Bring a light jacket, of course, but the weather is suitably promising so that setup is taking place outdoors for the formal dedication of Mary Ann Cofrin Hall today (Friday, Sept. 28). Interim Chancellor William Kuepper will preside. The event takes place in the circle outside the MACH main entrance, on the plaza level between MACH and the University Union. Music by the student Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir begins at about 9:40 a.m., with the program starting about 10 a.m.

Today's recognition of Mrs. Mary Ann Cofrin continues a two-day celebration that began last night when an invited crowd of about 125 — mostly friends and family of the Cofrin Family with some campus and community officials — packed the Winter Garden area for a dedication dinner. Mrs. Cofrin, her husband David, and several of their children were in attendance. Mrs. Cofrin was presented with framed art that incorporates as artistic media some of the materials that give the facility a "green" sheen: a section of energy-generating Vision Glass etched with a sketch of the building, matted alongside some of the renewable materials used in its construction.

Mrs. Mary Ann Cofrin received an extended standing ovation when she was recognized at last night's dedication dinner in the Winter Garden. She said she was "absolutely thrilled" by the honor and the beauty of the new building. She also told the crowd that even after she returns home to Gainesville, Fla., she's dying to be kept posted on what students call the new building, for short. "I want to know what the students come up with for a nickname for Mary Ann Cofrin Hall," she said.

Among the speakers at today's outdoor dedication ceremony will be UW-Green Bay Chancellor-Designate Bruce Shepard. He opened his remarks at last night's dinner by addressing the Cofrins, "I am absolutely awed by this spectacular new building and the magnitude of all this University has accomplished with your help. (You) have provided this university an exceptional margin of excellence in facilities, performing arts, and academic endeavors." He listed among their contributions the Cofrin Arboretum, The Barbara Hauxhurst Cofrin Professorship of Natural Sciences, the challenge gift for construction of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, the expansion of the Weidner Center, and their leadership in bringing private support to bear on enhancements that make the new building unique.

Also among those heard Thursday evening was Founding Chancellor Edward Weidner, who narrated a videotape tribute to Mrs. Cofrin. He shared personal memories of the Cofrin family, their extraordinary spirit of philanthropy, and the closeness he has admired in their personal relationship. He closed with the observation that Mary Ann Cofrin Hall and David A. Cofrin Library stand side-by-side on this campus, just as the couple did on their first blind date in New York City more than 50 years ago.

Among those returning for the festivities associated with the opening of UW-Green Bay's newest academic buildings are former officers Mark Perkins and Howard Cohen. Both attended last night's invitation-only dinner for Mrs. Cofrin. Former chancellor Perkins left to become president of Towson University in Maryland on July 1. Former provost Cohen is now chancellor of Purdue University Calumet. (The only one of four former or future chancellors not taking part in dedication events is David Outcalt, who was unable to attend.)

Revealed Thursday night at the private dedication dinner honoring Mary Ann Cofrin was another honor: the intent to name a landscape feature in the new campus Quad for a former UW-Green Bay administrator. The announcement is expected to be made public at today's dedication ceremony.

At the conclusion of the 10 a.m. formal dedication ceremony for Mary Ann Cofrin Hall (which should end shortly before 11 a.m.), the building is open for self-guided tours as suggested in a handout that will be available at the event. Destinations including the Herbarium, the Richter Collection and other key features will be highlighted. For those and only those who have RSVP'd for the luncheon (and you know who you are), that event follows in the University Union.

George Wurtz, president of Georgia-Pacific Corporation's paper division, will present archives of the Fort Howard Corporation to the UW-Green Bay archives collection in ceremonies at 2 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 28) in the Area Research Center in Room 705 of the Library. (The event is open to the public but space is expected to be at a premium.) Materials from the archives will be on display for the remainder of the afternoon. Founded in 1919, Fort Howard Corporation was for decades Green Bay's largest employer. Library Director Leanne Hansen said the corporation's historical records are valuable in helping to document the economic and cultural history of Northeastern Wisconsin.

All three living Fort Howard CEOs, Paul Schierl, Don DeMeuse and Mike Riordan, will participate in this afternoon's ceremony and the reception that follows in the Area Research Center. Dr. David Cofrin, grandson of Fort Howard founder Austin Cofrin and brother of its second CEO, John Cofrin, will provide a historical perspective.