Vol. 39, No. 121, May 19, 2008     /     Log Archive

Another semester in the books and another LOG newsletter for your inboxes. Please enjoy this post-commencement-week edition:

Milestone marked with 25,000th graduate
Saturday was a special day for more than 700 University of Wisconsin-Green Bay seniors, and especially for Jennifer Schanen. Not only did the senior from Port Washington receive her bachelor's degree with Summa Cum Laude honors, she also became the University's 25,000th graduate. Saturday's commencement ceremony at the Kress Events Center paused briefly as Nancy Deprey gave Schanen-No. 230 in line-a gift package from the Alumni Association. Deprey was UW-Green Bay's first-ever graduate when she received her diploma on June 1, 1970. Deprey, then Nancy Ably, was first in line alphabetically in a class of 79 graduates. http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2008/08-139.htm

Nerad, Seidl honored with Chancellor's Awards
Outgoing Green Bay Area Public School District Superintendent Dan Nerad and Len Seidl, the founder of Len Seidl Realty who helped secure the spot where UW-Green Bay stands today, were honored with Chancellor's Awards at the commencement ceremony.
Nerad worked closely with UW-Green Bay during his years with the district. "Dan (Nerad) has helped build and nurture numerous partnerships that have greatly benefited our community and made brighter futures possible for thousands of students," Chancellor Bruce Shepard said.
Seidl is a valued friend and supporter of UW-Green Bay who found the best site for the University more than 40 years ago, Shepard said. "Today, your UW-Green Bay is widely regarded as one of the most scenic and attractive campuses in the state and nation. And we have leaders like Len Seidl to thank," Shepard said.

Fowler gets honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Verna Fowler, a Menominee Indian leader and nationally recognized advocate for the educational advancement of American Indians, became the sixth person to receive an honorary degree from UW-Green Bay. Her Doctor of Laws Degree recognizes Fowler's distinguished services to learning, the state and the common good of society. Fowler was the founding president of the College of Menominee Nation in 1993. Since then, it has grown to more than 500 students, includes more than a dozen areas of study, maintains an annual budget of $10 million and has transfer agreements in place with UW-Green Bay and other four-year universities.

A big 'first' for First Nations major
UW-Green Bay's newest major made its debut at commencement Saturday with the first two graduates to receive bachelor's degrees in First Nations Studies. Rebecca McCrackin and Russell Reuter were the recipients. The Board of Regents voted in April 2007 to approve the elevation of the minor long known as American Indian Studies to the major in First Nations Studies. The program emphasizes the indigenous oral tradition as preserved and shared by Wisconsin's tribal elders, with student experiences in the classroom and in tribal communities. The program - interdisciplinary in nature - emphasizes the tribes of Northeastern Wisconsin, including the Menominee, the Oneida and the Mohican/Stockbridge-Munsee.

Take a seat at the Kress Events Center
There wasn't a bad seat in the house for those watching the spring commencement ceremony from inside the Kress Events Center. Seating was plentiful and the $33 million Kress Event Center lived up to its billing as a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility.
"The Kress Events Center is an enduring example of what all of us-students, alumni, community friends and elected officials-can accomplish when we all work together toward a common goal," Shepard said. Some onlookers were close to the action with "grad-side" seats and jumbo video boards helped everyone see the stage as the Class of 2008 was called.

'77 grad, environmentalist leads commencement address
Prof. David Kriebel of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a 1977 summa cum laude graduate of UW-Green Bay and a leader of the student environmental movement of the '70s, reminded graduates that their actions of today will help shape the world of tomorrow.
"No matter what your career path, act as if you live on a small and very finite planet - think of her as you walk through life, choosing in 10,000 small ways the mark you will make and the legacy you will leave your children and their children," he said.
Kriebel came to UW-Green Bay as a self-described "eco freak" determined to improve the planet. He helped organize the student Union of Young Environmentalists, which promoted activism in voicing a new, Earth Day ethic. He is now co-director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, focusing his research on prevention of workplace injuries, cancer and non-malignant respiratory disease.

More commencement information online
A list of graduates by degree and home county is online at:
http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2008/08-131.htm
For photos from graduation visit:
http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/photoarch/events/080517commencement/

Media makes a photo gallery, too
While you're at it, check out the Green Bay Press-Gazette's online photo gallery of the Spring 2008 Commencement by clicking here:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=U0&Date=20080517&Category=GPG01&ArtNo=805170809&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

Kress not done yet with grads
Three local high schools will hold back-to-back-to-back graduation ceremonies inside the Kress Events Center. Green Bay West High School's graduation is June 3, Green Bay Southwest is June 4, and Green Bay East is June 5. Doors for each graduation open at 6 p.m. with ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m.

Too much green at UW-Green Bay?
Vicki Medland, coordinator of the heirloom plant sale, said it was a great sale this year, but there were leftovers for the first time in recent memory. A "fire sale" Monday afternoon saw the last of remaining sweet and bell peppers, eggplants and tomatoes head out the door for a discounted price of $1.

40 join business honor society
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay chapter of the Sigma Beta Delta honor society announced its 2008 inductees recently. Forty UW-Green Bay students will join the international honorary society for business, management and administration students, including four Master's of Management students, seven junior Business Administration/Accounting students and 29 senior Business Administration/Accounting students. See who joined at: http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2008/08-142.htm

Modern Languages scholarship and award winners named
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Modern Languages program has announced its 2008 awards for academic excellence, applied language, and excellence and community service. Ellen Cook, a Spanish major from Sheboygan, received the Ken Fleurant Modern Languages Scholarship Award. The $1,000 scholarship, named for UW-Green Bay Prof. Emeritus Ken Fleurant, is awarded to a student majoring in French, German or Spanish who intends to pursue a career as a language teacher at the high school or college level. Modern Languages also presented awards for academic excellence, which recognize outstanding performance and academic achievement; and applied language and community service awards, which reward practical and creative applications of language on campus and in the community. See the list of winners here: http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2008/08-140.htm

UW-Green Bay, Nicolet College officials kick off partnership
UW-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard and Nicolet College President Adrian Lorbetske will sign a memorandum of understanding tomorrow (Tuesday, May 20) that commits the two schools to a partnership that will make earning a bachelor's degree easier for northern Wisconsin residents. UW-Green Bay and Nicolet College, in Rhinelander, are piloting a new initiative that will offer UW-Green Bay courses at Nicolet College starting this fall. This on-site course delivery, combined with online courses and, in some cases, occasional trips to Green Bay for students, will enable more place-bound residents to earn a UW bachelor's degree. For more visit: http://www.uwgb.edu/adultdegrees/northwoods/

Thursdays are 'fore' lunch fundraisers
Shorewood Golf Course will offer a series of lunch fundraisers this summer that will run Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. starting this Thursday May 22, through Thursday, Aug. 28. Shorewood will serve its regular menu along with a lunch special on each date with 10 percent of all proceeds going to the fundraiser. The fundraiser will be used to supplement current funds for on-going education, training and other activities set up for all Classified Staff employees. The Classified Staff Advisory Council is a co-sponsor of the fundraisers.

Schools receive Institute for Learning Partnership grants
The Institute for Learning Partnership at UW-Wisconsin-Green Bay has awarded eight grants totaling $38,063 to support projects aimed at improving teaching and learning in area schools. Institute grant recipients for 2008-09 are from the Green Bay, Luxemburg-Casco, Wrightstown, Pulaski, Plymouth and Manitowoc school districts. Projects range from using "SMART Boards" to increase basic concepts and vocabulary, to stocking a sensory closet with items that help students with attention and learning issues remain in a regular education classroom. This is the tenth year the Institute has awarded Grants to Improve Teaching and Learning. To date, the Institute has awarded grants totaling about $638,000.The Institute for Learning Partnership brings together educators from area K-12 school districts, universities, colleges, and business and community leaders to improve learning for all students in pre-kindergarten through grade 16. http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2008/08-141.htm

Buses, buses everywhere...
The wheels on the bus will go round and round, and all over town with U-Pass. We just wanted to mention that the new partnership between UW-Green Bay and Green Bay Metro will include free rides anywhere, anytime on city buses just by showing a valid campus ID card. That includes students, faculty and staff. The U-Pass program does not limit riders to routes heading directly to or from campus. The pilot program lasts one year beginning July 1. The Green Bay Transit Commission approved the program last Friday. http://www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/archive/2008/08-138.htm

... Even buses on the air
For a bit more on the U-Pass program, check out WBAY's coverage of the new partnership. http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=8336344&nav=menu24_3_8_2

Professors give input on public perception of McCain's age
As the presidential race heats up, usually it's our political science professors who show off some of their expertise about elections. This time, however, it was a couple of communication professors who were featured in the papers. Professors Tim Meyer and Phil Clampitt provided insight on how Republican candidate John McCain might overcome the perception that he is too old to be president. Meyer is an expert on media and Clampitt has expertise in public relations and communications strategy. Read what they had to say here: http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/APC0101/805180595/1979/APCsports

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