Vol. 35, No. 35 / December 22, 2003

Snapshots of Commencement, December 2003

It was a day to remember for graduating seniors, their friends and family, and for faculty, staff and invited guests who took part. A photo gallery from Saturday's midwinter Commencement is online at http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/page/photo.htm. For more photos, click http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/photoarch/events/dec03comm2.htm.

Additional coverage

Also archived on the UW-Green Bay website is a written recap of the ceremony, at http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2003dec.htm#highlights. Local newspapers provided ample coverage, too. See the P-G site at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_13807764.shtml.

For the record: Graduating class was big, but not that big

Projections of a mid-year graduating class of at least 400 proved to be a little high of the mark. That number was based on very early estimates. In actuality, Saturday's class was closer to 350, and about 300 of those seniors "walked" (that's Commencement insider lingo for "took part"), but even those numbers were at or near historic mid-year highs.

Kort's address was worth hearing

Much of the post-ceremony buzz at the Alumni Association's reception at the Weidner Center on Saturday had to do with how nice the ceremony was, in general, and how wonderfully uplifting was the address delivered by Poet Laureate Ellen Kort, in particular. Look for excerpts from her Commencement address on-line sometime after the first of the year.

Orange: Campus responds to heightened security alert

We're back to "High" (orange) National Threat Level. In response to yesterday's rise in the National threat level from "Elevated" (yellow) to "High," Public Safety asks that you take some time to review the Campus Emergency Action Guidelines and the response to Airborne, Chemical, Nuclear or Biological Release. The Emergency Action Guidelines for you to follow are located at: http://www.uwgb.edu/publicsafety/emergency/index.htm. The guidelines for you to follow for an Emergency Response to Airborne Chemical, Nuclear or Biological Release. Airborne releases would include any nuclear, biological or chemical material that is released at a location away from the Campus but threatens the Campus community via air movement. The guidelines in the event of an airborne release are located at http://www.uwgb.edu/publicsafety/policies/policy_emergency response to airborne chemical, nuclear or biological release.htm.

Be observant

You are critical to the safety and security of each other and to our campus. Under a "heightened alert" faculty and staff should report anything that appears suspicious to their supervisors or Public Safety at ext. 2300. Additionally, permanent employees (faculty and staff) have the authority to request ID of anyone seeking access to campus facilities. (At the same time, employees are counseled to consider their own comfort level and personal safety, and to call 2300 and press 2 immediately with questions or requests for assistance.)

More on proposal for paper center for UW-Green Bay

The paper industry has a nearly $17 billion-a-year impact in Wisconsin but has lost 9,000 jobs over the past three years. Analysts are citing those numbers in promoting the potential benefit of a proposed paper research center to be affiliated with UW-Green Bay. A $500,000 federal appropriation is part of an omnibus spending bill awaiting approval by the U.S. Senate. The Green Bay Press-Gazette offered an update at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_13753427.shtml.

President Lyall's 'Holiday Message' sounds familiar theme for UW-Green Bay

UW System President Katharine Lyall has distributed a guest column to Wisconsin newspapers for the holiday season. Titled "The Spirit of Giving," it touches on a number of issues but likely to be of special interest at UW-Green Bay is her references to rising tuition — she says it is at least partly a consequence of higher education increasingly being perceived as an individual benefit rather than a larger "public good." Chancellor Bruce Shepard has emphasized this theme in previous remarks this year at UW-Green Bay. For Lyall's column, see http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2003/r031219.htm.

Reminder: Hop aboard for 'Christmas Schooner' on Jan. 12

Mark it on your calendar now, so you don't forget over the long holiday break: A special benefit performance of UW-Green Bay's awards-nominated production of "A Christmas Schooner" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, in the University Theatre. It's a chance for those who didn't see it the first time, or those who want to see it again, to catch a final performance before it travels to the Midwest regional college theatre "playoffs" later in the month. For details, see a previous issue of the LOG archived at http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/logarchive/logarchive35/2003dec15.htm#actf.

Oneida Classic basketball tourney is Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29 and 30

For a basketball fan, there's nothing more enjoyable than a holiday tournament. The UW-Green Bay men host their own, the Oneida Bingo and Casino Classic, next Monday and Tuesday (Dec. 29 and 30) at the Resch Center. Semifinal action has high-scoring Troy State taking on nationally regarded Weber State at 5 p.m. followed by UW-Green Bay and Savannah State at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday's games have the consolation game at 5 p.m. with the championship at 7:30 p.m.

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.