Vol. 34, No. 60 / May 5, 2003

'Key committee OKs pay increases for state employees'

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting the results of Monday morning's vote by the Joint Committee on Employment Relations regarding long-delayed pay raises for classified and/or unionized state employees. It's not over 'til it's over, but... JCOER is recommending that the Senate and Assembly break the logjam and implement the contracts. Click http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/may03/138612.asp.

State Employee Recognition Day

The Office of the Governor issued a proclamation last week declaring this Wednesday, May 7, "State Employee Recognition Day." The proclamation thanks this state's dedicated public servants who contribute significantly to the well-being and quality of life by ably carrying out a variety of important duties. The proclamation states, among other things, "Whereas, in the state's current fiscal crisis, these dedicated public servants have risen to the challenge of performing additional duties, cutting costs and gaining efficiencies in the delivery of essential services, and expending the taxpayer's resources with prudence and restraint," and "Whereas, the necessary reduction of the state workforce in no way diminishes our appreciation for the exemplary services, professionalism and loyalty of Wisconsin's state employees... Now, therefore, I, Jim Doyle, governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2003 State Employee Recognition Day.

Major NSF grant will fund UW-Green Bay research on pollution disclosure

A three-year, $300,000 National Science Foundation grant to study how disclosure of environmental information affects community and corporate decision making has been received by colleagues in the Environmental Science and Policy graduate program. Michael Kraft of Public and Environmental Affairs and Troy Abel of Public and Environmental Affairs will conduct case studies in 10 communities across the country. In a highly competitive process, the NSF awarded grants to only about 10 percent of the funding applicants. Click http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2003april.htm#environment.

Here's the heirloom plant sale news we've been waiting for

Those who work on campus can do their shopping at the annual heirloom plant sale in the Laboratory Sciences building greenhouse from noon to 5 p.m. this Friday (May 9). Regular sale hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11. Sale founder and coordinator Prof. Jeff Nekola, Natural and Applied Sciences, says shoppers will find plenty of plants to choose from. He initially estimated 15,000 (compared to 10,000 last year), but his newest inventory tallied 18,000 plants. In addition to more total plants, Nekola is responding to the popularity of last year's "test marketing" with more lettuces and vegetables other than tomatoes and peppers, more herbs, and more flowers. To browse the plant list prior to the sale, go to http://www.uwgb.edu/nekolaj/heirloom.

Two plant sale cautions

Prof. Nekola asks that campus plant sale shoppers on Friday afternoon bring their own BOXES. He's concerned that box donations may not meet the need for the public sale. Also, it's worth noting that due to remodeling of the Laboratory Sciences building, there is no indoor access to the greenhouse. Enter by way of the exterior door on the east side of the greenhouse.

'Newcomers' lead discussion on teaching

The Teaching Scholars group — made up of faculty who have been with us two years or less — will host a program on May 14 that is open to the campus community. The program takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14 (campus picnic day), in the 1965 Room of the University Union. "If you like talking about teaching and hearing new ideas about teaching from some of our newer faculty members, this presentation is for you," the invitation says. UW-Green Bay Teaching Scholars Troy Abel, Denise Bartell, Heidi Fencl, Namji Kim, Sonia Maruenda, Steve Meyer, and Ellen Rosewall will present and then engage the campus community in a discussion about teaching.

Fun snapshots of an international celebration

Bravo, International Students! On April, 26 an audience of more than 280 faculty members, academic staff, students and community members crowded the Phoenix Room to enjoy a night of international cuisine and entertainment. The very successful UW-Green Bay international dinner, the 27th annual, was an occasion to celebrate cultures from around the world. For photos, click http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/photoarch/events/dinner.htm.

Musician Ricardo Vogt gets star treatment

International student Ricardo Vogt, a freshman from Brazil, is attracting attention for his musical performances on campus and with John and Chris Salerno of the music faculty. A full-page story in Sunday's Green Bay Press-Gazette touts the singer/guitarist/songwriter as one of UW-Green Bay's most talented students. Perhaps ever. Click http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/et_10092376.shtml.

Farewell to percussion standouts highlights Friday's concert

Speaking of standout student musicians, the Contemporary Percussion and Hand Drumming Ensembles concert at 7:30 p.m. this Friday (May 9) spotlights two of UW-Green Bay's best. Graduating seniors Timothy Patterson and Ellen Simon will perform "Neimos Duet," a composition written especially for and about them by Prof. Cheryl Grosso. Patterson and Simon have each been accepted into prestigious master's programs in percussion performance. The concert also includes the premiere of a piece, "Notes from the Underground," by Prof. Terence O'Grady. For more, click http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2003may.htm#percussion.

Friends say, 'Keep your day job, Chad'

One last note on last month's International Dinner: A highlights was Chad Goeden, program manager of the Office of International Education, performing a Bavarian folk dance. "Although impressed by his skillful jumps and ability to dance in very tight lederhosen," one colleague tells the LOG ONLine, "we are glad Chad did not choose folk dancing as a career!"

Interested in a Fulbright?

The Fulbright Scholar Program is offering awards in 140 countries for college and university faculty and administrators and many others. While traditional Fulbright awards can cover an academic year or longer, a new short-term program offers two- to six-week grants in a variety of disciplines. Foreign-language skills are needed in some countries, but most lecturing assignments are in English. Prof. Christina Ortiz of International Education tells the campus community that award descriptions and applications can be found at http://www.cies.org.

Student from Belgrade will help lead international film discussion

International student Milos Sainovic will be a discussant following the Green Bay Film Society's presentation of the 2001 Bosnian film, "No Man's Land" at 7 p.m. Wednesday (May 7) at the Neville Public Museum of Brown County. Sainovic is a native of Belgrade. The film is about Bosnian and Serbian soldiers during the Bosnian conflict. Film Society member Joan Barry, recently returned from Sarajevo where a niece works, will present the film and also participate in discussion afterward.

State music festival marks 30 years at UW-Green Bay

"Whew!" That's the reaction today of organizers and UW-Green Bay hosts reflecting on Saturday's WSMA State Music Festival. It is believed more than 5,000 students, friends and family visited the campus. Last week, WSMA presented UW-Green Bay with recognition for the University's longstanding support of this program. See the photo at http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/page/photo.htm.

High school students hope to be cookin' with solar Tuesday... or Wednesday

Look for high school students from 14 northeastern and central Wisconsin schools Tuesday morning (May 6) on the lawn south of University Union where they'll be demonstrating solar cookers, water heaters, cars and sculptures in the 7th annual Solar Olympics sponsored by Wisconsin Public Service Community Foundation and UW-Green Bay. Inside the Union, they'll compete in solar marketing campaigns, photography and essay contests, and solar building and tee-shirt designs. They'll also participate in a solar jeopardy game. Prof. John Katers, Natural and Applied Sciences, is the campus coordinator. Monday was a rainout. If Tuesday stays cloudy, Wednesday is a possibility.

Faculty, staff and students will lend a hand for Solar Olympics

UW-Green Bay will have a significant presence at this week's Solar Olympics. Competition judges include graduate students Bethany Hemstreet, Dawn Walczak, Mike Brown, Brenner Perryman, and Erin Busscher, and undergraduate Brandon Nelsen in the solar car race; marketing students Fran Walczak, Bryan Hermus, Todd Koplein, and Abby Xiong in the solar marketing campaign; Virginia Dell, Marketing and Communications, solar photography; and Steve Gering, facilities, solar building design. Lecturer Karen Bircher and Prof. Linda Tabers-Kwak, both Education, judged the essay contest.

Trustee Crain is mentioned as UW Regents possibility

A board made up of mostly Milwaukee- and Madison-area citizens could add a Northeastern Wisconsin member if Gov. Doyle agrees with those touting Judy Crain as a potential regent for the University of Wisconsin System. Crain, a longtime Green Bay School Board member who is currently on UW-Green Bay's Council of Trustees, has expressed interest in appointment. Press-Gazette columnist John Dipko provides analysis at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_10093959.shtml.

Eau Claire chancellor a candidate for Pennsylvania job

A second UW System chancellor is in the news as a candidate for a new job out of state. Eau Claire Chancellor Donald Mash is a finalist at his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Coverage is archived at http://www.leadertelegram.com/story.asp?id=26393.

AD reiterates PSC, Resch relationship

Sunday's Press-Gazette featured a letter to the editor from Athletics Director Ken Bothof re-emphasizing UW-Green Bay's commitment to the Resch Center as home floor for men's basketball. (An article last week about Phoenix Sports Center renovation and expansion had been unclear on the subject.) The AD's letter is archived at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/opinion_10052694.shtml.

Speaking of that article...

Although the headline might just as well have been "Lindy lands in Paris!" (the PSC plans were indeed scaled back, but in fall 2001 with the arrival of Chancellor Shepard) and the basketball reference was a little unclear, last week's newspaper story did offer an update on planning, fundraising and the arrival of conceptual sketches for a proposed sports/recreation facility. It is archived at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_10035938.shtml.

Brass groups perform tonight

UW-Green Bay Brass Ensembles will perform traditional and contemporary brass music, including some jazz-influenced pieces, at a free concert at 7:30 p.m. today (May 5) in Fort Howard Hall. Admission is free. Students will be joined in the concert by The Premiere Brass, a group comprised of Prof. Tom Pfotenhauer and fellow alumni and/or high school directors Andy Zipperer, Shawn Postell, and Stephanie Krueger. For more, click http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2003april.htm#brass.

Vocal, instrumental jazz is in store for Wednesday concert

UW-Green Bay Jazz Ensembles I and II and Vocal Jazz Ensemble will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (May 7) in University Theater. Director John Salerno's arrangement of a Charles Mingus composition, "Three or Four Shades of Blues," is a major number on the Jazz Ensemble I program. For more, click http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2003may.htm#jazz.

Winner of the 2003 Humanities Prize? It's Engel

The winner of the 2003 Humanities Essay Prize, sponsored by the Humanistic Studies academic unit and several student organizations, was Michelle A. Engel of Green Bay. She and three other finalists presented their papers last month to an audience of faculty, staff, and students that included Provost Sue Hammersmith, Dean Carol Blackshire-Belay and Chancellor Bruce Shepard. Engel received a $250 prize and had her named added to a permanent plaque displayed in the Humanistic Studies office.

Topics ranged from vampires to Pledge

One more note on this year's 2003 Humanities Essay contest involves the names and paper topics of the four finalists. FYI, this year's final four consisted of:

"The Common Good vs. Individual Rights: An Historical Perspective on the Pledge of Allegiance in Public Schools," by Bill Drew;
"Montaigne: The Value of Repentance in Modern Discourse," by Nick Katers;
"Joel Schumacher's The Lost Boys and the Archetypally Queer Vampire," by winner Michelle A. Engel; and
"The Good Life: The Virtues of Secular Humanism," by Patrick Naidl

Visiting expert will bugle news of 'Elk in Wisconsin'

"Threats and Promises: Elk in Wisconsin" is the topic for the Environmental Science and Policy Graduate Program seminar at 2 p.m. Friday, May 9 in Mary Ann Cofrin Hall room 208. The speaker is Laine Stowell, an elk biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He'll talk about the reintroduction of elk into the state, chronic wasting disease, and other elk-related issues. The seminar is open to the public.

Put May 13 on your calendar to congratulate retirees Dell and Rodesch

Communication and the Arts and Humanistic Studies are joining together to honor Professors Jerry Dell and Jerrold Rodesch who are retiring from their respective units. The event is from noon to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 in the 1965 Room of University Union. Rodesch, who has served as secretary of the faculty and academic staff for the past five years, has filled almost every leadership role that a member of the Humanistic Studies faculty could fill during his career at UW-Green Bay. He has taught more than 30 different courses in the History and Humanistic Studies programs since joining the University in 1971. Dell founded the photography program at UW-Green Bay and brought it to national attention. He also taught the University's first electronic media courses. Colleagues say Dell's own creative work and active professional association with the National Society for Photographic Education enriched the photography program at UW-Green Bay.

Reminder: Sweden's 'capitalist welfare state' is Oxford topic

The Oxford Lecture Series continues at 2 p.m. Tuesday (May 6) in MAC 210 as Prof. Tom Nesslein discusses "The Political Economy of the Capitalist Welfare State: The Case of Sweden." For details, click http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2003april.htm#sweden.

Reminder: Opera scenes

Music students will perform works by Mozart in an Opera Theater Scenes Recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 8 in Studio Two. Prof. John Plier directs. For more, click http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2003april.htm#opera.

Students took opera to seniors event...

The UWGB Opera Theater presented "Sweet Betsy from Pike" last Friday at the "Nifty over Fifty" event at the Shopko Hall. Students participating were Cristina Everson, soprano, David Robertson,baritone, Kati Covi, mezzo-soprano, and Sarah Zickert, pianist. Prof. Sarah Meredith directed.

...And return to campus for recitals

This Saturday (May 10), Kathleen Covi, mezzo-soprano, performs at 4 p.m. in Fort Howard Hall, offering works by Dvorak, Beach, Bonporti, and Gluck. At 7:30 p.m. the same day, Kari Moriak, soprano, and Aaron Roeker, baritone, present their junior recital with works by Faure, Brahms, Schubert, Mozart, Corigliano, and others. Finally, on Sunday (May 11), at 3 p.m., soprano Jessica Heller, will be performing her junior recital including works by Vivaldi, Hadyn, Faure, Hermann, and Milford. Roecker is a student of Professor John Plier's and the others of Dr. Sarah Meredith. Admission is free for the recitals.

For one last look at the Friends' gift baskets, click here

Not sure which basket to put your money on when you buy your last raffle tickets? See 'em in person on the Library plaza, 10:30 to 2:30 Wednesday (May 7). Or click the Web at http://www.uwgb.edu/library/friends/fundraiser.html#books.

Reminder: Matter

Friends of Prof. Charles Matter invite you to a gathering in his honor on Friday, May 9, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Union's 1965 Room.

Reminder: Last call on research/teaching grants

Proposals must be received by 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, in the Institute for Research, CL 730, if you're interested in Grants for Integrated Research and Teaching. For guidelines go to the Research Council site, http://www.uwgb.edu/rc/.

Briefs

Robert Brooks, UW-Green Bay assistant athletics director for marketing, was featured in Sunday's edition of the Press-Gazette, in a profile on the front of the career section. Click http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com.

Prof. David Coury, Humanistic Studies and German, gave two talks in the community during April. He spoke to the German-American Society of Green Bay on "Landscape Architecture and the Gardens of Germany." The topic of his talk to the Shawano County Historical Society was "Pomeranians and 19th Century Immigration to Wisconsin."

Ismail Shariff, Elizabeth B. & Philip J. Hendrickson Professor of Business/Professor Urban & Regional studies/Chair Economics, is author of the invited lecture "Schumpeterian Insights in the Globalization Era on the Traditional Sample Fair," published in its entirety in a monograph format by the Institute of Advanced Economic and Social Studies (IAESS) Viterbo, Italy, April 2003.

LOG ONline is prepared for University of Wisconsin-Green Bay faculty and staff by the Office of Marketing and University Communication. Employees may submit a Brief, a Publication, a news item, an announcement, or offer feedback; call ext. 2527 or e-mail us at Log@uwgb.edu.