visited campus, versus nearly 1,000 on Tuesday — up from just 500 students during the program's 2003 inaugural run.
For the first time, Phuture Phoenix has added a second, abbreviated day. About 500 students are expected Thursday for the second Phuture session.
"We have a lot more UWGB students that are involved," said Cyndie Shepard, Phuture Phoenix director and wife of UWGB Chancellor Bruce Shepard. "Because we are able to have more students here, we're able to bring in more (fifth-grade) students and that really is the factor that makes us able to be able to do an outreach."
For Titulaer's fifth-graders, that outreach involved both the fun side of college — rolling down a hill near the University Union — and a more academic focus.
"My favorite part is seeing the theater," said Amanda Liang, a soft-spoken 10-year-old from the West De Pere School District. She likes "that you get to pick your classes."
In addition to campus tours and other activities, Tuesday's Phuture Phoenix session allowed students to rub elbows — and eat ice cream — with chancellor Shepard.
There also was downtime for chatting and signing the Phuture Phoenix T-shirts and knapsacks the students received. Signatures of UWGB students and new friends decorated the shirts of fifth-graders and older students alike.
For many Phuture Phoenix students, their university experience didn't end Tuesday.
Various outreach programs, including Phuture Phoenix clubs and other efforts, keep students connected, Cyndie Shepard said. She plans to add a parent component this year.
All of that is good news for West De Pere fifth-grader James Pease, who visited UWGB for the first time Tuesday.
Despite being a campus rookie, Pease wasn't worried about finding his way around.
"Mostly there's one rule," James said. "You'll never get lost in this school, because whenever you get lost there's always help."
By the numbers
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