Vol. 36, No. 31 / November 18, 2004

Founders Dinner turnout is largest in memory

A record or near-record crowd of 200 folks turned out for last night's Founders Association fall dinner in the Phoenix Room. Campus and community donors paid $25 per plate and enjoyed a fabulous salmon and tenderloin buffet as well as a 75-minute panel discussion featuring a virtual "who's who" of area educational leaders. Snapshots of the gala evening are posted at http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/page/photo.htm.

Food for thought from Shepard, Fowler, Hynes, Muhl, Nerad and Rafn

William Hynes of St. Norbert College said, "We collaborate in this community, and I'm proud of that." Daniel Nerad of Green Bay Area Public Schools said, "Diversity is our golden asset." Verna Fowler, founding president of the College of the Menominee Nation, admits to "one and only one mistake: I underestimated the desire of the people to get an education." Read more about the panel discussion as reported by Terry Anderson of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_18677065.shtml.

Food drive means $3 discount on tickets for men's game Saturday

When the men's basketball team takes on IUPUI at the Resch Center in the regular-season opener this Saturday night (Nov. 20), fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the game for the Salvation Army food pantry. Fans will receive a voucher for $3 off admission to the game. Offer excludes the Pepsi Family Section.

Tickets going fast for women's basketball games

At 1,800 seats, the Phoenix Sports Center sells out fast when a fine Phoenix team hosts one of last spring's NCAA Final Four teams. Tickets are already gone for the Minnesota game on Dec. 8. And they're going fast for Illinois on Dec. 1 and Marquette on Dec. 4. See http://www.uwgb.edu/athletics/wbb/111704.asp.

Kowalczyk recruiting class gets national attention

UW-Green Bay head coach Tod Kowalczyk has signed four Wisconsin prep stars and a Canadian point guard to National Letters of Intent this week. The recruiting class ranks No. 25 in the country according to Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye and No. 2 among the nation's mid-major schools according to Clark Francis at Hoop Scoop. See http://www.uwgb.edu/athletics/mbb/111104.asp.

Listen to women Friday night vs. Auburn

Worth tuning in is the Phoenix women's basketball season opener, at 6 p.m. Friday (Nov. 19). The team plays in the University of Vermont tournament; their semifinal opponent is national power Auburn of the SEC. Radio coverage is on AM 1440 WNFL, or via the Internet at http://www.uwgb.edu/athletics/wbb/audio/index.asp.

Mankowski is guest artist with Vocal Jazz

A star alumnus will join current music students when Woody Mankowski performs with the Vocal Jazz Ensemble in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, in the University Theatre. Mankowski will provide vocals on three of his own compositions, "Love's for Real," "Make Up Again," and "Love Yourself," and will be featured on saxophone on several other numbers. For more, see http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2004nov.htm#vocaljazz.

Opera Workshop will perform first great English opera

Mark your calendars for Dec. 2 through 5 when UW-Green Bay Opera Workshop will present the first great opera in English, Henry Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," in University Theater. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. all four evenings. Producer and vocal coach Sarah Meredith says the short opera promises an emotional story, artistic soloists and dancers, and beautiful choral singing, all accompanied by pianist Benjamin Moritz with Catherine Henze on viola da gamba. Dancer-choreographer Marc Kotz directs, and William Witwer conducts. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students. The number for tickets is 2217.

Reminder: Tickets still available for 'Funny Thing...'

Box office business has been brisk but seats remain for this weekend's performances of the musical comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday (Nov. 19, 20). For details, see http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2004nov.htm#forum.

Reminder: Student art opens at 4:30 p.m.

The work of 43 UW-Green Bay student artists goes on exhibit at an opening reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 18) in the Lawton Gallery, Theatre Hall.

Cancellation: Barrage announces change in plans

The much-anticipated Weidner Center performance of Barrage's new production "Vagabond Tales" has been cancelled — something about a change in their PBS taping schedule. A letter has been mailed to all ticket holders explaining their options, which include a full refund. The Weidner Center is suggesting that ticket holders consider exchanging Barrage tickets for the Jan. 27 performance of Leahy. For more about shows and tickets, go to http://www.weidnercenter.com.

Scheduled your office party yet?

This from the University Union: "Back by popular demand, the chefs are producing another Holiday Luncheon for you to enjoy. If you haven't already done so, plan your office holiday party right here on campus. It is reasonably priced, has wonderful food, company and entertainment. Hope to see you there on Dec. 9, from noon to 1 pm. We will reserve a table(s) for your group."

Reminder: Conversation partners

Needed: Conversation partners sought to help UW-Green Bay international students improve their English skills. Sign up by attending the International Extravaganza (noon to 1 p.m. on Friday the 19th, in the International Center, SS 1900) or by calling extension 2413.

Remember the conference reception

This is the weekend for the big "Engaging Women: Changing the Face of Leadership Through Civic Involvement" student conference at UW-Green Bay. The public is invited to a reception is from 3 to 4 p.m. this Friday (Nov. 19) in the 1965 Room of the University Union.

Provost open office hours are Friday

Provost Sue Hammersmith holds open office hours from 10 a.m. to noon this Friday (Nov. 19) in Suite 805 of the Cofrin Library. (The next opportunity is Dec. 3.) All requests should be made through Judi Pietsch at ext. 5161.

Rudeness on the rise? It could be harmful to your health

Rudeness can cause not just hurt feelings, but also anxiety, depression, moodiness and increases in insomnia and minor illnesses like cold and flu. An item crossed our desk recently recapping a University of Michigan study and Centers for Disease Control pronouncements from a few years ago. The message, still valid today, is that we can't eliminate stress and tension on the job, but common courtesy — whether face-to-face, on the phone or via e-mail — can prevent conflicts before they build into abusive language, or worse.

Breznay, Valentine promote Scandinavian journey next May

Join UW-Green Bay Prof. Peter Breznay and community leader Edith Valentine on a Scandinavian journey next spring (May 19 through June 1, 2005). The two are promoting the trip as a visit to an "enchanted land of natural beauty, mythical trolls and friendly people" and the North Country capitals of Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki. Moderately priced side trips are possible to the Fjord country of Norway and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. The basic cost for the tour is $3,495, flying in and out of Green Bay. If you are interested in receiving more detailed information about the trip, call 465-4819 or e-mail breznayp@uwgb.edu.

Governor's Task Force on Educational Excellence lists 40 recommendations

Judy Crain, a member of the Chancellor's Council of Trustees, served as the lone Green Bay representative on a 29-member Governor's Task Force on Educational Excellence over the past year. The group made 40 recommendations to Governor Doyle on several key areas of the Wisconsin educational delivery system: academic achievement, teacher recruitment and retention, early childhood education, special education and school finance. To view the report, go to http://edexcellence.wisconsin.gov/final_report.asp.

Stem cell initiative could mean millions for research at Madison

Gov. Jim Doyle announced plans Wednesday for a $375 million institute for stem cell and other biomedical research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. See coverage at http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/nov04/276219.asp.

Patent holder assesses California's stem-cell challenge

A column in a recent edition of the Wisconsin Technology Network publication might be of interest. Headlined ""Stem-cell patent holder's view of the California challenge," it is archived at http://www.wistechnology.com/article.php?id=1352.

Governor shares thoughts on budget planning

In case you missed it, newspaper reporters talked to Gov. Jim Doyle Wednesday about how state agencies have responded to budget-planning scenarios that included cuts of up to 10 percent in administrative costs. His comments on the UW System, in particular, made headlines. See http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/nov04/276166.asp.

Regent Pruitt speaks out on pay and benefits

Finally, from WisOpinion.com, Regent Chuck Pruitt of suburban Milwaukee responds to criticism of the UW regents' recent pay and benefit decisions. See http://www.wisopinion.com/index.iml?mdl=article.mdl&article=1047.

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.