Gift, garden remember early UW-Green Bay official

It’s a quiet little spot near the busy center of the UW-Green Bay campus. Until now, it was easily overlooked.

Now, with the addition of a polished concrete bench, there’s reason to linger near the Spurlock Memorial on campus. Visitors and campus regulars alike are now invited to enjoy a shady place adjacent to the library’s Circle Entrance where they can wait for the bus, rendezvous with friends as they arrive or depart, or just enjoy the view.

The little recessed garden area has long been part of the campus landscape, dating to the 1970s when the library was new. A plaque was installed on a decorative stone retaining wall to honor the late Arthur E. (Gene) Spurlock, formerly the University’s assistant chancellor for administrative services. He died at age 45 on Jan. 13, 1975, following a long illness.

Spurlock had provided general supervision over the preparation of budgets and facilities during the institution’s first few years of rapid growth, serving in a position later occupied by Cyril “Zeke” Backes and Tom Maki. He was active in the community including Kiwanis, United Way and the Chamber of Commerce.

The little garden is located just a few steps off the more northerly of the two sidewalks bordering the below-grade Circle Entrance. The oaks, maples and junipers that frame the area have matured. The new bench was purchased with additional funds provided by Backes to remember his former colleague.

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Photos by Eric Miller, Marketing and University Communication