Business grads can relate to hard work, local roots

More than most, Todd Bartels ’82 and Julie (Rose) Bartels ’82 can appreciate the return on investment from UW-Green Bay.

They know that many of UW-Green Bay’s 6,900 students are from cities, small towns and rural areas within 100 miles of campus. They know that many earn their own way through college. They know that most UW-Green Bay alumni stay local after graduation, stepping up to serve among the region’s teachers, planners, health professions and civic and business leaders.

They’re familiar with that profile because they share it. Both Todd (from Appleton) and Julie (Green Bay) juggled work, school and family to earn UW-Green Bay Business Administration degrees before finding satisfying careers close to home.

Todd is a senior vice president with Associated Bank, headquartered in Green Bay. He had previously spent many years as an executive with JPMorgan Chase before moving in 2006 to Associated, where he oversees large business accounts.

Julie’s career has focused on healthcare information and technology. She’s highly regarded in the industry, currently leading the Wisconsin State Health Innovation Plan and serving as executive VP for national health information with the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value.

In 2014 the couple donated funds to establish the Todd and Julie Bartels Annual Scholarship for continuing students in physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology – areas the couple views as emerging growth areas for the economy. They established the fund with appreciation for their own University careers and the first-hand knowledge that college is hard work.

“There wasn’t a lot of ‘down time’ in my case, because I was working,” Todd recalls. “Go to class. Go to work. Study. Repeat.”

For Julie, UW-Green Bay was a great fit for a married young mother who was working part time while balancing a full-time credit load. “Without access to a local, high quality and affordable four-year campus, I would not have been able to pursue my degree for many years,” she says.

The Bartels Scholarship fund represents just the latest effort by the couple to give back to their alma mater. Julie was a board member with the Founders Association, while Todd has been active with the Phoenix Fund on behalf of Division I Phoenix Athletics.