Founders Awards highlight
Convocation '06

As always, presentation of the Founders Awards for Excellence was a high point of the annual back-to-school convocation for UW-Green Bay faculty and staff. Recognized at the Aug. 23 ceremony, and posing afterward for a group photo, were front row from left: Prof. Greg Aldrete, Humanistic Studies, for scholarship; Deb Anderson of the Cofrin Library staff, academic support; graphic designer and Prof. Jeff Benzow, representing the entire Voyageur magazine team, honored in the category of excellence in collaborative achievement; second row, the recently retired Pam Spangenberg of Human Resources, classified support; Prof. Emeritus Ken Fleurant, institutional development; and Prof. John Katers, Natural and Applied Sciences, for community outreach. Absent was Prof. Aeron Haynie, Humanistic Studies, who earned the award for outstanding teaching.

Special guests Sally and Bernie Killoran received a lengthy ovation when they were acknowledged during Chancellor Bruce Shepard's convocation remarks. The couple, longtime Founders members and friends of UW-Green Bay, recently indicated they would accelerate plans to create an endowed scholarship for students. Shepard said the Killorans intend the generous donation as a way to commemorate their upcoming 50th wedding anniversary.

New to the role of emcee, newly appointed Secretary of the Faculty and Academic Staff Prof. Cliff Abbott posed prior to the ceremony. Acknowledging the long line of exceptionally witty and articulate SOFASes to which he is heir, he opened Convocation by joking that he had hoped to channel some of their ability, but instead "I've developed this compulsion to wear a bow tie." Ad Scientum Novandum!

Also acknowledged during Convocation was Prof. Sarah Meredith, right, a recent recipient of an international award of merit as presented by the Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation of Florence, Italy. An advocate for international education and a frequent leader for UW-Green Bay study trips abroad, Meredith has been active in Foundation projects promoting cultural and educational exchanges. Presenting the bronze medallion to Meredith on behalf of the Foundation was Provost Sue K. Hammersmith.

Several of the Founders Award recipients gathered near the podium after the ceremony to accept congratulations.

Voyageur magazine, winner of the Founders Association Award for Excellence in Collaborative Achievement, was well-represented at Convocation. Among those whose collaborative efforts led to the award are, back row from left, Prof. Emeritus Jerry Rodesch, a longtime Voyageur contributor, and Profs. Andy Kersten and David Voelker, members of the Editorial Committee; middle row, from left, office assistant Jean Bach, Brown County Historical Society President Chris Dunbar, Prof. Christine Style, a former art director, and Brown County Historical Society Vice President Ruth Homrighaus; front row, from left, Scott Hildebrand and Debra Anderson, Editorial Committee members, Senior Art Director Prof. Jeff Benzow, Publisher Bill Meindl and Prof. Toni Damkoehler, a former art director.